Abstract: Methods of modifying the rate of systemic absorption of a drug administered to a subject by a pulmonary route, the method comprising covalently conjugating a hydrophilic polymer to a drug, wherein the drug has a half-life of elimination from the lung of less than about 180 minutes, to form a drug-polymer conjugate, wherein the drug-polymer conjugate has a net hydrophilic character and a weight average molecular weight of from about 50 to about 20,000 Daltons, and wherein the half-life of elimination from the lung of the drug-polymer conjugate is at least about 1.5-fold greater than the half-life of elimination from the lung of the drug, wherein the half-life of elimination from the lung is measured by bronchioalveolar lavage followed by assaying residual lung material.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to (among other things) compounds that are derivatives of 6-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazin-5-amine. The compounds provided possess unique effects and differences over other phenyltriazines known in the art.

Abstract: Described are methods and compositions for enhancing drought tolerance in plants. Nucleic acid constructs therefore are also described. Transgenic plants are also provided that exhibit enhanced agronomic properties. The inventors have demonstrated increased drought tolerance in connection with increased expression of the Xa21 gene.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to (among other things) compounds that are derivatives of 6-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazin-5-amine. The compounds provided possess unique effects and differences over other phenyltriazines known in the art.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for optimizing selection of hydrants for flow test in a water distribution system. An impact database is built that indicates whether a flow test at each hydrant in the water distribution system has an impact on each pipe of the water distribution system. When a user supplies a number of hydrants to be subject to flow test, a hydrant selection solver application may search for an optimized set of hydrants for flow test that includes the user-supplied number, the searching to include generating candidate sets of hydrants and evaluating the candidate sets of hydrants based on fitness values calculated using the impact database, each fitness value to evaluate performance of a candidate set of hydrants based on flow velocity or hydraulic gradient change in pipes.

Abstract: A food defrosting tray includes a tray body on which a frozen food is adapted to be placed. The tray body is made of metal and includes a plurality of heat transfer pieces spaced in parallel. The food defrosting tray further includes two conjunction members which engage with first and second ends of the heat transfer pieces respectively. Each conjunction member includes a plurality of sheaths made of a pliable but strong material. Two adjacent sheaths are connected to each other through a collapsible portion so that the tray body and the conjunction members are collapsible and can be rolled up for better contact with a food material and preferable defrosting capability. Moreover, the foldable tray body allows the food defrosting tray to be rolled up easily for effective storage.

Abstract: A gain-variable trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) in optical device is disclosed. The TIA has an improved dynamic range for receiving electrical signals and is configured to convert current signals from an avalanche photodiode (APD) to voltage signals. A resistor element is between the input and output terminals of the TIA, wherein the resistance of the resistor element can regulate the resistance and/or impedance value of the TIA, and a switch determines or controls the resistance of the resistor element. When the power of an optical signal received by the APD is higher than a predetermined value, the resistance becomes smaller and the gain of the TIA becomes greater. When the power of the optical signal is lower than the predetermined value, the resistance becomes greater. The gain of the TIA is automatically adjusted on the basis of the intensity of received optical signals to obtain a greater dynamic operational range.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to (among other things) compounds that are derivatives of 6-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazin-5-amine. The compounds provided possess unique effects and differences over other phenyltriazines known in the art.

Abstract: A single probe percutaneous surgical instrument for de-bulking/removing thrombus/clog/calculi has an actuator assembly (4), a probe set (13), an operating switch (10), and a generator (12). The actuator assembly (4) has a proximal end (4a) and a distal end (4b), a cable connector (1), a suction connector (2), and actuator switch (3) mounted with the proximal end (4a) and a horn (5) mounted at the distal end (4b). The probe set (13) is mounted to the horn (5) and includes at least one disturber (6), a spring (7), a 10 spring adjusting nut (8) and a fixed probe (9), the cable connector (1) connecting to the generator (12) through a cable, and the suction connector (2) connecting to a suction system. The actuator switch (3) controls a probe vibration mode through the generator (12), the actuator assembly (4) comprising at least two piezoelectric ceramic rings (18) assembled with a bolt (15), the horn (5) and a back plated (16).

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing drought and/or salt tolerance in plants. Nucleic acid constructs therefore are also described. Transgenic plants are also provided that exhibit enhanced agronomic properties. The inventors have demonstrated increased drought and salt tolerance in connection with increased expression of the Xb3 gene.

Abstract: A gain-variable trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) in optical device is disclosed. The TIA has an improved dynamic range for receiving electrical signals and is configured to convert current signals from an avalanche photodiode (APD) to voltage signals. A resistor element is between the input and output terminals of the TIA, wherein the resistance of the resistor element can regulate the resistance and/or impedance value of the TIA, and a switch determines or controls the resistance of the resistor element. When the power of an optical signal received by the APD is higher than a predetermined value, the resistance becomes smaller and the gain of the TIA becomes greater. When the power of the optical signal is lower than the predetermined value, the resistance becomes greater. The gain of the TIA is automatically adjusted on the basis of the intensity of received optical signals to obtain a greater dynamic operational range.

Abstract: A burst-mode laser control circuit and related methods thereof are disclosed. Using an APC loop with an additional burst-mode control circuit, and a switch in series with a diode and in parallel with the laser, a continuous-mode laser driver is enabled to operate in burst-mode by turning the switch on or off via external logic. Burst-mode control manages the switch, and a bandwidth-select circuit using a high or low logic level input, wherein the laser is disabled and the bandwidth-select circuit enters a fast-track mode when the external logic signal has a first level. The laser provides regular optical signals, and the bandwidth-select circuit enters a slow-track mode, thereby enabling the APC loop to operate normally, when the external logic signal has a second level. In addition to a low cost and simple implementation, the control circuit and method provide lasers with a fast response capability using one or more externally-controlled switch circuits to meet demands of PON systems for burst-mode ONUs.

Abstract: A burst-mode laser control circuit and related methods thereof are disclosed. Using an APC loop with an additional burst-mode control circuit, and a switch in series with a diode and in parallel with the laser, a continuous-mode laser driver is enabled to operate in burst-mode by turning the switch on or off via external logic. Burst-mode control manages the switch, and a bandwidth-select circuit using a high or low logic level input, wherein the laser is disabled and the bandwidth-select circuit enters a fast-track mode when the external logic signal has a first level. The laser provides regular optical signals, and the bandwidth-select circuit enters a slow-track mode, thereby enabling the APC loop to operate normally, when the external logic signal has a second level. In addition to a low cost and simple implementation, the control circuit and method provide lasers with a fast response capability using one or more externally-controlled switch circuits to meet demands of PON systems for burst-mode ONUs.

Abstract: A single probe percutaneous surgical instrument for de-bulking/removing thrombus/clog/calculi has an actuator assembly (4), a probe set (13), an operating switch (10), and a generator (12). The actuator assembly (4) has a proximal end (4a) and a distal end (4b), a cable connector (1), a suction connector (2), and actuator switch (3) mounted with the proximal end (4a) and a horn (5) mounted at the distal end (4b). The probe set (13) is mounted to the horn (5) and includes at least one disturber (6), a spring (7), a 10 spring adjusting nut (8) and a fixed probe (9), the cable connector (1) connecting to the generator (12) through a cable, and the suction connector (2) connecting to a suction system. The actuator switch (3) controls a probe vibration mode through the generator (12), the actuator assembly (4) comprising at least two piezoelectric ceramic rings (18) assembled with a bolt (15), the horn (5) and a back plated (16).

Abstract: A food defrosting tray includes a tray body on which a frozen food adapted to be placed. The tray body is made of metal and includes a plurality of heat transfer pieces spaced in parallel. The food defrosting tray further includes two conjunction members which engage with first and second ends of the heat transfer pieces respectively. Each conjunction member includes a plurality of sheaths made of a pliable but strong material. Two adjacent sheaths are connected to each other through a collapsible portion so that the tray body and the conjunction members are collapsible and can be rolled up for better contact with a food material and preferable defrosting capability. Moreover, the foldable tray body allows the food defrosting tray to be rolled up easily for effective storage.

Abstract: An electromagnetic frying and broiling device of the present invention includes an induction cooker and a container for containing food. The container is placed on an upper disk of the induction cooker. The induction cooker includes a heating coil for heating the container. The container includes a bottom plate and a side wall extending upwardly from a circumference of the bottom plate. A plurality of positioning plates extends downwardly from a lower end of the side wall of the container. After the container is placed on the induction cooker, the bottom plate of the container is kept a distance away from the upper disk, and the positioning plates are fastened on an outer periphery of the upper disk so that the container is positioned on the induction cooker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating pad which is applicable to an induction cooker and includes a pad body and a metal sheet held in the pad body. A lower portion of the pad body is adapted to be sucked on a furnace surface of the induction cooker, and an upper portion of the pad body is adapted to carry a container. During the container and the heating pad placed on the induction cooker and the induction cooker turned on, the metal sheet will be heated by coils in the induction cooker, so that foods in the container can be cooked. Because of the heating pad, the container can be securely laid on the induction cooker for heating and easily removed from the induction cooker.

Abstract: A suction disc device includes at least two suction pads. Each suction pad includes a lower suction disc and an upper suction disc. The lower suction disc is adapted to suck on a supporting object such as a table or floor, etc. The upper suction disc is adapted for holding or placing objects such as beverage bottles, bowls, dishes or cups, etc. The upper and the lower suction discs of each suction pad are in communication with each other by a through-hole. Furthermore, a communicating tube is connected between the two suction pads, so that the two suction pads can be detached synchronously.

Abstract: A multi-suction disc device includes at least two suction discs and at least one communicating tube. Each suction disc includes a through-hole extending from an outer face through an inner face thereof. The communicating tube is in communication with the through-hole of each suction disc. The inner face of each suction disc can be sucked and fixed on a supporting surface. When the multi-suction disc device needs to be detached from the supporting surface, simply lift up a portion of one of the suction discs to let external air flow into each suction disc through the communicating tube, allowing all the suction discs to be detached synchronously.

Abstract: A suction disc includes a suction disc body and a coupling body. An inner face of the suction disc body is adapted to be sucked on a supporting surface. The coupling body is extended and formed from an outer face of a central portion of the suction disc body, and a chamber is defined in the coupling body. The suction disc further includes a through-hole extending from the inner face of the suction disc body into the coupling body and in communication with the chamber of the coupling body. After the suction disc is sucked and fixed on the supporting surface, the suction disc can be removed easily by pressing the coupling body.