Abstract: Invented are compounds of formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, and prodrugs thereof, which are DGAT2 inhibitors. Also provided are methods of making compounds of Formula I, pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I, and methods of using these compounds to treat hepatic steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, type-2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, cognitive decline, dementia, cardiorenal diseases such as chronic kidney diseases and heart failure and related diseases and conditions, comprising administering a compound of Formula I to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a futures contract for professional services between a buyer in a group of buyers and a seller in a group of sellers, wherein seller is a provider of professional services, comprising: buyer notifies an intermediary of a first set desired characteristics; seller notifies the intermediary of second set desired characteristics; intermediately compares first and second set of desired characteristics of all relevant sellers in the group of sellers with all relevant buyers in the group of buyers to find the matches based on relevance and notifies buyer; buyer chooses a preferred seller; buyer and seller agree on terms of the futures contract including: a start and fin date for delivery of the professional services, cancellation fee for buyer and seller, time availability of the seller and fee rates of the seller; and intermediary effects the futures contract between the buyer and seller.