Abstract: An apparatus for measuring action in a stringed instrument may include a clamp with two clamp jaws for clamping to the neck of the stringed instrument. The clamp may include a system of gears and tracks such that a user pushing or pulling on one clamp jaw will move the other clamp jaw in an opposite direction. The apparatus may include a plate disposed on the clamp, and the plate may include a surface for disposing a distance-measuring device. The distance-measuring device may measure the action of the stringed instrument. Because the distance-measuring device is disposed on the apparatus, the device can accurately measure the stringed instrument's action even if the instrument is turned on its side.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing models that incorporate economic influences to predict transactions and/or events. In one embodiment, a method is described that generates a predictive model that may incorporate economic influences, such as weekdays in a month, lagging economic indicators such as unemployment data, leading economic indicators such as an industrial index, energy costs such as the price of gas, and real-world events such as precipitation, and utilizing the predictive model to predict events such as car insurance claims.