Abstract: A system for and method of variable annuity contract administration is provided. Each variable annuity contract includes a bonus investment credit percentage, withdrawal charge percentages less than or equal to the bonus investment credit percentage in all contract years, and level asset-based compensation to distributors. In accordance with the invention, data relating to variable annuity contracts are stored in a memory means. A processing means is configured to read and manipulate the stored data to administer the variable annuity contracts from issuance to payout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing methanol from a methane source by oxidizing methane under conditions sufficient to a mixture of methanol and formaldehyde while minimizing the formation of formic acid and carbon dioxide. The oxidation step is followed by treatment step in which formaldehyde is converted into methanol and formic acid which itself can further be converted into methanol via catalytic hydrogenation of intermediately formed methyl formate.

Abstract: Perfuming or flavoring microcapsules that include, further to a perfuming or flavoring ingredient and a carrier material, an explosion suppressant, proved to undergo, when suspended in hot air during their preparation, an explosion of a reduced violence. The explosion suppressant is selected from C1 to C12 carboxylic acids, their salts and mixtures of these.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and clear oil-in-water microemulsion containing up to 80% w/w of an oil, a surfactant system, a w/w oil/surfactant system ratio between 1 and 3, and a solubilizing-aid ingredient which is not a surfactant neither a VOC compound, the latter being present in an amount sufficient to ensure that the ratio oil/(surfactant+solubilizing aid) is comprised between 0.1 and 5. The present invention concerns also the articles and products associated the compositions and microemulsions, and the methods to manufacture them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of perfumery and concerns a diether or a 1,3-dioxolane derivative of 1,8a-methano-2,4a,8,8-tetramethyldecahydro-2,3-naphthalenediol and its use as perfuming ingredient. The present invention concerns also the perfuming compositions or perfumed articles associated with the compound.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system along with a processor readable medium for structuring a financial transaction.

Abstract: A method for making substrates for use in optics, electronics, or opto-electronics. The method may include transferring a seed layer onto a receiving support and depositing a useful layer onto the seed layer. The thermal expansion coefficient of the receiving support may be identical to or slightly larger than the thermal expansion coefficient of the useful layer and the thermal expansion coefficient of the seed layer may be substantially equal to the thermal expansion coefficient of the receiving support. Preferably, the nucleation layer and the intermediate support have substantially the same chemical composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a substrate by transferring a layer of a material from a donor substrate to a support substrate, and then by removing a part of the layer of material to form the thin layer. The step of removing a part of the layer of material to form the thin layer comprises forming an amorphous layer in a part of the thin layer, and then recrystallizing the amorphous layer.

Abstract: An injection-moulding system for an injection-moulding machine including a clamping assembly, a temperature-adjusting system, and an ejector. The clamping assembly comprises two horizontal beams for mounting on the platens of the injection-moulding machine and two vertical beams for crosswise mounting on the horizontal beams in multiple positions. The clamping assembly allows dies of various sizes to be clamped in one and the same machine. The temperature-adjusting system includes at least one cooling tube for detachable insertion into a blind hole formed in the die. The cooling tube is attached to coolant conduits which are permanently attached to a source of coolant. Dies can thereby be replaced quickly and easily without spilling any coolant. The ejector is adapted to eject the cooled product after opening of the die. The injector pins are in an inexpensive way glued to the ejector plate. Use of the injection-moulding system provides considerable cost savings over conventional devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to peptides derived from the natural cytotoxicity receptors on natural killer (NK) cells and to antibodies against peptide epitopes on these receptors. In particular, the present invention identifies an essential epitope in the proximal domain of NKp46 and NKp44 receptors present on NK cells, as a crucial element for the binding to viral-infected cells. The present invention provides peptides that are derived from the amino acid sequence of NKp46 receptor, capable of specific targeting of viral-infected cells and tumor cells and monoclonal antibodies which recognize a specific domain of NKp46. The present invention further provides hyperglycosylated peptides that are derived from the NKp44 receptor, capable of specific targeting of viral-infected cells.

Abstract: A massager (12) includes an inductively chargeable battery (48), avoiding the need to deal with batteries and cords while providing a pleasant exothermic warmth. Different embodiments of sealing and skinning (13) make the massager (12) hygienically safe and fluid- and water-resistant. Sophisticated controls (50) provide the massager with the ability to respond to direct-mounted user controls (20, 22), wireless communication controls such as remote controls (30) and a plethora of other protocol-compatible devices, systems and media. A mating base (14) supports the massager (12) for inductive charging in a stable, aesthetically pleasant and safe relationship.

Abstract: An agitator for applying an alternating field to a melting furnace main body in order to melt a row material to form a melt includes a plurality of magnets, which are arranged so that magnetic lines of force emitted from one of the magnets pass through the melt in the melting furnace main body and return to another magnet, the magnets being fixed to an inclined surface which is inclined by an angle with respect to a horizontal surface, and being rotatable around an axis substantially perpendicular to the inclined surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pentose and pentose derivatives that are effective at increasing glucose transport in a non-insulin dependent manner, and to uses thereof for a) treating and/or preventing hyperglycemia; b) treating and/or preventing the complications of hyperglycemia; c) treating diabetes; d) increasing the rate of cellular glucose transport; e) increasing the rate of cellular glucose uptake; f) improving the ability of a subject to metabolize glucose; g) treating daily blood glucose fluctuations; h) reducing blood sugar levels; i) reducing the dosage of anti-diabetic medication needed for treatment of diabetes. The present invention further provides novel pentose derivatives having beneficial properties in terms of pharmacokinetics, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these novel compounds and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blow head for producing blown tubular films from thermoplastic materials. Films produced by conventional blow heads often have dull strips or wavy areas, the so-called spiral strips. The aim of the invention is to avoid these negative film properties. For this purpose, the blow head comprises a plurality of annular gap-shaped melt channels arranged concentrically around the center axis of the blow head, the spiral distributor of the inner melt channel being arranged on the inner limiting wall in relation to the center axis of the blow head and the spiral distributor of the outer melt channel being arranged on the outer limiting wall in relation to the center axis of the blow head.

Abstract: An airflow shaper for use in an air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The airflow shaper includes a body including a substantially central axis and a raised central region formed on the body. The raised central region transitions an impinging axial airflow into a substantially radial airflow or transitions an impinging radial airflow into a substantial axial airflow.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for monitoring the synthesis of proteins by the ribosome in real time, in vivo as well as in in-vitro. The ribosome is engineered to carry a donor fluorophore, and tRNA and/or amino acids and/or some other part of the ribosome are either engineered to carry acceptor fluorophores or else their natural fluorescent properties are utilized as acceptors. As the ribosomes mechanism processed the mRNA and tRNA molecules and synthesizes a polypeptide chain, a light source illuminates the ribosome, exciting the donor fluorophores and thereby the acceptor fluorophores whenever these are in sufficient proximity to a donor. The resulting signals are detected and used as a key for real-time database searching and identification of the protein being synthesized. The resulting data can be tabulated and interpreted in different ways. FIG. (1) describes the properties of a FRET pair and the dependence of FRET on pair distance.

Abstract: Semiconductor wafers having a thin layer of strained semiconductor material. These structures include a substrate; an oxide layer upon the substrate; a silicon carbide (SiC) layer upon the oxide layer, and a strained layer of a semiconductor material in a strained state upon the silicon carbide layer, or a matching layer upon the donor substrate that is made from a material that induces strain in subsequent epitaxially grown layers thereon; a strained layer of a semiconductor material of defined thickness in a strained state; and an insulating or semi-insulating layer upon the strained layer in a thickness that retains the strained state of the strained layer. The insulating or semi-insulating layers are made of silicon carbide or oxides and act to retain strain in the strained layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a structure produced from semiconductor materials, wherein the structure includes a first and second substrates defining a common interface that has defects. The method includes forming a layer, called the disorganized layer, which includes the interface, in which at least a part of the crystal lattice is disorganized; and reorganizing the crystal lattice of the disorganized layer in order to force the defects back deeper into the first substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use in the prevention and treatment of burn induced compartment syndrome facilitates the rapid and efficient deployment of enzymatic compositions to the affected limb or limbs of a burn victim suffering from a circumferential burn. The apparatus includes a flexible, water-impermeable generally cylindrical covering layer. The covering layer has an inner surface facing the limb and an outer surface. The covering layer has a proximal sealable open end through which the burned limb is inserted and a distal closed end. An enzymatic escharotomy agent is contained within the covering layer. The covering layer retains the enzymatic escharotomy agent in close proximity to the burned limb, and the apparatus is enclosed within a sterile sealed package evacuated from moisture.

Abstract: The invention relates to regenerative, supported amine sorbents that includes an amine or an amine/polyol composition deposited on a nano-structured support such as nanosilica. The sorbent provides structural integrity, as well as high selectivity and increased capacity for efficiently capturing carbon dioxide from gas mixtures, including the air. The sorbent is regenerative, and can be used through multiple operations of absorption-desorption cycles.