Abstract: A method includes accessing a swap service operating on a consumer device and authenticating a user of the consumer device based on biometric information linked to a unique user identification code that is further associated with contact information regarding the user. The method further includes retrieving, from storage, the contact information regarding the user. The method further includes automatically populating first fields of the swap service with the contact information. The method further includes generating, for utilization during a transaction by the swap service, a request for inputting first account information. The method further includes receiving a selection for the inputting and when selection is the scanning: displaying a scanner for obtaining, from a gift card, a digital representation of the first account information, encoding the first account information into a digital equivalent of the gift card, and storing the digital equivalent of the gift card in memory.

Abstract: A cutting blade assembly for use with a rotating cable preparation device includes a cutting blade defining a cutting edge and adapted to attach to a rotating member of the cable preparation device. The cutting blade assembly is selectively movable in a cutting direction for at least partially cutting a cable held by the device. The assembly further comprises a blade stop positioned adjacent to the cutting edge of the blade and defining a stop surface. The stop surface is arranged at a predetermined distance from the cutting edge of the blade in a depth direction of the blade, and extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the cutting direction and generally parallel to an axis of the cable.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone, the frame having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis and a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The blade assembly includes a blade having an arcuate cutting edge configured for cutting an insulator from the end of the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for shielding medical personnel from radioactive materials being administered to a patient in need thereof, including a radioactive syringe shield and a radioactive fluid pump shield. The radioactive syringe shield includes a syringe main body, and syringe shields proximal and distal ends each configured to attach to opposite ends of the syringe shield main body in a threaded male/female connection. Together, the syringe shield main body, and proximal and distal ends are configured to contain therewithin a medical syringe containing radioactive medical fluid. The radioactive fluid pump shield is a shielded box configured to contain the fluid pump and has top and front portions pivotally attached to adjacent portions to allow selective access to the fluid pump.

Abstract: An optical device, such as a diffuser, can include a substrate; and a diffuser surface, in which the diffuser surface has an index of refraction greater than about 1.8. A method of making and using the optical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition comprising branched fructan molecules derived from a fructan extract of perennial high sugar grass (HSG) selected from the group consisting of AberMagic cultivar, AberDart cultivar, and S48 (Lolium spp), and obtained by enzymic endo-hydrolase hydrolysis, wherein said branched fructan molecules have a molecular weight of between 0.3 to 3 kDa, and wherein at least 50% of the branched fructan molecules present in the composition have a molecular weight of between 0.48 and 1.9 kDa is provided. Also provided are feed or food supplement comprising such a composition, a method of producing a composition comprising branched fructan molecules, and a method of making a feed or foodstuff.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to verify that proper tooling has been installed in a cable preparation apparatus and/or to calibrate the tooling prior to running the cable preparation apparatus with a cable inserted therein. The method includes: inserting a reference device between blades of the cable preparation device; moving the blades inward toward the reference device until the blades engage the reference device; collecting data to determine when the blades engage the reference device; and comparing the collected data of the blades to an expected range of data of the reference device, wherein if the collected data of the blades does not conform to the expected range of data of the reference device the tooling is not validated, and the apparatus alerts the user.

Abstract: A cutting arm includes a base having a post receiving passageway extending through the base, a cutting assembly attached to the base, and a sliding plate attached to the base and movable with respect to the base between an engaging position and a releasing position. The sliding plate engages a post disposed in the post receiving passageway in the engaging position and releasably secures the cutting arm to the post.

Abstract: A coating composition for applying a very thin film coating to a substrate such as a polymeric film comprises a copolymer such as a block copolymer (BCP) that is compatible with the substrate, an alcohol solvent or solvents capable of dissolving the copolymer, a hydrolysed metal alkoxide precursor, a carboxylic acid stabiliser, and an active agent in an ionic, molecular, or small nanoparticle form. The active agent is configured to provide a functionality to the coating composition, selected from antimicrobial, antifungal, barrier, therapeutic, electrical, electronic, magnetic and optical. The composition is a sol comprising a continuous non-sedimentable/stable suspension of very small sized (of nano order) amorphous inorganic polymers in their oligomeric or polymeric state, and comprising the active agent dispersed in a hydrolysed metal alkoxide-BCP matrix.

Abstract: Apparatuses manage the flow of fluids, such as, for example, water, through pipes. Specifically and without being bound by theory, the apparatuses of the present invention creates a backward pressure in fluid traversing a pipe, wherein the backward pressure within the pipe provides compression to the fluid effectively compressing entrapped gas bubbles within the fluid, allowing more accurate water meter measurements. The apparatus comprises a two-stage poppet valve for regulating the flow of fluids through a pipe.

Abstract: A cable end sensing apparatus and a method of sensing a cable end of a cable in a cable preparation device. The cable end sensing apparatus includes cable clamps for clamping and moving the cable and a movable sensing device. The movable sensing device has a first position in which the movable sensing device is positioned in line with an axis of insertion of the cable to engage the end of the cable and to prevent the cable from moving beyond the movable sensing device. The movable sensing device has a second position in which the movable sensing device is moved away from the axis of insertion of the cable when the cable end is properly positioned to allow the cable to move beyond the sensing device.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which uses directly modulated InGaN Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or InGaN lasers as the transmitters for an underwater data-communication device. The receiver uses automatic gain control to facilitate performance of the apparatus over a wide-range of distances and water turbidities.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone, the frame having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis and a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The blade assembly includes a blade having an arcuate cutting edge configured for cutting an insulator from the end of the cable.

Abstract: A frictionless shopping platform supports modular systems to outfit any physical store with a secure self-checkout experience. The frictionless shopping platform can communicate with a kiosk or mobile application to obtain customer information including payment information; a shopping sensor platform that tracks a user in the store to obtain anonymous shopper identification and associated shopping cart items; and a financial services provider to affect payment.

Abstract: An optical system including a first microstructured surface; and a second microstructured surface; wherein the first microstructured surface is aligned along an axis with the second microstructured surface is provided. An illumination system including a light source and the optical system is also included. A method of diffusing light is included.

Abstract: Apparatuses of the present invention create a backward pressure in fluid traversing a pipe, wherein the backward pressure within the pipe provides compression to the fluid effectively compressing entrapped gas bubbles within the fluid, allowing more accurate water meter measurements. The apparatus comprises a poppet valve having multiple springs to minimize or eliminate spring-binding caused by off-center hydraulic force during use.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides optical link management in a marine seismic environment. A first device can transmit, to a second device, a first optical transmission at a first output level. The first optical transmission can include a first packet corresponding to a network protocol. The first device can determine that the second device failed to receive the first packet via the first optical transmission. The first device can transmit, responsive to failure of the first optical transmission, a second optical transmission at a second output level different than the first output level. The second optical transmission can include a second packet corresponding to the network protocol. The first device can identify that the second packet was successfully received by the second link manager agent. The first device can establish, responsive to the identification that the second packet was successfully received, the second output level as a transmission output level for the first device.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone and having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis, a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis, and a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The blade assembly is configured for cutting an insulator from the end of the cable in a first cutting configuration when the cable is positioned in the cable opening and the blade assembly is configured for cutting a cable braid from the end of the cable in a second cutting configuration when the cable is positioned in the cable opening.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems generate and maintain patient-specific models of patient data to assist in monitoring a patient's unique health conditions, and to provide more informative analyses of patient data and the relationships between elements of patient data. When a patient modeling server receives patient data from an external device, the patient modeling server determines whether values for elements of patient data satisfy individualized ranges for the elements of patient data, specific to the patient. In response to this determination, the patient modeling server can transmit notification and/or alert messages, and modify the individualized ranges for the elements of patient data. The patient modeling server also determines relationships between elements of patient data, based on analyses performed on the elements of patient data, to generate patient-specific models.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and method of measuring hydrophone impedance are provided herein. A sensor can convert an acoustic wave received via a liquid medium into an electric signal. A signal encoder can be coupled with the sensor to receive the electric signal. A test signal generator can be coupled in series with the sensor and the signal encoder and can generate a test signal. The test signal can measure an impedance of the sensor. A switch component can be coupled in series with the sensor, the signal encoder, and the test signal generator. The switch component can route the test signal to a first terminal of the sensor and through a second terminal of sensor during a first operational state. The switch component can route the test signal to the second terminal of the sensor and through the first terminal of sensor during a second operational state.