Abstract: Methods and kits for efficient amplification of nucleic acids are provided. The methods comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having terminal mismatch primer-dimer structure. The methods also comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having nucleotide analogues. The methods enhance efficiency of nucleic acid amplification reaction by reducing non-specific amplification reactions.

Abstract: Methods and kits for efficient amplification of nucleic acids are provided. The methods comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having terminal mismatch primer-dimer structure. The methods also comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having nucleotide analogues. The methods enhance efficiency of nucleic acid amplification reaction by reducing non-specific amplification reactions.

Abstract: A text message application server capable of prioritising incoming SMS messages and passing them to operators for a response, the operators interacting with the application server via the internet. The application server can handle multiple different called numbers, or messages with different identifying words in the message and can prioritise the messages on the basis of the message content.

Abstract: Methods and kits for efficient amplification of nucleic acids are provided. The methods comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having terminal mismatch primer-dimer structure. The methods also comprise in-vitro amplification of a nucleic acid template employing partially constrained primers having nucleotide analogues. The methods enhance efficiency of nucleic acid amplification reaction by reducing non-specific amplification reactions.

Abstract: A child's body of fabric article wherein at least one triangular shaped attachment is securely sewn into a seam along at least one edge. In other embodiments the body of fabric article may optionally include a pocket or a developmental closing mechanism. The pocket allows a child to safely insert a finger into the attachment and is further directed to the resulting method of sensory stimulation for a child. The optional closing mechanism further serves as a method for developing fine motor skills in children, ages two and up.

Abstract: A method of fabricating composite vehicle panels includes the steps of forming a first, upper panel having a depending peripheral lip, forming a second, lower panel of laid up woven mat or strips of a fibrous material such as fiberglass or carbon fibers and a plastic resin to form a corrugated panel having a depending peripheral lip, placing an adhesive on the raised portions of the corrugations and the peripheral lip of the second panel and securing the panels together at the corrugations and about their peripheral lips.

Abstract: The invention teaches using a directional light source to direct light at a target having directional indicia thereon. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Deodorant compositions are disclosed comprising a cross-adapting agent, alone or in combination with other such agents, in an amount effective to reduce perception of malodor. Deodorant compositions are also disclosed comprising a cross-adapting agent, alone or in combination with other such agents, in an amount effective to reduce perception of gender-specific malodor. The methods feature reducing perceived body odor comprising administering a deodorant composition wherein the composition comprises an amount of cross-adapting agent effective to reduce perception of such odor. Other methods feature blocking perceived body odor comprising administering a deodorant composition wherein the composition comprises an amount of cross-adapting agent effective to occupy an odorant receptor site, thereby blocking interaction of the site with other odorants.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a cosmetic composition which, in particular, enables the perfume component resist wash off by water and sweat and to remain fixed on the skin for a long time watertightly. The cosmetic composition comprises fragrance and a fragrance-fixing complex consisting of 0.01-10% by weight of a hydrophobic, alcohol-soluble, carboxylated acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer and 0.01-10% by weight of a hydrolyzed jojoba ester. Further the complex is able to significantly reduce the total amount of fragrances while giving the same scent feeling to the consumer.

Abstract: This invention relates to odor neutralizers comprising esters of the formula (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms which can optionally contain a double bond; R2 is a hydrogen or an alkyl radical with 1 to 3 carbon atoms which can optionally contain a double bond; R3 is a hydrogen or a methyl radical substituted by the alkyl radicals R9 and R10; R4 is a hydrogen, a methyl radical or an acyloxy radical of the general formula O—CO—R1 wherein R1 has the abovementioned meaning; R5, R6, R7, R8 and R10 are identical or different and is hydrogen or methyl; R9 is a hydrogen and R4 and R9 can together represent a single carbon bond or a methylene or an ethylene bridge,with the proviso that i) in the case of cyclohexyl esters in which R1=methyl, R2=isopropyl, R5=methyl and R6=hydrogen, the substituents R2 and R5 are arranged in a cis relationship to each other; ii) in the case of cyclohexyl esters in which R2=isopropenyl, R5=methyl and R6=hydrogen, the substituent R1 is an alkyl group with at leas

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating personalized advertisements or greetings to specified users are disclosed. Existing advertisement methods do not allow advertisers to adequately target specific recipients, and the costs associated with typical Internet advertising, such as developing the advertisement content and purchasing advertisement space, can be prohibitive to smaller businesses and users. The methods and systems described herein solve these problems by allowing advertisers to customize advertisement templates and specify individual recipients for the customized advertisement, and deliver the customized advertisement to the specified recipients.

Abstract: A method of fabricating composite vehicle panels includes the steps of forming a first, upper panel having a depending peripheral lip, forming a second, lower panel of laid up woven mat or strips of a fibrous material such as fiberglass or carbon fibers and a plastic resin to form a corrugated panel having a depending peripheral lip, placing an adhesive on the raised portions of the corrugations and the peripheral lip of the second panel and securing the panels together at the corrugations and about their peripheral lips.

Abstract: A method of fabricating composite vehicle panels includes the steps of forming a first, lower panel with a plurality of raised features having coplanar end portions, forming a second, upper panel having a depending peripheral lip adapted to engage a periphery of the first panel, placing an adhesive on the end portions of the raised features of the first panel and securing said panels together at the raised features and about the peripheral lip.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to wideband antennas, and in particular to antennas for transmitting and receiving ultrawideband (UWB) signals. An antenna comprises an antenna body having an antenna feed coupling region for coupling an antenna feed to the antenna. The antenna body effectively comprises a plurality of substantially straight conducting elements, said conducting elements having lengths ranging from a first length to a second, shorter length, a said length defining a resonant frequency of a said element. Each of said conducting elements has a proximal end in said coupling region, a said element having either said first length or said second length defining an antenna axis, said elements being disposed at angles to said antenna axis. The length of an element at an angle to said antenna axis is determined by a linear relationship between the angle and the resonant frequency for the length.

Abstract: A running board for a passenger car or light truck is assembled from an upper molded thermoplastic section or component having a Class A automotive finish and a lower component or section having reinforcing ribs and mounting brackets. The upper section includes three layers: a paint film having a Class A automotive finish, a thin layer of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and a thick layer of polypropylene. The lower section is homogeneous and may be a plastic such as TPO, polypropylene or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), for example, which may contain chopped, randomly oriented glass reinforcing fibers. The two sections are secured to one another about their peripheries by autogenous bonding.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming wide paint film parts includes a frame; and, attached to the frame, at least two paint film stock grasping members, which generally oppose one another, which can grasp deformable paint film stock, at least one of which can be moved apart from the other while the stock is grasped. The frame may have lateral support members in a rectangular or square arrangement, and the grasping members may include orthogonal, oblique and corner types. The apparatus can be electrically controlled and/or pneumatically actuated. Wide paint film parts may be formed by providing the apparatus; providing a deformable paint film stock; grasping the stock on generally opposing sides by at least two paint film stock grasping members; and, moving, while the stock is so grasped, the at least one of the two paint film stock grasping members apart from the other so as to draw or stretch the stock. A drawn or stretched paint film stock part precursor or a formed wide paint film stock part can result.

Abstract: A system for implementing a high-availability architecture comprising a first compact Peripheral Component Interconnect shelf, a second compact Peripheral Component Interconnect shelf, and a network. The first and second compact peripheral component interconnect shelf are redundant systems. The first compact peripheral component interconnect shelf comprises a first system utility card connected to a first compact core to network interface connected to a first compute platform connected to a first high speed pipe interface. The second compact peripheral component interconnect shelf comprises a second system utility card connected to a second compact core to network interface connected to a second compute platform connected to a second high speed pipe interface. The first and second compact peripheral component interconnect shelf are connected via Ethernet. The first and second compact core to network interface is connected to the network.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for a high availability computer system architecture using high-speed pipes are provided. An active computer system and a standby computer system are connected using a physical pipe for transferring data between the active computer system and the standby computer system. A first logical pipe is used for transferring data over the physical pipe, and a second logical pipe is used for transferring high-availability data over the physical pipe. Network-interface cards may be used to implement the high-speed pipes.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for a high availability computer system architecture using high-speed pipes are provided. An active computer system and a standby computer system are connected using a physical pipe for transferring data between the active computer system and the standby computer system. A first logical pipe is used for transferring data over the physical pipe, and a second logical pipe is used for transferring high-availability data over the physical pipe. Network-interface cards may be used to implement the high-speed pipes.

Abstract: This invention relates to odor neutralizers comprising esters of the formula (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms which can optionally contain a double bond; R2 is a hydrogen or an alkyl radical with 1 to 3 carbon atoms which can optionally contain a double bond; R3 is a hydrogen or a methyl radical substituted by the alkyl radicals R9 and R10; R4 is a hydrogen, a methyl radical or an acyloxy radical of the general formula O—CO—R1 wherein R1 has the abovementioned meaning; R5, R6, R7, R8 and R10 are identical or different and is hydrogen or methyl; R9 is a hydrogen and R4 and R9 can together represent a single carbon bond or a methylene or an ethylene bridge, with the proviso that i) in the case of cyclohexyl esters in which R1=methyl, R2=isopropyl, R5=methyl and R6=hydrogen, the substituents R2 and R5 are arranged in a cis relationship to each other; ii) in the case of cyclohexyl esters in which R2=isopropenyl, R5=methyl and R6&equa