Abstract: An plumbing pipe locator and support is provided for fixing plumbing pipes in position relative to studs in a building. The pipe locator and support comprises an elongated supporting strap having upper and lower sides extending along opposing sides of a longitudinal axis. A first plurality of longitudinally aligned, larger pipe openings are interspersed with a second plurality of smaller, aligned fastener openings that extend into ends of the strap. The upper and lower sides undulate to provide a substantially uniform width between first holes and the adjacent sides and the second holes and the adjacent sides. This undulating surface can provide a strap using less material, with reduced manufacturing time, and a strap that can bend without forming creases or stress fractures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and program product for integrating a service external to a database into a database such that the service may be easily invoked from the database. Preferably, the service is a web service available over the internet The service may be invoked from any of a number of invoking mechanisms of the database. In a first specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a user-defined function within an SQL statement. In a second specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a virtual table. In a third specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a stored procedure. In a fourth specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a trigger. In a fifth specific embodiment, the mechanism comprises a federated table accessed via a nickname and implemented using a wrapper.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for preparing small spherical particles of an active agent by providing a solution in a single liquid phase. The single liquid phase comprises an active agent, a phase separation enhancing agent, and a first solvent. A phase change is induced at a controlled rate in the solution to cause a liquid-solid phase separation of the active agent and to form a solid phase and a liquid phase. The solid phase comprises solid small spherical particles of the active agent. The liquid phase comprises the phase separation enhancing agent and the solvent. The small spherical particles are substantially spherical and having a size from about 0.01 ?m to about 200 ?m.

Abstract: An plumbing pipe locator and support is provided for fixing plumbing pipes in position relative to studs in a building. The pipe locator and support comprises an elongated supporting strap having upper and lower sides extending along opposing sides of a longitudinal axis. A first plurality of longitudinally aligned, larger pipe openings are interspersed with a second plurality of smaller, aligned fastener openings that extend into ends of the strap. The upper and lower sides undulate to provide a substantially uniform width between first holes and the adjacent sides and the second holes and the adjacent sides. This undulating surface can provide a strap using less material, with reduced manufacturing time, and a strap that can bend without forming creases or stress fractures.

Abstract: An plumbing pipe locator and support is provided for fixing plumbing pipes in position relative to studs in a building. The pipe locator and support comprises an elongated supporting strap having upper and lower sides extending along opposing sides of a longitudinal axis. A first plurality of longitudinally aligned, larger pipe openings are interspersed with a second plurality of smaller, aligned fastener openings that extend into ends of the strap. The upper and lower sides undulate to provide a substantially uniform width between first holes and the adjacent sides and the second holes and the adjacent sides. This undulating surface can provide a strap using less material, with reduced manufacturing time, and a strap that can bend without forming creases or stress fractures.

Abstract: Nucleic acids are prepared by dissolving compounds containing them in a suitable solvent or solvent system and forming microspheres from the resulting solution. The microspheres are administered to an individual as protection from conditions where delivery of nucleic acids is useful, such as in treatment of autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A support is provided for conduit held on a channel member having a C-shaped cross section with lips extending toward the back wall of the channel. The support has a base with one surface adapted to fasten to the conduit. The second surface has a twist-lock fastener that includes a first and second plate, each having a width sized to fit through the space between the lips and having a length about the same as the distance between the sides of the channel. Two V-shaped deformable members join these plates adjacent the ends on the longest side of the plates. Each V-shaped member is joined to a different plate and the bends at the juncture of the two legs of the V-shaped member abut the side walls of the channel. The bends are adjacent the ends and extend beyond the plates to wedge against the channel sides as a screw draws the plates together and moves the legs of the V shaped member toward each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for preventing condensation on the interior surfaces of sample tubes which are being exposed to temperature cycles, such as during a PCR amplification reaction. In particular, the invention relates to apparatus comprising a sample block comprising a plurality of sample wells for receiving sample tubes and heating elements disposed in the sample wells for heating at least a portion of the sides of sample tubes (e.g., at least the portion which forms the head space after a tube is filled with a PCR reaction mixture). In a preferred aspect, the sample block is part of a thermocycling device for performing PCR and the side-wall heater is used to enhance uniformity and speed of amplification reactions. For example, by decreasing or eliminating condensation, signal strength jumps in a real-time PCR assay can be minimized as can reaction non-homogeneity.

Abstract: AS-oligonucleotides are delivered in microsphere form in order to induce dendritic cell tolerance, particularly in the non-obese-diabetic (NOD) mouse model. The microspheres incorporate antisense (AS) oligonucleotides. A process includes using an antisense approach to reverse an autoimmune diabetes condition in NOD mice in vivo. The oligonucleotides are targeted to bind to primary transcripts CD40, CD80, CD86 and their combinations.

Abstract: Compositions of spherical insulin particles having improved pulmonary application potentials and methods of forming and using these compositions are disclosed in the present application. In one clinical trial with 30 healthy male human subjects, no coughing was observed upon a single pulmonary administration of the spherical insulin particles at an insulin dose of 6.5 mg, nor during the 10-hour post dosing period.

Abstract: An automatic data sanitizer module sanitizes formatted data from an external source system according to stored sanitization rules for release to an external destination system so that the destination system receives only that data for which it is authorized. The module generally includes an Input Comms module, a Message Processor, an Output Guard a Downgrader and an Output Comms module. The Input Comms module supports the communications protocol dictated by the external source system. The Processor sanitizes the message according to the rules written for the specific external system under consideration. The Guard verifies the modifications performed by the Processor. The Downgrader moves the resulting file to the Output Comms working directory and the Output Comms makes the resulting message available to the destination system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions of methods of making and compositions small compositions of particles of an active agent. In accordance with the method of production, the active agent is dissolved in an aqueous or aqueous-miscible solvent containing a dissolved phase-separation enhancing agent (PSEA) to form a solution in a single liquid phase. The solution is subjected to a liquid-solid phase separation to cause the active agent to form small spherical particles that are substantially amorphous or non-crystalline and are injectable through fine bore needles at high concentrations. The particles exhibit the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamnic properties of the active agent. The disclosure has special application for higher molecular weight proteins such as antibodies.

Abstract: Microencapsulated delivery vehicles comprising an active agent are disclosed. In one embodiment, the microencapsulated delivery vehicles are heat delivery vehicles capable of generating heat upon activation. The microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles may be introduced into wet wipes such that, upon activation, the wet wipe solution is warmed resulting in a warm sensation on a user's skin. Any number of other active ingredients, such as cooling agents and biocides, can also be incorporated into a microencapsulated delivery vehicle.

Abstract: Microencapsulated delivery vehicles comprising an active agent are disclosed. In one embodiment, the microencapsulated delivery vehicles are heat delivery vehicles capable of generating heat upon activation. The microencapsulated heat delivery vehicles may be introduced into wet wipes such that, upon activation, the wet wipe solution is warmed resulting in a warm sensation on a user's skin. Any number of other active ingredients, such as cooling agents and biocides, can also be incorporated into a microencapsulated delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A support is provided for conduit held on a channel member having a C-shaped cross section with lips extending toward the back wall of the channel. The support has a base with one surface adapted to fasten to the conduit. The second surface has a twist-lock fastener that includes a first and second plate, each having a width sized to fit through the space between the lips and having a length about the same as the distance between the sides of the channel. Two V-shaped deformable members join these plates adjacent the ends on the longest side of the plates. Each V-shaped member is joined to a different plate and the bends at the juncture of the two legs of the V-shaped member abut the side walls of the channel. The bends are adjacent the ends and extend beyond the plates to wedge against the channel sides as a screw draws the plates together and moves the legs of the V shaped member toward each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a thermal system comprising a top plate having a non-metal material wherein the top plate comprises a plurality of heating wells, each heating well sized to accommodate a plurality of sample tubes containing samples. A bottom plate engages to the top plate to form a heat block. A plurality of heat transfer pins extend from the bottom plate to the top plate. The non-metal material of the top plate may be molded to engage the heat transfer pins and increase heating efficiency. The invention also includes a heat block that includes a thermal plate comprising a thermally conductive material, the thermal plate including a major upper surface having a substantially planar area and a plurality of heating wells for accepting a plurality of sample tubes; and a heating plate engaging the thermal plate and contacting the major upper surface of the thermal plate. The heat block may be used for efficient thermal cycling of biological samples.

Abstract: Inhalable spherical particles that contain an active agent having unexpectedly good bioavailability when compared to the expected bioavailability are disclosed. Inhalable spherical particles, particles of the agent that contain an amount of a cation such as zinc provide for further improvement in bioavailability.

Abstract: An audio output device (101) is configured to transmit an audio signal to an external power amplifier (107). The transmission of the audio signal can be accomplished by means of a wireless transmitter (401) or standard audio cable (103). The power amplifier (107), a low voltage power supply (111), and in certain embodiments a wireless receiver (109) are commonly housed in a weatherproof enclosure. In one embodiment of the invention, the amplified audio signal and low voltage power provided by the low voltage power supply (111) are transmitted by means of a common cable to a lighting and sound unit (115).

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally cycling samples of a biological material including a thermal block assembly including a plurality of sample holders for receiving samples of biological material; a heat sink thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly, the heat sink transferring heat away from the thermal block assembly to ambient air in contact with the heat sink; a first heat source thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly to provide heat to the thermal block assembly; and a second heat source thermally coupled to the first heat source and configured to provide heat to a portion of the first heat source. The arrangement of the heat sink, first heat source and second heat source can provide substantial temperature uniformity among the plurality of sample holders. The invention also includes a method for thermally cycling samples of biological material.

Abstract: A water heater restraint has brackets and a buckle to allow a flexible strap to hold a water heater to a support. The bracket has two slots separated by a bar with one end of the strap threaded through the slots to form a loop encircling the bar so that friction or stitching holds the loop from unthreading. A buckle has two similar slots separated by a bar all located on a spring tang with access occurring through a slot in a base plate, so that when the bar is moved toward the base plate the strap is bound between the base plate and the spring tang to restrain motion of the strap. A projection on either the spring tang or on a sidewall extension of the base plate provides a releasable locking mechanism to lock the spring tang in position and lock the strap against movement.