Abstract: A method for determining a terminal ID from a message received from a terminal in a communication system avoids sending the terminal ID in the clear. In this system each terminal ID has an associated encryption key. A transmitted message comprises at least a Message Authentication Code (MAC), a n-bit hash, and encrypted message text. At least the terminal key and a nonce is used to generate the MAC, and neither the terminal ID or the terminal key are included in the transmitted message. An authentication broker stores the set of all (terminal ID, terminal key) pairs for the plurality of terminals in the communication system. The set of all terminal keys is grouped into at least two partitions, and on receipt of a message the authentication broker identifies the partition that includes the terminal key of the terminal that transmitted the received message using the n-bit hash (the search partition).

Abstract: An integrated apparatus and method is provided for a collar that is configured to operate as part of a wireless fence system that contains and monitors the location of a dog within containment area defined by the wireless fence system and further configured to provide GPS tracking capability when the dog has escaped from the containment area. As long as the dog remains in the area defined by the wireless fence, the collar operates solely in a wireless fence mode, communicating with the transmitters used as part of the wireless fence system. The GPS tracking function remains “asleep” and is not activated unless and until the dog escapes. Once GPS mode is activated, fence mode is shut down and operation of the GPS enables the dog owner or other individual to receive SMS messages and/or email with information on the dog's location on a smart-phone, tablet or PC.

Abstract: Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) comprising an antibody conjugated to an anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent via a phosphate-based linker with tunable extracellular and intracellular stability are described.

Abstract: A bead beater homogenizer includes a shaft having a main body extending along a main axis and a distal connection body extending along a connection axis that is acutely angled with respect to the main axis, a motor configured to rotate the shaft about the main axis, a head rotatably connected to the distal connection body of the shaft, and a clamp secured to the head and configured to secure a sample vial holder configured to hold one or more sample vials therein, wherein rotational motion of the shaft about the main axis is translated into motion of the head in directions normal to the main axis. A sample vial holder having an internal network of channels defined within the housing through which a coolant can be passed to control a temperature of a vial disposed therein is also provided.

Abstract: Phosphate-based linkers with tunable stability for intracellular delivery of drug conjugates are described. The phosphate-based linkers comprise a monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or tetraphosphate group (phosphate group) and a linker arm comprising a tuning element and optionally a spacer. A payload is covalently linked to the phosphate group at the distal end of the linker arm and the functional group at the proximal end of the linker arm is covalently linked to a cell-specific targeting ligand such as an antibody. These phosphate-based linkers have a differentiated and tunable stability in blood vs. an intracellular environment (e.g. lysosomal compartment).

Abstract: The UNIVERSAL ELECTRONIC PAYMENT APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“UEP”) transform touchscreen inputs into a virtual wallet mobile application interface via UEP components into purchase transaction triggers and receipt notices. In one implementation the UEP provides, via a user device, a product information search request; and obtains, in response to the product information search request, information on a first product for sale by a first merchant and a second product for sale by a second merchant. The UEP generates a single purchase transaction request, using the information on the first product for sale by the first merchant and the second product for sale by the second merchant. The UEP provides, via the user device, the single purchase transaction request for payment processing. Also, the UEP obtains an electronic purchase receipt for the first product for sale by the first merchant and the second product for sale by the second merchant.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus and method is provided for a collar that is configured to operate as part of a wireless fence system that contains and monitors the location of a dog within a containment area defined by the wireless fence system and further configured to provide GPS tracking capability when the dog has escaped from the containment area. As long as the dog remains in the area defined by the wireless fence, the collar operates solely in a wireless fence mode, communicating with the transmitters used as part of the wireless fence system. The GPS tracking function remains “asleep” and is not activated unless and until the dog escapes. Once GPS mode is activated, fence mode is shut down and operation of the GPS enables the dog owner or other individual to receive SMS messages and/or email with information on the dog's location on a smart-phone, tablet or PC.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus and method is provided for a collar that is configured to operate as part of a wireless fence system that contains and monitors the location of a dog within a containment area defined by the wireless fence system and further configured to provide GPS tracking capability when the dog has escaped from the containment area. As long as the dog remains in the area defined by the wireless fence, the collar operates solely in a wireless fence mode, communicating with the transmitters used as part of the wireless fence system. The GPS tracking function remains “asleep” and is not activated unless and until the dog escapes. Once GPS mode is activated, fence mode is shut down and operation of the GPS enables the dog owner or other individual to receive SMS messages and/or email with information on the dog's location on a smart-phone, tablet or PC.

Abstract: The UNIVERSAL ELECTRONIC PAYMENT APPARATUS, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“UEP”) transform touchscreen inputs into a virtual wallet mobile application interface via UEP components into purchase transaction triggers and receipt notices. In one implementation the UEP provides, via a user device, a product information search request; and obtains, in response to the product information search request, information on a first product for sale by a first merchant and a second product for sale by a second merchant. The UEP generates a single purchase transaction request, using the information on the first product for sale by the first merchant and the second product for sale by the second merchant. The UEP provides, via the user device, the single purchase transaction request for payment processing. Also, the UEP obtains an electronic purchase receipt for the first product for sale by the first merchant and the second product for sale by the second merchant.

Abstract: A computing apparatus is configured to formulate and adjust offers to users of mobile devices that are configured to capture identification information of products, such as UPC codes. The transaction data of the user, the activities of the user capturing the identification information of products, the location of the user, and the user's reactions to the offers are used to incrementally adjust the offers according to offer rules specified by the merchants. The mobile devices can be used to initiate a checkout process for purchasing items identified by the captured identification information of the products from the physical retail store at which the user is currently located, or via an online store associated with an offer presented via the mobile device.

Abstract: A computing apparatus is configured to formulate and adjust offers to users of mobile devices that are configured to capture identification information of products, such as UPC codes. The transaction data of the user, the activities of the user capturing the identification information of products, the location of the user, and the user's reactions to the offers are used to incrementally adjust the offers according to offer rules specified by the merchants. The mobile devices can be used to initiate a checkout process for purchasing items identified by the captured identification information of the products from the physical retail store at which the user is currently located, or via an online store associated with an offer presented via the mobile device.

Abstract: Described herein is a suture for connecting a human or animal tissue comprising a suture strand, wherein at least two protrusions are provided on the suture strand, the protrusions are provided spaced apart from each other along the suture strand. Also described herein is a soft anchor, the soft anchor having a proximal end and a distal end in an insertion direction. At the proximal end and the distal end the soft anchor includes respectively at least one opening for a suture. The proximal end and the distal end of the soft anchor are connected with at least one, in particular two, connecting portions. The soft anchor has a first state, in which it is adapted to be inserted into a bore in the insertion direction, and a second state, in which it is locked in a bore. In the first state, the distal end and the proximal end defines the extension of the soft anchor in insertion direction.

Abstract: Described herein is a suture for connecting a human or animal tissue comprising a suture strand, wherein at least two protrusions are provided on the suture strand, the protrusions are provided spaced apart from each other along the suture strand. Also described herein is a soft anchor, the soft anchor having a proximal end and a distal end in an insertion direction. At the proximal end and the distal end the soft anchor includes respectively at least one opening for a suture. The proximal end and the distal end of the soft anchor are connected with at least one, in particular two, connecting portions. The soft anchor has a first state, in which it is adapted to be inserted into a bore in the insertion direction, and a second state, in which it is locked in a bore. In the first state, the distal end and the proximal end defines the extension of the soft anchor in insertion direction.

Abstract: Phosphate-based linkers with tunable stability for intracellular delivery of drug conjugates are described. The phosphate-based linkers comprise a monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or tetraphosphate group (phosphate group) and a linker arm comprising a tuning element and optionally a spacer. A payload is covalently linked to the phosphate group at the distal end of the linker arm and the functional group at the proximal end of the linker arm is covalently linked to a cell-specific targeting ligand such as an antibody. These phosphate-based linkers have a differentiated and tunable stability in blood vs. an intracellular environment (e.g. lysosomal compartment).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for identifying a signal that is a product of two or more other signals. In an embodiment, the presence of intermodulation distortion in a communication system is determined by comparing a cyclic autocorrelation function (“CAF”) of a complex envelop of signal content in a frequency bin, comparing the determined CAF with the CAF for a known signal type, and comparing a frequency of the signal content with the frequency of an RF channel in the communication system.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of a mobile device in a communications network having one or more proximity sensors. A request to locate the mobile device may be received and at least one of the proximity sensors tasked to receive a signal transmission from the mobile device. One or more signal characteristics of the signal transmission from the mobile device may be measured by each tasked proximity sensor, and a location of the mobile device determined as a function of the measured characteristics. This may be accomplished by associating a fixed location with each tasked proximity sensor, and then determining the location of the mobile device as a function of one of the associated fixed locations.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for identifying a signal that is a product of two or more other signals. In an embodiment, the presence of intermodulation distortion in a communication system is determined by comparing a cyclic autocorrelation function (“CAF”) of a complex envelop of signal content in a frequency bin, comparing the determined CAF with the CAF for a known signal type, and comparing a frequency of the signal content with the frequency of an RF channel in the communication system.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for identifying a signal that is a product of two or more other signals. In an embodiment, the presence of a particular signal is determined and identified by applying a cyclostationarity detection technique, such as comparing a cyclic autocorrelation function of a product signal with the cyclic autocorrelation function of at least one of the signals which formed the product signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for identifying a signal that is a product of two or more other signals. In an embodiment, intermodulation distortion is determined by searching a frequency band for an RF product signal and identifying the RF product signal as an intermodulation distortion signal using a cyclostationarity detection technique.

Abstract: This invention relates to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) antibodies and antibody drug conjugates comprising at least one non-naturally-encoded amino acid. Disclosed herein are ?PSMA antibodies with one or more non-naturally encoded amino acids and further disclosed are antibody drug conjugates wherein the ?PSMA antibodies of the invention are conjugated to one or more toxins. Also disclosed herein are non-natural amino acid dolastatin analogs that are further modified post-translationally, methods for effecting such modifications, and methods for purifying such dolastatin analogs. Typically, the modified dolastatin analogs include at least one oxime, carbonyl, dicarbonyl, and/or hydroxylamine group. Further disclosed are methods for using such non-natural amino acid antibody drug conjugates, dolastatin analogs, and modified non-natural amino acid dolastatin analogs, including therapeutic, diagnostic, and other biotechnology uses.