Abstract: A computer implemented method performed by a global transaction processing system includes receiving a transaction request from an originator, the transaction request includes transactional data. The method includes validating the transactional data to determine one or more parameters associated with the requested transaction. The method includes dynamically generating a transaction information request form, the transaction request form including one or more requests for specific transactional data from the originator based on the one or more parameters associated with the requested transaction. The method includes transmitting the transaction information form to the originator and receiving the requested specific transactional data from the originator.

Abstract: A time of flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) image (38) is generated from TOF PET imaging data (10) acquired of a subject using a TOF PET imaging data acquisition device (6). Iterative image reconstruction (30) of the TOF PET imaging data is performed with TOF localization of counts along respective lines of response (LORs) to iteratively update a reconstructed image (32). Values for at least one regularization or filtering parameter are assigned to the TOF PET imaging data or to voxels of the reconstructed image based on an estimated TOF localization resolution for the TOF PET imaging data or voxels. Regularization (34) or filtering (36) of the reconstructed image is performed using the assigned values for the at least one regularization or filtering parameter. In some embodiments, the varying TOF localization resolution for the TOF PET imaging data or voxels is estimated based on related acquisition characteristics such as count rates or operating temperature of the detectors.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation grill unit (1) comprising (i) a food support unit (100), for instance with bars (110), (ii) a radiation unit (200) comprising a reflector (210) (with reflector opening (223)) hosting an (electrical) IR radiation heater (220), wherein the radiation unit (200) is optionally configured to provide IR radiation (201) in a direction of the food support unit (100), and (iii) a radiation grill unit cavity (3) configured to host a drip tray (300) (with edge (311)).

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical instrument tracking. In order to facilitate tracking a medical instrument, a system (100) is provided for tracking a medical instrument. The system comprises an instrument marker (14), a tracking arrangement (16), and a processing unit (18). The instrument marker is attached to the medical instrument on a marker position (20). The tracking system is configured to detect line segments (22) in the 5 field of interest and to detect the attached instrument marker. The processing unit is configured to identify a line segment (24) on which the attached instrument marker is detected as the medical instrument, and to determine an offset (26) between a position of a medical instrument tip (28) and the marker (14) by touching a reference marker (34) on the subject with the medical instrument (10).

Abstract: A mask assembly suitable for use in a lithographic process, the mask assembly comprising a patterning device; and a pellicle frame configured to support a pellicle and mounted on the patterning device with a mount; wherein the mount is configured to suspend the pellicle frame relative to the patterning device such that there is a gap between the pellicle frame and the patterning device; and wherein the mount provides a releasably engageable attachment between the patterning device and the pellicle frame.

Abstract: This disclosure describes computer-based techniques for controlling access to shipping information for packages by providing limited shipping information to a courier to advance the package to a next node along a transit route. An administrator computer generates a set of components for a transit state of and information about the package. The set of components represents constituent “tokenized” portions of a delivery address, such as a sender or recipient name, street number, street name, city, or zip code. The transit states of the package represent various transit functions of the courier, such as pick-up, correct handling, sorting, delivery, return, and exception. The administrator computer generates sets of components that enable the courier to advance the package to a next node, but that exclude shipping information that may not be useful for advancing the package. The administrator computer sends the set of components to the courier based on the current transit state of the package.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kit for use in a method for detecting genetic variation in one or more members of a population, comprising (a) an adaptor adapted for ligation to a plurality of nucleic acid fragments and (b) a set of primers for PCR amplification having a 5?-end and a 3?-end, wherein at least one of the primers comprises one or more selective nucleotides at the 3? end, and wherein the adaptor and/or at least one of the primers comprises a sample-specific identifier sequence capable of indicating sample origin of an amplification product.

Abstract: A coffee roasting apparatus is disclosed that comprises a compartment for holding coffee beans, a heating arrangement for directing a heated air flow through the compartment during a roasting process of the coffee beans, a particulate matter sensor for detecting a peak amount of particulate matter released by the coffee beans, a timer for determining an amount of time lapsed from a start of the roasting process until the detection of the peak amount, and a controller arranged to control the heating arrangement. The controller is adapted to select a defined control time as a function of the lapsed amount of time and apply the defined control time to the heating arrangement after first cracking of the coffee beans to complete the roasting process. A coffee brewing apparatus including such a coffee roasting apparatus and a method of controlling such a coffee roasting apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to apparatus and techniques for harvesting energy from operation of a pill pack, and utilizing that energy for various purposes. In various embodiments, an energy harvesting apparatus configured to receive a pill pack (104, 304) is disclosed. An energy harvesting apparatus in accordance with various embodiment may include a housing (102, 302), where the housing is configured to receive a pill pack (104, 304), and an electrical generator incorporated into the housing (102, 302), where the electrical generator converts motion associated with compression of at least one blister (1031-n, 3031-n) of the pill pack (104, 304) expelling one or more pills (1051-n, 3051-n) from the pill pack into electrical energy, where the electrical energy is used to collect one or more data points associated with operation of the pill pack during the expelling of the one or more pills.

Abstract: The invention discloses a concentrate comprising polymethylpentene and titanium dioxide, a process for preparing polyester-based preforms and containers, a use of said concentrate, and a container product. The concentrate of the invention comprises 20-90% polymethylpentene, and 10-80% titanium dioxide, based on the weight of the concentrate.

Abstract: A milking system includes one or more milking devices and a control unit. The system is provided with a plurality of milking cups, a first milk jar for receiving the milking, a first pumping device for pumping the milking, a second milk jar for receiving the milking from the first milk jar, a second pumping device for pumping at least a part of the milking, and at least one storage tank for storing at least a part of the milking. The second pumping device pumps the milking at a lower flow rate than that at which the first pumping device pumps the milking. As a result, the milk is for the most part moved with low mechanical load and little admixture with air which improves milk quality. In the case of a plurality of milking devices in the milking system, various milkings can be moved and treated separately.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that block the interaction between (a target on) an antigen presenting cell (APC) and (a target on) a T-cell. More particularly, the present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against (as defined herein) a target on an APC (also referred to herein as “APC target”) or a target on a T-cell (also referred to herein as “T-cell target”). The invention further relates to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system, at least one sulfonylurea herbicide and at least one inorganic salt selected from the metal carbonates and metal phosphates. The invention also relates to the use of an inorganic salt selected from the metal carbonates and metal phosphates to improve chemical stabilisation of a sulfonylurea herbicide in a liquid composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system.

Abstract: An RF antenna element with a detuning system in which the RF antenna element comprises a resonant electrically conductive loop. The (de)tuning system comprising a switching element to (de)tune the resonant electrically conductive loop. The (de)tuning system element includes an electroluminescent element coupled to the resonant electrically conductive loop. The (de)tuning system includes a photo-electrical conversion element to detect an electro-luminescent signal from the electroluminescent element.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit supporting complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits, latch-up immunity is supported by surrounding a hot n-well with an n-well strap spaced from the hot n-well by a specified distance in accordance with design rules. The n-well strap is positioned between the hot n-well and other n-well or n-type diffusion structures.

Abstract: A radiation detector (100) includes a photovoltaic layer (102) with first and second opposing sides. The photovoltaic layer is configured to absorb first radiation at the first side and produce electrical charge. The detector further includes a porous silicon quantum dot layer (104) disposed at the second side of the photovoltaic layer and configured to receive second radiation and convert the received second radiation into an electrical signal indicative of an energy level of the received second radiation. The detector further includes an acquisition and communication layer (106) disposed adjacent to the porous silicon quantum dot layer and configured to receive the electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to a device remote from the radiation detector.

Abstract: There is provided a blood pressure monitor for use in measuring the blood pressure of a subject, the blood pressure monitor comprising a cuff that is configured to be placed around a body part of the subject and inflated to apply pressure to the body part; a pressure sensor that is configured to provide measurements of the pressure in the cuff; a plethysmography sensor comprising a coil having one or more windings that is configured to provide an output signal indicating the volume of the body part of the subject and/or changes in the volume of the body part; and a processing unit that is configured to determine the blood pressure of the subject from the measurements of the pressure in the cuff and the measurements of the volume of the body part and/or the changes in the volume of the body part. A corresponding method claim is also provided.

Abstract: A payment device includes a biometric sensor configured to receive a biometric measurement from a user. The payment device also includes a display configured to selectively display sensitive payment account information for a payment account of the user. The payment account is associated with the payment device. The payment device further includes a processor and instructions stored in non-transitory machine-readable media. The instructions are configured to cause the payment device to receive the biometric measurement from the biometric sensor. The user is authenticated if the biometric measurement matches a stored biometric of the user. Upon authenticating the user, the sensitive payment account information is displayed on the display. The sensitive payment account information is removed from the display a first predetermined time period after authenticating the user.

Abstract: A tool is provided for use in conjunction with a pressure support system that is structured to provide therapy to a patient to treat a condition of the patient by delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient. The tool may be implemented on a portable electronic device or a PC and is configured to, among other things, provide customized/personalized education and feedback to the patient based, at least in part, on data that is measured by the pressure support system during the provision of therapy to the patient. The tool utilizes certain patient/therapy metrics, where each patient/therapy metric includes raw data that was measured by the pressure support system and that has been processed (e.g., summarized and/or otherwise manipulated) to form the patient/therapy metric.

Abstract: A floating image apparatus includes a layer of optical films that focuses light from an original image to form a floating image outside of the floating image apparatus. A floating image generation lamp assembly includes a light source for emitting light. A first layer of optical films is aligned adjacent the light source and a second layer of optical films is aligned in parallel with the first layer of optical films. The first layer of optical films and the second layer of optical films are adapted for collectively focusing light emitted from the light source. A mask is disposed between the first layer of optical films and the second layer of optical films for filtering light emitted from the light source to provide a light pattern. The light pattern is projected to form a floating image outside the floating image generation lamp assembly.