Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medical prognostics. In particular, the invention relates to methods for predicting prostate cancer progression and overall survival prognosis in a subject involving the detection of elevated amounts of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) in a test body sample such as serum.

Abstract: A system provides non-contact electric field (E-field) gesture interfacing with a medical device, such as a dialysis machine. A E-field device provides for gesture detection and command recognition of the gesture by a user, such as a health care practitioner (HCP), in connection with navigating and activating screens of a dialysis machine during a dialysis treatment without requiring the HCP to physically contact the dialysis machine. With the described system, the HCP does not need to re-glove each time a change is made to an on-going dialysis treatment when interfacing with a graphical display of the dialysis machine.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing or prognosing a disease or condition associated with increased or over expression of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) are disclosed. The methods typically involve detecting a change in the amount of MIC-1 in a test body sample from a subject taken at two or more time points. The change in the amount of MIC-1 may be adjusted for the effect of at least the following factors as appropriate: the gender of the subject, the age of the subject, the body mass index (BMI) of the subject, the subject being a smoker, the subject being a user of NSAIDs, and the waist-to-hip ratio where the subject is female. The methods are particularly suitable for diagnosing or prognosing the presence of one or more colorectal polyp(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods for matching consumers with providers are provided. A method includes obtaining scheduling information and provider information associated with providers, the scheduling information comprising availability information and location information associated with each of the providers for different time blocks, and the provider information including goods or services information associated with each of the providers. The method also includes receiving a query associated with a consumer specifying a good or service to be provided to the consumer and a requested location for the providing. The method also includes generating, based on the scheduling information, a response to the query. The response can include an identification of providers available to provide the good or the service at the location and times each of the identified providers is available to provide the good or the service at the location.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules spatially distributed within the locomotive and communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. A first electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules includes a first configurable controller and a programmable controller, and a second electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules includes a second configurable controller and does not include a programmable controller.

Abstract: A detection system may include a transmitter associated with a first train configured to emit an end-of-train signal. The detection system may include a receiver associated with the transmitter and configured to receive the end-of-train signal from the transmitter. The receiver may also be configured to receive at least one remote signal from a second train and determine whether the second train is a collision threat based on the remote signal from the second train.

Abstract: A double-walled container including an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and a base is provided. The inner sleeve is positioned within the outer sleeve. A sidewall cavity may be formed between an inner sleeve sidewall and an outer sleeve sidewall. The lower end of the outer sleeve forms an elongated loop located below a lowermost edge of the inner sleeve. A flange may extend from the elongated loop upwardly above the lowermost edge of the inner sleeve and is attached to the inner sleeve. The elongated loop may form a loop cavity. The loop cavity may be in fluid communication with the sidewall cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within a locomotive. Each of the electronic modules is communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules may include at least a configurable controller that is reconfigurable to implement at least one control function associated with distributed control of the locomotive.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network, a plurality of electronic modules and a plurality of control elements distributed within the locomotive. Each of the electronic modules is communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture. Each of the electronic modules may be programmatically reconfigurable to implement distributed control of the locomotive. A first electronic module and a second electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules may be communicatively connected to one of the plurality of control elements via separate communication paths. The first electronic module may be configured to control the control element, and the second electronic module may be configured to control the control element when the first electronic module enters into a failure condition.

Abstract: A vehicle coupling fault detecting system is disclosed. The system may include first and second selectively-pressurized fluid conduits containing first and second communication cables that are communicatively coupled when the first and second fluid conduits are connected together. A pressure sensor may detect a pressure within the fluid conduits when the conduits are connected together, and communicate a signal indicative of the pressure through at least one of the first and second communication cables. A controller may receive the signal and determine from the signal whether there is a fault in the connection between the first and second selectively-pressurized fluid conduits.

Abstract: A chill mold is used to cool molten material to form a casting. A support holds the chill mold so that a bottom of the chill mold is elevated. A baffle is arranged to divert a generally horizontal flow of cooling air upwardly to impinge the bottom of the chill mold. A plurality of chill molds may be aligned generally in a row, and at least one fan may be arranged at an end of the row to direct the flow of cooling air underneath the chill molds. The size and the vertical position of the baffles may be varied along the row, so as to generally equalize convective cooling rates among the chill molds in the row.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a distributed control system for a locomotive. The distributed system may include a network and a plurality of electronic modules distributed within a locomotive. The plurality of electronic modules are communicatively coupled to the network in a standardized scalable architecture and implementing distributed control of the locomotive. A first electronic module of the plurality of electronic modules may include a first configurable controller and a memory that stores a configuration file received via the network. The first configurable controller may be reconfigurable based on the configuration file stored in the memory.

Abstract: A vehicle coupling fault detecting system is disclosed. The system may include first and second selectively-pressurized fluid conduits containing first and second communication cables that are communicatively coupled when the first and second fluid conduits are connected together. A pressure sensor may detect a pressure within the fluid conduits when the conduits are connected together, and communicate a signal indicative of the pressure through at least one of the first and second communication cables. A controller may receive the signal and determine from the signal whether there is a fault in the connection between the first and second selectively-pressurized fluid conduits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of prognosing the survival of a diseased subject, particularly a subject with chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well as selecting an end-stage renal disease subject for a kidney transplant. The methods involve detecting an elevated amount of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) in a test body sample from the diseased subject. A method of preventing or reducing the risk of death in a CKD subject which involves removing or inactivating MIC-1 present in the blood, plasma or serum of the subject, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A quick release illumination flare mounting arrangement particularly adapted for use in an aircraft. Includes a base plate mounted to the aircraft's deck, and an aperture in sealed contact with an upper end of a flare discharge tube coupled to a discharge aperture in the fuselage. A coupling assembly which includes a second aperture is easily coupled to and removed from the base plate by coupling pins. The coupling assembly further includes an upper plate adapted for secure, sealed, easily removable mounting to the lower end of a flare receiving tube.

Abstract: A packet is identified at a port of a serial data link, and it is determined that the packet is associated with an error. Entry into an error recovery mode is initiated based on the determination that the packet is associated with the error. Entry into the error recovery mode can cause the serial data link to be forced down. In one aspect, forcing the data link down causes all subsequent inbound packets to be dropped and all pending outbound requests and completions to be aborted during the error recovery mode.