Abstract: Compositions comprising from about 40 weight parts to about 1000 weight parts of a botanical nitrate source; from about 20 weight parts to about 500 weight parts of a botanical source of nitrite reduction activity; and from about 4 weight parts to about 100 weight parts of a nitrite salt. Methods of reducing triglycerides or reducing C-reactive protein levels are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a nitrite salt, a nitrate salt, and ascorbic acid are provided in several embodiments. Use of said composition in a method of enhancing cardiovascular performance or treating adverse cardiovascular event in a mammal is also provided.

Abstract: Sensor devices and sensing methods are provided. A sensor device is provided two flow channels, each comprising a sensor, and analyte flow is alternated between the two channels such that the sensors alternately serve as a sensor and a reference, thereby increasing accuracy of the sensors. The device is useful, for example, in chemical sensing using a variety of sensor types including without limitation: chemiresistors, gravimetric sensors, optical sensors, among others. Related sensing methods also are provided.

Abstract: A storm water pretreatment chamber is provided. The storm water pretreatment chamber includes; one or more filter sidewalls; one or more optional water-impermeable sidewalls; one or more optional chamber grates; and one or more catch rails. Methods of treating storm water are also provided.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a electrochemical sensor comprises carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox-active compound, excluding an electrode based on carbon having derivatised thereron two redox-active species wherein at least one of said species is selected from anthraquinone, phenanthrenequinone and N,N?-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD). The invention further provides a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material; and a counter electrode, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the working electrode to the surface area of the counter electrode is from 1:10 to 10:1. Also provided is a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material, and a counter electrode, wherein the area of the working electrode is from 500 ?m2 to 0.1 m2. The uses of these electrodes and sensors are also described.

Abstract: By way of example only, in various embodiments, the present system and system is designed to reduce the size of data on a computer through compression, to improve hash, message digest, and checksum technology and their application to information and data storage, to improve uniqueness by using mutual exclusion in hash and checksum tests, to improve checksum tests providing better computer security, to create an XML compression format and to move binary compression formats to XML or other markup language, to utilize variable length hashes and message digests, and to create an XML based checksum that can be used to verify the integrity of files.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes and other related disorders and diseases, and may be useful for other diseases such as NASH, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer and other disorders and diseases related thereto.

Abstract: Sensor devices and sensing methods are provided. A sensor device is provided two flow channels, each comprising a sensor, and analyte flow is alternated between the two channels such that the sensors alternately serve as a sensor and a reference, thereby increasing accuracy of the sensors. The device is useful, for example, in chemical sensing using a variety of sensor types including without limitation: chemiresistors, gravimetric sensors, optical sensors, among others. Related sensing methods also are provided.

Abstract: The Distributed Biofuel Manufacturing System (DBMS) integrates three critical innovations which may advance the state of the art for biofuels manufacturing to a distributed production and local distribution model. This model yields a sustainable and commercially viable means of production for biofuels. Essential to this new model is a Portable Biorefinery (PBR) which allows for onsite conversion of biomass into biofuels, an accompanying set of advanced biocatalysts, and finally a multi-role harvesting and pre-processing technology to optimize both deliberate and “threat” biomass for biofuels. Utilizing either high yield deliberate biomass “plantations” or salvaging available threat biomass, the portable biorefinery will process high volumes of variable biomass into dense liquid energy format and other energy products which can then be utilized locally. This disclosure seeks to avoid the logistical overhead and economic limitations of traditional centralized industrial fuels manufacturing.

Abstract: In a server-implemented video game or simulation, a method for providing updates to a remote client regarding a plurality of objects located in a virtual spatial field of the simulation. The method comprises operations of receiving an update locus from the remote client, the update locus indicating a client-specified position within the virtual spatial field of the server-implemented simulation; determining a distance of each of the plurality of objects from the update locus; sorting the plurality of objects according to their determined distances from the update locus; determining an update rate for each of the plurality of objects based upon their sorted order; and sending updates regarding each of the plurality of objects to the remote client according to the determined update rates.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as, for example, type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes and other related disorders and diseases, and may be useful for other diseases such as NASH, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer and other disorders and diseases related thereto.

Abstract: The disclosed improved striker fastening plate and method consists of a striker fastening plate, a recoiling guided stop plate and a biasing means, which functions as a method for resisting kick-in and pry-in attempts to, without authorization, enter into a property. This is accomplished when the force from an entry attempt activates the recoiling guided stop plate. As the recoiling guided stop plate moves away from the source of the force, the biasing means is activated to absorb the shock or movement caused by the force, stores it as energy and releases it back toward it's source, returning the recoiling stop plate back to it's original position, thus maintaining a securely locked door or portal.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing performance of a data handling system, such as a disc drive or computer network, is disclosed. The system includes a host computer for issuing commands for data blocks that are large enough to neutralize caching schemes that may otherwise mask the worst-case performance of the data handling system. Block service times for the commands are recorded and are compared to a maximum allowable service time threshold. This comparison is then used to generate a performance score for the data handling system. Other parameters may also be factored into the performance score such as the frequency and size of data quality errors.

Abstract: An all-dielectric, self-supporting (ADSS), loose-tube fiber optic cable includes a plurality of buffer tubes respectively containing stacks of optical fiber ribbons. The buffer tubes are longitudinally stranded around a longitudinally extending central strength member to define a lay length. A longitudinally extending outer strength assembly extends around the plurality of buffer tubes, and a longitudinally extending sheath extends around the outer strength assembly. A first end of a section of the cable can be attached to a first pole extending upward from the ground and a second end of the section of the cable can be attached to a second pole extending upward from the ground so that the section is suspended between the poles and the section is tensioned due to the weight of the cable.