Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for facilitating an auction of at least one item. In one example, the method includes obtaining one or more bids for the at least one item being auctioned, determining which of the one or more bids meet a secret reserve price associated with the at least one item, selecting at least one winning bid from among the one or more bids meeting the secret reserve price, and maintaining the secret reserve price and the at least one winning bid in confidence following expiration of the auction. Related apparatus and computer-readable medium are also provided.

Abstract: Electrical connector apparatus optimized for biomedical applications. In one embodiment, the connector apparatus comprises a low-cost simplified device having a unitary conductor element adapted to interface with an electrode terminal such as used in impedance cardiography (ICG) or electrocardiography (ECG). The unitary conductor is shaped so as to provide a high degree of electrical performance and signal stability, and also be highly reliable. The simplified structure of the connector (including the use of the unitary conductor element) allows it to be manufactured for very low cost, so as to be disposable if desired. Methods of manufacturing and operating the connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A detection circuit includes a first power line, a first signal conditioning module operationally coupled to the first power line, a neutral line (N) operationally coupled to the first signal conditioning module, a second signal conditioning module operationally coupled to the first power line, a second power line operationally coupled to the second signal conditioning module, and an analog to digital (A/D) converter operationally coupled to the first and the second signal conditioning modules.

Abstract: Electrical connector apparatus optimized for biomedical applications. In one embodiment, the connector apparatus comprises a low-cost simplified device having a unitary conductor element adapted to interface with an electrode terminal such as used in impedance cardiography (ICG) or electrocardiograhy (ECG). The unitary conductor is shaped so as to provide a high degree of electrical performance and signal stability, and also be highly reliable. The simplified structure of the connector (including the use of the unitary conductor element) allows it to be manufactured for very low cost, so as to be disposable if desired. Methods of manufacturing and operating the connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cooking platform includes at least one surface heating element having a first power consumption level and an oven located under the surface heating element. The oven includes a first heating element having a second power consumption level and a second heating element having a third power consumption level. The second heating element has at least two heating sub-elements. One of the two heating sub-elements is configured to be deenergized when a sum of the first, second, and third power consumption levels exceeds a power consumption limit of the cooking platform.