Abstract: Production of ethanol in a thermophilic bacterium can be achieved by transformation of the bacterium with a heterologous gene encoding pyruvate decarboxylase. The bacterium comprises native alcohol dehydrogenase function and does not comprise a gene encoding a functional lactate dehydrogenase. The bacterium may be grown at elevated temperatures to allow the ethanol to be conveniently removed in a vaporized form from the fermentation medium. Traditional mesophilic microorganisms are incapable of growth at the envisioned elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a compound of formula I, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates or stereoisomer thereof, which are useful in treating Syndrome X, Type II diabetes, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity, coagaulopathy, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and other disorders related to Syndrome X as well as cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for transforming information from one semantic environment to another, for example, to facilitate electronic information searches. In one implementation, a SOLx system 1700 includes a Normalization/Translation NorTran Workbench 1702 and a SOLx server 1708. The NorTran Workbench 1702 is used to develop a knowledge base based on information from a source system 1712, to normalize legacy content 1710 according to various rules, and to develop a database 1706 of translated content. During run time, the SOLx server 1708 receives transmissions from the source system 1712, normalizes the transmitted content, accesses the database 1706 of translated content and otherwise translates the normalized content, and reconstructs the transmission to provide substantially real-time transformation of electronic messages. Additionally, content can be classified relative to a taxonomy defining relationships between terms or items so as to facilitate electronic searching or other processing.

Abstract: A turbine housing for an engine turbocharger includes a turbine outlet port fluidly coupled to an expansion mechanism, a waste port fluidly coupled to a collector, and a valve assembly rotatable between a first position blocking the turbine outlet port and a second position blocking the waste port. The valve assembly directs exhaust gas through the waste port in the first position and directs exhaust gas through the turbine outlet port in the second position. The valve assembly is in the first position during engine start-up to direct exhaust gas from the engine through the collector and into a catalyst. The valve assembly is in the second position a predetermined time following engine start-up to direct exhaust gas from the engine to the expansion mechanism.

Abstract: A machine based tool and associated logic and methodology are used in converting data from an input form to a target form using context dependent conversion rules. In particular, a frame-slot architecture is utilized where a frame represents an intersection between a contextual cue recognized by the machine tool, associated content and related constraint information to specific to that conversion environment, whereas a slot represents an included chunk of information. An exemplary conversion system (400) includes a parser (402) for use in parsing and converting an input stream (403) from a source (404) to provide an output stream (411) in a form for use by a target system (412). To accomplish the desired conversion, the parser (402) uses information from a public schema (406), a private schema (408) and a grammar (410). The public schema (406), private schema (408) and grammar (410) may include conversion rules applicable to less than the whole of a subject matter area including the input stream (403).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for transforming information from one semantic environment to another. In one implementation, a SOLx system (1700) includes a Normalization/Translation NorTran Workbench (1702) and a SOLx server (1708). The NorTran Workbench (1702) is used to develop a knowledge base based on information from a source system (1712), to normalize legacy content (1710) according to various rules, and to develop a database (1706) of translated content. During run time, the SOLx server (1708) receives transmissions from the source system (1712), normalizes the transmitted content, accesses the database (1706) of translated content and otherwise translates the normalized content, and reconstructs the transmission to provide substantially real-time transformation of electronic messages.

Abstract: A free space point-to-point signaling system is described in which optical beams generated by two free space transceiver units are optically aligned with each other using beam steering techniques. Once aligned, each transceiver unit detects the received signal strength and transmits this information to the other transceiver unit. This information is used by the other transceiver unit to vary the signal strength of the beam that it transmits and to optimise the alignment between the light beams transmitted by the two transceiver units. The determined received signal strength measure is also used to detect if the two transceiver units have become misaligned or if the beams have been interrupted, so that the transmission power can be reduced if necessary or so that the alignment procedure can be restarted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for transforming information from one semantic environment to another. In one implementation, a SOLx system includes a Normalization/Translation NorTran Workbench and a SOLx server. The NorTran Workbench is used to develop a knowledge base based on information from a source system, to normalize legacy content according to various rules, and to develop a database of translated content. During run time, the SOLx server receives transmissions from the source system, normalizes the transmitted content, accesses the database of translated content and otherwise translates the normalized content, and reconstructs the transmission to provide substantially real-time transformation of electronic messages.

Abstract: A search system associates contextual metadata with search terms and/or stored terms to facilitate identification of relevant information. In one implementation, a search term is identified (4304) from a received search request. The search term is then rewritten (4306) in standard form and the standard form term is then set (4308) as the current search parameter. A source database is then searched (4310) using the current search parameter. If any results are obtained (4312) these results may be output (4320) to the user. If no results are obtained, a parent classification of the search term is set (4316) as the current search parameter and the process is repeated. The invention thereby provides the ease of use of term searching with the comprehensiveness of category searching.

Abstract: In connection with a machine-based system for transforming data from a source form to a target form, a tool is provided for sharing information established in developing a transformation model. The shared information may relate to rules for mapping source collection terms to standardized terms, rules for ordering or syntax, rules for classifying terms or other transformation rules. Such information defines a knowledge base for the project. The knowledge base is divided into domains and subdomains that define a hierarchy that includes dependencies and references. These dependencies and references are used for domain management such that any conflicts and inconsistencies can be identified and arbitrated. In this manner, information sharing is accommodated, for example, for efficient knowledge base creation and multi-user functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of ethanol as a product of bacterial fermentation. In particular this invention relates to a novel method of gene inactivation and gene expression based upon homologous recombination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacterium capable of converting sugars into lactic acid or a salt thereof. The invention also relates to a method for producing lactic acid or a salt thereof comprising culturing the bacterium of the present invention. In particular, the present invention provides a thermophilic bacterium capable of converting at least 70% (w/w) of a monosaccharide sugar and a disaccharide sugar into lactic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: An interior design system of the present disclosure can comprise a user interface configured to display a plurality of interior design components. The system may further comprise logic configured to receive a user selection of one of the components and display the selected component in the user interface. The logic may further be configured to receive a plurality of user inputs, via the user interface, the inputs related to characteristics of the selected component.

Abstract: This invention relates to ethanol production as a product of bacterial fermentation.

Abstract: A connection for a tube is formed by placing a coiled spring around an end of a tube and inserting a barbed tubular portion from a connection into the tube. The connection forces the tube to expand applying pressure against the coil spring and forcing it to expand and exert radial pressure against the tube towards the inserted tubular portion.

Abstract: There is described an optical free space signalling system having an optical device comprising a lens and a plurality of optical elements. A beam deflector for deflecting light beams is provided in an optical path between the lens and the plurality of optical elements. The bean deflector has a plurality of beam deflecting elements with each beam deflecting element being associated with a respective optical element and being operable to deflect a principal light ray passing through the lens so that the principal light ray is substantially perpendicular to the associated optical element. The optical device has particular, but not exclusive, relevance to retro-reflecting systems.

Abstract: Aspects for a heterogeneous computer network system with unobtrusive cross-platform user access are described. In an exemplary system aspect, the system includes a plurality of computer systems coupled in a network, each of the plurality of computer systems operating according to one of a plurality of operating system platforms, each operating system platform having an associated security mechanism. The system further includes an enterprise directory included on at least one server system of the plurality of computer systems, the enterprise directory configured for security interception to allow an authorized user access among the services of the plurality of computer systems without affecting the associated security mechanisms of the plurality of operating system platforms.

Abstract: A laminated nylon air brake tubing is formed from outer and inner layers of nylon 11 or nylon 12 with inner layers of nylon 6. The nylon 6 and nylon 11 or 12 layers are adhered together by a tie layer. The tie layer is preferably a nylon 6-12 or an anhydride modified polyolefin. The air brake tubing has improved high temperature strength and low temperature impact resistance characteristics.