Abstract: An assistive sample collection and storage assembly for collecting, transferring and storing a biological sample includes a sample collection device having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to receive a sample collection member. The assembly includes a sample storage device comprising a sample substrate to receive at least a portion of the biological sample from the sample collection member. The assembly is configured to exist in a first and second state. The sample collection member is disposed at a determined distance from the sample substrate in the first state. At least a portion of the sample collection member is in physical contact with at least a portion of the sample substrate in the second state. The sample collection member is configured to apply a determined amount of contact force between the collection member and the sample substrate in the second state of the assembly.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for migrating a service from one container to another container is provided. The present invention may include obtaining a first group of requests that are accessing a service launched in a first container instance and a second group of requests that are waiting for accessing the service. The present invention may also include generating a migrated service in a second container instance by migrating the service from the first container instance to the second container instance based on the obtained first and second groups of requests. The present invention may further include directing the second group of requests to the migrated service in the second container instance.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber arrangement for inducing coupling among propagation modes of light, said arrangement comprising a multimode optical fiber (30) having an input end (32) for receiving light and an output end (31) for emitting light, with a coupling inducing section (33) extending from said input end to said output end, and a holder (80) on which the optical fiber is arranged, wherein said multimode optical fiber has a non-circular cross section. Disclosed also is a system for measuring the absorption or determining the concentration of a substance, said system comprising at least one optical fiber arrangement.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and a computer system, to store information related to changed data in response to a transaction with a first database of the on-line system requested during a planned period and data in the first database changed by the transaction. In response to a planned event a back-up system with a second database is switched to set up a new connection and a new transaction with the second database, wherein the second database is backup of the first database. The on-line system prevents setting up a new connection to the on-line system and prevents conducting a new transaction with the first database, sends information related to the changed data from the on-line system to the back-up system, and switches to the back-up system for a new connection and for a new transaction. The on-line system synchronizes data between the first database and the second database.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and a computer system, to store information related to changed data in response to a transaction with a first database of the on-line system requested during a planned period and data in the first database changed by the transaction. In response to a planned event a back-up system with a second database is switched to set up a new connection and a new transaction with the second database, wherein the second database is backup of the first database. The on-line system prevents setting up a new connection to the on-line system and prevents conducting a new transaction with the first database, sends information related to the changed data from the on-line system to the back-up system, and switches to the back-up system for a new connection and for a new transaction. The on-line system synchronizes data between the first database and the second database.

Abstract: An assistive sample collection and storage assembly for collecting, transferring and storing a biological sample includes a sample collection device having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to receive a sample collection member. The assembly includes a sample storage device comprising a sample substrate configured to receive at least a portion of the biological sample from the sample collection member. The assembly is configured to exist in a first state and a second state. The sample collection member is disposed at a determined distance from the sample substrate in the first state. At least a portion of the sample collection member is in physical contact with at least a portion of the sample substrate in the second state. The sample collection member is configured to apply a determined amount of contact force between the collection member and the sample substrate in the second state of the assembly.

Abstract: An assistive sample collection and storage assembly for collecting, transferring and storing a biological sample includes a sample collection device having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to receive a sample collection member. The assembly includes a sample storage device comprising a sample substrate configured to receive at least a portion of the biological sample from the sample collection member. The assembly is configured to exist in a first state and a second state. The sample collection member is disposed at a determined distance from the sample substrate in the first state. At least a portion of the sample collection member is in physical contact with at least a portion of the sample substrate in the second state. The sample collection member is configured to apply a determined amount of contact force between the collection member and the sample substrate in the second state of the assembly.

Abstract: An imaging assembly includes a compression system configured to receive and compress an object to be imaged. The compression system includes a first compression paddle and a second compression paddle. The imaging assembly further includes an ultrasound system including a first ultrasound probe coupled to the first compression paddle. The first ultrasound probe is configured to acquire a first portion of the ultrasound image information of the object. The ultrasound system also includes a second ultrasound probe coupled to the second compression paddle. The second ultrasound probe is configured to acquire a second portion of the ultrasound image information of the object.

Abstract: A substrate for positioning a separation membrane and a collection membrane for separating and collecting plasma is disclosed. The substrate includes an inner flexure disposed proximate to a first peripheral portion of the substrate and an outer flexure disposed surrounding at least a portion of the inner flexure. The inner flexure is formed from a plurality of first slots in the substrate and the outer flexure is formed from a plurality of second slots in the substrate.

Abstract: An ultrasound scan probe and support mechanism are provided for use in a multi-modality mammography imaging system, such as a combined tomosynthesis and ultrasound imaging system. In one embodiment, the ultrasound components may be positioned and configured so as not to interfere with the tomosynthesis imaging operation, such as to remain out of the X-ray beam path. Further, the ultrasound probe and associated components may be configured to as to move and scan the breast tissue under compression, such as under the compression provided by one or more paddles used in the tomosynthesis imaging operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the manufacture and use of a non-rigid breast compression paddle, such as a compression paddle having a mesh material forming the primary interface with patient tissue. In certain implementations, an automatic feedback driven approach may be used in conjunction with such a compression paddle for compressing breast tissue.

Abstract: A heating assembly for a bioreactor is disclosed. The heating assembly includes a holder having a plurality of segments coupled to each other to define a unitary structure and a heating component coupled to at least one segment of the plurality of segments. The unitary structure includes a top end, a bottom end, and a side wall. The side wall extends between the top end and the bottom end and along a circumferential direction of the heating assembly to define a cavity. At least a portion of the unitary structure has a gradually varied perimeter along a direction perpendicular to a plane which intersects the side wall and is parallel to the top end and the bottom end.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber arrangement for inducing coupling among propagation modes of light, said arrangement comprising a multimode optical fiber (30) having an input end (32) for receiving light and an output end (31) for emitting light, with a coupling inducing section (33) extending from said input end to said output end, and a holder (80) on which the optical fiber is arranged, wherein said multimode optical fiber has a non-circular cross section. Disclosed also is a system for measuring the absorption or determining the concentration of a substance, said system comprising at least one optical fiber arrangement.

Abstract: A coupling device configured to form a sample access assembly is provided. The sample access assembly is configured to house a sample. The coupling device includes a heating component and a separating component. Further, the separating component is configured to separate portions of first and second containers that form first and second compartments of the sample access assembly. Moreover, the heating component is configured to heat at least a portion of the sample.

Abstract: A pumping control unit is disclosed herein. The pumping control unit includes a processor coupled to a memory and a communication interface. The memory is configured to store an invariant matrix. The communication interface is configured to receive a plurality of measurements of a time-varying parameter for a rod pumping unit. The plurality of measurements is taken at a surface of a pumping site over a pump cycle for a sucker rod string. The processor is configured to gain access to the invariant matrix in the memory and the plurality of measurements from the communication interface. The processor is further configured to compute a Fourier coefficient array based on the invariant matrix and the plurality of measurements. The processor is further configured to compute a time-varying downhole parameter based on the Fourier coefficient array and a sucker rod string model.

Abstract: An apparatus for balancing a statically unbalanced system, particularly useful in balancing X-ray and mammography systems having an X-ray source and detector mounted to a rotational arm, includes a spring mechanism which synchronizes the activation of the spring mechanism with the rotation of the arm of the mammography system. The balancing system reduces the amount of torque necessary to rotate the arm and decreases the overall inertia of the system by eliminating the need for counterweights to maintain balance of the system.

Abstract: An ultrasound scan probe and support mechanism are provided for use in a multi-modality mammography imaging system, such as a combined tomosynthesis and ultrasound imaging system. In one embodiment, the ultrasound components may be positioned and configured so as not to interfere with the tomosynthesis imaging operation, such as to remain out of the X-ray beam path. Further, the ultrasound probe and associated components may be configured to as to move and scan the breast tissue under compression, such as under the compression provided by one or more paddles used in the tomosynthesis imaging operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the manufacture and use of a non-rigid breast compression paddle, such as a compression paddle having a mesh material forming the primary interface with patient tissue. In certain implementations, an automatic feedback driven approach may be used in conjunction with such a compression paddle for compressing breast tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for balancing a statically unbalanced system, particularly useful in balancing X-ray and mammography systems having an X-ray source and detector mounted to a rotational arm, includes a spring mechanism which synchronizes the activation of the spring mechanism with the rotation of the arm of the mammography system. The balancing system reduces the amount of torque necessary to rotate the arm and decreases the overall inertia of the system by eliminating the need for counterweights to maintain balance of the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure comprise a vision-based robotic manipulation system that identifies, singulates, and removes an individual surgical instrument from a cluttered environment. A computer-vision algorithm incorporated with the system is robust against optical challenges such as changing light conditions, specularities, and inter-reflections among various surgical instruments. The system estimates 2D pose (as opposed to a more challenging 3D pose) using a camera with normal room lighting to identify each object, including its specified data matrix barcode; and incorporates the use of a robotic arm with a compliant electromagnetic gripper to handle objects having large shape variance. The system can then relocate the objects as desired. The robot manipulator is utilized in hospital and research settings, manufacturing, and sterile environments.