Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a protein involved in regulation of gene expression. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the protein involved in regulation of gene expression, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the protein involved in regulation of gene expression in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A filter block may comprise activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides. The activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 90 microns and having a particle span of less than or equal to about 1.7. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 3.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs. A portion of the activated carbon filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. Another filter block may comprise mesoporous activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides, wherein the mesoporous activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 104 ?m and a particle span of less than or equal to about 2.05, and wherein at least a portion of the filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 2.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an additive, primarily for low sulfur and high alkali coals, that includes a transition metal and optionally a halogen to effect mercury oxidation.

Abstract: A method for making hydrophilic synthetic nonwoven webs. At least a region of 1 cm by 1 cm comprised by the web may comprise cross-linked hydrophilic polymers. The web may have a retention capacity of less than 100 g of aqueous liquid per m2 of the nonwoven fibrous web. An absorbent article comprising a hydrophilic synthetic nonwoven web.

Abstract: This invention is directed to coated water-swellable materials, typically solid, particulate, water-swellable materials, i.e. materials that comprise hydrogel-forming polymers, whereof at least a part is coated with a coating, which substantially does not break when the polymers swell, as set out in the method herein. Said coating is present at a level of at least 1% by weight of the water-swellable material. The coating comprises preferably an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates products, e.g., disposable absorbent articles, comprising such coated water-swellable material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an analgesic composition which consists essentially of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and a compound selected from the group consisting of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen and mixtures thereof. The present invention further is directed to a method for inducing analgesia through the administration of such a composition to a patient.

Abstract: System and method for optimizing composition of a pool from which members are selected to serve on market research panels are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a database comprising a plurality of member profiles and survey data associated with the members and a datamart for periodically scanning the database to discover events and subsequently logging each of the discovered events in an event log. The system further includes an offense module for periodically evaluating the event log to determine whether one of the discovered events comprises an offense committed by one of the members and logging the offense in an offense log and an audit module for performing an audit of the one of the members and logging results of the audit in an audit log.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material comprising coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a wet-elongation of at least 400%, or even more preferably at least 500%, and preferably a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates to solid (particulate) water-swellable material obtainable by the process of the invention.

Abstract: A method of transferring freight from a first location to a second location. The method comprises the steps of loading the freight onto a plate at the first location, the plate having an identifier linked to the freight, monitoring the movement of the plate using the identifier on the loaded plate, conveying the loaded plate onto a first transportation unit at the first location, transporting the loaded plate from the first location to an interim location using the first transportation unit, conveying the loaded plate from the first transportation unit onto a second transportation unit, transporting the loaded plate from the interim location to the second location using the second transportation unit, conveying the loaded plate from the second transportation unit at the second location, and unloading the freight from the plate.

Abstract: A power line communication system including a plurality of intelligent devices in communication with a power line and operable to monitor energy usage at a site and communicate usage data onto the power line, and a controller also in communication with the power line, wherein each intelligent device maintains a routing table identifying a first set of other intelligent devices downstream of it relative to the controller that it can communicate with directly and identifying a second set of other intelligent devices downstream of it relative to the controller that it can communicate with through one or more of the first set of other intelligent devices.

Abstract: This invention is directed to coated water-swellable materials, typically solid, particulate, water-swellable materials, i.e. materials that comprise hydrogel-forming polymers, whereof at least a part is coated with a coating, which substantially does not break when the polymers swell, as set out in the method herein. Said coating is present at a level of at least 1% by weight of the water-swellable material. The coating comprises preferably an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates products, e.g., disposable absorbent articles, comprising such coated water-swellable material.

Abstract: A waste classification system and method configured to manage information for waste materials is disclosed. The system and method may be configured to receive information pertaining to classification of waste materials. The system and method maintains and accesses a waste classification database based on material safety data sheets (MSDS) utilizing the location of the waste, and returns waste classification data that may include rules and regulations relevant to the location of the waste.

Abstract: An automated hazardous materials event response management system and method configured to manage handling of hazardous materials events is disclosed. The materials management system can be configured to receive event information pertaining to a hazardous materials event. The system accesses an event response database, and, based on the event information, directs actions to respond to the hazardous materials event.

Abstract: This invention is directed to coated water-swellable materials, typically solid, particulate, water-swellable materials, i.e. materials that comprise hydrogel-forming polymers, whereof at least a part is coated with a coating, which substantially does not break when the polymers swell, as set out in the method herein. Said coating is present at a level of at least 1% by weight of the water-swellable material. The coating comprises preferably an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates products, e.g., disposable absorbent articles, comprising such coated water-swellable material.

Abstract: A composition includes at least one visual indicator dye and a surfactant. Upon dilution of the composition with a volume of water a diluted product is formed, and wherein: i) the extinction coefficient of the composition is less than the extinction coefficient of the diluted product measured at a wavelength from about 400 nm to about 700 nm; ii) a ratio of an absorbance measured between about 550-650 nm and an absorbance measured between about 395-440 nm increases upon increasing dilution of the composition; and/or iii) the pKa of the composition is greater than the pKa of the diluted product. Additionally, methods for changing the visual perception of a composition comprise diluting a composition.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material comprising coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a wet-elongation of at least 400%, or even more preferably at least 500%, and preferably a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates to solid (particulate) water-swellable material obtainable by the process of the invention.

Abstract: An motorized stain-removal brush is provided. A method of using motorized stain-removal brush for cleaning inanimate surfaces is also provided. The motorized stain-removal brush includes a handle having a motor disposed therein, a head having a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. Bristle holders are associated with the head. The motor is operatively connected to the bristle holder.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material comprising coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a wet-elongation of at least 400%, or even more preferably at least 500%, and preferably a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates to solid (particulate) water-swellable material obtainable by the process of the invention.

Abstract: This invention is directed to absorbent structures and preferred absorbent articles, comprising solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material that comprises coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material.

Abstract: This invention is directed to coated water-swellable materials, typically solid, particulate, water-swellable materials, i.e. materials that comprise hydrogel-forming polymers, whereof at least a part is coated with a coating, which substantially does not break when the polymers swell, as set out in the method herein. Said coating is present at a level of at least 1% by weight of the water-swellable material. The coating comprises preferably an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates products, e.g., disposable absorbent articles, comprising such coated water-swellable material.