Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for tracking plans for compliance within an organization. Each plan may be associated with one or more standards, each standard may be associated with one or more policies and one or more procedures for carrying out the one or more policies. A compliance dashboard for the organization is displayed on a display device, the compliance dashboard including, for each standard of each plan, a compliance status indicator representing a compliance status for a respective standard.

Abstract: A carrier assembly includes a first portion having a cover flange. A second portion is coupled with the cover flange. A first trunnion is coupled with the first portion, and a second trunnion coupled with the first portion opposite the first trunnion. A first trunnion rib is coupled with the first portion, wherein the first trunnion rib projects outward from the first portion. A second trunnion rib is coupled with the first portion, wherein the second trunnion rib projects outward from the first portion. The first and second trunnion ribs are offset from a trunnion centerline.

Abstract: A carrier assembly includes a first portion having a cover flange. A second portion is coupled with the cover flange. A first trunnion is coupled with the first portion, and a second trunnion coupled with the first portion opposite the first trunnion. A first trunnion rib is coupled with the first portion, wherein the first trunnion rib projects outward from the first portion. A second trunnion rib is coupled with the first portion, wherein the second trunnion rib projects outward from the first portion. The first and second trunnion ribs are offset from a trunnion centerline.

Abstract: The method includes receiving a data file comprising a record; identifying a characteristic of the record; appending a characteristic marker to the record reflecting the characteristic; receiving a data request from a user; identifying a clearance identifier associated with the user, wherein the clearance identifier indicates whether the user has clearance to access the record based on the characteristic of the record; retrieving the record in response to the receiving the data request; comparing the characteristic marker of the record with the clearance identifier; and/or determining whether the user has clearance to access the record.

Abstract: A system is provided for modeling and analysis of cybersecurity threats may include a data flow diagram (DFD) creator, threat indicator and threat analyzer. The DFD creator may identify elements of an information system, and compose a DFD including nodes and edges representing components and data flows of the information system. The threat indicator may identify a cybersecurity threat to a particular element of the information system, and add a secondary node representing the cybersecurity threat to the DFD to thereby produce a threat-model DFD for the information system. In metadata associated with the nodes, edges and secondary node, the DFD creator and threat indicator may provide structured information including attributes of the components, data flows and cybersecurity threat. And the threat analyzer may perform an analysis of the cybersecurity threat based on the threat-model DFD and metadata associated with the nodes, edges and secondary node thereof.

Abstract: A system is provided for modeling and analysis of cybersecurity threats may include a data flow diagram (DFD) creator, threat indicator and threat analyzer. The DFD creator may identify elements of an information system, and compose a DFD including nodes and edges representing components and data flows of the information system. The threat indicator may identify a cybersecurity threat to a particular element of the information system, and add a secondary node representing the cybersecurity threat to the DFD to thereby produce a threat-model DFD for the information system. In metadata associated with the nodes, edges and secondary node, the DFD creator and threat indicator may provide structured information including attributes of the components, data flows and cybersecurity threat. And the threat analyzer may perform an analysis of the cybersecurity threat based on the threat-model DFD and metadata associated with the nodes, edges and secondary node thereof.

Abstract: A satellite communication system for providing communications between user terminals and gateways constituted with m primary satellites. In one embodiment, n back up satellites are also provided. Further, each satellite, primary or back-up, is equipped to project N/m beams onto and across an area in a loosely-packed array manner. M of the m primary and n back-up satellites collectively create N beam spots to cover the area. Moreover, each sub-area is covered by a beam spot separated from another sub-area covered by another beam spot by one beam width. Each satellite is also equipped to facilitate communication over 1 of m band of frequencies on one beam. AS a result, any of the m primary satellites may be efficiently replaced on demand by a selected one of the n back-up satellites. The gateways and user terminals are configured to communicate signals through or with both or either the primary and back-up satellites.

Abstract: An electronic intermediary electronically receives information from a taxpayer or an authorized tax return preparer of the taxpayer. The received information may include information on a tax data provider and taxpayer identification information. The electronic intermediary connects automatically and electronically to the tax data provider based on the received information. The electronic intermediary collects automatically and electronically tax data from the tax data provider and processes automatically and electronically the collected tax data to obtain processed tax data. The electronic intermediary prepares automatically and electronically an electronic tax return by using the processed tax data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for certifying the compatibility of a software product by identifying the interfaces (API or ABI) used by that product. The source code or object code of a component is analyzed by a tool that traces which interfaces and data structures of an ABI/API are being utilized. For example, an ISV or IHV may be required to run the tool on their respective components in order to have that component certified with a particular version of an operating system and submit the results to a certification service. The certification service may collect this API/ABI information into an integrated database. The certification service may then use this database to analyze the impact of changes to an operating system at the binary interface level, proactively notify vendors prior to these changes, test compatibility and emulation libraries, and certify components are compatible with an operating system without the need of significant testing.

Abstract: A quality measure, such as a signal-to-noise ratio, of a signal arriving at a gateway for a return link is used to adjust a data rate for the link. The return link is transferred from a terminal to the gateway through a satellite, and shared by a number of user terminals at any given time, including the terminal for which the data rate is adjusted. The terminals sharing the link have a certain interference relationship. Adjusting a data rate for a message sent from one or more terminals through the return link in the presence of signal degradation or power loss does not appreciably change the interference relationship among the plurality of terminals.

Abstract: A belt rib wear gauge comprising a body, an elongate member having a length and extending from the body, the elongate member having an arcuate surface, the elongate member further comprising a tactile surface cooperatively disposed with respect to the arcuate surface, and the arcuate surface having a predetermined radial dimension wherein engagement of the elongate member within a belt groove and the position of the tactile surface relative to a datum plane at a tip of belt ribs disposed immediately adjacent to the belt groove indicates a state of wear of the belt ribs.

Abstract: A broadband terrestrial message delivery system includes a plurality of wireless communication devices (WCDs), each including a receiver and transmitter, the WCDs capable of not only receiving messages destined for a subscriber associated with a particular WCD, but further capable of acting as a relay point to move messages to and from other subscribers. Message diffusion includes relaying the messages in accordance with all earmark that specifies both the total number of times (N) a message is to be repeated, and the number of times (i) the received message has already been repeated. Methods of improving the spectral efficiency of such a message diffusion architecture include adding a propagation ring width control parameter (J) to the earmark such that a WCD acting in relay mode transmits no more than J repetitions of the message; and providing sectorization such that several sectorized message pathways in a cell may be simultaneously active.

Abstract: A belt rib wear gauge comprising a body, an elongate member having a length and extending from the body, the elongate member having an arcuate surface, the elongate member further comprising a tactile surface cooperatively disposed with respect to the arcuate surface, and the arcuate surface having a predetermined radial dimension wherein engagement of the elongate member within a belt groove and the position of the tactile surface relative to a datum plane at a tip of belt ribs disposed immediately adjacent to the belt groove indicates a state of wear of the belt ribs.

Abstract: Time-scattering of data is employed to reduce the interference effects, such as, error rate, between terminals disposed in nearby beams, or cells, of a communication system. A scattering schedule is determined, typically by a gateway, for a terminal. Scattering instructions, based at least in part on that scattering schedule, are provided to the terminal. The scattering instructions provide terminals with information suitable for controlling the temporal scattering of time slot data to be transmitted by the terminals so that interference impact of nearby out-of-beam terminals is reduced. Time-scattered data received by a receiver remote from the terminal is returned to the desired order by sorting the data in accordance with the scattering schedule to achieve a reversing of the scattering. Time-scattering may be applied to data moving in either or both of the forward and reverse directions of a communication system.

Abstract: A belt measurement device comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portion are substantially parallel, the first portion and second portion defining a predetermined engagement position for the device in a belt, and, a switch cooperatively disposed with the first portion and second portion, the switch capable of closing a circuit by being compressed between a belt surface and the device, a light is illuminated upon the switch closing the circuit.

Abstract: A variable rate transmission system where a packet of variable rate data is transmitted on a traffic channel if the capacity of the traffic channel is greater than or equal to the data rate of the packet. When the rate of the packet of variable rate data exceeds the capacity of the traffic channel, the packet is transmitted on a traffic channel and at least one overflow channel. Also described is a receiving system for receiving and reassembling the data transmitted on the traffic channel and at least one additional overflow channel.

Abstract: An electronic intermediary electronically connects with a tax data provider and collects electronically tax data from the tax data provider. The electronic intermediary processes the tax data collected electronically, and prepares an electronic tax return using the processed tax data. The electronic intermediary connects electronically with a taxing authority, files the electronic tax return with the taxing authority, and arranges electronically for the payment or receipt of any tax liability or refund, respectively.

Abstract: A scale is configured to automatically identify changes to product information and may communicate certain information to customers based upon such changes.