Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (18) for providing a control signal for a blood pressure measurement device, comprising: an input interface (24) for obtaining a health state parameter being indicative of a health state of a patient (12); a processing unit (28) for determining one or more operation settings of a blood pressure measurement device (14) based on the health state parameter, said one or more operation settings including a parameter that can be adjusted at the blood pressure measurement device (14) when conducting a blood pressure measurement with the device and that affects a precision of said blood pressure measurement and a patient comfort resulting from said blood pressure measurement; and a control interface (30) for providing a control signal for a blood pressure measurement device (14) to perform a blood pressure measurement based on said one or more operation settings. The present invention further relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A wheeled manure-removal vehicle for removing manure from an animal-shed floor includes a tank for storing manure, a manure collector, a liquid reservoir placed in the tank and having an opening for the supply of liquid to the reservoir and the discharge of liquid from the reservoir, and a flexible reservoir wall, to make it possible to vary the volume of the reservoir, depending on the fill level, and a dispenser operatively connected to the reservoir for dispensing liquid from the reservoir onto the animal-shed floor. The opening of the reservoir is situated in a top part of the reservoir. The reservoir furthermore includes a spacer which extends on the inside of the reservoir from the opening down to the lower part of the reservoir to ensure a liquid passage between the opening and a bottom part of the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for determining a relevance of information is provided. The method includes receiving first information that relates to an instrument; obtaining second information that relates to a potential recipient of the first information; assigning a respective value for each of a plurality of parameters based on the obtained second information; and using the assigned values of the parameters to determine a degree of relevance of the first information with respect to the potential recipient. When the determined degree of relevance is greater than a threshold, the first information is transmitted to the potential recipient.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus, including: a tapered optical fiber, the tapered optical fiber having an input to receive radiation and having an output to provide spectrally broadened output radiation toward a measurement target, the tapered optical fiber configured to spectrally broaden the radiation received at the input; and a detector system configured to receive a redirected portion of the output radiation from the measurement target.

Abstract: A non-transitory storage medium storing instructions readable and executable by an imaging workstation (18) including at least one electronic processor (20) to perform an image reconstruction method (100). The method includes: receiving emission imaging data (22) from an image acquisition device (12) wherein the emission imaging data has been filtered using an acquisition energy passband (18); generating filtered imaging data by filtering the emission imaging data with a second energy passband (90) that is narrower than an acquisition energy passband; reconstructing the filtered imaging data to generate an intermediate image; estimating one or more scatter correction factors (SCFs) from the intermediate image; and reconstructing the emission imaging data corrected with the estimated SCFs to generate a reconstructed image.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is provided. The lithographic apparatus includes a reticle and an electrostatic clamp configured to releasably hold the reticle. The electrostatic clamp includes a first substrate having opposing first and second surfaces, a plurality of burls located on the first surface and configured to contact the reticle, a second substrate having opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface of the second substrate is coupled to the second surface of the first substrate. A plurality of cooling elements are located between the first surface of the second substrate and the second surface of the first substrate. The cooling elements are configured to cause electrons to travel from the second surface of the first substrate to the first surface of the second substrate. Each cooling element is substantially aligned with a respective burl.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to espresso makers that brew beverages without power. The machines are designed to work under manual power, delivering hot water to the brew portion of the machine from an integrated hot water source. The machines may be mounted on aircraft trolleys for seat-side coffee and/or espresso service.

Abstract: An automatic feeding system for preparing at least one feed ration from a plurality of feed types includes a feed kitchen with multiple feed storage places for storing a plurality of feed types, a feed distributing device for receiving feed from the feed kitchen, a feed loading device to load feed from each of the feed storage places into the feed distributing device, and a control system to control the automatic feeding system. The control system includes a graphical user interface with a display screen, including a floor plan with first representations of each of the feed storage places, which representations are formed based on at least the feed storage location data, and second representations of the feed types.

Abstract: An RFID transponder includes a coding and modulation unit that generates a transmission signal by modulating an oscillator signal with an encoded bit signal. During a first and a second time segment, the encoded bit signal assumes a first and a second logic level, respectively. The transmission signal includes a first signal pulse having a first phase within the first time segment and a second signal pulse having a second phase that is shifted with respect to the first phase by a predefined phase difference within the second time segment. The transmission signal is paused for a pause period between the first and the second signal pulse. The pause period is shorter than a mean value of a period of the first time segment and a period of the second time segment.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a body, a first hook, and a second hook. The body of the apparatus includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first hook extends from the first surface of the body, and the first hook and a portion of the body form a first channel. The first channel is adapted to receive a curtain wall member from a first direction. The second hook extends from the second surface of the body, and the second hook and the portion of the body form a second channel. The second channel is adapted to receive an intermediate member from a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A system and methods for stabilizing a towed trailer include a stabilizing accessory system that both stabilizes the trailer and stows upon a frame of the trailer for transport. The system includes a wheel chock that detachably attaches to a stabilizing block. The stabilizing block features an elevated wheel dock configured to receive a jack wheel of the trailer, a post recess configured to receive a square or round jack post of the trailer, and a plate recess configured to receive a plate jack stand of the trailer. The stabilizing block may be secured to a frame of the trailer via a securement strap or via a switchable magnet embedded within the block. The wheel chock is configured to immobilize a trailer tire and may secure to the frame via its attachment to the stabilizing block, supplemented by a magnet embedded in its bottom surface. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for expediting math-based currency (“MBC”) transactions are described. A financial institution facilitates the expedited MBC transactions. The expedited MBC transactions are achieved by guaranteeing merchants that a pending MBC transaction between the merchant and a customer will be verified by the MBC verification nodes. A provided guarantee can be collected on by the merchant in the event that a guaranteed MBC transaction is not verified by the MBC verification nodes.

Abstract: A PLL includes a phase frequency detector (PFD) receiving an input signal and feedback signal, and producing a control signal. A charge pump receives the control signal and produces an initial VCO control. A loop filter generates a fine VCO control and intermediate output based upon the initial VCO control. A coarse control circuit includes an integrator having a first input receiving the intermediate output, a second input, and generating a coarse VCO control, a first switch coupling a reference voltage to the second input, a buffer buffering output of the integrator, and a second switch coupling output of the integrator to the second input of the integrator. A VCO receives the fine VCO control and the coarse VCO control, and generates an output signal having a frequency based thereupon. A feedback path receives the output signal and produces the feedback signal.

Abstract: The invention provides an electroactive material (preferably electroactive polymer) sensor system, comprising an electroactive material sensor (22) and a control system (28) for performing measurements relating to the impedance of the electroactive material sensor at at least first and second different frequencies. From these measurements a temperature at the sensor and an external pressure or force applied to the sensor can be determined. The sensor can thus be used as a pressure sensor and as a temperature sensor. When used in combination with actuation, an electroactive material actuator with integrated temperature sensing functionality is able to measure the temperature at the exact actuator position, which is always closer than an external thermocouple.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an affinity graph are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method may include (1) receiving customer data for a plurality of customers and merchant data for a plurality of merchants; (2) generating an initial customer table for each customer from the customer data; (3) generating an initial merchant table for each merchant from the merchant data; (4) receiving transaction data from a plurality of sources; (5) enhancing the initial customer tables and the initial merchant tables; (7) associating each customer and each merchant with at least one attribute based on the enhanced customer tables and the enhanced merchant tables; (8) determining an attribute score for each attribute; and (9) determining an affinity for one of the plurality of customers based on the attribute score for an attribute that is common to the one customer and another one of the plurality of customers.

Abstract: A banking system of a financial institution maintains a plurality of customer accounts in math-based currency (“MBC”). The system includes a network interface configured to facilitate data transmission over a network. The system includes a ledger including information relating to the plurality of customer accounts associated with a plurality of customers. The system includes a processor configured to update information contained in the ledger relating to the plurality of customer accounts based on the occurrences of MBC transactions involving the plurality of customers.

Abstract: Various examples described herein are directed to systems and methods for managing payments of a first merchant. A mobile wallet application may receive first payment element data describing a first payment element for making a first payment and may determine that the first payment element is to be processed by a limited payment network. The mobile wallet application may send a first payment authorization message to an issuer of the first payment element via the limited payment network. The mobile wallet application may also receive second payment element data describing a second payment element for making a second payment. The mobile wallet application may determine that the second payment element is not to be processed by the limited payment network, and send a second payment authorization message to an issuer of the second payment element via a second payment network.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in mammalian subjects. The compositions include lactic acid fermenting bacteria (LAB) expressing an IL-2 gene and a T1D-specific self-antigen (e.g., proinsulin (PINS)) gene. Exemplary methods include: orally administering to a mammalian subject, a therapeutically effective amount of the composition. The composition can be administered to the subject mucosally, resulting in delivery of the LAB into the gastrointestinal tract, where the LAB is released. Bioactive polypeptides expressed by the LAB are thus administered via mucosal delivery. The LAB may be selected to deliver a low-dose of IL-2 to the subject. The methods may not require concomitant systemic anti-CD3 antibody treatment. The methods may be suited for subjects possessing residual beta-cell function, e.g., those with recent-onset T1D.

Abstract: Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and an apparatus that includes obtaining a database and metadata associated with the database in response to a request for data masking. Next, the obtained metadata is compared with the received request to determine when the obtained metadata validates the received request. A data masking operation is performed on the obtained database at a column level when the determination indicates the received request is validated. A record of the performance of the data masking operation on the obtained database at the column level is stored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection of Acrylamide precursors in raw potatoes including: illuminating at least one region of a raw potato's surface with an illumination beam; measuring the intensity of light scattered by the potato; generating a detection signal based on the measured intensity of scattered light; comparing the detection signal to a predefined threshold; and classifying the potato as having a high Acrylamide precursor concentration if the detection signal exceeds the predefined threshold.