Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices configured to build and utilize an intelligent cipher transfer object are provided. The intelligent cipher transfer object includes a set of participants protected by cloaking patterns. A portable dynamic rule set, which includes executable code for managing access to the protected set of participants, is included within the intelligent cipher transfer object. For a given user, the intelligent cipher transfer object may provide access to some of the participants while preventing access to other participants, based on the portable dynamic rule set therein.

Abstract: In various examples, a user may be authenticated without disclosing any confidential or private information of the user. An independent accumulator stores user confidential information, and accumulates items issued by various parties for the user. When another entity requests to verify the item and the user, the accumulator may verify the user by verifying his or her possession of the item and his or her private information. The accumulator may also verify the item with the issuing party and verify that the item was intended for the user. Once verification has occurred, the accumulator informs the requesting entity that their request is confirmed. In this manner, entities may verify items of a user, without requiring the user to disclose any of his or her confidential or private information to the requestor.

Abstract: A drill bit has a plurality of cutters secured to the bit body, including a gauge cutter defining a gauge diameter of the drill bit. A reciprocating gauge assembly on the bit comprises a cavity defined in the bit body, a piston reciprocably disposed in the cavity, a wear element on an outwardly facing end of the piston, a piston retainer for moveably retaining the piston in the cavity, and a spring biasing the piston outwardly to a neutral position of the wear element with respect to the gauge diameter. The wear element and piston may be urged inwardly in response to an applied load at the drill bit gauge pad, increasing the lateral depth of cut and thereby controlling the aggressiveness of the bit in response to the load.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide smart alerts to users, e.g., alerts to users about diabetic states that are only provided when it makes sense to do so, e.g., when the system can predict or estimate that the user is not already cognitively aware of their current condition, e.g., particularly where the current condition is a diabetic state warranting attention. In this way, the alert or alarm is personalized and made particularly effective for that user. Such systems and methods still alert the user when action is necessary, e.g., a bolus or temporary basal rate change, or provide a response to a missed bolus or a need for correction, but do not alert when action is unnecessary, e.g., if the user is already estimated or predicted to be cognitively aware of the diabetic state warranting attention, or if corrective action was already taken.

Abstract: One or more vending tracks (e.g., for strollers, carts, or other such vehicles) can be indirectly coupled (e.g., wirelessly coupled) to a single kiosk managing the rental transaction. The kiosk does not store instructions or other data for operating the vending tracks. Rather, management of the vending tracks is handled by a controller that is external of the kiosk. The controller may be mounted to an exterior of the kiosk, to one of the tracks, or elsewhere. The controller connects (e.g., wirelessly couples) to a respective communications unit of each vending track.

Abstract: A method of laser (30) based fire fighting, the method comprising: delivering energy from an emitted energy beam source to an active fire affected area (10) so as to process combustible material by one of cutting, ablating, charring and total oxidation so as to reduce the quantity of combustible material. Preferably the provided energy exhibits a total fluence of at least 50 micro-joule per square centimeter measured over a window of no more than 0.1 milliseconds. Preferably the provided energy is from a laser.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-EOD’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, upright growth, and a large flower characterized by a large glossy blackish red eye which extends approximately one third of the petal length, the eye grading into a velvety black cherry red body, the flower having a snowy white reverse which gives the outermost edge of the petals the appearance e of a marginal pinstripe when viewed from the front of the flower.

Abstract: An irrigation pipe laying machine for glued or gasketed piped is disclosed. The example pipe laying machine includes a platform including a first end and a second end. The pipe laying machine also includes a clamp configured to grip a portion of a bell end of an upstream pipe to prevent the upstream pipe from moving, a spigot end of the upstream pipe being connected to a second upstream pipe. The pipe laying machine further includes a plunger located adjacent to the second end of the platform and configured to push against a bell end of a downstream pipe causing a spigot end of the downstream pipe to connect to the bell end of the upstream pipe. The plunger is configured to push against the face of the bell end of the downstream pipe when the clamp grips the portion of the bell end of the upstream pipe.

Abstract: A pipe laying machine is disclosed. The example pipe laying machine includes a platform configured to move continuously relative to the ground and a pipe connector section configured to slide along a portion of length of the platform relative to the platform. The pipe connector section includes an upstream stopper and a downstream pipe connector section configured to slide along a portion of a length of the pipe connector section relative to the pipe connector section. The upstream stopper is configured to prevent a bell mouth of a bell end of an upstream pipe from passing through. The downstream pipe connector section includes a downstream clamp, which is configured to grip a spigot end of a downstream pipe. The downstream pipe connector section is configured to slide toward the upstream pipe to connect the upstream pipe with the downstream pipe.

Abstract: A sampling system for use in a sampling station that includes a sampling device that is releasable connectable to a branch line so that it may be removed when not needed at that site via a releasable coupling. The device has a main tube connected to the releasable coupling via a valve that is manually operated through an operating tube that is connected to the main tube so that it also functions to clear the main tube.

Abstract: A caster wheel arrangement includes a base; a yoke rotatably mounted to the base via a kingpin; at least a first caster wheel rotatably mounted to the yoke; and an assist arrangement moveably mounted to the yoke. The assist arrangement facilitates travel of the caster wheel arrangement over a surface transition (e.g., a gap, a rise, etc.). Non-limiting example assist arrangements include a leading wheel, a leading variable radius wheel, a trailing wheel, a step member, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A sampling system for use in a sampling station that includes a sampling device that is releasable connectable to a branch line so that it may be removed when not needed at that site via a releasable coupling. The device has a main tube connected to the releasable coupling via a valve that is manually operated through an operating tube that is connected to the main tube so that it also functions to clear the main tube.

Abstract: A method of laser (30) based fire fighting, the method comprising: delivering energy from an emitted energy beam source to an active fire affected area (10) so as to process combustible material by one of cutting, ablating, charring and total oxidation so as to reduce the quantity of combustible material. Preferably the provided energy exhibits a total fluence of at least 50 micro-joule per square centimetre measured over a window of no more than 0.1 milliseconds. Preferably the provided energy is from a laser.

Abstract: A caster wheel arrangement includes a base; a yoke rotatably mounted to the base via a kingpin; at least a first caster wheel rotatably mounted to the yoke; and an assist arrangement moveably mounted to the yoke. The assist arrangement facilitates travel of the caster wheel arrangement over a surface transition (e.g., a gap, a rise, etc.). Non-limiting example assist arrangements include a leading wheel, a leading variable radius wheel, a trailing wheel, a step member, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of bonding of an optical fiber to at least one port of a Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC). The method includes steps of depositing an index matching and bonding material on the tip of the optical fiber, bringing in contact with the planar lightwave circuit (PLC) the tip of optical fiber having index matching and bonding material on it in a way where the index matching and bonding material serves as an interface between the port of the planar lightwave component (PLC) and the tip of optical fiber, and bonding the tip of optical fiber to the planar lightwave component by curing the index matching and bonding material in the interface between the planar lightwave component and optical fiber tip by curing radiation. The method is characterized in that the curing radiation from a source of curing radiation is delivered along the optical fiber to the tip of the optical fiber to be bonded.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-EOD’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, upright growth, and a large flower characterized by a large glossy blackish red eye which extends approximately one third of the petal length, the eye grading into a velvety black cherry red body, the flower having a snowy white reverse which gives the outermost edge of the petals the appearance of a marginal pinstripe when viewed from the front of the flower.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-PTS’, characterized by a very large flower characterized by a large, glossy dark red eye which extends approximately 20 percent of petal length, the eye sharply margined with a light purplish-pink zone which extends to approximately 40 percent of the petal length, the pink zone grading into a caramel brown zone which grades into a bright brownish-orange zone, which grades into an orange-yellow zone at the petal edge. The venation radiating from the solid light purplish-pink zone remains purplish-pink throughout the grading of the purplish-pink intervein zones with the caramel brown zone.