Abstract: Systems and methods related to sourcing and managing a supplier is provided. For example, a system includes a processor operatively coupled to a memory and configured to receive an indication of one or more sourcing designations for a property and casualty insurance claim from a remote device, evaluate at least one of a respective risk and a respective cost associated with multiple suppliers that may be used to address the one or more sourcing designations, provide a recommendation to use a recommended supplier of the multiple suppliers based at least in part on the at least one of the respective risk and the respective cost of the multiple suppliers, and generate a contract that is appropriate for use with the recommended supplier of the multiple suppliers.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, indication-related detectable changes on a transaction token may be facilitated. In some embodiments, a transaction card may determine a state of the transaction card (e.g., during an interaction with a transaction terminal). The transaction card may generate a signal related to a color based on the state of the transaction card and cause the signal to be transmitted to a change element of the transaction card. The change element may be configured such that the change element causes one or more edges or other portions of the transaction card to be (i) a first color in response to the signal being a first signal and (ii) a second color in response to the signal being a second signal. As an example, the portions of the transaction card may turn red when the signal is a first voltage and green when the signal is a second voltage.

Abstract: Streaming improvements are provided by using computing, caching, and/or other resources that are provided at different network edges in a Multi-access Edge Computing (“MEC”) enhanced network. A MEC device, at a network edge, may customize a stream passing to a client device via the network edge by identifying a break in an original stream manifest passing to the client device, and by inserting a link for the client device to request and play content that is selected by the MEC device during the break. The MEC device then passes the modified stream manifest, instead of the original stream manifest, to the client device. The MEC device may also be triggered, via a prioritization message from a host in the network, to prefetch, cache, and serve a stream from the network edge to a client device accessing the network via that network edge.

Abstract: A device receives, from a cloud computing environment, application usage information associated with application instances in the cloud computing environment for an application, and processes the application usage information, with a machine learning model, to determine behavior patterns and predicted tasks for the application. The device determines a modified quantity of the application instances based on the behavior patterns and the predicted tasks for the application, and causes the modified quantity of the application instances to be implemented in the cloud computing environment based on one or more rules. The device stores information associated with the modified quantity of the application instances in a data structure, and updates the machine learning model based on the information associated with the modified quantity of the application instances stored in the data structure.

Abstract: Methods for improved cultivation media and culture conditions for Trueperella pyogenes are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are improved methods for the isolation and purification of pyolysin from Trueperella pyogenes.

Abstract: Example embodiments include a system for removing string from shredded tobacco, including an arrangement configured to dispense shredded tobacco from a first location to a second location along a path of communication, a string filter operative at a location along the path of communication comprising a first roller comprising pins, whereby string may be contacted by at least some of the pins and retained at the string filter as the shredded tobacco passes through the filter.

Abstract: A graphic block package includes a tray configured to package and display product placed therein. A graphic block is foldably connected to the tray, wherein the graphic block includes a set of folding panels configured to collapse the graphic block for shipping and to support the graphic block for retail display.

Abstract: A caregiver location system includes a computer configured to track a location of a caregiver in a healthcare facility. A caregiver identification (ID) tag is worn by a caregiver and has a tag transceiver configured to communicate with a plurality of transceivers. The plurality of transceivers and the computer cooperate to form a locating system that is operable to determine a location of the caregiver ID tag. The computer collects data over time related to a caregiver location within the healthcare facility and determines a problem area within the healthcare facility where a determined caregiver location is inaccurate.

Abstract: A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system may comprise a liquid storage portion, which includes a housing holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The housing has a first and a second opening. The cartridge may further comprise a first and a second permeable planar heater assembly, wherein the first permeable planar heater assembly is fixed to the housing and extends across the first opening of the housing, and the second permeable planar heater assembly is fixed to the housing and extends across the second opening of the housing. The first and second permeable planar heater assemblies are arranged opposite each other such that they face each other and form an airflow channel in between.

Abstract: A self-regulating heater cable includes a PTC core formed of positive temperature coefficient material and disposed in electrical contact with at least two bus wires. The PTC core may encapsulate the bus wires and space the bus wires apart a predetermined distance via a connecting portion of the PTC core. The connecting portion has a tapered profile, and is thinner at the ends approximate the bus wires and thicker in a portion between the ends, which portion may be toward or at the center of the connecting portion. The thicknesses of the ends and the thicker portion are selected to produce a ratio that is within a range at which the heater cable produces heat at its outer surface with a substantially uniform profile, and primary heat generation of the heater cable has not shifted from the center of the connecting portion to the ends of the connecting portion.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the likelihood that an occupant will exit an occupant support comprises determining if the location of the occupant on the occupant support is displaced relative to a reference location, and if the location of the occupant is so displaced, designating that the occupant is at a risk of exiting the occupant support which is elevated relative to the baseline risk. A support apparatus comprises a framework, a mattress, sensors distributed on the support apparatus to sense occupant weight distribution on the support apparatus, and a processor adapted to designate a risk of occupant egress as a function of the direction of the occupant weight distribution and the elevation status of the perimeter panels.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for monitoring a condition of a person includes receiving, at a computerized device, at least one signal from a condition sensor and determining if a condition is an emergency condition of a user based on the at least one signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating the sorting of assets to sort locations. In various embodiments, a sort employee scans an asset indicia using a user device, which stores asset data corresponding to the stored asset. As the sort employee nears a sort location (e.g., a delivery vehicle) with the asset and the user device, the user device automatically communicates wirelessly with a sort location receiver to associate the asset data with data indicative of the sort location where the user deposits the asset. In various embodiments, a device may determine whether the user device is proximate the appropriate sort location for the item, and may generate an alert upon a determination that the user device is proximate an incorrect sort location.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods, systems, and computer-readable media configured to, for example, provide payment tokens for conducting transactions, as well as reprovisioning tokens, on wearable devices without Bluetooth® or other network connectivity beyond NFC radio.

Abstract: A method of forming a contactless transaction card. The method may include providing a card body, defining a window, and attaching an antenna assembly layer to the card body, where the antenna assembly layer includes an antenna, a set of curable connectors, disposed on a set of end regions of the antenna within the window, and a UV-transparent layer, supporting the antenna. The method may include providing a contactless chip module within the window on a first side of the antenna assembly layer, and directing radiation through the UV-transparent layer, wherein the contactless chip module is electrically connected to the antenna via the curable connectors.

Abstract: In a remote technical support system, a technical support controller receives an indication of a maximum number of support sessions to be serviced by a remote technician. Thereafter, the technical support controller receives a service request for a user device, which service request is classified into a category and added to a preliminary queue corresponding to the category. The technical support controller determines if handling of the service request by the remote technician would cause the number of support sessions currently being handled by the remote technician to exceed the previously-indicated maximum number of support sessions. If not, the service request is added to a work queue for the remote technician and removed from the preliminary queue.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, communicates with an electronic medical record (EMR) system in healthcare facility. The hospital bed includes a patient support structure to support a patient, a graphical user interface coupled to the patient support structure, and control circuitry coupled to the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface displays at least one input that may be used by a caregiver to chart data into an electronic medical record (EMR) of a patient supported by the patient support structure.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media and apparatuses for testing executable code in sensitive-information domains are provided. A synthetic data set is received, where the synthetic data set includes generated subjects and corresponding information associated with the generated subjects. An active data set is received, where the active data set includes active subjects and corresponding information associated with the active subjects. The corresponding information associated with the active subjects includes sensitive information requiring privacy protection. The synthetic data set and the active data set are compared using an algorithm to identify the generated subjects that produce decisioning outcomes similar to decisioning outcomes of the active data set. A testing data set is generated by selecting the generated subjects identified using the algorithm and corresponding information associated with the identified generated subjects.

Abstract: A device attached to a railcar of a train is provided. The device comprises a radio frequency (RF) transceiver to transmit and receive a RF signal. The device includes a RF modem configured to convert the received RF signal into a low frequency (LF) analog signal. The device includes a digital signal processor to process the LF signal. The digital signal processor includes a phase detector, a loop filter, and a digitally controlled oscillator. The phase detector compares the LF signal and a reference signal to generate an error signal. The phase detector also determines a state of the digital signal processor, the state being one of a lock state or an out of lock state. Further, the phase detector detects an event that the RF signal is lost and generate a loss signal. The loop filter filters the error signal and generates an error control signal. The digitally controlled oscillator generates the reference signal based on the error control signal, the state, and the loss signal.

Abstract: A mattress overlay apparatus is provided for use with a mattress. The mattress overlay apparatus includes an overlay configured for placement atop the mattress and having a plurality of inflatable bladders, a blower, and first and second rotary plate valves pneumatically coupled to the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves are arranged in series between the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves and the blower are operated to provide the overlay with percussion and vibration (P&V), left and right turn assist, and microclimate management (MCM) functionality.