Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary absorbent structure including a fluid acquisition stratum; a fluid distribution stratum; and a fluid storage stratum between the acquisition stratum and the distribution stratum. Each of the acquisition, distribution, and storage strata are in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising sophorolipids as antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents, biopesticides, for uses as drugs to treat HIV, septic shock, cancer, asthma, dermatological conditions, as spermicidal agents, as anti-inflammatory drugs, as ingredients in cosmetics and building blocks for monomers and polymers and self-assembled templates for further chemical elaboration.

Abstract: A storage means provides sealed storage for contents. A closure means is fused to a container by application of an electro-magnetic field providing a permanent and hermetic seal between the closure and the container. The closure further includes a removable panel to provide access to the contents of the container.

Abstract: A method for incorporating dynamic orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (“OFDM”) in wireless networks is provided. Information about a wireless channel between a transmitter and one or more receivers communicating according to a wireless protocol is acquired. Dynamic OFDM allocations are generated based on the acquired information about the wireless channel. The dynamic OFDM allocations are transmitted to the one or more receivers according to the wireless protocol.

Abstract: One-pot biotransformations give oligo(?-L-Et-Glu) decorated with selected amine-functionalized end-groups at C-termini with a first process controlling the end group structure of peptides synthesized by protease catalyzed peptide synthesis, and a second process incorporating end-groups that can be used directly or after further modification as polymerizable entities. Papain, bromelain, ?-chymotrypsin, Multifect P-3000 and Purafect prime 4000L are used as catalysts for oligomerization of ?-L-(Et)2-Glu in the presence of mono functional amines. The series of amine nucleophiles (NH2—R, acyl acceptors) mimic phenylalanine in that they possess aromatic rings linked to amine groups by one or more methylenes. Generally, addition of increased quantities of NH2—R from 0 to 30, 50 and 70 mol % with respect to ?-L-(Et)2-Glu results in decreased %-yield but increased mol % of NH2—R end-capped oligo(?-L-Et-Glu)-NH—R (determined by NMR).

Abstract: A dihydroxyphenyl cross-linked macromolecular network is provided that is useful in artificial tissue and tissue engineering applications, particularly to provide a synthetic macromolecular network for a wide variety of tissue types. In particular, artificial or synthetic cartilage, vocal cord material, vitreous material, soft tissue material and mitral valve material are described. In an embodiment, the network is composed of tyramine-substituted and cross-linked hyaluronan molecules, wherein cross-linking is achieved via peroxidase-mediated dityramine-linkages that can be performed in vivo. The dityramine bonds provide a stable, coherent hyaluronan-based hydrogel with desired physical properties.

Abstract: A method for inactivating spermatozoa, neutralizing or inactivating a virus, and neutralizing or inactivating HIV using sophorolipids having spermicidal and/or antiviral properties produced by synthesizing the sophorolipid by fermentation of Candida bombicola in a fermentation media to form a natural mixture of lactonic sophorolipids compounds and non-lactonic sophorolipids compounds and utilizing the natural mixture as a spermicidal and/or antiviral agent, and/or separating the lactonic sophorolipids from the natural mixture to form a lactonic fraction and mixing all remaining fractions to form a non-lactonic fraction and utilizing the lactonic fraction and/or the non-lactonic fraction as an spermicidal and/or antiviral agent, and sophorolipid compounds for use as spermicidal and/or antiviral agents.

Abstract: Sophorolipid compounds having spermicidal and/or antiviral properties prepared by synthesizing the sophorolipid by fermentation of Candida bombicola in a fermentation media to form a natural mixture of lactonic sophorolipids compounds and non-lactonic sophorolipids compounds and utilizing the natural mixture as a spermicidal and/or antiviral agent, and/or separating the lactonic sophorolipids from the natural mixture to form a lactonic fraction and mixing all remaining fractions to form a non-lactonic fraction and utilizing the lactonic fraction and/or the non-lactonic fraction as an spermicidal and/or antiviral agent, and sophorolipid compounds for use as spermicidal and/or antiviral agents.

Abstract: An enzymatic process for preparing aliphatic polycarbonates via terpolymerization or transesterification using a dialkyl carbonate, an aliphatic diester, and an aliphatic diol or triol reactant. A catalyst having an enzyme capable of catalyzing an ester hydrolysis reaction in an aqueous environment is subsequently added to the reaction mixture. Next, polymerization of the reaction proceeds for an allotted time at a temperature?100° C. Finally, the copolymer is isolated from an the catalyst via filtration.

Abstract: A method and composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of humans or animals for septic shock and sepsis using a mixture of sophorolipids.

Abstract: An enzymatic process for preparing aliphatic polycarbonates via terpolymerization or transesterification using a dialkyl carbonate, an aliphatic diester, and an aliphatic diol or triol reactant. A catalyst having an enzyme capable of catalyzing an ester hydrolysis reaction in an aqueous environment is subsequently added to the reaction mixture. Next, polymerization of the reaction proceeds for an allotted time at a temperature ?100° C. Finally, the copolymer is isolated from an the catalyst via filtration.

Abstract: Method for the synthesis of a compound of formula H(OCH[CH3]CH2C[O])3—O-A-O—R wherein A is the residue of 1,3-butandiol and R is H or H(OCH[CH3]CH2C[O]3—. The method comprises reacting a cyclic oligomer of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate consisting of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate moieties with a 1,3-butandiol in an organic solvent in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase type B in a furan or pyran solvent.

Abstract: The invention features a method of selling dosage forms without a prescription. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the dosage forms are sold in a container displayed on a retail shelf without outer secondary packaging. The container preferably is made of a material through which the dosage forms are visible. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the container has at least one substantially flat side wall and is laid on a retail display shelf on its substantially flat side wall. The container may be formed to have only one plane of symmetry. At least one of the side walls of the container may be formed to facilitate gripping of the container.

Abstract: An input estimator is based on a combined MFDQ-DF and trellis for use in, for example, an ADSL environment. In particular, for an ADSL implementation, the system will have one feedback tap for the decision feedback. However, it should be appreciated that the idea and basic concept of using the structure of a trellis to aid in determining the feedback point can be extended to any system using a feedback equalizer to estimate input to a trellis decoder.

Abstract: A stable Low Power Mode (LPM) for multicarrier transceivers is described that at least provides transmit power savings while enabling receiver designs that can easily operate without the detrimental effects of fluctuating crosstalk. In one exemplary embodiment, the LPM achieves power savings by reducing the number of used subcarriers without actually performing a power cutback on those subcarriers, thereby allowing a receiver to measure the SNR or noise levels and determine the crosstalk noise on the line regardless of a crosstalking modem being in a LPM or not.

Abstract: An input estimator is based on a combined MFDQ-DF and trellis for use in, for example, an ADSL environment. In particular, for an ADSL implementation, the system will have one feedback tap for the decision feedback. However, it should be appreciated that the idea and basic concept of using the structure of a trellis to aid in determining the feedback point can be extended to any system using a feedback equalizer to estimate input to a trellis decoder.

Abstract: A substantially pure Candida host cell for the production of a ?-carboxyl-?-hydroxy fatty acid having a carbon chain length in the range from C6 to C22, a ?,?-dicarboxylic fatty acid having a carbon chain length in the range from C6 to C22, or mixtures thereof, is provided. The Candida host cell is characterized by a first genetic modification class and a second genetic modification class. The first genetic modification class comprises one or more genetic modifications that disrupt the peroxisomal ?-oxidation pathway. The second genetic modification class comprises one or more genetic modifications that collectively or individually disrupt at least one gene selected from the group consisting of a CYP52A type cytochrome P450, a fatty alcohol oxidase, and an alcohol dehydrogenase.