Abstract: An improved 3D printer includes an airflow enabled print bed ensuring secure placement of a print base prior to printing. The modular assembly technique provides for improved ease of manufacture and assembly, as well as adjustments of print sizing. The improved printhead includes a heat sink disposed internally therein for improved heat and cooling properties. The printhead itself includes z-axis position detection techniques. The inclusion of VSU insertion techniques in software modeling and printing further improves the print operations by including vertical stability for the print object.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods for measuring at least one pore characteristic of a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) element via porosimetry and, for example, using the measurement to adjust one or more process parameters for fabricating a PCD element and/or for quality control on such a PCD element. In an embodiment, a method for characterizing a PCD element is disclosed. The method includes providing a PCD element that includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of pores therebetween. The method further includes conducting porosimetry on the PCD element to measure at least one pore characteristic of the plurality of pores of the PCD element. In an embodiment, the method additionally includes adjusting the one or more process parameters for fabricating the PCD element at least partially based on the measured at least one pore characteristic.

Abstract: A method to make a graphite block of any desired size and with over 99% carbon purity and high density is provided. The graphite block is obtained by mixing graphite flakes of any size with graphene oxide sheets and subjecting the mixture to elevated temperature and pressure. With this method large graphite blocks can be obtained economically and fast. The graphite blocks of this invention have superlubricity characters.

Abstract: According to one general embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product for reducing incidence of errors in connections between a power consumer apparatus operable to draw a load and a power supply apparatus capable of varying the power supplied, the computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to generate at the power consumer apparatus an identifiable pattern in a load to be drawn from a power supply connection to a power supply apparatus; and computer readable program code configured to monitor at the power consumer apparatus for a change in the load corresponding to the pattern, the monitoring being performed across a signal connection to the power supply apparatus; wherein a positive result of the monitoring indicates a correct configuration. Additional embodiments are also presented.

Abstract: According to a first general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a logic arrangement for reducing incidence of errors in connections between a power consumer apparatus and a power supply apparatus, the logic arrangement comprising: a pattern-generating component for generating an identifiable pattern in a load to be drawn from a power supply connection to a power supply apparatus; and a testing component for monitoring across a signal connection to the power supply apparatus, the testing component monitoring for a change in the load corresponding to the pattern. A positive result of the testing by the testing component indicates a correct configuration. Additional embodiments are also presented.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for preparing the isoflavonoid compound (+/?)-equol, the method comprising reducing an organic diester of the isoflavone daidzein under hydrogen-transfer conditions using palladium hydroxide catalyst.

Abstract: At least one compound chosen from compounds of Formula I: a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, a solvate thereof, a chelate thereof, a non-covalent complex thereof, a prodrug thereof, and mixtures of any of the foregoing, wherein: n is a number from 1 to 900, wherein the individual units may be the same or different; W is chosen from alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl and substituted aralkyl; each of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is independently chosen from —H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl and substituted aralkyl; Z? is chosen from —O—, —N—, —NO—, —NR4—, —S—, —SO— and —SO2—, wherein R4 is defined as above; each of X, X?, Y and Z is independently chosen from —CR4R5—, —NH—, —NR4—, —NO—, —O—, —NOR4—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, wherein R4 and R5 are defined as above; R1 is chosen from a tocopherol, a steroid and a flavonoid; and R6 is chosen from any R1, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for preparing the isoflavonoid compound (+/?)-equol, the method comprising reducing an organic diester of the isoflavone daidzein under hydrogen-transfer conditions using palladium hydroxide catalyst.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a motor vehicle belt restraint system. The buckle assembly includes a mounting plate and a buckle strap carrying the buckle which is rotatably affixed to the mounting plate. A torsion spring acts on the buckle strap to rotationally bias it toward a desired position. The buckle assembly includes a retainer for maintaining the buckle strap in a mounting position, allowing convenient mounting of the device to the motor vehicle structure. Following mounting, the retainer is released to enable the buckle strap to move to its normal range of positions, allowing the buckle assembly to operate in its normal manner.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a motor vehicle belt restraint system. The buckle assembly includes a mounting plate and a buckle strap carrying the buckle which is rotatably affixed to the mounting plate. A torsion spring acts on the buckle strap to rotationally bias it toward a desired position. The buckle assembly includes a retainer for maintaining the buckle strap in a mounting position, allowing convenient mounting of the device to the motor vehicle structure. Following mounting, the retainer is released to enable the buckle strap to move to its normal range of positions, allowing the buckle assembly to operate in its normal manner.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions are disclosed for increasing the bioavailability of lipophilic drugs, and more specifically, to solubilizing lipophilic drugs using bioenhancers that cause no efflux inhibition or a desired degree of efflux inhibition. Methods of making and using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing &agr;-tocopherol and &agr;-tocopheryl esters. The method comprises using a biological system to produce farnesol or geranylgeraniol. Then, the farnesol or geranylgernaiol is chemically converted into &agr;-tocopherol or an &agr;-tocopheryl ester.

Abstract: A system for remotely developing an telephony application for a call handling server comprises: program code components for each process used by the call handling server and an associated reduced code components for each process; an application designer for combining the reduced code components into an application design; networking capability for sending the application designer and reduced code components to a client and receiving a completed application design; and an application builder for assembling, according to the application design, the program code components into an self contained application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-dispersible or water-soluble compound having the structure I ##STR1## wherein, R.sup.1,R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are, independently, hydrogen or methyl, and R.sup.4 is--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, wherein n is from 10 to 100, wherein compound I is the substantially pure D-enantiomer. The invention further relates to a water-dispersible or water-soluble compound having the structure II ##STR2## wherein, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are, independently, hydrogen or methyl, or the salt thereof, wherein compound II is the substantially pure D-enantiomer. The invention further relates to methods for making the tocotrienol compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polyether compounds obtained by the reaction or polymerization of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of tetrahydrofuran, an acidic catalyst and a nucleophilic initiator compound. The polyether compounds comprise m units of residue (1), n units of residue (2), and p units of residue (3) wherein (i) residues (1), (2) and (3) have the structures: ##STR1## (ii) the total value of m+n+p is 5 to 70; (iii) the value of n/(m+n+p) is in the range of 0.2 to 0.4, i.e.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polyether compounds obtained by the reaction or polymerization of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of tetrahydrofuran, an acidic catalyst and a nucleophilic initiator compound. The polyether compounds comprise m units of residue (1), n units of residue (2), and p units of residue (3) wherein (i) residues (1), (2) and (3) have the structures: ##STR1## (ii) the total value of m+n+p is 5 to 70; (iii) the value of n/(m+n+p) is in the range of 0.2 to 0.4, i.e.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling the molecular weight (i.e., lowering) of microbially-derived celluloses. The lowering of the molecular weight is achieved by adding 2-deoxy-D-glucose to the liquid or solid medium in which Acetobacter xylinum or any other cellulose-producing microbe is grown. The molecular weight of the cellulose produced by the microbes grown in such media varies approximately inversely with the concentration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose in the culture medium. The method thus provided by the present invention is useful in providing microbial source cellulose which has a number average molecular weight of about 7.times.10.sup.5 to about 1.times.10.sup.4. Such lower molecular weight celluloses are useful in coatings formulations in which a relatively lower viscosity binder is desired.

Abstract: Provided is a novel improved process for the preparation of .alpha.-D-cellobiose octaacetate via the acetylative degradation of cellulose or cellulose acetate. The title compound is provided in high yield and quality in a facile one-pot process, amenable to large-scale synthesis.

Abstract: Blends of cellulose esters and arylene-bis(diaryl phosphate) compounds are described. The blends are useful for preparing film or other molded objects. The blends can possess several desirable properties such as flame-retardation, plasticization, formulaic stabilization and dimensional stabilization.

Abstract: A draining catheter for the prevention of infectious diseases around its outside periphery, which has a secondary channel system for the application of anti-microbial agents to the area surrounding its outside periphery.