Abstract: In positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, PET imaging data (22) having TOF localization is reconstructed. TOF image reconstruction (30) is performed on the PET imaging data to produce a TOF reconstructed image (32). The TOF image reconstruction utilizes the TOF localization of the PET imaging data. Non-TOF image reconstruction (40) is also performed on the PET imaging data to produce a non-TOF reconstructed image (42). The non-TOF image reconstruction does not utilize the TOF localization of the PET imaging data. A comparison image (50) is computed which is indicative of differences between the TOF reconstructed image and the non TOF reconstructed image. An adjustment (54) is determined for the TOF image reconstruction based on the comparison image, such as alignment correction of an attenuation map (18), and the TOF image reconstruction is repeated on the PET imaging data with the determined adjustment to produce an adjusted TOF reconstructed image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating payments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating a transaction may include (1) a customer selects a good or service to purchase from a merchant; (2) the customer being authenticated with a financial institution; and (3) the financial institution associating a unique identifier for the customer's merchant account with the customer's financial institution account. In another embodiment, a method for facilitating a transaction may include (1) a customer selecting a good or service to purchase from a merchant; (2) the customer being authenticated with a financial institution; (3) the financial institution provisioning a merchant-specific identifier for the merchant; and (4) the financial institution providing the merchant-specific token to the merchant.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring a subject (14) is disclosed. The monitoring apparatus comprises a storage device (18) for storing first skin secretion data (27) of the subject. A detection unit (12) detects a skin secretion at a skin portion of the subject and provides second skin secretion data (28) of the subject. An evaluation unit (16) evaluates the second skin secretion data and determines at least one physical parameter on the basis of the first skin secretion data and the second skin secretion data. One of the at least one physical parameter is a time value (25, 26) determinable on the basis of a difference between the first and the second skin secretion data.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve tissue classification in MRI images. In particular it is an object of the invention to improve the classification of bone and air in MRI images. This object is achieved by a method for tissue classification in a region of interest in a magnetic resonance (MR) image comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region represents air and the second region represents bone.

Abstract: A gradient coil system for a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a plurality of gradient coils for applying a gradient magnetic field to a target volume; at least one coolant tube per gradient coil for cooling the gradient coil (110A-C, 210A-C). The coolant tubes are connected to respective flow control devices and a controller, which is configured to control each flow control device of the flow control devices for adjusting the flow of a coolant in the respective coolant tube. The controller is configured to control the flow control device on the basis of heat load caused by the respective gradient coil.

Abstract: The innovation disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises systems and methods of providing trust recommendations. The innovation receives fidelity data of an advisor. The fidelity data can include audio or visual data of the advisor in which the advisor is providing advice. A trust score for the advisor is determined based on a biometric or other analysis of the fidelity data. The trust score is compared to a threshold trust score to determine a recommendation to the user. The recommendation can be to trust or distrust the advisor or the advice. The recommendation is communicated or otherwise provided to the user.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for detecting an attempt to spoof and facial recognitions apparatus determines for a plurality of spatially separated regions of a surface, a respective measure of at least one vital sign. A determination is made from the respective measures of at least one vital sign, homogeneity information associated with the respective measures, the homogeneity information is used to determine if said spatially separate regions of said surface are living tissue.

Abstract: The described financial institution computing system provides services to customers through an application programming interface (“API”). The services include user identification services to customers. The user identification services allow the customers to verify the identity of users as non-fraudulent users. Further the user identification services allow the financial institution to provide known user information to the customers for purposes of prepopulating registration forms, completing transactions, and the like. Further services, such as user account validation services, payment services, and the like are also possible through the financial institution APIs. In some situations, users are registered with the financial institution. For example, a user may also be an account holder with the financial institution. In other situations, the users are not registered with the financial institution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a set of electronic assets from a single location are disclosed. The method includes providing a portal with a network security access control. The method includes determining that login credentials input to the access control are associated with a set of electronic assets corresponding to a plurality of third-party computing systems with application programming interface (API) gateways configured to accept an API call directed to changes in functionality of the electronic assets. The method includes presenting, via the portal, a virtual icon to identify a coordinated action with respect to the set of electronic assets and, in response to a selection of the virtual icon, executing a set of API calls that include an asset-specific API call to each third-party computing system in the plurality of third-party computing systems to implement the coordinated action on all electronic assets in the set of electronic assets.

Abstract: A guidewire providing imaging and light for photoactivation of therapeutic agents. Using optical fibers with Bragg gratings, electromagnetic waves are coupled to photoacoustic materials thereby providing acoustic energy for imaging tissues. The reflected acoustic waves can be sensed with photoreflective materials coupled to different optical fibers. Additional optical fibers allow photoactivated therapeutics to be activated in proximity to the imaged tissues. The photoactivated therapeutics may be administered intravenously or with a drug-delivery catheter.

Abstract: A customer service document with an electrical data storage device is provided to deliver customer service information in a secured manner. The data storage device is attached to the customer service document and configured to contain information to be transferred to a customer's data reading device via short-range communication once the data reading device is authenticated. The transferred information can be used by the data reading device in various applications without identity theft concerns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gamma radiation detector that provides compensation for the parallax effect. The gamma radiation detector includes a plurality of scintillator elements, a planar optical detector array, and a pinhole collimator that includes a pinhole aperture. Each scintillator element has a gamma radiation receiving face and an opposing scintillation light output face. The gamma radiation receiving face of each scintillator element faces the pinhole aperture for generating scintillation light in response to gamma radiation received from the pinhole aperture. The scintillator elements are arranged in groups. Each group has a group axis that is aligned with the pinhole aperture and is perpendicular to the radiation receiving face of each scintillator in that group. The scintillation light output faces of each of the scintillator elements are in optical communication with the planar optical detector array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunoglobulins that specifically bind Aggrecan and more in particular to polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides; to methods for preparing such polypeptides; to compositions and in particular to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise such polypeptides, for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. In particular, the immunoglobulins of the present invention inhibit the activity of Aggrecan.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milking device for milking a milking from a dairy animal. The system is provided with a control unit for the milking system, milking cups, a first milk jar for receiving the milking, a first pumping device for pumping the milking from the first milk jar to a first milk pipe, a second milk jar in flow communication with the first milk pipe for receiving the milking from the first milk jar, and a second pumping device for pumping the milking from the second milk jar into a second milk pipe. The first pumping device is configured to pump the milking at a first flow rate and the second pumping device is configured to pump the milking at a second flow rate, which is lower than the first flow rate. The milking system also includes a heat-exchanging system in flow communication with the second milk pipe.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘MI01248’, characterized by its upright plant habit; vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong and relatively small leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two racemes per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; and large white-colored flowers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humidifier (10) for a system for providing a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, wherein the humidifier (10) comprises: a casing (12) configured to contain a liquid reservoir (20); an air inlet (14) which is arranged at the casing (12); an air outlet (16) which is arranged at the casing (12); and a flow passage (18) connecting the air inlet (14) with the air outlet (16), wherein the flow passage (18) is in fluidic communication with the liquid reservoir (20), and wherein the humidifier (10) comprises a heat pipe (24) having a hot end (26) and a cold end (28), wherein the hot end (26) of the heat pipe (24) is arranged outside the casing (12) and the cold end (28) of the heat pipe (24) is arranged in the liquid reservoir (20).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a RF transmit system (1) for a magnetic resonance examination system where it is intended to provide a solution for the problem of rapidly switching between operation modes of different peak power requirements at good power efficiencies. For this purpose the RF transmit system (1) comprises at least one RF channel (14) wherein the RF channel (14) has an RF amplifier (3), at least two power supply devices (4, 5) wherein each of the power supply devices (4, 5) is configured to supply a voltage to the amplifier (3). The RF transmit system (1) further comprises a DC switch (8) configured to switch the voltage supplied to the amplifier (3) between the power supply devices (4, 5) and a controller (2) configured to switch the voltage based on sensor data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for segmenting a two-dimensional image of an anatomical structure includes acquiring (202) a three-dimensional model of the anatomical structure. The three-dimensional model includes a plurality of segments. The acquired three-dimensional model is adapted to align the acquired three-dimensional model with the two-dimensional image (204). The two-dimensional image is segmented by the plurality of segments of the adapted three-dimensional model.