Abstract: A method of manufacturing prebiotic dietary fibers and probiotic encapsulated or associated material capable of affording thermal or mechanical stresses resulting from industrial feed processing as well as compositions including prebiotic dietary fibers and probiotic-fiber complexes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a composition comprising inactivated or killed Methanobrevibacter archaebacteria cells for incorporation in human food/tablets and/or animal feed/ tablets, the process comprising: a) collecting a liquid suspension of Methanobrevibacter archaebacteria cells; b) inactivating or killing said Methanobrevibacter archaebacteria cells in said liquid suspension; and c) freeze drying said liquid suspension to obtain an inactivated or killed Methanobrevibacter archaebacteria cell composition, said inactivated of killed Methanobrevibacter archaebacteria cells have preserved at least 80% of the microbe-associated-molecular-patterns (MAM PS) signal potential through the host pattern recognition receptor system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food supplement comprising or consisting of Archaebacteria, and particularly methanogenic Archaebacteria, to be used as a probiotic adjunct for animal feed. The supplement can be provided to e.g. farmed animals in addition to standard feed or as a food composition. Such a supplement is particularly useful in aquaculture and proves able in increasing animal growth rates, reducing animal susceptibility to parasitic infections and/or ameliorating animal faecal waste impact on environment. Also encompassed by the present invention are methods of manufacturing a composition comprising the bioactive food supplement as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food supplement comprising or consisting of Archaebacteria, and particularly methanogenic Archaebacteria, to be used as a probiotic adjunct for animal feed. The supplement can be provided to e.g. farmed animals in addition to standard feed or as a food composition. Such a supplement is particularly useful in aquaculture and proves able in increasing animal growth rates, reducing animal susceptibility to parasitic infections and/or ameliorating animal faecal waste impact on environment. Also encompassed by the present invention are methods of manufacturing a composition comprising the bioactive food supplement as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan.

Abstract: A sealing ring for fitting between and sealing an annular space between a spigot end of a length of pipe and a socket end of another length of pipe which are slid into each other to form a pipe joint. The sealing ring comprises an annular main body having a first surface for engaging the spigot end and a second surface for engaging the socket end during the formation of the pipe joint. A thin flexible membrane of a thickness of 0.045 inches or less is attached to the second surface about the circumference of the annular main body defining an annular cavity. The flexible membrane is of a greater dimension than the length of the second surface in the general direction of pipe movement. A lubricant is disposed in the annular cavity between the second surface and the thin flexible membrane whereby, when the spigot end and the socket end are slid into each other to form a pipe joint, the thin flexible membrane slides relative to the second surface without rupturing.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method. The system includes a unit located in a vehicle and coupled to a first network, a traffic information center coupled to a second network, and a server coupled to the first and second networks. A trip plan is generated according to navigation information, vehicle coordinates and trip request information received from the unit, and road information received from the traffic information center. The trip plan is sent to the unit for presentation. The trip plan includes trip overview information and voice prompts associated with one or more landmarks. A trip plan may be a tourist trip plan.