Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating non-infectious, inflammatory chronic posterior blepharitis in a subject. The present invention also relates to a method for treating chronic posterior blepharitis in a subject for over two weeks. The method comprises identifying a subject in need thereof, and topically administering to the eye of the subject a pharmaceutical formulation consisting essentially of an effective amount azithromycin. The present invention further relates to a method for treating dry eye secondary to blepharitis in a subject. The method comprises the steps of: identifying a subject suffering from dry eye secondary to posterior blepharitis, and topically administering to the eye of the subject a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an effective amount of azithromycin. The present invention further relates to method for reducing contact lens intolerance of a subject due to blepharitis or dry eye secondary to blepharitis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating dry eye disease, comprising the steps of identifying a subject suffering from dry eye disease, and administering to the subject an effective amount of azithromycin. The present invention also relates to a method for reducing contact lens intolerance in a subject, comprising the steps of: identifying a subject suffering from contact lens intolerance due to dry eye disease; and administering to the eyes of the subject an aqueous ophthalmic solution comprising azithromycin. The present invention also relates to a method for improving post surgery visual acuity outcome in a patient, comprising the steps of: identifying a patient in need of an ophthalmic surgical procedure, administering to the patient an effective amount of azithromycin prior to the ophthalmic surgical procedure, and performing the ophthalmic surgical procedures on the patient.

Abstract: The invention is a vent for use with a container, such as commercial steel pails and drums, and a method for venting containers. The vent has a cap seal with one or more semipermeable membranes covering an orifice in the cap seal. The membrane prevents the passage of at least one atmospheric component, but allows the free passage of air. When a product is filled into the container at an elevated temperature and cools, a vacuum is formed within the container. The resulting vacuum opens a vacuum release device in the vent and pulls air through a hole in the cap seal, which is protected by a micro-porous membrane. The venting of air into the container relieves the vacuum without damage to the container or the product within the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating dry eye disease. The method comprises identifying a subject suffering from dry eye disease, and administering to the subject an amount of azithromycin effective to reduce dry eye symptoms and/or signs ands to improve tear film quality. Azithromycin is preferably administered topically to the subject in an aqueous ophthalmic solution comprises 0.5-1.5% (w/v) azithromycin in a polymeric suspension.

Abstract: Arterial plaques are evaluated by determining their deformation under the periodic pulsatile force of blood flow. A relationship between plaque deformation and rupture risk is established by measurement of a relationship between deformation and cognitive decline in a sample population. The measured parameters include the maximum accumulated axial strain, maximum lateral displacement and maximum shear strains in soft vulnerable plaques.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a database query is described. One embodiment is a scalable, reconfigurable database query processing system comprising one or more director, user, and performance modules in a configuration that includes shared-nothing behavior of the modules and the distributed processing of primitives for resolving a database query in accordance with a column-oriented database architecture.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a scan operation on a table of a column-oriented database is described. One embodiment receives a database query that references a particular column in a table, the particular column being horizontally partitioned into at least one extent, the at least one extent including at least one data block; consults, for each extent in the particular column for which associated metadata is available, the metadata associated with that extent to determine whether that extent is required to process the scan operation; acquires, for each extent in the particular column for which associated metadata is not available, metadata associated with that extent and uses the acquired metadata associated with that extent to determine whether that extent is required to process the scan operation; and performs the scan operation on only those extents in the particular column determined to be required to process the scan operation.

Abstract: An improvement in the after-cast operation of removing the casting gate from an investment casting comprising a formed locator on the gate, the formed locator being capable of locating the casting in a desired position and of being gripped to hold the casting in place while the gate is severed near the casting. An investment casting pattern and gate attached thereto, the pattern gate being distinguished by a locator formation on the gate at a location spaced from the casting pattern.

Abstract: A tear-open bag is made of non-tearable synthetic resin and comprises a front side and back side formed from a single web of synthetic resin. The sides of the web are heat sealed together to form an end-to-end seam in the bag. The ends of the bag are heat sealed together, thereby forming a completely moisture resistant heat-sealed bag. One end closure of the bag is provided with a tear-propagating slit which can be readily manipulated by an adult to tear off a corner of the bag and thereby form a pour spout for dispensing the contents of the bag in a controlled manner. The slit is not readily or easily used by a child to open the bag, thereby rendering the bag child-resistant.

Abstract: An insert is positioned in the upper end of a pail, which pail contains a liquid. The insert blocks entry of a child's head into the pail. The insert is screwed into the upper end of the pail. Mating locking detents are provided on the pail and on the insert so that the insert, once screwed into the pail, cannot be thereafter unscrewed from the pail. The insert allows ready withdrawal of the liquid from the pail. A child in the vicinity of a pail equipped with the aforesaid insert is protected from drowning in a liquid contained in the pail because insert prevents a child from accidentally, or intentionally, inserting his or her head into the pail.