Abstract: A central arterial blood pressure waveform is developed from pressure waveforms obtained from proximal and distal blood pressure cuffs on the brachial artery of an arm that are inflated to a supra-systolic pressure, The proximal and distal cuff pressure waveforms associated with at least one cardiac ejection cycle are sensed, The propagation times of a blood pressure pulse from the entry of the artery to the proximal cuff and from the proximal cuff to the distal cuff are calculated, permitting calculation of a reflection coefficient of the pressure pulse at one of the proximal and distal cuffs. Assuming a physical model of wave propagation along the artery between the aorta and the proximal and distal cuffs, an estimated pressure waveform at the opening of the artery can be determined.

Abstract: A physics-based mathematical model is used to estimate central pressure waveforms from measurements of a brachial pressure waveform measured using a supra-systolic cuff. The method has been tested in numerous subjects undergoing cardiac catheterisation. Central pressure agreement was within 11 mm Hg and as good as the published non-invasive blood pressure agreement between the oscillometric device in use and the so-called “gold standard.” It also exceeds international standards for the performance of non-invasive blood pressure measurement devices. The method has a number of advantages including simplicity of application, fast calculation and accuracy of prediction. Additionally, model parameters have physical meaning and can therefore be tuned to individual subjects. Accurate estimation of central waveforms also allow continuous measurement (with intermittent calibration) using other non-invasive sensing systems including photoplethysmography.

Abstract: A reaching device that in one embodiment comprises an elongated member, a jaw, and an actuator for opening and closing the jaw. The jaw includes a pair of holding members, one of which has a tapered lateral side edge. In one embodiment, the reaching device may allow a rural mail carrier to remain seated in the driver's side of a conventional (North American) vehicle, reach through the passenger's window, and perform the following tasks: open a mail box, retrieve mail from the mail box, place mail into the mail box, close the mail box, and raise or lower the indicator flag on the side of the mail box.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for accelerating execution of a program, written in an object oriented programming language, in an emulated environment. In response to receiving a request for an accelerated communications session from a guest virtual machine in the emulated environment, a native virtual machine is initiated external to the emulated environment but within the computing device hosting the emulated environment. Thereafter, an accelerated communications link is established between the guest virtual machine and the native virtual machine. The accelerated communications link enables a transfer of managed code between the guest virtual machine and the native virtual machine. The managed code is then executed by the native virtual machine.

Abstract: Iceberg Reclamation industry invention provides an economical method of adapting offshore marine structures for arctic waters into fresh water production plants. The key condition of the invention is that icebergs are not towed or transported, instead the processing plant systematically breaks down icebergs and processes the ice pieces, melts the ice, and enables the transport of fresh water to arid climates and other areas in need of water reserves augmentation. The invention also claims that by decreasing the ice melt into oceans from icebergs this method acts as a sea level rise countermeasure. The method can also be used to clean oceans of floating debris and process the waste economically.

Abstract: A method is provided for inviting an assistant entity, such as a customer service representative acting through a endpoint system, into an existing network communication session established by a service system. The service system controls the joining of endpoint entities to the session and enables endpoint entities joined to the session to communicate with each other. The method involves a first party associated with an endpoint system already joined to the session, indicating to the service system that the presence of an assistant entity is required. The service system selects an appropriate assistant entity taking account of the current context of the communication session, and joins the selected assistant entity to the session.

Abstract: A method of creating an interactive broadcast, comprising allowing a plurality of participants to vote on an aspect of a scenario in a virtual space, the broadcast being a computer-generated animated scenario comprising graphics and audio, the participants voting by means of user interface devices which are linked over a communications network to a server, the server being operative to process the received votes and determine how the broadcast should be collectively influenced in view of the votes received, and then generate the broadcast.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of producing a transit graph of a priori information relating to movements of a plurality of targets from a first of a plurality of targets locations to a second of the plurality of locations can be broadly summarized by the following steps: processing a plurality of target observations from a plurality of image capture devices to produce at least one primary track for at least one target, wherein each primary track includes ordered sequences of observation events having similarities in their visual signatures; and processing the at least one primary track to determine a priori information relating to movement of a target from a first of a plurality of locations to a second of the plurality of locations. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for accelerating execution of a program, written in an object oriented programming language, in an emulated environment. In response to receiving a request for an accelerated communications session from a guest virtual machine in the emulated environment, a native virtual machine is initiated external to the emulated environment but within the computing device hosting the emulated environment. Thereafter, an accelerated communications link is established between the guest virtual machine and the native virtual machine. The accelerated communications link enables a transfer of managed code between the guest virtual machine and the native virtual machine. The managed code is then executed by the native virtual machine.

Abstract: In a scanning microscope, slides are fed automatically from a magazine to the imaging system. Each slide is labeled in some fashion with information for selecting the appropriate modality of operation of the scanner for that slide and the modality is implemented automatically. The information is preferably tied to and defined by a laboratory information system (LIS). For example, the instructions may regard the type of microscopy (i.e., trans- or epi-illumination), multi-spectral imaging with particular spectral bands combined with a particular set of z-positions, alternative filters, settings for the numerical aperture of the condenser, alternative detector operation for different resolutions, and alternative post-scan analyses of the data, as deemed optimal for the scan. The label may also contain the slide's identity, a pathologist's name, desired post-scan handling protocol, etc. The preferred array microscope to carry out the invention is also described.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of refining a plurality of primary tracks of a plurality of targets can be broadly summarized by the following steps: receiving a plurality of primary tracks, wherein each primary track includes ordered sequences of observation events having similarities in their visual signatures; dividing the primary tracks into separate refinement packages; allocating the refinement packages to different ones of a plurality of processors; and receiving one or more refined tracks from the plurality of processors. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A technique for consistently simulating at two different complexities of simulation is described. This technique is particularly relevant to simulation of a creature-like autonomous agent (biological or artificial or hybrid). The model, in the particular case a model of the creature, comprises at least two portions. The first portion contains functions used in both of the different complexities of simulation. The second portion comprises two alternative versions, a first version for use in one complexity of simulation, and a second version for use in the other complexity of simulation.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of tracking a plurality of targets can be broadly summarized by the following steps: capturing a plurality of images of a plurality of targets with a plurality of image capture devices; generating a target observation for each target, said target observation including at least a visual signature of the target and a time value; partitioning target observations according to similarities in their visual signatures; and producing primary tracks from the partitioned target observations, wherein each primary track includes ordered sequences of observation events having similarities in their visual signatures. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining certain cardiac medical parameters that are useful is diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: A physics-based mathematical model is used to estimate central pressure waveforms from measurements of a brachial pressure waveform measured using a supra-systolic cuff. The method has been tested in numerous subjects undergoing cardiac catheterisation. Central pressure agreement was within 11 mm Hg and as good as the published non-invasive blood pressure agreement between the oscillometric device in use and the so-called “gold standard.” It also exceeds international standards for the performance of non-invasive blood pressure measurement devices. The method has a number of advantages including simplicity of application, fast calculation and accuracy of prediction. Additionally, model parameters have physical meaning and can therefore be tuned to individual subjects. Accurate estimation of central waveforms also allow continuous measurement (with intermittent calibration) using other non-invasive sensing systems including photoplethysmography.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the non-invasive measurement, processing and utility of blood pressure cuff oscillation signals from a blood pressure cuff applied to a body part when the blood pressure cuff pressure is at supra-systolic pressures. Oscillometric cardiac pulse waveforms associated with the peripheral artery are monitored during a plurality of cardiac ejection cycles while at supra-systolic pressure, and are measured pneumatically and transduced by an oscillometric pressure sensor. The analog signal is amplified, processed and digitized to provide a recordable waveform that can be analyzed to obtain information relating to the patient's cardiovascular status.

Abstract: A content-provider entity provides content to media channels established in respect of a network communication session. The content-provider entity has a transport subsystem for establishing media channel connections to a session transport mechanism in accordance with channel type and connection details received by the entity. The content-provider entity also has a media subsystem providing a respective media handler of appropriate type for each media channel connection established by the transport subsystem. Each media handler is responsible for delivering media content of its associated type from a media source to the corresponding channel connection. A delivery controller of the media subsystem controls the selection and delivery of media content through the media handlers in dependence on context data supplied to the content-provider entity.

Abstract: A blood pressure cuff includes: (a) a flexible, hollow bladder adapted to surround the arm of the patient, which has an inside surface adapted to apply pressure to a surface of the arm above an artery, an outside surface opposite this inside surface, and an inlet line for receiving a fluid to cause the bladder to expand; (b) at least one first sensor element arranged on a inside and/or outside surface of the bladder in a location adjacent the artery when the bladder is in its operative position surrounding the patient's arm; and possibly also (c) at least one second sensor element arranged on a surface of the bladder that is opposite to the surface on which the first sensor element is disposed, and in a location adjacent the artery when the bladder is in its operative position surrounding the patient's arm.

Abstract: In a scanning microscope, slides are fed automatically from a magazine to the imaging system. Each slide is labeled in some fashion with information for selecting the appropriate modality of operation of the scanner for that slide and the modality is implemented automatically. The information is preferably tied to and defined by a laboratory information system (LIS). For example, the instructions may regard the type of microscopy (i.e., trans- or epi-illumination), multi-spectral imaging with particular spectral bands combined with a particular set of z-positions, alternative filters, settings for the numerical aperture of the condenser, alternative detector operation for different resolutions, and alternative post-scan analyses of the data, as deemed optimal for the scan. The label may also contain the slide's identity, a pathologist's name, desired post-scan handling protocol, etc. The preferred array microscope to carry out the invention is also described.

Abstract: Polymers and copolymers synthesized by means that yield a narrow range of molecular weights can have different properties than polymers synthesized by conventional means. In order to obtain such polymers, however, polymerization must be controlled. One type of controlled polymerization is the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process, which has characteristics of a living polymerization. The present invention discloses a group of dithioesters and trithioesters suitable as chain transfer agents for RAFT polymerization. The present invention also discloses RAFT polymerizations conducted in aqueous media.