Abstract: Aspects of the invention include techniques for intimacy-based masking of three dimensional (3D) face landmarks within a metaverse. A non-limiting example method includes determining a degree of intimacy R between a first user and a second user responsive to a first avatar of the first user being observed by a second avatar of the second user in a virtual environment. An initial set of M landmarks of a feature of the first avatar is determined and N landmarks are randomly selected from M for masking. The N landmarks are replaced with random noise sampled with a unit normal distribution to define a set of noised landmarks X that are then iteratively denoised to define a set of denoised landmarks D. A masked version of the first avatar is presented to the second user by modifying the feature of the first avatar with the set of denoised landmarks D.

Abstract: For a receiving surface coil (1) for detecting nuclear magnetic resonance signals from a patient a solution for an easy adaption of the receiving surface coil (1) to the anatomy of the patient shall be created. This is achieved by a receiving surface coil (1) for detecting nuclear magnetic resonance signals from a patient, the receiving surface coil (1) comprising: a flexible housing (13) with an opening (2), a set of RF loop elements (8, 9) housed in the flexible housing (13), wherein the set of RF loop elements (8, 9) comprises at least a central loop (9) element running around the opening (2) in the flexible housing (13) and a plurality of loop elements (8) arranged around the opening (2).

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a valve including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the housing defines a first and second nozzle, and the bottom portion of the housing defines an opening. A diaphragm has an open position and a closed position, and the diaphragm is disposed between the top portion of the housing and the bottom portion of the housing. A first fluid flow path between the first nozzle and the second nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. A second fluid flow path between the opening and the first nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. Such a valve can be used for a number of purposes including hemodialysis procedures.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a valve including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the housing defines a first and second nozzle, and the bottom portion of the housing defines an opening. A diaphragm has an open position and a closed position, and the diaphragm is disposed between the top portion of the housing and the bottom portion of the housing. A first fluid flow path between the first nozzle and the second nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. A second fluid flow path between the opening and the first nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the open position. Such a valve can be used for a number of purposes including hemodialysis procedures.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for hemodialysis including a needle access port having a housing defining a septum, wherein the septum is configured for needle access. Generally, the needle access port will have three septa for communication with valves configured to be anastomosed to a large-diameter blood vessel. The valves are in fluid communication with a flow of blood through the large-diameter blood vessel. The device also includes an elongate tube having a first and a second elongate lumen, wherein a first end of the tube is coupled to the needle access port and a second end of the tube is coupled to the valve. The device can be cleaned by injecting a cleaning fluid into a first septum of the needle access port and extracting it though the second septum of the needle access port.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for hemodialysis including a needle access port having a housing defining a septum, wherein the septum is configured for needle access. Generally, the needle access port will have three septa for communication with valves configured to be anastomosed to a large-diameter blood vessel. The valves are in fluid communication with a flow of blood through the large-diameter blood vessel. The device also includes an elongate tube having a first and a second elongate lumen, wherein a first end of the tube is coupled to the needle access port and a second end of the tube is coupled to the valve. The device can be cleaned by injecting a cleaning fluid into a first septum of the needle access port and extracting it though the second septum of the needle access port.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a valve including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the housing defines a first and second nozzle, and the bottom portion of the housing defines an opening. A diaphragm has an open position and a closed position, and the diaphragm is disposed between the top portion of the housing and the bottom portion of the housing. A first fluid flow path between the first nozzle and the second nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. A second fluid flow path between the opening and the first nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. Such a valve can be used for a number of purposes including hemodialysis procedures.