Abstract: A method for implementing a weight loss program is provided. The diet meal provider educates a health care professional about a diet meal plan or a dietary aid. The health care professional may recommend the plan to his or her patient who need to loose weight. Based on such recommendation, the patient will subscribe to receive the diet meal plan or the dietary which are supplied to the patient by the diet meal provider.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DEP2 and its uses in connection with major depression or related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DEP2, as well as other proteins, and their uses in connection with the treatment of major depression or related disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of administering a product comprising a cacao solids-containing, cocoa powder or extract containing cocoa polyphenols to improve endothelial function. The sugar-free compositions and methods of using them exhibit synergistically improved cardiovascular benefits compared to other compositions. Preferred sugar-free chocolate products and cocoa beverages are also disclosed.

Abstract: The polymer systems of the present invention degrade in the presence of an ejaculate. They may further provide degradable sequences that degrade upon contact with an ejaculate and/or microbicides. The polymer systems of the present invention are of use in the oral, rectal or vaginal cavities of an individual for such purposes as the treatment or prevention of sexually transmitted disease, the prevention or promotion of fertility or for hormone replacement therapy.

Abstract: A surveillance camera system includes a camera that acquires images. A display screen is operably coupled with the camera wherein images captured by the camera are displayable on the display screen. A processing device is operably coupled to the camera and/or the display screen. The processing device outputs a nudity mask for display on the display screen such that the nudity mask obscures at least a portion of a person's skin that is included in the images captured by the camera.

Abstract: A jewelry setting and method for manufacturing same are provided. The jewelry setting includes a frame configured to receive a gemstone, the frame including a base and at least one sidewall defining a cavity for receiving the gemstone; and at least two prongs soldered to the at least one sidewall, wherein the at least two prongs extend above an upper peripheral edge of the sidewall for securing the gemstone in the frame. The method includes the steps providing the frame configured to receive the gemstone; providing at least two prongs, each of the at least two prongs includes a layer of solder disposed thereon; placing the at least two prongs in contact with the at least one sidewall of the frame; and heating the frame and the prongs to a predetermined temperature, wherein the solder will reflow and form a joint between the prongs and the sidewall.

Abstract: A biotherapeutic composition containing rapidly activatable bacteria in a dry form, a device for administering such a composition and methods of treatment thereof are disclosed. A method for preparing the biotherapeutic composition itself, as well as a method for preparing the bacteria for such a composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for treating insulin-dependent diabetes, reducing body fat, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing hyperglycemia, and reducing hypercholesterolemia with at least one chromium complex and a conjugated fatty acid or conjugated fatty alcohol is disclosed. A method of treating a subject suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes by administering a composition that includes at least one chromium complex and a conjugated fatty acid or conjugated fatty alcohol is similarly provided. The administration of a composition containing an effective dose of at least one chromium complex and a conjugated fatty acid or conjugated fatty alcohol for the treatment of obesity is likewise provided.

Abstract: A composition for treating insulin-dependent diabetes, reducing body fat, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing hyperglycemia, and reducing hypercholesterolemia with at least one chromium complex and a conjugated fatty acid or conjugated fatty alcohol is disclosed. A method of treating a subject suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes by administering a composition that includes at least one chromium complex and a conjugated fatty acid or conjugated fatty alcohol is similarly provided. The administration of a composition containing an effective dose of at least one chromium complex and a conjugated fatty acid or conjugated fatty alcohol for the treatment of obesity is likewise provided.

Abstract: A biotherapeutic composition containing rapidly activatable bacteria in a dry form, a device for administering such a composition and methods of treatment thereof are disclosed. A method for preparing the biotherapeutic composition itself, as well as a method for preparing the bacteria for such a composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that allows a company to maintain a dynamic network database of intellectual capital. Entries in the database are stored on individual computers. Searches are conducted by transmitting a search request to each computer on the network. In addition, companies can post intellectual capital for other companies to view and to search. The system also facilitates the development of intellectual capital when the members of the development team are not in the same location by providing methods of communication, scheduling, sharing files and searching for additional team members.

Abstract: A system adapted to be disposed between a rigid or semi-rigid device and human skin for reliably attaching the device to the skin for an extended period of time. The system includes a skin-contacting surface for adhering to human skin, and an opposed surface for attachment to a rigid or semi-rigid device. The system is attached along its opposed surface to a portion of the total area of the adjacent surface of the device. When the device is subjected to external stress, the stress is transmitted through the area of attachment and distributed to the unattached area. This minimises stress on the skin and reduces the chance of detachment from the skin.

Abstract: A method of identifying the haplotype of an organism comprising the use of multiple duplexed amplifications of a single copy of an isogenic nucleotide sequence of interest coupled with detection of putative nucleotide sequence polymorphisms, as well as a kit and apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A jewelry setting is provided to accommodate different shapes and sizes of gemstones. The multi-part jewelry setting comprises a gemstone holding means and a housing means for totally encasing a gemstone while affording substantial exposure of the gemstone. The U-shaped holding means is formed with a retaining means for engaging a peripheral edge of a gemstone and is formed to be resilient to accommodate gemstones of various diameters. By forming the gemstone holding means with a resilient material, the gemstone holding means will act like a spring and capture the gemstone by a compression fit. All of the components can be stamped from a single piece of sheet material. Being formed from sheet material, the completed housing is essentially hollow and results in an aesthetically pleasing, relatively inexpensive setting since less precious metal is required, even though, it appears to be of significant and massive precious metal construction.

Abstract: A jewelry setting is provided to accommodate different shapes and sizes of gemstones. The multi-part jewelry setting comprises a gemstone holding means and a housing means for totally encasing a gemstone while affording substantial exposure of the gemstone. The U-shaped holding means is formed with a retaining means for engaging a peripheral edge of a gemstone and is formed to be resilient to accommodate gemstones of various diameters. By forming the gemstone holding means with a resilient material, the gemstone holding means will act like a spring and capture the gemstone by a compression fit. All of the components can be stamped from a single piece of sheet material. Being formed from sheet material, the completed housing is essentially hollow and results in an aesthetically pleasing, relatively inexpensive setting since less precious metal is required, even though, it appears to be of significant and massive precious metal construction.

Abstract: A system adapted to be disposed between a rigid or semi-rigid device and human skin for reliably attaching the device to the skin for an extended period of time. The system includes a skin-contacting surface for adhering to human skin, and an opposed surface for attachment to a rigid or semi-rigid device. The system is attached along its opposed surface to a portion of the total area of the adjacent surface of the device. When the device is subjected to external stress, the stress is transmitted through the area of attachment and distributed to the unattached area. This minimises stress on the skin and reduces the chance of detachment from the skin.

Abstract: A measuring tape pencil sharpener combination is provided including a housing. A measuring tape is coiled within an interior space of the housing with a free end extending from the housing. A lid defines a compartment and is pivotally coupled to the housing and has a closed orientation in abutment with the housing and an open orientation for allowing access within the compartment. A pencil sharpener is provided for sharpening a pencil and depositing shavings within the compartment of the lid.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a modular fixture (also sometimes in the trade referred to as fixture-ware) system, the features of which include and are characterized by the user's ability to set the system up and "knock it" down without the need of tools. This attractive and unique fixture system includes one or more lockable bracket assemblies which may be lockably positioned at any one or more of several locking positions, while at the same time facilitating locking at any of a substantially infinite number of positions. At least one vertical support member is formed with what may to some look like an I-type beam configuration. The differences between this configuration and an actual conventionally used I-beam, however, are apparent. The bracket assemblies include non-vertical portions adapted to support hanging articles, such as by way of example only, clothing, which may be on hangers.