Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating a disease in an animal, which disease is responsive to inhibiting of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) polypeptide by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound defined herein (including those compounds set forth in Tables 1-2 or encompassed by formulas I-IV) or compositions comprising these compounds, thereby treating the disease. The present invention particularly, relates to a method of treating diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for forming fine particles of a substance in a precipitation chamber, in which the apparatus has means to convey the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to at least one particle collection chamber, downstream of the precipitation chamber, the particle collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet. The invention also provides a method of forming fine particles of a substance, the method comprising contacting a non-gaseous fluid containing the substance with a dense fluid to expand the non-gaseous fluid in a precipitation chamber, conveying a resulting mixture of fluid and the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to a collection chamber, the collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring uterus contraction activity and progress of labor. The system of the subject invention can comprises (1) a plurality of sensors; (2) an amplifying/filtering means; (3) a computing means; and (4) a graphical user interface. Accurate clinical data, which can be extracted and provided to the user in real-time using the system of the invention, include without limitation, progress of labor, prediction and monitoring of preterm labor, and intrauterine pressure prediction. In a preferred embodiment, the system of the invention includes an intelligence means, such as a neural network system, to analyze and interpret clinical data for use in clinical diagnosis as well as delivery strategy.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for forming fine particles of a substance in a precipitation chamber, in which the apparatus has means to convey the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to at least one particle collection chamber, downstream of the precipitation chamber, the particle collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet. The invention also provides a method of forming fine particles of a substance, the method comprising contacting a non-gaseous fluid containing the substance with a dense fluid to expand the non-gaseous fluid in a precipitation chamber, conveying a resulting mixture of fluid and the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to a collection chamber, the collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet.

Abstract: A sensor interface system for providing a connection between at least one sensor and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the sensor(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The sensor interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the sensor(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynamometer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing a short-acting analgesic agent in the management of pain during labor, wherein the system enables efficient, real-time prediction of contractions for the coordinated administration of analgesia such that the peak effectiveness of the analgesic coincides with the intermittent pain of labor.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven elevator or lift is provided with counterbalance means to at least partly counterbalance the load imposed by the load carrier or lift car. Operation of the counterbalance means, which includes a source of hydraulic fluid communicating with an accumulator, does not involve any interference with the working fluid of the hydraulic drive system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing a short-acting analgesic agent in the management of pain during labor, wherein the system enables efficient, real-time prediction of contractions for the coordinated administration of analgesia such that the peak effectiveness of the analgesic coincides with the intermittent pain of labor.

Abstract: An electrode interface system for providing a connection between at least one electrode and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the electrode(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The electrode interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the electrode(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynometer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manipulating or formulating a solid substance which melts under pressure of a gas without degrading at a temperature lower than the melting point of the substance at atmospheric pressure including: applying to the substance a liquefied gas or dense gas to melt the substance without degrading the substance; then contacting the molten substance with a carrier fluid, which is at substantially the same pressure as the liquefied gas or dense gas, to form a solution or mixture of at least a part of the molten substance and the carrier fluid; and passing the solution or mixture into a vessel of lower pressure than the pressure of the liquefied gas or dense gas and carrier fluid to form particles of the substance; and particles formed by the method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manipulating or formulating a solid substance which melts under pressure of a gas without degrading at a temperature lower than the melting point of the substance at atmospheric pressure including: applying to the substance a liquefied gas or dense gas to melt the substance without degrading the substance; then contacting the molten substance with a carrier fluid, which is at substantially the same pressure as the liquefied gas or dense gas, to form a solution or mixture of at least a part of the molten substance and the carrier fluid; and passing the solution or mixture into a vessel of lower pressure than the pressure of the liquefied gas or dense gas and carrier fluid to form particles of the substance; and particles formed by the method.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of operating a stairlift, the stairlift having non-contact sensors to monitor the path along which the stairlift carriage is traveling, and to determine the presence of an obstruction on that path. Features of the stairlift in a ‘safe’ or ‘un-obstructed’ mode, including the path, may be stored as a ‘map’ in memory and sensor readings compared with the map as the carriage moves along the path. The invention allows the use of momentary commands to initiate and maintain movement of the stairlift.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a data processing apparatus comprising one or more electronic digital processors; Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server logic coupled to the one or more processors; an active leasequery channel response logic coupled to the DHCP server logic which when executed causes the one or more processors to perform receiving, from a particular DHCP client among a plurality of DHCP clients, an active leasequery initiation message requesting the DHCP server logic to actively send update messages about changes in network address leases that the DHCP server logic manages; wherein the active leasequery initiation message comprises a channel identifier value; determining whether the channel identifier value matches a client class that the DHCP server logic manages; in response to determining that the channel identifier value does match a client class identifier that the DHCP server logic manages, sending, to the particular DHCP client, one or more DHCP response messages describing any changes in

Abstract: An electrode interface system for providing a connection between at least one electrode and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the electrode(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The electrode interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the electrode(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynometer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds, compositions and methods for treating a disease in an animal, which disease is responsive to inhibiting of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) polypeptide by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound defined herein (including those compounds set forth in Tables 1 or 2 or encompassed by formulas I, Ia, II, III, and IV) or compositions comprising these compounds, thereby treating the disease. The present invention particularly, relates to a method of treating diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds, compositions and methods for treating a disease in an animal, which disease is responsive to inhibiting of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) polypeptide by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound defined herein (including those compounds set forth in Table 1 or 2 or encompassed by formula I) or compositions comprising these compounds, thereby treating the disease. The present invention particularly, relates to a method of treating diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for forming fine particles of a substance in a precipitation chamber, in which the apparatus has means to convey the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to at least one particle collection chamber, downstream of the precipitation chamber, the particle collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet. The invention also provides a method of forming fine particles of a substance, the method comprising contacting a non-gaseous fluid containing the substance with a dense fluid to expand the non-gaseous fluid in a precipitation chamber, conveying a resulting mixture of fluid and the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to a collection chamber, the collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet.

Abstract: An approach for facilitating the analysis of computer software errors generally involves logging status data in a volatile memory, such as a random access memory (RAM). The status data may indicate one or more attributes of a computing system or any of its components. The status data may be supplemented with additional status data to indicate attributes of the computing system and its components over time. In response to detecting a specified condition, the status data is written from the volatile memory to a non-volatile memory, for example, onto one or more disks. The status data stored on the non-volatile memory may then be used to analyze the behavior of the computer software over time leading up to the computer software error.

Abstract: A process for producing particles of a substance is described wherein a solution of the substance in a solvent is delivered in at least one shot into a supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid is a non-solvent for the substance and is miscible with the solvent. Particles of the substance distributed in a mixture of the solvent and the supercritical fluid are formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating a disease in an animal, which disease is responsive to inhibiting of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) polypeptide by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound defined herein (including those compounds set forth in Tables 1-14 or encompassed by formulas I-XII) or compositions thereof, thereby treating the disease. The present invention particularly, relates to a method of treating diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease.