Abstract: Egg candling methods and apparatus are provided wherein black rot eggs can be identified and removed. A method of identifying live eggs includes illuminating eggs in a carrier with light from a light source; receiving light passing through each egg at a light detector; generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at a light detector for each respective egg; analyzing the output signal for each egg to determine opacity of each egg; removing eggs having an opacity less than a first opacity value; and removing eggs having an opacity greater than a second opacity value that is different from the first opacity value.

Abstract: A novel fence module is provided for use in a burrowing-animal discouraging modular fence, the module comprising a plurality of generally parallel elongate members each having an upper end and a tapered lower end, upper and lower crossbars connecting the plurality of elongate members in a row with a pair of end members and a plurality of intermediate members, wherein the elongate members have a spacing of between about 1 inch and about 2½ inches, a connector extending outwardly beyond at least one of the pair of end members for closely connecting the module to another module, wherein the tapered lower ends of the elongate members extend at least about 3 inches below the lower crossbar for insertion into ground, and wherein the elongate members extend at least about 16 inches above the lower crossbar.

Abstract: A method for the rental or sale, and distribution of digital content via the Internet. This method ensures enforcement of copyrights and end-use licensing. The invention consists of one or more databases, for the storage of digital content, and also for storage of customer profile and billing information. These databases are housed in multiple networked computers, sharing a private connection to an Internet firewall, gateway computer. This computer hosts an electronic commerce web site for customer purchase transactions and encryption of digital content prior to customer download. The invention also includes a software client application for decrypting and using the digital content. The invention also provides for computer software to manage the digital content inventory of each customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly identifying live eggs within a stream of eggs with high accuracy, are provided. A stream of eggs are candled via a candling apparatus and each candled egg is designated as being either live, non-live, or “uncertain”. Eggs designated as non-live and uncertain are removed from the stream. Each egg designated as uncertain is “recandled” at a separate station via an additional candling procedure in order to definitively determine if the “uncertain” egg is live or non-live. Uncertain eggs identified as being live via recandling are returned to the egg stream such that the stream contains only live eggs. The uncertain eggs determined to be non-live via recandling are removed and are either discarded or used for other purposes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly identifying live eggs within a stream of eggs with high accuracy, are provided. A stream of eggs are candled via a candling apparatus and each candled egg is designated as being either live, non-live, or “uncertain”. Eggs designated as non-live and uncertain are removed from the stream. Each egg designated as uncertain is “recandled” at a separate station via an additional candling procedure in order to definitively determine if the “uncertain” egg is live or non-live. Uncertain eggs identified as being live via recandling are returned to the egg stream such that the stream contains only live eggs. The uncertain eggs determined to be non-live via recandling are removed and are either discarded or used for other purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated &bgr;-amyrin synthase-encoding cDNA and gDNA nucleic acids. The genes are involved in saponin synthesis. One preferred embodiment is the nucleotide sequence which encodes the polypeptide of Annex II. Also provided are variant sequences (e.g. alleles, derivatives) and complementary sequences, plus vectors, host cells, plants, polypeptides, and associated processes of production and methods of use e.g. for influencing or affecting triterpene synsthesis, and hence the resistance to a fungal pathogen, taste, palatability or nutritional value of the plant. Also provided is the &bgr;-amyrin synthase promoter sequence and variants and uses thereof.

Abstract: A variable frequency oscillator provides an output frequency that is adjustable by selectively combining different delay signals from separate signal paths. The present invention's oscillator includes first and second differential signal paths, each exhibiting a different time delay or “phase.” Each signal path includes a series coupling of multiple delay elements, where each delay element comprises a single differential amplifier transistor pair. Each signal path's delay is established by setting the biasing and geometry of the signal paths' differential amplifier transistor pairs. A combiner, separately coupled to each signal path, selectively combines signals from the paths to provide a representative output. This output is also fed back as input to both signal paths. As an example, the combiner may be provided by two non-nested differential amplifier transistor pairs.

Abstract: Methods of pooling or localizing the allantoic fluid present in avian shell eggs, so that the fluid may be sampled, assessed or injected, are described. The methods involve tilting the avian shell egg so that the major axis of the egg is from about 10 to 180 degrees from the vertically upright position, so that the allantois pools under the uppermost portion of the egg shell. The allantoic fluid may then be sampled, or a substance injected into the allantois, by a vertical needle or probe traveling in a downward direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for attaching a bell or the like to a sport hand protector or a sport glove. The device comprises a fixing part (1) which is removably or irremovably connected with a finger part (8) and on which the bell (30) or the like can be removably or irremovably mounted. The finger part (8) is removably attachable to the sport hand protector, the sport glove or the like. It is the core of the device of the present invention to provide a sportsman such as an in-line-skater with a warning device which can be easily removed from the finger or the sport hand protector so that the latter can be worn with or without said reliably fixed device and that said device can also be worn without the sport hand protector (FIG. 6A).

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a parameter encoder for identifying selected parameters of a digitally sampled incoming signal lying within a receiver bandwidth, wherein the receiver bandwidth is divided into plural contiguous frequency channels, each channel having a channel bandwidth, whereby the incoming signal is divided into plural channelized signals lying in respective ones of the plural frequency channels, the parameter encoder includes plural channel processors connected to receive respective ones of the channelized signals, each of the channel processors including Fourier transform apparatus for producing a frequency value and an amplitude value for each sample of the respective channelized signal.

Abstract: An acoustic imaging device for providing an image of a body in a medium, includes a plurality of acoustic transmit elements and a plurality of acoustic receive elements, an apparatus for activating one of the transmit elements to generate an ultrasonic signal, an apparatus to selectively receive and record from each of the receive elements a set of data representing a phase, amplitude and transit time of the ultrasonic signal, a first computing apparatus for calculating a velocity map of propagation velocity values in each of a plurality of volume elements including the body and the medium using the data set, and a second computing apparatus for calculating a reflectance map, including a coherent sum of reflectance values at selected points in the plurality of volume elements using the data set.

Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions comprising an organic surface-active agent and low concentrations of substantially water-insoluble starch which contains from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a substantially water-insoluble organic liquid; said composition imparting anti-wrinkling and ease of ironing effects to fabrics washed therein.