Abstract: A load cell includes an annular base unit where an axial height of the annular base unit is smaller than a diameter of the annular base unit. The annular base unit has a plurality of mounting portions. A plurality of strain gages are located in the plurality of mounting portions. The annular base unit includes a plurality of sections having a Young's modulus different from the Young's modulus of the material of the base unit.

Abstract: A testing method is described for use in undertaking a test upon a sample (10) for the presence of a specific microbiological material, the method comprising the steps of combining the sample (10) with a viability-preserving medium, optionally with an enrichment medium (12) selected to promote growth and/or reproduction of the specific microbiological material within the sample (10) and incubating the sample (10) and enrichment material (12), undertaking a separation process to separate the live specific microbiological material from the sample (10), and testing the separated material for the presence of the specific microbiological material. An apparatus for use in the method is also described.

Abstract: A stir-through lid providing a tortuous opening extending from or near the center of the stir-through lid circuitously extending until just inward of the periphery of the stir-through lid. The tortuous opening is substantially filled with bristles extending from both edges of the tortuous opening so that the distal ends of the bristles abut and/or interlock. The bristles are flexible, resilient, and biased in a radial, un-urged position so that when a utensil is introduced through the bristles, the bristles are self-minimizing as they biasedly engage the introduced utensil. Finally, the tortuous opening is dimensioned and adapted to enable the introduced utensil to reach the entirety of the bottom of the cookware the lid operatively associates with, including the corners thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential and/or the credential holder. The credential holder may assign a personal access key to control or limit the validation of a credential. A validating entity may receive credential validation through the credentialer with a heightened degree of confidence in the validation and lack of forgery.

Abstract: A multi-pass catalytic converter can divide a catalyst block into several catalytic volumes and enable the exhaust gas to flow through each volume in two or more passes consecutively. As the exhaust gas in an early pass can emit sensible thermal energy and chemical reaction energy to preheat the remaining catalytic volumes via conductive heat transfer, it can shorten the catalyst light-off time for the later passes and the whole catalyst block. By recouping the previously lost dissipating heat from the early catalytic volume, the present disclosure can significantly reduce the catalyst light-off time and emission concentration. Furthermore, one or more mixing chambers can be utilized to thoroughly mix the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A stir-through lid providing a tortuous opening extending from or near the center of the stir-through lid circuitously extending until just inward of the periphery of the stir-through lid. The tortuous opening is substantially filled with bristles extending from both edges of the tortuous opening so that the distal ends of the bristles abut and/or interlock. The bristles are flexible, resilient, and biased in a radial, un-urged position so that when a utensil is introduced through the bristles, the bristles are self-minimizing as they biasedly engage the introduced utensil. Finally, the tortuous opening is dimensioned and adapted to enable the introduced utensil to reach the entirety of the bottom of the cookware the lid operatively associates with, including the corners thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the purification of ethylene glycol from a crude stream thereof.

Abstract: A water quality testing method, operable to detect the presence or level of faecal contamination of water, is described comprising the steps of placing a water sample (10) within a reaction chamber (12) containing a reagent, the reagent being in, for example, tablet form, or placing the water sample (10) within a single use reaction chamber (12) pre-packaged with a single dose of the reagent, incubating the sample (10) at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time to form a reaction solution (10a), and using the colour or darkness of the solution (10a) to provide an indication of the water quality.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential and/or the credential holder. The credential holder may assign a personal access key to control or limit the validation of a credential. A validating entity may receive credential validation through the credentialer with a heightened degree of confidence in the validation and lack of forgery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential and/or the credential holder. The credential holder may assign a personal access key to control or limit the validation of a credential. A validating entity may receive credential validation through the credentialer with a heightened degree of confidence in the validation and lack of forgery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential and/or the credential holder. The credential holder may assign a personal access key to control or limit the validation of a credential. A validating entity may receive credential validation through the credentialer with a heightened degree of confidence in the validation and lack of forgery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the purification of ethylene glycol from a crude stream thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential and/or the credential holder. The credential holder may assign a personal access key to control or limit the validation of a credential. A validating entity may receive credential validation through the credentialer with a heightened degree of confidence in the validation and lack of forgery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and validating certified electronic credentials are disclosed. A publisher may receive a certified electronic credential order from a credentialer and prepare a plurality of certified electronic credentials. The publisher may associate each credential with authentication information and a credential record, and retain a database of associated authentication information and credential records. The publisher may provide validation services, receiving a validation request through a credentialer's validation portal, and provide a response through the credentialer's portal indicative of the validity, additional information about the credential and/or the credential holder. The credential holder may assign a personal access key to control or limit the validation of a credential. A validating entity may receive credential validation through the credentialer with a heightened degree of confidence in the validation and lack of forgery.

Abstract: A method of testing water is described which includes the steps of taking a water sample to be tested, diluting the water sample to create a test water sample, applying a reagent to the water sample, heating the test water sample for a predetermined period, and using the color of the test water sample to provide an indication of the water quality.

Abstract: A method of testing water is described which comprises the steps of taking a sample to be tested, diluting the sample, applying a reagent to the sample, heating the sample for a predetermined period, and using the colour of the sample to provide an indication of the water quality.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a crude liquid feed stream comprising 1,4-butanediol and a minor amount of 2-(4->hydroxybutoxy)-tetrahydrofuran and/or precursors thereof wherein the process comprises passing the crude feed in the presence of hydrogen in a reaction zone over a heterogeneous liquid tolerant copper catalyst in the liquid phase at hydrogenation conditions and recovering a purified stream of 1,4-butanediol having a lower amount of 2-(4-hydroxybutoxy)-tetrahydrofuran than the crude liquid feed stream.

Abstract: Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods that are useful in the treatment or prevention of metabolic and cell proliferative diseases or conditions are provided herein. In particular, the invention provides compounds which modulate the activity of proteins involved in lipid metabolism and cell proliferation.

Abstract: An improved computer telephony (CT) server which utilizes a standard message structure to communicate with applications, but may interface such applications to a variety of different telephony environments by translating the standard message structure used by such applications into the specific message structure required by each such telephony environment. The aforementioned telephony environments may include PBXs, ACDs, packet telephony environments and public switched telephone networks. The desired telephony environment may be chosen by the application, or by the computer telephony server, some combination of both, or entirely automatically.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control unit for controlling the supply of compressed air to a plurality of inflatable devices in order to inflate them individually, and the venting of air from the devices in order to deflate them. The unit comprises a plurality of valves operable directly by respective finger operable devices. The valves are arranged in two groups. The valves of one group are operatively disposed between an inlet connected, or connectible to, a source of compressed air and a corresponding number of individual parts connected, or connectible to, the respective devices, whereas the valves of the other of said groups is operatively connected between a venting outlet and either of said parts or a corresponding number of further parts which are connected, or connectible to, the respective chambers.