Abstract: Transmembrane V-ATPase proton pump complexes regulate pH of extracellular space or intracellular compartments of cells. V-ATPase complexes are ubiquitous in cells across species. A human orthologue of yeast vma21, LOC203547 (VMA21), is likely involved in the assembly of the V-ATPase. Hypomorphic mutations of VMA21 are identified from XMEA patients. Methods to diagnose and/or distinguish between different forms of vacuolar or vacuolated myopathy in an individual or patient are provided based either on the sequence of the VMA21 gene and/or the level and/or activity of the V-ATPase complex. Compositions of the present invention may comprise DNA, RNA, or protein molecules corresponding to all or a portion of VMA21 and including one or more of the mutations in VMA21 identified. Cultured cells or cell lines having one or more mutations in the VMA21 gene derived from patients having a form of vacuolar or vacuolated myopathy are provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for controlling user access to a service having a read device (210) arranged to contactlessly read a payment card (211) of a user; and a control block (214) coupled to an entry gate (202), the control block arranged to determine whether online payment authorization should be requested for the payment card, wherein if it is determined that online payment authorization should be requested, the control block is arranged to allow the user access to the service prior to completing an online payment authorization for the payment card.

Abstract: Disclosed are microcapsules and processes of microencapsulation of water soluble or water dispersible compounds by reverse-phase microencapsulation and ways to combine them with other oil soluble or oil dispersible compounds in suitable formulations that yield tiny microcapsules and a very homogeneous distribution of particle size. Multiple combinations of these reverse-phase microcapsules are disclosed, including in combination with normal-phase microcapsules in order to create a Capsule Mixed Suspension (CX) where an outer oil phase or, alternatively, a water phase contains microcapsules of two types: those with a core of water and active ingredients dissolved or dispersed therein, and those with a core of oil and active ingredients dissolved or dispersed therein. Water Dispersible Granules (WDG) and Emulsion Concentrates (EC) and Suspension Concentrates (SC) combinations with the reverse phase microcapsules are also successfully performed.

Abstract: An audio and/or video media content providing device includes a controller, such as a server, that is responsive to RFID tag based information obtained from a remote RFID enabled media object. The controller is operative to facilitate access to media content associated with a stored periodically changing media content list. For example, a content registry database may be periodically updated through a suitable user interface to change a link between content identification information read from a remote RFID enabled media object, with media application information so that the same RFID tag may allow the downloading of different media. The link between the content ID and the media ID may be dynamically changed through the controller. This may be advantageous, to provide for example, a Top 10 song card or other RFID enabled object that stays the same but can be used to securely download different media over time.

Abstract: A method of producing hexose oxidase by recombinant DNA technology, recombinant hexose oxidase and the use of such enzyme, in particular in the manufacturing of food products such as doughs and dairy products, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, dental care products and in the manufacturing of lactones. Suitable sources of DNA coding for the enzyme are marine algal species including Chondrus crispus, Iridophycus flaccidum and Euthora cristata. In useful embodiments, the recombinant hexose oxidase is produced by Pichia pastoris, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or E. coli.

Abstract: A system that includes a graphical user interface that may be used to access information contained in a database is provided. The graphical user interface includes a matrix of icons that correspond to textual excerpts. A textual excerpt is displayed above the matrix and the displayed textual excerpt changes as a user moves a pointing device over the icons. The user may perform searches of character strings contained in the textual excerpts. The color of the icons that correspond to textual excerpts that satisfy the search request is different from the color of the remaining icons. The interface also allows the user to rapidly and efficiently perform searches to retrieve information from the database.

Abstract: A repair roller may include a cylinder with components that may have an outer surface, an inner surface and end surfaces. Each of the end surfaces may include a mating portion and outer portions that extend from the ends of the mating portion. A pair of complementary interlocking elements may be disposed within the mating portion for secure engagement of the components.

Abstract: A sealant composition for the sealing of a punctured tire including a liquid carrier, one or more viscosity and suspending agents, one or more fillers and sealants, and one or more polyacrylates.

Abstract: A multi-piece interconnected body for use in at least structural support and/or in creating internal cavities for an improved strength-to-weight ratio in a variety of structures is nestable prior to its assembly and use. When assembled, the device preferably forms a generally spherical and hollow body, with (1) one or more ribs or similar structural support network associated with and/or integrally formed in the body; (2) at least one latch mechanism to help hold the pieces in a desired assembled relationship with each other; and (3) a hinge or other interconnecting element that facilitates nesting and/or stacking of a plurality of the bodies with each other prior to assembly, association of the multiple parts of each body with each other prior to assembly, and ready repositioning of those parts into a desired assembled position.

Abstract: Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or small hairpin RNA (shRNAs) and compositions comprising same are provided that specifically target human cyclophilin A (CyPA) to effectively inhibit Hepatitis C (HCV) infection in a cell. Such siRNA and shRNAs may have a length of from about 19 to about 29 contiguous nucleotides corresponding to a specific region of human cyclophilin A (CyPA) cDNA of from about nucleotide 155 to about nucleotide 183 having particular potency against CyPA and HCV. Such siRNA and shRNAs may be formulated as naked compositions or as pharmaceutical compositions. DNA polynucleotides, plasmids, and viral or non-viral vectors are also provided that encode siRNA or shRNA molecules, which may be delivered directly to cells or in combination with known delivery agents, such as lipids, polymers, encapsulated lipid particles, such as liposomes. Methods for treating, managing inhibiting, preventing, etc., HCV infection using such siRNA and shRNAs and compositions comprising same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, device, and software program for providing entertainment by way of an interactive device. The device receives environmental data by way of at least one of a plurality of sensors, optionally stores that data in a datastore, determines the presence of an event by comparing that data to previously received and stored data, and performs a conspicuous act in response to the detection of an event. In addition to performing a conspicuous act, the device can send a transmission by way of a transmission device, thereby communicating with another device or a remote network. The device auto-initiates at least one conspicuous action and modifies behavior based on responses thereto. Because multiple inputs are received, the present invention can assign priorities to the inputs, executing resulting processes in their order of priority.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit comprising: a first random-access data storage element, a processing module designed to delete the first storage element, and an access terminal which is connected to the processing module and receives a first power signal supplied by a first power source external to the electronic circuit. The circuit also includes a second random-access storage element in which a key is stored, said key being used to encrypt the data and a second power source which is built into the electronic circuit and supplies a second power signal to the processing module. The processing module is designed to detect an unauthorized access attempt by comparing the first and second power signals and to delete the key when the processing module is powered by the second power source.

Abstract: A document to be segmented is converted into a common representation format, if necessary. Parsing of the document results in a document model that is analyzed based on at least one structure-dependent function to identify segments within the document. In one embodiment, the structure-dependent function may comprise a template, or a best-fit template of a plurality of templates, used for comparison with the document model. In other embodiments, the structure-dependent function may comprise table of contents information, font properties within the document model and/or an average segment size determined according to previously identified segments in one or more additional documents that are related to the document under consideration. Semantic-content dependent functions may be applied to further refine the analysis by identifying sub-segments within the extracted segments, or by identifying segments that may be properly merged according to the similarity of their respective semantic content.

Abstract: The multi-aperture system of the present invention provides a retinal oximetry apparatus for determining the level of oxygen saturation in retinal vessels using a lenslet array comprising at least seven lenses for the simultaneous measurement of reflected light with at least three wavelengths and at least four polarization states. The multi-aperture system of the present invention further provides an apparatus for determining the level of oxygen saturation in retinal vessels using a lenslet array comprising at least ten lenses for the simultaneous measurement of reflected light with at least three wavelengths for oxygen measurement, at least three wavelengths for melanin content, and at least four polarization states. Methods of operating the same are also provided.

Abstract: In relation to an entity such as a business having customers, a determination is made of at least one incremental satisfaction improvement value associated with increasing customer satisfaction of at least one customer by a fixed increment relative to a satisfaction scale. Based on the at least one incremental satisfaction improvement value, decision support data corresponding to a plurality of customer satisfaction improvement techniques is then determined, which decision support data may be presented in any desirable manner such as on a display device.

Abstract: Selective insect neonicotinoids is a class of pesticide active ingredients that share some characteristics in their chemical structures and bind to the nAChR acetylcholine receptors. Formulation of such compounds in oil suspension or oil dispersion is challenging due to their electrostatic interactions of the heteroatoms in oily media, that lead to irreversible flocculation or diminished homogeneicity and bleeding of such oil dispersions. Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Thiachloprid, Nitenpyram, Acetamiprid, Clothianidin and Dinetofuran and derivatives thereof with nAChR binding ability are successfully formulated in oil suspension with the use of certain copolymeric anionic fatty-acid based dispersants, sorbitan derivatives, ionic surfactants, other non-ionic surfactants and inorganic polyvalent cationic salt dispersed in the oil.