Abstract: A decorative bead is having an open and closed position is disclosed herein. The bead has a first side and second side. A hinged portion is interposed between the first and second sides. The body of the bead all has at least one magnet therein so that multiple beads may be linked together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting a strengthened glass sheet in which, when a strengthened glass sheet 10 including a front surface layer 13 and a rear surface layer 15 which have a residual compressive stress, and an intermediate layer 17 which has an inside residual tensile stress, is cut by moving an irradiation region 22 of a laser beam so as to have a predetermined curvature radius, an irradiation energy per unit irradiation area of a laser beam 20 to be irradiated on the strengthened glass sheet 10 is increased as a curvature radius decreases. Thereby, it is possible to cut a strengthened glass sheet using a laser beam without causing a deterioration of quality.

Abstract: A sheet bending device includes a sheet shaping rail having a stationary shaping rail portion mounted on a support member and an articulating shaping rail portion pivotally mounted on the support member for movement from a non-shaping position to a shaping position. A retention member limits movement of a sheet to be shaped relative to the stationary shaping rail portion when the articulating shaping rail portion moves to the shaping position. A “cut-to-size” method is also disclosed to shape a sheet for use in making an aircraft transparency.

Abstract: Surface modification layers and associated heat treatments, that may be provided on a sheet, a carrier, or both, to control both room-temperature van der Waals (and/or hydrogen) bonding and high temperature covalent bonding between the thin sheet and carrier. The room-temperature bonding is controlled so as to be sufficient to hold the thin sheet and carrier together during vacuum processing, wet processing, and/or ultrasonic cleaning processing, for example. And at the same time, the high temperature covalent bonding is controlled so as to prevent a permanent bond between the thin sheet and carrier during high temperature processing, as well as maintain a sufficient bond to prevent delamination during high temperature processing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass molding by using a molding device (100), the method including the steps of: supplying molten glass (82) from an outflow nozzle (12) onto an upper surface of a holding member (20), with an opening/closing portion (25) closed, and thereby forming a glass gob on an inner side of a drip pan ring (30); opening the opening/closing portion (25) after the glass gob reaches a prescribed amount, and thereby allowing the glass gob to fall; and press molding the glass gob by using a lower die (60) and an upper die (70), wherein in the step of supplying the molten glass (82) from the outflow nozzle (12) onto the upper surface of the holding member (20), a vibration generating device (40) vibrates the drip pan ring (30) at a prescribed frequency. A high-quality glass gob is formed and a high-precision glass molding is obtained.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical fiber preform, capable of depositing glass particles with high deposition rate without reducing deposition efficiency and fabricating an optical fiber preform having little bubbles using a burner having a simple structure, is provided. In the invention, a mixed gas of a glass raw material gas with a combustion assisting gas is ejected from an annular nozzle of a burner having a coaxially multiple tube structure, and a burnable gas is ejected from an inner nozzle located inside the annular nozzle. Alternatively, a mixed gas of a glass raw material gas with a burnable gas may be ejected from an annular nozzle, and a combustion assisting gas is ejected from an inner nozzle located inside the annular nozzle. In each case of the above, the burnable gas and the combustion assisting gas, respectively, are ejected from outer nozzles located outside the annular nozzle.

Abstract: A fusion splicer includes a pair of holder installation parts for mutually butting optical fibers in a first direction, and a fusion splicing part for mutually fusing and splicing the optical fibers by a pair of electrodes opposed along a second direction, and the holder installation part includes a base fixed to a body, and a positioning member in which a base fitting part fitted into the base is formed in a lower side, and the positioning member can be attached to and detached from both of the bases after an attitude is reversed, and a center position in a width direction along the second direction in the base fitting part is arranged in a straight line of the first direction passing through a center position between the electrodes even in a state in which the positioning member is fitted into any of the bases.

Abstract: A knit glove operably configured for use with a capacitive touchscreen comprises a plurality of fingertips, an outer surface, and an inner surface, wherein at least one of the fingertips comprises conductive thread or yam extending from the outer surface of the knit glove to the inner surface of the glove to create a conductive pathway from the inner surface of the knit glove to the outer surface of the glove.

Abstract: In a household cleaning appliance configured to execute a cleaning cycle on an article, having a non-bulk dispensing system that stores a single dose of treating chemistry that the dispensing system dispenses to the treating chamber in total as part of the execution of the cleaning cycle, the method includes adding bulk dispensing functionality to the non-bulk dispensing system for operating the dispensing system as a bulk dispensing system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine that is capable of increasing a frictional force between an outer diameter of a rotary shaft and an inner race of a bearing to prevent the sliding between the rotary shaft and the bearing due to a gap between the outer diameter of the rotary shaft and the inner race of the bearing, thereby preventing creep noise from the rotary shaft. The washing machine includes at least one elastic member disposed between the outer diameter of the rotary shaft and the inner race of the bearing to prevent noise due to the sliding between the rotary shaft and the bearing.

Abstract: A clutch positioning assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The assembly uses a cam that can be rotated so as to position the clutch between different positions that provide for engaging or disengaging a motor from a wash basket. A leaf spring, configured as a yoke in one exemplary embodiment, provides a force to urge the clutch into a position that e.g., disengages the wash basket from the motor during e.g., wash modes while also allowing the clutch to be moved into a position that engages the wash basket with the motor during spin modes. The clutch positioning assembly can be provided as a modular unit that is connected with the appliance during manufacturing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing supply dispensing system for washing machine that, even in a vertical axis washing machine devoid of water storage tank, provides means of dispensing said washing supplies without them coming into direct contact with the wash load. Therefore, it is disclosed a washing supply dispensing system that, comprising at least one storage container of supplies (2) and at least one supply flowing means (3), stands up by the fact that said supply flowing means (3) comprises at least one fluid communication means between said storage container of supplies (2) and at least one connection component (4) cooperating with the bottom portion of the washing basket (1).

Abstract: A laundry washing machine (1) has a casing (2) supporting a washing tub (3) external to a washing drum (4) suitable to receive the laundry to be washed, and a detergent supply system (5; 35; 55; 65; 105) comprising a mixing chamber (6; 56; 86; 106) suitable to receive detergent (D) and water (W). A mixing device (20; 40; 100) suitable to mix the detergent (D) and the water (W) in the mixing chamber (6; 56; 86; 106) to form a washing solution (S) is provided. The mixing chamber (6; 56; 86; 106) and the mixing device (20; 40; 100) are disposed inside the casing (2) and the mixing chamber (6; 56; 86; 106) comprises an inlet (7; 57; 87; 107) accessible from outside the casing (2) for the insertion of the detergent (D) and an outlet (14; 94) for delivering the washing solution (S) in the washing tub (3).

Abstract: A washing machine comprises a casing; a tub disposed inside the casing; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub, for accommodating laundry therein; and a spiral nozzle for rotating supplied water in a predetermined direction and then spraying the water into the drum through discharge hole, wherein the spiral nozzle comprises an impingement surface formed in front of the discharge hole so that the water discharged from the discharge hole is distributed by impinging on the impingement surface.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine includes an outer casing, a washing tub arranged inside the casing directly facing a laundry loading/unloading opening realized in a front wall of the casing, a rotatable drum arranged in an axially rotating manner inside the washing tub and structured for receiving the laundry to be washed, a detergent dispenser which is housed inside the casing between the washing tub and the top wall of the casing and is structured for feeding into the washing tub a detergent, softener and/or other washing agent mixed with fresh water arriving from the water mains, and a water softening device which is arranged inside the boxlike casing and is structured for reducing the hardness degree of the fresh water supplied to the washing tub.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine includes an outer casing and, inside the casing, a washing tub arranged inside said casing directly facing a laundry loading/unloading opening realized in a front wall of the casing, a rotatable drum arranged in an axially rotating manner inside the washing tub and structured for receiving the laundry to be washed, a detergent dispenser which is structured for supplying detergent into the washing tub, and a water softening device which is structured for reducing the hardness degree of the fresh water supplied to the washing tub, The water softening device includes a water-softening agent container filled with a water softening agent able to reduce the hardness degree of the fresh water supplied to the washing tub, and a regeneration-agent reservoir which is fluidly connected to the water-softening agent container and is structured to receive a salt or other regeneration agent for performing a regeneration of the water softening function of the water softening agents.

Abstract: In a method for protecting safety of a door. The method obtains a current image captured by an image capturing device installed in a key holder of a lock of the door, detects an object in the current image, and compares the current image with a preset key template when the object has been detected in the current image. The method further activates a safety guard unit of the door using a driving unit of the door when the current image does not match the key template, and locks a slip bolt of the safety guard unit.

Abstract: A security device for a handle of a door or a window for protecting against unauthorized actuation has a cover enclosing in a mounted position the handle. A lock is provided that secures the cover on the handle in the mounted position and releases the cover from the handle for removing the cover from the handle. The cover has at least two locking elements. Counter members are disposed on the handle, a handle fixture, a door, or a window, and are matched and interact with the at least two locking elements. One of the locking elements is a locking bar of the lock.

Abstract: An outer operational device (13) for a door lock includes cover (20) receiving a sliding block (511) and a handle (197) operatively connected to the sliding block (511). The sliding block (511) includes a sliding groove (525) having a horizontal section (528) slideably receiving a locking member (541). A driving member (44) is fixed to a connection member (595) in the cover (20) and is operatively connected to a latch (124). When the locking member (541) is in a first position, pivotal movement of the handle (197) drives the sliding block (511) to actuate the connection member (595) and the driving member (44) to retract the latch (124). When the locking member (541) is in the second position, the sliding block (511) is moved without actuating the connection member (595) when handle (197) is pivoted, and the latch (124) remains in the latching position.

Abstract: A deadbolt knob security device is provided, whereby rotation of the deadbolt knob is linked to motion of an intermediate member assembly secured to a door element positioned next to the deadbolt knob. The device comprises several embodiments for surrounding the exposed interior knob of a deadbolt, as well as several embodiments for the adjustable intermediate member assembly between the deadbolt knob attachment and door knob attachment, wherein a door knob attachment member is provided in a U-shaped configuration to surround a door knob stem. Adjustability for accommodating doors of different design and specification is provided, while an electronic security monitor is accommodated along the device to monitor for tampering of the device while installed.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a mounting fire plate configured for attachment to the door. A first lockset includes a lockset fire plate and a first operator assembly having a first operator handle. The first operator assembly is mounted to the lockset fire plate. At least one fusible link is configured to releasably couple the lockset fire plate of the first lockset to the mounting fire plate. The at least one fusible link is configured to melt during a fire condition to release the lockset fire plate from the mounting fire plate to facilitate a separation of the first lockset including the lockset fire plate from the mounting fire plate and the door by force of gravity.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes an exterior operator assembly, an interior operator assembly, and a latch assembly. An outer spindle is operatively coupled to a latch assembly, is drivably coupled to the interior operator assembly, and has a longitudinal bore. A coupling mechanism is coupled to the outer spindle. A locking spindle assembly is rotatably received in the longitudinal bore, and is configured to selectively operate the coupling mechanism to couple the exterior operator assembly to the outer spindle upon actuation of a drive assembly. The locking spindle assembly has a fire compliant component made of a first material that melts during a fire to prevent operation of the latch assembly with the exterior operator assembly, and has a fire resistant component made of a second material and configured to block the longitudinal bore of the outer spindle to aid in preventing the spread of the fire through the door.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes an exterior lockset that includes an exterior operator handle. An interior lockset includes an interior operator assembly and a control electronics module. An outer spindle is operatively coupled to a latch assembly and is drivably coupled to the interior operator assembly. A locking mechanism is operatively coupled to a drive assembly, and includes a coupling mechanism and a locking spindle assembly. The coupling mechanism is configured to selectively couple the exterior operator handle to the outer spindle. The locking spindle assembly is configured to operate the coupling mechanism to transition from a locked condition to an unlocked condition by an actuation of the drive assembly. A lock position sensor is located in the interior lockset and is communicatively coupled to the control electronics module. The lock position sensor is configured to sense whether the coupling mechanism is in the locked condition or the unlocked condition.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes a coupling mechanism connected to a spindle assembly. The coupling mechanism has an outer sleeve having a longitudinal interior opening that extends along a first axis. An operator handle includes a proximal lock core opening, and a distal shaft portion having an axial opening configured to receive the outer sleeve. The distal shaft portion and the outer sleeve are configured to define a through path oriented across the longitudinal interior opening of the outer sleeve. A portion of the through path at the outer sleeve is configured to threadably receive a setscrew to fasten the operator handle to the outer sleeve. A keyed lock core has a tailpiece that is positioned in the longitudinal interior opening of the outer sleeve to obstruct the through path and block access to the setscrew via the through path to prevent unauthorized removal of the operator handle.

Abstract: A lock device is arranged in a vehicle including an inlet and an operation switch. The vehicle is configured to perform a predetermined control operation corresponding to the operation switch when the condition that verification of an authentic electronic key through wireless communication has been accomplished and the condition that a normal operation of the operation switch has been performed are both satisfied. The lock device includes a lock mechanism that locks a locking subject related with the inlet. A controller controls the lock mechanism to switch the locking subject between a lock state and an unlock state when the condition that the verification of the authentic electronic key has been accomplished and the condition that a special operation of the operation switch has been performed are both satisfied.

Abstract: A power port lock device locks a locking subject to restrict removal of a charge cable from a power port arranged in a vehicle or restrict connection of the charge cable to the power port. The lock device includes a lock mechanism that locks and unlocks the locking subject. A door monitoring unit monitors a locking state of a vehicle door. A detection unit detects an operation to a door locking-unlocking unit which is operated to lock or unlock the vehicle door. A lock control unit controls operation of the lock mechanism based on a monitoring result of the door monitoring unit and a detection result of the detection unit.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes an exterior operator assembly having an exterior operator handle. An interior operator assembly has an interior operator handle having a mounting opening. An outer spindle is operatively coupled to a latch assembly, drivably coupled to the interior operator assembly, has a longitudinal bore, and is rotatable about a first axis. A coupling mechanism is drivably coupled to the outer spindle. A locking spindle assembly is rotatably received in the longitudinal bore and rotatable about the first axis, and is configured to selectively operate the coupling mechanism to drivably couple the exterior operator assembly to the outer spindle. A motor drive assembly includes a motor having a motor shaft. The motor is positioned inside the mounting opening of the interior operator handle. The motor shaft is drivably coupled to the locking spindle assembly to operate the coupling mechanism when the motor drive assembly is actuated.

Abstract: A device for preventing unwanted opening of a locked enclosure includes a lock bolt moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A face gear is meshable with and rotatable by the worm gear between locking and unlocking positions when the worm gear is driven in the first and second directions, respectively. A blocker member is rotatable between first and second positions. A biasing member is operatively coupled to the face gear and the blocker member to bias the blocker member in a biasing direction. A sliding member selectively disengages the blocker member to allow the blocker member to rotate in the biasing direction. A lever arm is operatively coupled to the sliding member such that the lever arm is in the disengaged and engageable positions when the sliding member engages the blocker member in the first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: A lock (100) is described, comprising: a body (1) suitable for defining a housing (2) having a main development direction (D) along a direction of insertion (I) of the key; a first rotor (30) suitable for being rotationally housed inside said housing (2) of such a body (1) around the main development direction (D) of such a body (1), said first rotor (30) being suitable for defining a further housing to receive a second rotor (40) that can rotate inside said first rotor (30) around the main development direction (D) of such a body (1). The lock (100) is characterised in that said second rotor (40) can be rotated by the key between a position of disengagement and a position of engagement with said first rotor (30), in said position of engagement said first rotor (30) and said second rotor (40) being suitable for translating as a unit along the main development direction (D) of the body (1) to reach a position in which the lock (100) is actuated.

Abstract: A system for the protection of an interior of a deadbolt lock and its associated door handle from intruders includes a deadbolt plate including an opening proportioned for enclosing and selectably engaging the door handle. The plate including a solid body element proportioned for engagement about an interior latch of the deadbolt lock and an enclosure proportioned to at least partially cover the solid body element and the latch when the solid element is positioned upon both the latch of the deadbolt lock and the plate is positioned on the door handle. An extension of the deadbolt plate is slidably positioned within an interior slot of the enclosure, and is proportioned to preclude movement of the deadbolt plate after it is positioned upon the latch of the deadbolt lock and door handle.

Abstract: The present remote key device includes an annular frame member disposed about a central axis. The frame member includes an inner frame portion that defines a central void region interior thereto, which is adapted to house a remote access transmitter device therewithin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fertilizing compound for application to plants and crops, especially fruits, intended for increasing the amount of calcium and subsequently improving the state of health of the plants and the preservation thereof after harvesting. The compound consists of a combination of components such as calcium nitrate, calcium lignosulfonate, organic acids, menadione sodium bisulphite, amino acids and water. The compound is in the form of a liquid preparation, packed in containers of between 20 and 1000 liters, is water-soluble and is applied by fertigation, spraying or in a localized form by border irrigation.

Abstract: A solid fertilizer composition wherein a nitrogen-containing macronutrient is adsorbed on the surface of hydroxyapatite phosphate nanoparticles and wherein the ratio of the nitrogen-containing macronutrient to the hydroxyapatite phosphate is between 1:1 and 10:1. In certain embodiments, said solid fertilizer composition slowly releases the nitrogen-containing macronutrient to soil.

Abstract: A forming tool apparatus is provided for forming an article having a negative draft angle that locks the formed article within the forming tool. An insert, which is disposed within a recess defined in a forming surface of the forming tool, has a surface that cooperates with the forming surface of the forming tool to shape a metal blank into a desired final shape. In particular, the surface of the insert is shaped to define the negative draft angle feature of the formed article. Subsequent to forming the article, a linear-drive mechanism is activated to withdraw the insert away from the formed article, and thereby unlock the formed article from the tool. The formed article is then extracted from the tool along an extraction direction that is other than parallel to the direction along which the insert is driven.

Abstract: A pre-notched drip edge assembly and related method includes a plurality of drip edge sections interconnected end-to-end to form a continuous water barrier along a roof edge. Each drip edge section has a formed one-piece construction with a top flange and a bottom flange having an inverted L-shape with upper and lower legs. The forward edges of the top flange and the upper leg are integrally interconnected along a folded-over nose having a wedge-shape. A pair of notches are formed in the opposite ends of each drip edge section which extend through the upper edge of the lower leg and the forward edges of the upper leg and the top flange to define flat end tab areas that are inserted into the noses of the next adjacent drip edge sections to horizontally and vertically locate the same along the building roof.

Abstract: A component for a steel pickling apparatus is formed from an alloy that predominately comprises niobium and tantalum. The component may be a heat exchanger component, such as a tube or tubesheet liner, formed from the alloy that predominately comprises niobium and tantalum. Also, disclosed is a heat exchanger including the component, a system and method for pickling using the heat exchanger, and a method of manufacturing a steel product including the method of pickling.

Abstract: A clamping device for a bending press includes a clamping die with a space formed therein, a clamping holder rotatably disposed within the space of the clamping die around a rotation shaft formed thereto, an upper cam block and a lower cam block respectively disposed within the clamping holder and slidable along the horizontal direction, and of which a cam slant surface is formed at a front side of the upper cam block and the lower cam block respectively, an upper clamping block and a lower clamping block contacting each cam slant surface of the upper cam block and the lower cam block, and clamping an end of a pipe disposed therebetween by sliding along a slant direction of the clamping holder, and a pressing unit selectively pressing the upper cam block and the lower cam block.

Abstract: A forging apparatus and method is disclosed in which a punch 260 is held in a press 210, 220 and propelled towards a billet 250 by a ram 240. The ram 240 is separate from the punch 260. Thus, any axial misalignment between the ram 240 and the press 210, 220 in which the billet is held, for example due to the extremely high loads involved, has no affect on the direction and position of the impact force the punch 260 transmits to the billet 250. This helps to prevent unwanted forces and bending moments in the punch 260, thereby preventing breakage of the punch 260.

Abstract: Press brakes capable of a high processing accuracy and short cycle times are provided.

Abstract: A sensor position control apparatus and method that includes a guide rail formed to be elongated along one direction set to a longitudinal direction thereof and a position control unit coupled to the guide rail and configured to slide along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. A sensor mount unit is connected to be moved together with the position control unit and has a sensor mounted on one surface thereof. In addition, an angle control unit is configured to change a direction which one surface of the sensor mounting unit faces and a position control driving unit is configured to transmit power to the position control unit. An angle control driving unit is configured to transmit power to the angle control unit.

Abstract: A system is provided for the continuous reduction, in real time, of bias in a force rebalanced accelerometers having a proof mass coupled to an accelerometer housing by a flexure suspension. The system comprises a closed loop, force rebalance servo that provides control voltage to the proof mass to null an electrical pickoff signal that indicates the motion of the proof mass with respect to the accelerometer housing, wherein a time varying disturbance signal is injected into the force rebalance servo that results in the generation of a time varying voltage in the output of the force rebalance servo that corresponds to a magnitude of the net positive spring of the combined flexure suspension and electrostatic springs acting on the proofmass. The system also comprises a negative electrostatic spring servo that applies a negative electrostatic spring DC voltage to each of a pair of negative electrostatic forcer electrodes.

Abstract: An online method for reconfiguring pressure and position sensors in a hydraulic system is disclosed. In one step, a sensor drift condition, a recalibration request, or an unisolated fault condition is detected. In another step, a system pressure sensor or another sensor, such as a load-sense pressure sensor, is verified as a trusted master reference sensor. Another step includes measuring and recording a first pressure reading at the master reference sensor and first voltage readings associated with first, second, third, and fourth pressure slave sensors at a first pump pressure set point. Another step includes, repeating the previous step at a second pump pressure set point. A new gain and offset for each of the first, second, third, and fourth pressure sensors can be calculated based on a comparison of the recoded first and second pressure readings and the recorded first and second voltage readings.

Abstract: A construction machine includes a sensor unit having a measurement range. The sensor unit is variable in its orientation relative to the construction machine, whereby position or orientation of the measurement range relative to the construction machine is also variable. The sensor unit is configured for detecting position of an external reference. The construction machine further includes a setup assistance system including a display configured to indicate to an operator while the sensor unit is oriented relative to the reference in which direction the sensor unit has to be moved in order for the reference to be located in the measurement range. The sensor unit is configured to detect a position of the reference relative to the sensor unit in at least two dimensions, and the display is configured to display the position of the reference relative to the measurement range for the at least two detected dimensions simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and systems for quality control of seismic data illumination map generation are described. The quality control is based on determined fold differences calculated using the actual position of the sources and receivers in the determination of the seismic illumination. In another aspect, sub-surface complexity is considered in preparing a map of seismic illumination. The seismic data illumination map can be evaluated in real-time onboard a seismic vessel and included as part of an infill reshoot decision making/quality control process.

Abstract: An explosive device test fixture which includes a horizontal accelerator having a track, a main sled, and a mini-sled. The main sled is able to be travel on the track, and has main sled rails. The mini-sled is smaller than the main sled such that the mini-sled can travel along the main sled rails. When the horizontal accelerator is actuated it fires a pulse. The pulse causes the main sled to travel along the track, while the mini-sled remains stationary causing the main sled to hit the mini-sled and simulate acceleration forces on the mini-sled similar to acceleration forces in an actual explosion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tapping hammer for tapping test, which can help a user to accurately control the tapping force during a tapping test. The tapping hammer comprises a hammerhead and a handle supporting the hammerhead, and further comprises an alarm, a power source and a conductor, a hollowed-out region is provided in the interior of the hammerhead, the hammerhead is elastically deformable and electrically connected to a first electrode of the power source; the conductor is fixed in the interior hollowed-out region, not electrically connected to the hammerhead while no tapping force is exerted on the hammerhead and electrically connected to the hammerhead while a tapping force larger than a certain amount is exerted on the hammerhead; a first electrode of the alarm is connected to the conductor, a second electrode of the alarm is connected to a second electrode of the power source.

Abstract: A mouthpiece which is attached to a breath component measuring device for measuring an alcohol concentration of breath of a subject, has: a blow port in which the breath of the subject is blown; a breath flow path which allows the breath blown in the blow port to flow in the breath component measuring device; and a sound producing portion which produces a sound by means of a flow of the breath.

Abstract: A breath component measuring device has: a guide hole in which breath of a subject flows; a sensor which measures an alcohol concentration contained in the breath; an attachment portion to which a mouthpiece which allows the breath of the subject to flow in the guide hole is detachably attached; an owner information reading unit which, when the mouthpiece is attached to the attachment portion, reads owner information which indicates an owner of the mouthpiece, from the mouthpiece; and a processing unit which associates information about the alcohol concentration measured by the sensor and subject information which is the owner information or subject information which corresponds to the owner information, and stores or outputs the information about the alcohol concentration and the subject information. A mouthpiece has a memory device which can store owner information which indicates an owner.

Abstract: A particulate matter sensor unit including a sensor on one side of an exhaust line and configured to employ an electrostatic induction for generating electric charges by a particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas when the particulate matter passes the sensor. The sensor includes a body portion, an electrode portion formed in a front of the body portion on one side of the front and adjacent to the particulate matter, a heating portion in a rear of the body portion on one side of the rear corresponding to the electrode portion, a power input portion in the rear of the body portion on the other side of the rear and to supply a power to the heating portion, and connection lines to connect the power input portion to the heating portion, which use the supplied power to generate heat for burning and removing the particulate matter.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for diagnosing a subject's increased risk of progressing to Alzheimer disease by measuring the concentration of a metabolite and comparing them to respective mean concentration of healthy subjects. According to the invention the increased risk of progressing to Alzheimer's disease by a subject with mild cognitive impairment can be diagnosed without invasive technology.