Abstract: A novelty device and the method of covering an object with the device. The device has an elastic casing that defines an internal area. The elastic casing has an external outer surface and an internal inner surface. Perforations extend between the outer surface and inner surface. The outer surface and the inner surface are different from each other, wherein both surfaces are visually and/or tactilely distinct. An aperture of a first diameter is disposed in the elastic casing. The aperture enables the elastic casing to be selectively inverted. The aperture can be elastically stretched to a much greater size. This enables the casing to be easily turned inside out. It also enables the casing to be easily stretched over secondary objects without inhibiting air flow to the covered object.

Abstract: Potential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents that are functionalized with crown compounds have been synthesized, and show target-specificity to the kidney and liver, along with excellent water solubility, high MR intensity enhancement efficiency, long resident lifetime, low dosage requirement, low cytotoxicity and prolonged excretion rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for measuring a particle size distribution of a population of particles using a light scattering particle sizing instrument having a plurality of selectable imaginary component values of the refractive index. The particles each having a particle size and the process includes the steps of: (i) providing a population of the particles, wherein the particles have a refractive index; (ii) determining a real component of the refractive index of the particles using the Becke Line Method; (iii) determining an imaginary component of the refractive index of the particles; and (iv) determining the particle size distribution of the particles by the light scattering particle sizing instrument wherein the particle size distribution is determined using the real component of the refractive index measured in step (ii) and the imaginary component of the refractive index determined in step (iii).

Abstract: A bubble-squeezing toy has a body formed of resilient, stretchable plastics material having two internal chambers, one of which has an area of reduced thickness that can stretch to form an external bubble upon squeezing of the body. A partition exists between the internal chambers and an aperture is provided in the partition via which the chambers communicate with one another. An air-driven squeaker is attached to the partition at the aperture.

Abstract: A bubble-squeezing toy includes a hollow body formed of flexible plastics material having low stretchability and an aperture; a liner formed of flexible plastics material having high stretchability and located within the hollow body and having a portion adjacent to the aperture that can stretch through the aperture to form an external bubble upon squeezing of the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing submicron sized particles of an organic compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous, the process including the steps of: (i) dissolving the organic compound in the water-miscible first solvent to form a solution, (ii) mixing the solution with the second solvent to define a pre-suspension; and (iii) adding energy to the pre-suspension to form particles having an average effective particle size of less than about 2 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a suspension of a pharmaceutically-active compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first organic solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous. The process includes the steps of: (i) dissolving a first quantity of the pharmaceutically-active compound in the water-miscible first organic solvent to form a first solution; (ii) mixing the first solution with the second solvent to precipitate the pharmaceutically-active compound; and (iii) seeding the first solution or the second solvent or the pre-suspension.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device utilizes a serial scan chain register to support efficient reliability testing of internal circuitry that is not readily accessible from the I/O pins of the device. This reliability testing includes the performance of, among other things, delay fault and stuck-at fault testing of elements within the internal circuitry. The scan chain register has scan chain latch units that support a toggle mode of operation. The scan chain register is provided with serial and parallel input ports and serial and parallel output ports. Each of the plurality of scan chain latch units includes a latch element and additional circuit elements that are configured to selectively establish a feedback path in the respective latch unit. This feedback path operates to pass an inversion of a signal at an output of the latch to an input of the latch when the corresponding scan chain latch unit is enabled to support a toggle mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a suspension of a pharmaceutically-active compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first organic solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous. The process includes the steps of: (i) dissolving a first quantity of the pharmaceutically-active compound in the water-miscible first organic solvent to form a first solution; (ii) mixing the first solution with the second solvent to precipitate the pharmaceutically-active compound; and (iii) seeding the first solution or the second solvent or the pre-suspension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing submicron sized particles of an organic compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous, the process including the steps of: (i) dissolving the organic compound in the water-miscible first solvent to form a solution, (ii) mixing the solution with the second solvent to define a pre-suspension; and (iii) adding energy to the pre-suspension to form particles having an average effective particle size of 400 nm to 2 microns.

Abstract: A directly synthetic method for preparing tris-alkylated 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecanes by the reactions of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen) and appropriate electrophiles is accomplished in high yield. The method provides operational convenience, starting material availability, cost economy, atom efficiency and reaction insensitivity to temperature, moisture, and concentrations of starting materials. With this method, the yield of tris-(tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane can be 77%, the highest reported. The yield of other tris-N alkylated products can be in the range of 65-84%.

Abstract: A flying disc is formed of material capable of stretching and converting stored elastic energy therein into ballistic kinetic energy when despatched by hand. The flying disc is typically made of a gelatinous composition produced by a melt blend of a copolymer and plasticising oil or oils.

Abstract: A tree data structure for storing strings of searchable data divided into substrings has at least one first type node that has a substring associated with it and at least one second type node that does not having a substring associated with it. A second type node is directly linked to a first type node by a fail transition. A first type node is directly linked to a second type node by a match transition. An IP address lookup system has memory for storing a tree data structure and a controller for storing and loading an incoming IP address. The system has a finite state machine having three stages including a first stage for loading the IP address and performing a length calculation, a second stage for searching the data structure to find a match, and a third stage for determine the next-hop address index.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for comminuting and stabilizing small particles are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus moves an organic compound dissolved in a solvent to form a suspension of particles in a first fluid stream and moves the suspension in a second fluid stream, wherein the second fluid stream is oriented and positioned with respect to the first stream to cause shearing between the streams and mixing of at least some of the particles in the first and second streams.

Abstract: The present invention provides for measuring a particle size distribution of a population of particles using a light scattering particle sizing instrument having a plurality of selectable imaginary component values of the refractive index. The particles each having a particle size and the process includes the steps of: (i) providing a population of the particles, wherein the particles have a refractive index; (ii) determining a real component of the refractive index of the particles using the Becke Line Method; (iii) determining an imaginary component of the refractive index of the particles; and (iv) determining the particle size distribution of the particles by the light scattering particle sizing instrument wherein the particle size distribution is determined using the real component of the refractive index measured in step (ii) and the imaginary component of the refractive index determined in step (iii).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a particle size.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the formation of small particles of organic compounds by precipitating the organic compounds in an aqueous medium to form a pre-suspension followed by adding energy to stabilize a coating of the particle or to alter the lattice structure of the particle. The process includes the steps of: (i) dissolving the organic compound in the water-miscible first solvent to form a solution; (ii) mixing the solution with the second solvent to define a presuspension of particles; and (iii) adding energy to the presuspension to form a suspension of particles having an average effective particle size of less than about 100 &mgr;m. The process is preferably used to prepare a suspension of small particles of a poorly water-soluble, pharmaceutically active compound suitable for in vivo delivery by an administrate route such as parenteral, oral, pulmonary, nasal, buccal, topical ophthalmic, rectal, vaginal, transdermal or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a suspension of a pharmaceutically-active compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first organic solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous. The process includes the steps of: (i) dissolving a first quantity of the pharmaceutically-active compound in the water-miscible first organic solvent to form a first solution; (ii) mixing the first solution with the second solvent to precipitate the pharmaceutically-active compound; and (iii) seeding the first solution or the second solvent or the pre-suspension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing submicron sized particles of an organic compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous, the process including the steps of (i) dissolving the organic compound in the water-miscible first solvent to form a solution, (ii) mixing the solution with the second solvent to define a pre-suspension; and (iii) adding energy to the pre-suspension to form particles having an average effective particle size of 400 nm to 2 microns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymorphic form of itraconazole.