Abstract: A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

Abstract: A cold-set, injection-molded digestible pet chew includes an outer skin layer having a tough, chewy texture and an expanded center being surrounded by the outer skin layer. The outer skin layer and the expanded center being are formed by injecting a plasticized mixture into a chilled mold and cooling in the mold for about 10-60 seconds followed by releasing the mold to allow the center to expand to form a digestible pet chew. The plasticized mixture includes protein, starch, 0.1-2.5% encapsulated leavening agent, acid, and 5-15% of a humectant. The encapsulated leavening agent reacts with the acid to form the expanded center within the outer skin layer. Further, the pet chew has a water activity of 0.60 or below such that the expanded center remains expanded.

Abstract: A computer-implemented biometric identity verification method including the steps of storing a database of registered users, including data identifying profile attributes of each registered user and a respective plurality of stored biometric signatures, each stored biometric signature associated with a corresponding one or more of the profile attributes. A predicted biometric signature is derived for a requesting user when it is determined that a period of time has elapsed since the requesting user's stored biometric signature was last updated, by adapting the stored biometric signature based on biometric variances derived from a biometric peer group of registered users with at least one profile attribute in common with the requesting user. The predicted biometric signature is used to verify the identity of the requesting user.

Abstract: A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

Abstract: A system for secured succession of a user account to an authorized successor, including a database storing data identifying a registered successor for an account and associated data defining a biometric signature of the registered successor, a verification module configured to verify the identity of the registered successor based on the biometric signature, and an account transfer module configured to receive an instruction to transfer the account to the registered successor, and to transfer the account to the registered successor after verification of the identity of the successor by the verification module.

Abstract: A computer-implemented biometric identity verification method including the steps of storing a database of registered users, including data identifying profile attributes of each registered user and a respective plurality of stored biometric signatures, each stored biometric signature associated with a corresponding one or more of the profile attributes. A predicted biometric signature is derived for a requesting user when it is determined that a period of time has elapsed since the requesting user's stored biometric signature was last updated, by adapting the stored biometric signature based on biometric variances derived from a biometric peer group of registered users with at least one profile attribute in common with the requesting user. The predicted biometric signature is used to verify the identity of the requesting user.

Abstract: A payment system determines a required level of authentication for a payment transaction by a candidate consumer, based on a correlation with transactions by other consumers related to the candidate consumer, identified for example from one or more social networks. The correlation may be based on geographical location, time and/or type of transaction. A high correlation may indicate a group activity which requires a lower level of authentication.

Abstract: Treats have a water activity of less than 0.5 and good organoleptic properties. A method for obtaining such treats having low water activity involves injection molding a dough made from a polyol and at least one of a source of casein and a source of starch.

Abstract: Treats have a water activity of less than 0.5 and good organoleptic properties. A method for obtaining such treats having low water activity involves injection molding a dough made from a polyol and at least one of a source of casein and a source of starch.

Abstract: A digestible pet chew and method for making a digestible pet chew is provided. The method includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is injected into a mold and cooled for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. When the mold is opened, the center portion expands to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pet food compositions exhibiting a defined Maximum Relaxation Force and Maximum Relaxation Stress. The pet food compositions exhibit prolonged chew time by the pet. In optional embodiments, the pet food compositions comprise one or more of water, humectant, a grain source, or a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pet food compositions exhibiting a defined Maximum Relaxation Force and Maximum Relaxation Stress. The pet food compositions exhibit prolonged chew time by the pet. In optional embodiments, the pet food compositions comprise one or more of water, humectant, a grain source, or a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A system, a method, and article of manufacture are employed to clean the input/output transducers on tape drives, verified by the tape drives reading alphanumeric information from data tracks and servo tracks of a cleaner tape. An aggressive cleaning frontcoat section of the cleaner tape can be used to provide additional cleaning action, and the cleanliness of the data read elements, data write elements, and the servo heads. A less-abrasive cleaning section may be used to clean less difficult types of contaminants. In this manner, the cleanliness of the data read elements, the data write elements, and the servo heads can be verified. A cleaning section may also be used as a leader section of a self-characterization section. Alternatively, a magnetic data tape section may be included for self-characterization.

Abstract: A method for preforming of two or more flexible cables in an arrangement consisting of a combination of rigid printed circuit boards and flexible cable sections extending therebetween. Moreover, also provided is an apparatus for the preforming of two or more flexible cable sections of a combination of rigid printed circuit boards and therewith interposed flexible cable sections which are adapted to interconnect the rigid printed circuit boards. The apparatus consists of a tool constituted of an elongated cylindrical member having a tapered leading end which narrows into an ultra-thin flat end section of a blade-like configuration, and which is adapted to be pushed between the flexible cables and so as to preform the flexible cable sections and cause them to yield in a predetermined outwardly bowed permanently relationship between the rigid printed circuit boards at the opposite ends thereof to lengthen the fatigue life of the conductors in the flexible cable sections.