Abstract: A guide apparatus including a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a hole formed therethrough, and a central axis defined therethrough, and a projection member coupled to the distal end of the body. An outer diameter of the body is larger than an outer diameter of the projection member. Further, the projection member does not obstruct a pathway defined by the hole.

Abstract: A system and method for managing state information related to an interactive application to accommodate one or more users participating in an interactive application session. The state information can include local state information specific to each of the one or more user's unique view of the interactive application and global state information. The system can include a telecommunications network; an application server in communication with the telecommunications network for managing the global state information relative to all of the users participating in the interactive application session; and at least one mobile client device in communication with the application server over the telecommunications network for managing the local state information for each of the one or more users. The method can include structuring the state information for optimized delivery over the telecommunications network and transferring the state information over the telecommunications network.

Abstract: Personal care compositions are disclosed comprising an isosorbide diester having the formula: wherein R? and R? are independently selected from a straight or branched C1-30 chain, which may be saturated or unsaturated. The personal care compositions also comprise a solid cosmetic active soluble in the isosorbide diester and a dermatologically acceptable carrier. The personal care composition may be in the form of an emulsion. A personal care composition is also disclosed comprising an isosorbide diester having the formula: wherein R? and R? are independently selected from a straight or branched C1-30 chain which may be saturated or unsaturated and Z1-Z6 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, amido, R?, or R?. Methods of making the aforementioned personal care compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides cosmetic compositions comprising Ficus serum fraction derived from fresh Ficus cell juice of fresh Ficus leaves. The cosmetic composition also comprises a cosmetically acceptable carrier. The Ficus serum fraction is present in the composition at a cosmetically effective amount for achieving the desired skin lightening result.

Abstract: A dentifrice composition containing minor amounts of relatively small particle size high cleaning abrasives, without oral care actives. The dentifrice may be encapsulated and optionally, positioned on the head of a toothbrush. Use of the dentifrice provides a small amount of high cleaning abrasive to the teeth, and has stain removal efficacy. In one aspect, a dentifrice composition comprising an orally acceptable carrier and 1 to 10 wt % abrasive, such that the total amount of abrasive delivered per application is 2 mg to 8 mg, the abrasive having a weight mean particle size in the range of 3 to 7 ?m, with at least 90% of the particles by weight having a size below 16 ?m, and wherein the composition does not contain an oral care active.

Abstract: A system and method for managing state information related to an interactive application to accommodate one or more users participating in an interactive application session. The state information can include local state information specific to each of the one or more user's unique view of the interactive application and global state information. The system can include a telecommunications network; an application server in communication with the telecommunications network for managing the global state information relative to all of the users participating in the interactive application session; and at least one mobile client device in communication with the application server over the telecommunications network for managing the local state information for each of the one or more users. The method can include structuring the state information for optimized delivery over the telecommunications network and transferring the state information over the telecommunications network.

Abstract: Fingerprint portions of two or more different fingers are detected on a detection surface, such as an optical surface, a touch pad, a touchscreen, or the like, and then a further detection made that the person has moved their finger(s), for example, apart, together or relative to one another. The movement can be detected based on identifying the fingerprint portion sliding across the screen. The combination of fingerprint information associated with a corresponding motion is correlatable to one or more actions or triggering events that are used to control one or more electronic devices. Further aspects are directed toward utilizing one or more of the techniques herein for a security application. For example, two users, each placing one or more fingers on a touch screen or touch pad, with the fingerprints thereafter being recognized, perform a certain movement with this triggering the unlocking, or locking, of an object.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for determining the ability of a gene construct to alter the rhythm and contractility of a syncytial cell. Furthermore, this invention provides methods for constructing a gene construct capable of altering the rhythm or contractility of a syncytial cell. Finally, this invention provides a method for constructing a gene construct capable of coupling to a syncytial cell.

Abstract: In a method and system for creating a federation of a plurality of enterprise service buses (ESBs), a plurality of ESB nodes provide connectivity to one or more services. According to a protocol, at least a portion of the ESB nodes transmit policy-based service advertisement messages to other ESB nodes, wherein the policy-based service advertisement messages include service state information. In response to receiving the policy-based service advertisement messages, each of the ESB nodes stores the service state information received from other ESB nodes in respective distributed registries to create a local view of routable service endpoints in the federation. Each of the ESB nodes then uses its respective distributed registry to make routing decisions when routing service requests.

Abstract: Skin care compositions and methods for regulating the condition of mammalian keratinous tissue containing an effective amount of a dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline salt and a second skin care compound selected from hexamidine compounds, sugar amine compounds and their combination.

Abstract: A method of delivering an oligonucleotide or a plasmid expressing an oligonucleotide into a target cell comprises introducing an oligonucleotide into a donor cell, particularly a stem cell, and contacting the target cell with the donor cell under conditions permitting the donor cell to form a gap junction with the target cell, whereby the oligonucleotide or a product of the oligonucleotide is delivered into the target cell from the donor cell.

Abstract: A method of increasing the velocity of AV conduction in a mammal that may be in heart block or at risk of heart block by causing, in an AV node and/or His bundle having less than normal conduction speed, the expression of a sodium channel or gap junction protein, such as the SkM-1 channel, Cx43 or Cx32, so as to increase the velocity of conduction by the AV node.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for managing state information related to an interactive application to accommodate one or more users participating in an interactive application session, wherein the state information comprises local state information specific to each of the one or more user's unique view of the interactive application and global state information. The system of the present invention may comprise a telecommunications network; an application server in communication with the telecommunications network for managing the global state information relative to all of the users participating in the interactive application session; and at least one mobile client device in communication with the application server over the telecommunications network for managing the local state information for each of the one or more users. The method of the present invention may comprise the steps of structuring the state information for optimized delivery over the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes forming a mixture including nanorods with a first material having first ions, coordinating molecules, and second ions in a solvent, and forming composite nanorods in the solvent. Each composite nanorod has a linear body with a first region having the first material and a second region having a second material, where the second material has the second ions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for controlling the state of an interactive application and controlling delivery of the interactive application to one or more users. The system of the present invention is a system for delivering an interactive application to one or more users of a communications network and may comprise an interactive application adapted to the communications network; a user access device adapted to receive said interactive application; control means for establishing parameters under which said interactive application is rendered on said user access device; and mediation means for establishing terms for the interaction between the at least one user and other users and the communications network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for managing state information related to an interactive application to accommodate one or more users participating in an interactive application session, wherein the state information comprises local state information specific to each of the one or more user's unique view of the interactive application and global state information. The system of the present invention may comprise a telecommunications network; an application server in communication with the telecommunications network for managing the global state information relative to all of the users participating in the interactive application session; and at least one mobile client device in communication with the application server over the telecommunications network for managing the local state information for each of the one or more users. The method of the present invention may comprise the steps of structuring the state information for optimized delivery over the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A process for authenticating a user by certificate using an out-of-band message exchange is provided. The authentication of the user may be performed in addition to initial authentication procedures. The certificate-based authentication of the user may provide for a more secure mechanism for confirming the identity of the user and may be used for specific applications requiring such higher security provisions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for controlling the state of an interactive application and controlling delivery of the interactive application to one or more users. The system of the present invention is a system for delivering an interactive application to one or more users of a communications network and may comprise an interactive application adapted to the communications network; a user access device adapted to receive said interactive application; control means for establishing parameters under which said interactive application is rendered on said user access device; and mediation means for establishing terms for the interaction between the at least one user and other users and the communications network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for managing state information related to an interactive application to accommodate one or more users participating in an interactive application session, wherein the state information comprises local state information specific to each of the one or more user's unique view of the interactive application and global state information. The system of the present invention may comprise a telecommunications network; an application server in communication with the telecommunications network for managing the global state information relative to all of the users participating in the interactive application session; and at least one mobile client device in communication with the application server over the telecommunications network for managing the local state information for each of the one or more users.

Abstract: Stable skin care compositions comprising dehydroacetic acid and a dermatologically acceptable carrier. The dermatologically acceptable carrier comprises at least one oil, said oil having a solubility in water of about 5% or less and a solubility parameter of from about 7 to about 15, and the dehydroacetic acid is distributed primarily into said oil. The compositions have a pH of about 4.5 and below.