Abstract: A simple cellulose sulphate based microencapsulation technology has been applied to encapsulate bacterial or other microbial cells, which produce and release digestive enzymes and thereby provides an acid resistant shelter for these microbial cells. Surprisingly, the resulting spheres were found to provide sufficient protection for encapsulated cells from treatment with aqueous acidic solutions. Thereby the cellulose sulphate microencapsulated cells, such as probiotics are now enabled to survive passage, for example, through the stomach after consumption by a human or animal with a higher survival rate than those not within a microcapsule. After passing the stomach these cells are delivering products produced by them, e.g. enzymes or other nutrition factors. This technology therefore proves to be very useful in providing digestive or otherwise beneficial enzymes and/or of living microbial cells, into the lower gastrointestinal tract, where they could confer their health benefit to the host.

Abstract: Discovering molecules (which may be known or may never have been cataloged or ever synthesized) that have desired characteristics is addressed using a machine learning approach. As compared to a brute-force search of a database of known molecules, which may not be computationally feasible, the present machine learning approach renders identification of both known and unknown molecules computationally tractable. Furthermore, the computational effort is largely shifted to training of the machine learning system using a database of known molecules, and the generation of molecules to match any particular characteristics requires relatively little computation. The molecules using the present approach may be further studied, for example, with computer-based simulation or after physical synthesis using biological experimentation to ultimately yield useful chemical compounds.

Abstract: A system for making a food bar comprises a cup holder, a cutting station with a cutter that is configured to cut food contents within the cup holder, a pressing station with a press that is configured to compact the food contents within the cup holder, and a conveyor for moving the cutting station and the pressing station relative to the cup holder.

Abstract: A system for making a food bar comprises a cup holder, a cutting station with a cutter that is configured to cut food contents within the cup holder, a pressing station with a press that is configured to compact the food contents within the cup holder, and a conveyor for moving the cutting station and the pressing station relative to the cup holder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spring-biased, folding ramp that is configured for connection to the rear of a pickup truck. The ramp has an upper section and a lower section that unfold to form a continuous ramp from truck to ground. Springs connecting each section are stretched when the ramp is unfolded and provide a helpful assist when re-folding the ramp back up onto the truck.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an editing module that composes a first hierarchical dependency tree for a first local object model stored on a first client, the first local object model corresponding to a shared object model of an engineering object, and further composes a second hierarchical dependency tree for a second local object model stored on a second client, the second local object model corresponding to the shared object model. The apparatus includes a dependency tree module that compares the first hierarchical dependency tree to the second hierarchical dependency tree. Moreover, the apparatus includes a merging module that automatically merging a first change to the first local object model and a second change to the second local object model in the shared object model below a common antecedent node.

Abstract: A control device is used to move a pick-up truck tailgate. The control device comprises a first gear arrangement connected to a drive cup and a second gear arrangement that is connected to a motor for driving the second gear arrangement. The control device also includes a clutch arrangement positioned between the first and second gear arrangements. When the clutch arrangement is in an engaged position, it couples the first gear arrangement and the second gear arrangement to transmit torque to the first gear arrangement and the drive cup. When the clutch arrangement is in the disengaged position, the first and second gear arrangements are not coupled. Optionally, the control device comprises a brake unit to slow or stop movement of the tailgate. The control device can be positioned within the pick-up truck tailgate.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the power factor of induction machines connected to power distribution grids are provided. In some embodiments, the method can comprise inserting an adjustable voltage source in series with one or more windings of a grid-connected induction machine such that the adjustable voltage source can be adjusted to manipulate the phase angle of the current flowing through the one or more windings relative to the phase angle of the grid voltage. The system can comprise an adjustable voltage source in series with one or more windings of a grid-connected induction machine such that the adjustable voltage source can be adjusted to manipulate the phase angle of the current flowing through the one or more windings relative to the phase angle of the grid voltage.

Abstract: A control device is used to move a pick-up truck tailgate. The control device comprises a first gear arrangement connected to a drive cup and a second gear arrangement that is connected to a motor for driving the second gear arrangement. The control device also includes a clutch arrangement positioned between the first and second gear arrangements. When the clutch arrangement is in an engaged position, it couples the first gear arrangement and the second gear arrangement to transmit torque to the first gear arrangement and the drive cup. When the clutch arrangement is in the disengaged position, the first and second gear arrangements are not coupled. Optionally, the control device comprises a brake unit to slow or stop movement of the tailgate. The control device can be positioned within the pick-up truck tailgate.

Abstract: A dual motion vehicle access step that can be deployed by initially rotating it around a pivot joint in response to an operator pushing down on the step to overcome a closing torque and then translating the step away from the vehicle in response to a biasing force. Both of the closing torque and biasing force are provided by a single energy storage device. An interlocking latch is configured to selectively structurally lock-out either the rotating motion or translating motion on an alternating basis.

Abstract: A balancing bridge module includes a magnetic core, an intra-module pair of windings around the core, each to couple to a separate voltage source, and at least one inter-module winding around the core to couple to an adjacent balancing module. Each of the intra-module and inter-module windings has an equal number of turns and operates to balance voltages between the separate voltage sources and an adjacent module if coupled.

Abstract: A dual motion vehicle access step that can be deployed by initially rotating it around a pivot joint in response to an operator pushing down on the step to overcome a closing torque and then translating the step away from the vehicle in response to a biasing force. Both of the closing torque and biasing force are provided by a single energy storage device. An interlocking latch is configured to selectively structurally lock-out either the rotating motion or translating motion on an alternating basis.

Abstract: An automotive hood hinge assembly is adapted to act as a safety device in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. The hood hinge assembly is constructed from a series of linkages and an energy storage actuator that is configured to raise the rear of a vehicle hood in response to a pedestrian collision. The deployed system forms a rigid structure that restrains rearward movement of the hood while providing a vertical motion path and resistive force capable of efficiently dissipating the energy imparted by the pedestrian and therefore significantly lowering injury levels. The linkages are configured to provide conventional rotary opening and closing motion of the hood when the system is in the retracted position and also provide a reset function so that a simple opening and closing motion of the hood when the system is in the deployed position resets it to the retracted position.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are related to an apparatus and method for a universal attachment device for an inflatable cushion. The apparatus comprising an integrally molded attachment device for an inflatable cushion, the device comprising: a flexible portion; a cushion ring disposed on a first side of the flexible portion; and a cover retainer disposed on a second side of the flexible portion, wherein the cushion ring and the cover retainer are formed by an injection molding process wherein the flexible portion is disposed between the cushion ring and the cover retainer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting an airbag module to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a backing plate for mounting the airbag module to the vehicle, the backing plate comprising: a plurality of elongated mounting members each being drawn from the material of the backing plate wherein the plurality of elongated mounting members are integrally formed with the backing plate and each of the plurality of elongated mounting members has a portion comprising a periphery formed from the material of the backing plate and an opening extending into the elongated mounting member, the opening defining the periphery of the plurality of elongated mounting members.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula (II) ##STR1## wherein q is 1, and p is 1;Ar is phenyl optionally substituted by one or more substitutents independently selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl (which may be substituted by one or more halogen atoms) and halogen;L is --O--;Ar' is 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene;Y is (E)--CH.dbd.CH--;V is hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl;W is C.sub.1-4 alkyl; andQ is a moiety of formula ##STR2## wherein m is 1, R.sup.1 is hydrogen, and R.sup.2 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl;and salts thereof, processes for the preparation of these compounds, pharmaceutical formulations containing them, and uses for them in medicine and in other applications.