Abstract: The invention relates generally to tracer particles for product identification and/or authentication. When incorporated into a manufactured item, that item can be subsequently authenticated by either detecting, or failing to detect, the tracer particle. The tracer particles of the invention are magnetically attractable, with micromarkings, and in some embodiments, are manufactured with food grade materials and of a particle size suitable for ingestion by humans. The particles can be analyzed qualitatively or quantitatively. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for the manufacture of the tracer particles, and in other aspects, provides methods for using the particles. Examples of products that can be tagged using the tracer particles of the invention include pharmaceuticals, animal feeds or feed supplements, and baby formula. Other applications include forensics, such as in explosive materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for dialog management in real-time rather than turn taking. An example method includes generating first candidate responses to a triggering event. The triggering event may be receipt of a live-stream chunk for the dialog or receipt of a backend response to a previous backend request for a dialog schema. The method also includes updating a list of candidate responses that are accepted or pending with at least one of the first candidate responses, and determining, for the triggering event, whether the list of candidate responses includes a candidate response that has a confidence score that meets a triggering threshold. The method also includes waiting for a next triggering event without providing a candidate response when the list does not include a candidate response that has a confidence score that meets the triggering threshold.

Abstract: A multiple screen arrangement for a mobile device that includes a screen module and a communication module for communicatively linking the screen module with the mobile device. The screen module includes first and second screens movably coupled with each other between a first state and a second state, wherein at the first state, the second screen is overlapped behind the first screen in a single screen size manner, and at the second state, the first and second screens are moved side-by-side to provide two viewing windows. The communication module is adapted for receiving data from the mobile device to be displayed on at least one of the first and second screens, such that the first and second screens are adapted for selectively displaying the data from the mobile device between the first state and said second state.

Abstract: A multiple screen arrangement for a mobile device that includes a screen module and a communication module for communicatively linking the screen module with the mobile device. The screen module includes first and second screens movably coupled with each other between a first state and a second state, wherein at the first state, the second screen is overlapped behind the first screen in a single screen size manner, and at the second state, the first and second screens are moved side-by-side to provide two viewing windows. The communication module is adapted for receiving data from the mobile device to be displayed on at least one of the first and second screens, such that the first and second screens are adapted for selectively displaying the data from the mobile device between the first state and said second state.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to tracer particles for product identification and/or authentication. When incorporated into a manufactured item, that item can be subsequently authenticated by either detecting, or failing to detect, the tracer particle. The tracer particles of the invention are magnetically attractable, with micromarkings, and in some embodiments, are manufactured with food grade materials and of a particle size suitable for ingestion by humans. The particles can be analyzed qualitatively or quantitatively. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for the manufacture of the tracer particles, and in other aspects, provides methods for using the particles. Examples of products that can be tagged using the tracer particles of the invention include pharmaceuticals, animal feeds or feed supplements, and baby formula. Other applications include forensics, such as in explosive materials.

Abstract: Provided are methods for decreasing the reaction time between an alkanolamine such as triethanolamine and a fatty acid alkyl ester such as, a triglyceride, a vegetable oil, a methyl ester, an ethyl ester, etc., a fatty acid, or a mixture thereof. The methods utilize a divalent zinc catalyst to facilitate and accelerate an esterification or transesterification reaction between the alkanolamine and the fatty acid, or fatty acid alkyl ester.

Abstract: Provided are methods for decreasing the reaction time between an alkanolamine such as triethanolamine and a fatty acid alkyl ester such as, a triglyceride, a vegetable oil, a methyl ester, an ethyl ester, etc., a fatty acid, or a mixture thereof The methods utilize a divalent zinc catalyst to facilitate and accelerate an esterification or transesterification reaction between the alkanolamine and the fatty acid, or fatty acid alkyl ester.

Abstract: A device for use as a credit card sized containment in some instances with a card delivery system in the form of a detachable hang tab or hole for one or more collar stays, as well as a method of using such device, are disclosed. In one form, the device comprises a resilient, flexible sheet member having a first and second opposing edges and a third and fourth opposing edges, the first and second opposing edges forming a width, the third and fourth opposing edges forming a height, the width being greater than the height, and one or more detachable regions within the sheet member, each detachable region having an elongated rectangular shape including two long edges and two short edges, wherein a short edge forms a symmetrically tapered point, and with each detachable region being selectively detachable and reinsertable into the flexible sheet member is disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provided herein identifies and characterizes the domain in HER3 receptor that interacts with heregulin ligand. Typical embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include HER3 variant polypeptides having amino acid sequences which differ from the native HER3 polypeptide sequence and which have altered affinities for heregulin. Also disclosed herein are methods and materials for identifying compounds that bind to the heregulin binding domain in HER3 as well as methods and materials for modulating the interaction between HER3 and heregulin.

Abstract: The disclosure provided herein identifies and characterizes the domain in HER3 receptor that interacts with heregulin ligand. Typical embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include methods for identifying compounds which specifically bind the heregulin binding domain in HER3.

Abstract: The disclosure provided herein identifies and characterizes the domain in HER3 receptor that interacts with heregulin ligand. Typical embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include HER3 variant polypeptides having amino acid sequences which differ from the native HER3 polypeptide sequence and which have altered affinities for heregulin. Also disclosed herein are methods and materials for identifying compounds that bind to the heregulin binding domain in HER3 as well as methods and materials for modulating the interaction between HER3 and heregulin.

Abstract: Granulysin peptides are small antimicrobial agents with potent activity against bacteria and inflammation. A pharmaceutical composition comprising granulysin peptides as an active agent is administered therapeutically to a patient suffering from a microbial infection.

Abstract: A stochastic simulation method for simulating the kinetics of chemical networks implemented using reprogrammable Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices. Such devices, built as an array of simple configurable logic blocks embedded in a programmable interconnection matrix, implement highly parallel architectures comparable in complexity to biochemical networks. Circuits based on FPGAs scale efficiently so that simulations of realistic biological systems are possible.

Abstract: The present invention solves the three-dimensional structure of BPI and thereby provides atomic coordinates of BPI from the analysis of x-ray diffraction patterns of sufficiently high resolution for three-dimensional structure determination of the protein, as well as methods for rational drug design, based on using amino acid sequence data and/or x-ray diffraction data provided on computer readable media, as analyzed on a computer system having suitable computer algorithms; and atomic coordinates are provided yielding structural information on related proteins, including the lipid binding and lipid transport protein family that includes BPI, LBP, CETP and PLTP.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods for characterizing the function of nucleic acids and polypeptides. The invention provides a novel method for identifying a nucleic acid or a polypeptide sequence that may be a target for a drug. The invention provides a novel method for identifying a nucleic acid or a polypeptide sequence that may be essential for the growth or viability of an organism. The characterization is based on use of methods of the invention comprising algorithms that can identify functional relationships between diverse sets of non-homologous nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences. The invention provides a computer program product, stored on a computer-readable medium, for identifying a nucleic acid or a polypeptide sequence that may be essential for the growth or viability of an organism. The invention provides a computer program product, stored on a computer-readable medium, for identifying a nucleic acid or a polypeptide sequence that may be a target for a drug.

Abstract: A grab handle attached to a chair, said grab handle comprising a fluid passageway and a fluid outlet for flow therethrough of a fluid. The grab handle may be used for washing and/or drying a person sitting in the chair, for example.

Abstract: A computational method system, and computer program are provided for inferring functional links from genome sequences. One method is based on the observation that some pairs of proteins A′ and B′ have homologs in another organism fused into a single protein chain AB. A trans-genome comparison of sequences can reveal these AB sequences, which are Rosetta Stone sequences because they decipher an interaction between A′ and B. Another method compares the genomic sequence of two or more organisms to create a phylogenetic profile for each protein indicating its presence or absence across all the genomes. The profile provides information regarding functional links between different families of proteins. In yet another method a combination of the above two methods is used to predict functional links.

Abstract: A hair care unit comprising a hair care chair, a washing basin positioned with respect to said hair care chair so as to be adapted for washing thereat a head of a person sitting in said hair care chair, and a massage device positioned with respect to said hair care chair so as to be operative to massage a portion of the person sitting in said hair care chair other than the head of the person.

Abstract: An individually adjustable, automated, washing apparatus, including: a controller arranged for receiving input to a program of at least two steps, respectively having a plurality of variables, and the controller transforms the input into a series of control signals; (B) a wash structure held by a support construction, and the wash structure includes a surface, in contact with a portion of a person to be washed, and this surface has a first system of running water and tactile stimulus members, and the first system is imbedded in said surface, and is in communication with a water source, and is responsive to the signals; and (C) at least one driver of motion of the members, and the at least one driver is driven by at least one item selected from the list: electromechanical motors, water pressure, air pressure, and a pressurized air-water-mixture.

Abstract: A healthcare system comprising a patient transporter adapted to move a patient, a patient assist device adapted to perform an assistive action for a physically challenged patient, and a controller in communication with the patient transporter and the patient assist device, adapted to coordinate interaction of the patient transporter with the patient assist device.