Abstract: A device, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium are described. The method includes receiving a dataset including hand written Arabic words and hand written Arabic alphabets from one or more users. The method further includes removing whitespace around alphabets in the hand written Arabic words and the hand written Arabic alphabets in the dataset. The method further includes splitting the dataset into a training set, a validation set, and a test set. The method further includes classifying one or more user datasets from the training set, the validation set, and the test set. The method further includes identifying the target user from the one or more user datasets. The identification of the target user includes a verification accuracy of the hand written Arabic words being larger than a verification accuracy threshold value.

Abstract: Methods for forming carbon-based lubricious and/or wear-protective films in situ on the surface of steel alloys are provided. The methods use chromium-containing steel alloys, molybdenum-containing steel alloys, and steel alloys that contain both copper and nickel. When such alloys are subjected to a rubbing motion in the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid, the chromium, molybdenum, copper, and nickel in the steel alloy catalyzes the formation of solid carbon-containing films that reduce the friction, wear, or both of the contacting surfaces.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for detecting customer presence to initiate the ordering and purchase of goods and services are disclosed. In one example, a system includes a detection server configured to detect the presence of a mobile device in a designated area associated with a merchant location and for initiating a menu selection application in the mobile device for placing an order for at least one product. The system further includes a merchant server configured to receive, from the mobile device, purchase order data associated with the order for the at least one product, a customer identifier associated with the mobile device, and a location identifier associated with the designated area, and for utilizing the customer identifier to send a notification message that indicates that the at least one product is available to the mobile device.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules functioning as precursor molecules to induce tribopolymerization and forming in situ protective tribofilm with desirable robustness and low shear resistance. Each lubricant additive molecule includes one or more surface-active groups attractable to target surface, and a carbon containing component operable connected to the one or more surface active groups. The carbon containing component comprise a carbon ring structure having a high ring strain that is metastable and activatable with a ring-opening reaction. A less stable carbon ring structure is more readily activated to the intermediate state, preferable to form more active fragments. Increasing the adsorption strength further is beneficial to prolonging the residence time of additive molecules on the target surface, thereby facilitating the dissociation of molecules and subsequent polymerization.

Abstract: Methods for forming carbon-based lubricious and/or wear-protective films in situ on the surface of steel alloys are provided. The methods use chromium-containing steel alloys, molybdenum-containing steel alloys, and steel alloys that contain both copper and nickel. When such alloys are subjected to a rubbing motion in the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid, the chromium, molybdenum, copper, and nickel in the steel alloy catalyzes the formation of solid carbon-containing films that reduce the friction, wear, or both of the contacting surfaces.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to uses of radiation and benzodiazepines optionally in combination with other anticancer agents for treating cancer. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods of using radiation, benzodiazepines, and check point inhibitors in cancer therapies.

Abstract: A soft card provisioning application is instantiated on a device with wireless communications capabilities. A card number for a soft card desired to be provisioned on the device is obtained from a user of the device. An issuer identification number retrieved from the card number is communicated to a provisioning configuration server over an air interface. A provisioning issuer server network address is obtained from the provisioning configuration server based on the issuer identification number. Card issuer specific challenges are presented to the user, and the user's responses to the challenges are received. The challenge responses are communicated to the provisioning issuer server. Soft card image data and personalization data, where the personalization data includes personalized embossed and pre-printed data, are received from the provisioning issuer server over the air interface. The soft card is provisioned for use on the device based on the data received over the air interface.

Abstract: A method of reducing viability of a microbe is provided. An illustrative method comprises contacting a microbe with an antimicrobial surface comprising a copper-alloy steel comprising an iron matrix and copper nanoprecipitates distributed throughout the iron matrix, wherein the copper-alloy steel comprises: Cu in a range from 0.5 weight % to 5.0 weight %; C in a range from 0.03 weight % to 0.10 weight %; Mn in a range from 0.20 weight % to 5.0 weight %; Ni in a range from 0.0 weight % to 6.0 weight %; Al in a range from 0.0 weight % to 4.0 weight %; Nb in a range from 0.0 weight % to 0.10 weight %; Si in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; Mo in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; Ti in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; V in a range from 0.0 weight % to 2.0 weight %; Cr in a range from 0.0 weight % to 8.0 weight %; and a balance of Fe. The antimicrobial surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: A lubricant composition includes a base lubricant and a plurality of lubricant additive molecules functioning as precursor molecules to induce tribopolymerization and forming in situ protective tribofilm with desirable robustness and low shear resistance. Each lubricant additive molecule includes one or more surface-active groups attractable to target surface, and a carbon containing component operable connected to the one or more surface active groups. The carbon containing component comprise a carbon ring structure having a high ring strain that is metastable and activatable with a ring-opening reaction. A less stable carbon ring structure is more readily activated to the intermediate state, preferable to form more active fragments. Increasing the adsorption strength further is beneficial to prolonging the residence time of additive molecules on the target surface, thereby facilitating the dissociation of molecules and subsequent polymerization.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for using a mobile device to effect a secure electronic transaction. In one embodiment, the method includes, at a mobile backend server comprising one or more processors: receiving, from a mobile device of a user that is engaged in or desires to engage in an electronic transaction with an entity other than the user, first information that identifies the user and second information that directly or indirectly identifies the electronic transaction, wherein the second information does not contain payment information for the user; using the first information to identify the user; determining user payment information for the identified user; using the second information to identify a target for the payment information; and sending the user payment information to the identified target for use to initiate the electronic transaction.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for issuing and redeeming co-branded electronic certificates. In one example, a method includes receiving, via near field communication (NFC), a co-branded electronic certificate and an electronic payment card to conduct a wireless purchase transaction for at least one good or service. The method further includes determining whether qualification information contained in the co-branded electronic certificate matches at least a portion of the account number associated with the electronic payment card used to conduct the wireless purchase transaction. The method also includes applying the co-branded electronic certificate to conduct the purchase transaction if the qualification information matches the at least a portion of the account number.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing an advertisement based single step electronic transaction with or without using a custom application are provided. According to one aspect, a method for performing an advertisement based single step electronic transaction comprises, at a backend server: receiving an indication that a user is interested in a product in an advertisement that was presented to the user; generating transaction information, the transaction information including product information, payment instrument information, and shipping information, and presenting it to the user in a manner such that the user need only perform a single step in order to trigger the transaction; detecting that the user has performed the single step; initiating the transaction; and notifying the user of the result of the transaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing contextualized, personalized pricing, offers, and recommendations to a user are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for providing contextualized, personalized pricing, offers, and recommendations to a user comprises identifying and collecting contextual information of interest, identifying algorithms, expert knowledge rules, and/or filters to apply to the contextual information of interest, and applying the identified algorithms, expert knowledge rules, and/or filters to the contextual information of interest to generate a contextualized price, offer, or recommendation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer readable media for facilitating reservation for a parking space with a near field communications (NFC)-enabled device are provided. A system can include an NFC-enabled parking meter associated with a parking space and a controller in communication with the NFC-enabled parking meter for measuring time and processing payment. A system can include an NFC-enabled device that upon interfacing with the NFC-enabled parking meter communicates with the controller to create a reservation of a parking space.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a universal, global, virtual wallet to merchant payment system adapter are provided. The present disclosure provides the physical and logical infrastructure to provide a universal interface between any type of payment or money transfer system and any payment acceptance system, and specifically bridges the gap between “wallets”, i.e., systems that transfer funds between users but can't be used with traditional card payment acceptance systems, and traditional card payment acceptance systems such as debit, credit, and prepaid cards, which may be a physical card that can be swiped, chip inserted, or NFC tapped. According to one aspect, a third-party server coordinates a transfer of funds from a user's wallet account directly to a merchant's debit card, which the merchant swipes at the POS terminal to complete the desired transaction.

Abstract: A method includes detecting the presence of a mobile device at a designated area and receiving a location identifier associated with the designated area and a mobile device user identifier associated with the mobile device at a backend server. The method further includes utilizing the location identifier to obtain local flavor content data, wherein the local flavor content data provides customized information specific to the designated area, providing the local flavor content data to the mobile device using the mobile device user identifier, and applying the local flavor content data to a generic application in the mobile device to generate a local flavor application that is customized for use at the designated area.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a system for performing secure mobile payment and non-payment transactions with integrated loyalty, rewards, and promotions. A mobile backend server (MBE) stores and maintains payment and non-payment account information for users, and presents a list of available payment and non-payment instruments to the user prior to the user's interaction with a merchant for shopping, item selection, or checkout. In response to detecting an interaction between the user and a merchant for shopping, item selection, or checkout, the MBE determines incentives that are available to the user, presents the available incentives to the user for selection prior to completion of a payment or non-payment transaction with the merchant, and determines which of the available incentives and payment instruments are selected by the user. The incentives and/or transaction amounts presented to the user are dynamically updated based on the user selection.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for detecting customer presence to initiate the ordering and purchase of goods and services are disclosed. In one example, a system includes a detection server configured to detect the presence of a mobile device in a designated area associated with a merchant location and for initiating a menu selection application in the mobile device for placing an order for at least one product. The system further includes a merchant server configured to receive, from the mobile device, purchase order data associated with the order for the at least one product, a customer identifier associated with the mobile device, and a location identifier associated with the designated area, and for utilizing the customer identifier to send a notification message that indicates that the at least one product is available to the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing and provisioning an aggregated soft card are disclosed. One method includes receiving a request for an aggregated soft card from a mobile device, wherein the aggregated soft card includes a primary component soft card and at least one secondary component soft card. The method also includes requesting component soft card data associated with each of the primary component soft card and the at least one secondary component soft card from a plurality of issuing system servers. The method further includes generating aggregated soft card data by establishing a link among the component soft card data received from the plurality of issuing system servers and sending the aggregated soft card data to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method includes identifying one or more stress regime types along at least a portion of a borehole, where the stress regime types are selected from a normal stress regime, a thrust stress regime and a strike-slip stress regime, and selecting reservoir access locations along the borehole based on the type of stress regime identified along the borehole.