Abstract: A moving picture coding apparatus includes a motion compensation coding unit for deciding a coding mode for coding a current block to be coded and for generating predictive image data based on the coding mode, and includes a direct mode enable/disable judgment unit for judging whether or not scaling processing can be performed when the coding mode decided by the motion compensation coding unit is a temporal direct mode. When it is judged that the scaling processing cannot be performed, the motion compensation coding unit performs motion compensation either by using another coding mode or without the scaling processing.

Abstract: A picture decoding method is provided for decoding coded picture data. The method includes decoding the coded picture data to obtain a reconstructed picture. The method also includes removing coding distortion in an area disposed on both sides of a block boundary between a first block and an adjacent second block in the reconstructed picture having a plurality of blocks, each block being adaptively decoded either as a field structure block, comprising only even field pixels or comprising only odd field pixels, or a frame structure block, comprising odd field pixels and even field pixels. The method further includes storing the reconstructed picture, for which coding distortion is removed, as a reference picture.

Abstract: A catheter pump is provided that includes a rotatable impeller and an elongate cannula. The elongate cannula has a mesh that has a plurality of circumferential members disposed about the impeller. The elongate cannula has a plurality of axial connector extending between a proximal side of a distal circumferential member and a distal side of a proximal circumferential member. The circumferential members are radially self-expandable. The cannula is configured to minimize fracture within at least in the distal zone of the mesh as the elongated cannula moves into a sheathing device.

Abstract: A turbocharger turbine having housing walls defining a diffuser. Within the diffuser, a center body within the diffuser is supported by de-swirl vanes extending from the diffuser wall. The center body forms a de-swirl passageway having an increasing mean diameter of flow from an upstream end of the center body to a leading edge of the de-swirl vanes. A trailing edge of the de-swirl vanes is near the downstream end of the center body. Annular-type guide vanes surround the center body within the de-swirl passageway. A wastegate system is configured to vent wastegate flow into the diffuser through injection ports on the de-swirl vanes, annular guide vanes and/or center body.

Abstract: In order to produce a pulsatile blood flow pattern that includes time periods of relatively high blood flow rates and time periods of relatively low blood flow rates, the operating speed of a blood pump can be selectively controlled to produce an operating speed pattern that includes time periods of relatively high rotation speeds and periods of relatively low rotation speeds. For example, the blood pump is rotated at a first speed for a first period of time. The speed of the blood pump is then decreased from the first speed to a second speed and is operated at the second speed for a second amount of time. The speed of the blood pump is then decreased to a third speed for a third amount of time. If desired, the operating speed pattern can be repeated to continue the pulsatile blood flow pattern.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes a shell and a mouthpiece. The external wall of the shell has an air inlet. An atomizer and a liquid-supply are in contact with each other. The air inlet, atomizer, and an aerosol passage are interconnected.

Abstract: A moving picture coding method for coding a picture with switching between frame coding and field coding adaptively on a block-by-block basis includes: determining the maximum number of reference indices for field coding for specifying fields which are to be referred to at the time of field coding, using the maximum number of reference indices for frame coding for specifying frames which are to be referred to at the time of frame coding; and assigning to fields the reference indices for field coding for specifying fields which are to be referred to at the time of field coding, within a range of the determined maximum number thereof, using the reference indices for frame coding for specifying frames which are to be referred to at the time of frame coding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing hybrid keno or lotto games to online players. A keno or lotto server receives electronic indications of actual keno or lotto balls drawn by a person or a ball drawing machine from a set of physical keno or lotto balls and eliminates electronic keno or lotto ball values from an electronic set of keno or lotto ball values corresponding to the physical keno or lotto balls stored in a memory. The game server further randomly selects electronic keno or lotto ball values from the electronic set of keno or lotto ball values stored in memory, less any electronic ball values corresponding to physical keno or lotto balls already drawn by the person or ball drawing machine. Finally, electronic keno or lotto ball values not already drawn by the live person or ball drawing machine are provided to the online players.

Abstract: A measurement device for magnetic resonance applications includes, in a measurement case: a first sensor for measuring radiofrequency magnetic fields; a second sensor for measuring magnetic field gradients; and a third sensor for measuring the radiofrequency electric field; and a stage for converting the electric signals delivered by the different measurement sensors into light signals. The device also in a controller for controlling and processing the signals, connected to the stage for conditioning the measurement case via a beam for transmitting light signals. The controller includes a stage for converting light signals into electric signals delivered by the sensors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, comprising: detecting network messages that are emitted by a compromised computer, wherein the compromised computer comprises at least one malware item that is configured to direct unauthorized network activity toward one or more enterprise networks or enterprise computers; queuing copies of the network messages in a queue; forwarding the network messages to original destinations; determining whether the number of network messages exceeds a specified threshold associated with an attack vector; filtering by the processor, the copies that do not include one of a set of port values associated with known computer attacks; analyzing, by the processor, timing of the copies with respect to a predetermined schedule including active hours and inactive hours, detecting one or more security threats caused by the comprised computer based on the determining, filtering, and the analyzing, sending a result of the detecting to a security control computer over a communication network.