Abstract: A method of protecting at least a portion of an initial investment value of an investment made by an investor including the steps of: registering a C-corporation; electing the C-corporation to be treated as a regulated investment company; holding positions using the C-corporation in a set of put-option based instruments having a first underlying reference and a set of call-option based instruments having a second underlying reference, the first underlying reference being the same as or substantially correlated to the second underlying reference, so that the sets of put-option based instruments and call-option based instruments provide the at least a portion of the initial investment value at maturity of the investment; and making available the at least a portion of the initial investment value to the investor upon the maturity of the investment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a weakly ionic and water-soluble copolymer as a grinding aid agent for grinding mineral matter in aqueous suspension in order to obtain aqueous suspensions of refined mineral matter, with a dry matter concentration that can be high, with a low Brookfield™ viscosity that remains stable over time, having the property that it presents a pigmentary surface area the ionic charge of which, as determined by ionic titration, is low. The invention relates to the aqueous suspensions of mineral matter obtained and their use in the fields of paper, paint and plastics.

Abstract: Methods for treating a demyelinating condition in a subject in need of treatment are provided. In some aspects the methods encompass administering to the subject an amount of a Ca2+-channel blocker effective to treat the demyelinating condition. In other aspects, the methods encompass administering to the subject an amount of a glutamate inhibitor effective to treat the demyelinating condition. In additional aspects, the methods encompass administering to the subject a Ca2+-channel blocker in combination with a glutamate inhibitor, in amounts effective to treat the demyelinating condition. In still other aspects, the methods encompass administering to the subject a Ca2+-channel blocker in combination with a hypertensive agent, in amounts effective to treat the demyelinating condition. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions having a Ca2+-channel blocker, a glutamate inhibitor, and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a DNA sequence which at least partially contributes to promote the stable expression of a gene. To this end the DNA fragment to be examined is cloned in a vector between i) a DNA sequence involved in the induction of gene transcription repressing chromatin and ii) a reporter gene. The invention also relates to the detected DNA sequence, and the application of a stable expression-enhancing DNA sequence for the stable expression of a gene.

Abstract: A method of displaying information relating to a plurality of electronic documents available from an informational network including the steps of: retrieving information relating to location of each of the plurality of documents available on the informational network; identifying a plurality of elements in each of the plurality of documents, each of the plurality of elements being assigned to a descriptive category selected from a list of descriptive categories; applying a score to each of the plurality of elements in each of the plurality of documents based on relevance of each of the elements to its corresponding document; displaying at least one of the plurality of documents using the retrieved information relating to the location of the plurality of documents on the informational network; for each descriptive category, displaying a list of elements selected from the displayed document that have a score above a predetermined score; and for each element in each of the list of elements, providing a network l

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for determining boundaries between fractions in a fractionated sample. The method includes the steps of providing the fractionated sample in a receptacle, the receptacle having a transparent window, positioning the receptacle in a known position relative to datum means, capturing an image of the receptacle and datum means, and processing the image to determine the position of boundaries between the fractions in the sample relative to the datum means. An apparatus and method for extracting a selected fraction of a fractionated sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer for analysis of a sample 5. A laser 1 is provided to illuminate at least part of the surface of the sample 5. Laser light is conducted via an optical fiber 2 and a zoom optical system 3 to the sample. A variable ion optical system 9,10,11 is provided to extract and focus ions released from the sample 5 onto a detector 12. The optical and ion optical systems operate continuously and synchronously to vary the fields of laser illumination and view of the sample such that they are substantially confocal and equal in diameter on the surface of the sample. The sample may be a MALDI sample.

Abstract: A method of handling a compound storage vessel (4) disposed in a cavity in a rack, the cavity having an upper and lower opening. The method includes introducing a lifting pin (15) into the cavity through the lower opening to urge the compound storage vessel upwards within the cavity. A lifting head (16) may be placed above the rack for receiving compound storage vessels.

Abstract: A cervical support brace including an upper U-shaped support member having a first support prong and a second support prong and a lower U-shaped support member having a first support prong and a second support prong. A first linkage member connects the first support prong of the upper U-shaped support member with the first support prong of the lower U-shaped support member. A second linkage member connects the second support prong of the upper U-shaped support member with the second support prong of the lower U-shaped support member. The linkage members allow for a dynamic range of motion of the cervical support brace when worn.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article such as, e.g., a T-shaped diaper comprising two portions, a lateral portion (backwaist) having two lateral segments or wings for wrapping around the waist of a wearer of the diaper, and a second vertical portion or insert which is adapted to be passed under the crotch of the wearer and folded thereover. A uniquely designed tape tab located at the outer lateral end of one wing assures more perfect and comfortable fit. Tape tabs are also provided at the distal ends of vertical portion for engagement onto landing zones disposed on the surface of each wing. These tape tabs may have the same general construction as the tape tab on the diaper wing. The dimensions of the diaper and several of its components and the relative locations of these components are important factors which contribute to improved fitness and functions of the diaper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing ammonia levels, odor, microorganisms and insects in large animal stalls using a bedding material additive comprising a clay-based particulate absorbent material and an aliphatic bromo-nitro-bactericide.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor layer of a semiconductor device including interposing a reticle between an energy source and a semiconductor wafer, the reticle including at least two duplicate mask patterns each having a different bias, and passing energy through an opening in a shutter and through one of the at least two duplicate mask patterns using the energy source to form an image on the semiconductor wafer. The one of the at least two duplicate mask patterns is chosen based on a required bias. The at least two duplicate mask patterns are disposed in a side by side relationship to one another and extend parallel or transverse to the shutter opening.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improving the conventional high-speed cooking oven based on a combination of hot air impingement and microwave heating by providing a time-dependent spatial variation in the net air impingement and/or net microwave energy applied to the food product in the oven. This is aimed at optimizing heat transfer and microwave efficiencies in a high-speed cooking oven, thereby enabling the oven to deliver an optimal cooking efficiency in comparison to the conventional high-speed cooking oven. In addition, under the present invention, the cooking efficiency may be further optimized by dimensioning the nozzles for hot air impingement to tighten impingement plumes, subject to the space constraint of the oven's cooking chamber, and dimensioning the cooking chamber of the oven in integer multiples of the wavelength of the microwave energy to match the microwave load.

Abstract: A novel compound, 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, is provided. The compound is a mixture of the 2? and 3? regioisomers of O-acetyl-ADP ribose, and is formed nonenzymatically from 2?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, which is the newly discovered product of the reaction of Sir2 enzymes with acetylated peptides and NAD+. Analogs of 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose are also provided. Additionally, methods of preparing 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, methods of determining whether a test compound is an inhibitor of a Sir2 enzyme, methods of detecting Sir2 activity in a composition, methods of deacetylating an acetylated peptide, and methods of inhibiting the deacetylation of an acetylated peptide are provided. Prodrugs of 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic motion picture camera having an optical receiving system and a beam splitter which splits the receiving beam path into a taking beam path leading to an optoelectronic taking sensor and a viewfinder beam path leading to an optical viewfinder. The camera has an electronic display for the reproduction of an additional image. An optical vision mixer is arranged in the viewfinder beam path by which the taken image and the additional image can be directed in the direction of the viewfinder such that the taken image or the additional image, or the taken image and the additional image as a uniform image, can be observed in the viewfinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for screening of cellular responses of cellular components comprising: (a) providing cellular components on the surface of a substrate, said substrate having immobilized thereon an array of detector molecules; (b) delivering test compounds to positions on the substrate corresponding to the arrayed detector molecules on the surface of said solid substrate; (c) incubating said test compounds with said cellular components on the surface of the solid support, under conditions allowing the induction of cellular responses; (d) assaying said cellular responses; and, identifying and characterizing the cellular responses induced by said test compounds. The present invention further relates to the uses of said methods as well as microarrays and kits for carrying out said methods.