Abstract: A sensor retrieval system includes a self-propelled unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) having a control system including a navigation controller, an excavator controller and an extractor controller. The navigation controller has instructions to move the UGV to proximate a geodetic position of a sensor disposed proximate a surface of the ground. The UGV further comprises a sensor position locator arranged to determine distance, direction and relative elevation of the sensor with respect to the UGV. An extractor is in signal communication with the extractor controller. The extractor comprises means for lifting the sensor from the ground to a predetermined depth. An excavator is in signal communication with the excavator controller. The excavator comprises means for removing overburden from above the sensor to leave the overburden to at most the predetermined depth.

Abstract: A sensor retrieval system includes a self-propelled unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) having a control system including a navigation controller, an excavator controller and an extractor controller. The navigation controller has instructions to move the UGV to proximate a geodetic position of a sensor disposed proximate a surface of the ground. The UGV further comprises a sensor position locator arranged to determine distance, direction and relative elevation of the sensor with respect to the UGV. An extractor is in signal communication with the extractor controller. The extractor comprises means for lifting the sensor from the ground to a predetermined depth. An excavator is in signal communication with the excavator controller. The excavator comprises means for removing overburden from above the sensor to leave the overburden to at most the predetermined depth.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling animated characters. The system involves an animated character mapping perception into a number of domains, including a world domain, linguistic domain and social domain. The system is computationally perceived items that should be abstracted from the character's environment for processing. The animated character is able to utilize different levels of information gathering or learning, different levels of decision making, and different levels of dynamic responses to provide life-like interactions.

Abstract: Stabilized glucagon formulations are provided, in the form of a clear solution. The formulations include glucagon in a non-aqueous diluent and an antioxidant The diluent and antioxidant are selected to provide a glucagon formulation with increased stability when compared to glucagon without the anti-oxidant and/or the diluent and which shows a comparable onset of action and duration of glucose response. The compositions can be used to treat subjects with very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) that can happen in subjects who have diabetes and use insulin.

Abstract: A formulation composed of a sugar such as glucose and a surfactant such as myristoyl lysophosphocholine (LMPC) has been designed to stabilize both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of the glucagon molecule, under prolonged physiological conditions, in a formulation that is sufficiently similar to the pH and osmolarity of plasma so as not to induce or to minimize site irritation. The combination of a simple sugar and an surfactant stabilizes the glucagon molecule in an aqueous solution for seven days at 37° C.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating injection site pain associated with rapid acting injectable insulin formulations have been developed for subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a zinc chelator such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”), a dissolution/stabilization agent such as citric acid, a magnesium salt, and, optionally, additional excipients. New presentations include rapid acting concentrated insulin formulations and a way to enhance the absorption of commercially available rapid acting analog formulations by mixing them with a vial containing dry powder excipients that accelerate their absorption. Devices for mixing excipient and insulin together at the time of administration, while minimizing residence time of the mixture, are also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating injection site pain associated with rapid acting injectable insulin formulations have been developed for subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a zinc chelator such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”), a dissolution/stabilization agent such as citric acid, a magnesium salt, and, optionally, additional excipients. New presentations include rapid acting concentrated insulin formulations and a way to enhance the absorption of commercially available rapid acting analog formulations by mixing them with a vial containing dry powder excipients that accelerate their absorption. Devices for mixing excipient and insulin together at the time of administration, while minimizing residence time of the mixture, are also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the stability of rapid acting injectable insulin formulations have been developed for subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a zinc chelator such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”), a dissolution/stabilization agent such as citric acid, a magnesium salt, a zinc compound and, optionally, additional excipients. New presentations include rapid acting concentrated insulin formulations and a way to enhance the absorption of commercially available rapid acting analog formulations while maintaining insulin stability.

Abstract: A sealed plate heat exchanger includes a frame body with two frame plates and a plate stack between the frame plates. The plate stack is formed of a plurality of heat-exchange plates. Fluid channels allow feeding and leading away of heat exchange fluids that flow through the intermediate space between the heat-exchange plates. Devices for applying force to the frame plates, apply pressure to the plate stack. Seals are provided for sealing between the heat-exchange plates of the plate stack. A center of area of the area of the force application to the frame plate lies within an area that results from a linear projection of the area of the plate stack onto the frame plate.

Abstract: Injectable insulin formulations with improved stability and rapid onset of action are described herein. The formulations may be for subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular administration. In the preferred embodiment, the formulations are administered via subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a chelator and dissolution agent, and optionally additional excipients. In the preferred embodiment, the formulation contains human insulin, a zinc chelator such as EDTA and a dissolution agent such as citric acid or sodium citrate. These formulations are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream when administered by subcutaneous injection. In the preferred embodiment, the insulin is provided as a clear liquid, neutral pH, in a multi-use sterile vial. In an alternative embodiment, the insulin is provided as a powder in a sterile vial.

Abstract: A thermal insulation body made of a material having carbonized fibers and/or graphitized fibers is particularly suited for lining a high-temperature furnace. The thermal insulation body is assembled from at least two component parts, wherein at least two assembled component parts each have at least one connection element and the connection elements of the at least two assembled component parts interengage positively to form an undercut.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating injection site pain associated with rapid acting injectable insulin formulations have been developed for subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a zinc chelator such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”), a dissolution/stabilization agent such as citric acid, a magnesium salt, and, optionally, additional excipients. New presentations include rapid acting concentrated insulin formulations and a way to enhance the absorption of commercially available rapid acting analog formulations by mixing them with a vial containing dry powder excipients that accelerate their absorption. Devices for mixing excipient and insulin together at the time of administration, while minimizing residence time of the mixture, are also described.

Abstract: A basal insulin formulation composed of insulin, preferably insulin glargine, injectable zinc and injectable iron compounds as precipitating and/or stabilizing agents has been developed for subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular administration. The formulation is designed to form a precipitate of insulin following injection, creating a slow releasing “basal insulin” over a period of 12 to 24 hours.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rapid acting injectable insulin formulations are described herein. In the preferred embodiment, the formulations are administered via subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a zinc chelator such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”) and a dissolution/stabilization agent, and optionally additional excipients. Calcium disodium EDTA is less likely to remove calcium from the body, and typically has less pain on injection in the subcutaneous tissue. Modulating the type and quantity of EDTA can change the insulin absorption profile. Increasing the quantity of citrate can further enhance absorption and chemically stabilize the formulation. In the preferred embodiment, the formulation contains human insulin, calcium disodium EDTA and a dissolution/stabilization agent such as citric acid or sodium citrate.

Abstract: A basal insulin formulation composed of insulin, preferably insulin glargine, injectable zinc and injectable iron compounds as precipitating and/or stabilizing agents has been developed for subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular administration. The formulation is designed to form a precipitate of insulin following injection, creating a slow releasing “basal insulin” over a period of 12 to 24 hours.

Abstract: A formulation composed of a sugar such as glucose and a surfactant such as myristoyl lysophosphocholine (LMPC) has been designed to stabilize both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of the glucagon molecule, under prolonged physiological conditions, in a formulation that is sufficiently similar to the pH and osmolarity of plasma so as not to induce or to minimize site irritation. The combination of a simple sugar and an surfactant stabilizes the glucagon molecule in an aqueous solution for seven days at 37° C.

Abstract: A formulation composed of a sugar such as glucose and a surfactant such as myristoyl lysophosphocholine (LMPC) has been designed to stabilize both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of the glucagon molecule, under prolonged physiological conditions, in a formulation that is sufficiently similar to the pH and osmolarity of plasma so as not to induce or to minimize site irritation. The combination of a simple sugar and an surfactant stabilizes the glucagon molecule in an aqueous solution for seven days at 37° C.

Abstract: Injectable insulin formulations with improved stability and rapid onset of action are described herein. The formulations may be for subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular administration. In the preferred embodiment, the formulations are administered via subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a chelator and dissolution agent, and optionally additional excipients. In the preferred embodiment, the formulation contains human insulin, a zinc chelator such as EDTA and a dissolution agent such as citric acid or sodium citrate. These formulations are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream when administered by subcutaneous injection. In the preferred embodiment, the insulin is provided as a clear liquid, neutral pH, in a multi-use sterile vial. In an alternative embodiment, the insulin is provided as a powder in a sterile vial.

Abstract: A measuring sensor comprises at least one SAW (surface acoustic wave) element (20) serving as a sensor and identification unit, which is installed in a contactless manner inside a housing part (10) forming, in essence, a coaxial conductor. The housing part (10) is connected to the shield (13) of the connection cable whose signal conductor (12) extends in a contactless manner over a superficial coupling structure of the SAW element (20) without contact. In order to improve the near-field coupling, the coupling structure of the SAW element (20) comprises additively coupling partial structures, which are arranged on both sides of the signal conductor (12) and which, preferably with at least one strip conductor, encircle, at least for the most part, the SAW element (20) in the peripheral area, and which serve as an integrated discharge loop for pyroelectric charges.

Abstract: A plurality of exchangeable, different piezoelectric pressure sensors (4) comprise integrated SAW elements (60) as identification units whose identification data can be read by an interrogation unit (3) via a common connection cable (61). The analysis unit (2) for the measurement signals and the interrogation unit (3) for the identification data can be connected by a common coupling unit (5) to the connection cable (61). The coupling unit (5) has a coupling capacity (6) which connects with high frequency the interrogation unit (3) to the signal line of the connection cable (61), as well as a coupling inductance (7) which connects with low frequency the load amplifier (1) of the analysis unit (2) to the connection cable (61), thus neatly separating the useful signal from the identification signal and keeping a high-impedance measurement chain from the sensor (4) to the input of the load amplifier (1). An SFSCW radar can further be used to improve interrogation of the identification data.