Abstract: Disclosed are compounds which inhibit ?-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis, and, accordingly, have utility in treating Alzheimer's disease. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include a compound which inhibits ?-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis as well as methods for treating Alzheimer's disease both prophylactically and therapeutically with such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and kits for homogeneous fluorescence polarization (anisotropy) assays for detecting and quantifying metal ions in solution. Metal-dependent binding of a fluorescent ligand to an unlabeled macromolecule effects a measurable change in anisotropy as will the binding of metal ions to a fluorescent labeled macromolecule. Binding of the fluorescent ligand to the unlabeled macromolecule is metal dependent with the change in anisotropy being proportional to the concentration of bound metal ions. Conversely, if the fluorescent label is first conjugated to a macromolecule and the macromolecule is subsequently stripped of metal ion, it may then be used to signal binding of metal ions. The covalently bound fluorescent label exhibits changes in anisotropy proportional to the concentration of bound metal ions. Kits comprise a fluorescent molecule and a macromolecule.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds represented by the following structural formula, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, Formula 1: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein: (a) W is selected from the group consisting of O, C, N and S: (b) Z is an aliphatic linker wherein one carbon atom of the aliphatic linker may be replaced with O, NH or S, and wherein such aliphatic linker is optionally substituted with Z?; (c) A is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl carboxamide, sulfonamide, acylsulfonamide, tetrazole, and (CII2)n COOR19, and wherein said sulfonamide, acylsulfonamide, and tetrazole is each optionally substituted with from one to three substituents each independently selected from A?.

Abstract: A quick coupler for attaching implements, such as buckets or other tools, to heavy equipment, such as backhoes and excavators, which includes two recesses or channels for receiving a pair of machine pins of an implement. A hydraulic piston actuates a first locking lever to enclose one of the pair of machine pins in one recess and a second locking lever to enclose the other one of the pair of machine pins in the other recess.

Abstract: Semi-autonomously executed routines accomplish the primary functions of electrosurgical energy delivery on a responsive basis for power control purposes and to adapt the delivered output waveform to perform new and better surgical procedures. The routines include and output voltage and output current sampling routine, a control routine for establishing the width of drive pulses used to create the output waveform, a pattern generation routine for establishing the pattern of drive pulses to be delivered in one mode cycle established by a selected mode of operation, a pattern delivery routine for repeatedly delivering sequences of the mode cycle pattern of drive pulses, and a power supply control routine for varying the voltage of the drive pulses in coordination with varying the width of the drive pulses.

Abstract: DC input energy is converted into DC output voltage by the use of a switched current mode high-voltage power supply. Pulses of input current are switched through a conversion transformer and the energy content of each pulse is converted into the DC output voltage. The time widths of the input current pulses are regulated relative to the DC input and output voltages, the magnitude of the current within each input current pulse, and in relation to maintaining a plurality of different selected operational conditions. The rate at which the input current pulses are converted is changed relative to the level of the DC output voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds which inhibit ?-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis, and, accordingly, have utility in treating Alzheimer's disease. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include a compound which inhibits ?-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis as well as methods for treating Alzheimer's disease both prophylactically and therapeutically with such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds which inhibit ?-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis, and, accordingly, have utility in treating Alzheimer's disease. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include a compound which inhibits ?-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis as well as methods for treating Alzheimer's disease both prophylactically and therapeutically with such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are zintrodes to measure intracranial free zinc levels in an individual or free zinc levels in solution. The zintrodes and multitrodes comprise a zinc chelator and a fluorophore or may comprise only a zinc-chelating fluorophore, an optical fiber having an optical tip, and a means of entrapping the zinc chelator and the fluorophore or the zinc-chelating fluorophore proximate to the optical tip within the zintrode. The zintrode may comprise a multitrode. Also provided are methods of real-time buffering of zinc ion levels in vivo in brain tissue to treat an excitotoxic neural injury using the zintrodes and multitrodes described herein. Additionally, provided herein are a system and method to measure pZn in solution.

Abstract: Devices and methods whereby therapeutic agents may be injected into distinct organ locations in a minimally invasive manner. Most preferably the devices and methods employ a video-assisted thorascopic system (VATS) to enable a physician in real time to visually identify a distinct organ location into which therapeutic agent is to be injected. In particularly preferred forms, devices are provided for injecting a therapeutic agent into a tissue site which include a proximal handle, and a tubular barrel distally extending from the handle. The barrel has an injection needle at a distal end thereof which is most preferably angled relative to the barrel's elongate axis. The internal space of the barrel is sized and configured to receive a cartridge containing a therapeutic agent to be injected into the tissue site.

Abstract: A quick coupler for attaching implements, such as buckets or other tools, to heavy equipment, such as backhoes and excavators, which includes two recesses or channels for receiving a pair of machine pins of an implement. A hydraulic piston actuates a first locking lever to enclose one of the pair of machine pins in one recess and a second locking lever to enclose the other one of the pair of machine pins in the other recess.

Abstract: A method of optimizing packetization for a sending device of a Voice over Internet Protocol network includes encoding an audio signal, and monitoring a state of the Voice over Internet Protocol network. An optimal count of compressed data frames is determined from the state of the Voice over Internet Protocol network. The optimal count is employed to packetize the encoded audio signal in a payload. The payload is sent in a voice packet to the Voice over Internet Protocol network.

Abstract: A deflection mechanism for selectively inducing a bend in a catheter body includes an elongated deflection wire extending within a deflection lumen of the catheter body and into a handle. A guide track is formed within the handle and a thumb wheel is mounted proximal to the elongated guide track within the handle and supports a pinion gear; the thumb wheel and the pinion gear are adapted to be rotated about a common thumb wheel axis, which extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A rack arm extends obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the handle and includes runners received by the guide track, an attachment point coupling the deflection wire to the rack arm and a linear rack engaging the pinion gear. Rotation of the thumb wheel in a first direction draws the deflection wire proximally through the deflection lumen.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions comprising amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and a functional ingredient for preventing hairball formation are provided. The functional ingredient comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of electrostatically charged gelatin, animal bile acid, fungal acid protease, papain, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrostatically charged gelatin are provided. Gelatin is extracted by an acid extraction method (12) thereby producing a gelatin dispersion (14), the pH of which is adjusted to the isoelectric point of the gelatin. The pH of the gelatin dispersion (14) is then further adjusted (22) so as to cause the gelatin to assume an electrostatic charge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to N1-acylated derivatives of desleucylA82846B. These derivatives are useful as antibacterials.

Abstract: Recovery of hydrocarbons, such as petroleum products, from a liquid or solid substrate is facilitated by the use of microwave energy to energize and separate molecular bonds between the hydrocarbons and the substrate. A radio frequency (RF) applicator delivers microwave energy to a treatment volume containing an emulsion of a hydrocarbon and a substrate. Delivering the microwave energy to the emulsion facilitates separation of the hydrocarbon and substrate molecules into layers. Hydrocarbons and other products can then be recovered from their respective layers. The treatment volume may be located either above or below ground. The RF applicator may include an antenna body with slots formed substantially parallel to one another in a substantially horizontal orientation. The RF applicator efficiently delivers microwave energy into the treatment volume. Substantially all of the power supplied to the RF applicator is radiated, with very little power reflected internally within the RF applicator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds represented by the following structural Formula (I), (a) R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted group selected from C1-C8 alkyl, aryl-C0-4-alkyl, heteroaryl-C0-4-alkyl, C6 cycloalkylaryl-C0-2-alkyl, and —CH2—C(O)—R17-R18, wherein R17 is O or NH and R18 is optionally substituted benzyl; (b) R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkenyl, aryl-C0-4-alkyl, heteroaryl-C0-4-alkyl, C1-C4 alkyl sulfonamide, C1-C4 alkyl amide, OR10 and C3-C6 cycloalkyl; (c) W is O or S; (d) X is an optionally substituted C1-C5 alkylene linker wherein one carbon atom of the linker may optionally be replaced with O, NH, S, and optionally two carbons together may form a double bond; (e) Y is selected from the group consisting of C, O, S, NH and a single bond; and (f) E is selected from the group consisting of C(R3) (R4)A, A, and a substituted or unsubstituted group selected from the group consisting of (CH2)n COOR19.

Abstract: Paint applicator having improved cleanability and paint-carrying capacity wherein the paint-carrying surface is coated or treated with a fluoroacrylate polymer or copolymer, a fluorourethane polymer or copolymer, or a mixture thereof, and a method for treating such paint applicators are disclosed.

Abstract: Animal feed compositions comprising amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat and a functional ingredient for preventing hairball formation are provided. The functional ingredient comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of electrostatically charged gelatin, animal bile acid, fungal acid protease, papain, and mixtures thereof.