Abstract: Disclosed is a gas-release packet, comprising a flexible gas-permeable material enclosing a gas-producing composition that releases gases beneficial to foodstuffs and the like. The packet may be made permeable to water vapor to work with water-activated gas-releasing compositions.

Abstract: A cushioning shoulder strap having at least one bladder located thereon that is inflatable or pre-filled with at least one gas, liquid, or gel and structures for coupling the strap to an item to be supported or carried. Preferably, the bladder and strap of the invention are integrally formed as a single piece of material, such as vinyl or rubber. Optionally, the cushioned shoulder strap of the invention may feature a valve on the bladder or a cover attached to the shoulder strap into which a bladder may be removably placed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a patient infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) comprising raising the core temperature of the patient and then returning the core temperature of the patient to normal at least one time, wherein the core temperature is raised to a temperature range and a duration sufficient to reduce or eliminate the patient's viral load of HCV.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a patient infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) comprising raising the core temperature of the patient and then returning the core temperature of the patient to normal at least one time, wherein the core temperature is raised to a temperature range and a duration sufficient to reduce or eliminate the patient's viral load of HCV.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus is provided for tracking a vehicle during a vehicle-related multi-step process. A vehicle identifier is received for uniquely identifying a vehicle. A delay reason is received for why the vehicle was delayed during at least one of the multi-step processes. An association is stored among the delay reason, the step at which the vehicle delay occurred, and the vehicle identifier. The stored association is used to identify at least one delay reason for the vehicle. The method and apparatus also analyze business aspects of the vehicle-related multi-step process and succinctly summarize the business analysis with respect to performance, priorities, projections, and production workforce shift profiles.

Abstract: A mower deck having movable chamber gate members that permit the deck to selectively operate in either a discharge or mulching mode of operation. The deck includes a control structure that operates the gate members to permit the operator to quickly and easily switch between the discharge mode and the mulching mode while mowing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus of acquiring and processing seismic data. One or more controllers are each coupled to seismic sensors and to each other to form a network of data acquisition units. A main controller is coupled to a crossline unit via a cable comprising a synchronizing conductor and one or more power/data conductors. Commands and data are packaged such that multiple routings are possible without affecting final calculations. Each crossline unit is capable of accepting a fiber optic input, a wire input or a combination.

Abstract: Defined peptide subunits of Streptococcus mutans antigen I/II (SAI/II) are useful as agents to prevent and treat dental caries either by eliciting an immunological response or by preventing adhesion of S. mutans to the tooth.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a patient infected with a human herpesvirus comprising raising the core temperature of the patient and then returning the core temperature of the patient to normal at least one time, wherein the core temperature is raised to a temperature range and a duration sufficient to reduce or eliminate the patient's viral load of the human herpesvirus.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a patient infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) comprising raising the core temperature of the patient and then returning the core temperature of the patient to normal at least one time, wherein the core temperature is raised to a temperature range and a duration sufficient to reduce or eliminate the patient's viral load of HCV.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a patient infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) comprising raising the core temperature of the patient and then returning the core temperature of the patient to normal at least one time, wherein the core temperature is raised to a temperature range and a duration sufficient to reduce or eliminate the patient's viral load of HCV.

Abstract: The compound of the present invention (R)-3-hydroxy-3-(2-phenylethyl)-hexanoic acid is an intermediate in the preparation of the anti-AIDS compound, [R-(R*,R*)]-N-[3-[1-5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-6-(2-phenylethyl)-6-propyl-2H-pyran-3-yl]propyl]phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinesulfonamide.

Abstract: Defined peptide subunits of Streptococcus mutans antigen I/II are useful as agents to prevent and treat dental caries either by eliciting an immunological response or by preventing adhesion of S. mutans to the tooth.

Abstract: A multiply paper structure having at least one ply containing a mixture of cellulose ester fibers and cellulose fibers, having improved softening properties, readily moldable at moderate temperatures, printable with ordinary inks, and having adequate stiffness for applications requiring a desired stiffness, and a process for making the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus that facilitate the introduction of filters, converters and effects into an active multimedia stream without interruption of the presentation. A control module or sequence permits such introduction only after verifying the presence of a sufficient supply of buffered presentation data. Responding to a user's request for introduction of a filter, the invention first determines whether its immediate implementation would cause interruption, and either introduces the filter, converter or effect into the data stream as backlogged data continues to be presented, or postpones its introduction until sufficient buffered data does exist.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain 3-(thiazolidin-2'-yl)-4-hydroxy-phenyl sulfonic acids and to a method of converting said sulfonic acids to the corresponding sulfonyl chlorides by reacting said acid with neat thionyl chloride or with thionyl chloride in a chlorinated hydrocarbon. In another embodiment, the 3-(thiazolidin-2'-yl)-4-hydroxy-phenyl sulfonic acid is synthesized, without isolating intermediates, starting with the sulfonation of salicylaldehyde and then forming the 3-(thiazolidin-2'-yl) substituent.

Abstract: The invention relates to heterocyclic ester compounds which have been found to be extremely effective ultraviolet stabilizers. The invention also relates to ultraviolet degradable organic compositions containing an amount of a heterocyclic ester composition to prevent such degradation. These stabilizers are effective in the presence of other additives commonly employed in polymeric compositions including, for example, pigments, colorants, fillers, reinforcing agents and the like. These ultraviolet stabilizers may also be incorporated into the organic compositions such as polymers by adding to the polymer melt or dissolved in the polymer dope, coated on the exterior of the shaped or molded article, film or extruded fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to heterocyclic benzoate compounds which have been found to be effective ultraviolet stabilizers. The invention also relates to ultraviolet degradable organic compositions containing an amount of a heterocyclic benzoate composition to prevent such degradation. These stabilizers are effective in the presence of other additives commonly employed in polymeric compositions including, for example, pigments, colorants, fillers, reinforcing agents and the like. These ultraviolet stabilizers may be incorporated into the organic compositions such as polymers by adding to the polymer melt or dissolved in the polymer dope, coated on the exterior of the shaped or molded article, film or extruded fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to bichromophoric benzotriazole-benzoxazole compounds which have been found to be effective ultraviolet stabilizers. The invention also relates to ultraviolet degradable organic compositions containing a stabilizing amount of the bichromophoric composition to prevent such degradation. These stabilizers are effective in the presence of other additives commonly employed in polymeric compositions including, for example, pigments, colorants, fillers, reinforcing agents and the like. These ultraviolet stabilizers may also be incorporated into the organic compositions in the polymer melt or dissolved in the polymer dope, coated on the exterior of the molded article, film or extruded fiber.