Abstract: A cushion includes a flexible curved main body having a first end formed with a fixed portion and a second end formed with a movable portion, and an elastic mechanism mounted on the main body and biased between the fixed portion and the movable portion of the main body. Thus, the elastic mechanism is stretched by the movable portion of the main body to mate with variation of the curvature of the main body, so that when the main body is pressed and deformed by the user's weight, the main body has a greater elastic action, and the curvature of the main body is changed automatically by the elastic force of the elastic mechanism so as to fit users of different statures and weights.

Abstract: Modulators of PPAR? activity are used in methods of treating and/or preventing conditions such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis and acne, and cancer.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided that are useful in the treatment or prevention of a condition or disorder mediated by an uncoupling protein. In particular, the compounds of the invention modulate the expression and/or activity of UCP3. The subject compositions are particularly useful in the treatment of obesity and type II diabetes, and associated diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of novel receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of the receptors.

Abstract: A system for automatic call-transfer using a softphone, which applies the functions of a hardware telephone on a personal computer, is achieved by integrating a softphone system, a computer-telephony integration system, and a private branch exchange. This system is performed mainly in a manner of automatically fast swapping the first line and the second line of a call, when a call is transferred to an interactive voice system, for example, and this system can successfully compensate the fault that a holding noise emerges from the current telephone exchange device. When a call center operator talks with the customer, if the line needs to be transferred to a interactive voice response system but the interactive voice response system cannot pick up the line timely, this system can be used to transfer a call to avoid the customer listening the holding voice or rings of the private branch exchange.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of novel G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of protein mimetics and methods of using same against HIV-1, SARS-coV and the like. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a protein mimetic for preventing HIV-1 entry to host cells of a living subject through membrane fusion, wherein HIV-1 contains at least one envelope glycoprotein gp41 that has a plurality of peptides in a pre-hairpin state. In one embodiment, the protein mimetic comprises at least two monomeric peptide strands and an interstrand linker coupling the monomeric peptide strands. The coupled monomeric peptide strands prevent the plurality of trimeric gp41 in a pre-hairpin state from transiting to a six-helix hairpin bundle, thereby inhibiting HIV-1 entry to the host cells through membrane fusion.

Abstract: A spiral protector has a spiral wrap. The spiral wrap is made of an elastic and soft material and has multiple ring segments, an inner surface and an outer surface. The multiple rings are arranged integrally and continuously to make the wrap to form as a hose. When attaching the spiral protector onto a part of a bicycle frame, the spiral wrap is wrapped to the part of the bicycle frame to make the multiple ring segments be arranged continuously around the part of the bicycle frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of diabetes mellitus using combination therapy. The compositions relate to a compound of Formula I and an antidiabetic agent such as sulfonylureas, biguanides, glitazones, &agr;-glucosidase inhibitors, potassium channel antagonists, aldose reductase inhibitors, glucagon antagonists, activators of RXR, insulin therapy or other anti-obesity agent. The methods include the administration of the combination of compound of Formula I with antidiabetic agent where the two components are delivered in a simultaneous manner, where the compound of Formula I is administered first, followed by the antidiabetic agent, as well as wherein the antidiabetic agent is delivered first followed by the compound of Formula I.

Abstract: This invention provides a new electroluminescent conjugated polymers grafted with highly efficient phosphorescent organometallic complexes (such as iridium, platinum, osmium, rubidium, etc.) and charge transport moieties (such as oxadiazole, thiadiazole, triazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, substituted or non-substituted tertiary arylamines, substituted or non-substituted quarternary arylammonium salts, substituted or non-substituted tertiary heterocyclic aromatic amines, substituted or non-substituted quarternary heterocyclic aromatic ammonium, etc.). The emissive polymers (fully conjugated or limited conjugating length) covering the full visible range can be prepared. The polymeric light emitting diodes with these materials can be used as indicators, light source and display for cellular phones, digital camera, pager, portable computer, personal data acquisition (PDA), watch, hand-held videogame, billboard, etc.

Abstract: A securing device for securing engagement between a stem and a steering tube of a bicycle includes a cap for engaging with distal ends of a clamping tube of the stem and the steering tube, a securing element movably received in the steering tube, an abutting element deformably received between the cap and the clamping tube for engagement with an inner periphery of the steering tube so as to force the steering tube to securely engage with the clamping tube of the stem and a bolt extending through the cap, the abutting element and the securing element for driving the securing element to move so as to force the abutting element to deform inside the steering tube. Thus engagement between the steering tube and the clamping tube is secured after the expansion of the two legs of the abutting element.

Abstract: A modified construct of testing fixture to improve hermetic seal is disclosed. The construct of the testing fixture comprises a cylindrical body, made of Kovar alloy, a ceramic bottom plate and a cover plate, together creating an internal cavity to accommodate an integrated device to be tested. Multiple connecting pins made of Kovar alloy are soldered into through holes on the bottom plate. The integrated device to be tested is loaded up and placed into the cavity of the cylindrical body, and then a cover plate is used to seal off the opening and to make the connecting pins contact the integrated device to establish signal connection with the internal circuits of the integrated device. The modified construct of the testing fixture is able to keep the integrated device hermetically sealed during circuit testing, thus preventing water vapor and dust from getting in.

Abstract: A polyformaldehyde like high polymeric compound plastic particle, includes PET, PC, plasticizer, calcium carbonate, stearic acid resin, OB fluorescent agent, and colored paint. The polyformaldehyde like high polymeric compound plastic particle may be used to make containers in an injection molding manner. Thus, the polyformaldehyde like high polymeric compound plastic particle may make various containers that cannot be made by the conventional polyformaldehyde product.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and method for stabilizing the frequency of a laser. To avoid the effect that a single-frequency absorption spectrum is easy to be affected by variations of laser power and the complexity to modulate a laser frequency, the present invention adopts at least two laser beams at different frequencies and obtains an error signal that is a difference in absorption spectrums of the laser beams. Since the error signal is a difference between two laser beams coming from an identical laser source, the variation of laser power could be eliminated. Furthermore, since the absorption spectrum is usually above hundreds of (MHz), the range of locked frequency of the present invention is large, and the laser frequency is not easily unlocked due to outside disturbance.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of diabetes mellitus using combination therapy. The compositions relate to a compound of Formula I and an antidiabetic agent such as sulfonylureas, biguanides, glitazones, &agr;-glucosidase inhibitors, potassium channel antagonists, aldose reductase inhibitors, glucagon antagonists, activators of RXR, insulin therapy or other anti-obesity agent. The methods include the administration of the combination of compound of Formula I with antidiabetic agent where the two components are delivered in a simultaneous manner, where the compound of Formula I is administered first, followed by the antidiabetic agent, as well as wherein the antidiabetic agent is delivered first followed by the compound of Formula I.

Abstract: A lamp string includes a number of panel illuminators electrically connected to cables that are selectively connected to a wall outlet. Drivers are incorporated in the cables for driving the panel illuminators. Each panel illuminator includes an electro-luminescent element for giving off electro luminescent. The panel illuminators are divided into several groups each associated with an individual driver. If desired, any panel illuminator can be associated with a vibration device for causing vibration of the panel illuminator. Preferably, the panel illuminator that is associated with a vibration device is made in the form of a flying insect or animal.

Abstract: Modulators of PPAR&ggr; activity are provided which are useful in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of conditions such as type II diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying modulators of uncoupling activity in mitochondria and for modulators of uncoupling proteins. In particular, this invention provides homogeneous assays for screening one or more test agents for the ability to modulate uncoupling activity in vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for screening for pharmacological agents which regulate gene expression in mammals. An exemplary assay involves (a) contacting a mammalian cell comprising a knock-in mutant of a targeted native allele encoding a reporter of gene expression, wherein the expression of the reporter is under the control of the gene expression regulatory sequences of the native allele, with a candidate agent under conditions whereby but for the presence of the agent, the reporter is expressed at a first expression level; and, (b) measuring the expression of the reporter to obtain a second expression level, wherein a difference between the first and second expression levels indicates that the candidate agent modulates gene expression.