Abstract: The invention relates to biomimetic adhesive compositions emulating mussel adhesive proteins, wherein multiple chains of a copolymer are interlinked via specific hydrogen bonds and/or ligand-metal-ligand bonds, which serve as sacrificial breakable bonds upon mechanical stress and thereby effectively dissipate the mechanical energy. Accordingly, toughened adhesive compositions with improved ductility and strength may be obtained.

Abstract: The oral car compositions described herein comprise ascorbic acid derivatives as teeth whitening agents. The oral care compositions described herein are stable until use, reasonably priced, safe, easy to use, and do not require special apparatus or trained personnel to be applied.

Abstract: Film forming compositions and methods for preventing stains and increasing shine and gloss of teeth. The film forming compositions may include a polymer, such as a hydrophobic polymer, and an orally acceptable solvent. The hydrophobic polymer may include an acrylate component and a hydrophobic group coupled with one another. The hydrophobic group may include an alkyl chain, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene, a polyester, a polyorthoester, a phospholipid, a long chain fatty acid, a vinyl chloride, fluorethylene, a siloxane, a urethane, an octylacrylamide, a butylaminoethyl, a styrene, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Film forming compositions and methods for preventing stains and increasing shine and gloss of teeth. The film forming compositions may include a polymer, such as a hydrophobic polymer, and an orally acceptable solvent. The hydrophobic polymer may include an acrylate component and a hydrophobic group coupled with one another. The hydrophobic group may include an alkyl chain, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene, a polyester, a polyorthoester, a phospholipid, a long chain fatty acid, a vinyl chloride, fluorethylene, a siloxane, a urethane, an octylacrylamide, a butylaminoethyl, a styrene, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Film forming compositions and methods for preventing stains and increasing shine and gloss of teeth. The film forming compositions may include a polymer, such as a hydrophobic polymer, and an orally acceptable solvent. The hydrophobic polymer may include an acrylate component and a hydrophobic group coupled with one another. The hydrophobic group may include an alkyl chain, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene, a polyester, a polyorthoester, a phospholipid, a long chain fatty acid, a vinyl chloride, fluorethylene, a siloxane, a urethane, an octylacrylamide, a butylaminoethyl, a styrene, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Provided are adhesive compositions comprising copolymers having biomimetic cross-linkable monomers derived from mussel adhesive proteins. Also provided are methods of curing the adhesive compositions, methods of manufacturing the adhesive compositions, and devices comprising the adhesive compositions.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relate to methods of adhering in an aqueous environment. More specifically, embodiments of this invention relate to use of a copolymer mimics of mussel adhesive proteins as a high-strength adhesive in aqueous environments.

Abstract: A method of reducing staining by an oral care composition, including providing an effective amount of a metal chelator, wherein the oral care composition includes chlorhexidine.

Abstract: The invention relates to biomimetic adhesive compositions emulating mussel adhesive proteins, wherein multiple chains of a copolymer are interlinked via specific hydrogen bonds and/or ligand-metal-ligand bonds, which serve as sacrificial breakable bonds upon mechanical stress and thereby effectively dissipate the mechanical energy. Accordingly, toughened adhesive compositions with improved ductility and strength may be obtained.

Abstract: A method of reducing staining by an oral care composition, including providing an effective amount of a metal chelator, wherein the oral care composition includes chlorhexidine.

Abstract: A system of synchronized computing devices, connected via a common network and configured to operate one or more common computing tasks across the system, includes a plurality of subcomponent computing devices, each including, at least, a non-transitory, machine readable storage medium, storing instructions associated with the one or more common computing tasks. The system further includes one or more processors, each of the processors configured to output a plurality of events occurring throughout the system. The system further includes a synchronization controller configured to determine a continually updating value of interest, based on a symmetric function of the one or more events, provide the continually updating value of interest, subject to a time delay, wherein the time delay is a time period having a length substantially longer than an average time interval between two consecutive members of the plurality of events.

Abstract: Film forming compositions and methods for preventing stains and increasing shine and gloss of teeth. The film forming compositions may include a polymer, such as a hydrophobic polymer, and an orally acceptable solvent. The hydrophobic polymer may include an acrylate component and a hydrophobic group coupled with one another. The hydrophobic group may include an alkyl chain, a polyethylene glycol, a polypropylene, a polyester, a polyorthoester, a phospholipid, a long chain fatty acid, a vinyl chloride, fluorethylene, a siloxane, a urethane, an octylacrylamide, a butylaminoethyl, a styrene, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for generating text explanations for the results of linearly constrained optimizations of a linear program includes determining, based on one or more constraints, bounds, and variable values of the linear program, if optimization based on the one or more constraints is feasible. The method further includes if optimization based on the one or more constraints is feasible, analyzing, the one or more constraints, bounds, and variable values of the linear program, in relation to one another, to determine one or more pairs of solutions to the linear program and associated shadow prices. The method further includes determining textual explanations for each of the pairs of solutions to the linear program and the associated shadow prices and presenting, via an output display, the user with at least one of the textual explanations for each of the pairs of solutions to the linear program and the associated shadow prices.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relate to methods of adhering in an aqueous environment. More specifically, embodiments of this invention relate to use of a copolymer mimics of mussel adhesive proteins as a high-strength adhesive in aqueous environments.

Abstract: Provided are adhesive compositions comprising copolymers having biomimetic cross-linkable monomers derived from mussel adhesive proteins. Also provided are methods of curing the adhesive compositions, methods of manufacturing the adhesive compositions, and devices comprising the adhesive compositions.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a short-coherence source and an internal path-matching assembly contained within its housing. Because path matching occurs within the housing of the interferometer, it is removed from external environmental factors that affect measurements. Therefore, a single cateye measurement of an exemplary surface can be performed in advance and stored as a calibration for subsequent radius-of-curvature measurements. In one embodiment, a path-matching stage is incorporated into a dynamic interferometer where orthogonally polarized test and reference beams are fed to a dynamic imaging system. In another embodiment, orthogonal linearly polarized test and reference beams are injected into a remote dynamic interferometer by means of one single-mode polarization-maintaining optical fiber.

Abstract: A dimeric aluminum(salen) catalyst of formula I: wherein: (a) at least one R group is selected from L-A, and/or (b) at least one of X group is a divalent C3-7 heterocyclene group, containing a ring atom which is a quaternary nitrogen atom paired with a counterion selected from Cl, Br and I; and/or (c) at least one X group is a C2-5 alkylene chain or a C1-3 bisoxyalkylene chain, substituted by a group -Q-L-A; and/or (ii) (a) one R group is L-A?, or (b) one X group is a divalent C3-7 heterocyclene group, containing a ring atom which is a quaternary nitrogen forming part of an ammonium linking group bound to a solid support and paired with a counterion selected from Cl, Br and I; or (c) one X group is a C2-5 alkylene chain or a C1-3 bisoxyalkylene chain, substituted by a group -Q-L-A?.

Abstract: A process for the production of cyclic carbonates comprising contacting an epoxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a dimeric aluminum(salen) catalyst, and a co-catalyst capable of supplying Y?, where Y is selected from Cl, Br and I, where the dimeric aluminum(salen) catalyst is of formula I:

Abstract: A traveling sprinkler system comprising: a sphere shaped surface; at least one wheel over a circumference of the sphere shaped surface, where the at least one wheel divides the sphere into a first half and a second half; a plurality of holes on both the first half and the second half of the sphere shaped surface; a water hose receptacle, where the water hose receptacle receives a flow of water from a water hose; and wheel gears within the sphere, where the flow of water transfers over the wheel gears to enable the movement of the at least one wheel and the flow of water transfers through the plurality of holes creating a sprinkling action.

Abstract: Dimeric aluminum catalysts of formula I: and their use in catalyzing the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide.