Abstract: The invention is generally a thumb pick apparatus for playing a stringed musical instrument having an elastic and generally cylindrically shaped cot having an opening and a tip, and having a substantially uniform thickness, with a side “pick pocket” attached thereto proximate to the cylindrical side of the cot, capable of encapsulating and “hugging” the user's plectrum of choice while allowing said plectrum to extend beyond the side of the cot at an approximate right angle such that the plectrum is capable of plucking a string of a musical instrument when the cot is being worn on a thumb digit of a user with the pick pocket holding the plectrum firmly in place.

Abstract: The invention is generally a pick apparatus for playing a stringed musical instrument having an elastic and generally cylindrically shaped cot having an opening and a tip, and has a substantially uniform thickness, as well as a pick capable of plucking a string of a musical instrument attached thereto proximate to the cot's hemisphere and extending beyond the hemisphere away from the cot such that the pick is capable of plucking a string of a musical instrument when the cot is being worn on a digit of a user.

Abstract: There is provided a method for searching a database to obtain data. The method includes (a) prioritizing a set of keys that are derived from a match inquiry, thus yielding a prioritized set of keys, wherein the prioritizing is based on, for each key of the set, an efficacy of using the key, (b) determining a subset of the prioritized set, and (c) retrieving, using the subset, a set of candidates for satisfying the match inquiry.

Abstract: A packet transmitted on a network is read and decoded. A network device and its operating system are identified by analyzing the decoded packet. If more than one operating system is identified from the decoded packet, the operating system is selecting by comparing confidence values assigned to the operating systems identified. A service running on the network device is identified from the decoded packet or subsequent packets that are read, decoded and analyzed. The network topology of a network is determined by reading, decoding, and analyzing a plurality of packets. A flow between two network devices is determined by reading, decoding, and analyzing a plurality of packets. Vulnerabilities are assigned to operating systems and services identified by reading, decoding, and analyzing packets. Network configuration policy is enforced on operating systems and services identified by reading, decoding, and analyzing packets.

Abstract: The invention is generally a pick apparatus for playing a stringed musical instrument having an elastic and generally cylindrically shaped cot having an opening and a tip, and has a substantially uniform thickness, as well as a pick capable of plucking a string of a musical instrument attached thereto proximate to the cot's hemisphere and extending beyond the hemisphere away from the cot such that the pick is capable of plucking a string of a musical instrument when the cot is being worn on a digit of a user.

Abstract: A tilting mirror MEMS variable optical attenuator attenuates light over a band of wavelengths with minimum wavelength dependent loss. The attenuator includes a lens that has a wedged input face and is made from a material that has high dispersion. The lens design causes different wavelengths to travel different paths through the attenuator such that wavelength dependent loss is reduced. The attenuator may be designed to have minimum wavelength dependent loss at a specified attenuation greater than zero.

Abstract: The invention is generally a pick apparatus for playing a stringed musical instrument having an elastic and generally cylindrically shaped cot having an opening and a tip, and has a substantially uniform thickness, as well as a pick capable of plucking a string of a musical instrument attached thereto proximate to the cot's hemisphere and extending beyond the hemisphere away from the cot such that the pick is capable of plucking a string of a musical instrument when the cot is being worn on a digit of a user.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an improved adjustable tool, such as a pair of pliers, having a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions being pivotably connected to one another by a pivot pin attached in any manner to one of the jaw portions and fitted within a channel defined within the other of the jaw portions. Preferably, the channel is formed by a plurality of pivot centers, including two non-adjacent terminal centers and at least one intermediate center, each center being connected to at least one other center by a slot to form a single pathway such that travel of the pivot pin between non-adjacent pivot centers requires travel through at least one intermediate pivot center, and the pivot pin has a positive tactile indication when properly seated in each pivot center.

Abstract: A policy component includes policy configuration information. The policy configuration information contains one or more rules. Each rule and group of rules can be associated with a set of response actions. As the nodes on the monitored networks change or intrusive actions are introduced on the networks, network change events or intrusion events are generated. The policy component correlates network change events and/or intrusions events with network map information. The network map contains information on the network topology, services and network devices, amongst other things. When certain criteria is satisfied based on the correlation, a policy violation event may be issued by the system resulting in alerts or remediations.

Abstract: A packet transmitted on a network is read and decoded. A network device and its operating system are identified by analyzing the decoded packet. If more than one operating system is identified from the decoded packet, the operating system is selecting by comparing confidence values assigned to the operating systems identified. A service running on the network device is identified from the decoded packet or subsequent packets that are read, decoded and analyzed. The network topology of a network is determined by reading, decoding, and analyzing a plurality of packets. A flow between two network devices is determined by reading, decoding, and analyzing a plurality of packets. Vulnerabilities are assigned to operating systems and services identified by reading, decoding, and analyzing packets. Network configuration policy is enforced on operating systems and services identified by reading, decoding, and analyzing packets.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an improved adjustable tool, such as a pair of pliers, having a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions being pivotably connected to one another by a pivot pin attached in any manner to one of the jaw portions and fitted within a channel defined within the other of the jaw portions. Preferably, the channel is formed by a plurality of pivot centers, including two non-adjacent terminal centers and at least one intermediate center, each center being connected to at least one other center by a slot to form a single pathway such that travel of the pivot pin between non-adjacent pivot centers requires travel through at least one intermediate pivot center, and the pivot pin has a positive tactile indication when properly seated in each pivot center.

Abstract: A tilting mirror MEMS variable optical attenuator attenuates light over a band of wavelengths with minimum wavelength dependent loss. The attenuator includes a lens that has a wedged input face and is made from a material that has high dispersion. The lens design causes different wavelengths to travel different paths through the attenuator such that wavelength dependent loss is reduced. The attenuator may be designed to have minimum wavelength dependent loss at a specified attenuation greater than zero.

Abstract: A tilting mirror MEMS variable optical attenuator attenuates light over a band of wavelengths with minimum wavelength dependent loss. The attenuator includes a lens that has a wedged input face and is made from a material that has high dispersion. The lens design causes different wavelengths to travel different paths through the attenuator such that wavelength dependent loss is reduced. The attenuator may be designed to have minimum wavelength dependent loss at a specified attenuation greater than zero.

Abstract: A policy component comprises policy configuration information. The policy configuration information contains one or more rules. Each rule and group of rules can be associated with a set of response actions. As the nodes on the monitored networks change or intrusive actions are introduced on the networks, network change events or intrusion events are generated. The policy component correlates network change events and/or intrusions events with network map information. The network map contains information on the network topology, services and network devices, amongst other things. When certain criteria is satisfied based on the correlation, a policy violation event may be issued by the system resulting in alerts or remediations.

Abstract: There is provided a method for searching a database to obtain data. The method includes (a) prioritizing a set of keys that are derived from a match inquiry, thus yielding a prioritized set of keys, wherein the prioritizing is based on, for each key of the set, an efficacy of using the key, (b) determining a subset of the prioritized set, and (c) retrieving, using the subset, a set of candidates for satisfying the match inquiry.

Abstract: A system and method for finding a business entity in a database that matches input data. A web services interface accepts a match request and provides a best match. A pre-processing layer cleans, parses, and standardizes input data into terms. An application layer includes a match engine for processing the match request using the terms. The match engine evaluates and scores match candidates from the database to provide the best match and, optionally, an ordered list of match candidates.

Abstract: A tilting mirror MEMS variable optical attenuator attenuates light over a band of wavelengths with minimum wavelength dependent loss. The attenuator includes a lens that has a wedged input face and is made from a material that has high dispersion. The lens design causes different wavelengths to travel different paths through the attenuator such that wavelength dependent loss is reduced. The attenuator may be designed to have minimum wavelength dependent loss at a specified attenuation greater than zero.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated mammalian adenosine receptor, isolated or recombinant nucleic acids and recombinant vectors encoding the same, host cells comprising the nucleic acids and vectors, and methods of making the receptor using the host cells. This invention further provides antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof which specifically bind to the receptor and are useful for treating medical conditions caused or mediated by adenosine. Also provided are screening methods for identifying specific agonists and antagonists of the mammalian adenosine receptor.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and a computer program product, are disclosed to control the operation of an aircraft in flight, where the aircraft comprises a database comprising the location of one or more airports, an automated flight control system, a cockpit crew interface, and a first data bus interconnecting the automated flight control system and the cockpit crew interface. Upon detecting either that one or more unauthorized persons have taken command and control of the aircraft or that the flight crew is unable to operate the aircraft, the method, article of manufacture, and/or computer program product, interrupts the first data bus while the aircraft is in flight such that no signals originating from said cockpit crew interface are received by the automated flight control system, selects a diversion airport from the database, causes the aircraft to fly to that diversion airport, and causes the aircraft to attempt to land at the diversion airport.

Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical shell having an outer surface and an internal lumen; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the shell outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system comprises: a plurality of sensors embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to sense an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals related to the operating parameter, wherein at least some of the sensors include an aperture; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors. In some embodiments the shell and cover include through holes that extend through the sensor apertures.