Abstract: A vitrectomy probe outfitted with a vitrectomy needle having a region of enhanced frictional character which may be referred to as an “augmented” surface region. This region may be utilized to interface with tissues such as the hyaloid membrane for forcibly shearing it from, for example, the underlying retina in a manner that avoids a degree of pulling forces on the retina in achieving the hyaloid detachment. By utilizing the vitrectomy probe to achieve the detachment, a subsequent intervention to introduce the probe for uptake of the sheared or detached hyaloid membrane material may also be avoided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for real-time fraudulent activity verification, comprising: displaying, on a user device, a first notification which prompts entry of a user-selected geographic area, the user-selected geographic area defining a valid region for processing of transactions associated with a user; receiving, by the user device, user-defined geographic data, the user-defined geographic data specifying at least one user-selected geographic area and defining the valid region for processing of transactions; transmitting, by the user device, the user-defined geographic data along with user data, the user data identifying the user device or the user; receiving, the user device, a second notification, the second notification being an authentication request message received in response to a proposed transaction associated with a user identifier related to the user; displaying, by the user device, the second notification; receiving, by the user device, user-provided authentication data; and transmitting, by

Abstract: A method for consumer verification of a payment transaction that exceeds previously established account limitations includes: storing account profiles, each including data related to a transaction account including a primary account number and transaction controls; receiving a transaction message related to a payment transaction including a specific primary account number, a point of sale identifier, and one or more additional data elements configured to store transaction details; identifying a specific account profile that includes the specific primary account number; determining that the payment transaction exceeds the account controls in the specific account profile based on the transaction details; transmitting question data for a plurality of questions to a point of sale associated with the point of sale identifier; receiving answer data from the point of sale; and transmitting the transaction message to a financial institution based on the answer data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for real-time fraudulent activity verification, comprising: displaying, on a user device, a first notification which prompts entry of a user-selected geographic area, the user-selected geographic area defining a valid region for processing of transactions associated with a user; receiving, by the user device, user-defined geographic data, the user-defined geographic data specifying at least one user-selected geographic area and defining the valid region for processing of transactions; transmitting, by the user device, the user-defined geographic data along with user data, the user data identifying the user device or the user; receiving, the user device, a second notification, the second notification being an authentication request message received in response to a proposed transaction associated with a user identifier related to the user; displaying, by the user device, the second notification; receiving, by the user device, user-provided authentication data; and transmitting, by

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for real-time fraudulent activity verification, comprising: displaying, on a user device, a first notification which prompts entry of a user-selected geographic area, the user-selected geographic area defining a valid region for processing of transactions associated with a user; receiving, by the user device, user-defined geographic data, the user-defined geographic data specifying at least one user-selected geographic area and defining the valid region for processing of transactions; transmitting, by the user device, the user-defined geographic data along with user data, the user data identifying the user device or the user; receiving, the user device, a second notification, the second notification being an authentication request message received in response to a proposed transaction associated with a user identifier related to the user; displaying, by the user device, the second notification; receiving, by the user device, user-provided authentication data; and transmitting, by

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: intercepting, from an output of fraudulent activity determination software, an electronic transaction message; reading by a processing device, the intercepted message; detecting, that the received electronic transaction message includes a data field comprising a fraud-related decline code; updating, by the processing device, the received electronic message by replacing the fraud-related decline code with a hold code; generating, based upon the detection of the fraud-related decline code, at least one authentication request message configured to prompt at least one of a point of sale device and a user mobile device that authentication data is to be input by a user; transmitting, by a transmitting device and to the point of sale device, the updated electronic transaction message; and transmitting, by the transmitting device and to at least one of the point of sale device and a user mobile device, the at least one authentication request message.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for real-time fraudulent activity verification, comprising: displaying, on a user device, a first notification which prompts entry of a user-selected geographic area, the user-selected geographic area defining a valid region for processing of transactions associated with a user; receiving, by the user device, user-defined geographic data, the user-defined geographic data specifying at least one user-selected geographic area and defining the valid region for processing of transactions; transmitting, by the user device, the user-defined geographic data along with user data, the user data identifying the user device or the user; receiving, the user device, a second notification, the second notification being an authentication request message received in response to a proposed transaction associated with a user identifier related to the user; displaying, by the user device, the second notification; receiving, by the user device, user-provided authentication data; and transmitting, by

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: intercepting, from an output of fraudulent activity determination software, an electronic transaction message; reading by a processing device, the intercepted message; detecting, that the received electronic transaction message includes a data field comprising a fraud-related decline code; updating, by the processing device, the received electronic message by replacing the fraud-related decline code with a hold code; generating, based upon the detection of the fraud-related decline code, at least one authentication request message configured to prompt at least one of a point of sale device and a user mobile device that authentication data is to be input by a user; transmitting, by a transmitting device and to the point of sale device, the updated electronic transaction message; and transmitting, by the transmitting device and to at least one of the point of sale device and a user mobile device, the at least one authentication request message.

Abstract: A method for consumer verification of a payment transaction that exceeds previously established account limitations includes: storing account profiles, each including data related to a transaction account including a primary account number and transaction controls; receiving a transaction message related to a payment transaction including a specific primary account number, a point of sale identifier, and one or more additional data elements configured to store transaction details; identifying a specific account profile that includes the specific primary account number; determining that the payment transaction exceeds the account controls in the specific account profile based on the transaction details; transmitting question data for a plurality of questions to a point of sale associated with the point of sale identifier; receiving answer data from the point of sale; and transmitting the transaction message to a financial institution based on the answer data.

Abstract: A method and system are provided herein of improving the integrity of location data in records resulting from ATM-based single message transactions processed over a payment network including: electronically storing records on a specialized computing device, the records resulting from ATM-based single message transactions processed over a payment network; geocoding location data in the records to generate geocoded records which are electronically stored on the specialized computing device; extracting at least two details from a first of the geocoded records; and, comparing, using a special purpose database management system, the at least two details with data structures maintained in a special purpose database of ATM-related information generated independently of the records resulting from the ATM-based single message transactions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying demand at, for example, merchants and ATMs located within selected geographic boundaries, and over a selected time frame. Transaction data for transactions conducted over the selected time frame is received at a computing device, and location data is associated with each of the transactions. The location data generally corresponds to a location at which each of the transactions occurred. The transactions are then grouped into geographic boundaries based on the location data. For each of the geographic boundaries, the transaction data is compared to a predefined benchmark. And, for each of the geographic boundaries satisfying the benchmark, demand indices are generated indicative of financial demand in the geographic boundary.

Abstract: A molecular-based switching device and method for controlling charge transport across a molecule. The molecular-based switching device includes a molecule having first and second nodes in between which destructive quantum interference restricts electrical conduction from the first node to the second node in an off-state, a first electrode connected to the first node and configured to supply charge carriers to the first node, a second electrode connected to the second node and configured to remove the charge carriers from the second node, and a control element configured to reduce coherence in or alter charge transport paths between the first and second nodes so as to reduce existing destructive quantum interference and permit flow of the charge carriers from the first node to the second node.

Abstract: A device for dispensing one or more active agents, the device including: a housing (112) having an opening; at least one active agent (118) located within the housing; a driving means (124) located within, or at the closed end of the housing, including an expandable material; and one or more permeable fluid conveying passage(s) adapted to convey fluid from outside the housing to the driving means.