Abstract: A method for moderation in a permissioned blockchain using a hash-oriented scheme includes: storing a blockchain including a most recent block; receiving transaction data values; receiving a first reference value and a second reference value; generating a first hash value by hashing the first reference value; generating a block proof including the first hash value, a second hash value, a third reference value, and a block value; verifying a block header of the most recent block using the block proof; receiving a new block value; generating a new block header including the first reference value, the second reference value, a fourth reference value, and the new block value; generating a new block for the blockchain including the new block header and the transaction data values; and transmitting the new block to one or more additional nodes associated with the blockchain.

Abstract: A data storage device comprising a recording head having a high damping magnetic alloy layer including at least one magnetic alloy element, and a 5d transition element; the high damping magnetic alloy layer having a mixed face-centered cubic (fcc) and body-centered cubic (bcc) crystal structure, and the mixed fcc and bcc crystal structure comprising fcc and bcc grains, with the bcc grains having an elongated shape relative to the fcc grains, a larger size than the fcc grains, and slip deformation, thereby providing the high damping magnetic alloy layer with a damping constant of up to about 0.07.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure disclose a turbine that includes multiple rotating sails and multiple stationary sails. A mastless vertical axis wind turbine includes a first plurality of sails that are configured to rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is coupled to the first plurality of sails. During operation of the mastless vertical axis wind turbine, the platform is in tension with the first plurality of sails at one or more points about a particular end of the first plurality of the sails. The mastless vertical axis wind turbine also includes a second plurality of sails having respective first ends that are coupled together and second ends that are each coupled to one or more stationary surfaces. The second plurality of sails are configured to remain stationary as the first plurality of sails rotate under the influence of the wind.

Abstract: A wastewater sump assembly for receiving and disposing of undesired fluid and, in some cases, solid waste (collectively “wastewater”). A sump basin includes an upstanding wall a base and a top. A sensor in the form, e.g., of a float switch extends into the basin and is operable to actuate a pump to remove collective wastewater from the basin. The sensor depends from a sensor support that is supported distally within the basin in a vertical manner and is supported proximately within the basin in a horizontal manner, with securement of the sensor support not requiring traversal of the basin top and with the distal basin support not needing to be accessed vertically through a pump access aperture in the top.

Abstract: A method of planarizing a substrate comprises dispensing formable material onto a substrate, contacting, at a planarizing station at a first location, a superstrate held by a superstrate chuck with the formable material on the substrate, thereby forming a multilayer structure including the superstrate, a film of the formable material, and the substrate, releasing the superstrate from the superstrate chuck, moving the multilayer structure from the first location to a curing station located at a second location away from the first location, the curing station including an array of light-emitting diodes, and curing the film of the multilayer structure by exposing the film to light emitted from the array of light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: An engine can utilize a combustor to combust fuel to drive the engine. A fuel nozzle assembly can supply fuel to the combustor for combustion or ignition of the fuel. The fuel nozzle assembly can include a swirler and a fuel nozzle to supply a mixture of fuel and air for combustion. The fuel nozzle can include both a primary and secondary fuel passage, and an additional air passage to provide for greater flame control, fuel provision, or local fuel and air mixing prior to combustion.

Abstract: A method of making a needle guard includes providing a mold having a portion defining a volume, the volume being a hollow cylinder with non-uniform walls with a pair of slots therein, the slots being open at one end and closed at the other end, the pair of slots having a major portion of constant width. The walls are thicker at the other end than at the one end. The method includes filling the volume with polymer and releasing a molded part from said mold and cooling a molded part resulting from the filling and releasing such that temperature that the widths of the pair of slots is non-uniform after cooling. The needle guard has upper and lower jaws defining a channel and coming together at a hinge. A winged needle can be inserted between the jaws, with the wings of the winged needle passing through slots between the jaws.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a watch, has a crown assembly having a shaft and a user-rotatable crown. The user-rotatable crown may include a conductive cap that is mechanically and electrically coupled to the shaft and functions as an electrode. The conductive cap may be coupled to the shaft using solder or another conductive attachment mechanism. The shaft may electrically couple the conductive cap to a processing unit of the electronic device. One or more additional electrodes may be positioned on the exterior surface of the electronic device. The conductive cap is operable to be contacted by a finger of a user of the electronic device while another electrode is positioned against skin of the user. The processing unit of the electronic device is operable to determine a biological parameter, such as an electrocardiogram, of the user based on voltages at the electrodes.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs having excellent fluid handling characteristics are disclosed. The nonwoven webs are made from a combination of binder fibers and structure fibers. The nonwoven webs can be made exclusively from polyolefin polymers without having to contain polyester fibers. Although the webs can be used in numerous applications, the nonwoven materials are particularly well suited as a surge layer in an absorbent article.

Abstract: A gearbox case which includes a gear cavity breather device contained within the gearbox case to allow pressure equalization between the interior gearbox cavity and the external environment, while ensuring lubricant is kept in the gearbox. According to a preferred embodiment, the breather device contained within gearbox case may be formed as a spring-loaded ball valve to ensure external contaminants are kept out of the gearbox while allowing air to pass.

Abstract: A pressure regulator module for a chip-based microfluidic platform is provided. The module includes a microfluidic channel for passing flowable material from the inlet region through the outlet region and into a downstream compartment; one or more microvalves fluidly connected to the microfluidic channel and upstream of the outlet region; and one or more reservoirs fluidly connected to the microvalves, for receiving flowable material diverted by the microvalves, where a flow of flowable material passing from the inlet region toward the downstream compartment is at least partially diverted by the microvalves into the reservoirs as a result of a pressure increase in the microfluidic channel. In some versions, the microvalves are capillary burst valves. A microfluidic chip containing the module and a method of using the module are provided.

Abstract: A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for using bilateral implant to restore spinal alignment and/or maximize range of motion for patients who suffer from spinal degenerative disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, methods and surgical procedures for altering and/or correcting the alignment of adjacent bones, including bones of the spine.

Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing defining a side wall having a through-hole and a crown assembly including an actuation member. The actuation member may include a crown shaft extending through the through-hole and having an exterior portion defining an input surface and a crown ring coupled to the exterior portion of the crown shaft and electrically isolated from the crown shaft. The crown assembly may further include an optical encoder component attached to the actuation member and defining a group of optical features. The electronic watch may further include an optical detector configured to detect rotation of the crown assembly by detecting motion of the group of optical features and an electrocardiograph sensor comprising a sensing component. The sensing component may be conductively coupled to the actuation member via a conductive path at least partially defined by the crown shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods and devices for a computing device, robot and/or navigational assistance system to increase the accuracy of surgical access to the targeted vertebral segment, vertebral bony preparation, selecting the proper implant size and/or implant positioning, which will optimize the restoration of spinal alignment and/or range of motion to a desirable degree.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for restoring spinal alignment and/or maximizing range of motion for patients who suffer from spinal degenerative disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, system and methods for spinal implants to be deployed into an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae to replace the function of the intervertebral disc and the facets, while restoring stability, flexibility, coronal alignment/balance, sagittal alignment/balance and proper biomechanical motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for the high throughput measurement of optical properties of liquid samples placed into the wells of a multiwell plate is disclosed. An optical fiber within a fiber bundle containing no corrective optics between the fiber ends and the well plate bottom illuminates the sample in order to induce fluorescence, and multiple fibers collect emission radiation and transmit it to a fluorescence detector such as a spectrometer. Other embodiments involve a light scattering illumination source with detection fibers located in either the same bundle containing the fluorescence monitoring fibers or an independent light scattering detection bundle for the measurement of static and/or dynamic light scattering. Some embodiments of the invention permit the measurement of phase analysis light scattering. Thus the measurement of multiple optical properties of a liquid sample may be made simultaneously or in succession. A method for these measurements is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, methods and surgical procedures for altering and/or correcting the alignment of adjacent bones, including bones of the spine.