Abstract: The present invention provides lymphatic system-directing lipid prodrugs, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods of producing such prodrugs and compositions, and methods of improving the bioavailability or other properties of a therapeutic agent that comprises part of the lipid prodrug. The present invention also provides methods of treating a disease, disorder, or condition such as those disclosed herein, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a disclosed lipid prodrug or a pharmaceutical composition thereof.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising a matrix in which are embedded reinforcing fibres and/or fabrics of modified cellulose and methods for making said composite materials.

Abstract: A bicycle (10) includes a frame (25) having a bottom bracket (40), a crankset (35) attached to the bottom bracket (40), a pedal (50) coupled to the crankset (35) and operable to propel the bicycle (10) in response to a force acting on the pedal (50). The bicycle further includes a first bicycle component acted upon by the pedal (50) in response to the force, a second bicycle component coupled and responsive to the first bicycle component, and a power vector sensor (85) coupled to and positioned between the first bicycle component and the second bicycle component, and the power vector sensor (85) includes a sensor element (100) to sense a force transferred from the first bicycle component to the second bicycle component and indicative of the force acting on the pedal (50).

Abstract: A bicycle (10) includes a frame (25) having a bottom bracket (40), a crankset (35) attached to the bottom bracket (40), a pedal (50) coupled to the crankset (35) and operable to propel the bicycle (10) in response to a force acting on the pedal (50). The bicycle further includes a first bicycle component acted upon by the pedal (50) in response to the force, a second bicycle component coupled and responsive to the first bicycle component, and a power vector sensor (85) coupled to and positioned between the first bicycle component and the second bicycle component, and the power vector sensor (85) includes a sensor element (100) to sense a force transferred from the first bicycle component to the second bicycle component and indicative of the force acting on the pedal (50).

Abstract: A battery management system can be provided which can include a plurality of battery management units connected in series and a host controller. Each battery management unit can include a battery cell, an isolation element, and at least one bypass element. The isolation element is connected with the battery cell in series, and the battery cell is isolated by turning off the isolation element. The bypass elements can be in parallel connection with the battery cell and isolation element, and the battery cell is bypassed by turning on the bypass element. A battery management method can include: activating the battery cell of the battery management unit by turning on the isolation element and turning off the bypass elements of the battery management unit; and deactivating the battery cell of the battery management unit by turning off the isolation element and turning on the bypass elements of the battery management unit.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly allowing automated single ended bonding directly between a battery cell and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is disclosed. The pack assembly comprises: a caddy, soft and malleable pad, plastic cell lattice, PCB, and plurality of ultrasonic wire or ribbon bonds. The pad includes a first group of apertures and is set on the top of battery cells. The cell lattice includes a second group of apertures and is set on the top of the pad. The PCB includes a third group of apertures and is set on the top of the cell lattice. The ultrasonic wire or ribbon bonds directly connect positive and negative contacts of the battery cells with the PCB. A battery pack assembly allowing equalizing of the temperature potentials of every battery cell in the pack is also disclosed. The pack assembly comprises: a phase change material, soft and malleable pad, and caddy.

Abstract: A battery management system can be provided which can include a plurality of battery management units connected in series and a host controller. Each battery management unit can include a battery cell, an isolation element, and at least one bypass element. The isolation element is connected with the battery cell in series, and the battery cell is isolated by turning off the isolation element. The bypass elements can be in parallel connection with the battery cell and isolation element, and the battery cell is bypassed by turning on the bypass element. A battery management method can include: activating the battery cell of the battery management unit by turning on the isolation element and turning off the bypass elements of the battery management unit; and deactivating the battery cell of the battery management unit by turning off the isolation element and turning on the bypass elements of the battery management unit.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly allowing automated single ended bonding directly between a battery cell and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is disclosed. The pack assembly comprises: a caddy, soft and malleable pad, plastic cell lattice, PCB, and plurality of ultrasonic wire or ribbon bonds. The pad includes a first group of apertures and is set on the top of battery cells. The cell lattice includes a second group of apertures and is set on the top of the pad. The PCB includes a third group of apertures and is set on the top of the cell lattice. The ultrasonic wire or ribbon bonds directly connect positive contacts and negative contacts of the battery cells with the PCB. A battery pack assembly allowing equalizing of the temperature potentials of every battery cell in the pack is also disclosed. The pack assembly comprises: a phase change material, soft and malleable pad, and caddy.

Abstract: A multifunction dark box includes a frame and an overcoat covering the frame. A light-blocking and high reflective hermitical chamber is formed inside the overcoat. A zipper is provided on three rectangle faces of the overcoat. A water-proof and light transmitting backing is provided in the zipper.

Abstract: A method for creating a relationship with an outsourcing client is disclosed. A two way service relationship is simulated between two or more legal entities. This is facilitated by providing metrics that interrelate between the two or more legal entities, and then applying known service management principles to define an improvement in the simulated relationship between the two or more legal entities and as a function of the metrics.

Abstract: A process for upgrading brown coal is disclosed, including providing at least two converging surfaces defining a nip, wherein at least one of the surfaces is rollable in a direction toward the nip; feeding the brown coal to the nip where, by the rolling action of the rollable surface, the brown coal is subjected to shearing stresses, causing attritioning of the microporous structure of the brown coal and the release of water contained in the micropores; and continuing the shearing attritioning until the brown coal forms into a plastic mass. Processes for the production of char are also disclosed utilizing as feed material pellets formed from the upgraded brown coal produced by the above process, as well as a process for recovering metal from a metal containing material.

Abstract: Recordable compact disc player and media. Improved power consumption, aerodynamics and use of data compression allow large quantities of music to be stored and played back. Storage space is increased by recording information on the land and grooves of 8 cm recordable media. Aerodynamic guide vanes are provided on the disc enclosure interior and the discs are textured for improved aerodynamic performance. A play list and play list is browser is further provided and media can also be visibly labeled whilst written, providing a storage device with a visible fingerprint or identifier characteristic of the owner.

Abstract: A doorjamb strengthening device comprising an interior metal plate (1), a primary interior cylindrical reinforcing member (5), an aperture (11), a secondary cylindrical reinforcing member (6), an exterior metal plate (2), a primary exterior cylindrical reinforcing member (9), and a secondary exterior cylindrical connecting member (10). Interior metal plate is fastened to exterior metal plate by means of an interference fit between primary interior cylindrical reinforcing member and primary exterior cylindrical reinforcing member and secondary interior cylindrical connecting member and secondary exterior cylindrical connecting member.

Abstract: A process for upgrading brown coal is disclosed, including providing at least two converging surfaces defining a nip, wherein at least one of the surfaces is rollable in a direction toward the nip; feeding the brown coal to the nip where, by the rolling action of the rollable surface, the brown coal is subjected to shearing stresses, causing attritioning of the microporous structure of the brown coal and the release of water contained in the micropores; and continuing the shearing attritioning until the brown coal forms into a plastic mass. Processes for the production of char are also disclosed utilizing as feed material pellets formed from the upgraded brown coal produced by the above process, as well as a process for recovering metal from a metal containing material.

Abstract: A foldable and portable dip bar arrangement (7) for performing dip exercises that condition the triceps and pectorial muscles comprising a left grip bar (1) being an elongate member with an arch shape that serves as a hand hold for left hand of exerciser while performing dips, a right grip bar (2) being elongate member with an arch shape that serves as a hand hold for right hand of exerciser while performing dips, left major supports (3A and 3B) are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and other end connecting to ends of left grip bar and when in the unfolded position left major supports and left grip bar form an inverted U-shape, right major supports (3C and 3D) are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor and other end connecting to ends of right grip bar and when in the unfolded position right major supports and right grip bar form an inverted U-shape, left minor supports (4A and 4B) are a pair of elongate members with one end in contact with the floor

Abstract: A doorjamb strengthening device comprising an interior metal plate (1), a primary interior cylindrical reinforcing member (5), an aperture (11), a secondary cylindrical reinforcing member (6), an exterior metal plate (2), a primary exterior cylindrical reinforcing member (9), and a secondary exterior cylindrical connecting member (10). First metal plate is fastened to second metal plate by an interference fit between said primary interior cylindrical reinforcing member and said primary exterior cylindrical reinforcing member and said secondary interior cylindrical connecting member and said secondary exterior cylindrical connecting member.

Abstract: Elastic protein microspheres, filled with water insoluble gases, have been produced by ultrasound and mechanical cavitation without the present of oxygen. The microspheres are highly echogenic. The microspheres exhibit greatly enhanced static pressure stability, up to 40 psig. The microspheres are resistant to coalescence and to expansion due to differential gas diffusion. The microspheres are resistant to collapse when suspended in a gas-depleted aqueous solution.

Abstract: Improvements relating disk drives, particularly but not exclusively removable cartridge, magnetic, hard disk drives, including:(a) the use of a limit stop (16) to restrain the movement of a resiliently biased suspension arm 12, thereby allowing the disk drive to be used with disks having a range of thicknesses; and(b) the use of a memory actuation element which can be energised so as to move the read/write head clear of the disk surface during head loading and unloading, the memory actuation element comprising an element which is adapted to deform physically in response to an applied electric load or a change in temperature, such as a piezo ceramic element or shape memory alloy (SMA). The memory actuation element may be mounted on the suspension arm or on the limit stop and avoids the need for sliding contact with conventional head loading ramps.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which X and R.sup.1-4 have the meanings given in the description, have activity against phytopathogenic fungi.