Abstract:
Salts of 3-O-(3′,3′-dimethylsuccinyl)Betulinic acid (DSB) are disclosed. Particularly, the preparation, pharmaceutical evaluation, and in vivo bioavailability evaluation of N-methyl-D-glucamine and alkali metal salt forms of DSB are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions including these salt forms are used in methods of treating HIV and related diseases. Methods of making the salts of DSB and the pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.
Abstract:
A tool for generating a force downhole comprises a body, a longitudinally movable activating member mounted to the body, and a longitudinally movable driven member also mounted to the body. The driven member is operatively associated with the activating member such that on translation of the activating member in one axial direction, the driven member is translated in an opposite axial direction. The tool may be utilised to convert a pulling action, applied by a spoolable member, to a pushing action, useful in disengaging a downhole lock.
Abstract:
Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats. The polyhydroxyalkanoates can contain additives, be formed of mixtures of monomers or include pendant groups or modifications in their backbones, or can be chemically modified, all to alter the degradation rates. The polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions also provide favorable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and degradation times within desirable time frames under physiological conditions.
Abstract:
Complex computer graphics forms and motions can be constructed either by hand or with motion or geometry capture technologies, once they are created, they are difficult to modify, particularly at runtime. Interpolation provides a way to leverage artist-generated source material. Methodologies for efficient runtime interpolation between multiple forms or multiple motion segments enables computers to perform more realistic animation in real-time. Shape interpolation is applied to predefined figures to create smoothly skinned figures that deform in natural ways. Predefined figures are selected using a search technique that reduces the amount of interpolation required to produce real-time animation.
Abstract:
An apparatus for connecting and anchoring tarpaulins, includes a polymer plastic elongate body having a first side, a second side, and a longitudinal axis. An integrally formed first connector and second connector extend parallel to the longitudinal axis for the entire length of the elongate body. The first connector has an opening facing the first side. The second connector has an opening facing the second side. Integrally formed anchoring wings underlie the elongate body, with a first side of each anchoring wing protruding past the sides of the elongate body. The second side of each of the anchoring wings merge into a vertical plane positioned along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.
Abstract:
A method of serving beverages to a customer in a container having the customer's daily horoscope inscribed thereon includes determining the current date, determining a customer's astrological sign, gathering astrological information specific to the current date and the customer's astrological sign, printing a label inscribed with the current date, the customer's astrological sign, and the gathered astrological information, attaching said label to the outside of a beverage container, and serving said beverage container to the customer, wherein said container contains the customer's selected beverage of choice.
Abstract:
A socket connector including a socket base having a slot oriented at a first angle with respect to a bottom surface of the socket base. The socket connector also includes a contact having a base beam and a retention portion. The retention portion forms an initial angle with the base beam before the contact is assembled with the socket base that differs from the first angle. The socket base receives the contact with the retention portion held in the slot such that an angle between the base beam and the retention portion is changed from the initial angle.
Abstract:
A combination diaper bag and portable changing table provides convenient transport of infant care supplies and a place to change an infant's diaper which draws, filters, and then exhausts air from above the changing table. In a preferred embodiment, an infant care device has an enclosure, a lid pivotably attached to the enclosure, a generally planar platform which extends laterally across the enclosure, a generally planar foldable pad having a centrally disposed opening formed therethrough, and a fan which draws air from above the pad through its central opening.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a powder flow control valve comprising a nozzle formed from a material such as high density polythene having an upper frusto-conical section which converges towards the lower end of the nozzle and terminates in a cylindrical section. The nozzle is encircled by a plenum chamber to which sources of vacuum and air pressure are selectively connectable through a pneumatic control system. When vacuum is connected to the plenum chamber, the resulting pressure drop across the wall of the porous nozzle causes powder flowing through the nozzle to consolidate in the nozzle and terminate the flow. When air pressure is applied to the plenum chamber, the resulting pressure rise across the boundary surface accelerates powder flow through the nozzle. The control means is arranged to establish air pressure in the plenum chamber to initiate opening of the valve and flow through the valve and, after a pre-determined time, to terminate the air pressure supply and allow powder to flow under gravity through the nozzle before flow is terminated when a pre-determined quantity of powder has been delivered by the nozzle by applying vacuum to the plenum chamber.