Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that the T1R receptors assemble to form functional taste receptors. Particularly, it has been discovered that co-expression of T1R1 and T1R3 results in a taste receptor that responds to umami taste stimuli, including monosodium glutamate. Also, it has been discovered that co-expression of the T1R2 and T1R3 receptors results in a taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli including naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners. Also the present invention relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions.

Abstract: A tray system, comprising one or more retaining portions for a food container, the one or more retaining portions receiving and securely holding fitted non-slip inserts. The tray system includes one or more feet which are of a depth at least equal to deepest recessed retaining portion of the tray. The feet may allow the tray to sit stably on a flat surface. The tray may have a non-slip removable insert inserted into the retaining portion which may be fitted to the bottom of the retaining portion and may maintain grip on serving tray and food container.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for transaction decision making. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method and system for processing payment items involve receiving a payment item at a sorter device; extracting electronic data from the payment item from an electronic readable line of the payment item; imaging the payment item to obtain image data of the payment item; comparing the electronic data and the image data to verify payment data associated with the payment item; and determining an optimal settlement path for the payment item, at the sorter device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a long-chain inulin and its preparation from artichoke roots, to its use in foodstuffs and cosmetic preparations and to foodstuffs and cosmetic preparations which comprise the long-chain inulin.

Abstract: The invention is related to a system and method for offering a financial instrument to a pre-qualified consumer. Potential consumers are pre-qualified for a variety of financial instruments, which pre-qualifications are stored in one or more databases and are linked to the consumer by a unique identifier and information that may later be verified. When a consumer contacts an entity operating, or otherwise in contact with, the system and method of the invention, the system determines whether that particular consumer has been pre-qualified for one or more financial instruments. The system may also determine whether one or more of the financial instruments which the consumer is pre-qualified for is appropriate for offering to the consumer according to pre-determined conditions linked to the financial instrument. Further checks may be performed at the time of the consumer contact for any indicators that the consumer should not be offered one or more of the financial instruments.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention relates to a system and method for evaluating the creditworthiness of an account holder of a credit account comprising the steps of determining, at least once a day, whether a first data set relating to the creditworthiness of the account holder has been received from a credit reporting organization; determining, at least once a day, whether a second data set relating to transaction activity of the credit account has been received; periodically receiving from a credit reporting organization a third data set relating to the creditworthiness of the account holder; periodically receiving a fourth data set relating to the historical activity of the credit account; and using the first and second data sets, to the extent they have been received, and the third and fourth data sets to determine a measure of creditworthiness.

Abstract: Stress tolerance in plants and plant cells is achieved by using nucleotide sequences encoding enzymes involved in the NAD salvage synthesis pathway and/or the NAD de novo synthesis pathway from fungal or yeast like organisms other than Saccharomyces cereviseae, e.g., for overexpression in plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture cross-linkable composition usable as an adhesive or sealant which is very easy to use and exhibits excellent bonding performance. The composition is obtained by mixing 100 parts by weight of an organic polymer (A) with moisture cross-linkable reactive silane terminal functions and 1 to 70 parts by weight of an organic polymer (B) miscible at ambient temperature with polymer (A), selected from among polyesters, polyethers, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyethylenediimines, polycarbonates, polyureas or polyamides.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf), comprising: (i) contacting 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene (1230xa) with hydrogen fluoride HF in gas phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst under conditions sufficient to produce a reaction mixture; (ii) separating the reaction mixture into a first stream comprising HCl, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) and a second stream comprising HF, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene (1233xf) and 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane (245cb); (iii) recycling at least a part of the second stream at least in part back to step (i).

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head is provided, in which the amount of protrusion in the periphery of an element portion can be reduced or a local temperature increase of electrode leads of a heating element can be prevented. The thin film magnetic head includes a playback element disposed between lower and upper shield layers, a recording element laminated on the upper shield layer, a heating element which is disposed below a coil layer and which generates heat to allow the playback element to protrude toward the recording medium side through thermal expansion, and a pair of electrode leads including overlapping regions, which are in contact with rear ends of the heating element and which overlap with the upper shield layer, and heat dissipation regions. Furthermore, connection wiring portions of the pair of electrode leads are disposed in a region sandwiched between the upper shield layer and a magnetic layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner of a type comprising an elongated support body (1) including a handle (3) in an upper end of the support body, a nozzle device attached to a lower end of the support body by means of a rotatable joint, and a vacuum unit, including an electric motor, a fan and a debris collecting compartment, being accommodated in the support body. An upper portion of the support body (1) is provided with a layer (7, 8) of a slip reducing material at least on a rear surface thereof.

Abstract: A system is provided for control of a structure immersed in a fluid flow regime. The system comprises a plurality of flow sensors disposed on a surface of the structure, the flow sensors including at least one flow bifurcation point sensor. The system further comprises at least one structural sensor attached to the structure for measurement of a structural parameter. A data processor in communication with the flow sensors and the at least one structural sensor is configured for processing the data signals and for generating and transmitting one or more actuator command signals to effect a desired flow and structural state for the structure. The system also comprises at least one actuator in communication with the data processor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating off coloring components from aqueous plant extracts in which magnesium ions (Mg2+) are added to the plant extract, at least one alkaline component is added to the plant extract, a precipitate is formed, and the precipitate formed is separated off from the plant extract.

Abstract: A pipelayer having an undercarriage with at least two tracks and a main assembly. Each track has a track frame coupled to the undercarriage and a track shoe supported by and movable around the track frame. The main assembly is supported by and rotatable relative to the undercarriage, and has a main frame, a boom pivotally mounted to the main frame, an operator cab, and a cab riser connecting the operator cab to the main frame. The cab riser is operable to selectively raise and lower the operator cab relative to the main frame. Also provided is a movable cab assembly having an operator cab, an adjustment mechanism to connect the cab to a vehicle frame and move to change the operator's view, and a guide to align the cab. A method for laying pipe using a pipelayer having a movable cab is also provided.

Abstract: Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide containing extracellular domains and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R2 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R2 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide comprising extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or a different GPCR.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular taste stimulus in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R64 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments provide a method, system, and device for identifying chemical species in a sample. According to one embodiment, the method, system, and device may include introducing a sample gas into a differential ion mobility device, ionizing at least a portion of the sample gas to generate at least one ion species, filtering the at least one ion species between a pair of filter electrodes, generating a detection signal in response to the at least one ion species depositing a charge on a collector electrode, and detecting a spectral peak associated with the at least one ion species.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with exemplary embodiments for assisting cargo onto and from elevators. The system may include deck subsystems comprising rollers, a motor, and a gearbox. The motor may drive the gearbox which may drive the rollers to assist in loading cargo onto an elevator and/or assist in unloading cargo from an elevator. Deck subsystems may be located on multiple deck levels. The system may include an elevator subsystem having rollers. The deck subsystem may include a telescopic driveshaft which may extend and drive the rollers on the elevator subsystem to assist in loading and/or unloading cargo onto and from the elevator subsystem.