Abstract: The invention relates to a simple and high yield process for producing a regenerated silk fibroin which does not need dialysis. Particularly, a process of the invention is characterized in that the silk fibroin is precipitated by applying a shear stress and/or changing the solvent power of the fibroin solution. The process of the invention simplifies the process of producing silk fibroin and greatly shortens the process time to 1 to 2 hours, whereas the conventional dialysis process is complex and needs around 2 to 3 days. In addition to reducing the time needed, the process of the invention can increase productivity of silk fibroin by at least 8%.

Abstract: A color adjustment apparatus comprises an input unit for receiving an input operation, a color adjustment display segment for displaying orthogonal coordinate systems between a pre color adjustment hue axis and an adjustment target axis indicative of a degree of adjustment of a hue, saturation, or lightness and an adjustment line indicative of a relationship between before color adjustment and after color adjustment on the orthogonal coordinate systems, an adjustment line changing unit for changing the adjustment line in response to an operation by the input unit, and a color adjustment unit for adjusting a hue, saturation, and lightness of a target image in correspondence with the adjustment line changed by the adjustment line changing unit.

Abstract: System and methods for a connection proxy server are described. According to an example method described herein, a connection proxy server stores subscription, product tables as well as other downloads that are provided to a client terminal during initialization stage as well as later during a trading session. Upon detecting that a connection between the client terminal and a gateway is lost, the connection proxy maintains a communication session created for the client terminal at the gateway and receives data intended for the client terminal. If the connection is re-established between the client terminal and the gateway during a predetermined period of time, the connection proxy provides the stored data to the client terminal thus avoiding a surge in processing resources at the gateway due to the necessary downloads.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of indene-based thiazolidinethiones are provided comprising contacting 1-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-ol, or a substituted derivative thereof, with an acid under suitable reaction conditions to provide a first intermediate; and contacting the first intermediate with an alkali xanthate in the presence of an alkali hydroxide under suitable reaction conditions to provide a compound of formula (III), wherein R1-R8 are defined herein.

Abstract: A separation process for separating two or more immiscible liquids using contactors utilizing high surface area vertical hanging fibers is disclosed. This separation process is especially useful in the separation of disulfide oil formed during the oxidation of spent caustic solution that was used to remove sulfur contaminates from light hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for displaying visual codes using structural components, and a system and method is described for modifying the visual codes.

Abstract: A player of a card game, such as poker, is presented with opportunities to replace one or more of the cards in his or her hand. The first such replacement may be free, but the player may incur a cost for each subsequent replacement. This cost may be based on how much the player is expected to benefit from the replacement. Facilitating these subsequent replacements may allow the player to improve a poor hand, thus enhancing the player's excitement of playing the card game.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the detection and treatment of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixed bed, for example for the isolation and/or purification of components originating from a biological system, which fixed bed comprises magnetic beads and a magnetizable fabric arranged at least in part in the fixed bed, a fluidized bed-fixed bed, which comprises the fixed bed of the invention after application of an alternating magnetic field, and also to a process for the isolation and/or purification of components originating from a biological system.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for adjusting a hardness of a nosepiece on a heads-up display. In one example, a wearable device is provided that includes a nosepiece comprising a coating and a fluid within the coating, wherein the fluid has an electrically-controllable hardness.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus has an image-forming mode during which an image is formed on a recording medium and a power-saving mode in which power consumption is reduced relative to in the image-forming mode, and comprises: a continuously-powered unit powered in the image-forming mode and the power-saving mode; and a non-continuously-powered unit powered in the image-forming mode but not in the power-saving mode, wherein the continuously-powered unit includes: a communication unit connected with an external network; a storage unit storing data input via the communication unit; and a processing unit performing processing based on data stored in the storage unit when the power-saving mode is switched to the image-forming mode.

Abstract: In one aspect, this disclosure provides a substrate for determining the concentration of an analyte within a sample. The substrate includes a conductive region and a recognition layer, the conductive region including at least one particle and having a first surface operatively coupled with the recognition layer, the recognition layer comprising at least one recognition molecule. The distance between the first surface of the conductive region and the recognition molecule is selected such that when the analyte is bound to the recognition layer the combination of the at least one particle and the analyte exhibits at least one of the following effects when radiation is directed through the conductive region and the recognition layer: (i) a particle plasmon effect, (ii) a particle bulk interband absorption, (iii) analyte molecular absorption, and (iv) absorption by the analyte-particle combination.

Abstract: Examples disclose systems and methods related to manufacturer submitted robot instructions. The method may be executable to receive from a robotic device an identifier of an object and based on the identifier, determine a manufacturer of the object, and identify in a database first instructions associated with the identifier of the object, wherein the manufacturer instructions may be associated with the manufacturer of the object and executable by the robotic device to interact with the object. The method may further be executable to send a query to the robotic device regarding an interaction between the robotic device and the object and receive a query response indicating information associated with an interaction between the robotic device and the object. Based on the query response, the method may be executable to identify second instructions executable to perform the interaction with the object and send the second instructions to the robotic device.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of microorganisms for the generation of ethanol from lignocellulosic waste materials. Yeast strains of the genus Kluyveromyces which have the capability to ferment cellulose, hexose sugars to ethanol are provided. Also provided are methods for converting cellulose, hexoses, or mixed hydrolysates of hexoses to ethanol by fermentation with Kluyveromyces strains. The invention also provides methods to isolate yeast strains which metabolize cellulose, pentoses, or hemicelluloses from waste materials.

Abstract: Players in a multi-state card game, such as blackjack or baccarat, are presented with opportunities to exchange their cards for new cards when the card game is in one or more particular states. These opportunities may include offers to redeal the player's hand of cards or redeal the player's opponent's hand of cards. Additionally, when the player is dealt a new card to be added to the player's hand, the player may be offered options to discard the new card, replace the new card with another new card, or to redeal the player's hand and/or the opponent's hand. In this way, the player may be able to improve his or her position in the card game. At the same time, the game provider may charge the player for acceptance of these offers, thus improving the profit margin of the game provider.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation decoupler for decoupling radiation in the wavelength range ?min to ?max. The decoupler has a first conductor layer in contact with a dielectric layer which comprises at least one area of absence and the thickness of the decoupler is less than ?min/4n, where n is the refractive index of the dielectric. The dielectric layer may be sandwiched between two conductor layers, one of which has the structure described above. The invention is also directed to methods of using and various articles comprising such a decoupler.

Abstract: An accounting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes an accounting unit, an occupancy time counting unit and a charge discounting unit. The accounting unit is configured to impose a charge for use of a device that is an object of accounting on the basis of the number of operations and/or an operation time of the device. The occupancy time counting unit is configured to count an occupancy time that the device has been exclusively used by a user. The charge discounting unit is configured to discount the charge for use of the device on the basis of the occupancy time.

Abstract: Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a coal and a gasification catalyst in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other higher hydrocarbons are formed. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.

Abstract: Information regarding the current state in the market is used to prevent orders from crossing. In an example provided herein, when an order is entered into a market, information regarding current positions in the market is taken into account to determine whether the order will cross with other orders. If the orders would cross, appropriate action is taken to prevent the crossing of orders in a way suitable for the person or persons trading. The teachings described herein may be used for any reason to prevent orders from crossing. Moreover, they may be used in other areas of trading to assist the trader in obeying any other rule or regulation that might involve analyzing current positions in the market before taking action.

Abstract: A system for administering promotions in which a player is awarded promotion credit to be consumed in wagering activities includes a credit administration facility that maintains a player credit account, and a display means capable of displaying a composition of the player credit account on a display means. The promotion credit is either one or both of a priori and a posteriori promotion credit. The credit administration facility automatically determines the composition of the player credit account as a function of any credit purchases made by the player, wagers made by the player and their corresponding payouts, and any promotion credit awarded to the player.