Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus that is configured to receive data from a data producer (such as for example a telecommunications provider like a mobile operator); process (e.g., analyze, aggregate, etc.) the received data; and supply aspects of the results of the processing to a data consumer through for example an array of user interfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for evaluating entities for a target user, the method comprising obtaining, at a server computer, entity data from a plurality of data sources. The entity data is then stored in an entity database. The method further comprises merging the entity data from the plurality of data sources, mapping the entity data to a corresponding entity, and differentiating the entity. Then a relevance is determined associated with the entity data and data source. The method further comprises generating a set of entity evaluations to the target user using the relevance, determining a set of one or more entities relevant to the primary user based on the entity data, user data, and the relevance, with an initial order of relevance, and displaying, on a user device, the set of relevant entities to the target user in the order of relevance.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port (136, 2604) of a distal probe tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port (136, 2604). The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid (30) through the distal probe tip (112, 112?). The distal probe tip (112, 112?) may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port (136, 2604).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method of encoding image frames into a multiplexed frame, and a corresponding method of decoding the multiplexed frame. The encoding method includes modifying image frames to generate corresponding processed frames, and generating masking data that indicates how an output frame can be produced from one of the processed frames and another of the processed frames. The processed frames and the masking data can be combined to form a multiplexed frame. The decoding method includes receiving a multiplexed frame containing processed frames and masking data, and unpacking the multiplexed frame to identify the processed frames and the masking data. Once unpacked, an output frame can be generated from the processed frames by combining one of the processed frames with another of the processed frames according to the masking data.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port (136, 2604) of a distal probe tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port (136, 2604). The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid (30) through the distal probe tip (112, 112?). The distal probe tip (112, 112?) may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port (136, 2604).

Abstract: A microfluidic resistance network (20) is disclosed that comprises a first microfluidic channel (112) in fluidic communication with a first fluid inlet (22); and a second microfluidic channel (114) in fluidic communication with a second fluid inlet (24); wherein the microfluidic resistance network (20) further comprises a cross-shaped dilution stage (100) having the first microfluidic channel (112) as a first dilution stage inlet and the second microfluidic channel (114) as a second dilution stage inlet, the dilution stage further comprising a first microfluidic outlet channel (122) for combining a portion of a first fluid from the first microfluidic channel with a second fluid from the second microfluidic channel (114) and a second microfluidic outlet channel (124) for receiving the remainder of first fluid. A microfluidic device (200) comprising such a microfluidic resistance network (20) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port of a distal tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port. The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the second fluid medium (30) through a distal probe tip.

Abstract: A vaginal insert which can be provided in an applicator for the treatment of urinary incontinence in females. The vaginal insert can provide tension-free incontinence treating support perpendicularly to the urethra (i.e., across the urethra).

Abstract: A detection apparatus (1000) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on the surface (31, 33) based on measurement of a stream probe signal correlating a substance (116) at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30, 35) through a stream probe (500) includes a distal optical gum detector transmission portion (620) and a distal optical gum detector reception portion (720) in a position to transmit and to receive, respectively, an optical signal controlled by a controller (2251), enables the controller (2251) to determine if an open port (526) of a distal tip (522) of the stream probe (500) is in contact with a substance (116) at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30, 35) through the open port (526) and not in contact with the gums of a subject or of a user of the detection apparatus (1000) to override false positive signals.

Abstract: A dental implement (4) is presented that includes, in one embodiment, a light source (331) configured to emit an excitation light, and at least one optical unit for removing reflected excitation light and receiving a fluorescence light beam from the teeth. The dental implement further includes a detector (333) configured to receive the fluorescence light beam for detecting plaque and communicating a plaque identification signal of the teeth based on frequency domain lifetime measurements via a plaque detection circuit configured to reduce noise generated by a drive train at a drive train frequency (fdt). The plaque identification signal is demodulated to an intermediate frequency (fIF) such that the drive train frequency and the intermediate frequency are derived from a same master clock.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for utilizing close proximity wireless communication (CPWC) technology for a secure out-of-band (OOB) transfer of communication information between two or more devices at close range. The communication information may be used to establish a secure communication channel over a greater distance than possible using CPWC technologies. A host device may include a processing unit in communication with a communication module and a CPWC module. An edge device may include a processing unit in communication with a communication module and a CPWC tag. The CPWC tag may receive communication information from the CPWC module of the host device. In other embodiments, the edge device may receive communication information from an intermediary transfer device. The edge device may then use the communication information to facilitate secure communication via the communication module of the edge device and the communication module of the host device.

Abstract: A dental apparatus (4) is provided. The dental apparatus includes a handle (6). A controller (20) operably couples to the housing and includes a calibration module (44) configured to calibrate the dental apparatus. The dental apparatus emits a modulated excitation signal and the calibration module compares a detected modulated fluorescence signal with first and second reference values such that if a difference between the detected modulated fluorescence signal and the second reference signal is greater than a difference between the first reference value and the second reference value then the first reference value is updated.

Abstract: A dental apparatus is provided. The dental apparatus includes a handle including a power button configured to place the dental apparatus in on/off configurations. A controller is housed within the handle and includes a mouth detection module and a tooth anomaly module. Electrical circuitry is in operable communication with the mouth detection module and tooth anomaly module and is configured to emit a low intensity excitation light having a first frequency and a high intensity excitation light which may have a second frequency. The low intensity excitation light is utilized to detect the presence of tooth material and the high intensity excitation light is utilized to detect the presence of a tooth anomaly or to treat a dental condition.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example transmitting, by a system comprising a processor, via a first emergency media channel a first video stream comprising first evacuation routing information for a first evacuation group responsive to receiving a notification of an emergency event, instructing, by the system, a first media processor device to select the first emergency media channel while disabling selection of other media channels according to the first evacuation routing information, where the content of the emergency media channel is presented at a display device by way of the first media processor device, and enabling, by the system, the first media processor device to select the other media channels responsive to receiving user input acknowledging the emergency media channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for utilizing close proximity wireless communication (CPWC) technology for a secure out-of-band (OOB) transfer of communication information between two or more devices at close range. The communication information may then be used to establish a secure communication channel over a greater distance than possible using CPWC technologies. In various embodiments, a host device may include a processing unit in communication with a communication module and a separate CPWC module. An edge device may include a processing unit in communication with a communication module and a CPWC tag. The CPWC tag may be configured to receive communication information from the CPWC module of the host device. The edge device may then use the communication information to facilitate secure communication via the communication module of the edge device and the communication module of the host device.

Abstract: A combined ball valve for compressor bleed air modulation is provided. The combined ball valve includes a housing defining an inlet, and first and second outlets. A metering element is positioned within the housing and within a flow path extending from the inlet to the first and second outlets. The metering element includes first and second flow ports and is rotatable within the housing to modulate compressor bleed air from the inlet to neither, one, or both of the first and second outlets. The combined ball valve utilizes high temperature materials in a relatively lightweight package.

Abstract: A block valve includes a valve body having an interior chamber between an inlet port and an outlet port, with the valve body including a vent port positioned in the valve body. The block valve further includes a valve closure element located within the chamber, with the valve closure element having a fluid passage therethrough. The valve closure element is movable relative to the valve body between a first position, where the fluid passage is at least partially alignable with the inlet port and the outlet port, and a second position, where a sealing surface of the valve closure element seals the inlet port and the outlet port from the chamber. The valve closure element includes a vent channel positioned in fluid communication with the vent port and the fluid passage of the valve closure element.

Abstract: A user is enabled to edit a table defining a view of a network object database, for example, a MIB. The user can select from among a plurality of network object types and select from among a plurality of columns of the table. At least one column of the table is specified by the user and edited to represent a network object type specified by the user. The view definition can be extracted from the application and transported to another device where it can be edited and/or viewed using a suitable application. Such portable view definition may be defined as part of a document, for example, a document formatted in accordance with a markup language, such as XML. Such document may include information for requesting objects to populate the view, which may be used to construct requests (e.g., SNMP requests) to retrieve objects from one or more network devices.

Abstract: A fixture assembly for securing at least one side rail to a shroud tile of a gas turbine is disclosed. The fixture assembly may include a first support member, a second support member, a first guide block and a second guide block. The first and second guide blocks may be formed from a material that has the same or a similar coefficient of thermal expansion as the material used to form at least one of the shroud tile and the at least one side rail. In addition, the first and second support members may be formed from a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the material used to form the first and second guide blocks.

Abstract: Implantable devices for fixation of curved bone such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state, and include an elongate structure having a proximal bone interface, a main body, and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.