Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of insulinotropic peptides that are synthesized using a solid and solution phase (“hybrid”) approach. Generally, the approach includes synthesizing three different peptide intermediate fragments using solid phase chemistry. Solution phase chemistry is then used to add additional amino acid material to one of the fragments. The fragments are then coupled together in the solid solution phase. The use of a pseudoproline in one of the fragments eases solid phase synthesis of that fragment and also eases subsequent solution phase coupling of this fragment to other fragments. The present invention is very useful for forming insulinotropic peptides such as GLP-1(7-36) and its natural and non-natural counterparts.

Abstract: An improved mop bucket with an integrated water filtration system. A manual or electric pump may be utilized to circulate water from the bucket through the filtration system. The pump may also be utilized to provide water pressure to nozzles that emit streams of water for rinsing the mop head. The filtration system may include one or more filters capable of removing particles and microbes from the water. A germ-killing light, such as an ultraviolet light, may be incorporated into the filtration system to kill any microbes in the water. The mop bucket may be mounted to a wheeled cart to facilitate movement. A re-chargeable battery may be used to provide power to the pump and the germ-killing light.

Abstract: A dip for holding open a book while it is being read, with two integrated clamp and handle pieces to respectively hold the front and back covers of the open book, independently hinged to a single integrated clamp and handle piece to hold the open pages of the book, where the damping force is provided by a helical spring on each hinge, and a rubber strip is affixed to each of the three damping surfaces.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: A machine tool has a tool holder mounted to a platform, and a plurality of legs for connecting the platform to a workpiece. Each leg has joint systems which allow each leg to rotate relative to the platform and the workpiece and are also actuatable to alter the inter-joint distance. By alterations in the inter-joint distances of the legs the position and orientation of the tool holder relative to the workpiece is controllable. Each leg also has an attachment foot for removably attaching the leg to the workpiece. The provision of separate attachment feet avoids the need for a dedicated base for the machine tool so that it can be used in-situ and in confined and obstructed working environments.

Abstract: A multi-channel light source has different channels for generating illumination of different channel colors corresponding to the different channels. An electrical power supply selectively energizes the channels using time division multiplexing to generate illumination of a selected time-averaged color.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for effecting rapid thermocycling in connection with the polymerase chain reaction are disclosed. A sample assembly having a relatively small thermal mass is heated to desired PCR operating temperatures, and a separate cooling assembly is used to rapidly lower the temperature as required. In one embodiment, a sample assembly with an integrated heating element is isolated from a relatively large thermal mass cold sink when the temperature of a sample is to be raised or maintained, and brought in contact with the cold sink when the temperature is desired to be lowered.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. Also disclosed is a tissue graft or implant comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. The composition and/or tissue graft or implant of the invention is usable in combination with seeded cells, a tissue growth factor, and/or a chemotactic gent to attract a desired cell.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is disclosed, including first and second opposing substrates separated by a cell gap. The cell gap has an inner liquid crystal region including a liquid crystal composition, an outer sealant region including a sealant that bonds the first and second opposing substrates together, and a void region between the inner liquid crystal region and the outer sealant region. The sealant may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display assembly including at least two light reflecting liquid crystal displays is also disclosed, wherein at least one of the displays comprises the liquid crystal display disclosed herein.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes preparing a sealant composition containing a set modifier component. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore and is subjected to ionizing radiation that alters the set modifier component, triggering the thickening of the sealant composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a composition includes a sealant composition containing a wellbore treatment fluid and a set modifier component. The sealant composition can be placed into the wellbore and subjected to ionizing radiation that alters the set modifier component, triggering the setting of the sealant composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. Also disclosed is a tissue graft or implant comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. The composition and/or tissue graft or implant of the invention is usable in combination with seeded cells, a tissue growth factor, and/or a chemotactic agent to attract a desired cell.

Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card infeed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area; and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a CMOS sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure encompasses methods for determining a protein kinase or phosphatase activity in a biological sample, comprising: contacting in a reaction mix a first test sample and a fluorescently-labeled peptide substrate capable of being modified by a protein phosphatase or a protein kinase, contacting the reaction mix with a TiO2 matrix, thereby partitioning fluorescently-labeled phosphorylated peptide from fluorescently-labeled dephosphorylated peptide; and determining the fluorescence of the fluorescently-labeled dephosphorylated peptide, thereby determining a protein kinase or phosphatase activity.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a thin film solid state lighting device, such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device, having a planar light emitting side and an opposite planar mounting side and including electrodes disposed on the planar mounting side of the thin film solid state lighting device, the electrodes including a magnetic material configured to conductively convey electrical drive current to drive the thin film solid state lighting device to emit light at the planar light emitting principal side. The article of manufacture may further comprise a fixture having a planar surface with magnets arranged to mate with the electrodes to magnetically secure the thin film solid state lighting device with the fixture and to concurrently form electrically conductive paths including the magnetic material of the electrodes configured to conductively convey electrical drive current. Thus this magnetic connection provides both mechanical support and electrical conduction path.

Abstract: An application may watch to see if information passes a defined trust barrier. If defined information passes a defined trust barrier, an alert may be issued. The alert may include informing a developer of the specific code section that triggered the alert.

Abstract: A method of conduction transactions at a point-of-sale terminal using a wireless device is disclosed and may include initiating a transaction with the point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, receiving at least one price from the point-of-sale terminal, determining whether the at least one price satisfies a price warning condition, and transmitting a first audible signal if the at least one price satisfies the price warning condition.

Abstract: A method of conduction transactions at a point-of-sale terminal using a wireless device is disclosed and may include attempting to read information from the point-of-sale terminal via a wireless link, receiving a merchant identification when an attempt to read is successful, and searching a payment table using the merchant identification. In a particular aspect, the merchant identification may include a merchant identification number, a merchant name, a merchant store number, or a combination thereof.