Abstract: The invention relates to the use, in anti-graffiti treatments, and preferably in graffiti-suppressing treatments, of a particular dicarboxylic acid diester having improved treatment efficiency.

Abstract: A synergistic adjuvant is provided comprising synergistically effective amounts of at least one type 1 interferon and at least one CD40 agonist, wherein these moieties may be in the same or separate compositions. In addition, fusion proteins and DNA conjugates which contain a type 1 interferon/CD40 agonist/antigen combination are provided. The use of these compositions, protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection and for enhancing the efficacy of vaccines (prophylactic and therapeutic) is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting the mutual affinity of two molecules for each other in solution, by computing the configuration integrals of the free molecules and their bound complex as sums over local energy wells. The invention makes accurate calculations computationally tractable for a range of molecular systems by several means, including restraining the conformations of selected molecular components, and using a single conformation representative of an energy well to correct an efficient but less accurate energy model toward a slower but more accurate model.

Abstract: Binding assays for identifying compounds that modulate human T1R2 polypeptide associated taste are disclosed. These assays detect the specific binding of compounds to a human T1R2 polypeptide or the modulation of the specific binding of a compound that specifically binds to a human T1R2 polypeptide. The binding assays may include the use of detectable labels, e.g., radionuclides, enzymes, fluorophases, and the like. Compounds identified in these binding assays have putative application as T1R2 taste modulators, particularly sweet taste, and potentially are useful additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: An odor-inhibiting fiber having a cellulosic fiber and an odor-inhibiting formulation. The odor-inhibiting formulation may contain an odor-inhibiting agent, such as a biocide, an enzyme, a urease inhibitor. The odor-inhibiting formulation also may contain a liquid carrier such as a hydrophobic or hydrophilic organic liquid, or a mixture of a hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic liquid. The cellulosic fiber is impregnated with the odor-inhibiting formulation to produce fiber having odor-inhibiting characteristics. The resultant odor-inhibiting fiber is useful in making absorbent articles with odor-inhibiting characteristics. The fiber of the embodiments prevents odor by inhibiting bacteria growth and ammonia production, especially when used in an absorbent article such as a diaper or adult incontinence device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for and an arrangement of the connection of processed semiconductor wafers (1, 2) wherein, in addition to the firm connection, there is an electric connection (5) between the semiconductor wafers and/or the electronic structures (3) supporting them. For this purpose, low-melting structured intermediate glass layers (6; 6a) are used as insulating layers and as an electric connection in the form of electrically conductive solder (5) on a glass basis in order to achieve a firm connection.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composition for cotton textile care in particular, comprising an anionic polysaccharide (in particular anionic polygalactomannan) having a mole weight higher than 250000. The composition can be a solid or liquid detergent formulation, a liquid rinsing and/or softening formulation, a drying additive contacted with wet textile in a dry textile, an aqueous ironing formulation, a prespotting washing additive deposited on the textile before a washing operation.

Abstract: Purchase rewards account holders accumulate rewards currency. A network-based investment management system allows account holders to purchase shares in investments using reward currency. When all the shares for a particular investment have been purchased, the underlying investment is acquired. Account holders owning shares in an investment may sell shares to other account holders through the system. Account holders are thereby able to invest their rewards dollars in investments typically requiring cash or cash equivalents and to grow their rewards currency.

Abstract: A microstructured component with microsensors or other active microcomponent is provided. The microstructured component includes a substrate and at least one housing arranged on the substrate with one or more active microstructures situated on it.

Abstract: In the present invention, data generated from a source unit are distributed to at least one bandwidth; the data distributed to the respective bandwidths are encoded in order to perform an error correction; the encoded data are distributed to at least one antenna; a subcarrier is allocated to the data distributed to the respective antennas, and an inverse Fourier transform is performed; a short preamble and a first long preamble corresponding to the subcarrier are generated; a signal symbol is generated according to a data transmit mode; and a frame is generated by adding a second long preamble between the signal symbol and a data field for the purpose of estimating a channel of a subcarrier which is not used.

Abstract: An integrated oral appliance treats breathing obstruction and restriction in the upper airway during sleep with a cantilevered tongue restraint coupled through spring-force to a rigid bracket that is attached to a tray shaped to engage dentition.

Abstract: A suction device includes a membrane-covered walled enclosure from which pressure can be reduced therein, including through desired fluid removal from the enclosure, below ambient external air pressure to apply suction therapy to treat medical conditions, including sleep breathing disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel chimeric antibiotics of formula I wherein R1 represents OH, OPO3H2 or OCOR5; R2 represents H, OH or OPO3H2; A represents N or CR6; R3 represents H or fluorine; R4 is H, (C1-C3) alkyl, or cycloalkyl; R5 is the residue of a naturally occurring amino acid, of the enantiomer of a naturally occurring amino acid or of dimethylaminoglycine; R6 represents H, alkoxy or halogen; and n is 0 or 1; and to salts (in particular pharmaceutically acceptable salts) of compounds of formula I. These chimeric compounds are useful in the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of infections (e.g. bacterial infections).

Abstract: A system for removing sediment from water is disclosed. The exemplary embodiments described herein disclose a system comprising a filter chamber, having a deck positioned inside to divide it into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The deck may have a plurality of holes to hold filtration elements and also may have a ridge or a skirt or both. An inlet line may be tangentially connected to the filter chamber and introduce influent liquid into the filter chamber below the deck and outside of the skirt.

Abstract: Exemplary techniques for improving the performance of signals transmitted by conductive circuit traces are disclosed. The techniques may be realized as a method comprising the step of reducing a surface roughness of at least one surface of a conductive circuit trace. Alternatively, the techniques may be realized as a circuit board for transmitting at least one signal, the circuit board comprising at least one conductive circuit trace for carrying at least one signal, the at least one conductive circuit trace having at least one polished surface. Further, the technique may be realized as a conductive circuit trace for carrying a signal, the conductive circuit trace comprising conductive material having a plurality of surfaces substantially parallel with a direction of propagation of the signal, wherein the plurality of surfaces includes at least one polished surface having a reduced surface roughness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant cells and plants having an increased content of N-acetylated glucosamine derivatives. Furthermore, the present invention relates to plant cells and plants which synthesize glucosaminoglycans. The present invention also provides processes for producing said plants and compositions comprising said plant cells.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing data to generate documents for use in MICR line testing. The system comprises a MICR testing station for testing MICR processing. The MICR testing station comprises a MICR line testing module for generating at least one MICR testing document for use in testing MICR processing. The MICR line testing module further comprises: (1) an application determination module for determining an application based on a bank selection provided by a tester, (2) a routing/transit number determination module for determining a routing/transit number based on the bank and the application determined, and (3) a tran code determination module for determining a tran code based on the routing/transit number determined; and at least one client station connected to the MICR testing station via a communications network, the at least one client station being used by at least one tester to provide particulars about at least one MICR line.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting umami taste receptors are provided. These methods comprise contacting T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptors with a sweet-taste inhibitor that also inhibits both the T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptor and the T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor.

Abstract: An exemplary method and system may include receiving one or more payment items from a plurality of payment entities, at a centralized agent, wherein the one or more payment items comprise one or more electronic images and paper instruments; aggregating the payment items into one or more categories; identifying a payee financial institution and a payor financial institution for each payment items, wherein the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are different; determining whether the payee financial institution and the payor financial institution are within the network of financial institutions; for the payee and payor within the network, determining at the centralized agent a settlement path within the network of financial institutions for each payment item; and for the payee and payor that are not within the network, forwarding the payment items to a third party settlement entity by the centralized agent for settlement processing.