Abstract: Cooling by a twist-untwist process, by a stretch-release process for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled yarns or fibers, and methods and systems thereof. High mechanocaloric cooling results from release of inserted twist or from stretch release for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled fibers, including natural rubber fibers, NiTi wires, and polyethylene fishing line. Twist utilization can increase cooling and cooling efficiencies. A cooler using twist insertion and release can be shorter and smaller in volume than a cooler that requires a large elastomeric elongation. The cooler system can be utilized in mechanochromic textiles and remotely readable tensile and torsional sensors.

Abstract: Cooling by a twist-untwist process, by a stretch-release process for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled yarns or fibers, and methods and systems thereof. High mechanocaloric cooling results from release of inserted twist or from stretch release for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled fibers, including natural rubber fibers, NiTi wires, and polyethylene fishing line. Twist utilization can increase cooling and cooling efficiencies. A cooler using twist insertion and release can be shorter and smaller in volume than a cooler that requires a large elastomeric elongation. The cooler system can be utilized in mechanochromic textiles and remotely readable tensile and torsional sensors.

Abstract: In an ultraviolet LED chip, an epitaxial structure can be isolated into two insulated structures, i.e. a first and a second epitaxial structures by growing the epitaxial structure on a surface of a substrate, and arranging an insulating layer and a groove contacting layer in the middle of the epitaxial structure. The N-type AlGaN layer is stretched out through the groove contacting layer. In the ultraviolet LED chip, through the cooperation among the N electrode, P electrode and intermediate electrode on the base plate along with the first and second epitaxial structures, an LED and an ESD are formed respectively. The ESD is connect to the ends of LED in anti-parallel for providing an electrostatic discharging channel, so as to reduce the direct damage of the ultraviolet LED chip caused by electrostatic discharging, and increase a forward voltage of the LED and the antistatic intensity.

Abstract: In an ultraviolet LED chip, an epitaxial structure can be isolated into two insulated structures, i.e. a first and a second epitaxial structures by growing the epitaxial structure on a surface of a substrate, and arranging an insulating layer and a groove contacting layer in the middle of the epitaxial structure. The N-type AlGaN layer is stretched out through the groove contacting layer. In the ultraviolet LED chip, through the cooperation among the N electrode, P electrode and intermediate electrode on the base plate along with the first and second epitaxial structures, an LED and an ESD are formed respectively. The ESD is connect to the ends of LED in anti-parallel for providing an electrostatic discharging channel, so as to reduce the direct damage of the ultraviolet LED chip caused by electrostatic discharging, and increase a forward voltage of the LED and the antistatic intensity.

Abstract: Methods of treating a dialysis component by providing a dialysis component and contacting the dialysis component with an enzyme are provided. The enzyme breaks down microbial contaminants in the dialysis component. The enzyme may be separated from the dialysis component to provide a purified dialysis component. The purified dialysis component may be substantially free of microbial contaminants that cause a cytokine response in humans.

Abstract: Methods of measuring levels of pro-inflammatory substances in dialysis solutions or specific dialysis components used to manufacture dialysis solutions are provided. In a general embodiment, the method comprises determining an IL-6 response versus a pro-inflammatory substance concentration of a reference standard containing a pro-inflammatory substance and establishing a dose-response curve of the IL-6 responses as a function of different pro-inflammatory substance concentrations of the reference standard. An IL-6 response of a test sample of a dialysis solution is determined. The corresponding pro-inflammatory substance concentration of the dialysis solution is then calculated using the dose-response curve. The IL-6 response of the reference standards and the dialysis solution can be determined using a high sensitivity PBMC IL-6 assay.

Abstract: Methods of treating a dialysis component by providing a dialysis component and contacting the dialysis component with an enzyme are provided. The enzyme breaks down microbial contaminants in the dialysis component. The enzyme may be separated from the dialysis component to provide a purified dialysis component. The purified dialysis component may be substantially free of microbial contaminants that cause a cytokine response in humans.

Abstract: A method of testing a glucose polymer or a glucose polymer derivative includes providing a sample of the glucose polymer or glucose polymer derivative. The sample is filtered at a specified molecular weight cutoff to obtain a retentate portion and a filtrate portion. The retentate portion is added to a first assay. The filtrate portion is added to a second assay. A reagent is added to each of the first assay and the second assay. The reagent produces a proinflammatory response. The proinflammatory response of each of the first assay and the second assay is measured. The proinflammatory response of the first assay is compared to the proinflammatory response of the second assay to determine if the glucose polymer or glucose polymer derivative is suitable for use in a patient.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing a liquid composition of N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-?-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester comprising the steps of (a) providing a liquid carrier; and (b) mixing N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-?-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester with said liquid carrier in a ratio of up to 3:2 by weight to produce a liquid composition. The resulting liquid composition would be capable of fully dissolving or suspending neotame and may be mixed with or added to a food or beverage product in an amount effective to sweeten the food or beverage product. This invention is also directed to the novel liquid compositions prepared by the process of this invention and to the food and beverage products sweetened thereby. The liquid carriers of this invention include water, alcohol and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Compositions comprising the sweetener N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester sweetener (“neotame”), or L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine sweetener (“aspartame”), and at least one divalent cation, trivalent cation or mixture thereof are disclosed. Divalent and trivalent cations enhance the stability of neotame and aspartame in edible compositions, including cola-type soft drinks and syrups.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing a liquid composition of N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester comprising the steps of (a) providing a liquid carrier; and (b) mixing N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester with said liquid carrier in a ratio of up to 3:2 by weight to produce a liquid composition. The resulting liquid composition would be capable of fully dissolving or suspending neotame and may be mixed with or added to a food or beverage product in an amount effective to sweeten the food or beverage product. This invention is also directed to the novel liquid compositions prepared by the process of this invention and to the food and beverage products sweetened thereby. The liquid carriers of this invention include water, alcohol and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A novel amorphous N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester compound is disclosed. Also disclosed are processes for preparing the compound. The novel compound has improved solubility and dissolution properties compared to the known monohydrate.