Abstract: The invention described herein includes a novel platform for the development of novel shapeshifting drug-like compounds that overcome physical mass limitations as they possess the ability to interconvert internally and spontaneously, i.e., shapeshift, between multiple chemical structures with varying pharmacophore properties. In one preferred embodiment, the invention include systems, methods, and compositions for the synthesis of novel bullvalene amino acid (Bvas) compounds that may further be incorporated into Shape Shifting Cyclic Peptides (SSCP) with varying pharmacophore properties and their use as novel therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a novel platform for the development of novel shapeshifting drug-like compounds that overcome physical mass limitations as they possess the ability to interconvert internally and spontaneously, i.e., shapeshift, between multiple chemical structures with varying pharmacophore properties. In one preferred embodiment, the invention include systems, methods, and compositions for the synthesis of novel bullvalene amino acid (Bvas) compounds that may further be incorporated into Shape Shifting Cyclic Peptides (SSCP) with varying pharmacophore properties and their use as novel therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a novel platform for the development of novel shapeshifting drug-like compounds that overcome physical mass limitations as they possess the ability to interconvert internally and spontaneously, i.e., shapeshift, between multiple chemical structures with varying pharmacophore properties. In one preferred embodiment, the invention include systems, methods, and compositions for the synthesis of novel bullvalene amino acid (Bvas) compounds that may further be incorporated into Shape Shifting Cyclic Peptides (SSCP) with varying pharmacophore properties and their use as novel therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: A method, apparatus (800), and system (900) for a water activated neck seal tension relief device are described. The system (900) includes a liner (902), such as that of a protective suit, and an actuator apparatus (800) disposed within the liner (902). The apparatus (800) includes a resilient member (200) and a coupling (802), the coupling (802) including a body (600) configured to receive a first (810) and a second (808) portion of the resilient member (200). The liner (902), body (600) and resilient member (200) define a substantially circular opening. A restraint (804) is mounted on the body (600) and configured to restrain the second portion (808) of the resilient member (200) in relation to the body (600) to maintain the resilient member (200) in a first position at which the opening has a first diameter (702). The restraint (804) is configured to release the second portion (808) of the resilient member (200) when the restraint (804) is exposed to water.

Abstract: Described herein are elastomeric materials, and in particular porous biodegradable elastomeric materials which optionally may have microintegrated cells. Also described herein are bioprosthetic devices that can be manufactured using the biodegradable elastomeric materials, non-limiting examples of such devices including pulmonary valves, vocal chords, and blood vessels.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses peptides that selectively activate the VPAC2 receptor and are useful in the treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: A method of generating a microbial deactivation fluid to circulate through an apparatus that has a decontamination chamber for holding medical instruments and devices, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first compartment and a second compartment in the circulation system; (b) providing a chemical reagent in the first compartment and a builder composition in the second compartment; (c) causing a fluid to flow through the second compartment to mix with the builder composition to create an alkaline fluid; (d) when the alkaline fluid has reached a predetermined pH level, causing the alkaline fluid to flow through the first compartment to mix with the chemical reagent to dissolve the chemical reagent to generate a microbial deactivation fluid; and (e) continuing steps (c) and (d) to continue the generation of the microbial deactivation fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices having a circulation system for circulating fluids through the apparatus and a chemical delivery assembly for generating a deactivation fluid to circulate through the circulation system. The chemical delivery assembly is comprised of a chemistry housing that has a first receptacle and a second receptacle formed therein. A first fluid inlet communicates with the first receptacle. A second fluid inlet communicates with the second receptacle. A first fluid outlet is disposed near an upper portion of the first receptacle to establish a predetermined fluid level in the first receptacle when fluid is introduced into the first receptacle. A second fluid outlet is disposed near an upper portion of the second receptacle to establish a predetermined fluid level in the second receptacle when fluid is introduced into the second receptacle. A lid is attached to the chemistry housing. The lid is movable between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices. The apparatus has a housing structure and a drawer disposed in the housing structure. The drawer has a recess formed therein and a planar surface formed about the periphery of the recess. The recess is dimensioned to receive medical instruments and devices to be microbially deactivated. A circulation system is provided within the housing structure to circulate a microbial deactivation fluid through the recess. A drawer-sealing assembly is located in the housing structure. The drawer-sealing assembly is operable to engage the drawer assembly and fluidly seal the recess to create a decontamination chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide agonists of the MC4 receptor, and as such are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and male and/or female sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating metabolic disorders, including, for example, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cachexia, sarcopenia, and cardiovascular disorders, methods of inducing weight loss and increasing muscle mass in a patient, by administration of MC3R agonist peptides. Furthermore, the present invention provides the use of an MC3R agonist peptide for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of metabolic disorders, including, for example, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cachexia, sarcopenia, and cardiovascular disorders, inducing weight loss and increasing muscle mass in a patient.

Abstract: A method and arrangement to control fuel material debris originating from a fuel assembly for a dry storage system wherein the method includes providing a damaged boiling water reactor nuclear fuel assembly, providing a bottom end cap configured to fit on a bottom of a boiling water reactor nuclear fuel assembly, inserting the bottom end cap into the damaged boiling water reactor nuclear fuel assembly such that the bottom end cap prevents debris from inside the damaged nuclear fuel assembly from leaving the bottom of the fuel assembly, providing a top end cap configured to fit on a top of the boiling water reactor nuclear fuel assembly, and inserting the top end cap into the top of the damaged boiling water reactor nuclear fuel assembly such that the top end cap prevents debris from inside the damaged nuclear fuel assembly from leaving the top of the fuel assembly.

Abstract: A system for monitoring conditions relating to the status of items such as perishable food products stored in enclosed spaces has a number of sensors mounted in the spaces. Tables maintained by the system hold a description of the spaces to be monitored and the location and identity of the sensors within each space. The values detected by each sensor are periodically recorded and tested against benchmark values established for the stored items adjacent to the sensor. Values outside of the benchmark values create an alarm condition, and a set of alarm messages are displayed on a display unit. The alarm messages include suggested corrective actions. The user has the opportunity to signal to the system the corrective actions taken, and the system stores a record of these corrective actions in association with the corrective actions and the alarm condition.

Abstract: A system for monitoring conditions relating to the status of items such as perishable food products stored in enclosed spaces has a number of sensors mounted in the spaces. Tables maintained by the system hold a description of the spaces to be monitored and the location and identity of the sensors within each space. The values detected by each sensor are periodically recorded and tested against benchmark values established for the stored items adjacent to the sensor. Values outside of the benchmark values create an alarm condition, and a set of alarm messages are displayed on a display unit. The alarm messages include suggested corrective actions. The user has the opportunity to signal to the system the corrective actions taken, and the system stores a record of these corrective actions in association with the corrective actions and the alarm condition.

Abstract: A system for monitoring conditions relating to the status of items such as perishable food products stored in enclosed spaces has a number of sensors mounted in the spaces. Tables maintained by the system hold a description of the spaces to be monitored and the location and identity of the sensors within each space. The values detected by each sensor are periodically recorded and tested against benchmark values established for the stored items adjacent to the sensor. Values outside of the benchmark values create an alarm condition, and a set of alarm messages are displayed on a display unit. The alarm messages include suggested corrective actions. The user has the opportunity to signal to the system the corrective actions taken, and the system stores a record of these corrective actions in association with the corrective actions and the alarm condition.

Abstract: An oil in air test apparatus measures the quantity of oil vapor entrained in the air stream from an air compressor used to generate compressed air for a vehicle air brake system. Testing is accomplished while the air compressor is in service and mounted onto the engine of the vehicle. The test apparatus creates back pressure to simulate an operating load on the air compressor, and passes an air stream through a disposable oil in air indicator cartridge to capture oil entrained in the air stream. Visual examination of the indicator cartridge is utilized to determine the operation condition of the air compressor. The test apparatus allows the operator to determine whether or not the quantity of oil vapor carried over in the compressed air is within acceptable warranty tolerances. As a result, unnecessary warranty calls for air compressors which are passing oil within normal tolerances are prevented.