Author: claimsbot

1. A tube coupling, including a tubular housing, a seal within the housing for sealing against the outside of a tube which is inserted into the coupling, a substantially annular and resilient grab ring located within the housing for gripping the outside of a tube which is inserted into the coupling to retain the tube against release from the coupling, the grab ring being mounted within housing between a first pair of radially inwardly extending abutments which are spaced apart axially in the direction of insertion of a tube into the coupling, the grab ring being split through its circumference to allow radial contraction for insertion into the housing past the first of the abutments in the direction of insertion of a tube into the coupling, whereafter the grab ring radially expands resiliently for location between the abutments.
2. A tube coupling according to claim 1, the seal being located between a second pair of radially inwardly extending abutments which are spaced apart axially in the direction of insertion of a tube into the coupling, the second pair of abutments being spaced apart axially in the direction of insertion of a tube into the coupling further inward relative to the first pair of abutments.
3. A tube coupling according to claim 2, one of the abutments of each of the first and second abutments is formed on opposite sides of a radially inwardly extending projection.
4. A tube coupling according to claim 1, the seal being located in an annular recess formed in the housing which opens radially inwardly and which is spaced apart axially in the direction of insertion of a tube into the coupling further inward relative to the first pair of abutments.
5. A tube coupling according to claim 1, the grab ring includes a plurality of teeth the ends of which engage the outside of a tube which is inserted into the coupling, the teeth extend radially inwardly from a substantially annular ring which is split to facilitate radial contraction and expansion of the grab ring.
6. A tube coupling according to claim 1, including a demount member for releasing the grab ring from a condition of gripping the outside of a tube which is inserted into the coupling, the demount member being at least partially within the housing, the demount member including a grab ring engaging section and a drive section, the drive section being drivable to shift the engaging section into engagement with the grab ring.
7. A tube coupling according to claim 6, the drive section extending out of the housing.
8. A tube coupling according to claim 6, the drive section extending to a position substantially flush with the end of the housing into which a tube is inserted.
9. A tube coupling according to claim 6, the drive section presenting an abutment for engagement by a tool for driving the drive section to drive the engaging section to engage the grab ring 10.
10. A tube coupling according to claim 9, the abutment being an end face of an annular portion of the drive section which is of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of a tube which is intended for insertion into the coupling.
11. A tube coupling according to claim 6, a retainer cooperating with the demount member to retain the demount member in a position for engaging the grab ring for releasing the grab ring from a condition of gripping the outside of a tube which is inserted into the coupling, the retainer permitting the demount member movement axially within the housing toward and away from the grab ring for engaging the grab ring,
12. A tube coupling according to claim 11, the retainer including a radially outwardly extending abutment in cooperation with a radially inwardly extending abutment of the housing for location relative to the housing.
13. A tube coupling according to claim 12, the retainer including a radially inwardly extending abutment in cooperation with a radially outwardly extending abutment of the demount member.
14. A tube coupling according to claim 13, the radially inwardly extending abutment of the retainer cooperating with the outwardly extending abutment of the demount member when the demount member is in a position for engaging the grab ring.
15. A tube coupling according to claim 13, the radially outwardly extending abutment of the demount member being displaced from the inwardly extending abutment of the retainer when the demount member is in a position releasing the grab ring from a condition of gripping the outside of a tube which is inserted into the coupling.
16. A tube coupling according to claim 11, the housing including a recess which opens radially inwardly and defining the first pair of radially inwardly extending abutments, a first of the pair of the radially inwardly extending abutments being engaged by the radially outwardly extending abutment of the retainer and a second of the radially inwardly extending abutments being engaged by the grab ring, the second of the pair of the radially inwardly extending abutments being axially inboard of the first of the radially inwardly extending abutments.
17. A tube coupling according to any one of claim 1, including a retainer which has a radially outwardly extending abutment disposed between the first pair of radially inwardly extending abutments to locate the retainer relative to the housing, the radially outwardly extending abutment of the retainer being disposed between the first of the abutments and the grab ring, the retainer retaining the grab ring at a position between the first and second abutments.
18. A tube coupling according to claim 17, the housing including a recess which opens radially inwardly and defining the first pair of radially inwardly extending abutments, a first of the pair of the radially inwardly extending abutments being engaged by the radially outwardly extending abutment of the retainer and a second of the radially inwardly extending abutments being engaged by the grab ring, the second of the pair of the radially inwardly extending abutments being axially inboard of the first of the radially inwardly extending abutments.
19. A tube coupling, including
a tubular housing,
a seal within the housing for sealing against the outside of a tube which is inserted into the coupling,
a substantially annular and resilient grab ring located within the housing for gripping the outside of a tube which is inserted into the coupling to retain the tube against release from the coupling,
the grab ring being mounted within housing between a first pair of radially inwardly extending abutments which are spaced apart axially in the direction of insertion of a tube into the coupling,
a demount member for releasing the grab ring from a condition of gripping the outside of a tube which is inserted into the coupling, the demount member being at least partially within the housing
the demount member including a grab ring engaging section and a drive section, the drive section being drivable to shift the engaging section into engagement with the grab ring
one or more cams being provided projecting from the housing for engagement by a tool, cooperation between the tool and the one or more cams being such that rotation of the tool relative to the coupling causes the tool to shift axially to drive the drive section of the demount member to shift the engaging section into engagement with the grab ring.
20. A tool for use with a tube coupling according to claim 19.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A radiation shield comprising:
a first layer comprising a neutron moderating material;
a second layer adjacent the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a particulate neutron absorbing material dispersed in a polymeric binder, wherein the particulate neutron absorbing material comprises at least one neutron absorbing material selected from the group consisting of gadolinium, a gadolinium compound, boron, and a boron compound;
a third layer adjacent the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a photonic radiation attenuating material; and
wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer are removable from the radiation shield.
2. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the second layer is intermediate the first layer and the third layer.
3. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the neutron moderating material of the first layer comprises a hydrogen-rich polymer.
4. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the neutron moderating material of the first layer comprises polyethylene.
5. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the third layer is removable from the radiation shield.
6. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the first layer is bonded to the second layer, and wherein the first and second layers are removable from the radiation shield as a single unit.
7. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the polymeric binder includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, a polyamide, a polyester, a silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer, and an epoxy.
8. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a layer of neutron absorbing metal or alloy.
9. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a layer of at least one of a neutron absorbing gadolinium alloy and a neutron absorbing boron alloy.
10. The radiation shield of claim 9, wherein the alloy further comprises at least one of copper and aluminum.
11. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises one of a metal or alloy layer that is at least one of rolled and cast.
12. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the third layer comprises a particulate photonic radiation attenuating material dispersed in a second polymeric binder.
13. The radiation shield of claim 12, wherein the particulate photonic radiation attenuating material comprises tungsten.
14. The radiation shield of claim 12, wherein the second polymeric binder includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, a polyamide, a polyester, a silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer, and an epoxy.
15. The radiation shield of claim 1, wherein the third layer comprises a tungsten heavy alloy.
16. A device for attenuating radiation comprising at least a first radiation shield panel, the first radiation shield panel comprising:
a first layer comprising a neutron moderating material;
a second layer adjacent the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a particulate neutron absorbing material dispersed in a polymeric binder, wherein the particulate neutron absorbing material comprises at least one neutron absorbing material selected from the group consisting of gadolinium, a gadolinium compound, boron and a boron compound; and
a third layer adjacent the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a photonic radiation attenuating material;
and wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer are removable from the first radiation shield panel.
17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a second radiation shield panel, wherein the first radiation shield panel comprises a first edge and the second radiation shield panel comprises a second edge, and wherein the first edge and the second edge include interlocking features forming an interface between the first radiation shield panel and the second radiation shield panel.
18. An apparatus comprising:
a radiation-emitting source; and
a radiation shield adjacent the radiation-emitting source, the radiation shield comprising:
a first layer comprising a neutron moderating material;
a second layer adjacent the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a particulate neutron absorbing material dispersed in a polymeric binder, wherein the particulate neutron absorbing material comprises at least one neutron absorbing material selected from the group consisting of gadolinium, a gadolinium compound, boron, and a boron compound; and
a third layer adjacent the second layer, wherein the third layer comprises a photonic radiation attenuating material;
and wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer are removable from the radiation shield panel.
19. A method of shielding an object from a radiation source, the method comprising:
placing a radiation shield intermediate the object and the radiation source, wherein the radiation shield comprises:
a first layer comprising a particulate neutron absorbing material dispersed in a polymeric binder, wherein the particulate neutron absorbing material comprises at least one neutron absorbing material selected from the group consisting of gadolinium, a gadolinium compound, born, and a boron compound, and
a second layer comprising a photonic radiation attenuating material;

monitoring the neutron transmissivity of the radiation shield; and
replacing at least a portion of the first layer when the neutron transmissivity of the radiation shield exceeds a predetermined value.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second layer further comprises a neutron moderating material.
21. A radiation shield comprising:
a first layer comprising a particulate neutron absorbing material dispersed in a polymeric binder, wherein the particulate neutron absorbing material comprises at least one neutron absorbing material selected from the group consisting of gadolinium, a gadolinium compound, boron, and a boron compound;
a second layer adjacent the first layer, wherein the second layer Comprises a photonic radiation attenuating material; and
wherein the first layer is removable from the radiation shield.
22. The radiation shield of claim 21, wherein the polymeric binder comprises a hydrogen rich polymer.
23. The radiation shield of claim 22 wherein the hydrogen rich polymer includes polyethylene.
24. The radiation shield of claim 21, wherein the polymeric binder includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, a polyamide, a polyester, a silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer, and an epoxy.
25. The radiation shield of claim 21, wherein the third layer comprises a tungsten heavy alloy.
26. The radiation shield of claim 21, wherein the third layer comprises a particulate photonic radiation attenuating material dispersed in a second polymeric binder.
27. The radiation shield of claim 26, wherein the particulate photonic radiation attenuating material comprises tungsten.

1. A computer-implemented method for managing encrypted key pairs, the method comprising:
generating a set of encrypted key pairs;
designating, from the set of encrypted key pairs, a first encrypted key pair as a currently active key pair;
designating a time-based window having a size and indicating a number of key pairs that are valid for transactions;
publishing a public key corresponding to the currently active key pair to a key distributor; and
publishing the set of encrypted key pairs to a key escrow.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the key distributor issues a public key associated with the currently active key pair to one or more client computers.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein a key consumer application downloads the list from the key escrow, and wherein the key consumer application decrypts messages encrypted using a key associated with one of the number of key pairs within the window.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the client computers send messages encrypted using the public key to the key consumer application.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
designating a second encrypted key pair in the set of encrypted key pairs as the currently active key pair;
publishing the public key corresponding to the designated currently active key pair to the key distributor; and
advancing the window forward to the currently active key pair.
6. A computer-implemented method for managing encrypted data, the method comprising:
receiving an encrypted message having metadata corresponding to a public key;
identifying a first key pair corresponding to the public key in a set of key pairs, wherein a second key pair in the set is a currently active key pair, wherein the set of key pairs includes a time-based window having a size and indicating a number of key pairs that are valid for transactions, and wherein one of the number of key pairs is the currently active key; and
upon determining that the identified first key pair is within the window:
accessing a decryption key from the identified first key pair, and decrypting the message.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising, upon determining that the identified first key pair is outside the window and is sequentially after the window:
accessing the decryption key from the identified first key pair;
decrypting the message;
designating the identified first key pair as the currently active key pair; and
advancing the window forward to the currently active key pair.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising, upon determining that the identified first key pair is outside the window and is sequentially preceding the window, aborting the transaction.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the key pairs in the list are encrypted.
10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a processor, performs an operation for managing encrypted key pairs, the operation comprising:
generating a set of encrypted key pairs;
designating, from the set of encrypted key pairs, a first encrypted key pair as a currently active key pair;
designating a time-based window having a size and indicating a number of key pairs that are valid for transactions;
publishing a public key corresponding to the currently active key pair to a key distributor; and
publishing the set of encrypted key pairs to a key escrow.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the key distributor issues a public key associated with the currently active key pair to one or more client computers.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein a key consumer application downloads the list from the key escrow, and wherein the key consumer application decrypts messages encrypted using a key associated with one of the number of key pairs within the window.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the client computers send messages encrypted using the public key to the key consumer application.
14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the operation further comprises:
designating a second encrypted key pair in the set of encrypted key pairs as the currently active key pair;
publishing the public key corresponding to the designated currently active key pair to the key distributor; and
advancing the window forward to the currently active key pair.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a processor, performs an operation for managing encrypted data, the operation comprising:
receiving an encrypted message having metadata corresponding to a public key;
identifying a first key pair corresponding to the public key in a set of key pairs, wherein a second key pair in the set is a currently active key pair, wherein the set of key pairs includes a time-based window having a size and indicating a number of key pairs that are valid for transactions, and wherein one of the number of key pairs is the currently active key; and
upon determining that the identified first key pair is within the window:
accessing a decryption key from the identified first key pair, and decrypting the message.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operation further comprises, upon determining that the identified first key pair is outside the window and is sequentially after the window:
accessing the decryption key from the identified first key pair;
decrypting the message;
designating the identified first key pair as the currently active key pair; and
advancing the window forward to the currently active key pair.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operation further comprises, upon determining that the identified first key pair is outside the window and is sequentially preceding the window, aborting the transaction.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the key pairs in the list are encrypted.
19. A system, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory hosting an application, which, when executed on the processor, performs an operation for managing encrypted key pairs, the operation comprising:
generating a set of encrypted key pairs;
designating, from the set of encrypted key pairs, a first encrypted key pair as a currently active key pair;
designating a time-based window having a size and indicating a number of key pairs that are valid for transactions;
publishing a public key corresponding to the currently active key pair to a key distributor; and

publishing, at the specified interval, the set of encrypted key pairs to a key escrow.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the operation further comprises:
designating a second encrypted key pair in the set of encrypted key pairs as the currently active key pair;
publishing the public key corresponding to the designated currently active key pair to the key distributor; and
advancing the window forward to the currently active key pair.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. Compounds of formula (Ia) or (Ib)
wherein
V is a COOH group or CONHOH;
W is a guanidino group or an isostere chosen in the group consisting of
where M=O, NH; L=H, cycloalkyl, aryl optionally substituted, NH2, OH, SH, tyrosine, tyramine,
and s=0-8; R9\u2550H, NH2, CH3, CF3;
V\u2014Y\u2014 is chosen in the group consisting of V\u2014(CH2)p-CH(R5)-N(R4)-CO\u2014(CH2)m-Q(R1)-(CH2)r-, V\u2014(CH2)p-CH(R5)-N(R4)-(CH2)m-, V\u2014(CH2)p-CH(R5)-N(R4)-CO\u2014(CH2)m-,
wherein Q=N, O; m e r are independently=1,2,3; p=0,1,2; if Q=N then R1=H, alkyl; if Q is O then R1 is absent; R4=H, alkyl, aryl optionally substituted, SO2aryl optionally substituted; R5=amino acid side chain, or is chosen in the group consisting of
said rings being optionally substituted, where R6, R7 and R8 are independently chosen in the group consisting of H, alkyl, cycloalkyl; and L and s are defined as above;
W\u2014X\u2014 is chosen in the group consisting of W\u2014(CH2)n-, W-\u2014CO(CH2)n-,
where n=1,2,3;
including all the possible variations of the stereogenic centers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and including the possible presence of one or more radioisotopes.
2. Compounds of formula (Ia) or (Ib) according to claim 1
wherein
W\u2014X\u2014 is chosen in the group consisting of W\u2014(CH2)n-, where n=1,2,3;
V\u2014Y\u2014 is chosen in the group consisting of V\u2014(CH2)p-CH(R5)-N(R4)-CO\u2014CH2-, V\u2014CH2-CH(R5)-N(R4)-CO\u2014CH2-N(R1)-CH2-V\u2014(CH2)p-CH(R5)-N(R4)-(CH2)m-, where m e p are independently=0,1,2; R1=H, alkyl; R4=H, Me, Ph, SO2aryl optionally substituted; R5=H, para-F -Ph, para-OH-Ph;
W is chosen in the group consisting of a guanidino group,
V is a COOH group or CONHOH.
3. Compounds of formula (Ia) according to claim 1
wherein
W\u2014X\u2014 is chosen in the group consisting of W\u2014(CH2)n-, where n=1,2,3;
V\u2014Y\u2014 is chosen in the group consisting of V\u2014(CH2)p-CH(R5)-N(R4)-CO\u2014CH2-, V\u2014(CH2)p-CH(R5)-N(R4)-(CH2)m-, where m e p are independently=0,1,2; R4=H, Me, Ph, SO2aryl optionally substituted; R5=H, para-F -Ph, para-OH-Ph;
W is chosen in the group consisting of a guanidino group,
V is COOH.
4. Compounds of formula (Ia) according to claim 1
wherein n=1,2,3;
Y\u2014COOH is chosen in the group consisting of;
W is chosen in the group consisting of a guanidino group,
5. Process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) according to claim 1, said process comprising a Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between an azide J-N3 and an alkyne K\u2014C\u2261CH, where J and K are precursors of X\u2014W and Y\u2014V groups.
6. Compounds of formula (I) according to claim 1 for the use as medicaments andor diagnostics.
7. Compounds according to claim 6 for use as integrin inhibitors.
8. Compounds according to claim 6 for use in the treatment of pathologies where integrins are involved.
9. Compounds according to claim 6 for use in the treatment of pathologies are connected to an altered angiogenesis and beginning-progression of tumors, osteoporosis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
10. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 and at least another pharmaceutically acceptable ingredient.
11. A method for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) according to claim 1 labelled with radioisotopes, or compounds of formula (I) according to claim 1 conjugated with other molecular probes, for the diagnosis of pathologies where integrins are involved, said method comprising the use of compounds of formula (I) according to claim 1 as intermediates.