Abstract: A geothermal hybrid heat exchange system is provided. The system includes a heat pump having a first fluid port and a second fluid port, a fluid reservoir, and at least one earth loop. A first end of the earth loop is connected to the first fluid port of the heat pump and the second fluid port of the heat pump and the second end of the earth loop are coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir so that fluid in the reservoir passes through the earth loop and the heat pump during heating/cooling operation of the heat pump.

Abstract: Parenteral extravascular administration of a composition containing an analgesic medication of low water solubility that is dissolved, suspended, or emulsified in a solvent system results in the deposition of the analgesic medication at the site of administration and provides a controlled release of the analgesic medication from the site and a prolonged analgesia that may persist for several days following administration.

Abstract: A formulation containing one or more biologically active substances dissolved, dispersed, emulsified, or suspended within a vehicle of one or more citric acid esters and/or citric acid ethers. Methods for making and using are disclosed, as are kits for administration of the pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball joint assembly (10) including a housing (12) and a ball stud (72) disposed in the housing. The ball stud (72) has a head end portion (70) and a shank portion (74). A radial load bearing assembly (80) engages the shank portion (74) to support the ball stud (72) for movement relative to the housing (12).

Abstract: A method for preventing edge chipping and cracking damage encountered by semiconductor chips in a die picking operation during separation from an adhesive sheet. Also provided is a device for preventing potential edge chipping and cracking damage encountered by a semiconductor chip during die picking processes.

Abstract: A composite resilient scaffold may be used to grow, repair, and/or regenerate tissue such as articular cartilage. The composite scaffold is porous and at least substantially bioremovable. The composite scaffold includes a support structure coated with a discontinuous coating of separate and discrete particles of a ceramic material such as calcium phosphate. The calcium phosphate material may have a porous reticulated structure.

Abstract: A method of producing an open, porous structure having an outer surface defining a shape having a bulk volume and having interconnecting openings extending throughout said volume and opening through said surface, and products resulting from the method. The method comprises preparing a viscous mixture comprising a sinterable powder dispersed in a sol of a polymer in a primary solvent, replacing the primary solvent with a secondary liquid in which the polymer is insoluble to produce a gel comprising an open polymeric network having the sinterable powder arranged therein, removing the secondary liquid from the gel; removing the polymer network, and sintering the sinterable powder to form the open, porous structure. Also disclosed are shaped, porous products resulting from methods of the invention.

Abstract: Compositions containing a vehicle containing a rosin resin or derivative and a non-volatilized solvent or plasticizer. The compositions may be used to deliver a biologically active substance such as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The concentration of rosin resin or derivative in the vehicle is sufficient to alter the release rate from the composition of a biologically active substance that is dissolved, dispersed, emulsified, or suspended in the vehicle.

Abstract: A graphic for application to a textile is disclosed. The graphic includes a front surface configured to be viewable when the graphic is applied to the textile. The graphic further includes a back surface opposite the front surface and configured to contact the textile. The graphic further includes an attachment mechanism, other than stitching, that attaches the graphic to the textile. The graphic also includes a simulated stitching pattern “etched” onto the front surface of the graphic extending around a perimeter of the graphic and includes projections simulating stitch ends.

Abstract: A dosage form from which a burst release of a drug contained within a tampered dosage form is reduced or retarded by the presence in or on the dosage form of a TPTA (Tamper Prone Therapeutic Agent) trap. If the dosage form has not been tampered with, the TPTA trap does not significantly interfere with the rate of release of the drug from the dosage form. However, if the dosage form has been physically tampered with, the TPTA trap reduces or retards burst release of the drug from the dosage form.

Abstract: A control system and method of controlling a propeller aircraft engine during takeoff limits the amount of engine power developed at the very beginning of the takeoff in order to maximize thrust and minimize rollout distances. The control system limits the amount of power developed by the engine, even in the face of a nominal demand by the pilot for maximum engine power. Instead, the control system provides something significantly less than full power at the beginning of takeoff and gradually increases the power developed by the engine to full power as the airspeed increases. This gradual increase from partial engine power toward full power helps prevent stalling of the propeller, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of the propeller and engine in assisting the aircraft to takeoff quickly. The control system is particularly helpful for taking off from high-altitude runways.

Abstract: A baffle is disclosed which comprises a plurality of substantially S-shaped baffle members and a frame configured to hold the baffle members substantially parallel to each other. The baffle is configured to separate one or more entrained substances from an air stream.

Abstract: Particles may be used to filter harmful biological material from an fluid stream such as air. The particles can be arranged into a bed to filter the harmful biological material from the fluid. The particles include a biocidal agent which is used to destroy the harmful biological material.

Abstract: Particles may be used to filter oleo material such as grease from a flow of fluid such as a gas. The particles can be arranged into a bed to filter the oleo material from the fluid. The filtrate substance collect on the inorganic particles. The particles are re-usable, in that they can be subjected to filtrate-separation techniques, e.g., solvent extraction, detergent washing, and centrifugal separation, to separate the oleo material from the particles.

Abstract: A method of producing an open, porous structure having an outer surface defining a shape having a bulk volume and having interconnecting openings extending throughout said volume and opening through said surface, and products resulting from the method. The method comprises preparing a viscous mixture comprising a sinterable powder dispersed in a sol of a polymer in a primary solvent, replacing the primary solvent with a secondary liquid in which the polymer is insoluble to produce a gel comprising an open polymeric network having the sinterable powder arranged therein, removing the secondary liquid from the gel; removing the polymer network, and sintering the sinterable powder to form the open, porous structure. Also disclosed are shaped, porous products resulting from methods of the invention.

Abstract: A process for producing a rigid reticulated article involves coating a reticulated substrate which has open, interconnected porosity with a first dispersion comprising a ceramic or metal powder to form a first coating thereon; drying the coated reticulated substrate; contacting the coated reticulated substrate with one or more additional dispersions in succession to form one or more additional coatings thereon; drying the additional coatings between the steps of contacting; heating the coated reticulated substrate to pyrolyze organic components; and sintering the coated reticulated substrate to form a reticulated article, wherein each dispersion has a viscosity less than that of all preceding dispersions. A rigid reticulated article includes inner, intermediate and outer sintered layers of material in which the inner and outer layers are of different composition and the intermediate layer is a composite of the inner and outer layers.

Abstract: A formulation containing one or more biologically active substances dissolved, dispersed, emulsified, or suspended within a vehicle of one or more citric acid esters and/or citric acid ethers. Methods for making and using are disclosed, as are kits for administration of the pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract: A tuning door is fabricated for a resonant cavity of a high frequency apparatus. Contact fingers are formed around the edge of a conductive plate. The plate is then fixed to a support by, for example, double sided adhesive tape. The conductive plate is part of the interior surface of the resonant cavity. The fingers may be formed in one operation, for example, by photoetching and are fully integral with the active surface to give optimum electrical conduction between them. Other types of high frequency apparatus may use contact fingers to provide electrical conduction between a movable wall and an adjacent conductive surface.

Abstract: Adherent packed beds of ceramic beads, each comprising a ceramic body coated with a biodegradable polymer, and fabric bags containing such beads in a packed, self-supporting configuration. The polymeric coating provides some resilience to a packed bed of the ceramic beads, and prevents the beads from moving with respect to each other when placed under stress, leading to reduced breakage. The ceramic beads desirably are osteoconductive, and preferably are formed of a ceramic material that is resorbed during bone growth, such as hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, or mixtures of these materials. The beads may contain, either internally or on their surfaces or both, a bone morphogenic protein, and the latter may also be included in the biodegradable polymer coatings on the beads.

Abstract: Buoyant, sphere-like materials on the order of about 10 to about 300 microns and surrounded, at least in part, by (1) a variable blend of a ferromagnetic and paramagnetic material and (2) an absorbing or adsorbing material are effective vehicles for isolating targeted materials. By virtue of its relatively low density, the composite material is capable of remaining sufficiently suspended in solution for a suitable amount of time. In addition, the blend of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic materials allows for the isolation of a composite material from an environment such as a solution, yet discourages substantial self-attachment of the composite materials in solution, when subject to a magnetic field. Accordingly, multiple embodiments of composite materials having these and other properties are disclosed, as well as methods for making and using the same.