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

Abstract: An acceleration sensor assembly for a restraint retractor of a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes an acceleration sprocket operatively connected to the restraint retractor. The acceleration sensor assembly also includes an acceleration pawl cooperating with the acceleration sprocket to operatively cause lock up of the restraint retractor. The acceleration sensor assembly includes an inertia member cooperating with the acceleration pawl to move the acceleration pawl when an acceleration force is present and a gimbal to support the inertia member. The acceleration sensor assembly further includes a non-contact damping mechanism cooperating with the gimbal to dampen movement of the gimbal until the acceleration force exceeds a predetermined value and the inertia member actuates the acceleration pawl to engage the acceleration sprocket to operatively cause lock up of the restraint retractor and prevent unwinding of a belt from the restraint retractor.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging to receive a signal from contrast agent microbubbles in arterioles of a myocardium, without being masked by a signal from microbubbles in capillaries of the myocardium. For example, high power ultrasonic energy is emitted to destroy microbubbles in the arterioles and capillaries. A time delay passes from the destruction. The time delay is sufficiently long to allow the arterioles to refill with microbubbles and sufficiently short so that the capillaries do not completely refill with microbubbles. Ultrasonic imaging is then performed to receive a signal between harmonics from the microbubbles refilled in the arterioles. Various other destructive and non-destructive imaging techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging to receive a signal from contrast agent microbubbles in arterioles of a myocardium, without being masked by a signal from microbubbles in capillaries of the myocardium. For example, high power ultrasonic energy is emitted to destroy microbubbles in the arterioles and capillaries. A time delay passes from the destruction. The time delay is sufficiently long to allow the arterioles to refill with microbubbles and sufficiently short so that the capillaries do not completely refill with microbubbles. Ultrasonic imaging is then performed to receive a signal between harmonics from the microbubbles refilled in the arterioles. Various other destructive and non-destructive imaging techniques are disclosed.