Abstract: A chordophone case includes a detachable wheel assembly that is configured to be attached to and detached from front and rear anchors on the case's front and rear faces. The wheel is mounted on a fork mount having a base and sidewalls that project therefrom to form an acute angle relative to the base. The assembly's frontward and rearward strap are anchored to the base and configured for attachment to the case.

Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.

Abstract: A system and method for providing virtual items to users of an online game operated in a virtual space. Multiple users may participate in affiliations or alliances of discrete groups of users in an online game and may access the online game through client computing platforms associated with the users. The affiliations may have affiliation game units associated with affiliations which provide a benefit to the members of the online game. Affiliation members may cumulatively obtain affiliation game units and/or upgrade affiliation game units by providing one or more virtual items. Upgrading affiliation game units may require the cooperation of multiple members of the affiliation.

Abstract: Encrypted information retrieval can include generating a database that is partitioned into shards each having a shard identifier, and database entries in each shard that are partitioned into buckets having a bucket identifier. A batch of client-encrypted queries are received. The batch of client-encrypted queries are processed using a set of server-encrypted data stored in a database. The processing includes grouping the client-encrypted queries according to shard identifiers of the client-encrypted queries, executing multiple queries in the group of client-encrypted queries for the shard together in a batch execution process, and generating multiple server-encrypted results to the multiple queries in the group of client-encrypted queries. The multiple server-encrypted results for each shard are transmitted to the client device.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for stimulating the growth of hair are disclosed wherein said compositions include a cyclopentane heptanoic acid, 2-cycloalkyl or arylalkyl compound represented by the formula I wherein the dashed bonds represent the presence or absence of a double bond which can be in the cis or trans configuration and A, B, Z, X, R1 and R2 are as defined in the specification and a penetration enhancer. Such compositions are used in stimulating hair growth of human or non-human animals.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium for retrieving information from a server. Methods can include a server receiving a set of client-encrypted queries. The server identifies a set of server-encrypted decryption keys and transmits the set to the client device. The server receives a set of client-server-encrypted decryption keys that includes the set of server-encrypted decryption keys encrypted by the client device. The server also receives a set of client-encrypted/client-derived decryption keys that were derived by the client device. The server generates matching a map that specifies matches between the set of client-server-encrypted decryption keys and the set of client-encrypted/client-derived decryption keys. The server filters the set of client-encrypted queries using the map to create a set of filtered client-encrypted queries and generates a set of query results.

Abstract: This document describes systems and techniques for protecting the security of information in content selection and distribution. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by a first computing system of MPC systems, a digital component request including distributed point functions that represent a secret share of a respective point function that indicates whether a user of the client device is a member of a first user group. Selection values are identified. Each selection value corresponds to a respective digital component, a set of contextual signals, and a respective second user group identifier for a respective second user group to which the respective digital component is eligible to be distributed. A determination is made, for each selection value and using the distributed point functions in a secure MPC process, a candidate parameter that indicates whether the second user group identifier matches a user group that includes the user as a member.

Abstract: This document relates to using secure MPC to select digital components in ways that preserve user privacy and protects the security of data of each party that is involved in the selection process. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by a first computing system of a secure MPC system and from a client device, a digital component request and a nonce. The first computing system generates, based on the nonce and a function, an array including a share of a Bloom filter representing user group identifiers for user groups that include a user of the client device as a member. For each of multiple user group identifiers, the first computing system calculates, in collaboration with one or more second computing systems of the secure MPC system and using the array, a respective first secret share of one or more user group membership condition parameters.

Abstract: This document describes systems and techniques for improving the integrity and protecting the security of information in content selection and distribution. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by a first server of a secure multi-party computation (MFC) system from an application on a user device, a request for a digital component. The request is parsed into distinct sub-requests. Each sub-request is transmitted to a different server. A set of candidate selection values is received from a separate server. The first server performs, in collaboration with one or more second servers of the MFC system, a selection process to generate a selection result for a winning digital component, including merging, the first set of candidate selection values and a set of cached selection values to create a final set of candidate selection values and sorting the final set according to the values of the candidate selection values.

Abstract: A target image of a target circuit board and a gold image of a gold circuit board are taken by an image acquisition system. Fiducial points are located on the target image and on the gold image. Perspective transformation is performed on the target image using the fiducial points on the target image for reference and on the gold image using the fiducial points on the gold image for reference. After perspective transformation, an anomalous section of the target image is identified by identifying pixels that have different intensities between the target image and the gold image, the anomalous section being indicative of an unauthorized modification to the target circuit board.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable medium facilitating encrypted information retrieval. Methods can include receiving a batch of queries that includes queries to special buckets in each database shard. Query results responsive to the batch of queries are transmitted to the client device. The query results includes server-encrypted secret shares obtained from the special buckets. Client-encrypted versions of the secret shares are received. A full set of server-encrypted secret shares is transmitted to the client device, which is encrypted by the client device to create a full set of client-server-encrypted secret shares. The client device is classified based on how many of the secret shares are included in both of the client-encrypted secret shares received from the client device and the full set of client-server-encrypted secret shares received from the client device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for allowing suitable digital components to be automatically selected and provided to a client device. Methods can include generating a universal identifier for a digital component that is presented in the application. The application updates a set of universal identifiers that has been created for digital components presented by the application over a specified time period. The application identifies digital components and the corresponding universal identifiers that are blocked and generates a probabilistic data structure representing the set of blocked universal identifiers. The application creates multiple shares of the probabilistic data structure and transmits different shares to different servers.

Abstract: A target image of a target circuit board and a gold image of a gold circuit board are taken by an image acquisition system. Fiducial points are located on the target image and on the gold image. Perspective transformation is performed on the target image using the fiducial points on the target image for reference and on the gold image using the fiducial points on the gold image for reference. After perspective transformation, an anomalous section of the target image is identified by identifying pixels that have different intensities between the target image and the gold image, the anomalous section being indicative of an unauthorized modification to the target circuit board.

Abstract: A fluid collection assembly (10) and method for use thereof is provided including a fluid collection cartridge (20) having a tubular member (21) with a plunger assembly slidably inserted. The plunger assembly includes a stopper (32) and a plunger rod (31). The stopper and plunger rod are removably interlocked together which enables the plunger rod to exert a force in a distal direction on the stopper and to be removed from the stopper upon the application of a proximal force thereto. The fluid collection assembly is particular useful in the collection of arterial blood. In use, the assembly is primed with a liquid anticoagulant, the plunger rod is removed, and a blood sample is collected with the arterial pressure causing the stopper to travel in a proximal direction along the cartridge.

Abstract: A fluid collection assembly (10) and method for use thereof is provided including a fluid collection cartridge (20) having a tubular member (21) with a plunger assembly slidably inserted. The plunger assembly includes a stopper (32) and a plunger rod (31). The stopper and plunger rod are removably interlocked together which enables the plunger rod to exert a force in a distal direction on the stopper and to be removed from the stopper upon the application of a proximal force thereto. The fluid collection assembly is particular useful in the collection of arterial blood. In use, the assembly is primed with a liquid anticoagulant, the plunger rod is removed, and a blood sample is collected with the arterial pressure causing the stopper to travel in a proximal direction along the cartridge.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an unexpected and novel insight into hepatic insulin resistance through the description of the ability of VEGF inhibitors to revert hyperglycemia and hyperinsulimenia in murine Type 2 diabetes mellitus models through modulation of a HIF-2?-IRS-2 axis operative in hepatocytes. As such, the data of the present disclosure uncover a novel pathway regulating hepatic IRS-2 expression, and identify VEGF inhibitors as an FDA-approved class of therapeutics capable of increasing liver IRS levels and ameliorating Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Accordingly, this disclosure identifies stabilization of HIF-2? as a robust method for improving glucose metabolism.

Abstract: A motorized seat belt retractor, comprising: a take-up spool configured to rotate in a winding direction and an unwinding direction; a motor for providing a driving force in a first direction and a second direction to the take-up spool, wherein the take-up spool rotates in the winding direction when the driving force is provided in the first direction; a mechanism coupled to a shaft of the motor, the mechanism being configured to rotate freely in the first direction and rotate in the second direction when either i) a predetermined force is applied to the take-up spool in the unwinding direction during or after application of the driving force in the first direction or ii) the motor applies the driving force in the second direction in order to overcome a predetermined resistance of the mechanism; and a locking retractor configured to prevent the take-up spool from rotating in the unwinding direction when the predetermined force is applied to the take-up spool in the unwinding direction during or after applicat

Abstract: A quick acting clutch, the quick acting clutch comprising: a friction plate; a clutch plate movably mounted to the friction plate about a center of rotation of the friction plate and the clutch plate, the clutch plate being configured to rotate with respect to the friction plate; an actuator arm pivotally mounted to at least one of the friction plate or the clutch plate, the actuator arm being configured to amplify movement of a first end of the actuator arm and rotational movement of the friction plate relative to the clutch plate moves the first end of the actuator arm; and a lock pawl pivotally mounted to the clutch plate for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, the lock pawl and a second end of the actuator arm each being configured to contact each other and rotational movement of the friction plate with respect to the clutch plate causes movement of the first end to be amplified at the second end such that the second end of the actuator arm and the actuator arm contacts the lock

Abstract: A quick acting clutch, the quick acting clutch comprising: a friction plate; a clutch plate movably mounted to the friction plate about a center of rotation of the friction plate and the clutch plate, the clutch plate being configured to rotate with respect to the friction plate; an actuator arm pivotally mounted to at least one of the friction plate or the clutch plate, the actuator arm being configured to amplify movement of a first end of the actuator arm and rotational movement of the friction plate relative to the clutch plate moves the first end of the actuator arm; and a lock pawl pivotally mounted to the clutch plate for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, the lock pawl and a second end of the actuator arm each being configured to contact each other and rotational movement of the friction plate with respect to the clutch plate causes movement of the first end to be amplified at the second end such that the second end of the actuator arm and the actuator arm contacts the lock