Abstract: Whereas smartcards and similar cryptographic devices may customarily be used to protect against personal identity theft, this invention stores Public Keys of an institution in cryptographic devices issued by the institution to its customers, in order to protect the institution's identity from being stolen. The invention improves the security of electronic business applications using Secure Sockets Layer, Secure E-mail, Object Signing and similar low level electronic business security functions by storing various Public Keys of the institution within the cryptographic device. The invention thereby helps to reduce the likelihood of “ghosting” an institution's web site (where an illegitimate web site seeks to mimic a genuine web site in order to defraud customers), and provides a means to overcome the problem of “phishing” (where illegitimate e-mails purporting to be from the institution are sent to customers in order to elicit personal information).

Abstract: Biological data, such as human heart rate data, is acquired and processed in a non-linear manner to facilitate an assessment of the physiological state of the subject, and/or to assist in predicting incipient disorders or instability. Determinism, laminarity and recurrence measures are derived for a rolling sample of a time series of said data. The recurrence measure can be the Euclidean threshold (?thresh) at a given recurrence rate. A representation, such a colour coded matrix or multi-dimensional vector, is formed from a combination of the derived determinism, laminarity and recurrence measures. The representation can then be analysed to detect indicators of physiological instability, such as arrhythmia, or to discriminate between arrhythmias. The analysis may be performed visually, or in an automated manner in real time, such as in an ambulatory or implanted device, or post hoc by a bedside monitor.

Abstract: The immobilization of proteins at solid surfaces facilitated by incorporation of a polypeptide segment which is capable of adopting a folded structure is described. Materials comprising proteins so immobilized and uses thereof are also described.

Abstract: Mixed matrix membranes that are capable of separation and purification of gas mixtures are disclosed. These membranes comprise polymers that include dispersed therein nanomolecular sieve particles. In a preferred embodiment, the nanomolecular sieve particles contain attached functional groups to prevent their agglomeration.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for administering a therapeutic agent to a mammal are disclosed. The compositions comprise either (i) vesicles comprising an amphiphilic substituted fullerene, wherein the therapeutic agent is present in the vesicle interior or between layers of the vesicle wall, (ii) a substituted fullerene, comprising a fullerene core and a functional moiety, wherein the therapeutic agent is associated with the substituted fullerene, or (iii) carbon nanotubes, wherein the therapeutic agent is covalently bonded to the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A leveling device for determining the zero pressure point of an external draining system with respect to a patient is provided. The leveling device generally includes a body having a viewing element defining a field of vision, and a reference point indicator spaced apart from the viewing element and disposed within the line of vision. The viewing element and the reference point indicator define a line of sight. The device further includes a horizontal level indicator mated to the body and oriented parallel to the line of sight established by the viewing element and the reference point indicator. The horizontal level indicator is effective to indicate the horizontal alignment of the body with respect to a particular reference point viewed through the viewing element and indicated by the reference point indicator.

Abstract: A toeboard system includes toeboards of a cross section and an end configuration to assist in defining a locking corner connection of two toeboards at a scaffold upright. The system includes a toeboard clamp securable to a scaffold upright with projecting latch fingers for engaging two overlapped partially nested toeboards or two toeboards forming a generally perpendicular corner connection. A latch finger of the toeboard clamp engages a slot or port in the toeboards adjacent an end thereof to positively maintain toeboards in a perpendicular connection.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus is provided that includes a sensor, an actuator, a base, and a plurality of fingers extending relative to the base to grip an object that is one of a plurality of object types. A first finger includes a first support surface located a first distance relative to the base and a second support surface located a second distance relative to the base. The first distance is selected based on a first object type, and the second distance is selected based on a second object type. The second finger includes a third support surface located the first distance relative to the base and a fourth support surface located the second distance relative to the base. The first finger opposes the second finger. The actuator is operably coupled to the sensor(s) to effect movement at least one of the fingers to hold an object detected by the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of ink jet printing a radiation-curable ink from a printer having a de-wetting faceplate onto a substrate in which the ink is such that it has an advancing contact angle on the substrate of no more than 22° and a receding contact angle on the faceplate, after a period of contact of one month, of greater than 28°. The invention also provides a radiation-curable ink for use in an ink jet printer having a de-wetting faceplate, the ink having a receding contact angle on a material having a surface energy in the range of 16 to 20 dyne/cm of greater than 28° after a period of contact of one month and having an advancing contact angle on a substrate having a surface energy of less than 30 dyne/cm of no more than 22°.

Abstract: A method for issuing Anonymous Public Key Certificates to Registered Persons in an electronic record system, where pointers for indexing the record system are stored within the Anonymous Public Key Certificates, and where associated Private Keys are controlled by smartcards or similar devices. Electronic records may be identifiably indexed when the smartcard has been activated by its holder correctly entering their secret pass-phrase, or anonymously indexed when only the value of a pointer is known. The only direct linkage between each Anonymous Public Key Certificate and the associated Registered Person is through the associated Private Key as controlled by a smartcard or similar device. Using this invention the retrieval of identifiable records pertaining to a given Registered Person from an electronic record system is normally only possible with the agency of the Person's smartcard or similar device, and therefore normally only possible with the Person's consent.

Abstract: A surface mount energy storage device in the form of a supercapacitor (1) includes a generally rectangular folded prismatic housing (2) and two energy storage elements (not shown) that are sealingly contained within the housing (2) and which are connected in series. A mount, in the form of an integrally formed tinned metal frame (3), extends about and captively retains housing (2) in the folded configuration shown. Two terminals, in the form of elongate contacts (4, 5) extend from the energy storage elements and terminate outside housing (2) for allowing external electrical connection to the elements.

Abstract: A coating thickness gauge for measuring the thickness of a coating on a surface of a can is described. The gauge comprises a probe head and a probe head locating mechanism. By employing the probe head locating mechanism the probe head can be easily orientated relative to the surface of a can. The ability to select and fix the measurement orientation of the probe head provides the coating thickness gauge with enhanced flexibility such that it can be employed to take measurements from all surface sections of the can, both interior and exterior. This ability is not dependent on the experience, knowledge or skill of a particular operator. As a result the gauge provides for a fast means of measuring the thickness of a coating which can be used within an in line feedback system, on a commercial scale.

Abstract: High solubility of pristine single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes using electron donors as solubilizers has been observed. The resulting carbon nanotube solution can be readily diluted with other organic solvents, such as acetone, toluene and methanol. SEM after solvent evaporation clearly shows that nanotubes are still present after being subjected to this procedure. Electronic absorption of these solutions is observed in both the UV and visible region. Strong light emission (=0.30) was observed at 561 nm for dilute solutions of aniline-dissolved carbon nanotubes diluted with acetone.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention uses templates that define certain features of a given service type, wherein the features are common to all services of that service type. The template can be configured by a user to obtain a service definition for the given service. The service definition is passed to a programmability layer and provides enough information that the programmability layer can construct the various monitors, rules, classes and tasks required to monitor the given service without further customization by the user. In one embodiment, the user can also customize the service definition, a desired, in order to obtain additional monitoring.

Abstract: A method for measuring and reducing the cost of complexity in producing products or providing a service by comparing selected non-value added steps in the manufacturing or service process with the number of different products or services provided, so as to provide the non-value added cost of the product or service for various selected complexities. The number of products required to be processed or held in inventory for a particular demand, or the number of different specific services required for a particular demand of the service is determined by comparing the number of different product part numbers, or service categories offered, with selected non-value added steps in the respective processes. Mathematical analyses are derived from equations of motion of process improvement including the first derivative of process velocity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pesticidally active composition comprising: 1) at least one pesticidally active ingredient having at least one functionality which is reactive with singlet oxygen, and 2) at least one compound which acts as an activity enhancer, which is distinct from the pesticidally active ingredient.