Abstract: An intraoral acupressure apparatus and method of treating a user are disclosed. The apparatus may include a base shaped to conform to a palate of a user, the base configured to be removably held adjacent to the palate in a predetermined position relative to acupressure points located on the user's palate. The apparatus may additionally include one or more projections extending out from the base and configured to contact one or more acupressure points of the user's palate when the apparatus is removably held in the predetermined position. The base may be configured to be removably held in the predetermined position without wire hooks or clasps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for providing foldable, insertable robotic sensory and manipulation platforms for single port surgery. The device is referred to herein as an Insertable Robotic Effector Platform (IREP). The IREP provides a self-deployable insertable device that provides stereo visual feedback upon insertion, implements a backbone structure having a primary backbone and four secondary backbones for each of the robotic arms, and implements a radial expansion mechanism that can separate the robotic arms. All of these elements together provide an anthropomorphic endoscopic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2. R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, W, Y, m and n are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.

Abstract: A method for securing a portable electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object utilizing a locking assembly having a security rod or spike formed with an anchoring end separated axially by a protruding end, a locking device with an internal locking mechanism and a cable permanently attached to the locking device at one end, includes several steps. The steps include securely fixing the anchoring end of the security rod or spike to the portable electronic device upon or through the housing, attaching an other end of the cable to the substantially immovable object and inserting the protruding end of the security rod into an opening in the locking device to actuate the internal locking mechanism and lock the locking device to the captive security rod. Locking the security rod to the locking device concurrently locks the portable electronic device to which it is anchored to the substantially immovable object.

Abstract: A method for securing a portable electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object utilizing a locking assembly having a security rod or spike formed with an anchoring end separated axially by a protruding end, a locking device with an internal locking mechanism and a cable permanently attached to the locking device at one end, includes several steps. The steps include securely fixing the anchoring end of the security rod or spike to the portable electronic device upon or through the housing, attaching an other end of the cable to the substantially immovable object and inserting the protruding end of the security rod into an opening in the locking device to actuate the internal locking mechanism and lock the locking device to the captive security rod. Locking the security rod to the locking device concurrently locks the portable electronic device to which it is anchored to the substantially immovable object.

Abstract: A radiation absorber comprising multiple layers has a conducting base layer, and at least first and second further layers, each separated by a dielectric material, the first and second layers having patches thereon of highly conducting material, and defining resonant cavities in cooperation with the dielectric material, wherein the resonant cavities formed on adjacent layers differ in frequency. Characteristics of the patch, such as size or shape may vary on each layer to provide different resonant frequencies, and/or dielectric or magnetic properties of the dielectric material, and/or separation distance of the patches may be varied. In some embodiments, complex dielectrics may have their loss factors adapted to tune a resonant frequency, or to adapt its resonant bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (IA), (IB) and (IC): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1-R7 are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.

Abstract: A solar cell receiver for use in a concentrating solar system which concentrates the solar energy onto a solar cell for converting solar energy to electricity. The solar cell receiver may include a solar cell mounted on a support and with one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers. An optical element may be positioned over the solar cell and have an optical channel with an inlet that faces away from the solar cell and an outlet that faces towards the solar cell. A frame may be positioned over the support and extend around the solar cell with the frame having an inner side that extends above the support and faces towards the optical element. An encapsulant may be positioned over the support and contained between the optical element and the frame. The encapsulant may have enlarged heights at contact points with the optical element and the frame and a reduced height between the contact points away from the optical element and the frame. The solar cell receiver may be used in a solar cell module.

Abstract: A method for harvesting algae according to embodiments of the present invention includes filling a reservoir at least partially with a liquid, submerging a bag at least partially in the liquid, the bag containing media, the media comprising algae, the bag comprising a first end, a second end, a harvesting port located closer to the first end than to the second end, and a gas port, delivering gas into the bag through the gas port, and raising the second end of the bag by accumulating the gas at the second end to flow the media toward the harvesting port.

Abstract: A method for securing a portable electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object utilizing a locking assembly having a security rod or spike formed with an anchoring end separated axially by a protruding end, a locking device with an internal locking mechanism and a cable permanently attached to the locking device at one end, includes the steps of securedly fixing the anchoring end of the security rod or spike to the portable electronic device upon or through the housing, attaching an other end of the cable to the substantially immovable object and inserting the protruding end of the security rod into an opening in the locking device to actuate the internal locking mechanism and lock the locking device to the captive security rod. Locking the security rod to the locking device concurrently locks the portable electronic device to which it is anchored to the substantially immovable object.

Abstract: A system to detect subsurface activity. The system employs vibration sensor pairs, with each sensor pair having a shallow sensor and a deep sensor. Outputs of the sensors of a pair are processed together and events are detected based on the relative values detected by the sensors of the pair. When signal energy departs from a detected background level, the relative amplitude and frequency content of vibrations measured at the shallow and deep sensors may be compared. The comparison may be performed, at least in part, using a classifier that discriminates between subsurface activity and surface activity. The outputs of sensor pairs may be aggregated to make a determination of whether subsurface activity exists and/or its location. Aggregation may involve comparing the outputs of the same sensor pair at multiple time intervals or may involve comparing the outputs of arrayed sensor pairs.

Abstract: A composite material comprises magnetic particles dispersed in electrically insulating material. The magnetic particles have an aspect ratio greater than 1 (preferably greater than 10) and a concentration sufficiently high to produce negative permeability. The magnetic particles may be magnetic flakes of reduced carbonyl iron of average diameter 50 ?m, average thickness 1 ?m and aspect ratio 50, the magnetic flakes being at least 25% by volume of the composite material. The magnetic flakes may be aligned to produce enhanced permeability. The electrically insulating material may be paraffin wax, particulate PTFE, or another polymer. To control permittivity, the composite material may include an electrically conducting component such as graphite or conductive coatings upon the magnetic flakes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein X1 to X4, R1 to R4, A, B, D and m are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.

Abstract: An active control of advertising is enhanced through the use of solicited information to gain knowledge about a desired population of users. In some examples, this knowledge about users provides a self-identification of target users, and this self-identification is used to select further users with similar characteristics, who would also be likely to self-identify themselves as target users.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a steerable drilling tool is provided including a rotatable shaft extending through a housing where the shaft and the housing are separated by at least one bearing or two sets of bearings, the shaft having a first portion terminating at a first end of the shaft and a second portion terminating at a second end of the shaft. The steerable drilling tool may further include a drill bit structure operatively coupled to the first portion and a steering subsystem comprising a pair of bearings operatively coupled to the first portion. The steering subsystem may be configured to angulate the shaft by exerting force substantially through the pair of bearings. In certain embodiments, the first portion is between the first end and about one-third of the length of the shaft from the first end towards the second end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1-R5 are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.

Abstract: An online store referral system is provided that includes an online store server comprising records of items for sale, a referral service server, a primary referrer, and a secondary referrer able to receive from the primary referrer a link to an item for sale in the online store. A shopper computer system, of a shopper, is operative to receive from the secondary referrer the link to an item for sale in the online store and to follow that link to make a purchase from the online store of the item for sale. The online store server is operative to inform the referral service server of the purchase of an item for sale following on from the link for that item being followed by a shopper that received the link from the secondary referrer. The referral service server is operative to credit the primary referrer with a commission in respect of the sale of the item.

Abstract: An online store referral system is provided that includes an online store server comprising records of items for sale, a referral service server, separate from the online store server, and a primary referrer. A shopper computer system, of a shopper, is operative to receive from the primary referrer a link to an item for sale in the online store and to follow that link to make a purchase from the online store of the item for sale. The online store server is operative to inform the referral service server of a purchase of an item for sale following on from the link for that item being followed. The referral service server is operative to credit the primary referrer with a commission in respect of the sale of the item.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for communicating transaction-related data to a recipient device. In at least one embodiment, a computer-implemented method can be provided. The method can include directing storage of transaction-related information comprising payment data and value added services data. The method can further include communicating the transaction-related information to a recipient device during a card emulation communication initiated by the recipient device, wherein the recipient device utilizes the transaction-related information to complete a payment transaction and provide one or more value added services associated with the payment transaction.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods related to facilitating payments via a peer-to-peer protocol. Tokenized information associated with a payment transaction may be obtained. Establishment of a peer-to-peer communications session with a payment recipient device may be facilitated. The tokenized information to the recipient device via the established peer-to-peer communications session may be communicated in order to facilitate completion of the payment transaction.