Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A system and process for gasifying carbonaceous feedstock with staged slurry addition in order to prevent the formation of tar that causes deposition problems. Dry solid carbonaceous material is partially combusted, then pyrolyzed along with a first slurry stream comprising carbonaceous material in two separate reactor sections, thereby producing mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The second slurry stream comprising particulate carbonaceous material is fed to a drying unit downstream of a heat recovery zone along with the mixture product exiting the heat recovery zone. The resulting final temperature of the second stage mixture products and dried particulate carbonaceous material is between 450° F. and 550° F., a temperature range that is typically not conducive to the emission of heavy molecular-weight tar species.

Abstract: A clumping animal litter is disclosed which includes non-swelling particles and a swelling agent coated on the non-swelling particles. In one embodiment, the non-swelling particles are manufactured by agglomerating clay fines.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for multi-address space tracing. A trigger module establishes a trigger event with a trace level. The trigger event occurs in at least a first address space of a plurality of address spaces. The trace level defines trace data to be stored from the plurality of address spaces. A monitor monitors messages communicated within and between the plurality of address spaces. A detection module detects the trigger event. A log module logs the trace data from the plurality of address spaces defined by the trace level in response to detecting the trigger event.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for fitness based routing. Embodiments of the invention significantly improve the likelihood that routing nodes contained in routing table have adequate (or even relatively increased) ability to transfer and process messages in an overlay network. Thus, when the node is to make a routing decision for a message, the node has some assurances that any selected routing node is adequate (or is at least the best currently available). Further, a sending node can take preference to routing nodes with higher fitness values when sending a message. Preference to higher fitness metric values further insures that messages are adequately transferred and processed. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention can be used to route messages in a manner that optimizes bandwidth and provides efficient routing capability.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program embodiments for reducing deadlock in multi-system computing environments are provided. A set of default, current wait times is initialized for resource requests of each of a plurality of resources. A plurality of resource holders and resource waiters is monitored within an address space. If one resource holder of the plurality of resource holders of one of the plurality of resources is determined to be one resource waiter on another of the plurality of resources, a current wait time for the one resource holder is incremented and a deadlock indicator for both the one resource holder and the one resource waiter is activated. Following expiration of a predefined interval, the plurality of resource holders and resource waiters are parsed through to determine an original resource holder, indicating a system deadlock. The resource holder associated with the system deadlock having a lowest current wait time is restarted.

Abstract: A method comprising (a) contacting a support and a chromium-containing compound to form chromium-containing support, (b) heat treating the chromium-containing support in an oxidizing atmosphere to form a treated support, (c) contacting the treated support with carbon monoxide to form a CO-contacted support, and (d) contacting the CO-contacted support with hydrogen to form a catalyst. A method comprising oxidizing a chromium-treated support to form a polymerization catalyst, contacting the polymerization catalyst with carbon monoxide to form a reduced polymerization catalyst, contacting the reduced polymerization catalyst with hydrogen to form an activated polymerization catalyst, and contacting the activated polymerization catalyst with ethylene in a reaction zone under suitable reaction conditions to form a random copolymer.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine/hybrid transmission assembly of a motor vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine and a hybrid module mounted on the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a flywheel. The hybrid transmission comprises a transmission and a hybrid module. The hybrid module has an electric motor which comprises a stator, on the stator side, and a rotor, on the rotor side, and the stator on the stator side comprises a stator housing, a stator liner which accommodates a stator core, and an end winding positioned on both sides of the stator core, when viewed in the axial direction. The section of the end winding, positioned on the side of the stator core facing the flywheel, is at least partially covered by a section of the flywheel, when viewed in the axial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transillumination measurement device for determining the intensity of a chemical/biological reaction, comprising at least one carrier layer, a source and a quantum detector of electromagnetic radiation, and an interface. A reaction membrane is applied to the carrier layer and features at least one chemically/biologically reactive test area. The electromagnetic radiation emitted from the source lies in a first optical spectral range, and the quantum detector features an area that is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation in a second optical spectral range, and the first and second spectral ranges at least partially overlap. The source and the quantum detector of electromagnetic radiation are electrically connected to the interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enzyme-containing gel composition capable of controlling enzymatic release and increasing the enzymatic activity level. When the composition includes at least one enzyme derived from Antarctic krill, it is efficient in cleansing wounds and accelerating healing, achieved in significant part by a glycol and/or glycerol gel capable of sustaining enzymatic release and/or enzymatic activity. The krill enzyme-containing gel may also be used to correct skin disorders, sterilize instruments, and facilitate transplants and treating fungal infections, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, hemorrhoids, corneal scarring, dental plaque, acne, cystic fibrosis, blood clots, immune disorders, autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for combining seismic data sets. This method has application in merging data sets of different vintages, merging data sets collected using different acquisition technologies, and merging data sets acquired using different types of sensors, for example merging hydrophone and geophone measurements in ocean bottom seismic data.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for combining seismic data sets. This method has application in merging data sets of different vintages, merging data sets collected using different acquisition technologies, and merging data sets acquired using different types of sensors, for example merging hydrophone and geophone measurements in ocean bottom seismic data.

Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention utilizes composite materials to achieve significant weight savings relative to conventional seat designs. The seat assembly includes a lightweight composite support structure, a lightweight composite seat base, and a seat back assembly that employs a lightweight inner frame. The seat cushion and the seat back cushion may utilize a sealed pneumatic element that self-inflates to provide increased air cushioning during flight. The seat assembly can leverage inexpensive manufacturing techniques such that the seat assembly can be economically produced for use as an economy class seat.

Abstract: An atmospheric water harvester includes a cooling member over which humid air flows to condense moisture from the atmosphere. The cooling member may be the evaporator of a conventional, gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit. If a gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit is used, the compressor of the circuit may be variable speed. A fan or impeller used to move air through the system may also be variable speed. Preferred embodiments are reconfigurable between at least two operational configurations such that to varying degrees the incoming air may be pre-cooled, before it passes over the cooling member, by heat exchange with colder air that has already flowed over the cooling member.

Abstract: Disclosed is semiconductor structure with an insulator layer on a semiconductor substrate and a device layer is on the insulator layer. The substrate is doped with a relatively low dose of a dopant having a given conductivity type such that it has a relatively high resistivity. Additionally, a portion of the semiconductor substrate immediately adjacent to the insulator layer can be doped with a slightly higher dose of the same dopant, a different dopant having the same conductivity type or a combination thereof. Optionally, micro-cavities are created within this same portion so as to balance out any increase in conductivity with a corresponding increase in resistivity. Increasing the dopant concentration at the semiconductor substrate-insulator layer interface raises the threshold voltage (Vt) of any resulting parasitic capacitors and, thereby reduces harmonic behavior. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method and a design structure for such a semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A high-frequency DC to DC converter comprising n transient converter circuits (1, 2 . . . n) operating in parallel. The converter has constant transfer characteristics, and the transient converter circuits are operated phase-shifted by 360°/n and with interleaved duty cycles, which results in a continuous energy transfer through the circuit. The circuit is also soft-switched, with very low switching losses. In particular, the active semiconductors only switch off a relatively small magnetization current, during a recovery phase which can last as long as (n?1)/n of the switching phase period.

Abstract: Disclosed is semiconductor structure with an insulator layer on a semiconductor substrate and a device layer is on the insulator layer. The substrate is doped with a relatively low dose of a dopant having a given conductivity type such that it has a relatively high resistivity. Additionally, a portion of the semiconductor substrate immediately adjacent to the insulator layer can be doped with a slightly higher dose of the same dopant, a different dopant having the same conductivity type or a combination thereof. Optionally, micro-cavities are created within this same portion so as to balance out any increase in conductivity due to increased doping with a corresponding increase in resistivity. Increasing the dopant concentration at the semiconductor substrate-insulator layer interface raises the threshold voltage (Vt) of any resulting parasitic capacitors and, thereby reduces harmonic behavior. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for forming such a semiconductor structure.

Abstract: The borosilicate glass for pharmaceutical packaging has a transmission ? in the visible range of more than 80% at a wavelength of 400 nm, a transmission ? in the UV range of at most 0.1% at wavelengths under 260 nm (each at a sample thickness of 1 mm), a transformation temperature Tg of 550° C. to 590° C. and a processing temperature VA of 1100° C. to 1200° C. The glass has a composition, in wt. % on an oxide basis, of SiO2, 60-80; B2O3, 5-15; Al2O3, 2-10; TiO2, 0.5-7; ? Li2O+K2O+Na2O, 3-10; ? alkaline earth oxides, 0.5-10; ZrO2, 0-3; and Fe2O3, 0-0.2. The glass is suitable for packaging UV-sensitive substances but nevertheless permits optical quality control.

Abstract: A method comprising (a) providing a catalyst comprising chromium and a support having a pore volume of from about 1.7 ml/g to about 3.5 ml/g and a surface area of from about 450 m2/g to about 700 m2/g, (b) oxidizing the catalyst to form an oxidized catalyst, (c) reducing the oxidized catalyst to form an oxidized reduced catalyst, (d) oxidizing the oxidized reduced catalyst to form an activated catalyst, (e) contacting the activated catalyst with an olefin under conditions suitable to form a polyolefin, and (f) recovering the polyolefin, wherein the polyolefin has a density of greater than about 0.960 g/cc and a melt index of from about 1.3 g/10 min. to about 2.8 g/10 min.