Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for diagnosing plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome, associated primarily with in infants) from photographs of the head. The method and apparatus may involve the use of a processor circuit, for example an application server, for automatically identifying the contour of the head in a plurality of images, then computing geometrical measurements in order quantify plagiocephaly. Photographs are acquired from an overhead view of a head, where the images may be rotated manually or automatically to a standard orientation. For each image, an optimal head contour is identified as minimizing a mathematical cost function combining local image filter responses designed for edge detection and a global model of head contour shape combining smoothness and convexity constrains. Length measurements are then computed from the identified contour, e.g. head diameter, diagonal diameter, and used to quantify the degree of head asymmetry and diagnose plagiocephaly.

Abstract: A photosensitizer formulation can be disposed on or in a mesh; net; netting; screen; curtain of strands, fibers, or monofilaments; substrate, personal protective gear, mask, or any other suitable object. The photosensitizer formulation, when in contact with molecular oxygen and activated by light or ultrasound, produces microbicidal singlet oxygen. A variety of different arrangements and applications are described. For example, an air flow device may also be included to generate a flow of air through or over the photosensitizer formulation. A fluorescent formulation may be included to monitor photobleaching. The photosensitizer formulation may be disposed in a concentration gradient to generate antigenic particles by damaging or destroying microbes.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a digital data comparison filter, system and method, and applications therefor. In one embodiment, a digital data comparator system comprises two or more transformation engines each having securely stored in association therewith a common key, a common designated comparator threshold number, and a respective identifier; and a reconstitution engine operable to access partial encryption information from each transformation engine and, only upon relating to identical digital data, process each partial encryption information to successfully release the identical digital data.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an integrated network appliance and system. In one embodiment, the appliance comprises: a hardware-integrated processing engine operable to implement a trusted network-related resource; an integrated digital data processor operable to execute said processing engine; an integrated data storage resource accessible to said processing engine to implement said trusted network-related resource; an integrated location sensor; and an embedded hardware security module (HSM) hardwired to interface with said hardware-integrated processing engine via a dedicated hardware-isolated communication path, and operable to execute a trusted internal cryptographic process associated with said trusted network-related resource as a function of location data output from said integrated location sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaccine for the treatment of disease caused by Neisseria, the vaccine including one or more immunogenic components for Neisseria serogroups, as well as antibodies to the immunogenic components and methods of preventing and treating Neisseria infections. The immunogens are based on elements of the inner core lipopolysaccharide.