Abstract: Among other things, a calibrated and tested dynamic simulation model of at least one municipality or institution or commercial entity is operated to generate information that enables the municipality or institution or commercial entity and suppliers of products for development projects of the municipality or institution or commercial entity to engage in execution of development projects that the model demonstrates will enhance the performance and sustainability of the municipality or institution or commercial entity. The simulation model of the municipality or institution or commercial entity is used to monitor and influence the execution of the development projects or ongoing operations and policies of the municipality or institution or commercial entity.

Abstract: A cardboard container can be folded into a compact flat package for storage, shipment or disposal. The container can be locked into an open configuration by a pair of stiffening lappets removably wedged in folds into pockets of the collapsible side walls. The container is particularly adapted to hold cat litter or other disposable material.

Abstract: The present invention describes a computer-based method comprising representing transactions involving assets that share a common characteristic, as respective data points associated with values of the assets, the data points including transaction value information, determining parameters that fit probability density functions to at least one component of a value spectrum of the data points, the probability density function for at least one of the components comprising a power law, the parameters not including an offset parameter representing possible shifts in the value spectrum over time, and forming an index of values associated with the assets using at least one of the determined parameters.

Abstract: Systems and sensor clip assemblies for optically monitoring blood flowing through a blood chamber are provided. A sensor clip assembly includes emitters and photodetectors positioned on opposing arms, a signal conditioning circuit for conditioning raw analog signals generated by the photodetectors while the sensor clip assembly is fastened to a blood chamber, and an analog-to-digital converter for converting the conditioned analog signals to raw digital data. The sensor clip assembly may output the raw digital data to an external device and receive synchronized control signals from the external device, or the sensor clip assembly may include a microcontroller for performing calculations on the raw digital data and providing synchronized control signals internally. Parameters of blood flowing through the blood chamber such as hematocrit, oxygen saturation, and change in blood volume may be calculated from the raw digital data derived from the raw analog signals generated by the photodetectors.

Abstract: A sensor clip assembly for an optical blood monitoring system includes a circuit board with a microprocessor that is programmed with a ratiometric model to calculate hematocrit and/or oxygen saturation levels of a patient.

Abstract: A temporary and disposable fastener (10) for securing an object to another at two spaced-apart locations comprises a slab of slow-drying, frangible adhesive (11) sandwiched between two strips of pliable sheet material (12, 13), whereby peeling said strips from each other by grasping a separating end tabs (14, 15) results in two separate sticky curls that can be interposed between said objects, in absence of any wasteful peelable seals. A manufacturing process combines a pair of commercially available patterned adhesive rolls in an aligned adhesive-to-adhesive manner which is then printed and die-cut to form a roll of adjoined separable fasteners.

Abstract: Among other things, transactions involving assets that share a common characteristic are represented as respective data points associated with values of the assets, the data points including transaction value information. Parameters that fit probability distribution functions to at least two respective components of a value spectrum of the data points are determined. The probability distribution function for at least one of the components comprises a power law. An index is formed of values associated with the assets using at least one of the determined parameters.

Abstract: Among other things, transactions involving assets (for example, real estate assets) that share a common characteristic are represented as respective data points associated with values of the assets, the data points including transaction value information. Parameters are determined that fit probability density functions to at least one component of a value spectrum of the data points. The probability density function for at least one of the components comprises a power law. The parameters do not include an offset parameter representing possible shifts in the value spectrum over time. An index is formed of values associated with the assets using at least one of the determined parameters. The parameters may include at least one shape parameter determined by fitting data over multiple days and at least one position parameter determined by fitting data either over a single day or multiple days, the probability density function for at least one of the components comprising a power law.

Abstract: In a transparent election system that protects voter privacy, the actual votes cast are published as a public record, with individual voter information redacted, allowing verification of the election results. A voter may verify that his votes were properly read and counted, to a high degree of certainty. The voter retains a receipt, including a unique voterID, from his ballot. During verification, using the voterID, the voter receives a plurality of non-matching sets of votes, one of which is his, without any indication of which one that is. If a voter does not recognize his set of votes, his marked ballot may be physically audited by voterID. A third party may verify the election results using these verification and auditing procedures on randomly selected ballots or sets of votes from a database.

Abstract: To assist the task of redistricting a region, such as a state, the region is divided into one or more sets of “super districts” that exactly cover the region. Each super district comprises one or more contiguous counties or other preexisting geopolitical sub-divisions, and contains an integral multiple of the required district population, to within a predetermined tolerance. A plurality of such sets, or super district covers, may be created, such as via a computer program. The task of creating voting districts then becomes one of selecting a super district cover as a starting point, and then dividing the super districts containing a multiple of the required population into voting districts.

Abstract: Among other things, transactions involving assets (for example, real estate assets) that share a common characteristic are represented as respective data points associated with values of the assets, the data points including transaction value information. Parameters are determined that fit probability density functions to at least one component of a value spectrum of the data points. The probability density function for at least one of the components comprises a power law. The parameters do not include an offset parameter representing possible shifts in the value spectrum over time. An index is formed of values associated with the assets using at least one of the determined parameters. The parameters may include at least one shape parameter determined by fitting data over multiple days and at least one position parameter determined by fitting data either over a single day or multiple days, the probability density function for at least one of the components comprising a power law.

Abstract: Among other things, transactions involving assets that share a common characteristic are represented as respective data points associated with values of the assets, the data points including transaction value information. Parameters that fit probability distribution functions to at least two respective components of a value spectrum of the data points are determined. The probability distribution function for at least one of the components comprises a power law. An index is formed of values associated with the assets using at least one of the determined parameters.

Abstract: In a transparent election system that protects voter privacy, the actual votes cast are published as a public record, with individual voter information redacted, allowing verification of the election results. A voter may verify that his votes were properly read and counted, to a high degree of certainty. The voter retains a receipt, including a unique voterID, from his ballot. During verification, using the voterID, the voter receives a plurality of non-matching sets of votes, one of which is his, without any indication of which one that is. If a voter does not recognize his set of votes, his marked ballot may be physically audited by voterID. A third party may verify the election results using these verification and auditing procedures on randomly selected ballots or sets of votes from a database.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and transporting drywall panels has a pair of panel-supporting legs of square tubing attachable to side rails of a lift platform. Each leg is connected to the rails by an upper bracket at the top of the leg and a lower bracket at a middle location. A panel-receiving U-shaped channel is located on the opposite side of the legs, away from the rails. The lower bracket has a standoff member projecting the bottom of the leg outward at an angle. A roller at the base of the channel provides low-friction rolling contact with an inserted panel, and a groove in this roller serves to guide the panel. Rollers at the tops of the legs and elsewhere are placed to keep panels from being damaged by contact with the legs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of attenuating and/or conditioning optical energy for an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module is disclosed. An apparatus for attenuating the optical output of an optoelectronic connector including: a mounting surface; an array of optoelectronic devices having at least a first end; an array of optical elements having at least a first end; the first end of the array of optical elements optically aligned with the first end of the array of optoelectronic devices; an optical path extending from the first end of the array of optoelectronic devices and ending at a second end of the array of optical elements; and an attenuator in the optical path for attenuating the optical energy emitted from the array of optoelectronic devices. Alternatively, a conditioner may be adapted in the optical path for conditioning the optical energy emitted from the array of optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: A process is provided for aligning and connecting at least one optical fiber to at least one optoelectronic device so as to couple light between at least one optical fiber and at least one optoelectronic device. One embodiment of this process comprises the following steps: (1) holding at least one optical element close to at least one optoelectronic device, at least one optical element having at least a first end; (2) aligning at least one optical element with at least one optoelectronic device; (3) depositing a first non-opaque material on a first end of at least one optoelectronic device; and (4) bringing the first end of at least one optical element proximate to the first end of at least one optoelectronic device in such a manner that the first non-opaque material contacts the first end of at least one optoelectronic device and the first end of at least one optical element. The optical element may be an optical fiber, and the optoelectronic device may be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board that is used in connection with an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module. In one embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board has flexible metal layers in between flexible insulating layers, and the circuit board comprises: (1) a main body region orientated in a first direction having at least one electrical or optoelectronic device; (2) a plurality of electrical contact pads integrated into the main body region, where the electrical contact pads function to connect the flexible printed circuit board to an external environment; (3) a buckle region extending from one end of the main body region; and (4) a head region extending from one end of the buckle region, and where the head region is orientated so that it is at an angle relative to the direction of the main body region. The electrical contact pads may be ball grid arrays, solder balls or land-grid arrays, and they function to connect the circuit board to an external environment.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module, and more particularly, to an apparatus for connecting a first optical connector to a second optical connector. The apparatus comprises: (1) a housing having at least a first end and at least a second end, the first end of the housing capable of receiving the first optical connector, and the second end of the housing capable of receiving the second optical connector; (2) a longitudinal cavity extending from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing; and (3) an electromagnetic shield comprising at least a portion of the housing.

Abstract: An optoelectronic mounting structure is provided that may be used in conjunction with an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module. The mounting structure may be a flexible printed circuit board. Thermal vias or heat pipes in the head region may transmit heat from the mounting structure to the heat spreader. The heat spreader may provide mechanical rigidity or stiffness to the heat region. In another embodiment, an electrical contact and ground plane may pass along a surface of the head region so as to provide an electrical contact path to the optoelectronic devices and limit electromagnetic interference. In yet another embodiment, a window may be formed in the head region of the mounting structure so as to provide access to the heat spreader. Optoelectronic devices may be adapted to the heat spreader in such a manner that the devices are accessible through the window in the mounting structure.

Abstract: An attenuator or conditioner apparatus is provided that is used in conjunction with an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module. The apparatus functions to attenuate or condition optical energy emitted from optoelectronic devices.