Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for authenticating mobile payments from a customer account to a merchant. The systems and methods may include a financial service provider receiving a request to authorize an electronic transaction at a point-of-sale. A financial service provider server computer may verify that the customer is present at the point-of-sale using received location data. An image having distorted text such as a captcha may be transmitted to a device at the point-of-sale, and the customer may read the captcha aloud. A voice sample of the customer may be sent to the financial service provider for comparison to stored voice recordings, to verify that the customer's voice sample is authentic if the voice matches a previously generated voice recording for the account. If the voice sample is authentic, the financial service provider may authorize the mobile payment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing short carbon chain weak organic acids (e.g., acetic acid) from a gas stream rich in carbon dioxide. The systems include a liquid-gas contact unit a flue gas desulfurization unit), and a bacterial strain disposed in the liquid-gas contact unit. The bacterial strain reduces a concentration of carbon dioxide in the gas stream, and produces one or more organic acids (e.g., acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, or combinations thereof). Related methods include providing a gas stream rich in carbon dioxide, introducing the gas stream into a liquid-gas contact unit, preparing an inoculum comprising a bacterial strain adapted to produce organic acid(s) from the carbon in the gas stream, and inoculating the liquid-gas contact unit with first amount of the inoculum such that the bacteria therein consume carbon dioxide from the gas stream, producing the organic acid(s).

Abstract: Some aspects of what is described here relate to seismic data analysis techniques. A seismic excitation is generated in a first directional wellbore section in a subterranean region. A seismic response associated with the seismic excitation is detected in a second directional wellbore section in the subterranean region. Seismic response data based on the seismic response are analyzed to identify geomechanical properties of subterranean rock in a fracture treatment target region in the subterranean region. In some cases, the geomechanical properties include pore pressure, stress, or mechanical properties.

Abstract: A system is provided for generating variable haptic feedback. The system comprises a first haptic feedback device configured to generate haptic feedback according to a received output signal, an input device configured to receive instructions from a remote source, the instructions comprising a haptic feedback output identifier, and a memory device for storing a plurality of haptic feedback profiles, the haptic feedback profiles defining unique haptic feedback patterns characterized at least by a duration and intensity of feedback to be generated by the first haptic feedback device, and said haptic feedback profiles being associated with a haptic feedback output identifier. The system also includes a processor configured to generate and transmit an output signal to the first haptic feedback device according to a haptic feedback profile associated with a received haptic feedback output identifier, said output signal comprising a haptic feedback pattern defined by said haptic feedback profile.

Abstract: A method includes positioning at least one guide projection on a substrate of a metal part such that the at least one guide projection extends outwardly from an outer surface of the substrate to an exposed length. Hardfacing is then applied to the substrate of the metal part at or near a location of the at least one guide projection. The exposed length of the at least one guide projection is then referenced in determining when to cease application of the hardfacing.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for parameter standardization. At least one embodiment of a system includes a first determining component configured to determine at least one business rule associated with at least one environment and a second determining component configured to determine settings for a plurality of assets associated with the at least one environment to enforce the determined at least one business rule. Some embodiments include a sending component configured to send a signal to the plurality of assets to implement the business rule.

Abstract: System and method for determining a heart rate and a heart rate variability of an individual is disclosed. An audio signal of heart sound is amplified. Subsequently, an envelope of the amplified audio signal is detected by squaring of the amplified audio signal to obtain emphasized high amplitude components and diminished low amplitude components of the audio signal, applying a band pass filter on the audio signal upon squaring and applying a Teager-Kaiser Energy Operator (TKEO) on the filtered audio signal. Peaks in the envelope of the audio signal are detected by calculating difference in magnitude of a point in the audio signal with an average of magnitude of earlier points in the audio signal from the last detected peak or the initial sample value in the processing window when no peak is detected. Based on the peaks detected, heart rate and heart rate variability for the individual are determined.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques communicate in a cellular communication frequency range, detect a resonant signal in response to the communication in the cellular communication frequency range for cellular communication, the resonant signal to indicate presence of a contactless card. Embodiments also include enabling a near-field communication device to send a communication to the contactless card based on the detection of the resonant signal, the near-field communication device to communicate with the contactless card in a near-field communication frequency range.

Abstract: Certain shear bolts described herein provide failure bending resistance when torque is applied to members being connected by the bolts, while maintaining shearability. Certain other shear bolts described herein provide a shear region having different shear limits dependent upon the direction of force being applied to the shear region.

Abstract: A device for reducing rotation of an article during singulation of a stack of articles is disclosed. The device may include a torsion element, a rotatable member configured to rotate about an elongated axis of the torsion element between a first position and a second position, and a revolving member coupled to the rotatable member. An outer surface of the revolving member contacts a drive belt in the first position and an article in the second position. The torsion element exerts torque on the rotatable member when it moves from the first position towards the second position. The torque causes the outer surface of the revolving member to apply a frictional force to the article, thereby minimizing rotation of the article. Systems and methods of singulating articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of securing an assembly of a drug delivery system, comprising: configuring at least a first component and a second component of the assembly in a closed configuration ready for placement into the drug delivery system; installing an assembly key including a locking element on the assembly to secure the assembly in said configuration; and, transporting the assembly with the assembly key installed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving first information of a first negotiable instrument, at least a portion of the first information including a first unique instrument identifier physically encoded on the first negotiable instrument, the first unique identifier uniquely identifying the first negotiable instrument among a plurality of negotiable instruments, transmitting the first information to a distributed ledger system, the distributed ledger system maintaining a blockchain that records transactions associated with a plurality of negotiable instruments, receiving first validation information from the distributed ledger system, the first validation information indicating that first negotiable instrument has not already been accepted, and accepting the first negotiable in response to the first validation information.

Abstract: A beverage server having a cap and a server body. The server body includes an open top container having a handle, a chamber, a pour spout, and a cap receiving portion defining a top opening. The cap is rotatably positionable within the top opening between an on-off configuration, a closed configuration, and a pour configuration. The cap has an outer facing portion and a lip, and the cap receiving portion has an inner facing portion adjacent to a top rim. Surfaces on the cap that would otherwise engage the rim and surfaces of the cap receiving portion, are cutaway to create recesses in such surfaces, which together with the top rim and surfaces of the cap receiving portion define an air vent which allows air to pass into the chamber when beverage is dispensed from the chamber via the spout when the cap is in the pour configuration.

Abstract: A system for use in a wellbore that penetrates a subterranean formation, the system comprising: a wellbore; and a ball, wherein the ball performs one or more wellbore operations, and wherein the ball breaks apart into two or more pieces when a pressure is applied to the ball. A method of performing an operation in a wellbore, the method comprising: introducing a ball into the wellbore; causing or allowing the ball to perform at least one wellbore operation; and causing the ball to break into two or more pieces after performing the at least one wellbore operation. The ball can also perform more than one wellbore operation. The ball can also contain a core.

Abstract: An electronic smoke comprises a puff detection sub-assembly module. The puff detection sub-assembly comprises a first conductive surface, a second conductive surface and an insulated ring spacer separating the first and the second conductive surfaces at an effective separation distance. The first conductive surface, the second conductive surface and the insulated ring spacer are housed inside a metallic can. The first conductive surface is electrically connected to the metal can by a first conductive ring which is disposed between the first conductive surface and a ceiling portion of the metal can. The second conductive surface is electrically connected to an output terminal through a second conductive ring, the second conductive ring elevating the puff detection sub-assembly above a floor portion of the metal can and urging the first conductive ring against a ceiling portion of the metal can.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for an Automated Teller Machine to issue a secured bank card. An Automated Teller Machine to issue a secured bank card includes one or more memories storing instructions and one or more processors configured to execute instruction to perform operations.

Abstract: Metapneumovirus (MPV) F proteins stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the MPV F proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to MPV in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the MPV F ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing MPV infection.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a casino system has a server and a kiosk that receives, from a user, a voucher/player card having an associated monetary value and dispenses, to the user, a portion of the monetary value in paper currency, while the network converts the remainder of the monetary value to player points associated with the user. The kiosk may enable the user to select the portion of the monetary value to convert to player points and/or the portion of the monetary value to receive in paper currency, where the rate of converting monetary value to player points may increase as the selected portion of monetary value increases. Alternatively, the network may automatically select the portion to dispense in paper currency and the portion to convert to player points based on the smallest denomination of paper currency available to be dispensed by the kiosk.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to conduct measurements on a structure using a nuclear magnetic resonance tool. The nuclear magnetic resonance tool can be operated to make nuclear magnetic resonance measurements that generate transverse 5 relaxation time echo train sequences ending with a recovery pulse. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing an alternative payment platform, including method and systems for providing a platform for presenting an alternate offer to a user who is engaged with a primary offer and receiving an indication of the user's engagement with the alternate offer, wherein the user's engagement with the alternate offer serves as an alternative form of payment for an item associated with the primary offer. Such methods and systems may further include methods and systems for selecting one or more alternate offers engagement with which serves as an alternative form of payment for an item associated with a primary offer, presenting the selected alternate payment offers to a user, receiving an indication of engagement with at least one of the alternate offers, receiving payment in exchange for presenting the accepted offer and providing payment to the offeror of the primary offer.