Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an indication that a user has initiated a transaction and determining whether location information identifying a location of the transaction was received. A first attribute package of a plurality of attribute packages of the user may be identified based on customized rules and, if received, based on the location information. An identification of the first attribute package may be sent to the user's client system as a recommended payment attribute package for processing the transaction. In response to the identification of the first attribute package, the transaction may be opened, and a payment attribute package for the transaction may be set to the first attribute package. The transaction may be held open for a predetermined period of time to allow the user to modify the payment attribute package for the transaction to a different attribute package.

Abstract: A transaction instrument comprising a metal-filled biodegradable polymer. The biodegradable polymer is a plant-based polymer, a protein-based polymer, or a combination thereof. The metal of the blended composite of metal and biodegradable polymer is a heavy-gravity compound. The transaction instrument is biodegradable in whole or in part. A method(s) for making a transaction instrument comprising a blended composite of metal and a biodegradable polymer is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) and a method for generating a model output x(ti) describing a circadian rhythm of a person (P) at a time ti. In a preferred embodiment, a light sensor providing the photic exposure (L(ti)) and an activity signal (A(ti)) indicating the current level of activity of the person (P) at the time ti based on motion measurements (via an accelerometer) are used to calculate a wakefulness variable (?) that indicates if the person (P) is awake or sleeping. The wakefulness variable is then used to determine a driving term (N(t)) for a driven oscillator model (135) which simulates the model output x(t) under the joint influence of light and activity.

Abstract: Prior to the radiotherapy, an MR guided radiotherapy device acquires MR data and tracks structures relevant to the radiotherapy treatment. These MR data are displayed to a user. Furthermore, these data are used to calculate a quality factor for the treatment.

Abstract: A system employs an interventional tool (30), ultrasound imaging system and a multi-planar reformatting module (40). The interventional tool (30) has one or more image tracking points (31). The ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe (20) operable for generating an ultrasound volume image (22) of a portion or an entirety of the interventional tool (30) within an anatomical region. The multi-planar reformatting imaging module (40) generates two or more multi- planar reformatting images (41) of the interventional tool (30) within the anatomical region. A generation of the two multi-planar reformatting images (41) includes an identification of each image tracking point (31) within the ultrasound volume image (22), and a utilization of each identified image tracking point (31) as an origin of the multi-planar reformatting images (41).

Abstract: A network interface accesses project data, wherein the project data comprises a metric for a project. A processor determines a project completeness based on the project data. The network interface receives a project assessment and also accesses updated project data, wherein the updated project data comprises an updated metric for the project. The processor then determines an updated completeness of the project, and determines a change in the completeness of the project. When the change in the completeness of the project is over a threshold, the processor sets a material change flag. The processor also determines a low-granularity project status. The processor then generates a project heat map. The project heat map is displayed in a tabular format. The project heat map presents the completeness of the project, material change flag, and the low-granularity project status for the project simultaneously.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method that includes receiving via a messaging hub a code and an identifier for a merchant from a first financial institution, determining, by the messaging hub, a second financial institution based at least partially on the code, sending the code and the merchant identifier to the second financial institution, and receiving from the second financial institution account information to be sent to the first financial institution. The system and method includes sending the account information to the first financial institution to allow the first financial institution to process the payment from an account held by a payor to an account held by the merchant.

Abstract: An adjustment drive is provided for an adjustable spacing comb for a hair cutting appliance. The adjustment drive includes an actuator, a sensor element and a control unit. The actuator actuates a movable comb portion of the adjustable spacing comb with respect to a blade set of the hair cutting appliance. The sensor element detects multi-faceted user inputs applied to the sensor element by a user and to output a user input signal that is derived from the multi-faceted user inputs. The actuator is operated on the basis of the user input signal. The control unit is coupled to the actuator and to the sensor element, and converts the user input signal into an actuator operating signal. The multi-faceted user inputs include detected user input speed of an input stroke by the user.

Abstract: An automatic toothbrush (100), including: a body (102) having opposed ends, a cavity (105) situated between the opposed ends, and an opening (107) situated at one of the opposed ends; an output shaft (120) having first and second ends (124, 122) and extending through the opening such that the second end (122) is outside of the cavity, the output shaft having a plurality of bends (139, 141, 143,145) situated between the second end and the opening; and an oral cleaning tool (104) configured to be press fit onto that portion of the shaft which has the plurality of bends.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an aircharger air intake system for filtering and conducting an airstream to an air intake of an engine. The aircharger air intake system includes an air filter comprising a filter medium configured to entrap particulates flowing within the airstream. An air box comprising one or more sidewalls and a mount wall is configured to support the air filter within an engine bay. The air box is configured to be mounted, or fastened, onto the engine. An intake tube is coupled with the air filter and configured to conduct the airstream to the air intake of the engine. The intake tube is configured to be coupled with an air temperature sensor or a mass air sensor of the engine. An adapter is configured to couple the intake tube with the air intake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector arrangement that finds application in the general field of optical interconnection. The optical fiber connector arrangement (935) comprises a first optical fiber connector (922) including a first optical fiber (905) and a counterpart optical fiber connector (923) including a counterpart optical fiber (925); wherein the first optical fiber connector (922) is configured to mate with the counterpart optical fiber connector (923). The first optical fiber (905) of the first optical fiber connector (922) has a core diameter D1 and a Numerical Aperture NA1; and the counterpart optical fiber (925) of the counterpart optical fiber connector (923) has a counterpart core diameter D2 and a counterpart Numerical Aperture NA2. At least one of the ratio (D1/D2) or the ratio (NA1/NA2) either exceeds 1.15 or is less than 0.85.

Abstract: A device for measuring the temperature of a melt, particularly of a molten metal, includes an optical fiber and a guiding tube having an immersion end and a second end opposite to the immersion end. The optical fiber is partially arranged in the guiding tube. An inner diameter of the guiding tube is larger than an outer diameter of the optical fiber. A first plug is arranged at the immersion end of or within the guiding tube proximate the immersion end of the guiding tube. The optical fiber is fed through the first plug and the first plug reduces a gap between the optical fiber and the guiding tube.

Abstract: A method for segmenting image data includes identifying a 2D boundary start position corresponding to tissue of interest in a cross-section of volumetric image data, wherein the start position is identified by a current position of a graphical pointer with respect to the cross-section, generating a preview 2D boundary for the tissue of interest based on the start position, displaying the preview 2D boundary superimposed over the cross-section, and updating the displayed preview 2D boundary if the position of the graphical pointer changes with respect to the cross-section.

Abstract: A system and method for network file filtering to prevent identity theft or misuse by restricting access to files likely to contain sensitive data is disclosed. The file filtering process includes scanning at least one data file for density of a selected pattern. Files identified as containing the selected pattern may be further analyzed to determine the likelihood of the presence of sensitive information. The process may also include restricting access to files that are identified as likely to contain sensitive information.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system may include at least one controller which may acquire echo information of a region of interest (ROI). The echo information may include first image information suitable for reconstructing at least part of a first image at a selected contrast. The MR imaging system can obtain previously-reconstructed image information of one or more previously-reconstructed images having a contrast different than the selected contrast; extract information from the previously-reconstructed image information; determine spatially adaptive regularization weights for regularized reconstruction based upon the extracted information; and/or reconstruct the first image in formation in accordance with the spatially adaptive regularization weights and the echo information.

Abstract: PPG sensor emits light at at least three wavelengths (Y1-Y3) and detects the reflected light. The PPG sensor comprises a motion correction unit (130) for correcting motion artefacts from the detected light signals by subtracting the output signal of the detected light at the second wavelength (Y2) from an average of an output signal of the detected light at the first and third wavelength (Y1, Y3). The three wavelengths (Y1-Y3) are arranged around 550 nm. The second wavelength (Y2) is arranged equal distantly between the first and third wavelength.

Abstract: A therapy system and method treats an internal target of a patient (16). A treatment plan (36) is received to treat the internal target. The treatment plan (36) includes a plurality of treatment fractions including correspondences (38) between the internal target and an external body surface based on a pre-procedural planning image (14) and pre-procedural tracking data (20). Before selected treatment fractions of the plurality of treatment fractions, a pre-fraction planning image (50) of the target is received, tracking data (20, 52) of the external body surface of the patient (16) is received, and the correspondences (38) between the internal target and the external body surface are updated based on the received pre-fraction planning image (50) and the received tracking data (20, 52). Therapy is delivered to the patient (16) in accordance with the treatment plan (36) and using the updated correspondences (38).

Abstract: A photon detector includes a sensor array of optical sensors disposed in a plane and four substantially identical scintillation crystal bars. Each optical sensor is configured to sense luminescence. Each of the four scintillator crystal bars being a rectangular prism with four side surfaces and first and second end surfaces, each scintillation bar has two side surfaces which each face a side surface of another scintillation bar, and each scintillation crystal bar generating a light scintillation in response to interacting with a received gamma photon. A first layer (80) is disposed in a first plane disposed between and adjacent facing side surfaces of the four substantially identical scintillation crystal bars with a light sharing portion (82) adjacent the first end surface and a reflective portion (84) adjacent the second end surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying a 3D ultrasound image volume in a desired view orientation. A 3D ultrasound image can be acquired of an anatomical feature in a patient. The actual orientation of the anatomical feature can be determined in space. The 3D ultrasound image including the anatomical feature can be displayed such that the anatomical feature is positioned in a selected orientation that is different than the actual orientation, and in relation to a lighting model for generating lighting and shadowing on the anatomical feature.