Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for capturing an information signal from within a noisy background utilizing a non-Gaussian model for the a priori statistics of the information signal conditioned on other a priori quantities. A specific implementation utilizing a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is described. The GMM implementation includes Wiener filtering as a special case, and includes methods for adaptively tracking multiple properties of the input noise and the information signal, including noise PSD, information signal PSD, information signal spectral amplitude, and probability of information signal presence versus time and frequency.

Abstract: A new formulation for making a polyvinyl chloride (PVC, usually referred as vinyl in glove industry) glove has been disclosed in this invention. The resulting glove shows the following superior barrier integrity characteristics by comparing with current vinyl gloves in the market: Much lower in use failure rate Improved puncture strength and tensile strength Better chemical resistance The invention provides formulations to make compounds and methods to make such gloves. The new formulations and procedures could be easily realized economically under common vinyl glove production lines. Depending on the desired applications, both powdered and powder free gloves could be produced in the same formula.

Abstract: A vise has a jaw connected to a jaw support has a recess formed in a rear surface. A biasing member in the recess applies a force to the recess having a downward component to secure a workpiece to the vise. The biasing member may be the end of a set screw, a ball bearing or cam. The recess may be provided with an inclined surface to allow a horizontal force to be converted into a force having a vertical component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic switch for stopping a liquid flow during a time interval with the following features: the switch has at least one first channel and at least one second channel; the first channel and the second channel have a common end area; the first channel in the end area has a stopping mechanism for stopping of a liquid flow flowing in the first channel; the stopping mechanism can be controlled by means of a liquid flow flowing in the second channel for continuing the liquid flow in the first channel. Transport in the first and the second channel takes place advantageously by the capillarity acting in the channel.

Abstract: A former (10) for a reinforced concrete cage making machine, adapted to hold a plurality of longitudinally extending rods is disclosed, the former (10) including a frame comprising an inner frame (21), an outer frame (20) and transverse frame members (22), and a plurality of rod supports (11), each rod support (11) adapted to hold an associated longitudinally extending rod, wherein the rod supports (11) are mounted to the frame (21, 20, 22) such that the transverse location of at least one of the rod supports (11) can be varied, relative to the frame (21, 20, 22).

Abstract: Compositions comprising the nucleotides adenosine diphosphate and adenosine monophosphate, and their use for neutralizing effects of excess incident energy on the human body, particularly effects of ionizing radiation from nuclear or radiological energy sources, are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for locating a plurality of tire condition sensing apparatuses mounted on a vehicle. At first, all of the antennas in the vehicle are maintained at an activation status for receiving and decoding a signal transmitted from one of tire condition sensing apparatuses of the tired, and a signal intensity is obtained. When a tire condition sensing apparatus is assured to continuously emit the signal, the antennas are alternatively turned on an off so as to obtain a plurality of signal intensity changes, and the tire condition sensing apparatus is located on the tire to which the antenna producing the maximum value of the signal intensity changes is corresponding.

Abstract: An electronic interactive book allowing a child to learn the pronunciation of various words. The book will be provided with a permanent or impermanent display onto which a plurality of words, phrases or sentences would be provided. The electronic book includes a microphone as well as a speech recognition unit for recognizing a word that the child pronounces. A highlighting device such as a light emitting diode or a means for illuminating a particular word in a manner different than the surrounding words would be engaged when the child correctly pronounces that word. The highlighting device has the ability to assist the child in the pronunciation of one of the words by verbally pronouncing a portion of the word, as well as simultaneously highlighting that portion. A visual display of the lip movements of an animated character would also assist the child in correctly pronouncing a particular word.

Abstract: A polymeric material with antistatic properties, characterised by comprising a dispersion of ions within a polymeric matrix containing heteroatoms.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring persons within predetermined areas has a plurality of tags irremovably applicable to persons and contain data characteristic of the person. At least one sensor for senses the presence of each person and is operationally connectable to each tag (2) via an ether. A supervision and control unit is operationally connected to the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A ball game racket, especially a tennis racket, has a racket head formed by a tension frame with stringing, and a handle unit formed by a handle shaft or a racket neck joining the tension frame for example via a heart piece. Between a frame profile and the support profile a hose or cushion-type element is filled with an attenuating or damping liquid.

Abstract: A medical syringe container comprising a housing, an outlet through which a new syringe can be removed from the housing, an inlet through which a syringe can be replaced into the housing, and holding means to prevent a second syringe from being removed from the housing until a used syringe has been replaced into the housing. The container is particularly useful with needle exchange programs.

Abstract: An article clamp (10) of the band type including an elongated flexible band (11) having on one side a plurality of spaced teeth (20) and a head (14) having a chamber (22) for receiving screw (23) for cooperation with the teeth (20) on the band (11), a proximal end (12) of the band (11) being connected to the proximal end (15) only of the head (14) such that the distal end (16) of the head (14) is spaced from and free of the band (11), the head (14) further having a passage (30) therethrough for receiving a distal end (13) of the band (11) to form the band (11) into a loop.

Abstract: A system for processing biosolids from a sludge pond into fertilizer comprising: a portable dewatering system for removing liquid from sludge, the portable dewatering system having: a collection device for collecting sludge from the sludge pond; a centrifuge for removing liquids from the sludge collected by the collection device to create a biosolids composition; and a transfer device to transfer the biosolids composition from the centrifuge; a transport vehicle for receiving the biosolids composition from the transport device, the transport vehicle transporting the biosolids from the sludge pond to a fixed processing plant; and the fixed processing plant having: a mixer for mixing a stabilizing agent with the biosolids composition to create mixed biosolids; a heating and sterilising system to heat and sterilize the mixed biosolids and for extruding sterilized pellets; and a drying system for drying the pellets, wherein the pellets can be used as fertilizer.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal system including a carrier including an actuator in operative communication with at least one traction member, the actuator moving the at least one traction member relative to the carrier, wherein the at least one traction member is movably supported across supports extending from the carrier, and wherein a portion of the at least one traction member between the supports is sufficiently compliant so as to deform in conformance with a shape of a gastrointestinal tract during traction therealong.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for shaping a light beam, having at least two optically functional boundary surfaces that are arranged one behind another in the propagation direction (z) of the light beam to be shaped, such that the light beam can pass through the at least two optically functional boundary surfaces one after another, and two groups of refractive or diffractive imaging elements that are arranged on at least one of the optically functional boundary surfaces, at least two of the imaging elements having different properties within at least one of the groups.

Abstract: A device for shaping the cross-section of a light beam, has at least one beam shaping unit with a beam splitter, beam deflector and beam combiner. The beam splitter can split a light beam which is incident on the beam shaping unit into two partial beams. The beam deflector can deflect at least one of the partial beams onto the beam combiner which can combine the two partial beams in such a manner that the cross-section of the light beam emerging from the beam shaping unit is reduced in size in one direction compared to the light beam incident on the beam shaping unit. The beam combiner is a polarisation-selective beam splitting and beam combination unit that comprises at least two elements with an interface interposed in between. The two split partial beams can be incident on the interface from different directions.

Abstract: A screening device which is particularly useful for separating solids from liquids when sewerage systems overflow. The device includes an inner apertured chamber and an internal brush arrangement for sweeping over the apertures to prevent clogging. A spray enables the apertured chamber to be washed after use.