Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, compositions and articles of manufacture useful for the treatment of Bacillus anthracis and B. cereus bacteria and spores, and related conditions. The disclosure further relates to compositions comprising various phage associated lytic enzyme that rapidly and specifically detect and kill Bacillus anthracis and other bacteria. Related articles of manufacture, methods of degrading spores and methods of treatment of infections or bacteria populations of, or subjects exposed to or at risk for exposure to Bacillus anthracis are also provided.

Abstract: An Improved system for killing roots in sewers without stopping the existing sewer flow, a portable system to eliminate the roots in the sewers, this system makes it possible to treat the roots by treating only the zone concerned and not the overall length of the drain of sewer. The invention enters the sewer by an opening and travels to the problem and inflates in order to retain the poison dispensed by the dispenser. This system makes it possible to more easily deal with problems of roots in the sewers more quickly and, which makes it possible to reduce the cost. All the zones touched by problems of roots can be treated, treatment limits the progression of the roots and destroys them, which makes it possible to prevent the over flow of sewers and the damage of the drains of sewers. The prevention of overflows of sewers makes it possible to protect our wild, aquatic life and our water supply. Basically to help save our environment.

Abstract: A real time clock circuit is provided that has an onboard oscillator continuously providing an internal clock frequency, which is digitally synchronized to a more accurate reference clock frequency. An exemplary real time clock inhibits synchronization of the internal clock frequency when the reference clock is unavailable or if the reference clock's frequency is outside of a defined accuracy range.

Abstract: The system includes a 3D feature detection module and 3D recognition module 202. The 3D feature detection module processes 3D surface map of a biometric object, wherein the 3D surface map includes a plurality of 3D coordinates. The 3D feature detection module determines whether one or more types of 3D features are present in the 3D surface map and generates 3D feature data including 3D coordinates and feature type for the detected features. The 3D recognition module compares the 3D feature data with biometric data sets for identified persons. The 3D recognition module determines a match between the 3D feature data and one of the biometric data sets when a confidence value exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a latch for a liquid dispensing component includes: a first part for holding a liquid dispensing component in a seated position in a holder, the first part movable between an open position in which the component may be installed in or removed from the holder and a closed position in which the component is held in the seated position in the holder; and a second part for connecting the component to a liquid supply port, the second part movable, while the first part is in the closed position, between a disconnected position in which the component is not connected to the liquid supply port and a connected position in which the component is connected to the liquid supply port.

Abstract: A protective pad for a sports helmet having a shell for covering at least part of the head of a wearer, the pad including a first resilient shock absorbing member of plastic such as thermoplastic polyurethane, the first member having a sheet portion with a plurality of hollow protrusions, tapering side walls of the protrusions extending substantially to an inside surface of the side area of the shell and being compressible for absorbing shocks applied to the shell. The pad includes a second resilient shock absorbing member of a monolithic block of foam fixed to the sheet portion of the first member for engaging the wearer's head. A plastic cover covers the second shock absorbing member and a plurality of fasteners removably connects the pad at to the shell by at least some of the protrusions.

Abstract: A launcher apparatus for soft foam toy darts, the apparatus having a lock that operates momentarily during a cock and load cycle of the launcher apparatus to prevent an improper cocking operation. The launcher apparatus includes a barrel, a slide, a firing assembly and the lock. The launcher apparatus also includes three protrusions or surfaces for operative engagement with the lock to partially depress the lock, to fully depress the lock, and to disengage the lock to reset the launcher apparatus for the next cock and load cycle. During operation, one protrusion surface depresses the lock partially and momentarily, a second protrusion or surface fully depresses the lock to enable the lock to be maintained in the depressed state, and a third protrusion or surface causes the lock to be released.

Abstract: A delayed release pharmaceutical formulation comprising a core containing an active agent (e.g., a drug) and a delayed release compression coating comprising a natural or synthetic gum applied onto the surface of the core.

Abstract: Stamps and methods of making stamps for applications in anti-counterfeiting and authentication. The stamps are relatively small in size and feature nanoscale and microscale identification regions and features. High throughput manufacturing and high resolution methods are used to make the stamps including electron beam lithography and optical lithography. Anti-fouling coatings can be applied.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to a method and system for the processing of mail items within a multiple device document processing environment to ensure generation of unique mail items. The present teachings provides for an improved system and method for assigning and maintaining unique mail item identifiers and processing of the unique mail items in a multiple mail processing device environment to qualify for maximum postal work sharing discounts.

Abstract: A U-shaped spacer element supporting and retaining a photovoltaic panel assembly spacedly over a rooftop corrugated sheet; one shorter side leg thereof having an oblong bore, the other side leg having an intermediate ridge section. A screw engages into the ridge web and axially clears the shorter leg, anchoring the main body to the supporting rooftop frame elements through the corrugated sheet. The ridge section conformingly abuts against a longitudinal rib of the corrugated sheet. An L-shape bracket inner leg abuts against the main body short leg, the bracket outer leg abutting sideways against a registering portion of the photovoltaic panel assembly. A second oblong bore is made into the outer leg and extends parallel to the plane of the main body base leg. Two bolts engage the oblong bores and adjustably interlock the L-shape bracket to the spacer element main body and to the photovoltaic assembly.

Abstract: A portable medical diagnostic instrument includes an instrument head and a handle portion having an open-ended receiving cavity. A compact illuminator defined by a housing retaining a miniature light source and a power supply is releasably fitted within the open-ended receiving cavity of the handle portion wherein the light source of the illuminator is optically coupled with the instrument on assembly therewith. The handle portion can be integral with the instrument or releasably attached. The handle portion according to at least one version is made from a plastic or other suitable material, permitting disposability and/or single patient use. In one version, the handle portion is flexibly deformable, at least partially, to facilitate release of the portable illuminator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for maximizing the efficiency of a power supply according to the value of a load to be powered. One embodiment provides a power supply system including a first and second stage. The first stage has at least one AC to DC conversion section for converting an AC input to DC at an upper DC voltage value. The second stage has at least one DC to DC regulation section for converting at least a portion of the DC at the upper DC voltage value to DC at a lower DC voltage value and supplying the lower DC voltage value to a DC output. One or both of the first and second stages includes more than one section operating in parallel. A controller selectively enables a selected combination of the AC to DC conversion sections and the DC to DC regulation sections according to an expected or actual value of the load.

Abstract: There is provided an insert ear bud earphone with variable noise isolation. The earphone includes a housing with a serpentine channel which is able to contain at least one transducer in a main body of the housing; and a cushion which contacts a user's ear canal wall, the cushion being mounted on the serpentine channel. There is preferably at least one opening in either the housing or the cushion which causes leakage and allows ambient noise to enter the user's ear canal. There is also provided a cushion for an insert ear bud earphone. Finally, there is provided a method to enable variable noise isolation in an insert ear bud earphone comprising an inclusion of at least one opening in either a housing of the earphone or a cushion mounted on the earphone which causes leakage and allows ambient noise to enter a user's ear canal.

Abstract: A method, system, and article for automated processing of a data stream are provided. Stream processing is applied to a hierarchical self describing data stream. As the data stream is processed, some elements therein are associated with a selected path expression. The selected path expressions are ordered based upon the hierarchy, and a tree structure is created that corresponds to the hierarchy. Each leaf node of the tree is associated with a logical operator or an expression to be applied to data processed from the data stream to the leaf node.

Abstract: A product display shelf comprising a bottom surface, a rear surface and at least one compliant member is disclosed. The bottom surface is configured to support at least one product thereon. The rear surface extends upwardly from the bottom surface. The at least one compliant member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the rear surface and is configured to substantially prevent the product supported by the bottom surface from movement relative to the bottom surface upon movement of the product display shelf.

Abstract: A voicemail system apparatus produces a voicemail notification message corresponding to a voicemail message received and saved at a voicemail system, and causes the voicemail notification message to be sent to a mobile device. Subsequently, the apparatus causes a voicemail deletion notification message to be sent to the mobile device, where the voicemail deletion notification message indicates that the voicemail message will be deleted by the voicemail system. In response to expiration of a voicemail message time expiration period associated with the voicemail message, the apparatus deletes the voicemail message at the voicemail system. On the other hand, prior to expiration of the voicemail message time expiration period, and in response to receiving a save command from the mobile device for resaving the voicemail message, the apparatus saves the voicemail message at the voicemail system and updates the voicemail message time expiration period.

Abstract: Methods for constructing and maintaining knowledge representation systems (KRS) are disclosed. The KRS is initially organized and populated using knowledge engineers. After initial organization, scientific domain experts digest and structure source texts for direct entry into the KRS using templates. These templates constrain both the form and content of the digested information, allowing it to be entered directly into the KRS. The methods disclosed herein permit the construction and maintenance of a much larger KRS than could be constructed and maintained using known methods. Fact type specific fact templates are completed, accepting predefined fact types found in predetermined information sources. Fact template may comprise a user interface that constrains user entry to one of a predetermined set of valid entries. The user interface may include a user field that permits entry of new information not included in the predetermined set of valid user entries.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forming a map database with attributed data which represents roadways attributed as no-outlet or circular segments. The method includes identifying a segment from a first node to a second node, where the second node is connected to an isolated portion of a road network. The method further includes storing a data attribute into the map database that represents the segment as a road that connects the road network at the first node to the isolated portion of the road network at the second node. The data attribute may represent the segment as a no-outlet segment or a circular segment. A no-outlet segment represents a roadway or portion of a roadway that terminates or returns back to the roadway or portion thereof. A circular segment represents a roadway or portion of a roadway that intersects with a geographic feature, such as a road, and where the roadway or portion thereof leads back to the same geographic feature.