Abstract: A biometric identity confirmation system is based on pulse waveform data for the subject. During an initial enrollment mode, pulse waveform data for a known subject are used to generate subject characterization data for the known subject. The subject characterization data includes an exemplar created by synchronous averaging of pulse waveform data over multiple pulse cycles. A number of trigger candidate are identified for the start point of each pulse cycle. The time delay between trigger candidates is analyzed to discard false trigger candidate and identify true candidates, which are then used as the start points for each pulse cycle in synchronous averaging of the pulse waveform data. During a subsequent identity authentication mode, pulse waveform data for a test subject are analyzed using the subject characterization data to confirm whether the identity of the test subject matches the known subject.

Abstract: A hand-held masher device for mashing of potatoes and like food stuffs; said device including a power unit providing a rotating shaft output; said device further including a masher assembly extending from said power unit; said masher assembly including a skirt element and a mashing element operating within said skirt element; characterized in that mashed potato and like food stuff is extruded through apertures disposed in a side wall of said skirt element; said masher assembly including internal guide surfaces; said guide surfaces in the form of an inverted portion of a conical structure depending from an underside of a supporting annular conical wall of said skirt element, and wherein upper portions of blades of said mashing element conform to said guide surfaces.

Abstract: A seal cleaning device for seals located at the interface of the inner and outer tubes of a telescopically acting suspension or like unit; said device characterized in comprising a collar and at least one flexible cleaning projection; said cleaning projection adapted for insertion between a said seal and an outer surface of a said inner tube; said cleaning device adapted to removal of detritus from between a said seal and said inner tube.

Abstract: An system for monitoring alcohol in the breath of a test client confirms the identity of the test client based on spirometric data. The system includes a sample chamber receiving a breath sample, an alcohol sensor measuring the alcohol content of the breath sample, and a spirometric sensor generating spirometric data from the breath sample over the test clients entire exhalatory phase. A processor analyzes the spirometric data with stored client characterization data for a known client to confirm the identity of the test client. The client characterization data can be a probability density in a phase space in which at least two spirometric variables (e.g., flow and volume time-series data) are correlated.

Abstract: A method and system for biometric identity confirmation is based on the pulse wave of a subject. During an initial enrollment mode, pulse wave data for a known subject are used to generate subject characterization data for the known subject. During a subsequent operational mode, pulse wave data for a test subject are analyzed using the subject characterization data to confirm whether the identity of the test subject matches the known subject. The subject characterization data can be a probability density in a phase space in which at least two quasi-periodic variables based on the pulse wave (e.g., blood pressure and volume time-series data) are correlated.

Abstract: A food blender subassembly; said subassembly comprising a blade assembly securing element for securing a blade assembly in the base of a blender jug; said blade assembly securing element including an internally threaded cylindrical upper portion and a downwardly extending rim; at least portions of an underside of said downwardly extending rim provided with resilient high-friction material.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for detecting hydroxymethylated nucleotides (hmNs) in a polynucleotide preparation with a view to mapping the location of hmNs in a genome, quantifying the occurrence of hmNs at selected loci and correlating the occurrence of hmNs with gene expression and phenotypic traits. Embodiments describe the use of modifying enzymes together with site-specific endonucleases to detect the hmNs.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a uniform statement of financial information from input financial data records each having a record description and an input financial value, that involve providing an accounting standard (208) having standard terms that are associated with standard types; a ruleset (206) that is associated with the input financial data records which ruleset (206) includes rules wherein each rules includes a description and an associated mapping to one of the standard terms of the standard (208); generating for each input financial data record, a plurality of output financial data records by determining (204) a best-match rule for the record amongst the rules in the ruleset (206) wherein each of the output financial data records includes a standard description and an output financial value; and compiling (214) the said uniform statement of financial information.

Abstract: A food blender subassembly; said subassembly comprising a blade assembly securing element for securing a blade assembly in the base of a blender jug; said blade assembly securing element including an internally threaded cylindrical upper portion and a downwardly extending rim; at least portions of an underside of said downwardly extending rim provided with resilient high-friction material.

Abstract: A medical implant can include a bioerodible metal portion and a coating overlying the bioerodible metal portion. The coating can include a therapeutic agent and a polysaccharide matrix reversibly cross-linked with polyvalent metal cations. Upon implantation of the implant within a body, the therapeutic agent is released and the bioerodible metal portion erodes to release polyvalent metal cations capable of re-cross-linking the polysaccharide matrix.

Abstract: An isolated DNA is provided which encodes a protein that is capable of binding to 5?GGTACC-3?, the isolated DNA being capable of hybridizing to SEQ ID NO:3 under stringent hybridization conditions. The isolated DNA may be alternatively characterized as coding for a protein having an amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:5 or by an amino acid sequence with an expectation value of less than E=e?02 in a BLAST search using SEQ ID NO:5. Vectors containing the isolated DNA and host cells expressing the vectors as well as a method for making recombinant Acc65I having the above properties are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated particle detection apparatus for optical detection of particles in an air stream. The particle detection apparatus includes a scalper for removing large particles from the air stream, a concentrator for separating out small particles and increasing the concentration of particles of interest, and a fluorescence sensor system for detecting the particles present in the air stream. The scalper, concentrator and sensor may include a single integrated unit, such that the scalper is fluidly contiguous with the concentrator and the concentrator is fluidly contiguous with the sensor.

Abstract: A sealing system for a food blending appliance; said sealing system providing a seal between a blade assembly and an open base of a jug of said appliance; said seal comprising a first upper sealing element and a seal-retaining element; wherein said first upper sealing element provides a substantially smooth transition between internal surfaces of said jug and an upper surface of said blade assembly.

Abstract: A hand blender switch arrangement on a hand-held food blender; said switch arrangement including a first activation switch and a second operating switch; said first activation switch located in an upper surface of an upper body portion of a power unit of said blender; said second operating switch located in a front surface of a hand grip portion of said blender remote from said first activation switch such that said first activation switch cannot be readily operated by a hard gripping said hand blender for use.

Abstract: A medical implant can include a bioerodible metal portion and a coating overlying the bioerodible metal portion. The coating can include a therapeutic agent and a polysaccharide matrix reversibly cross-linked with polyvalent metal cations. Upon implantation of the implant within a body, the therapeutic agent is released and the bioerodible metal portion erodes to release polyvalent metal cations capable of re-cross-linking the polysaccharide matrix.

Abstract: A cordless kitchen appliance (10) comprising a power unit (12), a detachable blade extension unit (14) and a base module (60); said power unit and said detachable extension unit adapted for retention in said base module when not in use; said detachable extension unit provided at a distal end with an open cage; said open cage (34) shrouding a blade assembly (52).

Abstract: An isolated DNA is provided which encodes a protein that is capable of binding to 5?GGTACC-3?, the isolated DNA being capable of hybridizing to SEQ ID NO:3 under stringent hybridization conditions. The isolated DNA may be alternatively characterized as coding for a protein having an amino acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:5 or by an amino acid sequence with an expectation value of less than E=e?02 in a BLAST search using SEQ ID NO:5. Vectors containing the isolated DNA and host cells expressing the vectors as well as a method for making recombinant Acc65I having the above properties are also provided.

Abstract: A polymeric composite useful for producing large shaped articles such as railroad crossties comprises a filler component having minimal reinforcing/structural characteristics; and a polymer blend including at least one polymeric stiffening component, at least one polymeric density component, and at least one polymeric flexibility component. The polymer blend can include post-consumer recycled thermoplastic polymers. To produce the composite, a multistage extruder brings a blend of polymer and filler materials to an extrudable threshold without completely liquefying the polymer blend. The extruded blend is cooled within a mold to form a shaped article such as a recycled composite crosstie. Exemplary recycled composite mixtures may include composite polymer materials, such as, polypropylene, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMW), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), ABS, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), and combinations of these polymers.

Abstract: A polymeric composite useful for producing large shaped articles such as railroad crossties comprises a filler component having minimal reinforcing/structural characteristics; and a polymer blend including at least one polymeric stiffening component, at least one polymeric density component, and at least one polymeric flexibility component. The polymer blend can include post-consumer recycled thermoplastic polymers. To produce the composite, a multistage extruder brings a blend of polymer and filler materials to an extrudable threshold without completely liquefying the polymer blend. The extruded blend is cooled within a mold to form a shaped article such as a recycled composite crosstie. Exemplary recycled composite mixtures may include composite polymer materials, such as, polypropylene, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMW), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), ABS, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), and combinations of these polymers.

Abstract: A novel restriction endonuclease and methods of making the same are obtainable from either Citrobacter species 2144 (NEB#1398) or the recombinant stain Escherichia coli (NEB#1554) which cleaves at nt sequence 5?-CAANNNNNGTGG-3? (SEQ ID NO:14) in double-stranded DNA molecules. The novel restriction endonuclease is a modular protein in which the specificity moiety is an independent module from the restriction-modification module.