Abstract: Filaments that contain a filament-forming material and an additive, nonwoven webs, and methods for making such filaments are provided.

Abstract: A method for delivering one or more oral care active agents to a mammal's mouth using a nonwoven web of filaments and/or fibers containing one or more oral care active agents that are releasable from the filaments and/or fibers is provided.

Abstract: In one aspect of the disclosure, a method includes rendering, by a processor, a virtual environment associating, by the processor, exercise machine control signals with the virtual environment, and displaying, by the processor, the virtual environment on a video wall. The method may include receiving, by the processor, a video of a trainer on an exercise machine in front of the video wall displaying the virtual environment, wherein the exercise machine has one or more parameters which are controlled according to the exercise machine control signals associated with the virtual environment, associating, by the processor, the control signals with the video of the trainer in the virtual environment, and publishing the video with the associated control signals for use on a remote exercise machine.

Abstract: A method for performing downhole gas lift operations includes coupling a gas lift valve to a tubing, wherein the gas lift valve includes an actuator, a flow control device disposed in the actuator, and a closure member that is initially in an open position; injecting a gas downhole and exterior to the tubing; urging the gas to enter the tubing via the gas lift valve; and creating a sufficient pressure differential across the gas lift valve to move the actuator, thereby causing the closure member to close the gas lift valve.

Abstract: Novel lipid-nucleic acid particulate complexes which are useful for in vitro or in vivo gene transfer are described. The particles can be formed using either detergent dialysis methods or methods which utilize organic solvents. Upon removal of a solubilizing component (i.e., detergent or an organic solvent) the lipid-nucleic acid complexes form particles wherein the nucleic acid is serum-stable and is protected from degradation. The particles thus formed have access to extravascular sites and target cell populations and are suitable for the therapeutic delivery of nucleic acids.

Abstract: Novel lipid-nucleic acid particulate complexes which are useful for in vitro or in vivo gene transfer are described. The particles can be formed using either detergent dialysis methods or methods which utilize organic solvents. Upon removal of a solubilizing component (i.e., detergent or an organic solvent) the lipid-nucleic acid complexes form particles wherein the nucleic acid is serum-stable and is protected from degradation. The particles thus formed have access to extravascular sites and target cell populations and are suitable for the therapeutic delivery of nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention includes novel liposomes comprising dihydrosphingomyelin. The invention also includes compositions comprising these liposomes and a therapeutic agent, in addition to methods and kits for delivering a therapeutic agent or treating a disease, e.g., a cancer, using these compositions.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of a lipid-nucleic acid composition are provided. According to the methods, a mixture of lipids containing a protonatable or deprotonatable lipid, for example an amino lipid and a lipid such as a PEG- or Polyamide oligomer-modified lipid is combined with a buffered aqueous solution of a charged therapeutic agent, for example polyanionic nucleic acids, to produce particles in which the therapeutic agent is encapsulated in a lipid vesicle. Surface charges on the lipid particles are at least partially neutralized to provide surface-neutralized lipid-encapsulated compositions of the therapeutic agents. The method permits the preparation of compositions with high ratios of therapeutic agent to lipid and with encapsulation efficiencies in excess of 50%.

Abstract: Lipid-nucleic acid particles can provide therapeutic benefits, even when the nucleic acid is not complementary to coding sequences in target cells. It has been found that lipid-nucleic acid particles, including those containing non-sequence specific oligodeoxynucleotides, can be used to stimulate cytokine secretion, thus enhancing the overall immune response of a treated mammal. Further, immune response to specific target antigens can be induced by administration of a antigenic molecule in association with lipid particles containing non-sequence specific oligodeoxynucleotides. The nucleic acid which is included in the lipid-nucleic acid particle can be a phosphodiester (i.e.

Abstract: Plasmid-lipid particles which are useful for transfection of cells in vitro or in vivo are described. The particles can be formed using either detergent dialysis methods or methods which utilize organic solvents. The particles are typically 65-85 nm, fully encapsulate the plasmid and are serum-stable.

Abstract: Particle aggregation of lipid:nucleic acid complex particles is prevented by incorporating a non-cationic lipid into lipid:nucleic acid complex particles containing a cationic lipid and a nucleic acid polymer. The non-cationic lipid is a polyethylene glycol-based polymer.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of a lipid-nucleic acid composition are provided. According to the methods, a mixture of lipids containing a protonatable or deprotonatable lipid, for example an amino lipid and a lipid such as a PEG- or Polyamide oligomer-modified lipid is combined with a buffered aqueous solution of a charged therapeutic agent, for example polyanionic nucleic acids, to produce particles in which the therapeutic agent is encapsulated in a lipid vesicle. Surface charges on the lipid particles are at least partially neutralized to provide surface-neutralized lipid-encapsulated compositions of the therapeutic agents. The method permits the preparation of compositions with high ratios of therapeutic agent to lipid and with encapsulation efficiencies in excess of 50%.

Abstract: Plasmid-lipid particles which are useful for transfection of cells in vitro or in vivo are described. The particles can be formed using either detergent dialysis methods or methods which utilize organic solvents. The particles are typically 65-85 nm, fully encapsulate the plasmid and are serum-stable.

Abstract: Plasmid-lipid particles which are useful for transfection of cells in vitro or in vivo are described. The particles can be formed using either detergent dialysis methods or methods which utilize organic solvents. The particles are typically 65-85 nm, fully encapsulate the plasmid and are serum-stable.

Abstract: Novel lipid-nucleic acid particulate complexes which are useful for in vitro or in vivo gene transfer are described. The particles can be formed using either detergent dialysis methods or methods which utilize organic solvents. Upon removal of a solubilizing component (i.e., detergent or an organic solvent) the lipid-nucleic acid complexes form particles wherein the nucleic acid is serum-stable and is protected from degradation. The particles thus formed have access to extravascular sites and target cell populations and are suitable for the therapeutic delivery of nucleic acids.

Abstract: Plasmid-lipid particles which are useful for transfection of cells in vitro or in vivo are described. The particles can be formed using either detergent dialysis methods or methods which utilize organic solvents. The particles are typically 65-85 nm, fully encapsulate the plasmid and are serum-stable.

Abstract: Particle aggregation of lipid:nucleic acid complex particles is prevented by incorporating a non-cationic lipid into lipid:nucleic acid complex particles containing a cationic lipid and a nucleic acid polymer. The non-cationic lipid is a polyethylene glycol-based polymer.

Abstract: A laser diode array assembly includes a laser diode array and a memory device integrally packaged with the array. The memory device includes operational information concerning the array. The memory device is accessible by a host external operating system which determines the manner in which the array is to be powered based on the operational information. The memory device may have the capability to be written to such that tie external operating system can record in the memory device significant events such as extreme operational conditions, operational faults, and the on-time or shot-count of the array. The assembly may include sensors to which the operating system is coupled. The assembly may further include a processing means to monitor the sensors and provide real-time updates to the external operating system such that laser diode array is continuously powered in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A laser diode array assembly includes a laser diode array and a memory device integrally packaged with the array. The memory device includes operational information concerning the array. The memory device is accessible by a host external operating system which determines the manner in which the array is to be powered based on the operational information. The memory device may have the capability to be written to such that the external operating system can record in the memory device significant events such as extreme operational conditions, operational faults, and the on-time or shotcount of the array. The assembly may include sensors to which the operating system is coupled. The assembly may further include a processing means to monitor the sensors and provide real-time updates to the external operating system such that laser diode array is continuously powered in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A laser diode array assembly includes a laser diode array and a memory device integrally packaged with the array. The memory device includes operational information concerning the array. The memory device is accessible by a host external operating system which determines the manner in which the array is to be powered based on the operational information. The memory device may have the capability to be written to such that the external operating system can record in the memory device significant events such as extreme operational conditions, operational faults, and the on-time or shot-count of the array. The assembly may include sensors to which the operating system is coupled. The assembly may further include a processing means to monitor the sensors and provide real-time updates to the external operating system such that laser diode array is continuously powered in an optimal manner.