Abstract: A tooth whitening system comprising a dental tray having a surface operable to confront a tooth surface, and a tooth whitening composition comprising a whitening agent and a hydrophobic. polymer carrier. The tooth whitening composition is preferably substantially non-water soluble. A tooth whitening kit is also provided using a dental tray and the tooth whitening composition comprising a whitening composition and a hydrophobic polymer carrier.

Abstract: The pressure-detecting system utilizes a nanocomposite sensor with quantum dots embedded in a matrix. Under pressure, both the quantum dots and the matrix fluoresce when illuminated by a laser. A spectroscope detects the intensity of each fluorescence and sends the information to a data processor. The data processor calculates a ratio using the intensities. Comparing this ratio to ratios stored in a data object in a database provides a value for the pressure detected by the sensor. The data object contains multiple ratios, each correlated to a specific pressure during a calibration process for the sensor. This calibration process subjected the sensor to known pressures, with the resultant ratios calculated and stored in the data object, correlated to the appropriate pressures.

Abstract: A laminated board is secured to the inner wall of a cavity wall construction to establish a defined spacing between the inner and outer walls and prevent excess mortar from bridging to the inner wall. The laminated board has a series of spaced sockets into which fasteners may project into the face of the inner wall or framing thereof to secure the outer wall. The board is installed prior to the construction of the outer wall and establishes a minimum spacing or gap between the walls based upon the thickness of the board. The outer wall is constructed immediately adjacent to the outer face of the laminated board. The board is impervious and eliminates bridging by the mortar, eliminates transfer of bulk water from the exterior finish to the inner wall and provides an air conduit to exhaust even the minimal amounts of vapor that will occur in the cavity.

Abstract: A tooth whitening system comprising a dental tray having a surface operable to confront a tooth surface, and a tooth whitening composition comprising a whitening agent and a hydrophobic polymer carrier. The tooth whitening composition is preferably substantially non-water soluble. A tooth whitening kit is also provided using a dental tray and the tooth whitening composition comprising a whitening composition and a hydrophobic polymer carrier.

Abstract: Transaction and communication systems and methods are disclosed for vendors and promoters. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a deal manager system comprising transaction data associated with the promotional activities of one or more promoters, such as promoters registered with the deal manager system. The deal manager system can process the transaction data and provide compensation to promoters for their promotional activities based at least partly thereon. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the transaction data can be provided to one or more vendors. A vendor may direct that benefits or promotional material be provided to a subset of promoters based at least in part on the received transaction data. The deal manager system may include promoter contact information, and materials provided by the vendor may be conveyed by the deal manager system to certain promoters based on the same.

Abstract: Sensors are deployed within a for-hire vehicle (taxi, limousine, or shuttles, for example) to measure changes in the environment of the for-hire vehicle. The sensors transmit data to a computing system that processes the data to determine the severity of the change in the environment. The aggregate of the severity of the data is used to determine if remedial action should be taken against the driver or owner/operator of the for-hire vehicle. Remedial action may include issuing a citation, fining the driver, or disabling a meter located within the for-hire vehicle. In some embodiments, venues (hotels, airports, nightclubs, or entertainment venues, for example) may restrict the ability of for-hire vehicles to pick up passengers where the aggregate of the severity of the data indicates the drivers may be engaging in careless, reckless or overly negligent driving behavior.

Abstract: Contact lenses incorporating an array of non-coaxial lenslets with add power that create non-coaxial myopic defocus within the optic zone of the lens may be utilized to prevent and/or slow myopia progression. The positive, non-coaxial lenslets cover about twenty to eighty percent of the central pupil area to deliver positive foci of light in front of the retina to slow the rate of myopia progression.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite component from a plurality of feed materials by the application of heat is disclosed. A negative mould (102) is obtained defining the geometry of the component to be formed. First feed material (104) and second feed material (104) are deployed into the mould. The temperature is increased during a heating stage to a first temperature above the melting point of a feed material, so as to cause the powdered feed material to melt within the mould. The temperature of the mould is decreased during a cooling stage to consolidate the feed materials forming a solid component.

Abstract: Systems and methods of securing, distribution and enforcing for-hire vehicle operating parameters are described whereby a first computer system maintaining the parameters generates a data packet that is distributed to a second computer system which acts as a meter (such as a taximeter, limousine meter or shuttle meter) for the for-hire vehicle. The first computer system may secure or encrypt the data packet according to a security protocol associated with the second computer system. Once the second computer system receives the data packet, it may validate and extract the operating parameters contained within it. The second computer system may then store the operating parameters and operate according to the parameters by, for example, calculating fares for passengers that make use of the for-hire vehicle associated with the second computer system.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided herein for enabling task based access to functionality provided by one or more remote services. One example method may include generating a task based query, the task based query suggestive of a task to be performed. A method may further include causing the task based query to be provided to a remote service discovery engine. A method may further include receiving an indication of a remote service of a plurality of remote services that is configured to perform the task from the remote service discovery engine, the indication comprising access instructions for querying the remote service.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments described herein, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory having computer program code stored thereon, the at least one memory and computer program code being configured to, when run on the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to provide an application switcher to a first device, the application switcher providing an indication of content available to the first device from one or more open applications on a second device, wherein at least part of the content of the one or more open applications of the second device is shareable in real time with an application on the first device; and provide, in response to user-selection of content from the application switcher, the user-selected shareable content of the open application of the second device for use on the first device using a first device application.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a distributed server network to allow for the real-time distribution of copies of a data stream uploaded from a computing device. The uploaded data stream corresponds to an environment surrounding a user (exam taker) of the computing device during execution of a testing routine for an examination. Providing copies of the data stream in real-time allows proctors as well as other test assessment authorities to ‘peek in’ on the exam taker's environment surrounding the exam. As a result, the environment surrounding the exam taker can be monitored in real-time to determine whether any visual or audio activity in the environment constitutes activity not in accordance with the exam protocol. Following an affirmative determination that the exam taker violated an exam taking protocol, the proctor or other test assessment authority can then make a final or early decision regarding disciplinary action.

Abstract: A system set of a utility node device, such as a kernel and/or root file system, may be updated by utilizing a multi-system set configuration. For example, the multi-system set configuration may include a first system set that is generally configured to act as an “active” set, a second system set (e.g., “idle” set) that is configured to operate when the first system set is non-operational or in an “idle” state, and a third system set that is configured to operate when the first and second system sets are non-operational. During an update of a system set, an update package may be applied to the second “idle” system set, while the first “active” system set remains operational. The utility node device may comprise a smart utility meter, sensor, control device, transformer, switch, relay, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, methods and systems for environmental sensing. In particular, the present invention provides compositions, methods and systems for external and internal environmental sensing wherein the sensing provides ultrasonic wind detection sensing.

Abstract: A cartilaginous tissue repair device with a biocompatible, bioresorbable three-dimensional silk or other fibre lay and a biocompatible, bioresorbable substantially porous silk-based or other hydrogel partially or substantially filling the interstices of the fibre lay; with or without an integral means of firmly anchoring the device to a patient's hone.

Abstract: The forming of the metal component is disclosed, in which feed material is initially in a powdered state. A sacrificial positive model (102) of a component is created and a negative mould (104) is built around said positive model from a material having a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal from which the component is to be formed. The sacrificial positive model is removed from the negative mould. Feed material (108) of metal powder is deployed into the mould and the metal powder is heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the metal powder, so as to cause the metal powder to melt within the mould.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a distributed server network to allow for the real-time distribution of copies of a data stream uploaded from a computing device. The uploaded data stream corresponds to an environment surrounding a user (exam taker) of the computing device during execution of a testing routine for an examination. Providing copies of the data stream in real-time allows proctors as well as other test assessment authorities to ‘peek in’on the exam taker's environment during the exam. As a result, the environment surrounding the exam taker can be monitored in real-time to determine whether any visual or audio activity in the environment constitutes activity not in accordance with the exam protocol. Following an affirmative determination that the exam taker violated an exam taking protocol, a proctor or other test assessment authority can then make a final or early decision regarding disciplinary action.

Abstract: A method of element testing is disclosed that includes the steps of weighing a sample, pressing the sample between pads, applying microwave radiation to the sample and pads in the presence of a microwave susceptor material and ashing the pressed sample, adding the pads and the ashed sample to an acid, and forwarding filtrate from the pad-sample-acid mixture to a spectrometer.