Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering spatial audio in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a spatial audio system, including a primary network connected speaker, including a plurality of sets of drivers, where each set of drivers is oriented in a different direction, a processor system, memory containing an audio player application, wherein the audio player application configures the processor system to obtain an audio source stream from an audio source via the network interface, spatially encode the audio source, decode the spatially encoded audio source to obtain driver inputs for the individual drivers in the plurality of sets of drivers, where the driver inputs cause the drivers to generate directional audio.

Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates search and rescue, for example, in open water. The apparatus comprises a substrate with a particular geometry and a perimeter. The apparatus further comprises a cover positioned atop the substrate with the cover also having a particular geometry and perimeter, which correspond to the geometry and perimeter of the substrate. An air-tight seal seals the substrate perimeter to the cover perimeter and creates a sealed internal region. A liquid-releasable vessel holding an illuminable dye located in the sealed internal region, along with an activator that is also located in the sealed internal region. When the liquid-releasable vessel releases the illuminable dye, the illuminable dye reacts with the activator, thereby resulting in illumination of the illuminable dye. The liquid-releasable vessel comprises an opening with a release mechanism (e.g., clamp, etc.).

Abstract: A fine needle aspiration biopsy tool includes a pressurized chamber having a vacuum applied to the chamber. An actuation valve engaged by the chamber and has actuation grips on opposing sides that cooperatively allow for selective fluid engagement with an environment outside of the chamber. A port extends from the actuation valve and selectively receives a needle or a cap. In operation, the actuation valve is actuated by pressing engagement of the actuator grips to apply vacuum to the needle from the vacuum chamber to draw in fluid or mass in flow communication with an inflow end of the needle during a biopsy procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus that facilitates search and rescue, for example, in open water. The apparatus comprises a substrate with a particular geometry and a perimeter. The apparatus further comprises a cover positioned atop the substrate with the cover also having a particular geometry and perimeter, which correspond to the geometry and perimeter of the substrate. An air-tight seal seals the substrate perimeter to the cover perimeter and creates a sealed internal region. A liquid-releasable vessel holding an illuminable dye located in the sealed internal region, along with an activator that is also located in the sealed internal region. When the liquid-releasable vessel releases the illuminable dye, the illuminable dye reacts with the activator, thereby resulting in illumination of the illuminable dye. The liquid-releasable vessel comprises an opening with a release mechanism (e.g., clamp, etc.).

Abstract: A fender assembly having a non-metallic fender panel configured in a curved manner generally prevents material from accumulating on surfaces thereof, reduces weight of the vehicle, and provides a necessary level of protection from flying rocks and other debris that the wheels of a truck may generate. A non-metallic material is used to form the fender panel, which has a desired level of strength, durability, pliability and coefficient of friction. By carefully selecting this material, the fabrication and installation of the fender assembly is further simplified, thus providing additional efficiency. When applied to a cement mixer truck, the curved fender assembly is particularly beneficial as it provides the necessary level of protection, while also discouraging a build-up of concrete on any surface since the non-metallic material will not generally allow concrete to adhere to the surface.

Abstract: A fender assembly having a non-metallic fender panel configured in a curved manner generally prevents material from accumulating on surfaces thereof, reduces weight of the vehicle, and provides a necessary level of protection from flying rocks and other debris that the wheels of a truck may generate. A non-metallic material is used to form the fender panel, which has a desired level of strength, durability, pliability and coefficient of friction. By carefully selecting this material, the fabrication and installation of the fender assembly is further simplified, thus providing additional efficiency. When applied to a cement mixer truck, the curved fender assembly is particularly beneficial as it provides the necessary level of protection, while also discouraging a build-up of concrete on any surface since the non-metallic material will not generally allow concrete to adhere to the surface.

Abstract: A method for reducing, in an individual, the desire to eat a meal or a snack in between meals, by consuming by said individual, in between meals or as an adjunct to a meal, a portion of at least 50 ml and less than 150 ml, of a pourable or spoonable edible aerated composition having an overrun of at least 100%, which aerated composition contains less than 50 kcal/portion.

Abstract: A method of facilitating compliance by individuals to low calorie diets, by ingestion of a pourable or spoonable aerated composition on at least 3 moments a day, e.g. as a snack.

Abstract: An auction management system brokers, between a seller and a buyer, a discrete traffic block of an ad placement, and may comprise a traffic block definition tool providing workflows for obtaining traffic block parameters defining the discrete traffic block. The traffic block parameters may comprise: i) an identification of the ad placement; ii) a volume parameter defining the volume of traffic included in the discrete traffic block; iii) at least one duration parameter defining an active time period during which the volume of traffic included in the discrete traffic block is provided; and iv) an auction parameter defining an expiration time before which buyers submit offers to purchase the discrete traffic block. A listing search tool provides web pages displaying a listing of a plurality of listed discrete traffic blocks. Each listed discrete traffic block comprises a discrete traffic block with an expiration time that has not passed.

Abstract: A management system brokers, between a seller and a buyer, at least a portion of the seller's inventory of advertisement impressions that the seller can render within a web page of internet traffic. The management system comprises a traffic block definition tool adapted to define traffic block parameters for at least two discrete traffic blocks of the advertisement placement. The traffic block parameters for each discrete traffic block comprise a volume parameter and a duration parameter. A sales management tool is adapted to associate advertisement content and a buyer compensation parameter to each salable event.

Abstract: An auction management system brokers, between a seller and a buyer, a discrete traffic block of an ad placement. The auction management system comprises a traffic block definition tool providing workflows for obtaining traffic block parameters defining the discrete traffic block, the traffic block parameters comprising: i) an identification of the ad placement; ii) a volume parameter defining the volume of traffic included in the discrete traffic block; iii) at least one duration parameter defining an active time period during which the volume of traffic included in the discrete traffic block will be provided; and iv) an auction parameter defining an expiration time before which buyers submit offers to purchase the discrete traffic block. A listing search tool provides web pages displaying a listing of a plurality of listed discrete traffic blocks. Each listed discrete traffic block comprises a discrete traffic block with an expiration time that has not yet passed.

Abstract: A dynamic vertical network management system is adapted to broker, between each publisher of a group of publishers and each advertiser of a group of advertisers, the sale of at least a portion of the each publisher's inventory of advertisement impressions. At least a portion of the advertisers are clients of a dynamic vertical network operator (DVN) with the DVN purchasing inventory from the publisher and utilizing such purchased inventory to fulfill advertising orders placed by the client with the DVN (network orders). A publisher data store stores, for each publisher of the group of publishers, a group of segmented ad placements. Each segmented ad placement comprises: i) a placement ID identifying an advertisement placement region within a web page; and ii) at least one distinguishing traffic attribute parameter. An advertisement-order data store stores, for each segmented ad placement, a group of advertisement orders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel variant EGIII or EGIII-like cellulases that have improved stability. The variant cellulases have performance sensitive residues replaced to a residue having modified stability.

Abstract: A dynamic vertical network management system is adapted to broker, between each publisher of a group of publishers and each advertiser of a group of advertisers, the sale of at least a portion of the each publisher's inventory of advertisement impressions. At least a portion of the advertisers are clients of a dynamic vertical network operator (DVN) with the DVN purchasing inventory from the publisher and utilizing such purchased inventory to fulfill advertising orders placed by the client with the DVN (network orders). A publisher data store stores, for each publisher of the group of publishers, a group of segmented ad placements. Each segmented ad placement comprises: i) a placement ID identifying an advertisement placement region within a web page; and ii) at least one distinguishing traffic attribute parameter. An advertisement-order data store stores, for each segmented ad placement, a group of advertisement orders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel variant EGIII or EGIII-like cellulases that have improved stability. The variant cellulases have performance sensitive residues replaced to a residue having modified stability.

Abstract: An auction management system brokers, between a seller and a buyer, a discrete traffic block of an ad placement. The auction management system comprises a traffic block definition tool providing workflows for obtaining traffic block parameters defining the discrete traffic block, the traffic block parameters comprising: i) an identification of the ad placement; ii) a volume parameter defining the volume of traffic included in the discrete traffic block; iii) at least one duration parameter defining an active time period during which the volume of traffic included in the discrete traffic block will be provided; and iv) an auction parameter defining an expiration time before which buyers submit offers to purchase the discrete traffic block. A listing search tool provides web pages displaying a listing of a plurality of listed discrete traffic blocks. Each listed discrete traffic block comprises a discrete traffic block with an expiration time that has not yet passed.

Abstract: A management system brokers, between a seller and a buyer, at least a portion of the seller's inventory of advertisement impressions that the seller can render within a web page of internet traffic. The management system comprises a traffic block definition tool adapted to define traffic block parameters for at least two discrete traffic blocks of the advertisement placement. The traffic block parameters for each discrete traffic block comprise a volume parameter and a duration parameter. A sales management tool is adapted to associate advertisement content and a buyer compensation parameter to each salable event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of obtaining genes for novel enzymes which share certain conserved sequences with EGIII from Trichoderma reesei. These EG III like cellulases comprise an amino acid sequence comprising therein an amino acid string selected from the group consisting of: (a) Asn-Asn-(Leu/Phe/Lys/Ile)-Trp- (SEQ ID NO: 1) Gly (b) Glu-(Leu/Phe/Ile)-Met-Ile-Trp (SEQ ID NO: 2) (c) Gly-Thr-Glu-Pro-Phe-Thr; (SEQ ID NO: 3) (d) (Ser/Tyr/Cys/Trp/Thr/Asn/Lys/ (SEQ ID NO: 42) Arg)-(Val/Pro)-(Lys/Ala)-(Ser/ Ala)-(Tyr/Phe); (e) Lys-Asn-Phe-Phe-Asn-Tyr.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel variant EGIII or EGIII-like cellulases that have improved stability. The variant cellulases have performance sensitive residues replaced to a residue having modified stability.