Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A superconductor device includes a high superconductivity transition temperature enhanced from the raw material transition temperature. The superconductor device includes a matrix material and a core material. The enhancing matrix material and the core material together create a system of strongly coupled carriers. A plurality of low-dimensional conductive features can be embedded in the matrix. The low-dimensional conductive features (e.g., nanowires or nanoparticles) can be conductors or superconductors. An interaction between electrons of the low-dimensional conductive features and the enhancing matrix material can promote excitations that increase a superconductivity transition temperature of the superconductor device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to share policy information. The policy information may be associated with a smart contract. Accordingly, the policy information may be encrypted using a public key for the smart contract and compiled into a block of the blockchain. In response to a request to provide access to the information to a particular node, the private key for the smart contract may be encrypted using the public key for the particular node and compiled into a block of the blockchain.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a blockchain comprising a plurality of immutable sales records corresponding to sales made by agents of an entity are provided. According to certain aspects, a transaction request indicating a sale made by an agent of the entity may be received at a first node. A block including a sales record indicating the sale made by the agent may be added to a blockchain and transmitted to another node for validation. The first node may add the block to a copy of the blockchain, where the block may be identified by a hash value that references a previous block in the blockchain that includes at least one additional sales record.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, an array of elements forms an artificially-structured material. The artificially-structured material can also include an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements that are configured to change material properties of the artificially-structured material on a per-element basis. The tuning mechanisms can change the material properties of the artificially-structured material by changing operational properties of the elements in the array of elements on a per-element basis based on one or a combination of stimuli detected by sensors included in the array of tuning mechanisms, programmable circuit modules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, data stored at individual data stores included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, and communications transmitted through interconnects included as part of the array of elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conducting a drug discovery research by identifying a lead candidate based solely on drugs that have been approved for a clinical use by an agency who has the authority to approve a drug for clinical use in mammal. The method uses a cheminformatics database. The present invention also provides a method and system for analyzing chemical drugs that have been approved for clinical use.

Abstract: A flexible tube is sterilized and ready for coupling to sterile tubing in a sterile environment by steam sterilization in a closed environment in which steam pressure both inside and outside the flexible tube is the same. For this purpose, the flexible tube is coupled to a transfer cup which has door means sealingly attached at its mouth creating a chamber, which is openable when the coupling is to take place. An outlet from the transfer cup chamber thus defined allows sterilizing steam entering said chamber from the flexible tube with the door means in closed disposition to leave the transfer cup therethrough and flow around the exterior of the flexible tube at the same pressure as the steam within the tube. Once the flexible tube and transfer cup are sterilized, the flexible tube is coupled to the sterile tubing by admission of said tubing to the transfer cup chamber through the door means.

Abstract: A method for reducing impurity levels of calcium, magnesium and/or silicon in hexammine cobalt halide compounds involves the addition of ferric ions and, optionally, soluble fluorides to an aqueous hexammine cobalt (III) chloride solution having a pH of at least 9. Insoluble compounds of magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, and/or ferric hydroxide and silicon coprecipitates are removed from the solution by filtration.

Abstract: A paper making machine forming board is described wherein the rate of drainage of the stock through the forming fabric is curtailed and controlled by applying a low positive air pressure (above ambient atmospheric) to the machine side of the forming fabric. Additionally, a controlled level of agitation is induced in the stock on the forming board, providing better initial paper formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed whereby the rate of drainage of the stock on a Fourdrinier paper making machine can be controlled for the full length of an open surface forming section. A continuous sealed drainage box is used from adjacent the head box slice to the end of the forming section, within which the air pressure can be controlled. In the area adjacent the head box slice drainage is hindered by the use of a positive (above ambient atmospheric) pressure, while further along the forming section the pressure is decreased to a negative value (below ambient atmospheric). Improved paper formation and first pass retention are obtained.

Abstract: A wall and ceiling construction system for use in the construction of rooms which can be kept in a sterile and dust free state comprises wall panels having a double skin construction with an air space between opposite skins thereof, the panels being secured together at upstanding marginal regions, possibly with the interposition of fixing posts. The panels include a number of panels which have at least one duct inlet thereinto for communicating the room interior via the interior of the panels with extraction ducts above ceiling level at air outlet spigots. The panels are coved at their transition between the walls and a base of greater width than the thickness of the panel. Depending upon the manner of provision of the duct inlets, in addition to achieving conventional air flow into floor level air inlets directly within the room, it is possible to achieve horizontal air flow or vertical air flow within the room.

Abstract: A sterilizable pouch comprising a plastic web and a paper web marginally heat sealed around all sides thereof, a slit in one of said webs for receiving the package contents and an adhesive strip adhered to the web; said adhesive strip being positioned to cover and seal both lips of the slit, and along with the web to which it is attached forming an assembly which acts as means for opening the slit for insertion of an article.

Abstract: A method and material for the manufacture of improved bearing elements such as annular inner and outer bearing ring blanks for ball, roller and needle bearing assemblies comprising the steps of mixing a powder consisting substantially of iron with ferro-alloy powders of substantially smaller size, each ferro-alloy containing at least 80% iron and the balance being an alloying element, together with graphite powder and a lubricant, compacting the resulting mixture to form a preform, pre-sintering the preform, and then coating the sintered preform with a stop-off and lubricant. The preform is subjected to a plastic deformation of at least 50% in a cold (room temperature) forging operation to produce an article which is at least 98% dense and has approximately the shape of the finished article. This cold forged shape is resintered and annealed, after which the annealed and resintered shape is roll formed into substantially final dimensions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a valve lifter or the like wherein elemental iron powder is blended with smaller sized powders of manganese, molybdenum, and nickel, or sources of these metals, the resulting mixture is pressed into a coherent preform which is then sintered to cause solid state diffusion and alloying to occur within the preform. The sintered preform is then pressed into a shape which approaches the theoretical density of the metal and has a nearly uniform density carburized and heat treated, the pressing being carried out at ambient temperatures to produce a valve lifter or similar article having superior wearing properties at a lower cost, when compared with present materials and methods of manufacture.