Abstract: A wheel fastener alarm assembly is provided having a fastener body with a first portion defining a wrenching surface and a cavity, and a second portion with a threaded portion to attach and detach from a wheel of a vehicle. A sensor array is disposed in the cavity of fastener body to detect an attribute of the fastener body and generate an output signal based on the attribute of the fastener body. An antenna connected to the sensor array to transmit the signal to a remote location. A cap is secured to the first portion of the fastener body and covers the wrenching surface and the cavity opening to define a capped fastener body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, generally, to nucleotide sequence data and, more particularly, to computer files and methods supporting forensic DNA analysis. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may comprise identifying a locus corresponding to each item of short tandem repeat (STR) profiling data stored in an existing computer file, wherein the STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file is repeat-based and/or length-based; identifying start and stop coordinates of an STR region of the corresponding locus for each item of STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file; creating an ambiguous text string corresponding to each item of STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file, wherein each ambiguous text string consists of a sequence of ambiguous characters extending from the start coordinate to the stop coordinate identified for the corresponding item of STR profiling data; and storing each ambiguous text string in a sequence-based computer file.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for model rocketry are provided. According to some aspects, new forms of model rocket nose cones, other model rocket components, and methods for their use, are provided. A new form of reversibly-divisible nose cone is provided, including a plurality of housing sections forming an interior payload section and, in some embodiments, including a locking mechanism(s) configured to hold the plurality of housing sections together during the initial phases of flight. In some embodiments, such a locking mechanism is unlocked, and the housing sections are separated, at least in part, in an ejection phase of model rocket flight. In some embodiments, such a locking mechanism is unlocked, at least in part, by increased air resistance and tension from shock cord(s) of a model rocket. Shock cord mounting arms are provided, including eyelet(s), mounted at an angle to a trailing surface of the nose cone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, generally, to nucleotide sequence data and, more particularly, to computer files and methods supporting forensic DNA analysis. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may comprise identifying a locus corresponding to each item of short tandem repeat (STR) profiling data stored in an existing computer file, wherein the STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file is repeat-based and/or length-based; identifying start and stop coordinates of an STR region of the corresponding locus for each item of STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file; creating an ambiguous text string corresponding to each item of STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file, wherein each ambiguous text string consists of a sequence of ambiguous characters extending from the start coordinate to the stop coordinate identified for the corresponding item of STR profiling data; and storing each ambiguous text string in a sequence-based computer file.

Abstract: A scalable enterprise platform for automated functional and integration regression testing is provided. Embodiments of the disclosed system facilitate the testing of any number of different software systems in development, even where the systems have unique dataset formats. Embodiments of the present invention provide a common method to generate logging and results reports across the platform, thereby providing simpler results analysis. Embodiments may also standardize the query set and facilitate the capability to analyze large results sets. Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosed system may combine the original data to the validated data to allow testers to analyze the testing results. In addition, embodiments of the present invention supports secured separation of testing domains. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a centralized user interface system that provides users with different domains to securely access one or more testing domains.

Abstract: A scalable enterprise platform for automated functional and integration regression testing is provided. Embodiments of the disclosed system facilitate the testing of any number of different software systems in development, even where the systems have unique dataset formats. Embodiments of the present invention provide a common method to generate logging and results reports across the platform, thereby providing simpler results analysis. Embodiments may also standardize the query set and facilitate the capability to analyze large results sets. Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosed system may combine the original data to the validated data to allow testers to analyze the testing results. In addition, embodiments of the present invention supports secured separation of testing domains. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a centralized user interface system that provides users with different domains to securely access one or more testing domains.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, generally, to nucleotide sequence data and, more particularly, to computer files and methods supporting forensic DNA analysis. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may comprise identifying a locus corresponding to each item of short tandem repeat (STR) profiling data stored in an existing computer file, wherein the STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file is repeat-based and/or length-based; identifying start and stop coordinates of an STR region of the corresponding locus for each item of STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file; creating an ambiguous text string corresponding to each item of STR profiling data stored in the existing computer file, wherein each ambiguous text string consists of a sequence of ambiguous characters extending from the start coordinate to the stop coordinate identified for the corresponding item of STR profiling data; and storing each ambiguous text string in a sequence-based computer file.

Abstract: A scalable enterprise platform for automated functional and integration regression testing is provided. Embodiments of the disclosed system facilitate the testing of any number of different software systems in development, even where the systems have unique dataset formats. Embodiments of the present invention provide a common method to generate logging and results reports across the platform, thereby providing simpler results analysis. Embodiments may also standardize the query set and facilitate the capability to analyze large results sets. Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosed system may combine the original data to the validated data to allow testers to analyze the testing results. In addition, embodiments of the present invention supports secured separation of testing domains. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a centralized user interface system that provides users with different domains to securely access one or more testing domains.

Abstract: Improving the integrity of a computer system including a plurality of user accounts by, for each user account, monitoring events on the computer system that are related to the user account, assigning an importance score to the monitored user account that is indicative of the importance of the monitored user account to the integrity of the computer system, the importance score being calculated from the monitored events, and providing the importance score to a system administrator upon the administrator attempting to alter the monitored user account.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. A first transaction participant may be may be immunized from undesirable effects of fraud/chargebacks associated with a transaction if information responsive to a level of verification is submitted directly to a second transaction participant. The transaction may be an on-us transaction or may be associated with any issuer. The second transaction participant may include a payment guarantee provider. The information may be routed to the second transaction participant via a proof-of-verification network. Transactions that are associated with a level of verification may be subject to variable interchange rates. The interchange rates or level of immunization from fraud/chargeback may vary with respect to the level of verification performed by the first transaction participant.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for risk mitigating transaction authorization are provided. A transaction participant may responds to a request for transaction authorization with “PIN Entry Required,” and restrict signature based transaction authorizations. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item included in a purchase. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on an amount of the transaction. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant and/or a location of a purchase.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. Transaction liability may include a risk that the transaction may incur a post-authorization charge, such as a fraud investigation and/or a chargeback. The transaction liability may be allocated among one or more transaction participants. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item purchased by customer that initiates the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on an amount of the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a location of a merchant. A default allocation of transaction liability may be re-allocated among transaction participants based on level of verification performed by a transaction participant at a point-of-sale.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for risk mitigating transaction authorization are provided. A transaction participant may responds to a request for transaction authorization with “PIN Entry Required,” and restrict signature based transaction authorizations. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item included in a purchase. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on an amount of the transaction. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant and/or a location of a purchase.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. Transaction liability may include a risk that the transaction may incur a post-authorization charge, such as a fraud investigation and/or a chargeback. The transaction liability may be allocated among one or more transaction participants. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item purchased by customer that initiates the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on an amount of the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a location of a merchant. A default allocation of transaction liability may be re-allocated among transaction participants based on level of verification performed by a transaction participant at a point-of-sale.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. A first transaction participant may be immunized from undesirable effects of fraud/chargebacks associated with a transaction if information responsive to a level of verification is submitted directly to a second transaction participant. The transaction may be an on-us transaction or may be associated with any issuer. The second transaction participant may include a payment guarantee provider. The information may be routed to the second transaction participant via a proof-of-verification network. Transactions that are associated with a level of verification may be subject to variable interchange rates. The interchange rates or level of immunization from fraud/chargeback may vary with respect to the level of verification performed by the first transaction participant.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for risk mitigating transaction authorization are provided. A transaction participant may responds to a request for transaction authorization with “PIN Entry Required,” and restrict signature based transaction authorizations. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item included in a purchase. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on an amount of the transaction. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant and/or a location of a purchase.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. Transaction liability may include a risk that the transaction may incur a post-authorization charge, such as a fraud investigation and/or a chargeback. The transaction liability may be allocated among one or more transaction participants. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item purchased by customer that initiates the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on an amount of the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a location of a merchant. A default allocation of transaction liability may be re-allocated among transaction participants based on level of verification performed by a transaction participant at a point-of-sale.

Abstract: Improving the integrity of a computer system including a plurality of user accounts by, for each user account, monitoring events on the computer system that are related to the user account, assigning an importance score to the monitored user account that is indicative of the importance of the monitored user account to the integrity of the computer system, the importance score being calculated from the monitored events, and providing the importance score to a system administrator upon the administrator attempting to alter the monitored user account.

Abstract: A non-respirable aerosol, particularly a non-respirable aerosol comprising a biologically-effective amount of a biologically-active agent dissolved, emulsified, or suspended in a highly-aqueous liquid carrier vehicle. The highly-aqueous liquid carrier vehicle comprises about 60 wt % to about 100 wt % water, about 0 wt % to about 40 wt % of a co-solvent, about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % of an acceptable surfactant, and about 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of an excipient. The non-respirable aerosol is substantially monodisperse when dispensed from a sprayhead assembly comprising a preferably linear array of a plurality of nozzles and at least one counter electrode adapted to substantially equalize the charge fields of the plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (20) is formed on a compound semiconductor substrate (21). The semiconductor device (20) is oriented on the surface (40) of the compound semiconductor substrate (21) such that the physical forces that result from the thermal heating or cooling of the compound semiconductor substrate (21) are essentially equal. This orientation reduces the variability of the drain to source current of the semiconductor device (20) as the semiconductor device (20) is operated at different temperatures.