Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the rapid evaluation of bacterial susceptibility or non-susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis. The rationale is to identify bacterial responses that depend or are influenced by protein synthesis. If this response is prevented or reduced by the antibiotic that inhibits the protein synthesis, the bacteria are susceptible to this antibiotic. Otherwise, if the response keeps similar despite the incubation with the antibiotic, the bacteria are not susceptible or resistant to this antibiotic. These responses could be determined at the DNA lev-el, cell wall level, morphological level or any other experimental approach, including metabolic, bio-chemical, physiological or genetic processes.

Abstract: Process for enriching microalgal biomass, in particular of the genus Nannochloropsis, with different polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3, DHA), using oils that are rich in these fatty acids. The process comprises the following steps: Preparing a solution or an emulsion of lipids+emulsifying agent (BSA), Preparing the biomass concentrate to obtain a final concentration of mg/ml or greater, Enriching the biomass concentrate by adding the lipids or the emulsion thereof to the microalgal concentrate, Allowing the mixture to rest under constant stirring for at least 24 hours under lighting conditions. The process allows for the simultaneous enrichment of microalgal biomass of the genus Nannochloropsis with eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3) (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) (DHA), to obtain a minimum EPA:DHA weight ratio of 10:1, with an EPA content of at least 10% of the total fatty acid content.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cloning, sequencing and characterization of the gene responsible for Quorum Quenching (QQ) activity against Quorum Sensing (QS) signals of the Tenacibaculum sp. strain 20J (CECT7426). Said gene encodes a peptide having at least lactonase activity with a percentage of identity less than 38% with the lactonases described up until now for other species, as well as the sequences of the homologous genes present in other species of the genus Tenacibaculum. Said peptide shows a broad spectrum of activity degrading optionally substituted N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) of 4-14 carbon atoms in the side chain thereof, is active at pH comprised between 3 and 9, proteinase K- and chymotrypsin-resistant and does not interact with ?-lactam antibiotics.

Abstract: A tire traction mat comprising: a main panel and a plurality of spikes. The main panel includes: a top surface; a bottom surface; a front edge portion; a back edge portion; and two side edge portions. Wherein the plurality of spikes are spaced from one another, attached to the bottom surface of the main panel, adapted to releasably engage a supporting surface, and increase friction between the main panel and the supporting surface. Wherein the tire traction mat is adapted to be placed upon a supporting surface and provide a frictional surface for a tire of a vehicle to roll upon. A tire traction kit is also disclosed comprising: a tire traction mat container; a closing member; and at least one tire traction mat.

Abstract: A music pet house structured and arranged to be motion-activated to play therapeutic music and circulate the air upon a pet's entry to sooth and comfort traumatized pets within their very own safe haven.

Abstract: A cordless, rechargeable battery powered hair dryer having the handle of the hair dryer foldable against the body of the hair dryer for efficient storage, and air filter, battery charger and power cord.

Abstract: Process for enriching microalgal biomass, in particular of the genus Nannochloropsis, with different polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3, DHA), using oils that are rich in these fatty acids. The process comprises the following steps: Preparing a solution or an emulsion of lipids+emulsifying agent (BSA), Preparing the biomass concentrate to obtain a final concentration of mg/ml or greater, Enriching the biomass concentrate by adding the lipids or the emulsion thereof to the microalgal concentrate, Allowing the mixture to rest under constant stirring for at least 24 hours under lighting conditions. The process allows for the simultaneous enrichment of microalgal biomass of the genus Nannochloropsis with eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3) (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) (DHA), to obtain a minimum EPA:DHA weight ratio of 10:1, with an EPA content of at least 10% of the total fatty acid content.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cloning, sequencing and characterization of the gene responsible for Quorum Quenching (QQ) activity against Quorum Sensing (QS) signals of the Tenacibaculum sp. strain 20J (CECT7426). Said gene encodes a peptide having at least lactonase activity with a percentage of identity less than 38% with the lactonases described up until now for other species, as well as the sequences of the homologous genes present in other species of the genus Tenacibaculum. Said peptide shows a broad spectrum of activity degrading optionally substituted N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) of 4-14 carbon atoms in the side chain thereof, is active at pH comprised between 3 and 9, proteinase K- and chymotrypsin-resistant and does not interact with ?-lactam antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to am method for the rapid evaluation of bacterial susceptibility or non-susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis. The rationale is to identify bacterial responses that depend or are influenced by protein synthesis. If this response is prevented or reduced by the antibiotic that inhibits the protein synthesis, the bacteria are susceptible to this antibiotic. Otherwise, if the response keeps similar despite the incubation with the antibiotic, the bacteria are no susceptible or resistant to this antibiotic.

Abstract: Use of bacterial cells of the genus Tenacibaculum, from the crude cellular extract or from its cultivation supernatants, capable of degrading N-acyl homoserine lactones, for quorum quenching, for treatment of infectious bacterial illnesses or to inhibit formation of biofilms.

Abstract: Use of bacterial cells of the genus Tenacibaculum, from the crude cellular extract or from its cultivation supernatants, capable of degrading N-acyl homoserine lactones, for quorum quenching, for treatment of infectious bacterial illnesses or to inhibit formation of biofilms.

Abstract: In order to provide a system (100) for managing memory space (22), the system comprising—at least one central processing unit (10) for executing at least one first task (50) and at least one second task (60),—at least one memory unit (20), in particular at least one cache,—being connected with the central processing unit (10) and—comprising the memory space (22) being subdividable into—at least one first memory space (52), in particular at least one first cache space,—and at least one second memory space (62), in particular at least one second cache space, at least one determination means (30) for determining whether the first task (50) and/or the second task (60) requires the memory space (22), and—at least one allocation means (40) for allocating the memory space (22) to the respective task, in particular for allocating—the first memory space (52) to the first task (50) and 15 the second memory space (62) to the second task (60), wherein it is possible to maximize the memory space (22) being provided to eac

Abstract: A solar cell array includes a series of photovoltaic cells having a front side and a back side. Each photovoltaic cell also includes front contacts and back contacts disposed on the front side and back side of each cell respectively, wherein the front contacts and the back contacts are accessible from the back side of each cell. The solar cell array also includes multiple tabs electrically coupled to the front contacts and configured to provide electrical paths from the front contacts to the back side of each photovoltaic cell. Further, the photovoltaic cells are interconnected by multiple interconnect leads that are coupled from a tab on the back side of a first photovoltaic cell to a back contact point on the back side of a second photovoltaic cell. An automated method of interconnecting the photovoltaic cells in the solar cell array is also disclosed.

Abstract: An X-ray tube is provided as a source of X-rays for imaging systems such as computed tomography (CT) system. The X-ray tube includes an anode assembly comprising a target for emitting X-rays upon irradiation with an electron beam, a rotor shaft coupled to the target and a motor rotor system such that the rotor shaft is configured to rotate the target, and at least two duplex bearing assemblies to support the rotor shaft. The X-ray tube further includes a cathode assembly comprising a cathode configured to emit electron beam and a conical insulator isolating the cathode from ground potential.

Abstract: Media processing in software can be used for consumer terminals like digital television sets or set-top boxes. For reasons of cost-effectiveness, the average processor utilization must be high. This is mostly achieved by allocating below worst-case processor budgets to tasks performing media processing operations. Only if a stable output quality is a primary requirement, a task gets allocated a worst-case processor budget. To gain back on the cost-effectiveness in such a situation, a method and a system are provided to reallocate an unused part of a budget (212) from a first task (&tgr;m) with a worst-case budget to a second task (&tgr;p) with a below worst-case budget. The second task (&tgr;p) may then use the resulting budget surplus (216) to improve the quality of its output. The method and system operate at a very low level, in the scheduling of the tasks performing the media processing.

Abstract: The method according to the invention detects a blocking task during a context switch performed by an underlying real-time operating system (406) and prevents the blocking task from running during the period in which the task blocked.