Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a scalable distributed computing and network system that is configured to update multitude of passive devices in many isolated networks. The system may include a centralized update service (CUS) computing device that receives a firmware file, generates a firmware profile, identifies passive devices that include outdated firmware, select one of the identified passive devices as a test device, and send the firmware file to the test device through intermediates and proxy agents. The CUS computing device receives feedback from the test device, generates a trust score for the firmware file based on the received feedback, and determine whether to send the firmware file to the other identified passive devices based on the generated trust score.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a scalable distributed computing and network system that is configured to install, update or revoke certificates in a multitude of passive devices in many isolated networks. Various embodiments may include a processor in a computing device associating a certificate profile with one or more passive devices in a plurality of passive devices in one or more isolated networks, generating a certificate signing request (CSR) message for each of the associated passive devices, sending the generated CSR messages to a certificate authority, receiving digital certificates from the certificate authority, and sending the received digital certificates to their respective associated passive devices.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems are provided which include a drug waste depository apparatus with a housing having a waste input port and a chamber, wherein the chamber comprises a waste inlet coupled to the waste input port and a waste outlet. The housing includes an interior space for receiving a removable module that is configured to analyze, sequester, and/or adulterate one or more drugs. The system is configured such that the waste outlet of the chamber may be coupled to an inlet of a received module and is further configured such that the waste outlet of the chamber may be closed when the interior space is void of a module. In addition, a drug waste depository apparatus is provided which is programmed to selectively route a drug from a first chamber to a second chamber of the apparatus based on information received at an electronic user interface of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for rupturing a vacuum in a medical imaging device. The system includes a vacuum plug attached to the medical imaging device and configured to retain a vacuum in the medical imaging device. A puncture tool is configured to puncture the vacuum plug to rupture the vacuum in the medical imaging machine. A puncture tool retainer removably couples the puncture tool to the medical imaging device.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems are provided which include one or more receptacles for receiving drugs and further include one or more stored supplies of one or more absorbent materials comprising crosslinkers, wherein the apparatus and systems are adapted to release the absorbent materials comprising crosslinkers into the one or more receptacles. A method is provided which includes depositing a drug into a predetermined amount of fluid and adding to the drug containing fluid a absorbent material comprising crosslinkers which is capable of encapsulating the drug containing fluid and possibly killing infectious materials within the fluid and/or denaturing the drug within the fluid.

Abstract: A system for rupturing a vacuum in a medical imaging device. The system includes a vacuum plug attached to the medical imaging device and configured to retain a vacuum in the medical imaging device. A puncture tool is configured to puncture the vacuum plug to rupture the vacuum in the medical imaging machine. A puncture tool retainer removably couples the puncture tool to the medical imaging device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a scalable distributed computing and network system that is configured to install, update or revoke certificates in multitude of passive devices in many isolated networks. Various embodiments may include a processor in a computing device associating a certificate profile with one or more passive devices in a plurality of passive devices in one or more isolated networks, generating a certificate signing request (CSR) message for each of the associated passive devices, sending the generated CSR messages to a certificate authority, receiving digital certificates from the certificate authority, and sending the received digital certificates to their respective associated passive devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a scalable distributed computing and network system that is configured to update multitude of passive devices in many isolated networks. The system may include a centralized update service (CUS) computing device that receives a firmware file, generates a firmware profile, identifies passive devices that include outdated firmware, select one of the identified passive devices as a test device, and send the firmware file to the test device through intermediates and proxy agents. The CUS computing device receives feedback from the test device, generates a trust score for the firmware file based on the received feedback, and determine whether to send the firmware file to the other identified passive devices based on the generated trust score.

Abstract: Embodiments of waste containment apparatuses and methods are provided herein for receiving, analyzing, verifying and disposing of a controlled substance (CS) waste dose. One embodiment of a waste containment apparatus includes a plurality of single-dose containers, each having an inlet port for receiving a CS waste dose deposited within the single-dose container, an analysis chamber for reserving a fixed amount of the received CS waste dose for analysis, and a storage chamber for storing a remaining portion of the received CS waste dose. The waste containment apparatus includes further components for measuring a volume and determining a composition and concentration of the CS waste dose deposited within the single-dose container, and verifying the CS waste dose deposited within the single-dose container if the volume, composition and concentration of the CS waste matches information about the CS waste dose received from a depositor of the CS waste dose.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems are provided which include one or more receptacles for receiving drugs and further include one or more stored supplies of one or more absorbent materials comprising crosslinkers, wherein the apparatus and systems are adapted to release the absorbent materials comprising crosslinkers into the one or more receptacles. A method is provided which includes depositing a drug into a predetermined amount of fluid and adding to the drug containing fluid a absorbent material comprising crosslinkers which is capable of encapsulating the drug containing fluid and possibly killing infectious materials within the fluid and/or denaturing the drug within the fluid.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems are provided which include one or more receptacles for receiving drugs and further include one or more stored supplies of one or more absorbent materials comprising crosslinkers, wherein the apparatus and systems are adapted to release the absorbent materials comprising crosslinkers into the one or more receptacles. A method is provided which includes depositing a drug into a predetermined amount of fluid and adding to the drug containing fluid a absorbent material comprising crosslinkers which is capable of encapsulating the drug containing fluid and possibly killing infectious materials within the fluid and/or denaturing the drug within the fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of waste containment apparatuses and methods are provided herein for receiving, analyzing, verifying and disposing of a controlled substance (CS) waste dose. One embodiment of a waste containment apparatus includes a plurality of single-dose containers, each having an inlet port for receiving a CS waste dose deposited within the single-dose container, an analysis chamber for reserving a fixed amount of the received CS waste dose for analysis, and a storage chamber for storing a remaining portion of the received CS waste dose. The waste containment apparatus includes further components for measuring a volume and determining a composition and concentration of the CS waste dose deposited within the single-dose container, and verifying the CS waste dose deposited within the single-dose container if the volume, composition and concentration of the CS waste matches information about the CS waste dose received from a depositor of the CS waste dose.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for disposing and documenting the disposal of controlled substances. According to one embodiment, a waste containment apparatus is provided with a housing comprising a waste input port configured for receiving controlled substance waste doses deposited into the waste containment apparatus, and a collector securely disposed within the housing and coupled to the waste input port. The collector may generally include a plurality of single-dose containers, where each container is configured for receiving one of the controlled substance waste doses deposited into the waste containment apparatus via the waste input port.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for disposing and documenting the disposal of controlled substances. According to one embodiment, a waste containment apparatus is provided with a housing comprising a waste input port configured for receiving controlled substance waste doses deposited into the waste containment apparatus, and a collector securely disposed within the housing and coupled to the waste input port. The collector may generally include a plurality of single-dose containers, where each container is configured for receiving one of the controlled substance waste doses deposited into the waste containment apparatus via the waste input port.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems are provided which include one or more receptacles for receiving drugs and further include one or more stored supplies of one or more absorbent materials comprising crosslinkers, wherein the apparatus and systems are adapted to release the absorbent materials comprising crosslinkers into the one or more receptacles. A method is provided which includes depositing a drug into a predetermined amount of fluid and adding to the drug containing fluid a absorbent material comprising crosslinkers which is capable of encapsulating the drug containing fluid and possibly killing infectious materials within the fluid and/or denaturing the drug within the fluid.

Abstract: A method for gathering employee data for insurance quote including submission and/or enrollment is provided. The method comprising steps for a user providing a website for a specific group in a group insurance comprising a plurality of employees or group of individual employees, the user specifying selected information to be gathered from a group of employees, the user sending a hyperlink information of the website to at least one of the plurality of employees, at least one employee using the hyperlink information to access the website, at least one employee entering the specified information, and a server storing and polling the information, and an administrator of the specific group notifying the user of the completion of information entered by the employees.

Abstract: A GNSS based steering control system for a mechanized irrigation corner arm utilizing waypoint navigation.

Abstract: Computer-based methods and systems for streaming, and presenting, digital media data are presented. In some embodiments, a media server is configured to intelligently stream, or resume the streaming, of digital media data, representing a media item, based in part on device attributes of the media player device on which the media item is to be presented, as well as historical information about a user's prior viewing sessions, and location information indicating the current location of one or more media player devices of the user. Additionally, in some embodiments, the media server is configured to leverage multiple devices, when the devices are in proximity of one another, for example, by providing a control interface on a first device, that enables control of play back functions for media data being streamed to and presented on a second device.

Abstract: A DC coupled driver is described for modulating a vertical cavity surface emitting laser at high speeds with active termination. High speed and low total power dissipation is achieved by improving the driver immunity to pulse reflections, which can arise due to impedance mismatch between the driver output impedance and the VCSEL impedance. The rise and fall times of the driver may be adjusted for particular applications. The driver may be fabricated using a choice of bipolar, NMOS and PMOS technologies.

Abstract: A hybrid water cannon that can be configured in either a recoil mode or recoilless mode. A first barrel is attached to a breech block. Either a second barrel or breech plug is also attached to the breech block on a side opposite the first barrel. With the breech plug attached, the water cannon is in a recoil mode. With the second barrel attached, the water cannon is in a recoilless mode. A chamber containing a propellant charge is in communication with both the first and second barrels. Upon ignition, the propellant charge pushes a charge of water from both barrels simultaneously and in opposite directions. The discharge from the first barrel is used to disable the target ordnance. The discharge from the second barrel counters the recoil. The propellant charge is ignited using an ignition charge in a port intersecting the chamber at an angle other than 90 degrees.