Abstract: Various well-perforating systems and methods are disclosed incorporating a self-shunting detonator. The detonator may include an electrically-conductive detonator body. A resistor initiator inside the detonator body includes first and second leads. A grounding element inside the detonator body couples the detonator body to the first lead. An electrically-conductive clip coupled to the second lead includes an arm biased to electrical contact with an external surface of the detonator body to shunt the detonator. The arm is moveable away from the detonator body to un-shunt the detonator, such as automatically in response to insertion into a detonator housing.

Abstract: A fluid sampling device and a method is provided for collecting body fluid samples such as blood without the intervention of medically trained personnel. The body fluid sampling device having a sample containment chamber made of a material having a thermal inertia permitting the maintenance of sample temperature over a known period of time. Optionally an isolating cover or sleeve may slide in place by a mechanism triggered by thermal contraction of an element after the device has reached a sufficiently low temperature in a patients refrigerator. Associated methods are provided to ensure hermetic transport of the collected body fluid sample to an analysis lab. Also disclosed is a device and app combination for drug or vaccine injection, the app including means to allow for verification of the patient's ID and/or the particular device used. The device my be equipped with geo-localization and long-range communication capabilities.

Abstract: Natural language contractual geographic resource restrictions (CGRR) are converted by computer into a set of machine logic based rule(s), and then the set of machine logic based rule(s) is used to control access to a set of computing resources in accordance with the CGRR in the operative contract. In some embodiments, the CGRR restrict access based on the geography of the prospective user, or customer, of the computing resources.

Abstract: Determining microservice placement to minimize response time in a network is provided. A set of resources utilized by a microservice during operation is identified based on inspecting a configuration file and code of the microservice. A deployed location within the network of each resource is determined. A relative weight value is assigned to each resource indicating a relative significance of each resource to the microservice during operation. A weighted-average response time is determined for each data center in a set of possible data centers to deploy the microservice based on the relative weight value assigned to each resource and a determined distance value measured by response time between the deployed location of each resource and each possible data center in the set. A data center in the set of possible data centers is selected to deploy the microservice based on the data center having a lowest determined weighted-average response time.

Abstract: Determining microservice placement to minimize response time in a network is provided. A set of resources utilized by a microservice during operation is identified based on inspecting a configuration file and code of the microservice. A deployed location within the network of each resource is determined. A relative weight value is assigned to each resource indicating a relative significance of each resource to the microservice during operation. A weighted-average response time is determined for each data center in a set of possible data centers to deploy the microservice based on the relative weight value assigned to each resource and a determined distance value measured by response time between the deployed location of each resource and each possible data center in the set. A data center in the set of possible data centers is selected to deploy the microservice based on the data center having a lowest determined weighted-average response time.

Abstract: Natural language contractual geographic resource restrictions (CGRR) are converted by computer into a set of machine logic based rule(s), and then the set of machine logic based rule(s) is used to control access to a set of computing resources in accordance with the CGRR in the operative contract. In some embodiments, the CGRR restrict access based on the geography of the prospective user, or customer, of the computing resources.

Abstract: A method selects content based on a learning relevancy targeted to specific recipients. One or more processors extract semantic features, which provide meanings of concepts, from each content asset from a plurality of content assets. The processor(s) utilize a clustering algorithm to group entries in the content assets based on the semantic features in order to form hierarchical consolidated entries for the semantic features, where each hierarchical consolidated entry is associated with one of the semantic features. The processor(s) then provide a representation of each of the hierarchical consolidated entries based on a target audience criteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to the wheat cultivar designated BZ9WM09-1663. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the wheat cultivar BZ9WM09-1663. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the wheat cultivar BZ9WM09-1663 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the wheat cultivar BZ9WM09-1663 with itself or another wheat cultivar and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the wheat cultivar designated BZ9WM09-1663. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the wheat cultivar BZ9WM09-1663. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the wheat cultivar BZ9WM09-1663 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the wheat cultivar BZ9WM09-1663 with itself or another wheat cultivar and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the wheat cultivar designated WB4614. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the wheat cultivar WB4614. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the wheat cultivar WB4614 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the wheat cultivar WB4614 with itself or another wheat cultivar and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the wheat cultivar designated WB4614. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the wheat cultivar WB4614. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the wheat cultivar WB4614 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing wheat plants by crossing the wheat cultivar WB4614 with itself or another wheat cultivar and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for modeling three-dimensional objects using hybrid geometric/volumetric representation, wherein sharp edges are created by a geometric representation that is connected to the volumetric representation. The system creates, maintains, and updates the hybrid representation according to user input. The system also provides for conversion of the hybrid representation into either a wholly geometric representation or a wholly volumetric representation, as may be needed for output to a given device, such as a display device, a printer, and/or a fabricating device.

Abstract: The invention provides systems for integrated haptic design and fabrication of dental restorations that provide significant advantages over traditional practice and existing computer-based systems. The systems feature technical advances that result in significantly more streamlined, versatile, and efficient design and fabrication of dental restorations. Among these technical advances are the introduction of voxel-based models; the use of a combination of geometric representations such as voxels and NURBS representations; the automatic identification of an initial preparation (prep) line and an initial path of insertion; the ability of a user to intuitively, haptically adjust the initial prep line and/or the initial path of insertion; the automatic identification of occlusions and draft angle conflicts (e.g., undercuts); the haptic simulation and/or marking of occlusions and draft angle conflicts; and coordination between design output and rapid prototyping/milling and/or investment casting.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for modeling three-dimensional objects using hybrid geometric/volumetric representation, wherein sharp edges are created by a geometric representation that is connected to the volumetric representation. The system creates, maintains, and updates the hybrid representation according to user input. The system also provides for conversion of the hybrid representation into either a wholly geometric representation or a wholly volumetric representation, as may be needed for output to a given device, such as a display device, a printer, and/or a fabricating device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. A first physical medium and a second physical medium are logically bonded. Those logically bonded physical mediums are then associated in a database.

Abstract: A vehicle brake shoe assembly (10) having a rigid backing plate (12) incorporating a plurality of extensions (100) which project through the brake friction material matrix (22) to the outer friction surface (24) of the brake shoe assembly (10). Each extension (100) is configured to cooperate with the brake friction material matrix (22) to engage a surface of an opposing friction element (28) simultaneously with the friction material (22), increasing the static and dynamic friction performance of the assembly (10) during initial use beyond that achieved from the application of either the brake friction material (22) or the projections (100) alone.

Abstract: Loop qualification systems and methods involve evaluating Loop Make-Up (LMU) data to determine whether loops qualify for certain services, such as ADSL service or other digital services. The LMU data includes such information as whether the loop is comprised of copper, fiber, is a DLC, the length, resist zone, carrier zone, loading factor, the existence of a DAML, and taper code information. The loop qualification systems and methods obtain LMU data on existing loops and also information on loops that have not yet been completed. Network service providers (NSPs) interface with the loop qualification systems to determine whether certain lines are qualified for a service. The loop qualification systems also include web-based interfaces to allow both the NSPs and end users to make an inquiry as to the capability of a given loop.

Abstract: A system and method of processing an image including black text data and non-black text data are described. The system and method use a parametric analysis for discrimination of halftones, texts, and photographs. The parametric analysis provides results that track measurable image metrics without the inherent risk of errant decision making during classification. The creation of symbolic representations is intrinsically a classification process that is subject to error. It represents a fundamental departure from fuzzy logic image segmentation. In the parametric analysis, no pattern matching, no auto-correlation, no screening parameter calculation, and no conventional edge detector (such as a high pass filter) are used.

Abstract: A self crimping connection for inner and outer members and the method of making the same includes providing the inner member with stepped cylindrical exterior walls defining an outboard wall of reduced diameter relative to an inboard wall with an annular groove in the outboard wall; providing the outer member with a stepped bore defining an internal outboard wall and an inboard wall to slidably receive the outboard and inboard walls, respectively, of the inner member, with an annular groove in the outboard wall of the outer member; a first bushing encircling the outboard wall of the inner member and a second bushing encircling the outboard wall of the outer member, with each of the first and second bushings having a body portion and a crimp collar portion, the arrangement being such that as the inner member and first bushing are axially pressed into the outer member and its associate second bushing, the crimp collar portion of the first bushing is crimped into locking engagement into the annular groove in the