Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for the customers, along with the host, to have the ability to not only configure and tailor the host knowledgebase, but also the environment in which the knowledgebase is delivered. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a configurable architecture may comprise a host instance, one or more customer instances, a remote configuration engine for a content factory to deliver data comprising content and associated metadata to the host instance, which may deliver the metadata to one or more customer instances, and a customer configuration engine for the customer instance to configure and tailor the data and the environment in which the data is delivered to the needs and wants of the customer corresponding to the customer instance.

Abstract: A household management system having a user interface, a media content data store, a purchase history data store, a media content manager in communication with the user interface and the media content data store, and a purchase history module in communication with the user interface and the purchase history data store. A method of selectively displaying media content to a consumer, and a computer-implemented method of populating a shopping list comprising a list of a plurality of products for later purchase by a user are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method analyze electronic messages directed between individuals to quantitatively assess the relative communication capabilities of such individuals. A quantitative value referred to as “communication strength” is determined for one or more individuals from a plurality of individuals based upon analysis of the electronic messaging activities of such individual(s), and is subsequently used to select an individual from among the plurality of individuals, e.g., for the purpose of selecting a target for a viral marketing encounter, a market research project, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for providing a user with contextually relevant content from a library of information. According to one embodiment of the present invention, metadata tagged information about a user's work profile and working context, and content within a library of information are read. The metadata tagged information about content within the library of information to metadata tagged information about one or more of the user's work profile, the user's working context, or other content within the library of information is matched using one or more programmable rules. A rank ordered set of the most contextually relevant content from the library of information is then delivered to the user based on the matching of the metadata tagged information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for effecting a computer transaction using speech as a primary input. The speech is captured using a speech recognition program. A context associated with the captured speech is determined. Where the context has been determined, the computer transaction is built based on the context and at least a portion of the captured speech. A representation of the computer transaction is presented to a human operator for verification. The computer transaction is effected upon verification by the human operator.

Abstract: An absorbent, low-linting fibrous structure comprising an entangled web of synthetic fibers, wherein fibers of at least one of said top surface and said bottom surface are surface bonded, such as by thermal or adhesive bonding. The web is absorbent, has low density, is resistant to linting, and can retain structural integrity at high temperatures. The structure can be made by forming a web of synthetic fibers, entangling the fibers of the web, such as by needling or hydroentangling, and bonding the fibers at the surface of the web by thermal or adhesive bonding.

Abstract: The present invention provides nitrogen heterocyclic compounds, compositions, and methods for controlling biofilms, i.e., disrupting biofilms, preventing biofilm formation, enhancing biofilms, or modifying biofilms. Methods for screening test compounds for control of biofilms and devices for use therein are also provided.

Abstract: An odor controlling material and an absorbent article containing material for removing or reducing odor emanating from certain gaseous and liquid compounds in body fluid. The odor controlling material includes conventional absorbent materials such as silica, alumina, silicates, and natural and synthetic aluminosilicates that are doped with one or more dopants, which have the same or similar chemical characteristics as the gaseous or liquid compounds in the body fluid to be absorbed. These dopants include fatty acids and their derivatives, amines and their salts, ammonia, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, heterocompounds containing at least one nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen atom and mixtures thereof. The odor control material is suitable for incorporation in an absorbent article such as a pantiliner or a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable storage medium for managing product development include a relational database containing draft, approved, and archived versions of product, package, materials, process, and artwork technical data for use by product development personnel in providing a structured set of data output for use in a supply chain. In one embodiment, the relational database includes objects having data to describe design requirements of a finished product component such as a formula, material, package, and the like. Text documents may be linked to the relational data structure by reference to provide design requirements not amenable to a structured data format, such as test methods, process instructions, and the like. The system, method, and computer readable storage medium provide for electronic communication and electronic approval of data subsets while tracking changes and archiving previous versions for subsequent access or reference.

Abstract: Soft and elastic polymer products are obtained by stretching a composition comprising a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units. The first randomly repeating monomer unit has structure (I), wherein R1 is H, or C1 or C2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2. The second randomly repeating monomer unit is different from the first randomly repeating monomer unit and has structure (II), wherein m is 2 to about 9. At least about 70 mole % of the copolymer comprises randomly repeating monomer units having the structure of the first randomly repeating monomer unit (I). The products exhibit advantageous combinations of softness and elasticity while maintaining strength.

Abstract: A method for measuring the barrier properties of naturally occurring tissue, such as the skin. The method comprises the steps of providing a probe having a pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical communication with each other, a voltage generator capable of supplying an increasing voltage between said electrodes, and a voltage meter capable of indicating the voltage between said electrodes. The electrodes are placed in contact with the target surface. An increasing voltage from is supplied from the voltage generator to the electrodes until current between said electrodes reaches a predetermined value. The voltage, which occurs when the current reaches the predetermined value, is noted. In another embodiment the invention comprises a device for measuring the barrier properties of the skin. The device comprises a probe. The probe has a pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical communication with each other.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. The dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In addition, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of accumulated skin cells represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus.

Abstract: A plasma generating apparatus and method for treating a surface of a workpiece. This apparatus comprises a power supply 100, at least one powerable electrode connected to the power supply 100, at least one groundable electrode connected to ground, a dielectric separating the at least one powerable electrode and the at least one groundable electrode, a chamber at least partially housing both the powerable electrode and the groundable electrode and a first inlet for admitting a first gas into the chamber such that the first gas can flow between the at least one powerable electrode and the at least one groundable electrode. The at least one powerable electrode and the at least one groundable electrode are disposed in an array. These electrodes are arranged to be on a common side of a workpiece, to provide a portable apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to highly attenuated fibers produced by melt spinning a composition comprising destructurized starch, a thermoplastic polymer, and a plasticizer. The present invention is also directed to highly attenuated fibers containing microfibrils which are formed within the starch matrix. Nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the highly attenuated fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining the probability of observing an event. The event may occur either alone or in combination with one or more other events. The method may be non-combinatorial in that it does not require a separate calculation for each simultaneously occurring event, thereby significantly reducing computation time for complex systems having multiple events. Further, the method may be numerically reversed to calculate the probability of an event occurring based upon the number of observations. The method is particularly useful for predicting availability, component failure, or the possibility of a false start in production systems.

Abstract: A method and device for applying sheet material, such as wallpaper, to a substrate. The applicator is bi-positionable, having a first position where the sheet material is spaced apart from the substrate and a second position where the sheet material contact the substrate. Additionally or alternatively, the applicator may be provided with a control bar. In the first position, the control bar contacts a portion of the sheet material such as its free end. This minimizes the chance of the sheet material prematurely contacting the substrate. In the second position, the sheet material is disengaged from the control bar for application to the substrate. The applicator and sheet material may be provided together in a kit.

Abstract: A system for mobile robots to detect obstructions. Obstructions include objects which may impair the or impede the mobility of the robot, as well as transitions from carpeted surfaces to hard surfaces, transitions from hard surfaces to carpet, or transitions between other types of flooring. The system includes a plow which may move underneath the obstruction, The obstruction may the be brushed aside, or rise to an elevation detectable by the robot. Upon detection, the robot may change its direction of movement or stop moving altogether.