Abstract: A novel method of reducing the melting point of a peptide-based biopolymer using a nitrogen-containing compound as a plasticizer is provided. The peptide-based biopolymer can be keratin or silk. The nitrogen-containing compound can be one or more amino acids or other nitrogen-containing compounds (except urea), all of which have a melting temperature above approximately 133° C., the decomposition temperature of urea. Pellets made using this novel process can be used as animal feed and soil amendments (fertilizer) to increase the adsorption of amino acids in the animal or in the soil, respectively.

Abstract: The variable thermodynamic Raman spectroscopy method and apparatus is a system for material analysis. In operation, a target material is subjected to a variable thermodynamic protocol and analyzed using a differential scanning calorimeter.

Abstract: A novel method of reducing the melting point of a peptide-based biopolymer using a nitrogen-containing compound as a plasticizer is provided. The peptide-based biopolymer can be keratin or silk. The nitrogen-containing compound can be one or more amino acids or other nitrogen-containing compounds (except urea), all of which have a melting temperature above approximately 133° C., the decomposition temperature of urea. Pellets made using this novel process can be used as animal feed and soil amendments (fertilizer) to increase the adsorption of amino acids in the animal or in the soil, respectively.

Abstract: A novel method of reducing the melting point of a peptide-based biopolymer using a nitrogen-containing compound as a plasticizer is provided. The peptide-based biopolymer can be keratin or silk. The nitrogen-containing compound can be one or more amino acids or other nitrogen-containing compounds (except urea), all of which have a melting temperature above approximately 133° C., the decomposition temperature of urea. Pellets made using this novel process can be used as animal feed and soil amendments (fertilizer) to increase the adsorption of amino acids in the animal or in the soil, respectively.

Abstract: The variable thermodynamic Raman spectroscopy method and apparatus is a system for material analysis. In operation, a target material is subjected to a variable thermodynamic protocol and analyzed using a differential scanning calorimeter.

Abstract: A novel method of reducing the melting point of a peptide-based biopolymer using a nitrogen-containing compound as a plasticizer is provided. The peptide-based biopolymer can be keratin or silk. The nitrogen-containing compound can be one or more amino acids or other nitrogen-containing compounds (except urea), all of which have a melting temperature above approximately 133° C., the decomposition temperature of urea. Pellets made using this novel process can be used as animal feed and soil amendments (fertilizer) to increase the adsorption of amino acids in the animal or in the soil, respectively.

Abstract: The Design Tool of the present invention discloses an apparatus and method for automating the drawing sequence of Microsoft Visio® to produce a diagram of a network solution. The Design Tool reduces device selections to a series of automatically generated instructions that control Microsoft Visio®. The apparatus and method of the Design Tool accomplish this result by causing the TSA to define custom VLANs and to configure custom connectivity groups (VLAN Groups). Using the Design Tool, the TSA (or other user) activates a series of graphical user interfaces providing access to available virtual local area networks, configured virtual local area network groups, available primary devices and available related devices. By providing input to the graphical user interfaces, the TSA defines configured virtual local area networks, configured virtual local area network groups, configured primary devices and configured related devices for the TSA's network solution.

Abstract: The invention comprises a computer-implemented process for managing computing resources provided to customers in an on-demand data center. The process comprises: providing a shared computing environment; providing to each customer one or more logical partitions of computing resources within the shared computing environment; allocating at least one processing engine to each logical partition; modeling a selected customer's resource utilization as a beta distribution; iteratively selecting a random resource utilization value from the beta distribution and, for each logical partition, calculating a processing engine differential; for each iteration, calculating a collective processing engine differential until the collective processing engine differential converges on an optimal processing engine differential; and adjusting the number of processing engines by the optimal processing engine differential to achieve an optimal free pool size.

Abstract: A composition suitable for making films, wherein the composition contains keratin obtained from avian feathers and at least one OH containing plasticizer. Protein-based films containing at least one protein and at least one OH containing plasticizer, wherein the protein is a protein whose PE value is ?2.5 where PE=(S+T+Y)/C where PE is plasticizer efficiency and where S, T, Y, and C are the amino acids serine, threonine, tyrosine, and cysteine, respectively, in the protein. Preferably the protein is keratin obtained from avian feathers.

Abstract: The Design Tool of the present invention discloses an apparatus and method for automating the drawing sequence of Microsoft Visio® to produce a diagram of a network solution. The Design Tool reduces device selections to a series of automatically generated instructions that control Microsoft Visio®. The apparatus and method of the Design Tool accomplish this result by causing the TSA to define custom VLANs and to configure custom connectivity groups (VLAN Groups). Using the Design Tool, the TSA (or other user) activates a series of graphical user interfaces providing access to available virtual local area networks, configured virtual local area network groups, available primary devices and available related devices. By providing input to the graphical user interfaces, the TSA defines configured virtual local area networks, configured virtual local area network groups, configured primary devices and configured related devices for the TSA's network solution.

Abstract: The present invention, Technical Solution Architect Power Distribution Tool (TSAPDT), permits users to configure networking devices in their enclosures. The user creates a list of enclosures to receive the devices. The user selects each enclosure and specifies the voltage and amperage of each electrical circuit providing power to the enclosure. The user then begins adding the networking devices, specifying the quantity of each device. The TSAPDT confirms that there is adequate space as well as electrical power and outlets. The TSAPDT indicates to the user if additional power circuits are required or if the physical space limitations of the enclosure are reached. When the user is satisfied that the solution is complete, the user may save the configuration to an electronic field and generate a report that also may be saved or electronically copied and pasted into another electronic document.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for producing a drawing of components and connections needed to implement a desired system, such as, for example, a server farm for web hosting, is provided. In one embodiment, the computer program product receives user needs of the user's desired system. The product then determines the components and connections needed to implement a system that satisfies the user needs and which comply with a set of protocols necessary to ensure that the system performs properly. In one embodiment, the user's needs are gathered through a series of graphical user interfaces. The product then generates drawing program input that provides instructions for producing a drawing of the system that satisfies the user's needs. The drawing program may be, for example, Visio, a product of the Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. The drawing program input is then sent to the drawing program which then generates a drawing of the desired system.

Abstract: A method for selecting the most effective arthropod repellent from stereoisomers of a compound, involving testing each stereoisomer of the compound for its effectiveness as an arthropod repellent against an arthropod of a particular genus and species, comparing the test results and selecting the most effective arthropod repellent stereoisomer from the stereoisomers of the compound, wherein the compound is a piperidine analog. A composition for repelling arthropods, containing a carrier material and an arthropod repelling effective amount of a stereoisomer of a compound, wherein said stereoisomer is selected by the above method. A method for repelling arthropods (e.g., Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus) from a mammal, involving treating the mammal with an arthropod with the above repelling composition (e.g., containing (1S,2′S) stereoisomer of 1-(3-cyclohexen-1-ylcarbonyl)-2-methylpiperidine).