Abstract: A surface cleaner includes a base movable over a surface to be cleaned and having a suction inlet and a brushroll removably coupled to the base and rotatable about a brushroll axis, and a brushroll cover coupled to the base. A latch is movable between an unlocked position in which the brushroll is removable from the base and a locked position in which the brushroll is coupled to the base. The brushroll cover includes an actuator that moves the latch from the unlocked position toward the locked position when the brushroll cover is attached to the base such that when the brushroll cover is coupled to the base, the latch is retained in the locked position by the actuator to prevent removal of the brushroll. When the brushroll cover is uncoupled from the base, the latch moves to the unlocked position such that the brushroll is removable from the base.

Abstract: A method for preparing interleukin-2 or an interleukin-2 analogue formed by at least three building blocks includes: synthesizing the at least three building blocks, whereby for each building block the C-terminal residue comprises an ?-keto group and/or the N-terminal residue comprises a cyclic hydroxylamine; coupling the at least three building blocks by KAHA ligation resulting in a depsipeptide; and rearranging the depsipeptide to obtain interleukin-2 or an interleukin-2 analogue.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of a molecular lasso structure in which a linear moiety is covalently attached to a cyclic moiety and with its free end is partially threaded through the orifice formed by the cyclic moiety, including the following steps: 1) provision of a cyclic and a first linear structural element and establishing conditions in which the first linear structural element is threaded through the orifice of the cyclic moiety; 2) covalently attaching a stopper element to one terminal end of the linear structural element; 3) separating unthreaded from threaded molecular assemblies by chemical or physical separation; and 4) reacting the threaded molecular assemblies with a second linear structural element so that it is covalently attached to the first linear structural element at its end opposite to the end where the stopper is attached, and so that the second linear structural element is covalently attached to the cyclic moiety.

Abstract: A method for preparing interleukin-2 or an interleukin-2 analogue formed by at least three building blocks including the steps of: a) Synthesizing the at least three building blocks, whereby the C-terminal amino acid of each building block is linked to an a-keto group and the N-terminal amino acid of each building block is linked to a cyclic hydroxylamine, b) Coupling the at least three building blocks by KAHA ligation resulting in a depsipeptide, c) Rearrangement of the depsipeptide to obtain interleukin-2 or an interleukin-2 analogue.

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol substituted acyl borates, methods for their preparation, and the use of the polyethylene glycol substituted acyl borates for the preparation of polyethylene glycol substituted macromolecules. The polyethylene glycol substituted acyl borate has the general formula (I) wherein PEG denotes a polyethylene glycol-based substituent; a is an integer from 1 to 12; X1, X2, and X3 are independently of one another selected from the group made of F, OR, N+R3, N+R2OR, N+R2SR, and N+R2NR2, and are optionally forming a cyclic or a bicyclic structure; and R is an organic substituent or H.

Abstract: A method for the generation of oligomers or a mixture of oligomers to form a chemical library by amide-forming oligomerization comprises the steps of 1) reacting a mixture of at initiator (I) with monomer (M) to form a dimer of the initiator (I) and the monomer (M) or a pre-oligomer with an initiator (I) attached to a chain of more than one monomer (M) or a mixture thereof by amide-bond formation; 2) optionally adding at least one terminator (T) for the formation of a linear oligomer or a mixture of linear oligomers by amide-bond formation; or, for the formation of a cyclic oligomer or a mixture of cyclic oligomers by amide-bond formation, changing the reaction conditions relative to step 1) so as to form a linking covalent bond between the at least one initiator (I).

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol substituted acyl borates, methods for their preparation, and the use of the polyethylene glycol substituted acyl borates for the preparation of polyethylene glycol substituted macromolecules. The polyethylene glycol substituted acyl borate has the general formula (I) wherein PEG denotes a polyethylene glycol-based substituent; a is an integer from 1 to 12; X1, X2, and X3 are independently of one another selected from the group made of F, OR, N+R3, N+R2OR, N+R2SR, and N+R2NR2, and are optionally forming a cyclic or a bicyclic structure; and R is an organic substituent or H.

Abstract: This invention provides a convenient method for converting imines and other electrophiles into heterocyclic ring systems. The process does not require the use of metallic reagents, and is catalyzed by an organic heterocyclic carbene catalyst. Accordingly, it produces the desired compounds without the concomitant production of a large volume of metallic waste. Chiral heterocyclic carbene catalysts of the invention and methods of using these catalysts produce chiral heterocycles in high enantiomeric and diastereomeric excess.

Abstract: This invention provides a convenient method for converting imines and other electrophiles into heterocyclic ring systems. The process does not require the use of metallic reagents, and is catalyzed by an organic heterocyclic carbene catalyst. Accordingly, it produces the desired compounds without the concomitant production of a large volume of metallic waste. Chiral heterocyclic carbene catalysts of the invention and methods of using these catalysts produce chiral heterocycles in high enantiomeric and diastereomeric excess.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system designed to be installed between the well perforation and the intake of a pump used to effect artificial lift is used to filter and chemically treat production fluids. The fluid conditioning system is an apparatus that provides scale inhibitors and/or other chemical treatments into the production stream. In some embodiments, the fluid conditioning system may be a part of the production stream filter wherein the filtering material is comprised of a porous medium that contains and supports the treatment chemical. In other embodiments, the chemical treatment may be accomplished by the gradual dissolution of a solid phase chemical. The treating chemical may be recharged or replenished by various downhole reservoirs or feeding means. In yet other embodiments, the treating chemical may be replenished from the surface by means of a capillary tube.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system designed to be installed between the well perforation and the intake of a pump used to effect artificial lift is used to filter and chemically treat production fluids. The fluid conditioning system is an apparatus that provides scale inhibitors and/or other chemical treatments into the production stream. In some embodiments, the fluid conditioning system may be a part of the production stream filter wherein the filtering material is comprised of a porous medium that contains and supports the treatment chemical. In other embodiments, the chemical treatment may be accomplished by the gradual dissolution of a solid phase chemical. The treating chemical may be recharged or replenished by various downhole reservoirs or feeding means. In yet other embodiments, the treating chemical may be replenished from the surface by means of a capillary tube.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wellscreen and a wellscreen that have the mechanical properties of a direct-wrap wellscreen and the precise slot tolerance of a slip-on wellscreen are provided. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a wellscreen for use in a wellbore is provided. The method includes disposing a filter subassembly on a base pipe sized so that there is annulus between the base pipe and the filter subassembly. The filter subassembly includes a length of wire wrapped and welded along a plurality of rods so that a slot is defined between adjacent coils of wire. The method further includes expanding the base pipe so that the slot is not substantially altered, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides isoxazole derivatives represented by the following formula (I): (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, C1-C20 hydrocarbon group or —C(?O)OR1a (wherein R1a represents a C1-C10 alkyl group, etc.); R2 and R3 represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, hydroxy group, C1-C20 alkyl group or C6-C20 aryl group, etc.; R4 represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, hydroxy group, cyano group, nitro group, amino group, C1-C20 hydrocarbon group, C1-C10 alkoxy group, C1-C10 acyl group, 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic group, etc.; R5 represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, hydroxy group, optionally substituted C1-C20 hydrocarbon group, C1-C20 alkoxy group, 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic group, etc.; and, n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4), and a process of producing the same. The compounds are useful as intermediates for synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, agricultural chemicals, dye compounds, etc. having the isoxazole skeleton.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in a welibore to meter and choke certain components from being produced, based upon their density relative to the density of oil are described herein. The device includes an inner tubular body portion having apertures in the wall thereof for passing oil, an outer tubular body and at least one metering orifice therebetween to meter production. Disposed around the inner body is an axially movable member to selectively cover and expose the apertures of the inner body, thereby permitting fluid to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system designed to be installed between the well perforation and the intake of a pump used to effect artificial lift is used to filter and chemically treat production fluids. The fluid conditioning system is an apparatus that provides scale inhibitors and/or other chemical treatments into the production stream. In some embodiments, the fluid conditioning system may be a part of the production stream filter wherein the filtering material is comprised of a porous medium that contains and supports the treatment chemical. In other embodiments, the chemical treatment may be accomplished by the gradual dissolution of a solid phase chemical. The treating chemical may be recharged or replenished by various downhole reservoirs or feeding means. In yet other embodiments, the treating chemical may be replenished from the surface by means of a capillary tube.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wellscreen and a wellscreen that have the mechanical properties of a direct-wrap wellscreen and the precise slot tolerance of a slip-on wellscreen are provided. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a wellscreen for use in a wellbore is provided. The method includes disposing a filter subassembly on a base pipe sized so that there is annulus between the base pipe and the filter subassembly. The filter subassembly includes a length of wire wrapped and welded along a plurality of rods so that a slot is defined between adjacent coils of wire. The method further includes expanding the base pipe so that the slot is not substantially altered, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the annulus.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wellscreen and a wellscreen that have the mechanical properties of a direct-wrap wellscreen and the precise slot tolerance of a slip-on wellscreen are provided. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a wellscreen for use in a wellbore is provided. The method includes disposing a filter subassembly on a base pipe sized so that there is annulus between the base pipe and the filter subassembly. The filter subassembly includes a length of wire wrapped and welded along a plurality of rods so that a slot is defined between adjacent coils of wire. The method further includes expanding the base pipe so that the slot is not substantially altered, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the annulus.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system designed to be installed between the well perforation and the intake of a pump used to effect artificial lift is used to filter and chemically treat production fluids. The fluid conditioning system is an apparatus that provides scale inhibitors and/or other chemical treatments into the production stream. In some embodiments, the fluid conditioning system may be a part of the production stream filter wherein the filtering material is comprised of a porous medium that contains and supports the treatment chemical. In other embodiments, the chemical treatment may be accomplished by the gradual dissolution of a solid phase chemical. The treating chemical may be recharged or replenished by various downhole reservoirs or feeding means. In yet other embodiments, the treating chemical may be replenished from the surface by means of a capillary tube.

Abstract: An amide is formed by reacting an ?-ketoacid or salt thereof in a decarboxylative condensation reaction with an amine or salt thereof comprising a nitrogen covalently bound to an atom selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. The amide bond is formed between the ?-carbon of the ketoacid and the nitrogen of the amine. The ?-ketoacid can be formed using a novel sulfur reagent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in a wellbore to meter and choke certain components from being produced, based upon their density relative to the density of oil are disclosed. The device includes an inner tubular body portion having apertures in the wall thereof for passing oil, an outer tubular body and at least one metering orifice therebetween to meter production. Disposed around the inner body is an axially movable member to selectively cover and expose the apertures of the inner body, thereby permitting fluid to flow therethrough.