Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning and analyzing characteristics of a gas sample utilizing electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize an electromagnetic radiation source connected to a transmitter and an analyzer connected to a receiver. A sample gas volume to be analyzed is placed between the transmitter and receiver and a frequency sweep of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample to create a series of spectral data sets, which are developed into a composite spectrogram by the analyzer and processed to determine the one or more characteristics of the sample. A magnetic field can alternatively be applied around the transmitter, receiver and sample to enhance some characteristic analysis applications and to make other characteristic analysis applications possible.

Abstract: An inventive substrate is provided which includes a substrate compound of formula A-B1-B2-B3-B4: wherein A is a sugar moiety; B1 is a linker moiety allowing the conjugation of moiety A and the remaining structure of the substrate; B2 is a linker moiety with a free reactive amino group so as to be available for reaction with carboxylic acids or detectable tags; B3 contains a permanently charged element such as a quaternary ammonium group so as to increase sensitivity for mass spectrometry analysis; and B4 of various carbon length conferring specificity amongst individual substrates in detection methods. Also provided is a molecule of the formula B1-B2-B3-B4, with similar structural characteristics to an enzymatic product produced by the action of a target enzyme on an inventive substrate. Further provided are methods for using inventive substrates for detecting enzymatic activity.

Abstract: An inventive substrate is provided which includes a substrate compound of formula A-B1-B2-B3-B4: wherein A is a sugar moiety; B1 is a linker moiety allowing the conjugation of moiety A and the remaining structure of the substrate; B2 is a linker moiety with a free reactive amino group so as to be available for reaction with carboxylic acids or detectable tags; B3 contains a permanently charged element such as a quaternary ammonium group so as to increase sensitivity for mass spectrometry analysis; and B4 of various carbon length conferring specificity amongst individual substrates in detection methods. Also provided is a molecule of the formula B1-B2-B3-B4, with similar structural characteristics to an enzymatic product produced by the action of a target enzyme on an inventive substrate. Further provided are methods for using inventive substrates for detecting enzymatic activity.

Abstract: An orifice fitting having a drainage system. In some embodiments, the orifice fitting includes a housing having a chamber therein, a flow path extending through the chamber, an orifice plate moveable between a first position in the flow path and a second position outside of the flow path, and a rotatable shaft extending through the housing into the chamber. The shaft has a flowbore extending between a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a fluid outlet formed adjacent the end of the shaft.

Abstract: A machine includes card stores to store information cards. For each card store, one or more card selectors can be provided. When performing a transaction involving information cards, a generic card selector, using a selector policy engine, can identify a card selector to use for the transaction. The identified card selector can be used to identify an information card in a card store to use in performing the transaction, which can be used to provide a security token to the relying party.

Abstract: When a user connects a pluggable card store to a machine, the machine plugs a pluggable card provider into a card provider registry. The pluggable card store can be an object portable to the user, or can be a remote store available via some connection, such as an FTP connection. The user can then use the information cards stored on the pluggable card store in a transaction.

Abstract: A brake includes a brake shoe moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and defining an axis of rotation of an associated brake drum. The brake includes an actuation shaft rotatable about a shaft axis and an actuation device for transferring rotational movement of the actuation shaft into movement of the brake shoe from the disengaged position to the engaged position. The axis of rotation is non-parallel to the shaft axis.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for an internal combustion engine has a valve member (10) with a seating line (112) defining a seat diameter, the seating line (112) being engageable with a seating surface (14) to control fuel injection by the nozzle, in use. The seating line is defined by an annular ridge (40, 44, 46), integrally formed with the valve needle (10), so as to reduce variations in the seat diameter which would otherwise arise at manufacture due to contact between the valve needle (10) and the seating surface (14) in regions other than at the seating line. The invention provides an advantage in manufacture as repeatability and consistency of the geometry, and in particular the effective seat diameter, of nozzle products is improved.

Abstract: To display content in a user's preferred language, a content provider locates a layout information file to determine how to display the content. A layout strings file storing a layout string in a specific language is selected, according to the user's preferred languages. The content from a content provider and the layout string are then formatted as specified by the layout information file, and presented to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for providing one-telephone dialing number telephony services where only a single telephone dialing number is required for each subscriber, despite each subscriber having multiple telephony devices on which they wish to be contacted. Calls to a one-telephone dialing number telephony service subscriber may be detected at a telephone switch using one or more triggers configured in association with a device-shared telephone dialing number allocated to the subscriber. Upon receipt of a call connection request to a subscriber, control of the call is assumed, for example by redirecting the call to a service platform capable of generating multiple call connection requests. Multiple outgoing call connection requests are transmitted to multiple telephony devices, including a mobile telephone, associated with the device-shared telephone dialing number allocated to a subscriber.

Abstract: A method for making toothbrushes includes the steps of, providing a toothbrush, and providing an end-rounder secured to a support. The support is substantially fixed against movement. The toothbrush is moved towards the end-rounder such that free ends of bristles secured to a head of the toothbrush are rounded by the end-rounder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for non-invasively scanning and analyzing one or more characteristics of a sample utilizing electromagnetic radiation are described. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize an electromagnetic radiation source connected to a transmitter and an analyzer connected to a receiver. A sample to be analyzed is placed between the transmitter and receiver in a variety of different manners and a frequency sweep of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample to create a series of spectral data sets that are used to create one or more composite spectrograms, which are then analyzed to determine one or more characteristics of the sample. A magnetic field can alternatively be applied around the transmitter, receiver and sample to enhance some characteristic analysis applications. Samples include inert and living items, and the characteristics include a wide variety of different applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning and analyzing characteristics of a gas sample utilizing electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize an electromagnetic radiation source connected to a transmitter and an analyzer connected to a receiver. A sample gas volume to be analyzed is placed between the transmitter and receiver and a frequency sweep of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample to create a series of spectral data sets, which are developed into a composite spectrogram by the analyzer and processed to determine the one or more characteristics of the sample. A magnetic field can alternatively be applied around the transmitter, receiver and sample to enhance some characteristic analysis applications and to make other characteristic analysis applications possible.

Abstract: An orifice fitting having a drainage system. In some embodiments, the orifice fitting includes a housing having a chamber therein, a flow path extending through the chamber, an orifice plate moveable between a first position in the flow path and a second position outside of the flow path, and a rotatable shaft extending through the housing into the chamber. The shaft has a flowbore extending between a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a fluid outlet formed adjacent the end of the shaft.

Abstract: An inventive substrate is provided which includes a substrate compound of formula A-B1-B2-B3-B4: wherein A is a sugar moiety; B1 is a linker moiety allowing the conjugation of moiety A and the remaining structure of the substrate; B2 is a linker moiety with a free reactive amino group so as to be available for reaction with carboxylic acids or detectable tags; B3 contains a permanently charged element such as a quaternary ammonium group so as to increase sensitivity for mass spectrometry analysis; and B4 of various carbon length conferring specificity amongst individual substrates in detection methods. Also provided is a molecule of the formula B1-B2-B3-B4, with similar structural characteristics to an enzymatic product produced by the action of a target enzyme on an inventive substrate. Further provided are methods for using inventive substrates for detecting enzymatic activity.

Abstract: A method of objectively and subjectively monitoring noise and correspondingly level or loudness thereof in a product or assembly. The method includes placing a product on the vibration generator. Activating the vibration generator to move or shake the product to simulate usage conditions. A sound recording instrument measures and records the noise emitted by the product or assembly. Comparing an objective metric computed from the recorded noise with a threshold metric. Evaluating the vehicle to determine the noise source when the objective metric exceeds the threshold metric. Saving the objective metric along with the information relating to the source of the noise and necessary repairs for further evaluation and statistical analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for interrogating an optical biosensor. The apparatus includes (a) locating means for positioning one or more optical biosensors; (b) calibration means for generating a reference measurement; (c) one or more biosensors for generating one or more sample measurements, the biosensors being substantially planar and removable from the apparatus; (d) a reading means for interrogating biosensor and calibration means, and (e) a transport means for moving one or more of a biosensor, the calibration means and the reading means, whereby the reading means is positioned to interrogate the biosensor and the calibration means.

Abstract: A portal system identifies a language in which content can be displayed to the user. Possible languages can be determined from one or more of identity information for the user, a container for the user's directory entry, and the user's location. The determined languages can be ranked, and the highest-ranked available language can be selected for content display to the user.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for an internal combustion engine has a valve member (10) with a seating line (112) defining a seat diameter, the seating line (112) being engageable with a seating surface (14) to control fuel injection by the nozzle, in use. The seating line is defined by an annular ridge (40, 44, 46), integrally formed with the valve needle (10), so as to reduce variations in the seat diameter which would otherwise arise at manufacture due to contact between the valve needle (10) and the seating surface (14) in regions other than at the seating line. The invention provides an advantage in manufacture as repeatability and consistency of the geometry, and in particular the effective seat diameter, of nozzle products is improved.

Abstract: Selected substituted piperazine compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as obesity and the like. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving activation of the melanocortin receptor. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.