Abstract: Techniques for providing adaptive virtual function (VF) drivers capable of operating with physical devices having a plurality of different hardware configurations are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include logic to implement a virtual machine (VM), the logic to initialize an adaptive virtual function (VF) driver to facilitate communication between the VM and a physical device to be virtualized, establish communication between the adaptive VF driver and a physical function (PF) driver of the hypervisor for the physical device, activate a standard feature set for the adaptive VF driver to execute on a PF of the physical device, and negotiate activation of an advanced feature set for the adaptive VF driver to execute on the PF, the adaptive VF driver to provide the advanced feature set to the PF, the PF activate each feature of the advanced feature set supported by the PF.

Abstract: A heat-exchange apparatus comprising a plurality of tubes bundled together, each having segmented twisted segments is disclosed. Each of the plurality of tubes provides a tube body defining an interior passageway for carrying a first fluid and a plurality of segments along its length comprising a straight section and a twisted section that are in fluid communication with each other. Each of the plurality of tubes provides a central longitudinal axis along its length. The tube body along the twisted section exhibits rotation about the central longitudinal axis and the tube body along the straight section exhibits no rotation. An exterior surface of the tube body of a tube can come into contact with an exterior surface of the tube body of another tube along the twisted section, whereas the exterior surfaces of such tubes avoid contact along the straight section.

Abstract: Techniques for providing adaptive virtual function (VF) drivers capable of operating with physical devices having a plurality of different hardware configurations are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include logic to implement a virtual machine (VM), the logic to initialize an adaptive virtual function (VF) driver to facilitate communication between the VM and a physical device to be virtualized, establish communication between the adaptive VF driver and a physical function (PF) driver of the hypervisor for the physical device, activate a standard feature set for the adaptive VF driver to execute on a PF of the physical device, and negotiate activation of an advanced feature set for the adaptive VF driver to execute on the PF, the adaptive VF driver to provide the advanced feature set to the PF, the PF activate each feature of the advanced feature set supported by the PF.

Abstract: A catheter includes: a body comprising a body side wall, a proximal end and a distal end; a septum extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a first lumen and a second lumen separated by the septum, each lumen forming a mouth at the distal end; first and second slots formed in a portion of the body side wall at the distal end and in fluid communication with the first and second lumens respectively. The first and second slots extend linearly along a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. The distal end of the body and the septum terminate in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The distal end of the body has a substantially round cross section, while the first and second lumens each have a substantially D-shaped cross-section at the distal end. The two slots each have a width that is between 30% and 60% of a longer dimension of the D-shaped cross-section of a corresponding lumen.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in dialyzing a patient comprising a hemodialysis catheter comprising an elongated body having a proximal and a distal end, wherein the distal end terminates in a substantially planar distal end surface; first and second lumens extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the lumens terminate on the distal end surface in first and second mouths, arranged in side-by-side configuration, and further wherein the lumens are separated by a septum; and first and second longitudinal slots formed in the distal end of the elongated body and communicating with the interiors of the lumens, the slots opening on the distal end surface; wherein the slots each have a length and a width, relative to the dimensions of the lumens and the rate of blood flow to be passed through the hemodialysis catheter, so as to minimize undesirable recirculation of dialyzed blood.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in dialyzing a patient comprising a hemodialysis catheter comprising an elongated body having a proximal and a distal end, wherein the distal end terminates in a substantially planar distal end surface; first and second lumens extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the lumens terminate on the distal end surface in first and second mouths, arranged in side-by-side configuration, and further wherein the lumens are separated by a septum; and first and second longitudinal slots formed in the distal end of the elongated body and communicating with the interiors of the lumens, the slots opening on the distal end surface; wherein the slots each have a length and a width, relative to the dimensions of the lumens and the rate of blood flow to be passed through the hemodialysis catheter, so as to minimize undesirable recirculation of dialyzed blood.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods that allow hardware designers to protect valuable IP and information in the hardware domain in order to increase overall system security. In various embodiments of the invention this is accomplished by configuring logic gates of existing logic circuitry based on a key input. In certain embodiments, a logic function provides results that are dependent not only on input values but also on an encrypted logic key that determines connections for a given logic building block, such that the functionality of the logic function cannot be determined by reverse engineering. In some embodiments, the logic key is created by decrypting a piece of data using a secret or private key. Advantages of automatic encryption include that existing circuitry need not be re-implemented or re-built, and that the systems and methods presented are backward compatible with standard manufacturing tools.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the detection of misuse of an identity during an electronic transaction comprises the step of receiving a notification to authenticate the use of an identity at a first location, wherein the identity is associated with a mobile phone; determining an approximate location of the mobile phone, and determining whether the first location and mobile phone locations match in geographical proximity. The approximate location of the mobile phone is determined based on cached position information. The invention provides a method for ensuring that the cached position information is up to date, by overwriting stale information with new position information derived by accessing a database that correlates Wi-Fi signals detected by the mobile phone with a geographic location.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for verifying the identity of an internet user, or for detecting the misuse of an identity, during an on-line transaction. The method involves comparing the geographic location of the transaction to the geographic location of the user's cell phone or other mobile device, and taking a geographically close location relationship between the two as a positive indication of identity. A reasonable travel time between the two locations can be taken into account so as to reduce the incidence of false negatives, and to improve the reliability of positive identifications.

Abstract: An energy-efficient sequencer comprising inline multipliers and adders causes a read source that contains matching values to output an enable signal to enable a data item prior to using a multiplier to multiply the data item with a weight to obtain a product for use in a matrix-multiplication in hardware. A second enable signal causes the output to be written to the data item.

Abstract: In one embodiment the invention is a hand guard, comprising: a generally hollow cylindrical body having a rail securing top surface; a top Picatinny rail securable to the rail securing top surface. The top rail is in slidable engagement with the rail securing top surface such that the top Picatinny rail is removable from the top surface. The generally hollow cylindrical body is populated with vent holes. In another embodiment an upper receiver is provided, the upper receiver includes a front face located at a front end of the upper receiver, the upper receiver having a Picatinny rail atop thereof, the Picatinny rail having a last rail located at a front end of the Picatinny rail, the last rail is aligned with the front face. In another embodiment the hand guard has a fixed Picatinny rail atop thereof. At least one plug is optionally provided for fitting into vent holes.

Abstract: A method and assembly for monitoring physiological parameters of a subject is provided. The method includes measuring, with a physiological sensor, data that indicates a change in a value of a physiological parameter of a subject over a time period. The method further includes measuring, with a motion sensor, data that indicates a value of a motion of the subject over the time period. The method further includes determining, with a processor, whether the value of the motion of the subject over the time period is less than a motion threshold. The method includes determining, with the processor, whether the change in the value of the physiological parameter over the time period exceeds a change threshold. The method also includes performing an action based on the determination that the change in the value of the physiological parameter exceeds the change threshold.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a buffer retaining pin is provided that comprises an elongate body. The elongate body comprises a cylindrical body portion. The elongate body has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and an opposite open distal end. The cylindrical body has an inner chamber in communication with the open distal end. A tooth is located at the proximal end of the elongate body. The tooth is integral with and extends from the cylindrical body such that the cylindrical body portion extends between the tooth and the open distal end. The tooth defines a top side, a left side, a right side, a front face, and a rear face. The front face of the tooth extends in a plane such that the plane of the front face intersects the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Techniques for providing adaptive virtual function (VF) drivers capable of operating with physical devices having a plurality of different hardware configurations are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include logic to implement a virtual machine (VM), the logic to initialize an adaptive virtual function (VF) driver to facilitate communication between the VM and a physical device to be virtualized, establish communication between the adaptive VF driver and a physical function (PF) driver of the hypervisor for the physical device, activate a standard feature set for the adaptive VF driver to execute on a PF of the physical device, and negotiate activation of an advanced feature set for the adaptive VF driver to execute on the PF, the adaptive VF driver to provide the advanced feature set to the PF, the PF activate each feature of the advanced feature set supported by the PF.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a buffer retaining pin is provided that comprises an elongate body. The elongate body comprises a cylindrical body portion. The elongate body has a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and an opposite open distal end. The cylindrical body has an inner chamber in communication with the open distal end. A tooth is located at the proximal end of the elongate body. The tooth is integral with and extends from the cylindrical body such that the cylindrical body portion extends between the tooth and the open distal end. The tooth defines a top side, a left side, a right side, a front face, and a rear face. The front face of the tooth extends in a plane such that the plane of the front face intersects the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods that allow hardware designers to protect valuable IP and information in the hardware domain in order to increase overall system security. In various embodiments of the invention this is accomplished by configuring logic gates of existing logic circuitry based on a key input. In certain embodiments, a logic function provides results that are dependent not only on input values but also on an encrypted logic key that determines connections for a given logic building block, such that the functionality of the logic function cannot be determined by reverse engineering. In some embodiments, the logic key is created by decrypting a piece of data using a secret or private key. Advantages of automatic encryption include that existing circuitry need not be re-implemented or re-built, and that the systems and methods presented are backward compatible with standard manufacturing tools.