Abstract: A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material.

Abstract: A unitary, fiber-containing composite comprises (a) a first region comprising a plurality of first binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers, (b) a second region disposed above the first region, the second region comprising a plurality of second binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers, and (c) a transitional region disposed between the first region and the second region. The transitional region comprises concentrations of the first binder fiber, the second binder fiber, and the bast fiber. The concentration of the first binder fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the first region and least proximate to the second region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber and the bast fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the first region. A method for producing a unitary, fiber-containing composite is also described.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use of plant desaturase enzymes, especially ?-9 desaturases, are provided. Of special interest are methods and compositions of amino acids and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant desaturases as well as sequences, especially nucleic acid sequences, which are to be used as probes, vectors for transformation or cloning intermediates. Biologically active sequences may be found in a sense or anti-sense orientation as to transcriptional regulatory regions found in various constructs.

Abstract: A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and bulking fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone with an exterior skin, and a bulking zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The bulking zone includes a greater concentration of bulking fibers and second binder fibers. The first effect fibers can be fire retardant fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinannt techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.

Abstract: A passenger detection system is provided. A sensor measures capacitance, electric field effects or other characteristic responsive to a load in a seating area. The sensor uses one or more electrodes (e.g., a transmit and receive electrode or one electrode for transmit and one or more electrodes for receive). Other electrodes are connected with different impedances. Measuring by a sensor, but with other electrodes connected with different impedances, may distinguish between an occupant and inanimate objects, may distinguish between characteristics of a passenger (e.g., size, height, weight or position), or may indicate a grounding state of an occupant.

Abstract: By this invention, modification of the fatty acid composition of a plant seed may be achieved as a result of the activity of a DNA sequence foreign to the plant species to be modified. In particular, it has been found that a plant oil having a modified fatty acid composition can be obtained upon the expression of genes derived from plants of different species than the host plant, upon the expression of genes derived from bacteria, and from the transcription of anti-sense sequences which are complementary to endogenous genes of the plant host cell. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the fatty acid modifying foreign DNA sequence is restricted to the developing seed tissues.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use of plant desaturase enzymes, especially ?-9 desaturases, are provided. Of special interest are methods and compositions of amino acids and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant desaturases as well as sequences, especially nucleic acid sequences, which are to be used as probes, vectors for transformation or cloning intermediates. Biologically active sequences may be found in a sense or anti-sense orientation as to transcriptional regulatory regions found in various constructs.

Abstract: A heat and fire resistant planar unitary shield formed of heat and flame resistant fibers and voluminous bulking fibers. The shield material has a heat and flame resistant zone with a majority of the heat and flame resistant fibers, and a voluminous bulking zone with a majority of the voluminous bulking fibers. The fibers are distributed through the shield material in an manner that the heat and flame resistant fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield with the heat and flame resistant zone, and the voluminous bulking fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield material with the voluminous bulking zone.

Abstract: A heat and fire resistant planar unitary shield formed of heat and flame resistant fibers and voluminous bulking fibers. The shield material has a heat and flame resistant zone with a majority of the heat and flame resistant fibers, and a voluminous bulking zone with a majority of the voluminous bulking fibers. The fibers are distributed through the shield material in an manner that the heat and flame resistant fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield with the heat and flame resistant zone, and the voluminous bulking fibers collect closest to the outer surface of the shield material with the voluminous bulking zone.

Abstract: A moldable heat shield with a needled nonwoven core layer and needled nonwoven shell layers. The core layer has a blend polyester staple fibers and low melt polyester staple fibers. The shell layers have a blend of staple fibers of partially oxidized polyacrylonitrile, and staple fibers of polyester, and staple fibers of a low melt polyester. The layers are needled together such that fibers from the core layer do not reach the outer surfaces of the shell layers. The shell layers are calendared such that an outer surface layer is formed thereon, which provides the moldable heat shield with a water and oil resistant surface.

Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinant techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.

Abstract: The invention relates to integrating multiple methods of profiling user attributes and preferences, using expert systems to code attributes of objects, predicting goodness of fit between users and candidates or objects, searching for compatible matches, optimizing searching effectiveness, customizing information and commerce to fit user preferences and attributes, and assisting the users to form and maintain new connections with their matches. More specifically, the inventive methods relate to offering integrative solutions to situations where large networks of people seek to find optimal fits between the mutual preferences and attributes. The invention also relates to systems that leverage user feedback and observations of user behavior to create user-dependent logic. Finally, the methods relate to interventions designed to enhance performance via automated coaching, educational course, targeted reinforcement, and peer support and feedback.

Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinannt techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.

Abstract: By this invention, modification of the fatty acid composition of a plant seed may be achieved as a result of the activity of a DNA sequence foreign to the plant species to be modified. In particular, it has been found that a plant oil having a modified fatty acid composition can be obtained upon the expression of genes derived from plants of different species than the host plant, upon the expression of genes derived from bacteria, and from the transcription of anti-sense sequences which are complementary to endogenous genes of the plant host cell. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the fatty acid modifying foreign DNA sequence is restricted to the developing seed tissues.

Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinant techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.

Abstract: By this invention, methods to produce oleic fatty acids in plant seed oils are provided. The methods of the present invention generally involve the suppression of a host plant cells endogenous &bgr;-ketoacyl-ACP synthase I protein. Also described in the instant invention are the plants, cells and oils obtained therefrom.

Abstract: By this invention, methods to produce oleic fatty acids in plant seed oils are provided. The methods of the present invention generally involve the suppression of a host plant cells endogenous &bgr;-ketoacyl-ACP synthase I protein. Also described in the instant invention are the plants, cells and oils obtained therefrom.

Abstract: By this invention, modification of the fatty acid composition of a plant seed may be achieved as a result of the activity of a DNA sequence foreign to the plant species to be modified. In particular, it has been found that a plant oil having a modified fatty acid composition can be obtained upon the expression of genes derived from plants of different species than the host plant, upon the expression of genes derived from bacteria, and from the transcription of anti-sense sequences which are complementary to endogenous genes of the plant host cell. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the fatty acid modifying foreign DNA sequence is restricted to the developing seed tissues.

Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use of Ricinus communis cDNAs encoding &bgr;-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, are provided. Also of interest are plants, plant parts and plant cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences.