Abstract: A method for producing an organic acid and/or an organic acid ester which utilizes a steam system permitting stable production of an organic acid and/or an organic acid ester and realizing a high thermal efficiency constantly relative to the waste heat generated in the process of the production is provided. More particularly, this invention concerns a method for the production of an organic acid and/or an organic acid ester, wherein heat generated in the process for producing an organic acid and/or an organic acid ester is recovered in the form of steam, and the steam is used in any of the following forms: {circle around (1)} thermal energy, {circle around (2)} dynamic energy, and {circle around (3)} electrical energy in the process for producing an organic acid and/or an organic acid ester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to epothilon derivatives and to their use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for individually exercising one or more parameters of hand movement such as range, speed, fractionation and strength in a virtual reality environment and for providing performance-based interaction with the user to increase user motivation while exercising. The present invention can be used for rehabilitation of neuromotor disorders, such as a stroke. A first input device senses position of digits of the hand of the user while the user is performing an exercise by interacting with a virtual image. A second input device provides force feedback to the user and measures position of the digits of the hand while the user is performing an exercise by interacting with a virtual image. The virtual images are updated based on targets determined for the user's performance in order to provide harder or easier exercises.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for printing an extruded sheet in which ink is applied over the extruded sheet. The extruded sheet is at an elevated temperature. The ink cures immediately upon contact with the extruded sheet having an elevated temperature. In one embodiment, at least one print roller applies a background color to the sheet and a plurality of print rollers apply one or more additional colors for forming a pattern or image on the sheet. For example, the pattern or image can have a wood grain appearance. The extruded sheet can be sized for use as a vinyl siding product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved controlled delivery system that can be incorporated in soap bars to enhance deposition of active ingredients and sensory markers onto skin. The carrier system also provides controlled release or prolonged release of these actives from the skin over an extended period of time. The controlled delivery system of the present invention comprises substantially free-flowing, powder formed of solid hydrophobic, positively charged, nanospheres of encapsulated active ingredients, that are encapsulated in moisture sensitive microspheres. The high cationic charge density of the nanosphere improves deposition of active ingredients onto skin.

Abstract: The present invention further provides a device for the integrated micromanipulation, amplification, and analysis of polarized particles such as DNA comprises a microchip which contains constrictions of insulating material for dielectrophoresis powered by an alternating current or direct current signal generator, and attached to a hot source that can be heated to specific temperatures. Nucleic acids can be heated and cooled to allow for denaturation, and the annealing of complementary primers and enzymatic reactions, as in a thermocycling reaction. After such a reaction has been completed at the constriction, the dielectrophoretic field can be switched to a direct field to release the product and direct it through a matrix for fractionation. The device includes data analysis equipment for the control of these operations, and imaging equipment for the analysis of the products.

Abstract: The present application discloses a lithium-ion battery using heat-activatable microporous membrane which comprises a hot-melt adhesive, an engineering plastics, a tackifier and a filler. It also discloses methods of preparing such microporous membrane and the lithium-ion batteries. The battery built with the use of the microporous membrane of the present invention shows high rate capability, long cycle life, and low as well as stable impedance during charge-discharge cycling. The microporous membrane of the present invention also shows thermal shutdown behavior.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting defects within an integrated circuit in which one or more parameters of a classifier are determined by graphical evaluation of IDDQ current measurements. Parameters of the classifier can include a number of bands for a good integrated circuit, a width of a band for a good chip, a width ratio between any two bands for a good integrated circuit, a separation between bands for a good integrated circuit, a separation ratio between any two bands for a good integrated circuit, a maximum slope for a good band, a variation in a band width for a good band, a maximum IDDQ value for a chip, a minimum IDDQ value for a chip, a mean of a band of a chip, a standard deviation of a band of a chip, a lack of activity of IDDQ measurements conducted in the integrated circuit, noise in the IDDQ measurements conducted in the integrated circuit and glitches in the IDDQ measurements conducted in the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method and system to prevent the accidental reattachment of a spark plug wire or battery terminal wire during maintenance and/or repair of the motor is particularly well suited for use with small 2 and 4 stroke internal combustion engines used in lawn mowers, chain saws, gardening equipment, etc. Once the wire is detached from the spark plug or battery terminal, the a non-wired (“dummy”) boot is snapped over the spark plug or battery terminal thereby preventing accidental contact of the wire to the spark plug or battery terminal due to the memory of the wire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controlled release system useful for site specific delivery of biologically active ingredients or sensory markers, over an extended period of time, targeting biological surfaces comprising the oral cavity and mucous membranes of various tissues, as well as the controlled release of the biological active ingredients or sensory markers. The controlled release system of the present invention is a nano-particle, having an average particle diameter of from about 0.01 microns to about 10 microns, which comprises a biodegradable solid hydrophobic core and a bioadhesive/mucoadhesive positively charged surface. The invention also relates to the use of the nano-particles of the present invention in consumer oral hygiene products, such as toothpaste or mouthwash, for treatment and prevention of periodontal disease. The nano-particles of the present invention are particularly effective for targeted controlled delivery of biological active ingredients into the periodontal pocket.

Abstract: A method for distilling a raw material liquid containing (meth)acrylic acid substantially free from azeotropic solvents, collected with a collection agent from a mixed gas obtained by gas phase catalytic oxidation reactions which includes feeding to a distillation column the raw material liquid which temperature is substantially equal to that of the entrance place in the column.

Abstract: 1,4,7,10-Tetrazacyclododecanes carrying a side chain terminating in a group capable of reacting with an antibody, and their complexes with a di- or tripositive metal having a coordination number of 6 or more can be used to prepare imaging agents. Typical metals are indium, copper, lead, bismuth, yttrium, terbium, gadolinium, and scandium. The compounds can be reacted with a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody or antibody fragment to target the metal to a specific type of tissue.

Abstract: In hybrid communication environments, in which both the wired and wireless communication links in a communication channel can exist in a communication channel, performance of a quality-of-service (QoS) provision can be enhanced if the application knows whether there exist wireless links in the communication channel and adapts its behavior accordingly. The system of the present invention includes a fuzzy reasoning engine which uses quality of service parameters of a communication channel relating to network statistical patterns as fuzzy inputs, and determines a confidence about the existence of wireless links in the communication channel as the output. The quality of service parameters can include a mean value and variance of round trip time of packets communicating between two communication entities over the comunication channel. Based on the determination of the type of link, the application can be adapted in order to provide a predetermined quality of service.

Abstract: When the reaction solution formed during the addition of an alkylene oxide to an active hydrogen-containing compound has viscosity of not less than 10 mPa·s, this invention provides a method for stirring the reaction solution by the rotation of a vane or vanes continuously disposed in the vertical direction within an agitating reaction vessel in such a manner that the numerical value C represented by the following formula (1): C=A/(h2−h1)  (1) (wherein A denotes the length (m) of the vane or the vanes newly immersed by the supply of alkylene oxide, h1 denotes the height (m) of the liquid level before the supply of alkylene oxide, and h2 denotes the height (m) of the liquid level after the supply of alkylene oxide) may be not less than 0.5. By employing the method of this invention, it is made possible to effect addition of an alkylene oxide to the active hydrogen-containing compound with high efficiency.

Abstract: A pneumatic material delivery gun with removable material cartridge attached (100) is used with a high-pressure air source (not shown) which is coupled to mechanical fitting (202). The removable material cartridge (300) can be easily and rapidly attached and detached to the pneumatic material delivery gun (200) in only a few seconds.

Abstract: A process for separating substrates in liquid crystal display is disclosed. The process for separating substrates in liquid crystal display includes step of providing a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first and second substrates being combined together by seal, forming a scribing line on the first substrate, and separating the first substrate into at least two parts along the scribing line by exerting air pressure upon the second substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved controlled delivery system that can be incorporated in dry granular, or powder, fabric care products, such as laundry detergents, tumble dryer sheets, rinse added products, and other fabric care products, to enhance fragrance performance. The controlled delivery system of the present invention comprises substantially free-flowing, powder formed of solid hydrophobic, positively charged, nano-spheres of encapsulated active ingredients, such as a fragrance, that are encapsulated in a moisture sensitive micro-spheres, solid spheres. The high cationic charge density of the nano-sphere improves fragrance deposition onto the laundered fabric.