Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to the cell surface protein CRB1 for the treatment of retinopathies in a subject. In particular, isolated polynucleotides and recombinant vectors encoding a particular isoform called Crumbs 1-B (CRB1-B) are provided. The CRB1-B encoding polynucleotides may be operably linked to a heterologous promoter capable of expressing the isoform in a retinal cell. Kits employing such compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to the cell surface protein CRB1 for the treatment of retinopathies in a subject, as well as systems and kits employing such compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are therapeutic combinations for eliciting an entactogenic mindstate, such as through use of compositions comprising imidazoline receptor agents, cannabinoid receptor agents, and/or serotonin receptor agents. Also disclosed are certain selective receptor agents, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for their use to treat mental health conditions, improve mental health and mental functioning, and design and create entactogenic mental states or mindstates.

Abstract: A tool device, such as a lawnmower, or a steerable-wheel assembly therefor may include a frame, a walking element, a drive motor, and a steerable-wheel assembly (SWA). The walking element may be coupled to the frame. The drive motor may selectively power the walking element. The SWA may be attached to the frame apart from the walking element. The SWA may include a caster connector pivotably mounted to the frame to rotate about a pivot axis, a steerable wheel rotatably coupled to the caster connector, a primary drive gear, a primary driven gear, and a secondary driven gear.

Abstract: A tool device, such as a lawnmower, or a steerable-wheel assembly therefor may include a frame, a walking element, a drive motor, and a steerable-wheel assembly (SWA). The walking element may be coupled to the frame. The drive motor may selectively power the walking element. The SWA may be attached to the frame apart from the walking element. The SWA may include a caster connector pivotably mounted to the frame to rotate about a pivot axis, a steerable wheel rotatably coupled to the caster connector, a detectable magnet fixed to the caster connector to pivot therewith about the pivot axis, and an encoder including a magnetic sensor fixed to the frame apart from the caster connector to detect a pivotable position of the detectable magnet.

Abstract: A tool device, such as a lawnmower, or a steerable-wheel assembly therefor may include a frame, a walking element, a drive motor, a steerable-wheel assembly (SWA), and one or more controllers attached to the frame. The walking element may be coupled to the frame. The drive motor may selectively power the walking element. The SWA may be attached to the frame apart from the walking element. The SWA may include a caster connector pivotably mounted to the frame to rotate about a pivot axis, a steerable wheel rotatably coupled to the caster connector, a first sensor configured to detect a pivotable position of the caster connector, and a second sensor configured to detect the set reference point.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to the cell surface protein CRB1 for the treatment of retinopathies in a subject, as well as systems and kits employing such compositions.

Abstract: A process for making pet food treats including a meat base, the treats themselves and a processing system for making the treats. The meat base is ground to obtain a ground meat base. The ground meat base is mixed with one or more ingredients to obtain a meat mixture. Slugs of the meat mixture are formed. The slugs of meat mixture are cooked to obtain cooked slugs of meat mixture. The cooked slugs of meat mixture are chilled. The cooked slugs of meat mixture are packaged while reducing the amount of oxygen in the package.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: A radiation-shielding container for storing a syringe includes a body assembly and a cap assembly securable to the body assembly such that first and second chamber portions define a chamber for storing the syringe. The body assembly includes a body shield formed of radiation shielding material, a body shell that defines a first cavity having an open end for receiving the body shield and defines a first chamber portion for receiving a portion of the syringe, wherein an inner wall of the body shell separates the first cavity and the first chamber portion, and a body plug secured to the body shell to cover the open end of the first cavity and retain the body shield within the first cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a paperback rider instantly redeemable coupon (IRC) including a booklet disposed on a liner having an adhesive backing layer, a first clear film laminate disposed on the booklet, and an IRC having a second clear film laminate disposed thereon. The IRC may be releasably affixed to the first clear film laminate by perforations. The invention further includes a paperback rider instantly redeemable coupon (IRC) including, a booklet disposed on a liner having an adhesive backing layer, a clear film laminate disposed on the booklet, and an IRC releasably affixed to the first clear film laminate by clean release adhesive. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing the paperback rider instantly redeemable coupons (IRC) described above.

Abstract: A drill bit (100) for drilling a wellbore that traverses subterranean formations includes a drill bit body (106) having a plurality of journal pins (112), each having a bearing surface (128), and a rotary cutter (104) rotatably mounted on each journal pin (112), each rotary cutter (104) including a bearing surface (126). A pressure-compensated reservoir (130) is in fluid communication with the bearing surfaces (126, 128) and has a lubricant therein. A seal element (144) is positioned between each journal pin (112) and rotary cutter (104) and retains the lubricant in the bearing surfaces (126, 128). The seal element (144) is formed from a nanocomposite material including a polymer host material and a plurality of nanostructures.

Abstract: A seal element (70) for providing a static or dynamic seal between two components (74, 78) in a downhole tool includes a polymer host material (212) and a plurality of nanostructures (220) forming a nanocomposite material (210). The polymer host material (212) has a plurality of regions of free volume (222) that receive the nanostructures (220). The nanostructures (220) and the polymer host material (212) form interfacial interactions that improve the useful life of the seal element (70) by minimizing seal failures associated with explosive decompression, extrusion, spiral failure, abrasion, temperature degradation and the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.