Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument includes a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples and a cartridge deck. The staple cartridge assembly also includes a compressible adjunct positionable against the cartridge deck, wherein the staples are deployable into tissue captured against the compressible adjunct, and wherein the compressible adjunct comprises a first biocompatible layer comprising a first portion, a second biocompatible layer comprising a second portion, and crossed spacer fibers extending between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pharmaceutical composition comprising 1) an amorphous solid dispersion comprising pralsetinib, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophilic polymer; and 2) an effervescent couple; and crystalline forms of pralsetinib and pralsetinib hydrochloride salt, which are useful as a RET selective inhibitors. The present disclosure also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the crystalline forms and methods of using said compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

Abstract: A dental instrument that is configured to deliver an anxiolytic or an analgesic to the oral cavity of a patient.

Abstract: A system and method of dynamic distributed control with network topology discovery and load discovery in an isolated distribution grid is provided. Source modules connect to AC generators and output high voltage DC power on ports. Load modules receive the high voltage DC power on connected ports and convert the DC power to AC power. Loads are connected to AC outlets on load modules. A source module discovers the connected network topology through a series of states following the reading of a configuration file and creates an adjacency map. Each module has a microprocessor. Each microprocessor runs load discovery algorithms using its adjacency map as input. Load changes are detected and adjacency maps are amended to maintain consistency across all adjacency maps. Priority is afforded to desired loads when demand exceeds capacity.

Abstract: A system and method of dynamic distributed control with network topology discovery in an isolated distribution grid is provided. Source modules connect to AC generators and output high voltage DC power on ports. Load modules receive the high voltage DC power on connected ports and convert the DC power to AC power. Loads are connected to AC outlets on load modules. A source module discovers the connected network topology through a series of states following the reading of a configuration file. Each module has a microprocessor. Each microprocessor runs control algorithms using its adjacency map as input. Respective adjacency maps are monitored, compared, and amended as needed to maintain consistency across all adjacency maps, thus ensuring consistent distributed control of the power distribution grid.

Abstract: A solid composition stick applicator is provided. The applicator comprises an applicator body having a first and second end, the second end having an opening through which a solid composition stick is dispensed. Within the applicator is housed a helical tension spring having a first spring end and a second spring end, the first spring end, second spring end, or both the first and second spring end held at a fixed position with respect to the applicator body. The helical tension spring is wound around a guide system that is housed within the applicator body. A pushing assembly is attached to the helical tension spring and the pushing assembly is movable from a first position at or near the first end of the applicator body, to a second position at or near the second end of the applicator body. Tension within the helical tension spring is greater in the first position than in the second position thereby urging the pushing assembly towards the second end of the applicator body.

Abstract: A sliding pipe plug for working on and testing pipes is presented. The sliding pipe plug includes a center portion and a gasket disposed about the central portion. When towed through the pipe, the sliding pipe plug maintains a substantial seal against water flowing through the pipe. In some embodiments, a flexible gasket can be utilized to allow for substantial sealing while the sliding pipe plug is traversing obstacles in the pipe. The sliding pipe plug according to the present invention can be utilized in pipes where conventional plugs are inconvenient. For example, in FELL testing a sewage line, a sliding pipe plug can be attached to a sonde cable and the testing can proceed without plugging and surcharging all of the section of pipe to be tested. In some embodiments, the sliding pipe plug includes a break-away section that allows the seal against water flowing through the pipe to be broken when the sliding pipe plug is pulled in a direction opposite the towing direction.

Abstract: A removable pop-up ball valve 34 situated beneath the strainer area 22 of a sink 12 above the wastewater discharge pipe 32. The pop-up valve 34 has a remote control rod 30 whereby the valve 34 is opened and closed. The pop-up valve ball valve 34 which is actuated by a stem 54 which moves from an engaging to a non-engaging position by way of a pivot rod 46 pivotally operated and connected to a pivot ball 48 connected through a clevis 40, 44 in the standard manner to the remotely positioned control handle.

Abstract: A stabilizer unit for material on a moving conveyer surface comprises a framework mounted over the surface with a drive pulley making driving engagement therewith. A drum is rotatably supported in the framework and carries a stabilizer surface thereon. The drive pulley is coupled to the drum to rotate the drum with its peripheral velocity substantially equal to that of the drive pulley, thus imparting the corresponding velocity to the stabilizer surface. The stabilizer surface can be a belt loosely carried on the drum, which follows a path with a first section overlaying the conveyer surface, a second section in engagement with a segment of the drum surface, and third and fourth sections extending between the drum surface and the respective points of separation of the stabilizer belt from the conveyer surface. Movement of the conveyer surface rotates the drive pulley and thereby the drum to advance the stabilizer belt around its path at a speed equal to the speed of the conveyer surface.

Abstract: Methods of treating asthma are provided which methods comprise administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of Formula I ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 have any of the meanings given in the specification.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula I, ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in which R.sup.1 has any of the meanings given in the specification, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 have any of the meanings given in the specification, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are useful in the treatment of urinery incontinence. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, processes for preparing the compounds of formula I and intermediates.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula I, ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in which R.sup.1 has any of the meanings given in the specification, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Abstract: Use of a control storage device coupled with a central processing unit is locked, during the loading process from the unit to the device, to a would-be user of the device until such loading process is complete as indicated by a so-called "unlock" command received from the central processing unit. An indication of an error or malfunction in the control storage device either during the loading process or thereafter is also provided to the central processing unit.

Abstract: A degasser system having a central container and degasser tubes extending to the central container. A vacuum is maintained within the tubes and the container by means of a vacuum pump while liquid is extracted from the central container by a pump. A gas cut liquid is drawn into the tubes by vacuum and conditioned to assume a helical path through the tubes. The liquid is then dispersed into the tank where it is allowed to collect. The degasser intake is throttled as a function of the level of liquid within the container. The accumulated gas within the degasser is extracted from a central location in one of the tubes. The pump includes a housing for total emersion of the pump body, dual inlets, straight, radial impeller vanes, multiple volutes and an extended drive shaft to accommodate gas cut mud.

Abstract: A pipe coating composition is the subject of the present invention. A bituminous base coating comprising binder, aggregate and fiber utilizes cement stack dust as a filler in place of conventional lime dust or cement. The cement stack dust filler is utilized in quantities up to 25% less than the quantity of lime dust previously required for lime dust.

Abstract: An improved containerized pipe coating including coating material and the container therefor is the subject of the present invention. An asphalt coating material comprising 10% to 25% by weight asphalt and 75% to 90% by weight sand-lime aggregate is used to coat the weld joints of pipe previously coated with similar material along its length for corrosion protection. The weld joint coating material is delivered to a coating station in easy to handle small size containers. The containers comprise no more than about 5% of the weight of the material contained thereby and are constructed primarily from a material containing at least one of the members of the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer. The containerized material is placed in a chopper where it is reduced in size. The chopped mixture of particles are then melted and stirred until a relatively even mixture of a flowable liquid is presented.

Abstract: A method of providing asphalt base coating material for pipe and a novel container for holding the coating material are the subject of the present application. An asphalt coating material comprising 10% to 25% by weight asphalt and 75% to 90% by weight sand-lime aggregate is used to coat the weld joints of pipe previously coated with similar material along its length for corrosion protection. The weld joint coating material is delivered to a coating station in easy to handle small size containers. The containers comprise no more than about 5% of the weight of the material contained thereby and are constructed primarily from a material containing at least one of the members of the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer. The containers are placed in a chopper where they are reduced in size along with the coating material. The chopped mixture of particles are then melted and stirred until a relatively even mixture of a flowable liquid is presented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging thermoplastic fluid material is the subject of the present invention. The thermoplastic material is mixed at an elevated temperature and emptied in predetermined batch quantities into a holding area. A gate in the bottom of the holding area is operable to empty the batch of material in a very short time span. A plurality of heating elements are disposed beneath the outlet of the holding means and are maintained at a temperature high enough to cause parting of the fluid material as it passes over the heating elements. Thus the batch of material from the holding area will be divided into a plurality of individual masses as the material passes over the heating elements. By utilizing a number of heating elements equal to one less than the number of containers to be filled, and by spacing the heating elements equi-distances apart, the individual masses of material will be equal in size and the number of individual masses will equal the number of containers.