Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I), which comprises the steps of: formula (I), (a) reacting isovaleraldehyde of formula (II) and alkyl cyanoacetate of formula (III) optionally in presence of salts of weak acid and weak base or weak base in a suitable solvent to get 2-cyano-5-methyl-hex-2-enoic acid alkyl ester of formula (IV); (b) reacting 2-cyano-5-methyl-hex-2-enoic acid alkyl ester of formula (IV) with a suitable cyanide source in water or in an organic solvent or mixture thereof to get 2-isobutylsuccinonitrile of formula (V); (c) obtaining optionally 2-isobutylsuccinonitrile of formula (V) by reacting isovaleraldehyde of formula (II) and alkyl cyanoacetate of formula (III) in presence of suitable cyanide source in water or in an organic solvent or mixture thereof in single step; (d) converting 2-isobutylsuccinonitrile of formula (V) to racemic 3-cyano-5-methyl-hexanoic acid or salt thereof of formula (VI) with a genetically modified nitrilas

Abstract: In an automatically switched optical network operating according to a wavelength plan, the wavelengths are assigned to an optical path based on availability, performance and SRS wavelength coupling reduction. First, the wavelengths are grouped in static bins based on their reach versus cost performance, and each bin assumes a ?Q of a middle wavelength. Then, the bins are moved into subsets of dynamic bins, constructed using bin constraints that account for the particulars of the respective optical path. The path is characterized taking into account the wavelength currently accessing at the end nodes, and the wavelength tandeming through the end nodes. Wavelength selection starts with the bins that satisfy the maximum number of constraints, and the wavelengths are checked sequentially against wavelength constraints; relaxed constraints are also applied when it is not possible to exactly satisfy one or more constraints.

Abstract: A hand held appliance, such as a hairdryer, includes a body, a duct, a fluid flow path extending through the duct from a first fluid inlet of the appliance to a first fluid outlet of the appliance. A primary fluid flow path extends from a second fluid inlet through which a primary fluid flow enters the appliance to a second fluid outlet. A fan unit is located in the primary fluid flow path for drawing fluid through the second fluid inlet. A filter is located in the primary fluid flow path. Fluid is drawn through the fluid flow path by fluid emitted from the second fluid outlet. A heater is provided in the body and extends at least partially along and around the duct.

Abstract: A method of matching a first entity to a second entity by evaluating Boolean expressions includes identifying a set of criteria vertices for a second entity vertex by traversing a graph database in a manner constrained to fact vertices identified for the second entity. The graph database relates fact vertices to the criteria vertices by edges corresponding to Boolean expressions for satisfying criteria for matching first entities to second entities. The method additionally includes selecting one of the first entities based on the criteria vertices of the set. The method further includes matching the first entity to the second entity based on the selection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand dryer for drying a user's hands by means of an airflow discharged through an air outlet on the hand dryer. The airflow is generated by a motor-driven fan unit. The hand dryer comprises a plurality of air intakes, the air intakes being connected to the fan unit to form a plurality of parallel air-intake paths. Each air intake path is provided with a separate air-filter. The air-filters may be replaceable for individual replacement as required.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for obtaining information about DNA analysis of samples of uncertain origin by establishing the likelihood that they arose in certain manners compared with other possible manners. In this way all of the analysis information is taken into account and likelihood ratios are provided to express the results. The invention is particularly useful in analyzing small DNA samples or DNA samples where the contribution from one or more sources is small.

Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. Each of the base and the body has an outer surface shaped so that adjoining portions of the outer surfaces are substantially flush when the body is in the untilted position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining focus information relating to a lithographic process. The method includes illuminating a target, the target having alternating first and second structures, wherein the form of the second structures is focus dependent, while the form of the first structures does not have the same focus dependence as that of the second structures, and detecting radiation redirected by the target to obtain for that target an asymmetry measurement representing an overall asymmetry of the target, wherein the asymmetry measurement is indicative of focus of the beam forming the target. An associated mask for forming such a target, and a substrate having such a target.

Abstract: A messaging apparatus for wearable items. The messaging apparatus may comprise a light source, at least one sensor to detect an event, and a controller to control the flashing of the light source in response to the detection of the event. The controlling of the flashing of the light source may generate at least one visible element that is visible to a viewer. Further, the light source may not be adapted in the form of the at least one visible element, but rather, the controlled flashing of the light source may be in the form of the at least one visible element.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of recombinant fatty acid synthesis, particularly in transgenic plants. The application describes genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and provides methods and vectors for the manipulation of fatty acid composition of plant oils. In particular, the invention provides constructs for achieving the integration of multiple heterologous genes involved in fatty acid synthesis into the plant genome, such that the resulting plants produce altered levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Also described are methods for enhancing the expression of fatty acid biosynthesis enzymes by co-expressing a silencing suppressor within the plant storage organ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desatorase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell assemblies, and in particular to improvements relating to sealing of such assemblies, embodiments of which include a fuel cell assembly (200) comprising a membrane electrode assembly (104), a cathode separator plate (208) having a series of corrugations extending, and providing air flow paths, between first and second opposing edges of the plate, a gasket (105) providing a fluid seal around a peripheral edge of the membrane electrode assembly (104) between the separator plate (208) and the membrane electrode assembly (104) and a metal shim (107) disposed between the gasket (105) and the separator plate (208) over the peripheral edge of the membrane electrode assembly (104).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the early prevention of overweight, obesity, excessive fat accumulation and/or associated metabolic disorders in infants or children. For example, the present invention relates to the prevention of overweight, obesity, excessive fat accumulation and/or associated metabolic disorders in infants or children through appropriate nutrition for women desiring to get pregnant and/or during pregnancy and/or lactation. Embodiments of the present invention relate to the Vitamin B6 for use in the prevention of overweight, obesity, excessive fat accumulation and/or associated metabolic disorders in the offspring, wherein the vitamin B6 is administered to women desiring to get pregnant and/or to the mother during pregnancy and/or lactation and to maternal food compositions that can be used for this purpose.

Abstract: A cleaning appliance includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly housing a motor driven fan unit for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly, and a duct for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus. To improve the stability of the appliance, the duct has an inlet section which is connected to the chassis for pivoting movement relative to the chassis as the appliance is maneuvered over a floor surface. An outlet section for coupling the inlet section to the separating apparatus is releasably connected to the rolling assembly to facilitate the removal of any blockages within the duct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desaturase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In particular, the present invention provides ?3 destaurases, ?5 elongases and ?6 desaturases with novel activities. Also provided are methods and DNA constructs for transiently and/or stably transforming cells, particularly plant cells, with multiple genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desatorase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desaturase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desatorase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: A method for measurement of dose distribution in a radiotherapy apparatus includes providing a detector holder situated at least partially within a tank, the detector holder comprising a radio-opaque marker and a visual reference point, the marker and the reference point being separated and in a fixed spatial relationship to each other; locating the tank within a bore of the radiotherapy apparatus; rotating a gantry and monitoring the position of the detector holder with an imaging apparatus; vertically displacing the detector holder until the reference point is positioned at a desired level, and adding liquid to or removing liquid from the tank until the surface of the liquid is level with the reference point. Features of the detector holder and tank are also described.