Abstract: The invention relates to formulations useful in treating hair disorders, improving the health of hair, increasing hair growth, and in increasing the niacin content of hair follicles. Nicotinic acid alkyl esters having a straight chain alkyl group of from 1 to 22 methylene units, preferably from 6 to 16 methylene units, and most preferably from 8 to 14 methyl units, may be used, alone or in combinations for treating these conditions.

Abstract: A method and system of B2C e-commerce for placing an order to purchase fashionable items for minimizing the return rate after selling via the Internet. The order is placed by a first banner window at seller's website for displaying a prerecorded digital video image of a model of the same or similar size of the buyer wearing the clothes that the buyer wants to purchase, and a second banner window for displaying a static digital image of the model for synthesizing the face of model, hair patterns, foot-wear or accessories such as necklace, earrings, hairpin, or sunglasses selected by the buyer from the database of the system. This provides a technology to reduce the return rate by checking the fashionable products whether suitable with the figure and face image of the buyer before placing an order through a cyber fashion show and synthesizing the image for confirming coordination.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes staggered contacts to facilitate small pitches between active-device regions and conductive lines while minimizing one or both of misalignment during fabrication of the contacts and contact resistance between sections of the contacts. The contacts of one row communicate with every other active-device region and are staggered relative to the contacts of another row, which communicate with the remaining active-device regions. Each contact may include a relatively large contact plug with a relatively large upper surface to provide a relatively large amount of tolerance as a contact hole for an upper portion of the contact is formed. The contact holes may be formed substantially simultaneously with trenches for conductive traces, such as bit lines, in a dual damascene process. Intermediate structures are also disclosed, as are methods for designing semiconductor device structures.

Abstract: The invention discloses compositions and methods which are useful in improving delivery of oxygen to cells. The compositions require at least one derivative of a compound. The derivatives are chosen to have log P values below about 6.0.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of nicotinic acid and nicotinic acid esters, such as nicotinic acid alkyl esters, to increase the amount of leptin in a subject. As a result, one can treat conditions, such as conditions characterized by wounds, by administering sufficient amounts of nicotinic acid or nicotinic acid ester to increase leptin levels to alleviating amounts. Various conditions and modes of treatment are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of nicotinic acid and nicotinic acid esters, such as nicotinic acid alkyl esters, to increase the amount of leptin in a subject. As a result, one can treat conditions, such as conditions characterized by wounds, by administering sufficient amounts of nicotinic acid or nicotinic acid ester to increase leptin levels to alleviating amounts. Various conditions and modes of treatment are disclosed.

Abstract: Niacin and niacin prodrugs are topically administered as suitable formulations to device for impoving the lipid profiles of subjects, preferably humans.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and compositions useful in delivering micronutrients to cells. By formulating the micronutrient in the form of an ester that is convertible to the active form of the micronutrient, one can combine it with a co-ester that inhibits esterases, so that the micronutrient can reach the targeted cells prior to degradation. Both methods and compositions are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of nicotinic acid and nicotinic acid esters, such as nicotinic acid alkyl esters, to increase the amount of leptin in a subject. As a result, one can treat conditions, such as conditions characterized by wounds, by administering sufficient amounts of nicotinic acid or nicotinic acid ester to increase leptin levels to alleviating amounts. Various conditions and modes of treatment are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and compositions useful in delivering micronutrients to cells. By formulating the micronutrient in the form of an ester that is convertible to the active form of the micronutrient, one can combine it with a co-ester that inhibits esterases, so that the micronutrient can reach the targeted cells prior to degradation. Both methods and compositions are described.

Abstract: The invention discloses compositions and methods which are useful in improving delivery of oxygen to cells. The compositions require at least one derivative of a compound. The derivatives are chosen to have log P values below about 6.0.

Abstract: Niacin and niacin prodrugs are topically administered as suitable formulations ro devices for impoving the lipid profiles of subjects, preferably humans.

Abstract: An aerial spray system can be attached to the undersurface of a helicopter for spraying ground level targets while the helicopter is hovering or in level flight. A television camera can be located in near proximity to the spray nozzles for electronically delivering a picture of the ground level condition to a television monitor in the helicopter, such that the technician is better enabled to aim the spray nozzles or target a specific ground level area. The aerial system can be used for riot control, or crop spraying, or forest fire containment.