Abstract: A cleaning tool includes a handle having first and second ends and upper and lower surfaces extending between the first and second ends. The major portion of the upper surface is convex and a major portion of the lower surface is concave. A cleaning head hingedly secures to the handle proximate the second end and is positioned above the upper surface of the handle. The upper surface of the cleaning surface adapted for removing dust and dirt. The point of hinged securement is eccentric such that the area of the cleaning surface extending away from the handle is greater than the area of the cleaning surface between the first and second ends of the handle. A layer of compressible material secures to the board portion between the board portion and the absorptive material. The compressible material has a radius of curvature chosen to conform to an automobile windshield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) that have activity as S1P receptor modulating agents and the use of such compounds to treat diseases associated with inappropriate S1P receptor activity. The compounds may be used as immunomodulators, e.g., for treating or preventing diseases such as autoimmune and related immune disorders including systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, type I diabetes, uveitis, psoriasis, myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, non-glomerular nephrosis, hepatitis, Behçet's disease, glomerulonephritis, chronic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia, hepatitis and Wegner's granuloma; and for treating other conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for applying sketch effects to digital images. An exemplary method may comprise comparing an original image to a filtered image. The method may also comprise rendering changes in the filtered image as lines. The method may also comprise applying connected component labeling to lines in the filtered image to reduce noise. The method may also comprise rendering the filtered image with a sketch effect after reducing noise in the filtered image.

Abstract: Described herein is a composition that comprises a cryoprotectant; a membrane protectant that stabilizes or assists in stabilization of membranes of sperm; and a free radical scavenger (e.g., a reducing agent, an antioxidant).

Abstract: Manually depressible keys are incorporated in a battery pack to reduce the overall height of an electrical assembly mounted in a battery-powered, key-operated, device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depositing nanomaterials onto a receiving substrate and optionally for depositing those materials in a desired orientation, that comprise providing nanomaterials on a transfer substrate and contacting the nanomaterials with an adherent material disposed upon a surface or portions of a surface of a receiving substrate. Orientation is optionally provided by moving the transfer and receiving substrates relative to each other during the transfer process.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for communicating voice and data over a packet-switched network that is adapted to coexist and communicate with a legacy PSTN. The system permits packet switching of voice calls and data calls through a data network from and to any of a LEC, a customer facility or a direct IP connection on the data network. The system includes soft switch sites, gateway sites, a data network, a provisioning component, a network event component and a network management component. The system interfaces with customer facilities (e.g., a PBX), carrier facilities (e.g., a LEC) and legacy signaling networks (e.g., SS7) to handle calls between any combination of on-network and off-network callers. The soft switch sites provide the core call processing for the voice network architecture. The soft switch sites manage the gateway sites in a preferred embodiment, using a protocol such as the Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC) protocol to request the set-up and tear-down of calls.

Abstract: A towing apparatus mounted to a frame of a vehicle includes a receiver and an energy management device. The receiver is operably connected to the energy management device and the energy management device is operably connected to the vehicle frame. When the receiver is moved in a first tow direction, the energy management device is isolated and the tow force is coupled directly to the frame. However, when the energy management device is moved in a second, generally opposite direction, the energy management device reduces some or all of the force applied to the receiver from being transferred to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A bag having a closeable access zone is provided. The access zone includes an access to the interior of the bag and a first portion and a second portion enabling closure of the access zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating cancer comprising administering a combination of capecitabine and a liposomal platinum complex, pharmaceutical compositions comprising capecitabine and a liposomal platinum complex, and kits comprising unit dosage forms of capecitabine and a liposomal platinum complex.

Abstract: A method of refinancing a mortgage loan is provided. The method of refinancing a mortgage loan comprises pre-approving a customer for refinancing of a mortgage loan. This customer is sent a pre-screened offer. The offer comprises materials setting forth the terms of the refinanced mortgage loan, materials providing all required pre-acceptance disclosures, and instructions describing how the customer may accept the offer. Upon receiving an indication of acceptance of the offer from the customer, a closing package is sent to the customer to be executed by the customer. The execution of the closing package by the customer creates a refinancing loan agreement. Also provided is a closing package for a mortgage loan comprising closing documents and a format and instructions providing specific guidance to the customer for completion and execution of the closing documents.

Abstract: An optical reader is provided for reading an image provided on a surface. The optical reader has at least one light source and a first lens configured to focus and diffuse light from the at least one light source onto an image. The optical reader also has at least one sensor, and a second lens configured to receive a reflection of the focused and diffused light from the image and direct it to the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A tooth whitening substance formed into a thin layer is provided. The tooth whitening substance includes a polyox resin and a tooth whitening active. The polyox resin adheres the thin layer to a plurality of teeth for a sufficient time to allow the tooth whitening active to act upon the plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A mutant hydrolase optionally fused to a protein of interest is provided. The mutant hydrolase is capable of forming a bond with a substrate for the corresponding nonmutant (wild-type) hydrolase which is more stable than the bond formed between the wild-type hydrolase and the substrate. Substrates for hydrolases comprising one or more functional groups are also provided, as well as methods of using the mutant hydrolase and the substrates of the invention. Also provided is a fusion protein capable of forming a stable bond with a substrate and cells which express the fusion protein.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a first single-piece manifold and a second single-piece manifold spaced from and parallel to the first single-piece manifold. Each of the first and second single-piece manifolds has a tubular wall defining a flow path. A plurality of flow tubes extend in parallel between the first and second single-piece manifolds and are in fluid communication with the flow paths. An insert having a distribution surface is slidably disposed in the flow path of the first single-piece manifold to establish a distribution chamber within the first single-piece manifold. A series of orifices defined in the distribution surface of the insert are in fluid communication with the flow path and the distribution chamber for uniformly distributing a heat exchange fluid between the flow path and the flow tubes.

Abstract: This invention relates to the structure of members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor family and to receptor/ligand interactions. In particular, it relates to the field of using the EGF receptor family structure to select and screen for compounds that inhibit the formation of active receptor dimers.

Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning by remotes in multipoint-to-point communication using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a host unit; and a plurality of remote units using a multiple access scheme to communicate at the same time with the host unit using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM); wherein at least one remote unit scans a band of frequencies for a downstream signal from the host unit; wherein the host unit sends an adjustment signal to the at least one remote unit instructing the at least one remote unit to adjust the timing of transmissions from the remote unit to improve orthogonality of an OFDM waveform received at the host unit; and wherein the host unit allocates orthogonal tones within the OFDM waveform to the plurality of remote units.

Abstract: Light emitting devices with improved light extraction efficiency are provided. The light emitting devices have a stack of layers including semiconductor layers comprising an active region. The stack is bonded to a transparent optical element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for performing a biometric function on a purported skin site. The site is illuminated under distinct optical conditions and light reflected from the site is received. A feature value for several features is derived from the received light, permitting a comparison to be performed with reference feature values. Whether the purported skin site is a true skin site is determined from the comparison.