Abstract: The disclosure provides a marksman training tool, a method of teaching marksmanship, and a system for instructing marksmanship. The marksman training tool provides an all-weather, visual training aid for teaching marksmanship. In one example, the marksman training tool includes: (1) a base constructed of a non-opaque material, and (3) a weapon sight representation permanently applied to the base. In one example, the method includes: (1) obtaining a marksman training tool, wherein the marksman training tool includes a non-opaque base with a weapon sight representation permanently applied thereto, and (2) demonstrating to at least one student, employing the marksman training tool, a representation of a view of a weapon system sight with respect to a target, wherein the weapon sight representation corresponds to the weapon system sight.

Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to a kiosk design for an advanced photographic system. More specifically, the present inventive concept relates to a self-contained, automated photobooth kiosk. In embodiments of the present inventive concept, the photobooth kiosk is capable of taking a 360 degree panoramic photograph or sequence of photographs of a subject and surrounding background. For instance, a customer of the photobooth kiosk may stand in the center of the photobooth and have his or her picture taken with a plurality of specialized “machine vision” cameras, with the images sent to a central processor such as a computer for processing into a 360 degree panoramic photograph or video clip. After the photo-taking session, the customer may collect prints of the pictures at the kiosk, similar to presently available photobooths.

Abstract: Described are shoes for ball sports including an upper having an outer surface. An actuator is configured to change at least one surface property of a portion of the outer surface of the upper, and a sensor is configured to be sensitive to movements of the shoe. A processing unit is connected to the actuator and the sensor and configured to process sensor data retrieved from the sensor and to cause the actuator to change the at least one surface property of the portion of the outer surface of the upper if a predetermined event is detected in the sensor data.

Abstract: Lighting systems, methods, and devices for protecting human circadian neuroendocrine function during night use are described. Suitable lighting conditions can be provided for a working environment while protecting the circadian neuroendocrine systems of those occupying the illuminated workplace during the night. Lighting systems, methods, and devices can provide substantive attenuation of the pathologic circadian disruption in night workers. Lighting systems, methods, and devices can attenuate the specific bands of light implicated in circadian disruption. LED lighting systems, methods, and devices can provide increased intensity at a different portion of the spectrum than conventional LEDs, providing a useable white light even when unfavorable portions of the wavelength are attenuated by a notch filter.

Abstract: An improved cake cover for protecting and securing a cake, or other food item. The cake cover is preferably comprised of a washable enclosure having a plurality of receptacles positioned thereon for receipt of a plurality of interchangeable inserts, thereby allowing the user to customize the appearance and function of the cake cover. The plurality of inserts may include, without limitation, a candle holding insert, a light emitting insert and a sound emitting insert. An outer surface of the cake cover may further comprise decorative texturing that mimics the appearance of a traditionally baked cake, and/or may be constructed of a transparent or translucent material to enable the cake stored therein to be viewed through the cake cover. Finally, the cake cover may further comprise a securing means for securing the cover to a surface.

Abstract: Described are materials for a shoe upper, in particular for soccer shoes, with a particularly low weight. The material includes an inner polyurethane layer, an outer polyurethane layer, and a textile reinforcing layer. The textile reinforcing layer is arranged between the inner polyurethane layer and the outer polyurethane layer. The inner polyurethane layer and the outer polyurethane layer comprise thermoset polyurethane. The textile reinforcing layer comprises apertures through which the inner polyurethane layer and the outer polyurethane layer are connected to each other.

Abstract: Lighting systems, methods, and devices for protecting human circadian neuroendocrine function during night use are described. Suitable lighting conditions can be provided for a working environment while protecting the circadian neuroendocrine systems of those occupying the illuminated workplace during the night. Lighting systems, methods, and devices can provide substantive attenuation of the pathologic circadian disruption in night workers. Lighting systems, methods, and devices can attenuate the specific bands of light implicated in circadian disruption. LED lighting systems, methods, and devices can provide increased intensity at a different portion of the spectrum than conventional LEDs, providing a useable white light even when unfavorable portions of the wavelength are attenuated by a notch filter.

Abstract: A method for sharing information has an assertion associated therewith such that the receiving communication device is able to verify the assertion without the sender revealing underlying data demonstrating the validity of the assertion. The assertion is derived from underlying data input to a pre-provisioned first algorithm. The assertion is encapsulated in a first data object by a PGE that controls an environment in which the first algorithm is executed. A first proof is generated that is configured to verify that the first algorithm used the underlying data to produce the assertion when provided to a PVE along with the first data object. The underlying data is excluded from the first proof and the first data object such that privacy of the underlying data is maintained. The information, the first proof and the first data object are sent to the receiving communication device from the sending communication device.

Abstract: A fixture for drilling a hole in a superalloy turbine blade includes a mount to selectively hold a root of the superalloy turbine blade with the superalloy turbine blade extending from the mount. The fixture may also include an actuator to apply a force to elastically deform at least a portion of the superalloy turbine blade when held by the mount from a relaxed, initial position to an elastically deformed position, the at least a portion of the superalloy turbine blade having a curvature in the elastically deformed position not present in the relaxed, initial position. The fixture may also include a drill guide configured to guide a drilling element into the superalloy turbine blade in the elastically deformed position.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetic markers and a coding sequence associated with a low- or ultra-low anatabine trait in tobacco.

Abstract: A method for sharing information has an assertion associated therewith such that the receiving communication device is able to verify the assertion without the sender revealing underlying data demonstrating the validity of the assertion. The assertion is derived from underlying data input to a pre-provisioned first algorithm. The assertion is encapsulated in a first data object by a PGE that controls an environment in which the first algorithm is executed. A first proof is generated that is configured to verify that the first algorithm used the underlying data to produce the assertion when provided to a PVE along with the first data object. The underlying data is excluded from the first proof and the first data object such that privacy of the underlying data is maintained. The information, the first proof and the first data object are sent to the receiving communication device from the sending communication device.

Abstract: Described are materials for a shoe upper, in particular for soccer shoes, with a particularly low weight. The material includes an inner polyurethane layer, an outer polyurethane layer, and a textile reinforcing layer. The textile reinforcing layer is arranged between the inner polyurethane layer and the outer polyurethane layer. The inner polyurethane layer and the outer polyurethane layer comprise thermoset polyurethane. The textile reinforcing layer comprises apertures through which the inner polyurethane layer and the outer polyurethane layer are connected to each other.

Abstract: Levels of substance use, location, and vital signs are remotely monitored for a subject. In one embodiment, the system includes a testing device and a communication device. The testing device obtains a breathalyzer sample from a test subject and determines a substance level. The communication device reports the substance level to a remote monitoring station. In addition, location and camera functions of the communication device can report additional information for verification and system integrity. In other embodiments, the system can be incorporated into an ankle bracelet for monitoring movement of an individual or into a vehicle system to prevent operation while impaired.

Abstract: A method for achieving consensus amongst a distributed and decentralized set of computers, devices or components in a network interacting via messaging is presented. The method does not rely on the availability of an overall ledger that is consulted for every interaction. Rather, the interacting components communicate directly with each other via messages that contain proofs of consistency that may be used to achieve local consistency amongst the interacting components. Local consistency guarantees global consistency. For regulatory and record keeping purposes, use of an overall ledger may be contemplated for regulatory and record keeping purposes. The latter may be updated by the interacting devices via an asynchronous updating mechanism.

Abstract: A method for achieving consensus amongst a distributed and decentralized set of computers, devices or components in a network interacting via messaging is presented. The method does not rely on the availability of an overall ledger that is consulted for every interaction. Rather, the interacting components communicate directly with each other via messages that contain proofs of consistency that may be used to achieve local consistency amongst the interacting components. Local consistency guarantees global consistency. For regulatory and record keeping purposes, use of an overall ledger may be contemplated for regulatory and record keeping purposes. The latter may be updated by the interacting devices via an asynchronous updating mechanism.

Abstract: A mast for a rig for a surfboard is characterized among others by the following features: a mast with a profiled cross-section in the longitudinal direction, said cross-section being formed transversely to the mast longitudinal direction and deviating from a circular shape; the profiled cross-section has the shape of a droplet or has a droplet-like design in the manner of a droplet profile; the mast has a fork tree head securing section which can be rotated or pivoted about the fork tree head securing section; the fork tree head securing section is provided with a cross-section which deviates from the droplet profile; and the mast lower part and the mast upper part of the mast consist of plastic or comprise plastic optionally with the addition of a reinforcement consisting of metal, glass fibers, and/or carbon fibers.

Abstract: A sole for a sports shoe comprises a plurality of profile elements and a friction element. The profile elements are distributed such that the friction element can contact a sports ball to increase the friction between a lower side of the sole and the sports ball.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetic markers and a coding sequence associated with a low- or ultra-low anatabine trait in tobacco.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a heat transfer device, while other embodiments include a turbine component. In some cases, the device can include: a body portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner region; at least one aperture in the body portion, the at least one aperture positioned to direct fluid from the inner region through the body portion; and at least one fluid receiving feature formed in the outer surface of the body portion, the at least one fluid receiving feature positioned to receive post-impingement fluid from the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture does not define any portion of the at least one fluid receiving feature, and the at least one fluid receiving feature segregates relatively higher velocity post-impingement fluid from relatively lower velocity fluid within an impingement cross-flow region.

Abstract: Decentralization of application programs is a growing trend. It is known that user data communicated to different components of a transaction or application may be linked to derive a composite profile of users. A system and methods are presented that maintain user data privacy in decentralized networks, possibly containing multiple sensor devices. Applications to controlling smart devices and service portability across providers are shown.