Abstract: A method for determining a presence of inflammatory bowel disease in a subject. The method involves providing a gut sample obtained from a subject; measuring a level in said gut sample of one or more proteins, wherein said one or more proteins comprises at least one of: leukotriene A-4 hydrolase, catalase, transketolase, thioredoxin domain containing protein 17, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein and thymosin beta-10; and comparing said measured level of each of said one or more proteins to a corresponding protein level for a normal subject. A method for determining a presence of pancolitis in a subject with ulcerative colitis is also provided.

Abstract: A method of isotope-labelling a microbiota sample. It involves providing a first microbiota sample that was obtained from a given source; exposing the first microbiota sample to an isotope enriched medium; and culturing the exposed first microbiota sample in the isotope enriched medium to obtain an isotope-labelled microbiota sample, wherein the isotope labelled metaproteome of the isotope-labelled microbiota sample is taxon specific for taxa present in the first microbiota sample when initially obtained from the given source.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of measuring benzimidazole-based corrosion inhibitors in cooling water. Methods may include withdrawing a sample of water containing a benzimidazole-based compound from an aqueous system and adding an acid to the sample of water and/or diluting with water. Methods may also include exposing the sample of water to light energy of a selected excitation wavelength and measuring an intensity of emitted light about a selected fluorescence emission wavelength. The intensity of the emitted light may be compared to a standard curve, which can be a plot of fluorescence emission intensity of the benzimidazole-based compound versus concentration of the benzimidazole-based compound. The concentration of the benzimidazole-based compound in the sample of water may be determined from the standard curve.

Abstract: A vertical form fill and seal system supports a sheet of material having material segments and a tube sized for drawing edges of the elongated sheet of material together in an overlapping configuration to form the sheet into a substantially tube shape. The VFFS also includes a sealer that seals the edges of the material to one another and a gusseting mechanism sized for forming a gusseted tuck in each of a left panel portion of the material and a right panel portion of the material. A cutting mechanism removes a first portion and a second portion of a first segment of the material segments in order to form a first cut and a second cut in the first segment and a sealing mechanism folds and seals the first segment at the first cut and at the second cut to provide an end wall with a substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions and methods of reducing corrosion using benzimidazoles. The method may include adding a benzimidazole and a halogen to an aqueous system that is in contact with a metal surface. The halogen may be bromine, iodine, or any combination thereof. In some cases, adding the halogen may be optional depending on the substituents on the benzimidazole ring. Compositions are also disclosed that include a benzimidazole, optionally a halogen depending on the substituents on the benzimidazole ring, and optionally a halogen stabilizer.

Abstract: 2-substituted benzimidazoles and methods of preparing the same are disclosed. The compositions may include a compound or salt thereof, an acid, and a polar aprotic solvent. The compositions may be used to inhibit corrosion of a metal surface in contact with an aqueous system, and provide enhanced protection against corrosion of metals in the aqueous system.

Abstract: A vertical form fill and seal system supports a sheet of material having material segments and a tube sized for drawing edges of the elongated sheet of material together in an overlapping configuration to form the sheet into a substantially tube shape. The VFFS also includes a sealer that seals the edges of the material to one another and a gusseting mechanism sized for forming a gusseted tuck in each of a left panel portion of the material and a right panel portion of the material. A cutting mechanism removes a first portion and a second portion of a first segment of the material segments in order to form a first cut and a second cut in the first segment and a sealing mechanism folds and seals the first segment at the first cut and at the second cut to provide an end wall with a substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for motion determination comprising generating a hash value for each changed pixel in a frame of an image display sequence, the changed pixels indicated in a set of sparse display coordinates, for each changed pixel, overwriting (X, Y) information at a position in a symbol table indexed by the hash value, the (X, Y) information comprising one display coordinate associated with the each changed pixel, generating motion vectors for a frame, each motion vector specifying a pixel area determined from at least one (X, Y) delta between one of the changed pixels represented in the symbol table and a previously changed pixel represented at the position in a previous frame symbol table for a previous frame in the image display sequence, and transmitting the motion vectors from the host computer over a network to a client computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a desktop display comprising classifying a first region of the desktop display as persistently changed and a second region of the desktop display as sporadically changed, adjusting, in relation to a user experience (UX) bias and a resource constraint, a target image quality for the first region, decimating the first region in accordance with a spatial decimation factor to generate a first decimated region, compressing the first decimated region at the target image quality and compressing the second region to generate a plurality of compressed regions and transmitting the plurality of compressed regions to a client via an IP network.

Abstract: A system for applying a fastening material to a substrate is provided. The system may include a first material source including the substrate. The substrate may define a first length extending from a first edge to a second edge and the first material source may feed the substrate in a first direction transverse to the first length. The system may additionally include a second material source including the fastening material. The fastening material may define a second length extending from a third edge to a fourth edge, whereby the second length is substantially equal to the first length and the second material source feeds the fastening material in a second direction transverse to the second length. The system may also include an applicator system that secures the fastening material to the substrate.

Abstract: A reclosable bag for storing edibles is provided and includes a body having an inner surface defining an inner volume that receives the edibles and an outer surface formed on an opposite side of the body than the inner surface. A seal extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body and is formed by joining a first portion of the inner surface to a second portion of the inner surface. A deadfold material is disposed in the seal between the first portion of the inner surface and the second portion of the inner surface, is formed from a malleable material, and is retained in position along the body by the seal.

Abstract: A vertical form fill and seal system supports a sheet of material having material segments and a tube sized for drawing edges of the elongated sheet of material together in an overlapping configuration to form the sheet into a substantially tube shape. The VFFS also includes a sealer that seals the edges of the material to one another and a gusseting mechanism sized for forming a gusseted tuck in each of a left panel portion of the material and a right panel portion of the material. A cutting mechanism removes a first portion and a second portion of a first segment of the material segments in order to form a first cut and a second cut in the first segment and a sealing mechanism folds and seals the first segment at the first cut and at the second cut to provide an end wall with a substantially flat, rectangular-shaped footprint.

Abstract: A process for reducing the cost associated with the transportation and disposal of waste material by extracting water ad other liquids from municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, and putrescible waste to thereby significantly reduce the weight of the material prior to transport. In one embodiment, the process involves waste product being turned through a heated auger system, wherein the waste material is indirectly heated by high temperature oil to remove the liquid (including water) and moisture content from the waste product. In another embodiment, the process involves manual or automated movement of the waste material through an environmentally contained area that houses heating devices (e.g., heat lamps) for simulating sunlight, fans, and a water purification and filtration system for drying the waste material and delivering the water content to the water filtration and purification system.

Abstract: A process for reducing the cost associated with the transportation and disposal of waste material by extracting water ad other liquids from municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, and putrescible waste to thereby significantly reduce the weight of the material prior to transport. In one embodiment, the process involves waste product being turned through a heated auger system, wherein the waste material is indirectly heated by high temperature oil to remove the liquid (including water) and moisture content from the waste product. In another embodiment, the process involves manual or automated movement of the waste material through an environmentally contained area that houses heating devices (e.g., heat lamps) for simulating sunlight, fans, and a water purification and filtration system for drying the waste material and delivering the water content to the water filtration and purification system.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for providing hearing aid. An open ear canal hearing aid may be provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The hearing aid may include a part that contains electronic components, a passive amplifier, and a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism may include bristles or balloons. The securing mechanism may have various configurations and be adjustable. In some embodiments, the hearing aid may transmit sound via bone conduction and air conduction.

Abstract: A retail package having a shelf-stable crispy food product and at least one packet of a complimentary shelf-stable topping and a method for preparing a microwave heated snack. The present invention allows a consumer to purchase together and heat a crispy food product and a complimentary topping simultaneously in a microwave oven. The package is ideal for combinations of chips and cheese or any other compatible crispy and non-crispy food products that are desirably kept in separate containers and heated shortly before consuming.

Abstract: A method is provided of forming a multi-pack container assembly having at least two containers joined together by a channel. The method includes the steps of providing sheet having a barrier layer thermoforming the sheet into a multi-pack container assembly having a plurality of containers wherein each container comprises a flange and the flanges of adjacent containers are connected by an engineered area of weakness or channel. Resultant containers can be used for low-moisture, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food products.

Abstract: A support and spacer element for use with one or more reinforcing rods. The element includes a hollow section having an upper rim and a lower rim. The upper rim has one or more pairs of recesses oppositely disposed therein for receiving and supporting respective reinforcing rods. The element also includes one or more pairs of oppositely disposed flanges spaced apart from the upper rim and outwardly extending from the hollow section for securing the reinforcing rods to the hollow section.

Abstract: A method is provided of forming a multi-pack container assembly having at least two containers joined together by a channel. The method includes the steps of providing sheet having a barrier layer thermoforming the sheet into a multi-pack container assembly having a plurality of containers wherein each container comprises a flange and the flanges of adjacent containers are connected by an engineered area of weakness or channel. Resultant containers can be used for low-moisture, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food products.