Abstract: A mechanism for allowing a user to prove their identity on touch-based devices employing the use of a touch surface in firmware-controlled environments is discussed. The user may prove his or her identity by entering a series of strokes on the touch-based device to form a word or image. Characteristics of the entered strokes such as stroke order and stroke direction are compared to stored stroke characteristics that were gathered from a drawing of the same word or image during a user enrollment process. If the stroke characteristics comparison is acceptable, the user identity is verified.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition that includes a non functionalized amorphous poly alpha olefin polymer, a second polymer selected from the group including polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers and combinations there of, a functionalized wax and a second wax.

Abstract: A propylene-alpha-olefin polymer that includes at least 50% by weight propylene, has a ratio of z average molecular weight (Mz) to number average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) from greater than 20 to no greater than 50, and a ratio of Mz to weight average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) of greater than 2.5, and exhibits a viscosity of no greater than 2,500 centipoise at 190° C., and a hot melt adhesive composition that includes the propylene-alpha-olefin polymer, a first wax consisting of a functionalized wax, and a second wax different from the first wax, the adhesive composition exhibiting a viscosity of no greater than 2,500 centipoise at 177° C.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the speed of a machine having a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively coupled to a power source. A plurality of selectable virtual gear ratios can be associated with the CVT. The machine may include an operator input device that may generate a operator input signal indicative of a desired adjustment in the ground speed. The operator input signal may be converted to a CVT speed command and to a power source speed command that are communicated to the CVT and the power source, respectively. The CVT adjusts the machine speed in accordance with the CVT speed command, while the power source adjusts its speed in accordance with the power source speed command, so that operation of the power source is substantially independent of operator of the CVT.

Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of biomedical implants and related implants manufactured according to such methods. In some implementations, a biomedical implant comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment so as to increase a surface roughness of at least a portion of the biomedical implant to a roughness profile having an arithmetic average of at least about 500 nm Ra. In some implementations, a coating may be applied to a biomedical implant. Such a coating may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material, and may be applied instead of, or in addition to, the surface roughening treatment process.

Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of a biomedical implant. In some implementations, the method may comprise providing a biomedical implant material block. The biomedical implant material block may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material. The surface chemistry of the biomedical implant material block may be altered to improve the antibacterial characteristics of the biomedical implant material block. In some implementations, the surface chemistry may be altered by firing the biomedical implant material block in a nitrogen-rich environment or otherwise increasing the nitrogen content in the transitional oxide layer of at least a portion of the biomedical implant material block. The surface of the biomedical implant material block may also, or alternatively, be roughened to improve antibacterial characteristics of the implant.

Abstract: A method regulates a machine having a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and service brakes in a manner to reduce power transmission through the applied brakes. The method utilizes an unaltered torque-to-speed curve that relates the torque output to the speed output of the CVT. An under-run curve may be applied to the torque-to-speed curve and that corresponds to a target speed. The method may receive an operator input signal indicative of a braking event. In response, the method may shift the torque-to-speed curve to limit the output torque available. The method may also adjust the under-run curve in a manner that maintains correspondence with the target speed.

Abstract: A multi-sided framing tool includes a stud side with stud pockets, a nail side with nailing windows, and an intermediate side adjoining the stud and nail sides.

Abstract: Substrates for cell culture and tissue engineering bioreactors consisting of polymers that change their shape over time under stimulation by temperature change, hydration, degradation, or other means. A method of controlling cell culture using a biodegradable shape memory polymer, wherein shape changes can transfer stresses, strains, or both to adherent or otherwise connected cells such that the mechanical stimulus impacts cell development and the resulting properties of tissues.

Abstract: A propylene-alpha-olefin polymer that includes at least 50% by weight propylene, has a ratio of z average molecular weight (Mz) to number average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) from greater than 20 to no greater than 50, and a ratio of Mz to weight average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) of greater than 2.5, and exhibits a viscosity of no greater than 2,500 centipoise at 190° C., and a hot melt adhesive composition that includes the propylene-alpha-olefin polymer, a first wax consisting of a functionalized wax, and a second wax different from the first wax, the adhesive composition exhibiting a viscosity of no greater than 2,500 centipoise at 177° C.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition that includes a propylene-alpha-olefin polymer including at least 50 mole % propylene and has a ratio of z average molecular weight (Mz) to number average molecular weight (Mn) (Mz/Mn) from greater than 20 and no greater than 50, a ratio of Mz to weight average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) from greater than 2.5 to no greater than 6, a crystallinity of at least 5%, and a viscosity of no greater than 2,500 centipoise at 190° C., and from 10% by weight to no greater than 30% by weight tackifying resin, the adhesive composition having a viscosity no greater than 10,000 centipoise at 149° C.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition that includes a first copolymer that includes the reaction product of a functionalized polyethylene, a propylene-alpha-olefin polymer that includes at least 50 mole % propylene and has a viscosity of no greater than 10,000 centipoise at 190° C., a ratio of z average molecular weight (Mz) to number average molecular weight (Mn) (Mz/Mn) of greater than 20, and a ratio of Mz to weight average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) of greater than 3.0, and a free radical initiator.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition that includes a non functionalized metallocene catalyzed polymer and a second polymer selected from the group including amorphous poly alpha olefins, uni-modal metallocene catalyzed polymers, hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers and combinations thereof and nonwoven and packaging articles including the same.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition that includes a non functionalized amorphous poly alpha olefin polymer, a second polymer selected from the group including polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers and combinations there of, a functionalized wax and a second wax.

Abstract: A multi-sided framing guide includes a stud side with stud pockets, a nail side with nailing windows, and an intermediate side adjoining the stud and nail sides.

Abstract: A multi-sided framing guide includes a stud side with stud pockets, a nail side with nailing windows, and an intermediate side adjoining the stud and nail sides.

Abstract: Substrates for cell culture and tissue engineering bioreactors consisting of polymers that change their shape over time under stimulation by temperature change, hydration, degradation, or other means. A method of controlling cell culture using a biodegradable shape memory polymer, wherein shape changes can transfer stresses, strains, or both to adherent or otherwise connected cells such that the mechanical stimulus impacts cell development and the resulting properties of tissues.

Abstract: A connector (M) includes a terminal fitting accommodation member (20), made of synthetic resin, which accommodates a plurality of terminal fittings (30) and a tube (10), produced separately from the terminal fitting accommodation member (20), a front end of which is mounted in a mounting hole (H) of a panel. The connector (M) is constructed by mounting the terminal fitting accommodation member (20) on the tube (10).

Abstract: A system and method for transferring credit accounts over a network include steps and means for receiving search criteria from a user, searching a credit account database for available credit accounts based on the search criteria, providing results of the searching to the user, the results including a summary of available credit accounts and a purchase price for each available credit account, receiving a selection of at least one of the available credit accounts from the user, calculating a total purchase price for the selected at least one of the available credit accounts, receiving a purchase request from the user corresponding to the selected at least one of the available credit accounts, providing an invoice to the user for the total purchase price, receiving a payment from the user in response to the invoice; and in response to the received payment, removing the selected credit accounts from the credit account database.

Abstract: A connector (M) includes a terminal fitting accommodation member (20), made of synthetic resin, which accommodates a plurality of terminal fittings (30) and a tube (10), produced separately from the terminal fitting accommodation member (20), a front end of which is mounted in a mounting hole (H) of a panel. The connector (M) is constructed by mounting the terminal fitting accommodation member (20) on the tube (10).