Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a data storage device that stores a user registration information item and/or user group registration information item as address book data; a communication processing section that receives a registration request message described in XML so as to include a plurality of user registration information items and/or user group registration information items; a SOAP processing section that extracts, when the communication processing section receives the registration request message from a client apparatus, each of the plurality of user registration information items and/or user group registration information items that are specified in the registration request message; and a control section that registers the user registration information item and/or user group registration information item that are extracted from the SOAP processing section in the address book data.

Abstract: A nutritional or therapeutic composition for oral administration which comprises a naturally occurring precursor that is metabolised to a compound having anandamide activity for use as a medicament or nutritive product. In addition the invention includes a method of production of the composition, use of the composition in the manufacture of a nutritional composition for the treatment or prevention of a behavioral disorder; and a method of treatment or prevention of a behavioral disorder which comprises administering an effective amount of the composition. In a preferred embodiment the composition comprises a triacylglycerol having palmitate and arachidonate attached to its backbone wherein arachidonate is at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus adapted to deliver a fat based confectionery product on demand, in a foodservice or household environment, which exhibits play value and enhanced decorative attributes. The apparatus of the invention comprises barrel means for receiving a predetermined amount of fat based confectionery material, a pressure engaging means for engaging under pressure the fat based confectionery material contained in the barrel means. The apparatus further comprises die means arranged for producing at least one elongated strand of the fat based confectionery product of a surface-area-to-mass ratio that is higher than 8.0 cm2 per gram unit, and control means for actuating the pressure engaging means with the barrel means upon the push of a button and for extruding the at least one strand of the fat based confectionery.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes: (i) a fluid cassette including diaphragm operated first and second pump chambers; (ii) a first pressure sensor operable with the first pump chamber; (iii) a second pressure sensor operable with the second pump chamber; and (iv) a to-patient port of the cassette in fluid communication with the first and second pump chambers, wherein the first pressure sensor is located between the first pump chamber and the to-patient port and the second pressure sensor is located between the second pump chamber and the to-patient port.

Abstract: An optical device includes: a light guide plate receiving, for each of N types of wavelength bands, a plurality of parallel light beams with different incident angles each corresponding to view angles, and guiding the received parallel light beams; a first and a second volume hologram gratings of reflection type having a diffraction configuration which includes N types of interference fringes each corresponding to the N types of wavelength bands, and diffracting/reflecting the parallel light beams. The optical device satisfies for each wavelength band, a relationship of ‘P>L’, where ‘L’ represents a central diffraction wavelength in the first and second volume hologram gratings, defined for a parallel light beam corresponding to a central view angle, and ‘P’ represents a peak wavelength of the parallel light beams.

Abstract: A method to determine the utility of small molecules as functional replacements (mimetics) for protein receptor ligands is described. The method uses cellular biological assays on a systematic array of compounds, comprising known protein receptor ligands and other biologically active molecules to determine if a proposed small molecule is a functional equivalent of a receptor ligand, having therapeutic utility as a pharmaceutically relevant and useful agent either alone or in combination with other molecules. Furthermore, the invention provides for a method for the treatment of cancer comprising administering a combination of ET-18-O-CH3 and an anti-cancer agent.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a liquid crystal layer is interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate; a first electrode having a linear portion formed in the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer; a second electrode having a linear portion formed adjacent to the first electrode; an insulating film disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode; a third electrode disposed on the insulting film correspond to the linear portion of the first electrode; and a fourth electrode disposed on the insulting film correspond to the linear portion of the second electrode. In the liquid crystal display, a voltage different from those of the second electrode and the third electrode is applied to the first electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode are partially notched in the width direction of the linear portion in at least one side edge of the linear portion.

Abstract: Methods of providing a private placement document to a potential investor in a private placement. The methods may comprise the step of generating the private placement document in an encrypted electronic format. The private placement document may include a unique identifier. The methods may also comprise the steps of providing the private placement document to the potential investor, and recording the unique identifier.

Abstract: A system capable of charging up electronic money cards using a credit card is provided. A PIN is authenticated between a card terminal and the credit card. The card terminal transmits to a credit company server an authentication result, amount information indicating an amount with which to charge up, and a credit card number of the credit card. After billing, the credit company server transmits the amount information and the credit card number to an electronic money server. The electronic money server identifies an electronic money card based on the credit card number. The electronic money server generates amount change information for adding the amount with which to charge up to “VALUE”, and transmits the amount change information to the card terminal. The electronic money card updates the amount of “VALUE” stored therein to an amount specified by the amount change information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light detection device including, at least, a substrate provided with a plurality of detection regions where to perform detection of fluorescent light emitted from the inside of a sample upon irradiation of the sample with light, a light irradiation section operable to perform the irradiation with light, an optical control section configured to irradiate the detection regions with the light radiated from the light irradiation section, and a light detection section operable to detect the fluorescent light.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system including (i) an instrument; (ii) first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps operated by the instrument; (iii) a cassette including a rigid structure and first and second dialysate pumping tubes carried by the rigid structure; and (iv) a mechanism configured to initially allow the cassette to be accepted by the dialysis instrument after which the mechanism engages the first and second dialysate pumping tubes for operation with the first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit part such as, for example, a bit body, roller cone, or mud nozzle includes a hybrid cemented carbide composite. The hybrid cemented carbide includes a cemented carbide dispersed phase, and a cemented carbide continuous phase. A method of manufacture also is disclosed.

Abstract: A display device for spreading a turkey's tail feathers in a fan-like display is provided. The device consists of an elongated shank having two opposing ends, and two quill clips located one at each of the two opposing ends of said shank having grooves that snap onto the quills near the base of two or more of the turkey's outer tail feathers located to either opposite side of the hub. When installed, the device is invisible to view. An adjustable joint may be provided to enable adjusting a version of the shank having two arms to a certain angle to optimize the turkey fan display. A mounting mechanism may further be provided for mounting an object to the turkey fan display such as the beard, or a pole for use of the fan as a decoy in the field.

Abstract: Anti-lentivirus vaccines and immunotherapeutics and methods for preparing and using same are disclosed. The vaccines and immunotherapeutics are produced using non-immunosuppressive lentivirus trans-activator of transcription (Tat) proteins. An associated in vitro ultra-sensitive macrophage Tat bioassay is disclosed for assessing the immunosuppressive qualities of the lentivirus Tat preparations of the present invention. Additionally, a related long-term T4 cell propagation system for characterizing lentivirus Tat is also disclosed. The present invention has additional utility in the treatment and prevention of AIDS.

Abstract: An anti-glare film is provided and includes micro concave/convex portions on a surface. An average interval between the micro concave and convex portions is equal to 300 ?m or less. A differentiation with respect to angle d{Log(I(?))}/d? of a logarithm intensity of reflection Log(I(?)) in a direction of a deviation angle ? from a direction of specular reflection has an extreme value. A differentiation d{Log(P(?)}/d? of a histogram P(?) to an inclination angle ? of the micro concave/convex portions has an extreme value. In the anti-glare film 1, a value C(2.0) of transmitted image clarity measured by using an optical comb of a comb width of 2 mm in accordance with JIS-K7105 is equal to 30% or more, and a ratio C(0.125)/C(2.0) of the value C(2.0) measured by using the optical comb of the comb width of 2 mm and a value C(0.125) measured by using an optical comb having a comb width of 0.125 mm is equal to 0.1 or more.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided that includes a plurality of batteries, a connection substrate being connected to the plurality of batteries, a circuit substrate for connecting an external electronic device, and a connection member for connecting the connection substrate and the circuit substrate. Each battery has a drawer portion for leading out a cathode terminal and an anode terminal provided at a same side of the battery. The drawer portion has wall portions standing against the drawer portion so that the side portions of the drawer portion are opposed each other. The plurality of batteries are arranged in row so that the drawer portion of the plurality of batteries face to a same direction. A part of the connection substrate is disposed on the drawer portion of the battery. The rim of the connection substrate is provided with cutouts to let the wall portions disposed therein.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing cardiovascular-related disease and, in particular, a method of blood lipid therapy comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising eicosapentaenoic acid or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) in a laser ring is chosen to provide low polarization-dependent gain (PDG) and a booster semiconductor optical amplifier, outside of the ring, is chosen to provide high polarization-dependent gain. The use of a semiconductor optical amplifier with low polarization-dependent gain nearly eliminates variations in the polarization state of the light at the output of the laser, but does not eliminate the intra-sweep variations in the polarization state at the output of the laser, which can degrade the performance of the SS-OCT system.