Abstract: Novel dry powder compositions comprising and methods relating thereto are provided. The dry powder compositions comprise PDE5 inhibitors, such as vardenafil, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof. The dry powder compositions may optionally include an carrier/excipient. The concentration of active agent may be at least about 2% by weight. Methods of aerosolizing the dry powder compositions and using them to treat various diseases are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heater of an external tubular sleeve for repairing a longitudinal section of defective hollow pipe has a frame for encompassing the sleeve when operationally positioned. Each of several burners spaced at intervals about the frame as nozzle for heating the sleeve, and a novel baffle located intermediate the nozzle and sleeve when operationally positioned, for heat dispersal over the sleeve. Each baffle has staggered vents for passing flame from the nozzle onto the sleeve, to avoid cold spots on the sleeve below the baffle, and has a central shaped deflector proximate the vents and facing the nozzle. Flame from the nozzle impacts the deflector and redirects toward the vents and periphery, of the baffle, to avoid point heating below the nozzle and provide diffused flame uniformly over the sleeve. Changing deflector and vent features can influence desired flame dispersal characteristics.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a single-use, disposable module or manifold for testing and analysis of bioprocesses, as well as a portable and compact device which can be used with the module or manifold. A module comprising a valve, a filter or guard column, an affinity column, and a flow cell is provided with several ports for receiving tubing connections for a sample and one or more solvents, as well as one or more outlet ports for connections to one or more waste reservoirs. The flow cell may use UV light to determine a protein concentration of a sample in one particular example. The module can be connected directly or indirectly to a bioreactor containing the bioprocess and material to be sampled, and can be disposed of once a production run has been completed. In addition, manifolds are provided which can be embodied as a valve assembly, and which can comprise the same components and features as the disposable module. The manifolds and modules are compact and easy to use.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a single-use, disposable module or manifold for testing and analysis of bioprocesses. A module comprising a valve, a filter or guard column, an affinity column, and a flow cell is provided with several ports for receiving tubing connections for a sample and one or more solvents, as well as one or more outlet ports for connections to one or more waste reservoirs. The flow cell may use UV light to determine a protein concentration of a sample in one particular example. The module can be connected directly or indirectly to a bioreactor containing the bioprocess and material to be sampled, and can be disposed of once a production run has been completed. In addition, manifolds are provided which can be embodied as a valve assembly, and which can comprise the same components and features as the disposable module. The manifolds and modules are compact and easy to use. A portable device for use with a module is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a single-use, disposable module or manifold for testing and analysis of bioprocesses, as well as a portable and compact device which can be used with the module or manifold. A module comprising a valve, a filter or guard column, an affinity column, and a flow cell is provided with several ports for receiving tubing connections for a sample and one or more solvents, as well as one or more outlet ports for connections to one or more waste reservoirs. The flow cell may use UV light to determine a protein concentration of a sample in one particular example. The module can be connected directly or indirectly to a bioreactor containing the bioprocess and material to be sampled, and can be disposed of once a production run has been completed. In addition, manifolds are provided which can be embodied as a valve assembly, and which can comprise the same components and features as the disposable module. The manifolds and modules are compact and easy to use.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a single-use, disposable module or manifold for testing and analysis of bioprocesses. A module comprising a valve, a filter or guard column, an affinity column, and a flow cell is provided with several ports for receiving tubing connections for a sample and one or more solvents, as well as one or more outlet ports for connections to one or more waste reservoirs. The flow cell may use UV light to determine a protein concentration of a sample in one particular example. The module can be connected directly or indirectly to a bioreactor containing the bioprocess and material to be sampled, and can be disposed of once a production run has been completed. In addition, manifolds are provided which can be embodied as a valve assembly, and which can comprise the same components and features as the disposable module. The manifolds and modules are compact and easy to use. A portable device for use with a module is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a fluid actuated fluid extraction system, and in particular an airflow actuated gas extraction system which in use is located in an airflow such as a natural flow of wind, and which airflow actuates the system in order to extract fluid such as a gas from a remote location such as the interior of a building, the system comprising a hollow body having at least a pair of concentric annular baffles longitudinally spaced from one another to define an annular flow channel circumscribing the body between the pair of baffles into which an actuating fluid can flow from an exterior of the body, the body further having an intake to permit an exhaust fluid to enter the body longitudinally, wherein one or more of the baffles are profiled to generate a vortex within an upstream portion of the flow channel and to effect propagation of the vortex circumferentially around the channel by means of the coanda effect

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a wind turbine which is designed to start rotating in lower wind speeds than is conventionally possible, the wind turbine comprising a power take off shaft on which a first rotor is mounted, the first rotor having a first diameter, and on which shaft a rotatable augmentor in the form of a second rotor is mounted coaxially of the first rotor, the second rotor having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter.

Abstract: An external sleeve arrangement for repairing a defective length of pipe has top and bottom segments for substantially encircling the pipe, where the bottom segment in addition has connector plates welded on either side. When the pipe and sleeve segments are made of a similar material, the sleeve segments are made thicker than the pipe wall, up to three times as thick or more, so that upon heating the sleeve segments for a given time they stretch relative to the pipe. After joining the stretched sleeve segments with the connector plates to form a continuous circumferential sleeve, the sleeve is cooled to provide an enhanced interference fit to reinforce the defective length of pipe. Prior to heating, the sleeve segments are clamped about the pipe using a clamping mechanism employing lugs connected to the segments and screw jacks engaging those lugs to draw the segments tight to the pipe.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a processor capable of executing processor executable code operably coupled with a non-transitory computer medium storing processor executable code, which when executed by the processor causes the processor to: (a) receive a first signal over a computer network, the first signal indicative of a request for information about a target structure from a user; (b) in response to receiving the first signal, access a database including information about the target structure; and (c) transmit a second signal over the computer network indicative of a virtual property report for the target structure including at least one image of the target structure. The virtual property report may include information about a facet of the target structure facing a street, location of a main entrance of the target structure, location of a secondary entrance of the target structure, location of vehicle access to the target structure.

Abstract: A multi-path selector valve used in liquid chromatography and other analytical methods for directing fluid along alternate paths of a flowstream. The selector valve has a stator and a rotor. The dynamic face of the stator has a plurality of openings arranged along an inner ring, a plurality of openings arranged along an outer ring, and an annular collection groove formed in the dynamic face. The inner ring, outer ring, and annular collection groove are concentric circles. The rotor's dynamic face is configured to mate with the rear face of the stator, and has two fluid flow paths. One fluid flow path has one end at a rotational center of the rotor and another end of the fluid flow path is configured to be aligned with a stator opening along the inner ring. The second fluid flow path has one end that is configured to be aligned with the annular collection groove and another end that is configured to be aligned with a stator opening along the outer ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure controlled wind turbine enhancement system and a method of enhancing the airflow past a wind turbine, the enhancement system including a two part conical nozzle to be located upwind or upstream of a turbine in order to augment the natural flow of air past blades of the turbine in a manner which produces increased power output from the turbine.

Abstract: An external sleeve arrangement for repairing a defective length of pipe has top and bottom segments for substantially encircling the pipe, where the bottom segment in addition has connector plates welded on either side. When the pipe and sleeve segments are made of a similar material, the sleeve segments are made thicker than the pipe wall, up to three times as thick or more, so that upon heating the sleeve segments for a given time they stretch relative to the pipe. After joining the stretched sleeve segments with the connector plates to form a continuous circumferential sleeve, the sleeve is cooled to provide an enhanced interference fit to reinforce the defective length of pipe. Prior to heating, the sleeve segments are clamped about the pipe using a clamping mechanism employing lugs connected to the segments and screw jacks engaging those lugs to draw the segments tight to the pipe.

Abstract: A multi-path selector valve used in liquid chromatography and other analytical methods for directing fluid along alternate paths of a flowstream. The selector valve has a stator and a rotor. The dynamic face of the stator has a plurality of openings arranged along an inner ring, a plurality of openings arranged along an outer ring, and an annular collection groove formed in the dynamic face. The inner ring, outer ring, and annular collection groove are concentric circles. The rotor's dynamic face is configured to mate with the rear face of the stator, and has two fluid flow paths. One fluid flow path has one end at a rotational center of the rotor and another end of the fluid flow path is configured to be aligned with a stator opening along the inner ring. The second fluid flow path has one end that is configured to be aligned with the annular collection groove and another end that is configured to be aligned with a stator opening along the outer ring.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods involving use of BIN1 expression levels, in heart tissue, in evaluating the risk of a poor outcome in a patient diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The methods finds use in evaluating patients who are heart transplant candidates as well as in assessing therapy options and efficacy of treatment in congestive heart failure patients.

Abstract: A wind turbine system having a street light having an upright support or post on which is mounted a canopy housing any suitable lighting gear, and a wind turbine mounted above the canopy and operable to generate electrical energy with which to power the light, the canopy being adapted to augment the flow of air through the wind turbine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods involving use of BIN1 expression levels, in heart tissue, in evaluating the risk of a poor outcome in a patient diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The methods finds use in evaluating patients who are heart transplant candidates as well as in assessing therapy options and efficacy of treatment in congestive heart failure patients.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a processor capable of executing processor executable code operably coupled with a non-transitory computer medium storing processor executable code, which when executed by the processor causes the processor to: (a) receive a first signal over a computer network, the first signal indicative of a request for information about a target structure from a user; (b) in response to receiving the first signal, access a database including information about the target structure; and (c) transmit a second signal over the computer network indicative of a virtual property report for the target structure including at least one image of the target structure. The virtual property report may include information about a facet of the target structure facing a street, location of a main entrance of the target structure, location of a secondary entrance of the target structure, location of vehicle access to the target structure.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade system having a main blade having a root and a tip, and at least one secondary blade secured to or formed integrally with the main blade about the tip, the at least one secondary blade being shaped and dimensioned to form, when the main blade is rotated, a shroud circumscribing a swept area of the main blade in order to improve the airflow past the main blade during operation of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing latency caused by information server processing of subscriber request wherein a plurality of content streams defined by a playlist are sequentially provided to a subscriber in a substantially seamless manner and wherein the playlist is updated and otherwise maintained in response to subscriber commands and requests.