Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a nectar container removably coupled to a feeding basin, the nectar container including a top opening closed by a cap. The cap has a sealing member configured to have an interference press fit with the top opening of the nectar container. The sealing member includes at least one void to allow air passage so that liquid can flow from the nectar container into the feeding basin when the feeder is in use.

Abstract: An oral care device (10) assesses a health parameter of gingival tissue of a user by means of a force-generating module (52) to apply a momentary force to the gingival tissue by applying a burst of compressed air or a burst of liquid to the gingival tissue, a sensor (28) to obtain a plurality of optical signals from the gingival tissue over time after the momentary force has been applied, a controller (30) to quantify, based at least in part on an analysis of the plurality of optical signals, the health parameter (e.g. inflammation of the gingival tissue), wherein the health parameter is based at least in part on an amount of time the gingival tissue takes to recover to the application of force; and a feedback module (46) to provide information to the user regarding the quantified health parameter.

Abstract: A method for automatically provisioning data for an opaque blockchain based on prior consent includes: receiving a consent request including transaction criteria and at least two digital signatures, the first digital signature generated by a regulating entity and the second digital signature generated by a moderating entity in a blockchain network; validating the first and second digital signature; digitally signing the received consent request using a private key of a first cryptographic key pair; transmitting the digitally signed consent request to the regulating entity; receiving a query request from the regulating entity, the query request including an executable query; executing the executable query to identify transaction data for electronic transactions in compliance with the transaction criteria; and transmitting the identified transaction data to the regulating entity.

Abstract: A Multi-Phase Simulation Environment (“MPSE”) is provided which simulates the conductor current and voltage or electric field of multiple phases of an electrical power distribution network to one or more sensing or measuring devices and includes independent control of wireless network connectivity for each sensing or measuring device, independent control of GPS RF to each device, and interface to a back-end analytics and management system.

Abstract: A clamp support system including a support rack having a pair of first sides and a pair of second sides that interlockingly engage each other. Slots are defined in each of the first sides and slots in the opposed and parallel first sides are aligned. One or more clamps are supported by the support rack. A bar of each clamp is received in a pair of aligned slots in the first sides. Each clamp includes a first jaw and a second jaw operatively engaged with the bar. A workpiece is positioned so that the first jaw of each clamp contacts a first side of the workpiece and the second jaw of each clamp contacts a second side. The first and second jaws are moved relative to each other to clamp the workpiece therebetween.

Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.

Abstract: Personal portable items are subject to potential loss or misplacement by their owners or authorized users. A system and method is operative with personal portable items which are locally associated with a processor, memory, and sensors (either built-in or via attached sensing device). The memory stores environmental parameters which indicate a potential chance or possibility that an item may be lost, stolen, or misplaced in the near-term, proximate future. The stored parameters are customized to the historical or expected uses of the portable item by a particular user or owner in particular, user-specific contexts. The sensors sense the environment of the portable item in real-time. If the sensed environment or sensed item usage matches the environmental parameters which indicate risk of loss or misplacement, an alert element signals the portable item's user, enabling the user to take anticipatory action to prevent item loss.

Abstract: A system for presenting an electronic device on a display table is disclosed. The system includes a table, a processor, an electronic device, and a cable. The table includes a display screen, and the display screen is operably connected to the processor. The electronic device is disposed on the table and includes a touch screen. The cable connects the electronic device to the processor. The touch screen of the electronic device is configured to display an image that changes in response to an input to the touch screen. The display screen of the table is configured to display an image that changes in response to the input to the touch screen of the electronic device. A change in the display screen image comprises a graphical continuation of a change in the touch screen image.

Abstract: A process includes manufacturing a gas turbine fuel injector body having a stub flange extending radially outward about a circumference of the gas turbine fuel injector body. The stub flange is sized to engage a stepped ledge along a central opening of a mounting flange. The central opening is sized to receive the gas turbine fuel injector body. A gas turbine fuel injector includes a gas turbine fuel injector body and a mounting flange. A method of mounting a gas turbine fuel injector includes placing a stub flange of a gas turbine fuel injector body between a surface of an injector boss and a stepped ledge of a mounting flange. The method also includes securing the gas turbine fuel injector to the injector boss with a plurality of bolts, each bolt extending through a mounting hole in the mounting flange and into a threaded hole in the injector boss.

Abstract: A method for generation of blocks for a partitioned blockchain includes: storing blocks comprising a partitioned blockchain, wherein each block includes a header and transaction entries; receiving transaction data entries for each of a plurality of subnets; generating a hash value of the header included in the most recently added block; generating a new block header, the new block header including the generated hash value, a timestamp, and a sequence of pairs including a pair for each of the plurality of subnets, each pair including a subnet identifier associated with the respective subnet and a merkle root of each of the transaction data entries received for the respective subnet; generating a new block, the new block including the generated new block header and the transaction data entries for each of the plurality of subnets; and transmitting the new block to a plurality of nodes associated with the partitioned blockchain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intermedullary bone fracture fixation are described herein. The fixation device includes a main body having a flexible state and a rigid state. The fixation device further includes a proximal interface coupled to a proximal end of the main body to anchor the fixation device to an exterior surface of the bone and a distal interface coupled to a distal end of the main body to anchor the fixation device to an interior cavity of the bone. The fixation device further includes a locking interface to configured to convert the main body from the flexible state to the rigid state.

Abstract: A bottom garment including a front panel, a back panel, and a garment lining. The front panel formed of a first fabric and the garment lining formed of a second fabric. The garment lining attached to an inside surface of the front panel and an inside surface of the back panel. The garment lining attached above a crotch point of the garment such that the garment lining is less restrictive than the front panel.

Abstract: A method for verifying proof of assertion of a value using a hash-oriented transaction scheme includes: receiving a confirmation request; identifying a confirmation message, wherein the confirmation message includes at least one or more chain values and is one of: included in the confirmation request or stored in a block included in a blockchain and identified using a reference identifier included in the confirmation request; identifying a declaration message, wherein the declaration message includes at least an asserted value and an identity hash value; generating a check hash value by hashing at least the asserted value and the one or more chain values; verifying the check hash value using the identity hash value; and transmitting a result of the verification of the check hash value in response to the received confirmation request.

Abstract: Systems for displaying images in a cinema setting can include components to reduce screen-door effect. The systems can include an array of light emitting sources (102) or other active sources of light. In one example, the light emitting source emit pixels of light to a projection lens (124) to project an image represented by the projection lens and a baffle (150) and an aperture stop (118) can block part of the light from the sources that exceeds an allowable cone angle of acceptable of the system. In another example, a display includes the array of light emitting sources and additional elements, such as diffuser elements, positioned in front of the array of light emitting sources.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for evaluating a maturity of a model for a product. A selected maturity state is determined by a computer system for the model for evaluation. A determination is made by the computer system as to whether the model meets a set of criteria for the selected maturity state and a confidence level for the selected maturity state. A model action is performed by the computer system using the model when the model meets the set of criteria for the selected maturity state and the confidence level for the selected maturity state.

Abstract: A layout and measurement tool for measuring and marking the edge of a piece of stock may have a first arm extending from a central portion in a horizontal plane and a second arm extending from the central portion in a vertical plane allowing for simultaneous measurement and marking of the top face of the stock piece and the side of the stock piece without the need to move or reposition the tool.

Abstract: A hummingbird feeder is provided that includes a nectar container removably coupled to a feeding basin having at least one feed port opening therein and a feed port assembly fitted within the feed port opening. The feed port assembly includes an elastomeric feed port and a feed port accessory. The elastomeric feed port is preferably one molded piece including an ornamentally-shaped head having a diameter greater than the feed port opening and a plug sized to fit snugly within the opening. The outer surface of the plug has at least two ribs longitudinally spaced from one another to enable the feed port to be secured to the basin in at least two different positions including an intermediate position in which the feed port accessory is mounted on the plug and secured between the head and the upper surface of the basin adjacent the feed port opening.

Abstract: A method for localizing gingival inflammation using an oral care device, comprising: emitting (520) light by one or more light emitters (42) of the oral care device; obtaining (530), at a first rate by one or more light detectors (40), reflectance measurements for a plurality of locations to generate first reflectance data; determining (540), by a controller (30) of the oral care device using the first reflectance data, whether the location comprises gingiva; obtaining (550), at a second rate by the one or more light detectors, reflectance measurements for each location determined to comprise gingiva to generate gingiva reflectance data, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate; and determining (560), by the controller using the gingiva reflectance data, whether gingiva at that location is inflamed.

Abstract: A method for localizing gingival inflammation using an oral care device, comprising: (i) simultaneously emitting (520) light by a plurality of light sources (48) of the oral care device, wherein at least some of the plurality of light sources emit light of different wavelengths to result in a plurality of emitted light wavelengths, wherein each of the different wavelengths is modulated with a distinct code; (ii) obtaining (530), by a light detector (40) of the oral care device, reflectance measurements from a location within the user's mouth to generate reflectance data for the location; (iii) demodulating (540), by a controller (30) of the oral care device, the obtained reflectance data; and (iv) determining (560), by the controller using the demodulated reflectance data, whether gingiva at the location is inflamed.