Abstract: Inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are provided that incorporate multiple pharmacophores and are useful in the treatment of diseases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting threaded members while ensuring that a proper connection is made. In one embodiment, the applied torque and/or rotation are measured at regular intervals throughout a pipe connection makeup. When a shoulder contact is detected, a predetermined torque value and/or rotation value is added to the measured torque and/or rotation values, respectively, at shoulder contact and rotation continued until this calculated value(s) is reached.

Abstract: Inhibitors of the phosphatase activity of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are provided and are useful for in the treatment of diseases. These Inhibitors are based on derivatives of various epoxide hydrolase substrates that mimic the enzyme substrate so that there Is stable Interaction with the enzyme catalytic site. These inhibitors are potentially useful for the treatment of hypertension, vascular inflammation, renal inflammation, and lung disease.

Abstract: A method for effecting reduction, stabilization and enhancement of fusion of the human cranio-cervical junction, which may be performed in order to relieve mechanical stresses imparted to the spinal cord and brainstem as a result of an abnormal clivo-axial angle, includes steps of achieving the correct craniocervical relationship, of effecting a fusion of a first portion of a bone forming material based structural member to a human cranium, and effecting fusion of a second portion of the bone forming material based structural member to a least one portion of a human cervical spine. Fusion of the bone forming material based structural member to the human cranium may be promoted through the use an osteointegration apparatus that includes a porous ossomeric mesh and a frame member.

Abstract: A method for treating a neurological condition such as autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder or other neurological condition that may be caused by biomechanical stresses imparted to the brainstem is performed by surgically correcting the clivo-axial angle of the patient and stabilizing the cranio-cervical junction after surgery. The surgery will relieve mechanical stresses imparted to the spinal cord and brainstem as a result of an abnormal clivo-axial angle, and is preferably performed by effecting a fusion of a first portion of a bone forming material based member to a human cranium, and effecting fusion of a second portion of the bone forming material based member to a least one portion of a human cervical spine. Fusion of the bone forming material based structural member to the human cranium may be promoted through the use of plate member that is shaped to define a graft accommodation space between the plate member and the cranium.

Abstract: A vertebral attachment method and system that minimizes or eliminates the risk of severing, compressing, impinging or otherwise injuring the vertebral artery vertebral vein, spinal nerve roots and/or spinal cord. The system includes at least one plate that may be anchored to a posterior region of a vertebra using at least one clamp and fastener. The system may be specifically designed to retain a portion of the posterior region of the vertebra.

Abstract: A method for effecting reduction, stabilization and enhancement of fusion of the human cranio-cervical junction, which may be performed in order to relieve mechanical stresses imparted to the spinal cord and brainstem as a result of an abnormal clivo-axial angle, includes steps of achieving the correct craniocervical relationship, of effecting a fusion of a first portion of a bone forming material based structural member to a human cranium, and effecting fusion of a second portion of the bone forming material based structural member to a least one portion of a human cervical spine. Fusion of the bone forming material based structural member to the human cranium may be promoted through the use of plate member that is shaped to define a graft accommodation space between the plate member and the cranium.

Abstract: A method for effecting reduction, stabilization and enhancement of fusion of the human cranio-cervical junction, which may be performed in order to relieve mechanical stresses imparted to the spinal cord and brainstem as a result of an abnormal clivo-axial angle, includes steps of achieving the correct craniocervical relationship, of effecting a fusion of a first portion of a bone forming material based structural member to a human cranium, and effecting fusion of a second portion of the bone forming material based structural member to a least one portion of a human cervical spine. Fusion of the bone forming material based structural member to the human cranium may be promoted through the use of plate member that is shaped to define a graft accommodation space between the plate member and the cranium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting threaded members while ensuring that a proper connection is made. In one embodiment, the applied torque and/or rotation are measured at regular intervals throughout a pipe connection makeup. When a shoulder contact is detected, a predetermined torque value and/or rotation value is added to the measured torque and/or rotation values, respectively, at shoulder contact and rotation continued until this calculated value(s) is reached.

Abstract: A system and method for calibration and compensation of a visual sensor system. The visual sensor system includes dark pixels adjacent active pixels on a CCD imaging array, which provide dark current data corresponding to image response data. Concurrently, the temperature of the focal plane of the CCD is measured by one or more temperature sensors disposed on the array. Concurrently, the temperature of a circuit board including a processor is measured by one or more temperature sensors arranged on the circuit board. The image response data, dark current data, and circuit board and focal plane temperatures are used to compensate the image response data.

Abstract: A system and method for leak testing a plurality of hermetic electronic packages of the type that have an internal chamber that is isolated from ambient conditions by a seal structure is advantageously designed to be able to calculate the leak rate of each individual device in a manner that is independent of structural manufacturing variances that typically exist within a sampling of such devices. The method preferably involves positioning a plurality of the hermetic electronic packages within a test area, and then stimulating the hermetic electronic packages with a modulated input of energy, such as by varying the ambient pressure about the devices. A property such as the physical position of one portion of a lid of each of the hermetic electronic packages is then sensed. The sensed property is one that is known to change as a first function of the modulated input of energy and also as a second function of pressure conditions within the hermetically sealed internal chamber.

Abstract: A portable nondestructive testing instrument uses high-speed phase-stepping shearography, and vacuum stressing, to produce images of disbonds, impact damage, or delaminations, in metal or composite structures. The invention is especially useful in the inspection of large areas where only external access is feasible, such as in large aircraft, space vehicles, boats, or civil engineered structures having multiple bond lines. The invention includes a novel combination of components and techniques, including a high-spatial-resolution CCD sensor, low-voltage piezoceramic phase stepping, rapid phase stepping, a fast phase calculation technique, a fast image smoothing technique, and an implementation of all of the above in a portable unit. Specially designed timing and control algorithms allow data acquisition, transfer, calculation, smoothing, and display at rates of up to two times per second.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting threaded members while ensuring that a proper connection is made. In one embodiment, the applied torque and/or rotation are measured at regular intervals throughout a pipe connection makeup. When a shoulder contact is detected, a predetermined torque value and/or rotation value is added to the measured torque and/or rotation values, respectively, at shoulder contact and rotation continued until this calculated value(s) is reached.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of using dihydroxy unsaturated fatty acids as markers for identifying patients with a disorder associated with abnormal regulation of the cytochrome P450 metabolism or oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. For example, linoleic acid diols, including leukotoxindiol, can be used as a diagnostic tool for identifying patients with pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Abstract: A portable nondestructive testing instrument uses high-speed phase-stepping shearography, and vacuum stressing, to produce images of disbonds, impact damage, or delaminations, in metal or composite structures. The invention is especially useful in the inspection of large areas where only external access is feasible, such as in large aircraft, space vehicles, boats, or civil engineered structures having multiple bond lines. The invention includes a novel combination of components and techniques, including a high-spatial-resolution CCD sensor, low-voltage piezoceramic phase stepping, rapid phase stepping, a fast phase calculation technique, a fast image smoothing technique, and an implementation of all of the above in a portable unit. Specially designed timing and control algorithms allow data acquisition, transfer, calculation, smoothing, and display at rates of up to two times per second.

Abstract: A system and method for leak testing a plurality of hermetic electronic devices of the type that have an internal chamber that is isolated from ambient conditions by a seal structure is advantageously designed to be able to calculate the leak rate of each individual device in a manner that is independent of structural manufacturing variances that typically exist within a sampling of such devices. The method preferably involves positioning a plurality of the hermetic electronic devices within a test area, and then stimulating the hermetic electronic devices with a modulated input of energy, such as by varying the ambient pressure about the devices. A property such as the physical position of one portion of a lid of each of the hermetic electronic devices is then sensed. The sensed property is one that is known to change as a first function of the modulated input of energy and also as a second function of pressure conditions within the hermetically sealed internal chamber.

Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.

Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.

Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.

Abstract: A fusion stabilization chamber stabilizes the spine following removal of one or more vertebrae, and facilitates bone growth. The chamber includes two hollow members, preferably having slightly trapezoidal cross-sections, which slide relative to each other in a telescoping manner. The hollow members preferably have walls made of a metal mesh. Barrel vaults attached to the hollow members form guides for screws which can attach the chamber to the vertebrae adjacent the corpectomy site. Because of its adjustability, the chamber can fit a wide variety of corpectomy sites. One can fill the chamber with bone material, which can eventually fuse to the adjacent bone. A pair of stabilizing plates prevents the surgeon from pushing the chamber too far towards the spinal cord. The chamber eliminates the need to maintain a large and costly inventory of screws, and neurosurgeons can learn to use it quickly and easily. In another embodiment, the device is formed in one non-telescoping piece.