Abstract: Static security credentials are replaced by pseudonyms and session-specific passwords to increase security associated with user login attempts, and specifically to defeat keylogging attacks. For each login event, the system generates unique, session-specific credentials by randomly replacing characters within a given username and password. The random character generation ensures that system login attempts use different combinations of characters, thereby producing a new username and password for every user session. The client side of the system requires only the capability to display an image file, with specialized software/hardware limited to the server side, thereby facilitating the use of the system by a wide range of client devices.

Abstract: In one example, a modified electrical device includes a body and at least one connector on the body to make power and control connections with an active cover plate. A system includes an active cover plate with low voltage circuitry and a first interface and a modified electrical device. The modified electrical device includes high voltage circuitry and a second interface to connect to the first interface to supply low voltage to the active cover plate. A method for controlling a flow of power through a modified electrical device is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed of providing a user application with a notification message. One example method may include receiving a script to setup a message queue, the script may include a database schema and the script may be executed by a processor to apply the database schema to a database that includes the message queue. The method may also include receiving one or more notifications messages having specific notification content that is applied to notification messages. The notifications may be received from a remote device. The message queue may include notification content used to generate notification messages destined for end user devices.

Abstract: A poly(ether ketone) polymer comprising recurring units derived from the reaction of at least one aromatic dihalo-compound comprising at least one —C(O)— group and at least one diol having a general formula HO-Dol-OH wherein Dol is an aliphatic group comprising from 4 to 20 carbon atoms which comprises at least one cycloaliphatic moiety.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system includes a first housing, a second housing, a seal, and a spring system. The first housing includes a first volume of fluid. The first housing is capable of connecting to a first element and to a second element, and is also capable of reducing an amount of movement transferred from the first element to the second element. The second housing is connected to the first housing. The second housing includes a second volume of fluid and a volume of gas. The first volume of fluid is in fluid communication with the second volume of fluid. The seal is capable of separating the second volume of fluid from the volume of gas. The spring system is capable of applying pressure to the first volume of fluid and the second volume of fluid.

Abstract: A method for reducing mucus accumulation in an airway including disposing an implantable device within an airway, wherein the implantable device has a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the first end to the second end; wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has a hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, wherein a polymer coating surface has dynamic water contact angles of 145 degrees or greater; and wherein the implantable device is constructed and arranged to maintain patency of the airway; wherein accumulation of mucus is reduced as compared to a similar implantable device without the hydrophobic portion of the inner surface. An implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making an implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface are also provided.

Abstract: A turbine blade having an airfoil defined by outer walls in which a concave shaped pressure side outer wall and a convex shaped suction side outer wall connect along leading and trailing edges and form a chamber for receiving the flow of a coolant. The turbine blade may include a rib configuration that partitions the chamber into radially extending flow passages. The rib configuration may include a rib having a wavy profile that opposes a target surface across one of the flow passages. Relative to the target surface, the wavy profile of the rib may include a ridge portion and a furrow portion. The rib may include impingement apertures formed through the ridge portion.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing call monitoring, and, in particular embodiments, to methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer software for implementing self-learning corrections facility call monitoring. In some embodiments, a method might comprise an automated call monitor monitoring a voice or video call between a call participant and a prison inmate, and analyzing at least one of conversation content of the call, voice characteristics of the call participant and/or the prison inmate, and/or (for video calls) body language of the parties to the call, to determine whether the conversation content, voice characteristics, and/or body language are indicative of impermissible content and/or impermissible conduct (i.e., indicative of past, present, and/or future criminal behavior or acts, and the like).

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for measuring a parameter (e.g. volume, temperature or pressure) of a target, the system comprising a diaphragm, a sensor for measuring the axial spacing between the sensor and the diaphragm, and an axially adjustable mount. The mount has a first axial end for mounting the diaphragm which is axially movable relative to the sensor and an opposing, second axial end which is axially fixed relative to the sensor. The diaphragm and mount define a chamber for receiving the target or for being received within the target. In use, the axial spacing between the first axial end and the second axial end of the mount and thus the axial spacing between the diaphragm and sensor varies as a result of a change in the parameter differential across the diaphragm.

Abstract: Sweetener compositions comprising particular glycoside compositions are described herein. The glycoside compositions comprise rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, and rebaudioside M in various proportions. The sweetener compositions can also include one or more bulking agents or other ingredients. The sweetener compositions can be used in foods and beverages.

Abstract: This disclosure provides apparatus and methods for detecting pressure changes within a cavity of a patient. A pressure-sensing catheter comprises an elongate member and a monitor lumen. The pressure-sensing catheter may have a hollow pressure-compliant member in fluid communication with the monitor lumen and thereby define a fluid column. A connector apparatus can be in fluid communication with the monitor lumen, and can comprise a first complementary connector and a second complementary connector. One of the first complementary connector and the second complementary connector can have a pressurizing device that can displace a volume of fluid located within a bore of the other complementary connector into the fluid column, wherein the ratio of the volume of displaced fluid to the volume of the fluid column ranges from about 1:2 to about 1:4. The pressure catheter can comprise a radio-opaque band circumscribing the exterior of the elongate member.

Abstract: A vibration attenuation system for attenuating vibrations in a mast of an aircraft includes a weight attached to the mast but free to orbit about the mast. The weight can be comprised of one or more weight assemblies. Embodiments can include a single weight, or plural weight assemblies wherein each weight assembly can include a mechanical interconnecting mechanism so that each weight assembly receives feedback regarding the position and movement of one or more other weight assemblies. Each weight can be associated with a spring that urges the weight towards a neutral position. Rotation of the mast can cause the weight to orbit about the mast and self-excite such that the weight acts against the urging of the spring towards an attenuating position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include vehicle safety monitoring, and more particularly monitoring a condition of an operator of a vehicle. According to some embodiments, the present disclosure includes a system for alerting the operator and/or a remote server/user when the operator's driving time violates a pre-determined maximum threshold. According to other embodiments, the present disclosure includes a system that compares an operator's driving behavior against a personalized driving model, and generates a flag based on that comparison. In some cases, this comparison can help detect when the driver is exhibiting signs of fatigue or other kinds of impairment. According to other embodiments, geographic information may be used to improve road safety systems.

Abstract: The systems and methods may be used to recommend an item to a consumer. The methods may comprise determining, based on a collaborative filtering algorithm, a consumer relevance value associated with an item, and transmitting, based on the consumer relevance value, information associated with the item to a consumer. A collaborative filtering algorithm may receive as an input a transaction history associated with the consumer, a demographic of the consumer, a consumer profile, a type of transaction account, a transaction account associated with the consumer, a period of time that the consumer has held a transaction account, a size of wallet and/or a share of wallet. The method may further comprise generating a ranked list of items based upon consumer relevance values, transmitting a ranked list of items to a consumer, and/or re-ranking a ranked list of items based upon a merchant goal.

Abstract: Improved colorimetric analysis of liquid samples is provided. A sample holder is used that delivers predetermined volumes of sample individually to each of several colorimetric test patches at the same time with a sliding action. An opaque housing is employed to prevent ambient light from reaching the test patches when color images of the test patches are acquired. Preferably, a mobile electronic device including a camera is attached to the opaque housing to acquire the images. Optical microscopy can be performed in addition to the colorimetric analysis.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating emitter regions of solar cells are described. Methods of forming layers on substrates of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are also described.

Abstract: A method of insulating a structural frame member of a transport vehicle is provided. The method includes coupling a first end of at least one flexible insulation member to one of at least two self-retaining foam insulation members using a coupling element. The method includes wrapping the at least one flexible insulation member over a first free end of the structural frame member of the transport vehicle and over at least portions of two sides of the structural frame member. The method further includes positioning one of the self-retaining foam insulation members on each side of the wrapped structural frame member and in compression fit between each side of the wrapped structural frame member and adjacent structural frame members, such that the self-retaining foam insulation members impart one or more compression forces on the flexible insulation member to secure the flexible insulation member in place without use of any fastener device.

Abstract: In a method for printing an RFID tag on an object, a deposition mask is applied to the surface of an object. With the deposition mask on the surface of the object, RFID materials are deposited on at least one portion of the surface exposed by aperture(s) in the deposition mask. In particular embodiments, RFID tags can be deposited on medical instruments.

Abstract: A method of expanding expandable polymeric microspheres including contacting an aqueous slurry including unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with heat in-situ during manufacture of a cementitious composition or article, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further includes an admixture therefor. A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition or article includes: (i) contacting an aqueous slurry of unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with heat proximate to and/or during said manufacturing of the cementitious composition to create expanded polymeric microspheres; (ii) pre-wetting the expanded polymeric microspheres; and (iii) mixing the pre-wetted, expanded polymeric microspheres with cement and water to form the cementitious composition, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further comprises an admixture therefor.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides articles of manufacture comprising biocompatible nanostructures comprising PolyEther EtherKetone (PEEK) surface-modified (surface-nanopatterned) to exhibit nanostructured surfaces that promote osseointegration and bone-bonding for, e.g., joint (e.g., knee, hip and shoulder) replacements, bone or tooth reconstruction and/or implants, including their use in making and using artificial tissues and organs, and related, diagnostic, screening, research and development and therapeutic uses, e.g., as primary or ancillary drug delivery devices. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides biocompatible nanostructures that promote osseointegration and bone-bonding for enhanced cell and bone growth and e.g., for in vitro and in vivo testing, restorative and reconstruction procedures, implants and therapeutics.