Abstract: A desmodromic valve train (20) for an engine (40), comprising a valve actuator (100) arranged to actuate a valve (400) independently of the crank angle of the engine (40), wherein the desmodromic valve train (20) comprises: a load path arrangement comprising an input arranged to receive actuating force from the valve actuator (100), an output arranged to provide the actuating force to the valve (400), and mechanical advantage means arranged such that a first displacement, of the input, causes a second displacement, of the output, wherein the second displacement is a multiple of the first displacement, the multiple being within the range 1.3 to 1.95.

Abstract: A database query can be performed on a database with data redundancy nullification. A probabilistic data structure filter, such as a Bloom filter, can be created from each query statement, where the filter specifies consultation to data in tables of the database at the row and column level. The filter can be applied to remove data from the tables that are redundant to the query statement, thereby generating a filtered subset of the table data.

Abstract: In some embodiments, securing device commands includes a first electronic device receiving a command authorization request message from a second electronic device, including a device command to be performed by the second electronic device, a command argument, and a first message authentication code (MAC) generated by applying a hash function to the device command, the command argument and a first counter value. The first electronic device generates a second MAC by applying the hash function to the device command, the command argument and a second counter value synchronized with the first counter value. The first electronic device compares the first MAC and the second MAC to authenticate the device command and transmit a command approval message or a command denial message. The command approval message causes the second electronic device to perform the device command and the command denial message causes the second electronic device to reject the device command.

Abstract: Systems and methods using a network of wearable devices to support secure payment for a user are described. The network of wearable devices may include a wearable secure unit including a first short-range transceiver, a wearable sensory unit including a second short-range transceiver, and a wearable communication unit including a third short-range transceiver and a long-range transceiver. The systems and methods may include receiving a transaction request from a merchant device. Thereafter, the systems and methods may obtain information from the wearable secure unit configured to provide an environment in which processes and data are securely stored and executed. The systems and methods may also obtain information from the wearable sensory unit configured to capture and compare biometrics of the user with a stored profile. Based on the obtained information, the systems and methods may instruct the wearable communication unit to transmit to the merchant device user authentication data.

Abstract: Concepts for processing a SQL statement comprising a ROLAP sort operation are presented. One such concept comprises: determining whether a ROLAP partitioning column of the SQL statement does not refer to database columns from a sort operation of the SQL statement; and determining whether the ROLAP partitioning columns of the SQL statement are all referenced in the output of the SQL statement. Responsive to determining a ROLAP partitioning column of the SQL statement does not refer to database columns from a sort operation of the SQL statement, and to determining all of the ROLAP partitioning columns of the SQL statement are referenced in the output of the SQL statement, the SQL statement is modified by removing the ROLAP sort operation from the SQL statement.

Abstract: In some embodiments, securing device commands includes a first electronic device receiving a command authorization request message from a second electronic device, including a device command to be performed by the second electronic device, a command argument, and a first message authentication code (MAC) generated by applying a hash function to the device command, the command argument and a first counter value. The first electronic device generates a second MAC by applying the hash function to the device command, the command argument and a second counter value synchronized with the first counter value. The first electronic device compares the first MAC and the second MAC to authenticate the device command and transmit a command approval message or a command denial message. The command approval message causes the second electronic device to perform the device command and the command denial message causes the second electronic device to reject the device command.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method is provided to connect precast concrete panels to a structural member. The connector can have a receiving member embedded in a precast concrete panel and can further have an attachment member that selectively interconnects to the receiving member. This attachment member can have a surface that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the precast concrete panel and that receives or supports a structural member such as a floor joist or a second precast concrete panel. The configuration of a protrusion of the attachment member allows for a rapid and secure interconnection with an aperture in the receiving member. A builder can use the connector system described herein to rapidly and securely assemble multiple precast concrete panels to structural members in the construction of, for example, a parking garage or other similar structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating wireless communication that includes a base having a reference plane; a plurality of coils disposed on the base, the coils having elevation angles other than zero with respect to the reference plane and being tuned to a near field communication frequency; an input/output terminal; and a switching device selectively coupling the coils to the input/output terminal.

Abstract: A transaction card may monitor an amount of electric current induced in a first near-field communication (NFC) component of a transaction card. Electric current may be induced in the first NFC component when the first NFC component is within an electromagnetic field generated by a second NFC component of a transaction terminal. The transaction card may dynamically activate one or more output components associated with the transaction card based on the amount of electric current induced in the first NFC component. The one or more output components may indicate whether the transaction card can communicate with the transaction terminal. The transaction card may perform an action related to completing a transaction after determining that the amount of electric current induced in the NFC component satisfies a first threshold. The first threshold may indicate that the transaction card can communicate with the transaction terminal.

Abstract: A Root of Trust hardware hierarchy provides firmware security for motherboard and peripheral devices. Power is received at a computer system and, in response to the receipt of power, of a standby power rail of a motherboard of the computer system is energized, and a first microcontroller mounted on the motherboard authenticates first firmware associated with a baseboard management controller mounted on the motherboard and coupled to the first microcontroller. If the authentication of the first firmware is successful, the baseboard management controller is powered on, a central processing unit coupled to the first microcontroller is held in reset, and a standby power rail of a peripheral component card coupled to the motherboard is energized.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a catheter, and a drug coated angioplasty balloon mounted on the catheter. The balloon has a wrapped or folded delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. A protective sleeve surrounds the drug coated balloon in the delivery configuration to minimise wash-off of drug from the balloon during delivery. The protective sleeve is retractable, so that once the drug coated balloon is at or near the treatment site, the sleeve can be retracted to allow the drug coated balloon to operate effectively. The protective sleeve can have a spacer mounted to or integral with the protective sleeve. The spacer in one case can comprise of interior ribs or ridges on the sleeve which minimise the surface area of the sleeve in direct contact with the drug coating on the balloon.

Abstract: Systems and methods using a network of wearable devices to support secure payment for a user are described. The network of wearable devices may include a wearable secure unit including a first short-range transceiver, a wearable sensory unit including a second short-range transceiver, and a wearable communication unit including a third short-range transceiver and a long-range transceiver. The systems and methods may include receiving a transaction request from a merchant device. Thereafter, the systems and methods may obtain information from the wearable secure unit configured to provide an environment in which processes and data are securely stored and executed. The systems and methods may also obtain information from the wearable sensory unit configured to capture and compare biometrics of the user with a stored profile. Based on the obtained information, the systems and methods may instruct the wearable communication unit to transmit to the merchant device user authentication data.

Abstract: One or more light sources emit light within first, second, and third wavelength ranges through exhaust gas. The first and second wavelength ranges are characterized by first and second different absorption wavelength ranges of a background gas. The third wavelength range is characterized by an absorption wavelength range of a gas-of-interest. At least some of the light within the first, second, and third wavelength ranges is absorbed by the exhaust gas thereby providing modified light characterized by the first, second, and third absorption wavelength ranges. One or more detectors receive the modified light. A processing subsystem determines a temperature of the exhaust gas based on the modified light characterized by the first and second absorption wavelength ranges and a concentration of the gas-of-interest based on the modified light characterized by the third absorption wavelength range and the temperature of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A print head assembly for an ink-jet printer operable with a continuous ink supply system is disclosed, with an ink compartment, a foam insert, an ink fill port, and a spacer. The ink fill port receives ink fed from an external supply and to be printed by the print head assembly. The ink compartment stores the ink to be printed. The foam insert is in the ink compartment and takes up the ink to be stored. The spacer extends into the ink compartment, provides for the formation of a clearance between the foam insert and the ink fill port and surrounds the ink fill port either completely or with one or more gaps having a gap width. The gap width of none of the gaps presents an aperture angle of more than 25% of 36° with respect to a center of the ink fill port.

Abstract: A device may include a first slot on a front portion of the device, and a security bar in an interior of the device. The security bar may comprise a second slot. The device may be configured to rotate the security bar to align the first slot and the second slot. Alignment of the first slot and the second slot may facilitate a transfer between the interior of the device and an exterior of the device.

Abstract: A compressible F-connector and method for interconnection with coaxial cable that includes a biasing member for promoting electrical continuity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, securing device commands includes a first electronic device receiving a command authorization request message from a second electronic device, including a device command to be performed by the second electronic device, a command argument, and a first message authentication code (MAC) generated by applying a hash function to the device command, the command argument and a first counter value. The first electronic device generates a second MAC by applying the hash function to the device command, the command argument and a second counter value synchronized with the first counter value. The first electronic device compares the first MAC and the second MAC to authenticate the device command and transmit a command approval message or a command denial message. The command approval message causes the second electronic device to perform the device command and the command denial message causes the second electronic device to reject the device command.