Abstract: The present invention relates to novel imidazole compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the imidazole compounds and the use of these compounds for treating or preventing allergy, an allergy-induced airway response, congestion, a cardiovascular disease, an inflammatory disease, a gastrointestinal disorder, a neurological disorder, a metabolic disorder, obesity or an obesity-related disorder, diabetes, a diabetic complication, impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for treating tissue defects. The composition includes thrombin and fibrinogen, or sodium alginate and calcium chloride, and also a surfactant, and non-resorbable polymer microparticles dispersed within the composition.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for remotely recovering and purging data from a wireless device in a communications network. The system includes a wireless device capable of executing a data recovery/purge application program for receiving a message from a communications device in the network. The application program retrieves the data in the wireless device, purges the data from the wireless device, and sends a return message, including the data retrieved from the wireless device, to the communications device.

Abstract: A personal health care article. More particularly, a personal health care article comprising at least one porous disintegratable solid substrate comprising: from about 1% to about 70%, by weight of said substrate, of a surfactant, from about 10% to about 70%, by weight of said substrate, of one or more polymers, from about 0.025% to about 85%, by weight of said substrate, of one or more health care actives, optionally a plasticizer, and optionally an aesthetic agent wherein said article is ingestible. The invention also comprises a process for making a personal health care article.

Abstract: A plurality of individual tools is provided where each tool is uniquely configured to perform a step or a portion of a step in a novel procedure associated with the implantation of a stabilizing device (e.g., an interspinous spacer) for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment. The tools are usable individually, or more preferably as a tooling system in which the tools are collectively employed to implant an interspinous spacer, generally in a minimally invasive manner. For example, each of the tools is arranged with coordinated markings and/or other features to ensure consistent depths of insertion, proper orientation of the tools with respect to each other or an anatomical feature of the patient, and precise delivery of the spacer to maintain safe positioning throughout the implantation procedure.

Abstract: A drying station for a vehicle wash facility includes at least one rotatable drying wheel positioned adjacent a vehicle treatment area. The at least one rotatable drying wheel has a drying material disposed thereon and which can engage an exterior of the vehicle to remove water accumulated thereon. The drying station includes a beater device disposed adjacent the at least one rotatable drying wheel with the beater device and the drying wheel being engageable as the at least one rotatable drying wheel rotates. As the rotatable drying wheel spins, the drying material contacts the beater device to help minimize its level of saturation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel combined laundry detergent, bleach, and antimicrobial composition incorporating novel sulfoperoxycarboxylic acid compounds, and methods for making and using them. The sulfoperoxycarboxylic compounds used in compositions of the invention are storage stable, water soluble and have low to no odor. Compositions of the invention may be in the form of a liquid, a solid, or a gel. The sulfoperoxycarboxylic compounds useful in preparing compositions of the present invention can be formed from non-petroleum based renewable materials.

Abstract: A surgical access device is adapted for performing laparoscopic surgical procedures with at least one instrument passing through the surgical access device and through an incision in the abdominal wall of a patient with the abdominal cavity pressurized with an insufflation gas. The surgical access device comprises an access seal. The material of the access seal is adapted to form a seal to generally maintain insufflation pressure within the abdominal cavity. At least one opening is formed through the material of the access seal between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the access seal. The at least one opening when operatively disposed is in communication with the incision and forms a working channel between a location external to the abdominal wall and a location internal to the abdominal wall. The material of the access seal conforms to a surface of an instrument inserted through the working channel.

Abstract: In a method and a device to sort pixel data in a print data stream, a data sorting memory is used configured so that it can be written per column and read per row. The pixel data are entered per column into the data sorting memory in the order of the incoming print data stream. Via the per-row readout the pixel data are re-sorted into an order suitable to control the print head. The sorting can thereby take place in only one write process and one read process.

Abstract: A power tool that includes a transmission assembly with a transmission sleeve, a multi-speed reduction gearset, and a speed selector mechanism. The transmission sleeve includes a tubular body into which the multi-speed reduction gearset is received. The multi-speed reduction gearset has a first movable member that is movable in an axial direction to at least partly coordinate operation of the multi-speed reduction gearset in a plurality of different speed ratios. The speed selector mechanism includes a first actuator and a rotary selector cam. The first actuator extends through the transmission sleeve and engages the first movable member. The rotary selector cam is rotatably mounted on the tubular body and defines a pair of first cam slots into which the first actuator is received. The first cam slots are closed and are configured to coordinate movement of the first actuator to correspondingly coordinate movement of the first movable member.

Abstract: A mobile user apparatus and associated methods useful for conducting payment transactions wirelessly, such as at point-of-sale locations. In one embodiment, the mobile user apparatus is a cellular-enabled mobile device that includes a short-range passive radio frequency transceiver that when interrogated by a reader at the point-of-sale, issues a reply including information relating to an account of the user of the mobile apparatus that is to be debited for the payment. In one variant, the information stored on the mobile device is encrypted for security, and the mobile user apparatus is further configured to receive transaction data wirelessly in return.

Abstract: A device is described for heat-treating sheet metal strips (6) having at least one radiator pipe unit (1), which has three pipes located in a common axial plane parallel to the sheet-metal strip (6), namely one middle pipe (2) attachable to a burner and two outer pipes (3) connected at both ends to the middle pipe (2) via pipe elbows (4), and having a bearing pin (9), connected to the two pipe elbows (4) between the middle pipe (2) on one side and the two outer pipes (3) on the other side, on the side of the radiator pipe unit opposite to the burner. To be able to take the occurring thermal expansions in the area of the pipe elbows (4) into consideration, it is proposed that the bearing pin (9) be arranged on a bridge (10), which bridges a gusset (11) between the two pipe elbows (4), having two sections (12) which extend on both sides of the axis of the middle pipe (2) and are inclined at an acute angle to the axis of the middle pipe (2).

Abstract: A method for automatically testing an apparatus controlled by software based on pilot test case file comprising user input sequence data recorded manually and the time stamp of the input. In the process of automated testing, these pre-recorded user inputs are replay with same input sequence but with either the same time interval between two subsequent inputs recorded prior; or with a random time interval autonomously generated in a range set by the test configuration. During the process of replaying user input, a separate plural numbers of background tasks are executed in parallel with random execution delays to generate varying system load and execution timing to simulate the apparatus' unpredictable real operation scenarios. The user input and new random time interval between each user input are recorded at replay as a new expanded test record file for later test result trace and failure analysis.

Abstract: An innovative ergonomic toothbrush holder and toothpaste dispensing system that is particularly useful and helpful for people with limited motion in their hands and arms. This system allows the toothbrush to remain upright in a hygienic enclosure and further allows an individual to easily uncover the toothbrush and apply toothpaste with one hand. The present invention has the further attribute of storage in a hygienic enclosure that is also suitable for travel.

Abstract: Uses of dioxolane derivatives in the finishing of leather are described. Also described, are leather finishing compositions comprising dioxolane derivatives and methods for treating leather.

Abstract: Sub-100 nanometer semiconductor devices and methods and program products for manufacturing devices are provided, in particular inductors comprising a plurality of spaced parallel metal lines disposed on a dielectric surface and each having width, heights, spacing and cross-sectional areas determined as a function of Design Rule Check rules. For one planarization process rule a metal density ratio of 80% metal to 20% dielectric surface is determined and produced. In one example a sum of metal line spacing gaps is less than a sum of metal line interior sidewall heights. In one aspect at least one of line height, width and line spacing dimensions is selected to optimize one or more chip yield, chip performance, chip manufacturability and inductor Q factor parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of fixating bone include repairing or remodeling a hard tissue defect with a composite bone structure. The composite bone structure includes at least two hard tissues or bones and a scaffold material fixed together by an adhesive component. The apparatus and methods include positioning the hard tissues/bones, conforming the scaffold material to at least a portion of a surface of the hard tissues/bones, contacting the adhesive component with the hard tissues/bones and the scaffold material, and changing the material state of the adhesive component to another material state at which the adhesive component fixes together the hard tissues/bones and the scaffold material, thereby forming a composite bone structure having a desired rigidity.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide improved bathing or soaking mechanisms. A vessel may be provided with a plurality of horizontal support surfaces disposed in a cavity and a plurality of separate drain paths. A lid is adapted to span the cavity and be received in the top of the vessel. The lid may be a two-piece hinged lid, which may be actuated from a closed position to an open position and back again. The lid is provided with one or more drain holes which may cooperate with one of the plurality of drain paths when the lid is in the closed position. The vessel and lid combination may be installed through a floor, beneath a conventional shower stall, to enable showering with such stall without substantial contamination to the vessel.

Abstract: A composite article includes a core layer and an upper layer overlying the core layer. The upper layer is made of perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA) and a photocatalytic material (PM), wherein the PM defines at least about 25% of a total area of an exterior surface of the upper layer.

Abstract: A dry ash collector for a combustion system is disclosed. Certain embodiments of the system may contain a reception zone for receiving falling ash from a furnace; an ash zone providing a container for storing falling ash; and an ash seal. Methods for using the dry ash collector and combinations with a full combustion system are also disclosed.