Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating a disease in an animal, which disease is responsive to inhibiting of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) polypeptide by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound defined herein (including those compounds set forth in Tables 1-6 or encompassed by formulas I-VI) or compositions thereof, thereby treating the disease. The present invention particularly, relates to a method of treating diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract: A multimedia processing system and method thereof are provided. The system and method provide for synchronizing a first clock of a multimedia decoder of a first multimedia processing device to a second clock of a multimedia encoder of a second multimedia processing device, synchronizing a first timing reference of the multimedia decoder to a second timing reference of the multimedia encoder, receiving, at a network interface of the first multimedia processing device, an encoded multimedia data stream from a network interface of the second multimedia processing device, wherein the encoded multimedia data stream is encoded by the multimedia encoder based on the second clock and the second timing reference, and decoding the encoded multimedia data stream at the multimedia decoder based on the first clock and the first timing reference.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Fig tree denominated ‘Sequoia’ is described. The new Sequoia fig variety is a high quality, medium to large size, yellow-green skinned fig of the “common” type, developed for use in the fresh market fig industry. The Sequoia tree is of medium vigor and size and is a regular and productive bearer, developing both a Breba and second crop in most years. The Sequoia has a tight ostiole that substantially restricts the entry of most insects into the interior of the fig fruit. In comparison with the “Tena” parent cultivar, the Sequoia is substantially larger in size and has a more prolific Breba crop. The larger size of the Sequoia allows it to be harvested later into the fall when the decreased size of other cultivars such as Tena precludes their use in the fresh market.

Abstract: A Negative Thermal Expansion system (NTEs) device for TCE compensation or CTE compensation in elastomer composites and conductive elastomer interconnects in microelectronic packaging. One aspect of the present invention provides a method for fabricating micromachine devices that have negative thermal expansion coefficients that can be made into a composite for manipulation of the TCE of the material. These devices and composites made with these devices are in the categories of materials called “smart materials” or “responsive materials.” Another aspect of the present invention provides microdevices comprised of dual opposed bilayers of material where the two bilayers are attached to one another at the peripheral edges only, and where the bilayers themselves are at a minimum stress conditions at a reference temperature defined by the temperature at which the bilayers are formed.

Abstract: A method and system of conditioning human skin and hair using a hand-held skin/hair conditioner having interchangeable interface conductors that are contoured to enhance electrical conductivity between the conditioner and a variety of body areas. Each of the interchangeable interface conductors are preferably formed to maximize surface area contact with a variety of body surfaces such as scalp/hair, body skin, and facial skin. In a preferred embodiment, the skin/hair conditioner is formed to fit comfortably and controllably in a user's grasp while providing maximum contact with the selected body surface. The skin/hair conditioner includes an audio signal generator and a vibration mechanism to alert a user of a change in status of the conditioner. The interface conductors may be (1) smoothly rounded, (2) include teeth, (3) spherical or hemispherical (4) include multiple rounded nodules.

Abstract: A plurality of wireless clients that can operate in a shared manner using a contention based protocol are placed into a contention free mode of operation that prevents the wireless clients from initiating a data transfer. Once the wireless clients are prevented from initiating access to the wireless network, a video gateway can transmit video content in a deterministic manner to one or more of the plurality of wireless clients.

Abstract: A telescopic leg has a housing with a lift cylinder or mechanical screw jack type lift and an external track for adjustably coupling to a member. Such telescopic legs can be used to define a variety of table base configurations by providing multiple angularly aligned tracks in each leg for receiving cross supports which can be selectively coupled to a desired location along the tracks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for seating two or more small children in a safe and comfortable manner in a reduced seating footprint. Through the use of a reduced seating footprint, parents can utilize safer, smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles such that the financial burden associated with owning and operating larger vehicles can be foregone. The seating assembly can include a unitary seating frame having two or more seating portions operatively connected to the seating frame. The seating assembly can further include a utility bin that operably attaches to the unitary seating frame.

Abstract: A system is provided for transmitting data to a plurality of devices. A data source receives data from a video broadcasting source, such as a digital television provides, through a data cable. The data source identifies devices to receive particular sets of data, such as particular programs, from the data cable. The data source identifies particular settings for transmitting to particular devices. The data source adjusts a transmission power to a first device to efficiently provide data reliably to the first device. The data source can assign more or less power for transmitting data to the first device. The data source provides data to the source device using a first data channel. The data source provides data to a second device using a second data channel. The data source receives acknowledgements and control information from the first device and the second device using the second data channel.

Abstract: A multimedia processing system and method thereof are provided. The system and method provide for synchronizing a first clock of a multimedia decoder of a first multimedia processing device to a second clock of a multimedia encoder of a second multimedia processing device, synchronizing a first timing reference of the multimedia decoder to a second timing reference of the multimedia encoder, receiving, at a network interface of the first multimedia processing device, an encoded multimedia data stream from a network interface of the second multimedia processing device, wherein the encoded multimedia data stream is encoded by the multimedia encoder based on the second clock and the second timing reference, and decoding the encoded multimedia data stream at the multimedia decoder based on the first clock and the first timing reference.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing and aligning an amorphous film in a single step, a method of forming an aligned film on a substrate in a single step by combining the deposition and alignment of an alignment layer into a single-step using ion beam processing and an amorphous film having an aligned atomic structure prepared by a method in which an aligned film is deposited and aligned in a single step are provided. The film is deposited and aligned in a single step by bombarding a substrate with an ion beam at a designated incident angle to simultaneously (a) deposit the film onto the substrate and (b) arrange an atomic structure of the film in at least one predetermined aligned direction.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Asian pear tree (Pyrus pyrifolia) and which is denominated as 85.10-23 is described, and which produces a yellow colored white fleshed fruit which is mature for harvesting and shipment during the second and third weeks of July under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic no contact machine for cleaning and drying tips, air caps, retainers and cups on spray apparatus when changing liquid or when the apparatus will be idle, or to remove build up of paint on applicators that cause spits and drips on surfaces and electrostatic arcing to spray apparatus while containing and recovering cleaning effluents to an environmental standard.

Abstract: Three new embodiments to the Chattanooga Process that convert or upgrade oil bitumen, a combination of oil sands and bitumen, a combination of sand and bitumen, and oil shale to high grade low sulfur (about 0.1 to 0.5 wt. % sulfur, or less) crude oil. The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil (SCO) from oil sand bitumen which has been extracted from under ground via in situ processes, or strip mined and extracted via hot water extraction processes before upgrading. It can also apply to kerogen extracted in situ from shale underground. The process involves treating the hot bitumen with sand from an extraction process or the hot oil from kerogen with ground shale containing kerogen in a fluid bed reactor where the reactant and fluidizing medium is only hydrogen. The invention also relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil (SCO) from oil shale kerogen.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a process for producing synthetic crude oil and includes embodiments which convert or upgrade oil bitumen, a combination of oil sands and bitumen, a combination of sand and bitumen, oil shale and kerogen to high grade low sulfur crude oil. In one embodiment it is a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil sand bitumen. In another it produces synthetic crude oil from oil shale. The process in one embodiment includes a fluid bed reactor where the reactant and fluidizing medium is substantially hydrogen. In other embodiments, the process includes treating the oil sand (tar sand) or shale to produce a fluidizable feed, feeding the fluidizable feed to a fluidized bed reactor, and fluidizing and reacting the fluidizable feed in the fluidized bed reactor with a feed having hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel substituted dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and dihydro-5H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine compounds including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which have an affinity for 5-HT1A receptors and which inhibit neuronal reuptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine and/or noradrenaline, to processes for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to their use in the treatment of depression, anxiety, psychoses including schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia, obesity, drug addiction, drug abuse, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, panic attacks, social phobias, eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, snaking and binge eating, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, stress, as an aid to smoking cessation and in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of seizures, neurological disorders such as epilepsy and/or in which there is neurological damage such as stroke, brain trauma, cerebral ischaemia

Abstract: A negative coefficient of thermal expansion particle includes a first bilayer having a first bilayer inner layer and a first bilayer outer layer, and a second bilayer having a second bilayer inner layer and a second bilayer outer layer. The first and second bilayers are joined together along perimeters of the first and second bilayer outer layers and first and second bilayer inner layers, respectively. The first bilayer inner layer and the second bilayer inner layer are made of a first material and the first bilayer outer layer and the second bilayer outer layer are made of a second material. The first material has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the second material.

Abstract: Multi-domain liquid crystal cells having twist angles less than 90 degrees, and LCDs containing such liquid crystal cells, are provided. Such liquid crystal cells are stable, particularly at zero and high fields, and provide wide viewing angles. Also provided are methods of using an adjustable particle beam in combination with a mask to generate multi-domains alignments. Such methods are useful for producing liquid crystal cells in general, and for producing the novel multi-domain low twist angle liquid crystal cells of the present invention in particular.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a write behind controller receives control information from a display device controller in order to determine a current location available in a frame buffer for receiving information. Write accesses of the frame buffer by a rendering engine are prohibited if the access is to an area below a currently available location of the frame buffer. Generally, the rendering engine will be stalled when the requested address location has not yet displayed its data. Subsequently, the write access to the frame buffer is allowed when location has been rastered.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a plurality of devices are disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes transmitting a first plurality of sets of data on a plurality of data channels to a plurality of devices, wherein each of the first plurality of sets of data has a corresponding channel from the plurality of data channels and is transmitted to a corresponding device of the plurality of devices, and receiving a second plurality of sets of data on at least one of the plurality of data channels, wherein the second plurality of sets of data is sent by the plurality of devices, and wherein each of the second plurality of sets of data has a corresponding device of the plurality of devices. The second plurality of sets of data can include an acknowledgement from its corresponding device of the reception of at least one of the first plurality of data sets. Further, different channels of the plurality of data channels can include separate bands of frequencies.