Abstract: The present invention provides improved techniques for communicating information. In one aspect, a method of communicating personalized information is provided which comprises the following steps. A presence of an individual at a particular location is passively detected, e.g., using one or more devices at the location which are configured to be automatically responsive to one or more indicators on the individual, e.g., that uniquely identify the individual or a group to which the individual belongs. The information regarding the presence of the individual at the location is used to access at least one personalized profile for the individual. Information is collected from one or more information sources based, at least in part, on the at least one personalized profile. The collected information is then provided to the individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel multi-functional methacrylic copolymers that exhibit cationic pH-sensitive behavior as well as good water solubility under acidic conditions. The copolymers are constructed from tertiary amine methacrylates and poly(ethylene glycol) containing methacrylates. The copolymers are useful as gene vectors, pharmaceutical carriers, and in protein separation applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions containing epoxidized esters of vegetable oil fatty acids, and to methods of making such compositions. The esters are C1-6 alkyl or C2-6 alkenyl, monoglycerol or diglycerol, C4-6 polyol or glycol esters of a vegetable oil fatty acid. The compositions include latex coating compositions comprising the epoxidized esters; epoxy resin compositions comprising the epoxidized esters; thermoset plastic compositions comprising the epoxidized esters; and PVC compositions comprising the epoxidized esters. The invention is also directed to epoxidized monoglycerides or diglycerides, and expoxidized C4-6 polyol esters of vegetable oil fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to carboxylic acid and ester moieties that are attached to a carbon chain that is between 2 and 24 carbons in length wherein, the chain contains at least one dioxanone ring system, said dioxanone being formed from two adjacent carbons in the chain and/or at least one carbon in the chain is substituted with a pendant dioxanone ring system. In preferred embodiments, the carbon chain is a fatty acid residue. The carbons of said chain can be optionally substituted, saturated or unsaturated. When two or more said ester moieties are present, the invention is directed to a polyester such as a triglyceride, that contains multiple carbon chains wherein each chain is independently derivatized such that the triglyceride contains at least one dioxanone ring system, said dioxanone being formed from two adjacent carbons in at least one of said chains. The present invention is also directed to a method of preparing a dioxanone containing composition or fatty acid derivative.

Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to aqueous-coating compositions and thickening systems that can be used in aqueous coating-compositions. More particularly, certain non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate to aqueous-coating compositions, such as latex paints, comprising xanthan gum and at least one ester of an unsaturated fatty acid that is essentially free of volatile organic compounds as determined by EPA Reference Method 24. Other non-limiting embodiments relate to thickening systems comprising a mixture of a xanthan gum and at least one ester of an unsaturated fatty acid, wherein the thickening system is essentially free of volatile organic compounds as determined by EPA Reference Method 24. Still other non-limiting embodiments relate to methods of making and using the aqueous coating-compositions and thickening systems disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising, consisting of or alternatively consisting essentially of a stabilized furfural or glycol ester of a vegetable oil fatty acid and an antioxidant such as butylated hydroxy toluene. This invention also relates to latex film-forming compositions containing stabilized furfural or glycol esters, such as a stabilized propylene glycol monoester (PGME) mixture. This invention is also directed to methods of stabilizing furfural or glycol esters of a vegetable fatty acid by contacting the esters with an antioxidant such as butylated hydroxy toluene. This invention also includes methods of preparing film-forming compositions comprising a stabilized furfural or glycol ester, such as the stabilized PGME mixture disclosed herein.