Abstract: A functional group-selective hydrogenation catalyst is provided, which is capable of selectively hydrogenating an aliphatic carbon-carbon double bond, aliphatic carbon-carbon triple bond, aromatic formyl group or aromatic nitro group contained in an organic compound. The catalyst includes a carrier, and palladium and an organic sulfur compound supported jointly thereon.

Abstract: Production process of chlorine dioxide stable solution that occurs in two phases of pH control, the first phase being an acid one and the second phase a basic one, with two distinct reactors, one for generation of chlorine dioxide and the other for stabilization, the first one being operated under vacuum and the second one under atmospheric pressure. The resulting solution then contains up to 6% chlorine dioxide that becomes active when pH is reduced to a range of 6.5 to 7.5 at the application moment.

Abstract: Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process comprising using ionic liquids for the polycondensation of 1,3-propanediol reactants to produce polytrimethylene ether glycol and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: An implantable device and a wireless communication integrated circuit (IC) implementable in the implantable device for communicating with a remote unit, wherein the communication IC is capable of self-initializing, namely initial booting without requiring an external general booting program to force the booting process. Moreover, the implantable device and the communication IC provide for checking of the validity and integrity of any program instructions received from the remote unit for the desired operation of the implantable device. The implantable device and the communication IC therein have power-saving capability in order to extend the operation of the implantable device between battery charges. A further embodiment provides a robust communication IC, whereby signal distortion or interference between the analog and digital components collectively residing on the same communication IC is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the production of ?-3 and/or ?-6 fatty acids in oleaginous yeast. Thus, desaturases and elongases able to catalyze the conversion of linoleic acid (LA) to ?-linolenic acid (GLA); ?-linoleic acid (ALA) to stearidonic acid (STA); GLA to dihomo-?-linoleic acid (DGLA); STA to eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA); DGLA to arachidonic acid (ARA); ETA to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); DGLA to ETA; EPA to docosapentaenoic acid (DPA); and ARA to EPA have been introduced into the genome of Yarrowia for synthesis of ARA and EPA.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the conditional or regulated expression of a site-specific recombinase using split intein-mediated protein splicing. This enhances the temporal and tissue-specificity of trait gene expression and allows for fine tuning of expression specificity.

Abstract: A multiple component spunbond web is provided in which the spunbond fibers are polymeric sheath-core fibers with a sheath made of a blend of polyethylene and an acid copolymer and a polyester or polyamide core. The spunbond webs can be thermally bonded have an improved combination of strength, softness, and heat sealability and can be used to prepare multi-layer composite sheets including spunbond-meltblown-spunbond fabrics suitable for use in medical garments and other end uses.

Abstract: Novel phosphine and phosphine oxide ligands are prepared using polymeric supports. These compounds can be easily cleaved from the support, and along with the corresponding supported compounds, used as ligands in the preparation of novel, metal-complexed catalysts.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode immersed in an electrolyte in the presence of a reductant and oxidant, wherein the distinguishing feature is that all of the elements of the fuel cell communicate freely with each other and there is no membrane or other separator between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermoplastic compositions comprising partially or fully neutralized carboxylic acid-based ionomers modified with rosin or rosin derivatives and, optionally, organic acids and salts thereof. Methods of preparing the thermoplastic compositions are also provided. The thermoplastic compositions exhibit higher hardness and stiffness than typical ionomer compositions. Also disclosed are golf balls, sporting equipment, and other non-sport articles comprising said thermoplastic compositions and methods for their preparation.

Abstract: A battery operated cable security seal for cargo containers and the like includes a housing with a transparent cover for visual inspection of illuminated internal green or red LEDs, the red LED representing a tampered state of a stranded metal locking cable, which has a length sufficient to secure the keeper bars and hasp of a cargo container door. The cable has an internal conductor whose conductivity, e.g., resistance, manifests a tampered condition when severed and also if reattached, e.g., by a solder or spliced joint and so on. The electrical continuity of the conductor is monitored by a circuit in one embodiment for a severed state, i.e., tampering, and whose resistance is monitored in a second embodiment correlated optionally to either or both ambient temperature and a battery output voltage. The seal housing has two compartments one being hermetically sealed and contains the circuitry and the other containing a cable locking device for receiving and locking the cable to the seal.

Abstract: A housing for an implantable medical device in the shape of a hollow magnetic field concentrating tube about which an electrically conductive wire coil is wound and within which medical device electronics is housed. The tube, preferably made of ferrite, is encased in a protective sleeve formed of a material that is impervious to body fluids. The coil provides an electrical output as a result of being exposed to a varying magnetic field that is concentrated around the coil by virtue of the field concentrating tube. The output of the coil is utilized as part of a power supply for the medical device electronics. The sleeve has a generally cylindrical cross-section having an outside diameter of about 3.175 mm and an axial length in the range of about 3.2 mm to 8 mm.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and materials to produce para-hydroxybenzoic acid in the stem tissue of transgenic green plants using a cellulose synthase promoter to operably express a gene encoding HCHL.

Abstract: A subscriber characterization system with filters in which the subscriber's selections are monitored, including monitoring of the time duration programming is watched, the volume at which the programming is listened to, and any available information regarding the type of programming, including category and sub-category of the programming. The raw subscriber selection data is then processed to eliminate data associated with irrelevant activities such as channel surfing, channel jumping, or extended periods of inactivity. The actual subscriber selection data is used to form program characteristics vectors. The programming characteristics vectors can be used in combination with the actual subscriber selection data to form a subscriber profile. Heuristic rules indicating the relationships between programming choices and demographics can be applied to generate additional probabilistic subscriber profiles regarding demographics and programming and product interests.

Abstract: This invention relates to plant defensin polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding them, and methods of use thereof. The invention also relates to a chimeric protein containing all or a portion of the plant defensin.

Abstract: An obstacle-detectable mobile robotic device includes a frame body capable of traveling on a surface, a control circuit mounted to the frame body for controlling the traveling manner and direction of the frame body, and a detection system mounted to the frame body and electrically connected with the control circuit. The detection system has an optical emitter, an optical receiver, and a reflector. The optical emitter emits the light onto the surface, and the light is reflected onto the reflector and then to the optical receiver to be received by the optical receiver. A receiving area generated by the optical receiver on the reflector never overlaps the surface. Accordingly, the obstacle-detectable mobile robotic device can effectively avoid ambient light pollution to have preferable detection potency.

Abstract: A mobile robotic device includes a frame body having a receiving recession recessed inward therefrom and a guide pusher formed thereon and extending toward the receiving recession and having a bevel formed at its one side; a dust-collecting box detachably mounted in the receiving recession and having an opening formed at one side thereof and an indentation formed at the same side as the opening for receiving the guide pusher while the dust-collecting box is inserted into the receiving recession; and a sealing member pivotably mounted to the dust-collecting box to seal the opening. Accordingly, while the dust-collecting box is drawn from the receiving recession, the sealing member can seal the opening to prevent the dust from escaping from the dust-collecting box.

Abstract: A dust-collectable mobile robotic vacuum cleaner includes a base frame, a driving device mounted to the base frame, a control device mounted to the base frame and electrically connected with the driving device, a collision-detectable unit mounted to the base frame electrically connected with the control device, and a dust-collecting device mounted to the base frame. The dust-collecting device has dust-collecting box, a dust guider, a round brush, and a dust entrance formed at one side of the dust-collecting box. The dust guider is located at a lower edge of the dust entrance, having two opposite sides pivotably mounted to the dust-collecting box and lying against the ground at a predetermined angle respectively, for upward and downward pivoting movement. The round brush is rotatably located at a front end of the dust guider for sweeping dust particles.

Abstract: An electro-active spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens includes a first lens optic. The disclosed lens also includes a first electro-active zone positioned in a cooperative relationship with the first lens optic. In certain embodiments, the electro-active lens includes a range finder positioned in a cooperative relationship with the electro-active lens.