Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to share policy information. The policy information may be associated with a smart contract. Accordingly, the policy information may be encrypted using a public key for the smart contract and compiled into a block of the blockchain. In response to a request to provide access to the information to a particular node, the private key for the smart contract may be encrypted using the public key for the particular node and compiled into a block of the blockchain.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a blockchain comprising a plurality of immutable sales records corresponding to sales made by agents of an entity are provided. According to certain aspects, a transaction request indicating a sale made by an agent of the entity may be received at a first node. A block including a sales record indicating the sale made by the agent may be added to a blockchain and transmitted to another node for validation. The first node may add the block to a copy of the blockchain, where the block may be identified by a hash value that references a previous block in the blockchain that includes at least one additional sales record.

Abstract: A pre-assembled climbing scaffold that allows executing building construction works with activities related to formwork and concrete placement. The scaffold includes a movement system with cart (70) presenting vertical aligners (71) connected with horizontal aligners (81) (82) located across a gang panel (80), which has an upper guardrail system (90); in front of the gang panel (80) it presents a vertical guardrail (10) connected to a frame (30), where the frame supports a work platform (20) in a horizontal position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.

Abstract: A method for determining one or more dimensions of one or more structures is disclosed. The method comprises focusing illumination light on a focal plane of a lens system so that the lens system forms a collimated illumination light beam that is incident on the sample surface. The method also comprises, using said lens system or, respectively, a further lens system, collecting reflected or, respectively, transmitted illumination light reflected from or transmitted through the sample surface. Further, the method comprises capturing an image of said focal plane or, respectively, further focal plane, said image representing a distribution in said focal plane or further focal plane of radiant power of the reflected or transmitted illumination light. A further step of the method comprises, based on the captured image, determining the one or more dimensions of the structures on the sample surface.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a semiconductor diode structure, a quasi-guided-mode (QGM) structure against the back of the diode structure, and a reflector against the back of the QGM structure. The diode structure includes first and second doped semiconductor layers and an active layer between them; the active layer emits output light at a nominal emission vacuum wavelength ?0 to propagate within the diode structure. The QGM structure includes a waveguide layer, a cladding layer, and scattering elements, and is in near-field proximity to the active layer relative to ?0. At least a portion of the output light, propagating perpendicularly within the diode structure relative to a device exit surface, exits the diode structure as device output light. The scattering elements redirect output light propagating within the device, including in laterally propagating quasi-guided modes supported by the QGM structure, to propagate perpendicularly toward the device exit surface.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a semiconductor diode structure and a multi-layer reflector (MLR) structure. The diode structure includes first and second doped semiconductor layers and an active layer between them; the active layer emits output light at a nominal emission vacuum wavelength ?0 to propagate within the diode structure. The MLR structure is positioned against a back surface of the second semiconductor layer, includes two or more layers of dielectric materials of two or more different refractive indices, reflects incident output light within the diode structure, and is in near-field proximity to the active layer relative to ?0. At least a portion of the output light, propagating perpendicularly within the diode structure relative to a device exit surface, exits the diode structure as device output light. The MLR structure can include scattering elements that scatter some laterally propagating output light to propagate perpendicularly.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a semiconductor diode structure, a surface-lattice-mode (SLR) structure against the back of the diode structure, and a reflector against the back of the SLR structure. The diode structure includes first and second doped semiconductor layers and an active layer between them; the active layer emits output light at a nominal emission vacuum wavelength ?0 to propagate within the diode structure. The SLR structure includes an index-matched layer, a lower-index layer, and scattering elements, and is in near-field proximity to the active layer relative to ?0. At least a portion of the output light, propagating perpendicularly within the diode structure relative to a device exit surface, exits the diode structure as device output light. The scattering elements redirect output light propagating within the device, including in laterally propagating surface-lattice-resonance modes supported by the SLR structure, to propagate perpendicularly toward the device exit surface.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for measuring an electric field in the near-field region of an optically excited sample. The method includes optically exciting at least part of the sample. This step includes directing excitation light onto an interface between the sample and a medium. The excitation light is incident onto the interface under an angle of incidence such that total internal reflection of the excitation light occurs at the interface. The method further includes measuring the electric field using a terahertz near-field probe, wherein the terahertz near-field probe is positioned on one side of the interface and the excitation light approaches the interface on another side of the interface. This disclosure further relates to a system and computer program for measuring an electric field in the near-field region of an optically excited sample.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for measuring an electric field in the near-field region of an optically excited sample. The method includes optically exciting at least part of the sample. This step includes directing excitation light onto an interface between the sample and a medium. The excitation light is incident onto the interface under an angle of incidence such that total internal reflection of the excitation light occurs at the interface. The method further includes measuring the electric field using a terahertz near-field probe, wherein the terahertz near-field probe is positioned on one side of the interface and the excitation light approaches the interface on another side of the interface. This disclosure further relates to a system and computer program for measuring an electric field in the near-field region of an optically excited sample.

Abstract: A discrete wearable device having a tactile switch, wireless connection capabilities, and is integrated with a personal security, concierge, or service system. The device integrates with accessories such as personal articles like zippers and bra straps and with containers such as a case, cover, or jewelry locket. The device connects to a first responder and automatically launches a smart device application with the push of the tactile switch.

Abstract: A technique for reinforcing a telecommunication tower includes attaching a temporary structure to a vertical portion of the tower, transferring antenna equipment from the vertical portion of the tower to the temporary structure, and reinforcing the vertical portion of the tower while the transferred antenna equipment continues to operate. Once the vertical portion of the tower has been reinforced, the antenna equipment is transferred from the temporary structure back to the vertical portion of the tower. The temporary structure may then be moved to any other vertical portion of the tower, where the above acts may be repeated.

Abstract: There is provided an illumination device (100, 150, 200, 300) comprising: a periodic plasmonic antenna array (114), comprising a plurality of individual antenna elements (106) arranged in an antenna array plane, the plasmonic antenna array being configured to support surface lattice resonances at a first wavelength, arising from diffractive coupling of localized surface plasmon resonances in the individual antenna elements; a photon emitter (152) configured to emit photons at the first wavelength, the photon emitter being arranged in close proximity of the plasmonic antenna array such that at least a portion of the emitted photons are emitted by a coupled system comprising said photon emitter and said plasmonic antenna array, wherein the plasmonic antenna array is configured to comprise plasmon resonance modes being out-of plane asymmetric, such that light emitted from the plasmonic antenna array has an anisotropic angle distribution.

Abstract: A technique for reinforcing a telecommunication tower includes attaching a temporary structure to a vertical portion of the tower, transferring antenna equipment from the vertical portion of the tower to the temporary structure, and reinforcing the vertical portion of the tower while the transferred antenna equipment continues to operate. Once the vertical portion of the tower has been reinforced, the antenna equipment is transferred from the temporary structure back to the vertical portion of the tower. The temporary structure may then be moved to any other vertical portion of the tower, where the above acts may be repeated.

Abstract: A technique for reinforcing a telecommunication tower includes attaching a temporary structure to a vertical portion of the tower, transferring antenna equipment from the vertical portion of the tower to the temporary structure, and reinforcing the vertical portion of the tower while the transferred antenna equipment continues to operate. Once the vertical portion of the tower has been reinforced, the antenna equipment is transferred from the temporary structure back to the vertical portion of the tower. The temporary structure may then be moved to any other vertical portion of the tower, where the above acts may be repeated.

Abstract: A technique for reinforcing a telecommunication tower includes attaching a temporary structure to a vertical portion of the tower, transferring antenna equipment from the vertical portion of the tower to the temporary structure, and reinforcing the vertical portion of the tower while the transferred antenna equipment continues to operate. Once the vertical portion of the tower has been reinforced, the antenna equipment is transferred from the temporary structure back to the vertical portion of the tower. The temporary structure may then be moved to any other vertical portion of the tower, where the above acts may be repeated.

Abstract: Process for obtaining fluoride-doped citrate-coated amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles. This material has applications in biomedicine due to its biodegradability and bioactivity; it also promotes cell adhesion and osteogeneration. In dentistry, it may be used in toothpastes, mouthwashes, chewing gums, gels and fluoride varnishes as a remineralising agent of dentine and enamel. It is based on two solutions formed by calcium chloride and sodium citrate on the one hand, and by sodium monohydrogenophosphate and sodium carbonate with a fluoride compound on the other, which are mixed at room temperature. The process is eco-efficient and eco-friendly, as it does not leave any acid residue; it consists of a single stage and it is the first time that an amorphous calcium phosphate coated with citrate and doped with fluoride, which enhances its remineralising action, is obtained.

Abstract: There is provided an illumination device (100) comprising: a substrate (104); an optically transmissive first layer (106) arranged on the substrate; a photon emitting layer (108), arranged on the optically transmissive first layer and comprising a photon emitting material configured to receive energy from an energy source and to emit light having a predetermined wavelength; a periodic plasmonic antenna array, arranged on the substrate and embedded within the first layer, and comprising a plurality of individual antenna elements (114) arranged in an antenna array plane, the plasmonic antenna array being configured to support a first lattice resonance at the predetermined wavelength, arising from coupling of localized surface plasmon resonances in the individual antenna elements to photonic modes supported by the system comprising the plasmonic antenna array and the photon emitting layer, wherein the plasmonic antenna array is configured to comprise plasmon resonance modes such that light emitted from the plasm

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a semiconductor light emitting device for emitting a first light at a first wavelength and a wavelength conversion medium arranged to convert at least part of the first light into a second light at a second wavelength. The wavelength conversion medium is disposed between a periodic antenna array and the semiconductor light emitting device. The periodic antenna array includes a plurality of antennas. The periodic antenna array supports surface lattice resonances arising from diffractive coupling of localized surface plasmon resonances in at least one of the antennas.