Abstract: In an embodiment, an attachment system for communicating light energy from a light source to a light-conducting fiber includes a light pipe body sufficiently designed to engage a distal end of a light pipe, the light pipe body comprising at least one opening configured to dissipate heat buildup from light energy; a front assembly sufficiently designed to engage the light pipe body, the front assembly comprising an orifice and at least one opening configured to dissipate heat buildup from light energy; a light-conducting fiber body sufficiently designed to engage the front assembly and to hold a proximal portion of a light-conducting fiber, the light-conducting fiber body positioned in the orifice of the front assembly; and an optical taper assembly sufficiently designed to hold an optical taper, the optical taper assembly positioned between and spaced apart from the front assembly, and positioned between and spaced apart from the light pipe.

Abstract: A system and a method that promotes the restoration of physical functions of the neuromuscular system by incorporating into one device the treatment modalities of biofeedback based repetitive practice, includes an actuator, a joint position measurement system, a force sensing measurement system, an EMG measurement system, a neuromuscular low-level stimulation system, a controller, and a display device.

Abstract: A method of refining a pitch period estimation of a signal, the method comprising: for each of a plurality of portions of the signal, scanning over a predefined range of time offsets to find an estimate of the pitch period of the portion within the predefined range of time offsets; identifying the average pitch period of the estimated pitch periods of the portions; determining a refined range of time offsets in dependence on the average pitch period, the refined range of time offsets being narrower than the predefined range of time offsets; and for a subsequent portion of the signal, scanning over the refined range of time offsets to find an estimate of the pitch period of the subsequent portion.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment systems, methods and apparatus for polishing a wastewater stream comprising a plurality of contaminants are provided. One system includes a vessel containing a plurality of natural media filtration agents selected to remove selected ones of the plurality of contaminants from the wastewater stream. In one embodiment, the vessel includes a bed of bauxite residue and at least one other natural media filtration agent. In another embodiment, the vessel includes a bed of compost and at least one other natural media filtration agent. The vessel includes a wastewater inlet that is in fluid communication with one or more of the natural media filtration agents. The vessel includes a wastewater outlet that is in fluid communication with one or more of the natural media filtration agents.

Abstract: New 7XXX alloys having improved ballistics performance are disclosed. The new alloys generally are resistant to armor piercing rounds at 2850 fps, resistant to fragment simulated particles at 2950 fps, and are resistant to spalling. To achieve the improved ballistics properties, the alloys are generally overaged so as to obtain a tensile yield strength that is (i) at least about 10 ksi lower than peak strength and/or (ii) no greater than 70 ksi.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect telephone calls and track information about the telephone calls resulting from advertisements for groups of advertisers. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining a geographic area after receiving a telephone call to a first telephone number publicized in an advertisement; determining a telephone number of a first advertiser; and connecting the telephone call to the telephone number of the first advertiser, the first advertiser billed for the advertisement based on telephonic connections made to connect the first advertiser and telephone calls to the first telephone number.

Abstract: A player roster interface is described. In one example, player roster interface logic includes display logic operable to display a playing region (which may include a graphical representation of a playing field associated with a sport) and player logic operable to display a plurality of players, wherein at least a portion of the players may be displayed within the playing region. The interface logic further includes selection logic operable to determine a player roster based on the position of the players relative to the playing region. Such an interface may allow a user to select and view a player roster (e.g., for a fantasy sports team) by positioning players within the playing region.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for reducing impurities in electrolysis cells are disclosed. In one approach, a method includes feeding a particulate fines feed stream to a tank, mixing particulate fines (PF) with liquid, the liquid having a first liquid and a second liquid, and separating at least some of the first liquid from at least some of the second liquid. The particulate fines (PF) may include inlet carbon fines (CFI) and inlet recyclable fines (RFI). The first liquid may include a recovered recyclable fines portion (RF1), and the second liquid may include a waste carbon fines portion (CF1). The mass ratio of the recovered recyclable fines portion (RF1) to the inlet recyclable fines (RFI) may be at least about 0.5. The mass ratio of the waste carbon fines portion (CF1) to the inlet carbon fines (CFI) may be at least about 0.1.

Abstract: A network's evolution is characterized by graph evolution rules. A graph, formed by merging multiple graphs representing the multiple snapshots of the network, that represents an evolutionary network is mined to identify evolutional patterns of the network. A pattern is selected from the identified patterns. Graph evolution rules are generated using identified evolutional patterns. The generated graph evolution rules represent the evolutional patterns of the network, the rules indicating that any occurrence of a child pattern of the selected pattern implies a corresponding occurrence of the selected pattern.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data over a network in which multiple transmission conditions can be used for transmitting data, the method comprising selecting a transmission condition to be used when transmitting data over the network, said selection being made in dependence on a predetermined preference distribution that for each of the multiple transmission conditions defines a probability of that transmission condition being selected, using the selected transmission condition when transmitting data over the network and determining the success of the transmission and updating the preference distribution in dependence on the success of the transmission and thereafter selecting a transmission condition for transmitting data over the network in dependence on the updated preference distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

Abstract: An improved method for information retrieval in web query and recommendation systems, where items that are likely unfamiliar to the users of the system, but potentially relevant, are recommended. In a recommendation system having ratings by a plurality of users for a plurality of items, items are assigned to one or more data regions based on item attributes or user activity. Source regions are identified for each of the data regions. For a given user, data regions with which both the user and the user's social network are unfamiliar are identified. Within a given data region, the relevance of items to the user within such regions is evaluated using ratings provided by other users who have entered ratings similar to the user in source regions for the data region. Items receiving the highest relevance score are recommended to the user.

Abstract: A flexible dental appliance a left posterior occlusal pad having a base and an outer wall including a plurality of loops; a right posterior occlusal pad having a base and an outer wall including a plurality of loops; and a support bridge between the left posterior occlusal pad and the a right posterior occlusal pad. The plurality of loops create gaps in the outer wall and extend over a buccal aspect of the teeth of an upper jaw for enhancing retention of the dental appliance. The plurality of loops engage the teeth at interproximal spaces and cementoenamel junctions.

Abstract: A method and device for removing common artifacts, such as stiction, from fingerprint scans created by partial fingerprint scanners. The partial fingerprint scanner data is assessed to determine if successive partial fingerprint images are overly similar to each other, which can occur during stiction. If this similarity exceeds a preset threshold, then at least some of the overly similar partial images will be removed (redacted) from the overall image dataset. The complete overall image is generated from the redacted data set. This method is particularly useful for creating “intelligent” low-cost, low power partial fingerprint scanners and scanner driver chips that can pre-process the partial fingerprint data that is generated during the course of a finger swipe, and remove stiction artifacts on a real-time or near-real time basis using relatively simple and low power on-chip processing circuits, and then send the corrected data to more sophisticated processors for subsequent fingerprint analysis.

Abstract: A large capacity waste disposal bag includes loops attached to it. One set of loops may be used to raise and lower the bag during transportation. Another set of loops may be connected to adjacent loops to support and maintain the bag in an upright, open position. In another embodiment, a large capacity waste disposal bag includes pockets attached to it. When support members are inserted into the pockets the bag is supported and maintained in an upright, open position.

Abstract: A variable-effect lighting system includes a lamp assembly and a lamp controller coupled to the lamp assembly. The lamp assembly comprises a number of multi-coloured lamps in series with an AC voltage source and in series with each other. Each multi-coloured lamp comprises a first illuminating element for producing a first colour of light, and a second illuminating element for producing a second colour of light. The lamp controller is configured to vary the colour produced by the lamps by varying the conduction interval of each illuminating element according to a predetermined pattern. The controller is also configured to terminate the variation upon activation of a user-operable input to the controller.

Abstract: A cover for use with an elongated cylindrical ballet barre supported above a surface adapted to be gripped by the user comprising an elongated piece of a cushioning material encircling at least a portion of said barre and removably attached thereto.

Abstract: A communication device for receiving a signal in the form of a series of bursts, each burst being at one of a plurality of different available transmission modes, the communication device comprising: two antennas; a receiver unit coupled to the antennas for preferentially receiving signals from a selected one of the antennas; and an antenna selection unit for selecting for each received burst with which of the antennas the receiver unit is to preferentially receive signals.

Abstract: A tie down assembly including a cup, a cross-shaped crossbar that is fastened removably to and positioned within a recess of the cup, and a disc-shaped plate that is fastened removably to the cup and/or the crossbar. The crossbar is fastened to the cup by a plurality of fasteners, while the plate is fastened to the cup and/or the crossbar by at least one fastener. The cup is installed within a hole formed within a first surface of a structure, and the plate is positioned against an opposite surface of the structure. When the plate is attached, a compressive load is introduced and squeezes the first and second surfaces of the structure together, such that most of the load is borne down the center of the fastener attaching the plate.