Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a transmission disposed in the housing and coupled to the motor, an output end effector coupled to the transmission, a control circuit for controlling power delivery from a power source to the motor, and a force sensing electronic clutch including a force sensor coupled to a substantially stationary element of the transmission. The force sensor senses a reaction torque transmitted from the end effector to at least a portion of the transmission. The sensor is configured to generate a first electronic signal corresponding to an amount of the reaction torque. The control circuit compares the first electronic signal with a second electronic signal corresponding to a desired threshold torque value, and initiates a protective operation when a value of the first electronic signal indicates that the reaction torque has exceeded the desired threshold torque value.

Abstract: A novel gene of Bifidobacteria and the polypeptides encoded thereby. In particular, a gene belonging to the Serpin superfamily and its use in the production of bacterial Serpins is provided. Also provided are vectors, host cells, and methods for producing bacterial Serpin polynucleotides and/or polypeptides.

Abstract: Provided are various embodiments of structures that may utilized in a power driver, particularly in a power driver having an optional reciprocating “hammer” action, that may be utilized for retaining an outer bearing during driver assembly and during subsequent operation of the power driver. In particular, the disclosed structures provide one or more surfaces, particularly inner peripheral surfaces, that limit the outward axial movement of the bearing. These structures may include combinations of surfaces defined by retaining members including, for example, one or more flanges, clips and threaded members, an input shaft, biasing mechanisms, typically a spring or other resilient structure, and chuck shield assemblies for positioning the outer bearing within the power driver.

Abstract: A novel microorganism of the genus Bifidobacterium longum, in particular to its genomic and plasmid sequence and to a method of producing polypeptides of said Bifidobacterium, respectively. Also methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of NCC2705. In addition, the Bifidobacterium longum strain NCC2705 and also to food and pharmaceutical compositions containing said Bifidobacterium or active components thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea brought about by rotaviruses and pathogenic bacteria are provided.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel micro-organism of the genus Bifidobacterium longum, in particular to its genomic and plasmid sequence and to a method of producing polypeptides of said Bifidobacterium, respectively. The invention also relates to methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of NCC2705. In addition, the present invention pertains to the Bifidobacterium longum strain NCC2705 and also to food and pharmaceutical compositions containing said Bifidobacterium or active components thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea brought about by rotaviruses and pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: An audio system may include a plurality of sound reproduction devices characterized by parameter values; a plurality of audio signal sources characterized by parameter values; a plurality of remote control devices, a system controller, constructed and arranged to wirelessly receive command signals from the remote control devices and to wirelessly transmit parameter values of audio signal sources and of sound reproduction sources to the remote control device. The remote control devices are constructed and arranged for wirelessly transmitting command signals to the system controller and for wirelessly receiving parameter values and displaying parameter values. The remote control devices are being further constructed and arranged to transmit command signals to and receive parameter values from a system controller that is separated from remote control.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) has multiple application processes. A speech recognition process takes input speech from a user and produces a recognition output representative of the input speech. A text-to-speech process takes output text and produces a representative speech output. A speech manager interface allows the speech recognition process and the text-to-speech process to be accessed by other application processes.

Abstract: An audio recorder for interfacing with a speech recognition systems includes a microphone having an open front port that senses an audio signal and a closable back port which, when open, senses an audio signal. The microphone also produces an output signal representative of the audio sensed by the microphone. The recorder further includes a mode selector switch having two positions. The first position provides a close-talking mode in which the back port is open so that audio signals are sensed through both the front port and the back port to reduce representation of environmental noise in the output signal. The second position provides a conference-talking mode in which the back port is closed and audio signals are sensed through the front port only and environmental noise is not reduced.