Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds of formula I which are caspase and TNF-alpha inhibitors. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting caspase and TNF-alpha activity and consequently, can be advantageously used as agents against caspase-, interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-y inducing factor-(IGIF), interferon-?-(“IFN-?”), or TNF-alpha mediated diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. This invention also relates to processes for preparing the compounds of this invention.

Abstract: Compositions comprising, as the active ingredients, resveratrol, a derivative, metabolite or analogue thereof, and at least one additional component selected from EGCG, genistein, vitamin E, polyunsaturated fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid and vitamin K are disclosed. The compositions exert an antiinflammatory effect and may be a food or beverage or a supplement therefor; or may be a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a plant for producing low 15 temperature coke, in which granular coal and possibly further solids are heated to a temperature of 700 to 1050° C. in a fluidized-bed reactor (2) by means of an oxygen-containing gas. To improve the utilization of energy it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through at least one gas supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber region (8) of the reactor (2), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (6) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture and of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (6) are adjusted such that the Particle-Froude-Numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (6) between 0.02 and 2 and in the 25 mixing chamber (8) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method is provided for producing a safely disposable end product from waste matter containing undesirable materials, such as infectious, biohazardous, hazardous, or radioactive elements. The method comprises the steps of providing a highly basic solvent, immersing the waste matter containing the undesirable materials within the highly basic solvent, and heating the solvent. The waste matter containing the undesirable materials is allowed to remain within the solvent until digested, thereby forming a solution void of any infectious or biohazardous elements and/or containing a concentration of radioisotope below the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for release to a sanitary sewer as defined in applicable federal regulations.

Abstract: A real-time radar surveillance system comprises at least one land-based non-coherent radar sensor apparatus adapted for detecting maneuvering targets and targets of small or low radar cross-section. The radar sensor apparatus includes a marine radar device, a digitizer connected to the marine radar device for receiving therefrom samples of radar video echo signals, and computer programmed to implement a software-configurable radar processor generating target data including detection data and track data, the computer being connectable to a computer network including a database. The processor is figured to transmit at least a portion of the target data over the network to the database, the database being accessible via the network by at least one user application that receives target data from the database, the user application providing a user interface for at least one user of the system.

Abstract: A method for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide, in which fine-grained solids are heated to a temperature of about 630° C. in a fluidized-bed reactor (1). To improve the utilization of energy, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber (7) of the reactor (1), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (10) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture and of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bet (10) are adjusted such that the Particle-Froude-Numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (10) between 0.02 and 2, and in the mixing chamber (7) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system, method and apparatus is provided for chemically reducing waste. The apparatus includes a substantially alkaline-resistant vessel having a temperature sensor positioned in thermal communication therewith, a heater in thermal communication with the vessel, a substantially alkaline-resistant magnetic stir rod adapted to be positioned within the vessel, and a magnetic stirrer adapted to produce a rotating magnetic field within the vessel capable of spinning a magnetic stir rod positioned therein. The apparatus further includes a water inlet valve operationally connected to the vessel and a water outlet valve operationally connected to the vessel. An electronic controller is connected in electric communication to the heater, to the magnetic stirrer, to the water inlet valve, to the water outlet valve, and to the temperature sensor and is adapted to maintain the temperature of the substantially alkaline resistant vessel substantially at a predetermined value.

Abstract: In order that a hand-held machine tool for introducing cuts, comprising a drive motor for at least one cutting tool and a contacting device, by which the hand-held machine tool is adapted to contact an object to be machined and is guidable on said object, may be provided that is universally usable, it is proposed that the drive motor is disposed in a lockable pivotable manner relative to the contacting device, wherein at least one pulling position for the pulling introduction of a cut and at least one pushing position for the pushing introduction of a cut is adjustable.

Abstract: The invention relates to nutraceutical compositions comprising at least two ingredients from the groups of EGCG, pantethine or a metabolite thereof, phytanic acid, lipoic acid, policosanol and coenzyme Q-10 and their use in the treatment or prevention of diabetes or obesity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermally-formable and cross-linkable precursor of a thermally-conductive material comprising a) one or more crosslinkable polymers where the melt flow index of the polymer or mixture of polymers (measured at 190° C. according to ASTM D-1238), respectively, is 10-100 g/10 min and b) one or more thermally-conductive fillers in an amount of at least 60 wt. % of the total weight of the precursor.

Abstract: A signal intercept and analysis processor for a wideband intercept receiver system including at least one wideband receiver has a signal detector operatively connectable to the wideband receiver and a signal extractor operatively connected to the signal detector and connectable to the wideband receiver for performing signal extraction directly on a wideband signal output of the receiver and for performing the signal extraction only upon detection of a signal by the signal detector. The signal detector includes a generator of a coarsely sampled or decimated time-frequency representation of the wideband signal output. The time-frequency representation is decimated or coarsely sampled in time compared to an inverse frequency filter bandwidth used in the time-frequency representation. The generator preferably includes a digital filter bank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter cartridge (1) which comprises a firmly fixed lid (10) and has a long service life. Said lid (10) is embodied in such a way that the bottom (11) of the lid extends towards the peripheral wall (3) of the cartridge container to join the lateral wall (16) of the lid, by means of an inwardly curved edge section (14), the curved edge section (14) and the lateral wall (16) in the form of a strip joining in the forming region to form an inwardly tapered common wall section (15). In this way, the region fixing the lateral wall (16) to the peripheral wall (3) is subjected only to a tensile load, minimising the risk of shear fracture, and the inner pressure in the region of the common wall section (15) presses the wall section against the peripheral wall (3), thus exerting an additional sealing force.

Abstract: Compositions comprising epigallocatechin gallate and 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone may be used for the treatment or prevention of obesity or conditions associated with obesity such as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM, type II) and syndrome X. The compositions may find use in the nutritional field as a supplement to food and beverages, as well as as a pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic volume data acquisition using ultrasound generates image data in a scanning and imaging process known as coherent aperture combining beamforming (CAC-BF). The CAC-BF technique can be applied in an azimuth dimension and/or an elevation dimension, to form an ultrasound image line, image plane, or image data cube. Several innovations relating to the design and ordering of shots and efficient weighting algorithms that address various performance issues associated with B-mode and other modes such as Doppler, and harmonic imaging are disclosed. The invention has significant advantages over other synthetic aperture imaging techniques and conventional imaging techniques by supporting higher resolution, larger volumes and/or shorter acquisition times than comparative techniques, using similar system hardware complexity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phytosterol and/or a phytostanol ester compound produced from the reaction of a phytosterol and/or a phytostanol with a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), wherein the polyunsaturated fatty acid has from 18 to 22 carbon atoms and at least three carbon-carbon double bonds. Processes for producing and compositions and a process for using such compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated PHB6V, the seeds and plants of inbred maize line PHB6V, methods for producing a maize plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred maize line PHB6V with another maize plant, and seed and plants produced therefrom. The invention also relates to methods for producing a modified PHB6V maize plant that comprises in its genetic material one or more transgenes or backcross conversion genes and to the transgenic and backcross conversion maize plants produced by these methods. This invention also relates to methods for producing other inbred and hybrid maize lines derived from inbred maize line PHB6V and to the inbred and hybrid maize lines so produced.

Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated PH77P, the seeds and plants of inbred maize line PH77P, methods for producing a maize plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred maize line PH77P with another maize plant, and seed and plants produced therefrom. The invention also relates to methods for producing a modified PH77P maize plant that comprises in its genetic material one or more transgenes or backcross conversion genes and to the transgenic and backcross conversion maize plants produced by these methods. This invention also relates to methods for producing other inbred and hybrid maize lines derived from inbred maize line PH77P and to the inbred and hybrid maize lines so produced.

Abstract: Nutraceutical compositions comprise biotin in an amount sufficient to administer to a subject a daily dosage of 0.01 mg per kg body weight to about 3 mg per kg body weight and at least one additional component selected from pantethine or a metabolite thereof, EGCG, phytanic acid, lipoic acid and policosanol. The compositions are useful for the treatment of both type 1 and 2 diabetes, and for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in those individuals with pre-diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or obesity.

Abstract: The invention is novel compounds of formula which exhibit an improved therapeutic index and improved metabolic stability which are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of herpes viral infections. Novel intermediates useful in the synthesis of the final compounds are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to characterize a shape of an isomeric form of a sample comprised of a molecule or a cluster of molecules. The method includes raising an electron of the sample to a Rydberg state having an orbital diameter sufficient to encompass at least a portion of the sample; further raising the electron to an ionization state and correlating the energy required to transition from the Rydberg state to the ionization state with the three dimensional structure of the sample. In a preferred embodiment raising the electron to the Rydberg state includes raising the electron to a first Rydberg state Ry1, and then raising the electron to a second Rydberg state Ry2. Further raising the electron to the ionization state includes raising the electron from the Ry2 state to the ionization state using optical excitation, and correlating the energy considers at least a wavelength of the optical excitation.