Abstract: Described herein are tooth whitening strips comprising an hydratable adhesive film having a granular bleaching ingredient attached thereto, wherein upon hydration, the granular bleaching ingredient releases hydrogen peroxide which is used by an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolytic activity to enzymatically produce an effective amount of peracid bleaching agent from an acyl donor substrate. Methods of making and use the tooth whitening strips are also provided.

Abstract: A flag attachment apparatus includes a first planar portion and a second portion. The first planar portion includes a first side and a second side, a plurality of ribs on the first side, and a deflectable middle portion disposed between two slits. The second portion includes a first angle plate and a second angle plate, both attached to a first end of the first planar portion and proceeding outward from the first planar portion such that a first angle is formed between the first angle plate and the second angle plate.

Abstract: A reduced-temperature method for treatment of a fuel element is described. The method includes molten salt treatment of a fuel element with a nitrate salt. The nitrate salt can oxidize the outer graphite matrix of a fuel element. The method can also include reduced temperature degradation of the carbide layer of a fuel element and low temperature solubilization of the fuel in a kernel of a fuel element.

Abstract: A reduced-temperature method for treatment of a fuel element is described. The method includes molten salt treatment of a fuel element with a nitrate salt. The nitrate salt can oxidize the outer graphite matrix of a fuel element. The method can also include reduced temperature degradation of the carbide layer of a fuel element and low temperature solubilization of the fuel in a kernel of a fuel element.

Abstract: A computer program product and method provides a question and answer service that accepts an initial first question from a user and analyzes the question by a first generation subsystem to generate a first answer. A second generation subsystem of the question and answer service is configured to generate a second question based at least in-part on keywords from the first question and the first answer.

Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.

Abstract: A method for digestion and gasification of graphite for removal from an underlying surface is described. The method can be utilized to remove graphite remnants of a formation process from the formed metal piece in a cleaning process. The method can be particularly beneficial in cleaning castings formed with graphite molding materials. The method can utilize vaporous nitric acid (HNO3) or vaporous HNO3 with air/oxygen to digest the graphite at conditions that can avoid damage to the underlying surface.

Abstract: A self-calibrating projection apparatus is provided. The projection apparatus includes a projector with a memory, an image scanner, a calibration image, and a controller for analyzing quality characteristics of projected images and for changing projector settings. The controller is communicatively linked to the image scanner and to the projector. The calibration image has predetermined optimal quality characteristics, the calibration image residing in the projector memory. The projector is configured to project the calibration image on a surface upon being activated. The image scanner is configured to acquire the projected calibration image and to transfer the acquired image to the controller. The controller is configured to analyze the quality characteristics of the projected calibration image in comparison to the predetermined optimal quality characteristics.

Abstract: A method for digestion and gasification of graphite for removal from an underlying surface is described. The method can be utilized to remove graphite remnants of a formation process from the formed metal piece in a cleaning process. The method can be particularly beneficial in cleaning castings formed with graphite molding materials. The method can utilize vaporous nitric acid (HNO3) or vaporous HNO3 with air/oxygen to digest the graphite at conditions that can avoid damage to the underlying surface.

Abstract: A computer program product and method provides a question and answer service that accepts an initial first question from a user and analyzes the question by a first generation subsystem to generate a first answer. A second generation subsystem of the question and answer service is configured to generate a second question based at least in-part on keywords from the first question and the first answer.

Abstract: A seed growing device, method, and system are described. The seed growing device may comprise a solid-shape and a seed-enclosure located within the solid-shape. The solid-shape may comprise a mixture. The mixture may comprise a dry acid and a dry base. The seed-enclosure may comprise a seed and/or spore. The seed-enclosure may comprise an outer-layer that may be dissolvable upon contact with liquid water. When the solid-shape may be sufficiently wetted with liquid water, the dry acid and the dry base may absorb at least some of the liquid water to interact in an aqueous acid base chemical reaction causing bubbling and transitioning the solid-shape from a dry state into a liquid state; and in some embodiments emitting a fragrance. At least some of the liquid water may dissolve the seed-enclosure enough to permit some of the liquid water to reach the seed and initiate seed germination.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system includes multiple processors configured to run applications, and a dynamic configuration system operating independently on one or more of the multiple processors. The dynamic configuration system is configured to automatically incorporate new processors into the multiprocessor system for communication with one or more of the multiple processors. The dynamic configuration system automatically reconfigures the multiprocessor system in real-time to run at least one application normally run on one or more of the multiple processor to run on one or more of the automatically incorporated new processors.

Abstract: Point-of sale (POS) devices and checkout devices are provided. An exemplary checkout apparatus includes a plurality of sensing elements arranged in fixed relationship with each other at the mouth of a bag. At least one of the sensing elements senses a code arranged on a product as the product is being placed into the bag.

Abstract: A network topology is displayed in a graphical user interface on a display of a computer. The network topology includes graphical representations of multiple network devices, of internal interfaces within the multiple network devices, and of network connections between the multiple network devices. A record of a network flow within a particular network device of the multiple network devices is acquired in real time upon transmission of the network flow within the particular network device. A graphical representation of a transmission path of the network flow within the particular network device is rendered in real time on the display based on the record of the network flow.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system used in home environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration manager, and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data.

Abstract: A mass airflow measuring device includes an air passageway defined in a duct. A first channel communicates with the air passageway via at least one first aperture to allow air flowing through the air passageway to enter the first channel. A second channel is located downstream from the first channel. A sample channel communicates the first channel with the second channel. A mass airflow sensor is located in the sample channel and is adapted to receive air flowing in the sample channel. The sample channel is defined in a housing which has a chamber adapted to accommodate one of a variety of differently configured mass airflow sensors. The sensor is adapted to output an airflow signal based on air flowing past the sensor. A processing unit communicates with the sensor and is adapted to receive the airflow signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system used in a car, home, or office environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration manager, and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures which processors run the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data. A communication system for a mobile vehicle, home, or office environment includes multiple processors. The multiple processors each run an Open Communication system that controls how data is transferred between processors based on data content as opposed to the links that connect the processors together.

Abstract: A system for controlling and operating applications in multiprocessor systems is described. Various multiprocessor systems comprising various processors coupled to various transceiver processors operate independently and automatically establish communications with each other. Data managers within the independent multiprocessor systems exchange messages indicating types of data processed by software applications in the independent multiprocessor systems. When a data manager determines that a software application in another independent multiprocessor system is configured to process the same data type, then data can be sent from one multiprocessor system to the other to allow a software application in the communicating multiprocessor system to control and operate a software application in the other multiprocessor system.

Abstract: A graphical user interface including an object representing a network device is rendered. Interface objects respectively corresponding to each internal interface of the network device are rendered within the object representing the network device. A network flow record for a network flow through the network device is acquired. The network flow record identifies ingress and egress interfaces of the network device for the network flow. Switching information for the network flow within the network device is determined based on the ingress and egress identifications. A transmission path of the network flow within the network device from the ingress interface is rendered within the object representing the network device. The transmission path is defined by the switching information identified by the network flow record.