Abstract: Rules, applied to deny authorization of likely fraudulent transactions, are derived from a modified Patient Rule Induction Method algorithm that uses a target variable and a data set of past transactions each associated with a plurality of input variables and a hyper-rectangle enclosing a multi-dimensional space defined by a representation of the input variable values as points within the multi-dimensional space. While a count of the points within the hyper-rectangle is greater than a minimum support parameter, a first plurality of points proximal to edges of the hyper-rectangle are removed, where each such removing maximizes a mean value of the target variable, and then, while the mean value remains maximized, a second plurality of points proximal to the edges is added, where each adding maximizes or maintains the mean value. The hyper-rectangle is bounded within a minimum bounding box that defines the rules.

Abstract: In a beam filter assembly, a base filter is employed to modify a beam quality of a radiation beam of a base energy level and a first filter slice is stacked with the base filter to modify a beam quality of a radiation beam of a first energy level higher than the base energy level. In a beam filter positioning device, a base stage carries a base filter and a first stage carries a filter slice. The base stage is provided with a first engagement site and a second engagement site. The first stage is provided with a first engagement site, a second engagement site, and an open port. The first stage and the base stage are each independently movable relative to the beamline. The first stage is engageable with the base stage when at least one of the first and second engagement sites of the first stage is aligned with at least one of the first and second engagement sites of the base stage, and is further movable with the base stage in unison when engaged.

Abstract: A high solids magnesium hydroxide slurry may be provided. The slurry may include a magnesium hydroxide compound and a carbohydrate-based viscosity control agent. The slurry may further include sea water as at least a portion of the liquid component. The high solids magnesium hydroxide slurry may be utilized in connection with exhaust scrubber systems for removing SOx and NOx compounds from exhaust gas emissions.

Abstract: An impact absorbing footwear device employs opposed planar sole portions engaged by a selective resistance coupling that biases the opposed planar sole portions in a non-linear manner in response to forces exerted by the wearer against the sole portion in frictional contact with a floor surface. The planar sole portions are disposed in a footwear appliance that takes the form of an athletic shoe sole. The selective resistance coupling includes a plurality of resilient deformation members that engage the planar sole portions in an opposed circumferentially aligned manner, selectively deform in response to pressure exerted by the wearer for preventing ACL and other impact related injuries, and recover to an undeformed rest position without breakaway to allow the wearer uninterrupted usage while dampening forces that surpass an injury threshold from the resilient deformation that allows the planar sole portions to temporarily misalign.

Abstract: A surface topography analysis invokes a sensor device for receiving a series of values from a sensor element of measurement equipment adapted to quantify an input stimuli into a surface height value, and computes consecutive curvatures from the received series of values. An aggregate value (sum) of the consecutive curvatures is compared to a threshold, and based on the comparison, the approach concludes that at least one of the consecutive curvatures corresponds to an outlier. The set of values are based on a signal that is continuous, although not necessarily differentiable, as received from the measurement equipment. Such measurement equipment embodying the sensor device may further comprise at least one of atomic probe microscopes, interferometric microscopes, confocal microscopes, scanning laser microscopes, profiling instruments, scanners, and CMMs.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide an instrument comprising a signal generator. The signal generator is constructed to generate a temporally distinct profile of LIDAR pulses and a reference signal. The instrument comprises a light source coupled to the signal generator. The light source constructed to receive the temporally distinct profile of LIDAR pulses and output corresponding light pulses with temporal spacing substantially equal to those of temporally distinct profile.

Abstract: There is described a method for classifying a dataflow being downloaded to a client over a data network from at least a first server as being a live Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) stream. The method is implemented by an intermediate network entity between the client and the at least a first server in the data network. The method comprises monitoring a sequence of requests sent from the client and a corresponding sequence of responses sent to the client that pass through intermediate network entity in respect of the dataflow. The monitoring comprises measuring a data size of each response in the sequence of responses and determining, based on the monitoring, that the sequence of responses comprises a pattern of responses that is consistent with that expected of a live ABR stream. The dataflow is the classified in response to said determining, as being a live Adaptive Bit Rate (ABR) stream.

Abstract: A stabilization apparatus for reaming bone elements includes an outer sleeve having support rod apertures. Support rods are configured to extend through the support rod apertures and into one or more bone elements to secure the outer sleeve to the bone elements. An inner sleeve is movable axially into the outer sleeve, and rotationally relative to the outer sleeve, when the outer sleeve is secured to the bone elements by the support rods. The apparatus further includes means for releasably blocking movement of the inner sleeve axially out of the outer sleeve, while permitting rotation of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve, when the outer sleeve is secured to the bone elements by the support rods.

Abstract: A method for operating mobile platforms in a three-dimensional environment, wherein the mobile platforms are set up for propagation-delay-based distance measurement and/or position measurement, includes the mobile platforms being assigned differently timed timeslots for the distance measurement and/or the position measurement by a central switching center.

Abstract: A bone plate system for use in an “open door” laminoplasty procedure, including a bone plate, a first fixation element, and at least one second fixation element. The bone plate is elongated and has a generally curved shape such that the plate has an associated radius of curvature. The plate is sized and dimensioned to span a gap between a pair of bony segments, for example a pair of bony segments constituting a divided lamina. The first and second fixation elements are each configured to securely attach the bone plate to the bony segments. The bone plate has a first end including a generally U-shaped slot extending therein such that the open end of the slot comprises a first terminal end of the plate.

Abstract: Rules, applied to deny authorization of likely fraudulent transactions, are derived from a modified Patient Rule Induction Method algorithm that uses a target variable and a data set of past transactions each associated with a plurality of input variables and a hyper-rectangle enclosing a multi-dimensional space defined by a representation of the input variable values as points within the multi-dimensional space. While a count of the points within the hyper-rectangle is greater than a minimum support parameter, a first plurality of points proximal to edges of the hyper-rectangle are removed, where each such removing maximizes a mean value of the target variable, and then, while the mean value remains maximized, a second plurality of points proximal to the edges is added, where each adding maximizes or maintains the mean value. The hyper-rectangle is bounded within a minimum bounding box that defines the rules.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and non-transitory computer medium are provided for obtaining a required frame size for a first compressed data frame to be generated by compressing at least a first data frame of a media file, the first compressed data frame for use by a user equipment in a communications network. The method comprises, responsive to receiving a request for the media file from the user equipment, retrieving at least metadata of the media file. The required frame size for the first compressed data frame is determined based on a size of the at least a first data frame as indicated by the metadata, a compression parameter indicative of a requested compression factor for the at least a first data frame and a biasing factor that acts to reduce the effect of the requested compression factor.

Abstract: A refueling device that when mounted to a marine fuel tank facilitates refueling and minimizes the propensity for both spit-back and well back while simultaneously allowing a free flowing open pathway through which vapors generated by the refueling event may pass unencumbered.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying centromeres and centromeres identified by such methods. Centromeres of organisms such as algae, fungi, and protists can be used, for example, for constructing artificial chromosomes and cells containing such artificial chromosomes.

Abstract: An impact absorbing footwear device employs opposed planar sole portions engaged by a selective resistance coupling that biases the opposed planar sole portions in a non-linear manner in response to forces exerted by the wearer against the sole portion in frictional contact with a floor surface. The planar sole portions are disposed in a footwear appliance that takes the form of an athletic shoe sole. The selective resistance coupling includes a plurality of resilient deformation members that engage the planar sole portions in an opposed circumferentially aligned manner, selectively deform in response to pressure exerted by the wearer for preventing ACL and other impact related injuries, and recover to an undeformed rest position without breakaway to allow the wearer uninterrupted usage while dampening forces that surpass an injury threshold from the resilient deformation that allows the planar sole portions to temporarily misalign.

Abstract: Techniques are described for managing communications between multiple intercommunicating computing nodes, such as multiple virtual machine nodes hosted on one or more physical computing machines or systems. In some situations, users may specify groups of computing nodes and optionally associated access policies for use in the managing of the communications for those groups, such as by specifying which source nodes are allowed to transmit data to particular destinations nodes. In addition, determinations of whether initiated data transmissions from source nodes to destination nodes are authorized may be dynamically negotiated for and recorded for later use in automatically authorizing future such data transmissions without negotiation. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for inspecting a manufacturing component. Devices include a centering device configured to modify a position of an ultrasonic probe assembly relative to a manufacturing component to bisect an angle associated with the manufacturing component. Devices may also include a surface sensing device configured to sense a curvature associated with the manufacturing component. Devices may further include a plurality of sensors configured to measure a first displacement value associated with the centering device and a second displacement value associated with the surface sensing device. The devices may include a control circuit configured to determine a position adjustment value based on at least one of the first displacement value and the second displacement value. The devices may also include an actuator configured to modify a position of an ultrasonic transducer based, at least in part, on the position adjustment value.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and non-transitory computer medium are provided for encoding data of a media file for playback by a user equipment in a communications network. A request for a range of encoded data is received from the user equipment, the encoded data to be generated by encoding data from an original media file. The request for a range of encoded data is converted into a request for a range of original data from the original media file. The range of original data is retrieved and the range of original data is encoded to generate encoded data. The requested range of encoded data, from the generated encoded data, is provided to the user equipment.

Abstract: An edge sharpness measurement apparatus includes a clamp for securing a test medium against a frictional member, and an engagement mechanism for a normal force, such that the normal force directs the test medium against the frictional member with a force based on operational conditions of the test medium. A further engagement mechanism is for a tangential force, in which the engagement mechanism is adapted to increase the tangential force to identify a tangential force sufficient to dispose the frictional member across the test medium. A pivot defines an angle of application of the tangential force relative to the normal force, such that disposing the frictional member across the test medium defines a point of overcoming frictional forces between the test medium and the frictional member. A measurement device, such as a gauge or range on a spring, measures the tangential force sufficient to dispose the frictional member.