Abstract: Method of generating a unidirectional monophasic triangular pulse using a device having a voltage bank with an adjustable voltage level; use of such a pulse to induce a current flow in an individual's brain. A voltage control device of the device comprises one or more switches, such as IGBTs, and/or one or more inductors. Energy from the voltage bank is discharged into a magnetic coil of the device. When the energy in the coil reaches a predetermined peak level, the voltage of the voltage bank is rapidly changed from a first level to a second level, such that the majority of the energy in the coil is recovered while the voltage level is at the second level. In some embodiments, the first level is 5 times the second level. In some embodiments, the second level is 5 times the first level.

Abstract: Method of generating a biphasic triangular pulse using a device having a voltage bank with an adjustable voltage level; use of such pulse to induce a current flow in an individual's brain. A voltage control device of the device comprises one or more switches (e.g., IGBTs) and/or one or more inductors. Energy from the voltage bank is discharged into a magnetic coil of the device, with the voltage bank at a first voltage level. When the energy in the coil reaches a predetermined positive peak, the polarity of the voltage is reversed (i.e., the voltage level is set to a second voltage, which may be a negative equivalent of the first voltage level). When the voltage reaches a negative peak, the voltage level is returned to the first (positive) voltage level. The changing polarity results in a biphasic pulse, which may be unidirectional or bidirectional.

Abstract: A tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is provided. The tool comprises: a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed; a needle distally extending from the housing, at least a portion of the catheter disposed over the needle; a guidewire initially disposed within the needle partially; and an advancement assembly for distally advancing the catheter. The housing comprises: a first portion comprising a distal part and a proximal part; and a second portion engaged with the first portion, wherein the distal part of the first portion is configured to be able to distally slide with respect to the second portion to release the engagement between the first portion and the second portion. The advancement assembly includes a safety cap which is initially disposed over the needle and is configured to be locked to the housing when distally sliding to a position of isolating the tip of the needle within the safety cap.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that comprise issuing a request to a client device from a platform. The request is an electronic message that includes an electronic link. An acknowledgement is received from the client device, and the acknowledgement is generated upon activation of the electronic link. A secure channel is established between the platform and a client application of the client device upon receipt of the acknowledgement. Establishment of the secure channel comprises the client application logging into a care application of the platform with a device identification that was received from the platform during an enrollment transaction. A session is conducted over the secure channel, and the session comprises the care application remotely controlling the client device via the client application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that comprise receiving at a platform an enrollment request from a client device. The enrollment request comprises a request key and device data of the client device. Device identification is generated and issued to the client device in the absence of a previous enrollment event. A response to the client device is generated, and the response is a response to the enrollment request that includes the device identification. Subsequent sessions between the client device and the platform are controlled with the device identification.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described comprising receiving at a platform device data of a client device and storing the device data in a data block allocated to the client device. A control command for the client device is received from a service application, and the control command is accepted at a device controller. The device controller accepts the control command on behalf of the client device. The device controller, in response to the control command, retrieves the device data from the data block instead of receiving the device data directly from the client device, and provides the device data to the service application. Subsequent to provision of the device data to the service application, the device controller relays the control command to the client device, and the client device executes the command.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that comprise receiving at a platform device data of client devices. The device data is stored in device files. The device files are replicated at multiple distribution platforms. The device file corresponding to each client device is downloaded to the device, and the downloading is performed from a distribution platform geographically closest to the client device. The downloaded device file is evaluated with the device data on the client device and a determination is made when a new device file is available for the client device. The new device file is downloaded from an update server when it is determined that the new device data file is available.

Abstract: An asset management system and biometric security method is disclosed. The asset management system monitors the operational status of living and non-living assets in the field using sensors fitted to, or otherwise associated with, the asset. The operational status of the asset includes proof of life and indications as to the death or destruction. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from living assets may be enrolled in a biometric system at one or more heart rates to permit the identification or authentication of the living asset. ECG signal assessments may be used to increase system performance.

Abstract: A method for optimizing communication about entertainment events, including live music events. The method can include acquiring entertainment event data from a plurality of data sources, acquiring artist data, acquiring social media data, providing an application that allows a user of the application to access information associated with the entertainment event, wherein the user can save their favorite venues or artists, flag upcoming events, access special promotions, or share their plans and interests via social media, and creating a database, wherein the database includes information related to users, events, artists, venues, advertisers, and publications. The method may also include features for gamification of activity within the application and tracking of a “buzz” score to identify artists gaining in popularity.

Abstract: Processes for obtaining fatty acids with reduced content of by-products, wherein unrefined fats or oils are subjected to steam stripping in a counter-current column to produce a bottom fraction of de-acidified fats or oils, a first distillate consisting mainly of fatty acids and glycerides, and a second distillate comprising fatty acids and essentially all unwanted ketones, aldehydes and phenols, and the bottom fraction containing the de-acidified fats or oils is combined with the first distillate containing fatty acids and glycerides.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that comprise receiving at a platform device data of client devices. The device data is stored in device files. The device files are replicated at multiple distribution platforms. The device file corresponding to each client device is downloaded to the device, and the downloading is performed from a distribution platform geographically closest to the client device. The downloaded device file is evaluated with the device data on the client device and a determination is made when a new device file is available for the client device. The new device file is downloaded from an update server when it is determined that the new device data file is available.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that comprise receiving software files of client devices at a platform. The software files include software update images for use in updating software of the client devices. The software files are replicated at multiple distribution platforms. An electronic message is generated to a client device when a software file corresponds to the client device, and the electronic message includes a link. The client device is redirected to a distribution platform geographically closest to the client device upon selection of the link, and the software file is downloaded from the distribution platform to the client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described comprising receiving at a platform device data of a client device and storing the device data in a data block allocated to the client device. A control command for the client device is received from a service application, and the control command is accepted at a device controller. The device controller accepts the control command on behalf of the client device. The device controller, in response to the control command, retrieves the device data from the data block instead of receiving the device data directly from the client device, and provides the device data to the service application. Subsequent to provision of the device data to the service application, the device controller relays the control command to the client device, and the client device executes the command.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that comprise issuing a request to a client device from a platform. The request is an electronic message that includes an electronic link. An acknowledgement is received from the client device, and the acknowledgement is generated upon activation of the electronic link. A secure channel is established between the platform and a client application of the client device upon receipt of the acknowledgement. Establishment of the secure channel comprises the client application logging into a care application of the platform with a device identification that was received from the platform during an enrollment transaction. A session is conducted over the secure channel, and the session comprises the care application remotely controlling the client device via the client application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that comprise receiving at a platform an enrollment request from a client device. The enrollment request comprises a request key and device data of the client device. Device identification is generated and issued to the client device in the absence of a previous enrollment event. A response to the client device is generated, and the response is a response to the enrollment request that includes the device identification. Subsequent sessions between the client device and the platform are controlled with the device identification.

Abstract: A method for optimizing communication about entertainment events, including live music events. The method can include acquiring entertainment event data from a plurality of data sources, acquiring artist data, acquiring social media data, providing an application that allows a user of the application to access information associated with the entertainment event, wherein the user can save their favorite venues or artists, flag upcoming events, access special promotions, or share their plans and interests via social media, and creating a database, wherein the database includes information related to users, events, artists, venues, advertisers, and publications. The method may also include features for gamification of activity within the application and tracking of a “buzz” score to identify artists gaining in popularity.

Abstract: Described are processes for obtaining fatty acids with reduced content of by-products, wherein: (a) unrefined fats or oils are subjected to steam stripping in a counter-current column to produce (i) a bottom fraction of de-acidified fats or oils, (ii) a first distillate consisting mainly of fatty acids and glycerides, and (iii) a second distillate comprising fatty acids and essentially all unwanted ketones, aldehydes and phenols; and (b) said bottom fraction (i) containing the de-acidified fats or oils and said first distillate (ii) containing fatty acids and glycerides are combined.

Abstract: Described is a process for obtaining fatty acid C1-C4 alkyl esters from unrefined fats and oils, wherein: (a) unrefined fats or oils having an acid value of from 1 to 20 are treated with hot steam in a counter-current column to provide a first fraction of free fatty acids and low boiling impurities and a second fraction of de-acidified and de-watered fats or oils; (b) said first fraction is subjected to esterification with lower C1-C4 alcohols to provide a third fraction of fatty acid C1-C4 alkyl esters; (c) said second and said third fraction are combined and subjected to a low pressure transesterification to provide an intermediate fraction of fatty acid C1-C4 alkyl esters, C1-C4 alcohols and glycerol; and (d) said intermediate is subjected to a separation process to remove C1-C4 alcohols and the glycerol to provide a second fraction of C1-C4 alkyl esters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to programmatic database access and provide a method, system and computer program product for programmatic partial updating of a row. In one embodiment, a data processing system for programmatic partial updating of a row in a database can include a database proxy driver configured to expose an interface for interacting with the database and to accept an execution of a prepared statement without requiring set values for all fields bound by the prepared statement. The interface can include, for example, a Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) compliant interface. The prepared statement can include a binding to multiple fields in a designated row and a set of setter methods defined for a subset of the multiple fields.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system of a self-test output for high density BIST are disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes one or more memories, a BIST controller coupled to the one or more memories to perform write operation and to receive a PASS/FAIL signal from each embedded memory and one or more comparators coupled to the one or more memories latch mutually identical outputted data coming from the memories upon a rising edge of an ORDY signal. In addition, the comparators may compare the latched mutually identical outputted data and output associated PASS/FAIL signal to the BIST controller. The BIST controller registers the received PASS/FAIL result upon receiving the PASS/FAIL signal from the comparators. The integrated circuit may include output registers coupled to the BIST controller and the comparators output a data log substantially serially upon receiving a SHIFT/CLK signal from the BIST controller.