Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for controlling thrips populations using thrips-repelling and/or thrips-attracting agents. The invention also provides methods of preventing or minimizing damage to plants by use of the same.

Abstract: Load sharing apparatus for load sharing between a plurality of power supplies (1, 2). The apparatus comprises one or more load sharing modules (Share1, Share2), each for association with a respective power supply. The or each load sharing module comprises load determining means for generating a signal which represents a load value corresponding to the power or current supplied by the respective power supply, and voltage control means for controlling the output voltage of the respective power supply to vary inversely with said load value at a first rate when the load value is below a threshold value, and for controlling the output voltage of the respective power supply to vary inversely with said load value at a second rate when the load value equals or exceeds said (first) threshold value. Said second rate is greater than said first rate.

Abstract: A method for continuous production planning includes identifying a forbidden transition associated with production of first and second end products. The forbidden transition indicates that a manufacturer should not produce the first and second end products consecutively. The method also includes identifying a bridge product associated with the forbidden transition. The bridge product represents a product that the manufacturer could produce between production of the first and second end products. The method further includes determining a quantity of the bridge product that could be produced by the manufacturer. In addition, the method includes scheduling production of the first and second end products and the bridge product. At least a portion of the quantity of the bridge product is scheduled for production between the production of the first and second end products.

Abstract: A safety-stop trochar device and system for use with a trochar and surgical accessory devices. The device and system has a base into which an insert seats over which a cap secures to the base and also secures a previously inserted trochar or drainage device or smoke evacuator or surgical accessory such as an obturator and illumination device. Flexible extension wings on the base have distal suture apertures or an adhesive on the bottom of the base, or both, for securing the base to a patient. U-shaped extensions on the cap facilitate cap placement or removal onto or from the base.

Abstract: A reductant delivery system is provided for delivery of reductant to an engine exhaust aftertreatment system that is heated during cold temperature conditions. A heat exchange fluid flows through a heat exchange circuit that provides a flow path from the heat source to the doser, from the doser to the reductant storage tank, and from the reductant storage tank to the heat source. A control valve controls the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange circuit so that at least one heat exchange cycle includes a circulation period that increases the temperature of the reductant in the doser and storage tank and a termination period where circulation is stopped until reductant temperature in the doser reaches a lower limit.

Abstract: A membrane-coated particle composition and methods comprising a particle surrounded by a native cell membrane are disclosed. The cell membrane may contain selected receptors or binding components. At least a portion of the receptors or binding components are oriented on the membrane-coated particle in the same or similar orientation as in the native cell membrane. The membrane-coated particle(s) finds use, for example, in contexts of basic research, proteomics, drug discovery, drug delivery, medical diagnostics, and aspects of patient care.

Abstract: A mixer/feeder wagon (1) for mixing and dispensing batches of animal feed comprises a device (50) for monitoring operation of the mixer/feeder wagon (1) and for determining instants during a mixing cycle during which ingredients of the animal feed are to be loaded into the mixer/feeder wagon (1). The mixer/feeder wagon (1) comprises a mixing compartment (14) within which a paddle mixer (17) is rotatable for mixing the ingredients of the batch of animal feed therein. Load sensors (9) produce signals indicative of the current weight of the ingredients in the mixing compartment (14) which are read by a microprocessor (55) of the device (50). A proximity sensor (38) counts the number of revolutions of the paddle mixer 17.

Abstract: A composition includes Mogroside V and a Rebaudioside component in a weight ratio ?1:1 and ?6:1, wherein the Rebaudioside component consists of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of Rebaudioside A, Rebaudioside B and Rebaudioside D. A method of purifying a Luo Han Guo extract includes contacting the Luo Han Guo extract with activated carbon and a macroporous polymeric adsorbent resin, an ion exchange resin, or both. A composition includes a Luo Han Guo extract, wherein Mogroside V constitutes from 50 wt % to 75 wt % of the Luo Han Guo extract and the composition includes from 0 to 13 wt % in total relative to the Mogroside V of aromatic glycosides, and from 0 to 15 ppm of semi-volatile organic compounds relative to the Mogroside V.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for creating an encrypted logical unit is provided. A first identification number is received, the first identification number associated with a first encryption key used to encrypt a first logical unit. The first identification number and the first encryption key are stored at a first secure location, where the first secure location provides the first encryption key to a requester in response to receiving the first identification number from the requester, assuming the requester provides security credentials. A first metadata storage space is defined on the first logical unit, the first metadata storage space comprising a region on the first logical unit that remains unencrypted. The first identification number is stored in the first metadata storage space on the first logical unit.

Abstract: Beneficial and synergistic effects for alleviating joint pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis have been found with krill oil and/or marine oil in combination with other active constituents, including astaxanthin and polymeric hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronan) in an oral dosage form.

Abstract: A method for transforming an image expressed in terms of a first image encoding to a second image encoding, includes converting a set of original scene exposure-factor values into corresponding first and second image encoding values. A transform is then derived between the first image encoding values and the second image encoding values. The transform is then applied to an image encoded in said first image encoding. Examples of different encoding that can be transformed include Rec. 709, sRGB and other known image encoding standards. A system for performing such transformations as well as an electronic device that is capable of performing such transformations are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied by a composition capable of chaperoning a typically non-orally available therapeutic or diagnostic agent through the environment of the digestive tract such that the therapeutic or diagnostic agent is bioavailable. The composition may or may not be targeted to specific cellular receptors, such as hepatocytes. Therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, insulin, calcitonin, serotonin, and other proteins. Targeting is accomplished with biotin or metal based targeting agents.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a near field communication (NFC) device which includes a wrist-worn NFC-enabled electronics device, wherein the wrist-worn NFC enabled electronics device includes a first communications link for communicating with a second NFC-enabled electronics device via NFC protocols, and a second communications link for communicating with an eyepiece via a medium-range communications protocol and receiving control commands. The wrist-worn NFC-enabled electronics device facilitates the transfer of data between the eyepiece and the second NFC-enabled electronics device. The eyepiece comprises optics enabling a see-through display on which is displayed the data.

Abstract: Controlling a flatness of a first surface of a sheet material can include: (a) determining a first surface contour of the first surface of the sheet; (b) applying compressive stresses to one or more portions of the first surface of the sheet after the determination of the first surface contour of the sheet; (c) annealing compressive stresses in one or more portions of the first surface of the sheet after the determination of the first surface contour of the sheet; (d) determining a second surface contour of the first surface of the sheet after the compressive stresses have been applied to, and annealed from, the sheet; (e) comparing the second surface contour to a threshold flatness; and (f) performing (b)-(e) one or more times until the determined second surface contour is less than the threshold flatness.

Abstract: A drive axle housing system may minimize churning of splash and spray oil within a drive axle housing. The drive axle housing system includes apparatus for incorporation into the axle, the apparatus including an oil churning reduction member that may be affixed to the interior walls of the axle housing. The oil churning reduction member includes interior surfaces adapted to closely align with interior moving gear components of the axle to minimize efficiency losses due to oil movement. The system may also incorporate an annular element, affixed to the axle housing and closely aligned with the backside of a ring gear component of the differential axle. The combined use of the member and the element may substantially reduce torque losses attributable to excessive churning of oil.

Abstract: A durable substrate coating and a process of making include a resin master batch. The resin master batch can include ethylene propylene diene with a polymethylene backbone, mineral spirits, fillers, a de-tackifier, a curative, an activator component, and a metal dryer. The process can include adding the mineral spirits to: the ethylene propylene diene, a plasticizer, and the de-tackifier, and blending to form a solution. The process can include adding the fillers, a light stabilizer, a rheology modifier, and a pigment to the solution, forming a first mixture. The process can include adding another rheology modifier, another light stabilizer, an antioxidant, and a curative to the first mixture, forming a second mixture. The process can include mixing the second mixture to homogenously disperse each ingredient while maintaining a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius to prevent the mineral spirits from flashing.

Abstract: Processes and systems for electrolytically processing a microfeature workpiece with a first processing fluid and an anode are described. Microfeature workpieces are electrolytically processed using a first processing fluid, an anode, a second processing fluid, and a cation permeable barrier layer. The cation permeable barrier layer separates the first processing fluid from the second processing fluid while allowing certain cationic species to transfer between the two fluids. The described processes produce deposits over repeated plating cycles that exhibit deposit properties (e.g., resistivity) within desired ranges.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a multi-function inkjet print system which prints with inks having thermo-reactive properties and which can further process media printed with thermo-reactive inks such that the various properties of the inks can be activated. One embodiment of the present print device comprises at least one thermo-changing element which resides in proximity to a transport path along which the media travels. The thermo-changing element effectively changing a temperature T of the media to: T?TL or T?TH, as desired. In various embodiments, a sensor is used for sensing a temperature of the media. A temp-normalizing element is positioned along the transport path and downstream of the thermo-changing element for changing a temperature of the media such that the media's temperature T can be normalized back to a range of TL<<T<<TH prior to the media being deposited into an output tray. Various embodiments of a user interface are disclosed.