Abstract: A method of removing hair from skin, preferably facial skin, is provided, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a hydrophobic protective composition to an area of skin, preferably facial skin, on which unwanted hair is growing, the hydrophobic protective composition having a thermal transition from solid to liquid within the range from ?60° C. to 80° C., wherein the enthalpy of thermal transition (?Hf(20-50° C.)) measured within the range from 20° C. to 50° C. represents from 10% to 50% of the total enthalpy of thermal transition (?Hf) in the range from ?60° C. to 80° C.; (b) applying a depilatory composition to the area of skin to which the hydrophobic protective composition has been applied, the depilatory composition comprising a keratin reducing agent.

Abstract: A seal plate for directing an airflow includes a hub, main pumping vanes, and splitter vanes. The hub has a tubular section and an annular flange section flared outwardly relative to the tubular section to define a flow surface. The main pumping vanes are disposed circumferentially on the flow surface around the annular flange section and each has a canted section located radially inward relative to a straight section and aligned with a flow direction of the airflow. The straight section extends along a first plane including a centerline of the seal plate. The splitter vanes are disposed circumferentially on the flow surface around the annular flange section such that at least one splitter vane is disposed between the straight sections of two adjacent main pumping vanes. Each splitter vane has a length that is less than a length of each of the two adjacent main pumping vanes.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the condition of a flexible pipeline comprising the step of scanning the pipeline with an ultrasonic scanner to produce and/or record a signal indicative or the level of flooding within the annulus of the pipeline and/or indicative of the integrity of the layers of the pipeline.

Abstract: A process for preparing a perfume composition, the process having the steps of; (a) contacting a perfume ingredient with a molten material to form a pre-mix; (b) contacting the pre-mix with a first solid material to form a soft-solid intermediate high active perfume material; (c) solidifying the molten material to form a hardened-solid intermediate high active perfume material; (d) contacting the hardened-solid intermediate high active perfume intermediate material with a second solid material to form a perfume composition, wherein the ratio of the wt % amount of perfume ingredient present in the hardened-solid intermediate high active perfume material to the wt % amount of perfume ingredient present in the perfume composition is greater than 1.5:1.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a first circuit is protected by security features provided by a second circuit. The first circuit comprises a processor which retrieves content from a memory. Initially, the contents of the memory are authenticated using security features of the second circuit to check that the processor is accessing authenticated content. To maintain security during use, the second circuit checks that the processor is accessing content from valid regions of the memory, being those that have been authenticated, and re-checks the authenticity of the content of the valid regions of memory. The combination of checking that the processor is accessing from valid regions of the memory and authenticating the content stored in the valid regions maximizes the security of the system. If any of the checking or authentication steps fail then operation of the system is impaired. The first circuit is thus protected by security features provided by the second circuit.

Abstract: A pump having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a cavity formed by a side wall closed at both ends by end walls wherein the cavity contains a fluid is disclosed. The pump further comprises an actuator operatively associated with at least one of the end walls to cause an oscillatory motion of the driven end wall to generate displacement oscillations of the driven end wall within the cavity. The pump further comprises an isolator operatively associated with a peripheral portion of the driven end wall to reduce dampening of the displacement oscillations. The pump further comprises a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve. The valve has first and second plates with offsetting apertures and a sidewall disposed between the plates around the perimeter of the plates to form a cavity in fluid communication with the apertures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a spray-dried powder comprising (i) anionic detersive surfactant; (ii) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % zeolite builder; (iii) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % phosphate builder; and (iv) optionally from 0 wt % to 15 wt % silicate salt; wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) forming an alkaline slurry in a mixer, the slurry having a viscosity of from X to Y s?1 at a temperature of 70° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a spray-dried powder comprising (i) anionic detersive surfactant; (ii) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % zeolite builder; (iii) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % phosphate builder; and (iv) optionally from 0 wt % to 15 wt % silicate salt; wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) forming an alkaline slurry in a mixer, the slurry comprising: (v) from 0 wt % to 15 wt % anionic detersive surfactant; (vi) from 0 wt % to 35 wt % water; and (b) transferring the alkaline slurry from the mixer through at least one pump to a spray pressure nozzle; (c) contacting an acid anionic detersive surfactant precursor to the alkaline slurry after the mixer and before the spray pressure nozzle to form a mixture; (d) spraying the mixture through the spray pressure nozzle into a spray-drying tower; (e) spray-drying the mixture to form a spray-dried powder; and (f) optionally, contacting an alkalinity source with the alkaline slurry and/or the acid anionic detersive surfactant precursor, and

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of betaine or its physiologically acceptable salt for enhancing endurance during exercise, enhancing muscle mass and reducing muscle soreness and muscle fatigue. It is also directed to the use of betaine or its physiologically acceptable salt for enhancing the flavor of a food or beverage.

Abstract: A double block and bleed valve assembly having a valve body with a bore. The bore has an opened and closed position by two valve arrangements to control fluid flow along a pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a spray-dried powder comprising (i) anionic detersive surfactant; (ii) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % zeolite builder; (iii) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % phosphate builder; and (iv) optionally from 0 wt % to 15 wt % silicate salt; wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) forming an alkaline slurry in a mixer, the slurry having a viscosity of from X to Y s?1 at a temperature of 70° C.

Abstract: A system comprises multiple display devices that deliver digital advertising and promotional content directly to the tabletop of restaurant or bar patrons, along with a support server that may be responsible for recharging batteries and/or replicating data files and managing communications. The support server may be linked by a conventional computer network or telephone data link to a content replication server that coordinates and directs placement of ads and other content on the display devices. The promotional, advertising, or other data may be made available to the distribution network from a network of one or more web application servers that may implement a variety of methods or processes that not only provide for direct customer management and control of that data, but also contain a database of information to help target, design, manage, measure and/or track the performance of advertisements and promotions based on a variety of criteria.

Abstract: A local-neighborhood Laplacian Eigenmap (LNLE) algorithm is provided for methods and systems for semi-supervised learning on manifolds of data points in a high-dimensional space. In one embodiment, an LNLE based method includes building an adjacency graph over a dataset of labelled and unlabelled points. The adjacency graph is then used for finding a set of local neighbors with respect to an unlabelled data point to be classified. An eigen decomposition of the local subgraph provides a smooth function over the subgraph. The smooth function can be evaluated and based on the function evaluation the unclassified data point can be labelled. In one embodiment, a transductive inference (TI) algorithmic approach is provided. In another embodiment, a semi-supervised inductive inference (SSII) algorithmic approach is provided for classification of subsequent data points. A confidence determination can be provided based on a number of labeled data points within the local neighborhood.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a first circuit is protected by security features provided by a second circuit. The first circuit comprises a processor which retrieves content from a memory. Initially, the contents of the memory are authenticated using security features of the second circuit to check that the processor is accessing authenticated content. To maintain security during use, the second circuit checks that the processor is accessing content from valid regions of the memory, being those that have been authenticated, and re-checks the authenticity of the content of the valid regions of memory. The combination of checking that the processor is accessing from valid regions of the memory and authenticating the content stored in the valid regions maximizes the security of the system. If any of the checking or authentication steps fail then operation of the system is impaired. The first circuit is thus protected by security features provided by the second circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved bakery product containing a combination of betaine and enzyme in an effective amount to improve the textural properties of a bakery product when baked. The improved properties are selected among increased softness, reduced staling, increased shelf-life, and combination thereof. The present invention relates also to a process for improving the properties of a bakery product, which process comprises combining flour, water, enzyme and betaine, and optional further ingredients and processing the resulting mixture to provide a bakery product, said betaine and enzyme being provided in an effective amount to improve the properties of said bakery product when baked.

Abstract: A local-neighborhood Laplacian Eigenmap (LNLE) algorithm is provided for methods and systems for semi-supervised learning on manifolds of data points in a high-dimensional space. In one embodiment, an LNLE based method includes building an adjacency graph over a dataset of labelled and unlabelled points. The adjacency graph is then used for finding a set of local neighbors with respect to an unlabelled data point to be classified. An eigen decomposition of the local subgraph provides a smooth function over the subgraph. The smooth function can be evaluated and based on the function evaluation the unclassified data point can be labelled. In one embodiment, a transductive inference (TI) algorithmic approach is provided. In another embodiment, a semi-supervised inductive inference (SSII) algorithmic approach is provided for classification of subsequent data points. A confidence determination can be provided based on a number of labeled data points within the local neighborhood.

Abstract: An inductive output tube includes a capacitative tuner in the form of a plunger which is moveable inside the integral output cavity of the inductive output tube so as to vary the capacitance between an input and output drift tube and hence the resonant frequency of the output stage. The tuning plunger is moveable by protruding through a wall of the vacuum envelope of the output cavity, so as to allow the capacitance to be changed by operation of the tuning plunger by manual or automatic means from outside the cavity.

Abstract: An electron beam tube device has a magnetic frame with the top part being pivotable so as to pivot from a closed position in which the top part, including an electromagnetic coil covers the electron beam tube to an open position in which the electron beam tube is uncovered. This allows electron beam tubes with either large parts or integral parts such as output feeders to be removed from the magnetic frame without complete removal of the top plate.

Abstract: A method of forming a low-friction, helically ridged skirt surface of an engine piston comprises cutting a continuous groove in a piston body rotating about axis so that adjacent groove turns intersect as ridges and carry lubricating oil which forms a film on the ridged surface. The groove is cut by way of a diamond tool tip traversing along the axis. Whereas in a known, standard finish, the ridges have sharp peaks that can rupture the oil film, the tool is here modified to include a planing tip fixed spatially with respect to the tip so that after formation each ridge is planed flat to provide a plateau between groove turns that exerts less film rupturing pressure against a cylinder wall while defining a uniformly flat outer surface for the piston. The cutting may vary the piston diameter toward the ends of the body to effect barreling in which the relationship between plateau width and groove depth vary.

Abstract: An user-actuated anterior shoulder stretching device (10) includes a pair of swing arms (32) which are pivoted rearwardly in response to a leg press motion being applied to a sliding footrest assembly (18).