Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, a mobile apparatus for identifying items. For instance, the mobile apparatus may include a frame, a basket that attaches to the frame, a tray that attaches to the frame, and a user-facing module that attaches to the frame. Weight sensors may be located beneath the basket and the tray in order to determine the weights of items added to the mobile apparatus. The user-facing module may include imaging devices, such as cameras, that the mobile apparatus uses to perform one or more functions. For example, the mobile apparatus may use the imaging devices to identify items placed within the basket, determine locations of the mobile apparatus within a facility, and/or the like. By including these components, the mobile apparatus is able to generate data that represents the items added to the mobile apparatus, the weights of the items, and the costs of the items.

Abstract: A method includes generating a first asset token that represents control, by a first entity, of a portion of a physical communication asset. The method includes publishing, to a distributed ledger, ownership of the first asset token and receiving, from a second entity, a request to control the portion of the physical communication asset represented by the first asset token. In response to receiving the request, the method includes removing the first asset token from circulation on the distributed ledger and generating a second asset token representing control, by the second entity, of the portion of the physical communication asset. The method also includes publishing, to the distributed ledger, ownership of the second asset token and transferring, using the distributed ledger, ownership of the second asset token to the second entity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser, sintering, and welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser, sintering, and welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for melting snow. The snow melting system may include a container having a cavity that is at least partially filled with a liquid. There should be a sufficient amount of liquid in the container to submerge a heating section of a heating assembly that is located within the cavity. The heating assembly is operably coupled to a source of steam, such as the steam generated from a boiler or steam generator in an existing building. The heating assembly may also include a condensate recovery section that is configured to flow condensate from the steam back into the liquid in the cavity of the container. The snow melting system also includes a spray assembly that pumps the heated liquid to a plurality of sprayers that then spray the heated liquid back down onto snow placed within the cavity of the container.

Abstract: A method of identifying a biofilm that includes non-typeable Haemophilus influenza (NTHi) including a step of screening a sample for the presence of one or more biofilm-specific proteins that are expressed by NTHi. In some cases, an NTHi biofilm-related disease in a subject is diagnosed. Also disclosed are protein microarrays for screening biofilm-specific proteins in a sample, formulations comprising one or more biofilm-specific proteins or fragments thereof, and methods for inducing an immune response in a patient against a biofilm-related infection.

Abstract: A hose intervention clamp is provided for clamping a hose/connection nipple assembly, wherein the hose/connection nipple assembly has a hose and a connection nipple having a locking slot. The hose intervention clamp includes a locking ring, an upper clamp portion, and a lower clamp portion pivotally connected to the upper clamp portion. The upper and lower clamp portions are pivotally moveable relative to each other from a first at least partially open position to a second locking position, and in the second locking position the upper and lower clamp portions define a recess for receiving the hose/nipple assembly. The locking ring is configured to be received in the locking slot when the upper and lower clamp portions are in the second locking position. A hose intervention clamp system includes a hose/connection nipple assembly having a hose and a connection nipple having a locking slot, and the described clamp.

Abstract: A fret and method of making the fret are disclosed. The fret can include a body portion made of a non-conductive material, a first end, a second end, and a length defined between the first and second ends. A plurality of electrically conductive elements can be disposed along at least part of the body portion. Each element can be electrically insulated from the other conductive elements by the body portion. The method can include 1) providing a blank formed of electrically conductive material, 2) processing the blank to provide a plurality of electrically conductive elements, 3) affixing a body portion made of a non-conductive material to the plurality of electrically conductive elements, the body portion electrically insulating each element from the other conductive elements, and 4) removing material from the processed blank and affixed body portion to form a perimeter of the fret in a desired shape.

Abstract: Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. A plurality of frets can be disposed on a fingerboard and underlying the strings. The frets may include electrically conductive zones that can be electrically insulated from each other, and each zone corresponds to a different string. A polyphonic pickup having a plurality of wire-wound coils coupled to corresponding magnetic returns can be included, and can be adapted to detect striking of at least one of the strings by a user of the game controller. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument.

Abstract: A method of identifying a biofilm that includes non-typeable Haemophilus influenza (NTHi) including a step of screening a sample for the presence of one or more biofilm-specific proteins that are expressed by NTHi. In some cases, an NTHi biofilm-related disease in a subject is diagnosed. Also disclosed are protein microarrays for screening biofilm-specific proteins in a sample, formulations comprising one or more biofilm-specific proteins or fragments thereof, and methods for inducing an immune response in a patient against a biofilm-related infection.

Abstract: Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument. Bracing structures and methods are also described for bracing stringed apparatus, such as stringed game controllers and instruments.

Abstract: Electronic game components are described. The electronic game components may define radiation striking zones in which user strikes may be detected. In response to detecting the strikes, control signals for an audio generator or gaming console may be generated. The electronic game components may be used to simulate percussive instruments, with the radiation striking zones corresponding to percussive components of the simulated percussive instrument.

Abstract: A hose intervention clamp is provided for clamping a hose/connection nipple assembly, wherein the hose/connection nipple assembly has a hose and a connection nipple having a locking slot. The hose intervention clamp includes a locking ring, an upper clamp portion, and a lower clamp portion pivotally connected to the upper clamp portion. The upper and lower clamp portions are pivotally moveable relative to each other from a first at least partially open position to a second locking position, and in the second locking position the upper and lower clamp portions define a recess for receiving the hose/nipple assembly. The locking ring is configured to be received in the locking slot when the upper and lower clamp portions are in the second locking position. A hose intervention clamp system includes a hose/connection nipple assembly having a hose and a connection nipple having a locking slot, and the described clamp.

Abstract: Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument. Bracing structures and methods are also described for bracing stringed apparatus, such as stringed game controllers and instruments.

Abstract: Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. A plurality of frets can be disposed on a fingerboard and underlying the strings. The frets may include electrically conductive zones that can be electrically insulated from each other, and each zone corresponds to a different string. A polyphonic pickup having a plurality of wire-wound coils coupled to corresponding magnetic returns can be included, and can be adapted to detect striking of at least one of the strings by a user of the game controller. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument.

Abstract: The pharmaceutical composition and a method of treatment of infectious diseases, such as otitis media, paranasal sinusitis, labyrinthitis and meningitis are described. The composition comprises EP2E or homologues thereof.

Abstract: Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument. Bracing structures and methods are also described for bracing stringed apparatus, such as stringed game controllers and instruments.

Abstract: Electronic game components are described. The electronic game components may define radiation striking zones in which user strikes may be detected. In response to detecting the strikes, control signals for an audio generator or gaming console may be generated. The electronic game components may be used to simulate percussive instruments, with the radiation striking zones corresponding to percussive components of the simulated percussive instrument.

Abstract: A fret and method of making the fret are disclosed. The fret can include a body portion made of a non-conductive material, a first end, a second end, and a length defined between the first and second ends. A plurality of electrically conductive elements can be disposed along at least part of the body portion. Each element can be electrically insulated from the other conductive elements by the body portion. The method can include 1) providing a blank formed of electrically conductive material, 2) processing the blank to provide a plurality of electrically conductive elements, 3) affixing a body portion made of a non-conductive material to the plurality of electrically conductive elements, the body portion electrically insulating each element from the other conductive elements, and 4) removing material from the processed blank and affixed body portion to form a perimeter of the fret in a desired shape.