Abstract: Apparatus and method for a scalable pricing engine. A scalable pricing engine is operable in a low-scale mode and a high-scale or scalable mode to process pricing data in response to pricing requests. The pricing engine operates in a first runtime environment in the low-scale mode in which it can service pricing requests up to a threshold number and in which the pricing data can be updated and tested. The pricing engine also operates in a second runtime environment which is a scalable runtime supporting pricing requests above the specified threshold. The scalable runtime and pricing engine rely on a scalable read-only data service which distributes a read-only copy of at least a portion of the pricing data from the primary database, a high-scale cache to reduce access latency, data processing and network resource allocations, and data reduction techniques when processing requests and responses.

Abstract: A sensor discriminator for detecting a gaseous substance includes a power source, a discrimination module, a sensor simulator that simulates a metal organic framework under at least one simulation condition, a simulation circuitry electrically coupling the sensor simulator to the power source and the discrimination module, and a discriminator circuitry that electrically couples the power source and the discrimination module to a gas capture probe. The discrimination module compares a discrimination pulse and a simulation pulse from the power source after the discrimination pulse passes through a metal organic framework of the gas capture sensor and the simulation pulse passes through a simulation component of the sensor simulator. The discrimination module causes a discriminator output that includes the comparison of the discrimination pulse to the simulation pulse.

Abstract: A sand based jewelry and methods of making sand based jewelry is provided. The jewelry having a quantity of sand mixed with a quantity of binding medium. The binding medium and sand mixture are capable of being solidified and mounted to a jewelry setting. The jewelry setting attached to a jewelry item.

Abstract: A sand based jewelry and methods of making sand based jewelry is provided. The jewelry having a quantity of sand mixed with a quantity of binding medium. The binding medium and sand mixture are capable of being solidified and mounted to a jewelry setting. The jewelry setting attached to a jewelry item.

Abstract: A sand based jewelry and methods of making sand based jewelry is provided. The jewelry having a quantity of sand mixed with a quantity of binding medium. The binding medium and sand mixture are capable of being solidified and mounted to a jewelry setting. The jewelry setting attached to a jewelry item.

Abstract: A sand based jewelry and methods of making sand based jewelry is provided. The jewelry having a quantity of sand mixed with a quantity of binding medium. The binding medium and sand mixture are capable of being solidified and mounted to a jewelry setting. The jewelry setting attached to a jewelry item.

Abstract: A sand based jewelry and methods of making sand based jewelry is provided. The jewelry having a quantity of sand mixed with a quantity of binding medium. The binding medium and sand mixture are capable of being solidified and mounted to a jewelry setting. The jewelry setting attached to a jewelry item.

Abstract: A sand based jewelry and methods of making sand based jewelry is provided. The jewelry having a quantity of sand mixed with a quantity of binding medium. The binding medium and sand mixture are capable of being solidified and mounted to a jewelry setting. The jewelry setting attached to a jewelry item.

Abstract: A sand based jewelry and methods of making sand based jewelry is provided. The jewelry having a quantity of sand mixed with a quantity of binding medium. The binding medium and sand mixture are capable of being solidified and mounted to a jewelry setting. The jewelry setting attached to a jewelry item.

Abstract: A broadband acoustic lens and method of designing same is provided for focusing an incident acoustic wave. The broadband lens includes a plurality of concentric rings, where each concentric ring of the plurality of concentric rings has a ring width, and a plurality of gaps, where each gap of the plurality of gaps has a spacing. The concentric rings are separated by a spacing corresponding to a gap of the plurality of gaps. The widths of the plurality of concentric rings and the spacings of the plurality of gaps are arranged such that the incident acoustic wave is focused to a spot within a sub-wavelength of the incident acoustic wave in air. The arrangement of the widths of the plurality of concentric rings and spacings of the plurality of gaps is aperiodic.

Abstract: A sand based jewelry and methods of making sand based jewelry is provided. The jewelry having a quantity of sand mixed with a quantity of binding medium. The binding medium and sand mixture are capable of being solidified and mounted to a jewelry setting. The jewelry setting attached to a jewelry item.

Abstract: A unique climbing structure that is durable, lightweight and easy to assemble is provided. The structure is based on the use of polystyrene foam blocks attached to a support structure. The polystyrene can be cut to be irregularly shaped like a normal rock, and can be shaped with larger dimensions and depth than other techniques, giving a more realistic structure. The shaped polystyrene foam is covered with a hard coating to give the exterior a rock-like appearance.