Abstract: A mechanical flow control device is provided that allows flow of production fluids along an annular path and across an valve body. A sliding sealing member can be mechanically transitioned between an opened flow position and a closed flow position as desired. The mechanical flow control device may be combined with one or more interventionless flow control devices.

Abstract: Methods for processing condensed computer code are disclosed herein. The condensed computer code includes index references that take the place of code structures found in corresponding executable computer code. The condensed computer code, as well as one or more lists that map the index references found in the condensed computer code to the code structures found in the executable computer code, are transmitted to a user system. The condensed computer code is executed by fetching opcodes and operands from the computer code, and then executing the fetched opcodes. If a fetched operand is an index reference, the fetched operand is resolved by using the index reference as an index into one of the lists.

Abstract: An interventionless actuator for oil well tools is described wherein the actuator comprises at least one floating piston adapted to equalize a pressure differential and lock onto an actuating member. An interventionless actuator is described that is charged to an initial energy level less than the expected at-depth well pressure and then recharged down hole to approximately the at-depth well pressure by a floating piston. At the time of desired interventionless actuation, the actuator is overcharged to a pressure greater than the at-depth well pressure, which pressure is reacted by an actuating piston to generate an actuating movement.

Abstract: A tooth circumference measuring device is disclosed that device provides a strap that is placed around a dental patient's tooth and retracted into an at least generally conformal relationship (i.e., snuggly fit around the tooth) using a strap adjusting mechanism. The strap is operatively interconnected to a gage such that when the strap is secured about the tooth with a predetermined amount of tension, the gage indicates the circumference of that tooth. In one embodiment, the strap adjusting mechanism includes a reel that is interconnected to the strap. Upon rotation of the reel, a first portion of the strap is wound or unwound about a perimeter of the reel such that a second portion of the strap disposed about a tooth may be tensioned or loosened. In a further embodiment, the strap adjusting mechanism is operative to provide a consistent tension between measurements.

Abstract: A combination jarring tool and disconnect device is disclosed in which the jarring events may be followed by separate disconnect event, or in which the jarring events may coincide with disconnect events. The tool generally comprises a housing and a sleeve in concentric arrangement and a disconnect interface. A plurality of axial and rotational locks is used to prevent premature energization of the jarring and disconnect events.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer composition is described comprising thermoplastic of thermoset polymer, and a fluorochemical additive dispersed therein. The hydrophilic composition is useful, for example, in medical and surgical drapes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to mycoplasma. For example, the invention provides mycoplasma polypeptides having the ability to increase calcium release from cells (e.g., porcine ciliated tracheal cells) as well as antibodies that bind to such mycoplasma polypeptides. In addition, the invention provides methods for identifying inhibitors of mycoplasma-induced calcium release from porcine ciliated tracheal cells.

Abstract: A speculum for use with a body opening, such as a vagina, rectum or surgical wound, may have an insertion portion with an arcuately-shaped wall and a slot that extends along a length of the wall. An end face of the wall at the distal end of the insertion portion may be arranged at a non-perpendicular angle to the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion. A flange portion joined at a proximal end of the insertion portion may have a continuous band that extends radially outwardly from the wall and includes a notch that communicates with the slot. A handle portion may have a gripping surface extending proximally at a bottom side of the flange portion with an arcuate shape that is approximately concentric with the wall of the insertion portion. A top side of the flange portion may be free of the handle portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of oligomeric polypeptides (dimers, trimmers, etc) comprising the ligand binding domains of cytokines which are linked via flexible polypeptides linker molecules. The linker molecules optionally comprise protease sensitive sites to modulate the release of biologically active cytokines when administered to a human or animal subject.

Abstract: Fluoroacrylates comprise the reaction product of: (a) at least one fluorochemical alcohol represented by the formula: CnF2n+1—X—OH wherein: ?R=hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, ?m=2 to 8, ?Rf?CnF2n+1, ?y=0 to 6, and ?q=1 to 8; (b) at least one unbranched symmetric diisocyanate; and (c) at least one hydroxy-terminated alkyl (meth)acrylate or 2-fluoro acrylate monomer having 2 to about 30 carbon atoms in its alkylene portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to chimeric polypeptides wherein said polypeptides comprise a modified binding domain of growth hormone linked to a receptor binding domain of growth hormone receptor; and tandems/oligomers of said modified growth hormone binding domains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides which comprise a receptor binding domain of a cytokine and a domain which includes a signal sequence for the attachment of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. The invention also relates to methods to manufacture the polypeptides, nucleic acids molecules encoding the polypeptides and therapeutic compositions comprising the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to the controlled release of preparations of therapeutic agents, for example a steroid; formulations comprising said preparations; and the use of said formulations to treat diseases such as those diseases which would benefit from steroid treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to agents which bind to cell surface receptors; methods to manufacture said agents; therapeutic compositions comprising said agents; and screening methods to identify novel agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for sealing and/or anchoring against the inside surface of an outer tubular. In one embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve has at least one radially expandable separate rings located there about. The at least one ring is capable of radical expansion without appreciable deformation of the at least one edge for improved engagement between the at least one edge and the inside surface of the outer tubular. In another embodiment, the present invention provides an inflatable metal to metal seal packer that is able to accommodate out of round casing.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for improving the efficiency of data parsing. Data parsing can be applied to a variety of different types of data in various computer systems and appliances. Some of the methods and apparatus provided include techniques for scanning, verifying, calculating hash values, copying, and white space handling.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for sealing and/or anchoring against the inside surface of an outer tubular. In one embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve has at least one radially expandable separate rings located there about. The at least one ring is capable of radial expansion without appreciable deformation of the at least one edge for improved engagement between the at least one edge and the inside surface of the outer tubular. In another embodiment, the present invention provides an inflatable metal to metal seal packer that is able to accommodate out of round casing.

Abstract: An electrostatic holding device for holding semiconductor wafers and similar materials during microelectronic device manufacturing operations. It has a circular, electrically conductive wafer support having a rounded periphery; an annular border region; and a flat, concentric, raised, central plateau having an electrically conductive top surface. The plateau has a tapered circumferential edge which extends down to the annular border region. A nonelectrically conductive coating is on the rounded periphery, the border region and the tapered edge which extends to, but does not cover, the conductive top surface of the central plateau such that an the coating is coplanar with the conductive top surface of the central plateau. A removable dielectric sheet overlies the top surface of the central plateau, the coating on the tapered edge and the coating on the border region.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) wherein R is alkyl, n is 0 to 2, m is 1 to 4 and A is alkyl, interrupted or uninterrupted alkylene, alkanetriyl or pentaerythrityl, by transesterifying the corresponding lower alkyl with a higher alkanol of the formula A-(OH)m in the presence of a tin catalyst; wherein the improvement comprises reacting the tin catalyzed transesterification reaction mass with a carboxylic acid or hydrate thereof neat, in the absence of an aqueous medium, until the tin catalyst forms an insoluble derivative, and then separating the insoluble derivative from the reaction mass by filtration without the assistance of a filtration aid. The invention allows for a convenient method by which to remove the residual tin catalyst from the substituted hydroxyphenylcarboxylic acid ester compounds of formula (I).

Abstract: A system and method of condensing computer code in which canonical lists are created with index values replacing code structures within the code. More particularly, in JAVA code, condensed code is created by making canonical lists of classes, methods and fields in the code and replacing such class, method and/or field references within the code with index values corresponding to the canonical lists.