Abstract: A method for ensuring that an individual is authorized to conduct an activity is provided. The method includes conducting, using a processor, an authentication transaction with authentication data captured from an individual desiring to conduct an activity, and determining whether the captured authentication data is legitimate when the individual is successfully authenticated. Moreover, the method includes determining the individual is authorized to conduct the activity when the captured authentication data is legitimate, and conducting, using the processor, a subsequent authentication transaction with authentication data captured from the individual at a subsequent time.

Abstract: A method of producing a rifle scope and a rifle scope including a conical objective bell, a main tube, and a connector. The objective bell is made of composite materials and increasing in diameter as the bell extends distally from its proximal to its distal end, with the proximal end being adjacent to the distal end of the main tube. The main tube, also constructed of composite materials, is a hollow cylinder. The connector is positioned about the distal end of the main tube with an exterior surface that conforms and is adhered to the interior surface of the proximal end of the objective bell and the interior surface of the distal end of the main tube, thereby joining together the objective bell and the main tube.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I): pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, deuterated derivatives of any of the foregoing, and metabolites of any of the foregoing are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, methods of treating cystic fibrosis using the same, and methods for making the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: An on-body sensor system (30) comprises means for determining a position of a skin interface unit (34) based on transmission and receipt of electrical signals to the unit from a known transmitter (32) location, transmitted via electrical channels of the body. By comparing sensed signal characteristics of the received signals with a plurality of sets of pre-determined signal characteristics, each set associated with one of a plurality of different reference positions and/or orientations of the receiver (34) on the body, it is possible to derive an indication of the position of the receiver unit on the body.

Abstract: An automated method and system for stacking and loading wrapped or unwrapped facemasks into a carton in a facemask production line includes conveying individual wrapped facemasks in a continuous stream to a stacking location. At the stacking location, the facemasks are deposited into a vertical accumulator such that the facemasks are stacked in the accumulator. Upon reaching a predetermined fill level of facemasks in the accumulator, a bottom retainer in the accumulator is opened such that the stacked facemasks drop into a carton placed below the accumulator. Upon opening the bottom retainer, a mid-level retainer is actuated in the accumulator that captures facemasks that continue to be deposited into the accumulator at an intermediate height above the bottom retainer. The bottom retainer is closed after the stacked facemasks drop into the carton, and the mid-level retainer is then opened such that the facemasks captured by the mid-level retainer drop onto the bottom retainer.

Abstract: An iterative design environment performs an iterative design process of a product by implementing usage feedback of the product when utilized under real-world conditions. Sensors are installed on the physical product and collect data about the behavior of the product under real-world conditions. The sensor data comprise usage feedback implemented to inform and produce a design problem statement and one or more design solutions. The sensor data is received by a problem statement engine to produce a problem statement based, at least in part, on the sensor data. A design engine then produces one or more design solutions for the problem statement and one of the design solutions is fabricated to produce a new physical product. Sensors are then installed onto the new physical product and the iterative design process may be performed again. The iterative design process may be performed multiple times until a satisfactory physical product is achieved.

Abstract: A triboelectric energy generator (1) comprises a first generating element (8) and a second generating element (10). The first generating element comprises a first triboelectric material (9) and the second generating element comprises a second triboelectric material (13). Movement of the second generation element relative to the first generation element results in an output voltage, as a consequence of the triboelectric effect. A stopper (7) is configured to restrict rotation of the second generating element, so that the second generating element may only rotate through a desired angle.

Abstract: An acoustic assembly may include acoustic emitting devices attached to an enclosure. The acoustic assembly may further include an acoustic horn for influencing sound emitted by one or more of the acoustic emitting devices. For example, the acoustic horn may influence a beamwidth of sound emitted by one of the acoustic emitting devices. As a further example, the acoustic horn may influence a first beamwidth of a first acoustic emitting device and a second beamwidth of a second acoustic emitting device in a crossover region between the first acoustic emitting device and the second acoustic emitting device. The acoustic horn may include a waveguide attached to at least one integrator. The at least one integrator may include at least one plug and at least one lens.

Abstract: A system and method for blockchains with serial proof of work includes a memory storing a blockchain, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to receive a miner identifier, receive a block of data for inclusion in a new block of the blockchain, determine an initial nonce based on the miner identifier, hash a combination of the block of data and the initial nonce to create a hashed value, iteratively determine an updated nonce based on the hashed value and update the hashed value by hashing the updated nonce until the updated hashed value satisfies a proof of work criteria, create the new block based on the block of data, the miner identifier, and the updated hashed value that satisfies the proof of work criteria, and share the new block with one or more other computing devices hosting the blockchain.

Abstract: An inspection system for detecting optical defects in a transparency includes a first rounded array of first elongated light elements, and a second rounded array of second elongated light elements. The second rounded array is positionable radially outboard of the first rounded array. The inspection system further includes a light-element-moving system configured to radially translate at least the first elongated light elements. The inspection system also includes an image recording device positionable on a side of the transparency opposite the first and second rounded arrays and configured to record images of the transparency during radial translation of at least the first elongated light elements during backlighting of the transparency. The inspection system includes a processor configured to analyze the images recorded during radial translation of at least the first elongated light elements, and detect optical defects in the transparency based on analysis of the images.

Abstract: The present application provides systems and methods for a mobile storefront having direct customer access to inventory and pricing from a mobile storefront. In particular, systems and methods provide an application usable by customers to purchase goods or services from a mobile storefront through an electronic communication device. This includes reserving and purchasing products in inventory of the mobile storefront or pooled inventory from multiple mobile storefronts in an area, reserving and purchasing services and/or support, and for communicating directly with an electronic communication device of the mobile storefront.

Abstract: A system is provided for determining the position of an implanted device (10) in a human or animal body relative to a probe (12). In one device, a reference signal is generated and it is received in the other device. A phase angle or an amplitude attenuation or difference between the reference signal and the received signal is used to determine the proximity the probe to the implanted device. The approach makes use of body channel sensing by which the frequencies at which the body behaves as a waveguide are employed.

Abstract: An invasive medical device (10) is disclosed comprising a device portion (15) for inserting into a patient, said device portion including a functional module (20); an electrically conductive path (40) extending through the invasive medical device and connecting to the functional module; and a deformable switch (30) within the device portion arranged to alter the electrical impedance of said conductive path as a function of a degree of deformation of the switch, said deformation being caused by a blood parameter of the patient's blood that varies during the cardiac cycle of said patient.

Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to generating and managing digital credentials using a digital credential platform in communication with various digital credential template owners and digital credential issuers. In some embodiments, a digital credential platform server may receive and coordinate requests and responses between the digital credential template owners and a set of digital credential issuers, to determine which digital credential issuers are authorized to issue digital credential based on which digital credential templates. The digital credential platform server may provide the authorized issuers with access to particular digital credential templates and the functionality to issue digital credentials to users based on any of the particular digital credential templates. Additional techniques described herein relate to tracking, analyzing, and reporting data metrics for issued digital credentials.

Abstract: A light transmissive optical component comprising an electroactive material layer structure having a controlled deformation. When actuating the component, different relative thickness changes are implemented at different regions of the electroactive material layer thereby providing a non-uniform change in an optical function between those different regions.

Abstract: There is provided a cutting assembly for use in a hair cutting device. The cutting assembly comprises an optical waveguide having a light receiving end and a sidewall, wherein a portion of the sidewall forms a cutting face for contacting hair. The cutting assembly further comprises a housing element to support the optical waveguide. The cutting assembly further comprises a biasing member acting upon the optical waveguide such that, upon the optical waveguide becoming severed, thereby creating two severed faces of the optical waveguide, the severed face attached to the light receiving end of the optical waveguide is caused to face the housing element. A hair cutting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides modulators of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR), pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one such modulator, methods of treatment of cystic fibrosis using such modulators and pharmaceutical compositions, and processes for making such modulators.

Abstract: A design application is configured to determine design problem geometry and design criteria associated with a design problem to be solved. Based on this information, the design application identifies one or more design approaches to creating a custom material having specific material attributes needed to solve the design problem. The design application then executes the design approaches to create material designs that reflect one or more custom materials. With these designs as input, a manufacturing machine may then construct physical instances of those custom materials. A given custom material may have a unique combination of material attributes potentially not found among existing materials. Additionally, a design fabricated from a custom material may better satisfy the design criteria than a design fabricated from a known material.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic arm of a robotic device, an imaging device coupled to the robotic arm, and a processor configured to control movement of the robotic arm to move the imaging device along a preprogrammed measurement path of a transparency while prompting the imaging device to record images of localized portions of the transparency. The processor is configured to determine one or more localized transparency characteristics based on an analysis of the images of the localized portions.