Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for online selection of contestants for online and offline competitions that uses objective selection criteria and allows the participation of members of the general public. It also provides an effective marketing and revenue generating mechanism as part of the contestant selection process. In one or more embodiments, a series of online challenges are presented to potential contestants (sometimes referred to herein as “participants.”) In one or more embodiments, challenges are designed to be entertaining (i.e. fun to participate in) as well as goal achieving (i.e means to become a contestant in a competition and/or win a prize). In one or more embodiments, one or more of the challenges integrates a sponsor's product or service into the subject matter (i.e. structure, process, and/or content) of a challenge, and/or requires a participant to obtain information about a sponsor's product or service to complete the challenge.

Abstract: A composition for use on the skin includes a carbomer, a starch, vitamins, moisturizers, an astringent, a Pluronic, dimethicone, and an aluminum compound. The composition may further include water, glycerin, emulsifiers, and surfactants. The composition provides therapeutic, conditioning, and other benefits to the skin, particularly when used on the hands, and is compatible with the use of gloves, including latex gloves.

Abstract: A stub shaft section adapted to be welded to a re-used end portion of a rotor shaft, the stub shaft section including a hollow cylindrical member having a substantially uniform inner diameter and first chamfered end adapted to form one side of a substantially V-shaped weld groove, and an integral backing ring extending axially beyond the chamfered end, the backing ring having a circumferential recess in a radially outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A composition for use on the skin includes a carbomer, a starch, vitamins, moisturizers, an astringent, a Pluronic, dimethicone, and an aluminum compound. The composition may further include water, glycerin, emulsifiers, and surfactants. The composition provides therapeutic, conditioning, and other benefits to the skin, particularly when used on the hands, and is compatible with the use of gloves, including latex gloves.

Abstract: A method for welding two sections of a rotor together, wherein each rotor section includes a welding surface, is provided. The method includes positioning the welding surface of the first rotor section substantially flush against the welding surface of the second rotor section. The method also includes positioning the second section substantially flush against a flange circumscribing the first section such that a rabbeted joint is defined therebetween.

Abstract: A web-enabled microcontroller device is provided with both web server functions (310) and generic control and monitoring functions (312). The web-enabled microcontroller device may be embedded in domestic, commercial and industrial hardware. Integrated software for remotely controlling hardware by means of the microcontroller device combines control application code (312) and HTTP server code (310). One implementation of the microcontroller device has a microprocessor coupled to a physical communications unit, a ROM and a RAM. The protocol stack (314) associated with the HTTP server may be permanently coded into the ROM or loaded into the RAM as required. In another implementation, the physical communications unit includes a digital signal processor and a wireless access unit, thereby providing a web-enabled digital wireless access device.

Abstract: Covers on bucket tips are provided with an access slot along a circumferentially facing edge of the cover at a location where moisture removal grooves of the bucket will intersect with the cover. Machine tooling is then applied to form the grooves along the suction side and adjacent the leading of the bucket. The machining runs out through the access slot forming grooves along the side edge of the bucket cover within the slot. The axial extent of the covers overlying leading and trailing edges of the buckets is maintained while enabling moisture removal by centrifugal action.

Abstract: A weld prep joint for welding a pair of axially aligned first and second machine rotor forgings includes a first weld joint configuration in an end of the first rotor forging including a first radial weld surface and a first axial rabbet surface; a second weld joint configuration on an end of the second rotor forging including a second radial weld surface adapted to engage the first radial weld surface, a second axial rabbet surface adapted to engage the first axial rabbet surface, and a third radial non-weld surface extending radially inwardly of the second rabbet surface and axially offset from the second radial weld surface.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a device, system and method for determining the characteristics of deep tissue. The novel method includes measuring blood flow rate and oxygenation characteristics of the tissue, and determining oxygen metabolism of the tissue as a function of the measure blood flow rate and measure oxygenation. The blow flow rate characteristics are measured as a function of light fluctuations caused by the tissue, while the oxygenation characteristics are measured as a function of transmission of light through the tissue with respect to the wavelength of light. The tissue may be layered tissue, for example, a portion of a brain. The tissue characteristics may be measured during times of varying levels of exercise intensity.

Abstract: A brush seal is provided between static components of a turbine. The turbine flowpath has an inlet spaced from another the inner web of the first stage nozzle. A brush seal is disposed between the two static components to minimize leakage flow to the packing casing region. The bristles of the brush seal are preloaded to fill any gap between the static components caused by distortion or out-of-roundness of the opposed surfaces being sealed. A side plate may contact the opposed sealing surface, increasing the pressure capability of the brush seal and minimizing overall seal leakage by providing the minimum possible flow area restricted solely by the bristles.

Abstract: A pre-injury contact warning device for a front door of an automatic dishwasher or oven, the front door being openable to a generally horizontal very low position above the floor. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing attachable to a surface of the front door. A warning signal emitter sensorially perceptible by a person receives electric power from a miniature storage battery mounted within the housing. An angle-sensitive switch mounted in the housing is operably interconnected between the warning signal emitter and a proximity sensor. The switch is open and the proximity sensor and the warning signal emitter off when the front door is closed, while the switch is closed and the warning signal emitter is armed and on standby when the front door is open. When a person gets within a predetermined distance from the open door, the proximity sensor activates the warning signal emitter.

Abstract: A handheld multimeter includes an outer shell, a computer processor housed within the outer shell for processing data, and a pressure-sensitive display screen. The display screen is electrically coupled to the processor to enable the processor to display simulated input elements on the screen and enable the user to input data commands into the processor by contacting the display screen. A data port is coupled to the processor. A conductive probe assembly is structured to generate electrical data. The probe assembly is electrically coupled to the data port to enable communication of the electrical data between the probe assembly and the processor. The processor is configured to process the electrical data received from the probe assembly and display an output value on the display screen that includes at least one of an electrical voltage value, an electrical resistance value, and an electrical current value.

Abstract: A pre-injury contact warning device for a front door of an automatic dishwasher or oven, the front door being openable to a generally horizontal very low position above the floor. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing attachable to a surface of the front door. A warning signal emitter sensorially perceptible by a person receives electric power from a miniature storage battery mounted within the housing. An angle-sensitive switch mounted in the housing is operably interconnected between the warning signal emitter and the storage battery. The switch is open and the warning signal emitter off when the front door is closed, while the switch is closed and the warning emitter on when the front door is open. The warning signal emitter, when on, is sufficiently sensorially perceivable to warn or alert the person nearby the dishwasher that the front door is open and to be avoided. Other embodiments are provided which are operatively dependent upon other forms of sensory perception, e.g.

Abstract: A software controlled device comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory unit. The CPU comprises a digital signature algorithm and a private key; wherein the memory unit stores run-time binary code. A digital signature is derived during manufacture from the digital signature algorithm, the private key and the run time binary code, then stored in the CPU and, in use, the CPU recalculates the digital signature and compares it with the stored digital signature, such that if the two signatures are not identical, the run-time code will not execute. A method of preventing fraudulent use of an electronic device comprising a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory unit is also provided.

Abstract: A warning light device attachable to, or as a permanent part of, a front door of an automatic dishwasher or oven, the front door being openable to a generally horizontal very low position above the floor. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing attachable to a surface of the front door. A warning light mounted on the housing receives electric power from a miniature storage battery mounted within the housing. An angle-sensitive switch mounted in the housing is operably interconnected between the warning light and the storage battery. The switch is open and the warning light off when the front door is closed, while the switch is closed and the warning light on when the front door is open. The warning light, when on, is sufficiently visible to warn or alert a person nearby the dishwasher that the front door is open and to be avoided. This invention may also be embodied in such appliances at time of manufacture.