Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) detector assembly is provided. The PET detector assembly includes a plate having a first side and an opposite second side, the plate being fabricated from a thermally conductive material. The PET detector assembly also includes multiple PET detector units coupled to the first side of the plate. The PET detector assembly further includes a readout electronics section coupled to the second side of the plate, wherein, during operation, the readout electronics section generates heat that is transferred to the plate. The plate comprises a heat pipe disposed within the plate and configured to extract the heat from the plate and to transfer the heat away from the plate.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing vibration of a cantilevered patient support surface are provided herein. A system includes a spring and roller coupled with the spring. The spring creates an upwards spring bias on the patient support surface. The roller is coupled with the spring via a roller lever arm. A frictional resistance at the roller arm and an upward directed spring bias enables the roller to maintain constant contact with the patient support surface.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing transaction signing utilizing asymmetric cryptography and a private ledger. A transaction data is signed by a user device using a private key, and may be utilized in an authorization request message without including a real credential of the user. A transaction verification and accounting module (TVAM) can verify the signed transaction data and can continue processing the transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing vibration of a cantilevered patient support surface are provided herein. A system includes a spring and roller coupled with the spring. The spring creates an upwards spring bias on the patient support surface. The roller is coupled with the spring via a roller lever arm. A frictional resistance at the roller arm and an upward directed spring bias enables the roller to maintain constant contact with the patient support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is described herein. The apparatus comprises a first modality unit and a second modality unit. The first modality unit is located within a gantry. The second modality unit within the gantry is moveable along an examination axis to be concentric about with the first modality unit such that a field of view of the first modality unit and a field of view of the second modality unit are centered about a single point of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient management of operating modes within an integrated circuit (IC) for optimal power and performance targets. A semiconductor chip includes processing units each of which operates with respective operating parameters. Temperature sensors are included to measure a temperature of the one or more processing units during operation. A power manager determines a calculated power value independent of thermal conditions and current draw. The power manager reads each of a first thermal design power (TDP) value for the processing units and a second TDP value for a platform housing the semiconductor chip. The power manager determines a ratio of the first TDP value to the second TDP value. Additionally, the power manager determines another ratio of the first TDP value to the calculated power value. Using the measured temperature, the ratios and the calculated power value, the power manager determines a manner to adjust the operating parameters.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for allocating processor resources to process compute workloads and graphics workloads substantially simultaneously. The method includes the steps of allocating a plurality of processing units to process tasks associated with a graphics pipeline, receiving a request to allocate at least one processing unit in the plurality of processing units to process tasks associated with a compute pipeline, and reallocating the at least one processing unit to process tasks associated with the compute pipeline.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth an architecture for advancing the Z-test operation prior to pixel shading whenever possible. The current rendering state, as maintained by the setup engine, determines whether advancing the Z-test function above the shader engine for “early” Z-testing is possible or whether the Z-test function should be deferred until after shading operations for “late” Z-testing. Data is dynamically routed to each processing engine in the pipeline, so that the appropriate data flow for either early Z or late Z is dynamically constructed, as determined by the current rendering state. The same functional units are utilized in both early Z and late Z configurations.

Abstract: A device and method of the present invention provides application of low-energy acoustic waves to indwelling surfaces of a catheter in order to remove and prevent microbial biofilm formation. The low-energy acoustic waves are generated by an electrically activated piezo element. The device can take the form of a luer connector configured to couple to the hub of the indwelling catheter or can take the form of a catheter insert. The characteristics of the acoustic waves can be varied in order to inhibit bacterial adhesion to the indwelling surfaces of the catheter. Moreover, the characteristics of the acoustic waves must also be in a range so as to not induce bacterial adhesion to the indwelling catheter surfaces.

Abstract: A tool for removing an interchangeable cooking insert from a grill has a handle end and an engagement end. A handle extends from the handle end toward the engagement end. A support arm extends from the handle toward the engagement end. The support arm has a first lateral edge defining a first lifting hook and a second lateral edge defining a second lifting hook. The first lifting hook and second lifting hook are configured to engage a portion of the cooking insert. A support pin extends across the support arm between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge. A latch member is pivotally coupled to one of the support arm and the handle. The latch member includes a first end selectively engageable with a portion of the cooking insert and a second end extending through the handle for actuation of the latching member by a user.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for suturing the fascia or other tissue in a patient. The device includes a first arm and a second arm pivotally coupled to one another and housing a spring-based lever system that is configured to frictionally hold a portion of a needle within each of the first and second arms. A switch allows the spring-based lever system to be used to pass the needle between the first and second arms. When the switch is in a first position, the needle is frictionally held by the spring-based lever system within the first arm and released within the second arm. Likewise, when the switch is in a second position, the needle is frictionally held by the spring-based lever system within the second arm and released within the first arm.

Abstract: The current invention involves new systems and methods for computing per-sample post-z test coverage when the memory is organized in multiple partitions that may not match the number of shaders. Shaded pixels output by the shaders can be processed by one of several z raster operations units. The shading processing capability can be configured independent of the number of memory partitions and number of z raster operations units. The current invention also involves new systems and method for using different z test modes with multiple render targets with a single or multiple memory partitions. Rendering performance may be improved by using an early z testing mode is used to eliminate non-visible samples prior to shading.

Abstract: A convection grill including a body having a base and a lid, and defining a cooking chamber, and a convection system coupled to a wall of the base. The convection system includes an air conduit defined at least in part by a front panel and a back panel, the air conduit including an intake aperture, a duct, and an exhaust vent. The convection system also includes a fan assembly including a convection fan positioned within the duct proximate to the intake aperture, and a motor coupled to the convection fan by a motor shaft. The back panel includes a first end distal from the wall, a second end proximate the wall, and a cross section having a substantially continuous curve between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A tool for removing an interchangeable cooking insert from a grill has a handle end and an engagement end. A handle extends from the handle end toward the engagement end. A support arm extends from the handle toward the engagement end. The support arm has a first lateral edge defining a first lifting hook and a second lateral edge defining a second lifting hook. The first lifting hook and second lifting hook are configured to engage a portion of the cooking insert. A support pin extends across the support arm between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge. A latch member is pivotally coupled to one of the support arm and the handle. The latch member includes a first end selectively engageable with a portion of the cooking insert and a second end extending through the handle for actuation of the latching member by a user.

Abstract: The current invention involves new systems and methods for computing per-sample post-z test coverage when the memory is organized in multiple partitions that may not match the number of shaders. Shaded pixels output by the shaders can be processed by one of several z raster operations units. The shading processing capability can be configured independent of the number of memory partitions and number of z raster operations units. The current invention also involves new systems and method for using different z test modes with multiple render targets with a single or multiple memory partitions. Rendering performance may be improved by using an early z testing mode is used to eliminate non-visible samples prior to shading.

Abstract: The current invention involves new systems and methods for computing per-sample post-z test coverage when the memory is organized in multiple partitions that may not match the number of shaders. Shaded pixels output by the shaders can be processed by one of several z raster operations units. The shading processing capability can be configured independent of the number of memory partitions and number of z raster operations units. The current invention also involves new systems and method for using different z test modes with multiple render targets with a single or multiple memory partitions. Rendering performance may be improved by using an early z testing mode is used to eliminate non-visible samples prior to shading.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and feeding hay bales including a transport vehicle having a flatbed and a tiltable support frame mounted to the flatbed for carrying a stack of bales. A hoist is used to tilt the support frame from a horizontal hay bale transport position to a vertical position against a bale stack for picking up a bale stack. Squeeze arms are used to secure the bale stack to the support frame. An endless chain on the support frame is used to selectively move the bales forwardly. A flaker is mounted at a forward end of the flatbed for receiving a bale advanced thereon and selectively flaking off portions of the bale. A tipping apparatus is provided for selectively tipping a bale advanced by the endless chain from the support frame onto the flaker.