Abstract: A method for performing a transaction between a legal entity A who has an approval to perform such transaction, and a legal entity B over a network, the transaction being initiated by the legal entity A, wherein the legal entity A, to verify the approval to the legal entity B, associates the transaction with a verification insignia, the verification insignia being a unique transitory insignia provided to the legal entity A by a legal entity C who thereby guarantees that the legal entity A has the approval, the provision of the unique transitory insignia to the legal entity A by the legal entity C being conditioned by the legal entity A providing to the legal entity C a secret identification code confirming the identity of the legal entity A to the legal entity C, the legal entity B validating the unique transitory insignia, and upon positive validation, and only then, accepts the transaction, and the transitory unique insignia being invalidated substantially immediately after the validation.

Abstract: A new polypropylene terephthalate composition is provided. The polypropylene terephthalate is comprised of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalate. The 1,3-propanediol is produced by the bioconversion of a fermentatble carbon source, preferable glucose. The resulting polypropylene terephthalate is distinguished from petrochemically produced polymer on the basis of dual carbon-isotopic fingerprinting which indicates both the source and the age of the carbon.

Abstract: Front wheel drive mechanism for toy vehicles in which supports are attached to the vehicle, with a drive bar being positioned between them, at each end of which is mounted a respective sub-assembly including a clasp and a cross link, of which two legs are fitted into respective openings in the clasp mounted on the end of the bar and whose other two ends are fitted into respective openings in another respective clasp attached to each wheel of the vehicle. The system is completed by a respective L-shaped rotational element connected to the ends of the clasp of the wheel, and in which are fitted the ends of a steering bar that has a U-shaped part in the center into which the steering axle is fitted, with one end bent into an L and the other end fastened to the steering wheel of the vehicle, with the entire assembly being attached to the vehicle by the supports and with the wheels and hub caps being attached at the end.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising a film forming binder of a. an acrylic polymer having pendant groups that are reactive with isocyanate moieties and having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 10 to 80° C.; b. a polytrimethylene ether diol having a Mn (number average molecular weight) of 500 to 5,000; and c. an organic polyisocyanate crosslinking agent; ?wherein the coating composition contains pigments and cures at ambient temperatures or elevated temperatures and forms a coating that is sandable and when used in combination with a top coat, for example, a colored base coat and clear coat or a pigmented mono-coat forms a chip resistant multi-layer coating useful for refinishing or repairing automotive and truck bodies and parts the coating composition can be used as an exterior clear coating composition primarily for automobiles, trucks and parts thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a grinding tool for a grinder comprising a rotary oscillating drive, the output shaft of which is driven so as to oscillate back and forth about its longitudinal axis and is configured for securing the grinding tool thereon. The grinding tool comprises a grinding pad which is made of a resilient material and encompasses at least one grinding surface that runs straight in one direction of extension and parallel to a tangent to the output shaft of the rotary oscillating drive.

Abstract: The promoters of a soybean seed maturation protein PM29 and a soybean late-embryogenesis abundant protein LEA3 and fragments thereof and their use in promoting the expression of one or more heterologous nucleic acid fragments in plants are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to gas separation processes using a Li-rho zeolite, in particular to an air separation process where the Li-rho zeolite is an oxygen selective adsorbent.

Abstract: An electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of particles suspended in a suspending fluid, the particles being capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the medium, the fluid having dissolved or dispersed therein a polymer having a number average molecular weight in excess of about 20,000, the polymer being essentially non-absorbing on the particles. The polymer improves the bistability of the display (i.e., the period for which a written image persist without the display being refreshed) but does not greatly increase the viscosity of the suspending fluid, thus keeping the switching time of the display within reasonable limits. The medium may be encapsulated, or may be in the form a polymer-dispersed electrophoretic medium.

Abstract: A conductor composition comprising an electrically conductive powder, an organic solvent soluble, polyimide resin and solvent wherein the ratio of conductive powder to organic resin is from 80:20 to 99:1 and wherein polyimide resin comprises chemical units selected from and mixtures of these units and wherein in unit (2) the range of the mole ratio m to n is from 90:10 to 10:90 and A represents diamine compounds which bond the structures of unit (2) into units of the resin.

Abstract: A privacy screen for a vertically polarized display (e.g., a LCD) that comprises a rotating film, a polarizing film and a birefringent film is described. The privacy screen transmits substantial amounts of light emanating from the display in an orthogonal (or near-orthogonal) direction while not transmitting substantial amounts of horizontal, non-orthogonal light emanating from the display. In this manner, a privacy effect results in that the display is viewable by someone only when that someone is essentially directly in front of the display.

Abstract: An expandable starch-based composition includes a starch, a volatile blowing agent, a non-volatile plasticizer, nucleating agent, and a water-resistant polymer. The expandable starch-based composition can be characterized by having a plasticized starch capable of expanding when rapidly heated to above the boiling point of the volatile blowing agent and the softening point of the plasticized starch. The composition can be used in a method of manufacturing an expandable starch-based bead, wherein the method includes: introducing the composition into an extruder; heating and mixing the composition in order to yield a thermoplastic melt; extruding the thermoplastic melt through a die opening to yield an extruded strand; cooling the extruded strand; and cutting the cooled strand in to beads.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced and starch-based composition can be prepared by combining two fractions. The first fraction can include a gelatinized starch, water, and fibers, wherein the fibers are substantially homogenously mixed with the starch in an amount sufficient to structurally reinforce the mechanical characteristics of the starch-based composition. The second fraction is then combined with the first fraction, wherein the second fraction can include non-gelatinized starch, non-volatile plasticizer, and a water-resistant polymer. The composition is mixed so as to form a thermoplastic composition being capable of expanding when rapidly heated to above the boiling point of water and the softening point of the plasticized starch. Additionally, fiber-reinforced articles can be prepared from a method of processing the starch-based compositions. Such a method includes introducing the fiber-reinforced starch-based composition into a mold, and molding the composition into a fiber-reinforced article.

Abstract: A machine for the packaging of products with stretchable and thermoplastic film, comprising of a tubularization means comprising a tubular forming head device having an inlet and an outlet, for the tubularization of a wrapping film taken from a feeding bobbin and means for the longitudinal tight-seal welding of the superimposed edges of such tubularization film; means which alternate in the transversal grip of the head of the tubular wrapping which comes out from the tubularization means, which are pre-arranged for the longitudinal movement of the wrapping, to longitudinally stretch it and to perform on same at least two transversal, parallel and tight seal weldings, a transversal cut placed between the weldings and to retain the wrapping upstream and downstream of the two welded zones separated by the cut; means for the cyclical introduction of a product through the inlet of the tubularization means and through the outlet of the tubularization means thereby advancing the tubular wrapping film; means to tempo

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and their encoded proteins which act as transcriptional activators and methods of use thereof. The invention further provides expression cassettes, transformed host cells, transgenic plants and plant parts.

Abstract: Process for converting certain lactones to their alpha-methylene substituted forms in a supercritical or near-critical fluid phase reaction using a novel grafted catalyst that not only exhibits high initial activity (conversion), but also maintains a high level of activity with time on stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for the ESR-spectroscopic detection of changes in the transport properties of albumin in an albumin-containing sample. Said method can be used in the medical, biological, biotechnological and veterinary praxis for diagnostic purposes and/or for monitoring physiological or pathological changes in the human or animal body or for the quality control of albumin-containing preparations, especially blood products. The invention further relates to an ESR spectrometer for carrying out the inventive method, which—being an automated ESR analyzer—allows for a simple and reliable handling required in modern clinical laboratories. The inventive ESR spectrometer integrates automatic device controls, signal registration and signal evaluation in combination with a computer program for the diagnostic analysis of the measured data.

Abstract: Solid and liquid compositions containing particles of highly fluorinated ion-exchange polymer having sulfonate functional groups with an ion exchange ratio of less than about 33. The compositions contain at least about 25% by weight of polymer particles having a particle size of about 2 nm to about 30 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photoresist composition having a protecting group and a protected material incorporated in a cyclic chemical structure. In this invention a protected material has a cyclic ether group or cyclic ester group as a protecting group. A specific example of a cyclic ether group is an alkylene oxide, such as an oxetane group, substituted with one or more fluorinated alkyl groups. A specific example of a cyclic ester is a lactone which may be substituted with methyl groups. The photoresist composition further includes a photoactive component. The photoresist composition of this invention has a high transparency to ultraviolet radiation, particularly at short wavelengths such as 193 nm and 157 nm.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bioprocess engineering solution for a product removal process for use in a biofermentation. The invention discloses a process for withdrawing an aliquot of broth from a biofermentation vessel during at least a portion of the biofermentation, removing biocatalyst and water, chromatographically separating biofermentation products from the withdrawn broth using water as an eluent, and returning the remaining components of the broth back to the biofermentation vessel. Process chromatography permits highly selective separation of the target molecule, preventing feedback inhibition of the biofermentation.

Abstract: The invention provides longitudinally extending track support and track members for a mobile storage unit. The track support's upper surface has at least one protrusion which projects above and extends longitudinally along that upper surface. A mating recess extends within and along the track member's under surface. The recess and protrusion are sized and shaped for loose-fit longitudinal engagement of the protrusion within the recess when the track member is laid atop the track support. This permits limited transverse movement of the track member with respect to the track support, reducing susceptibility of the mobile storage unit's wheels to derailment if a transverse force is applied to mobile storage unit as it rolls along the track.