Abstract: The present invention relates to prostate cancer (PC), in particular the identification of certain bacteria in prostate cancer tissues or liquid biopsies and the use of such identification as a prognostic indicator of cancer progression. The present invention also relates to cultures of newly identified bacteria and means for identifying such bacteria in biological samples.

Abstract: A system (100) for reconstructing digital subtraction angiography, DSA, images (110) representing a region of interest (120) in an object (130), is provided. The system includes one or more processors (140) configured to: receive (S110) cone beam projection data (150) acquired during a portion of a revolution of a source-detector arrangement (160s, 160d) of a cone beam X-ray imaging system (170) around the object (130); reconstruct (S120) the cone beam projection data (150) acquired from one or more orientations within a first angular range (Dq1), into a 3D mask image (170) representing the region of interest (120); and reconstruct (S130) the cone beam projection data (150) acquired from one or more orientations within a second angular range (Dq2), into a temporal sequence of 3D DSA images (110) representing the region of interest (120), based on the reconstructed 3D mask image (170).

Abstract: All X-ray computerized tomography systems that are available or proposed base their reconstructions on measurements that integrate over energy. X-ray tubes produce a broad spectrum of photon energies and a great deal of information can be derived by measuring changes in the transmitted spectrum. We show that for any material, complete energy spectral information may be summarized by a few constants which are independent of energy. A technique is presented which uses simple, low-resolution, energy spectrum measurements and conventional computerized tomography techniques to calculate these constants at every point within a cross-section of an object. For comparable accuracy, patient dose is shown to be approximately the same as that produced by conventional systems. Possible uses of energy spectral information for diagnosis are presented.

Abstract: A method for requesting authorization of a payment instrument is provided. The method can include receiving a request for authorization of the payment instrument. The request can include a first identifier identifying the payment instrument. The method can also include obtaining a second identifier identifying a user of the payment instrument and/or a third identifier identifying a physical asset. The method can further include determining an association between at least two of the first identifier, the second identifier, or the third identifier. The method can also include determining, based on a rule and the association, to approve the request for authorization and transmitting data to approve the request for authorization. Related systems, computer-readable mediums, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: In a device, in particular machine, for producing Wiegand wire from a wire, in particular pulse wire, and a method for operating a device, the device having a first clamping chuck, a second clamping chuck, and a third clamping chuck, the wire being fed through each of the three clamping chucks, in particular so that the wire is able to be connected in a releasable and torsionally fixed manner to the three clamping chucks, in particular able to be connected to the three clamping chucks in a releasable, torsionally fixed and nonpositive manner. The clamping chucks are set apart from one another in the wire direction, and the second clamping chuck is situated between the first and the third clamping chuck in the wire direction.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a filter in a filter device having a filter housing and the filter located therein, the filter device including a filtered material collecting chamber to receive filtered material which accumulates during the cleaning of the filter. The filtered material collecting chamber is filled with a fire prevention agent before it first receives filtered material. The filtered material collecting chamber is filled with a solid material over part of the volume of the filtered material collecting chamber. In the course of a removal of the filtered material collecting chamber from the filter device, a targeted exchange of a chamber atmosphere for the surrounding atmosphere is carried out, and in connection with an inflow of atmospheric air, a mixing movement of the filtered material collecting chamber for mixing the filtered material with the solid material is carried out.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The sole structure includes a frame attached to the upper with frame exterior and interior surfaces defining a frame internal cavity. The sole structure further includes a midsole member disposed within the frame internal cavity and that is formed via a supercritical foaming process. A lattice-work structure of the frame is formed by a plurality of apertures extending through the frame exterior and interior surfaces such that at least some portions of the upper and the midsole member adjacent the frame interior surface are exposed through the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: An antenna array that utilizes ground guard rings and metamaterial structures is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the antenna array is constructed from a plurality of antenna unit cells, wherein each antenna unit cell is identical. The antenna unit cell comprises a top surface, that contains a patch antenna and a ground guard ring. A reactive impedance surface (RIS) layer is disposed beneath the top surface and contains the metamaterial structures. The metamaterial structures are configured to present an inductance to the patch antennas, thereby allowing the patch antennas to be smaller than would otherwise be possible. In some embodiments, the metamaterial structures comprise hollow square frames. An antenna array constructed using this antenna unit cell has less coupling than conventional antenna arrays, which results in better performance. A ground skirt surrounds the perimeter of the antenna array to improve radiation phase pattern balance within the array.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system (100) for detection and identification of at least one species in a sample in an ionic exchange membrane (110), comprising an ion exchange membrane (110), an impedance analyser (120), source (141) and target electrodes (142), a voltage and/or current source (140) arranged to provide an electric potential difference, a computer (170), and at least two impedance electrodes (121, 122) arranged at the ion exchange membrane (110) and connected to the impedance analyser (120). The source (141) and target electrodes (142) are connected to said source (140), and are arranged to upon addition of source (151) and target electrolyte (152) be in ionic contact with a first (111) and second region (112) of the ion exchange membrane (110) respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a first device for generating aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of a target, an inlet conduit to an ion analyser or mass spectrometer, the inlet conduit having an inlet through which the aerosol, smoke or vapour passes, and a Venturi pump arrangement arranged and adapted to direct the aerosol, smoke or vapour towards the inlet.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a battery unit of a motor vehicle. The battery unit is configured to provide electrical energy to an electric drivetrain (M) of the motor vehicle, and the electric drivetrain (M) is configured to drive the motor vehicle. The battery unit has a plurality of battery modules (U1, U2, UN, V1, V2, VN, W1, W2; WN). The method comprises: monitoring whether the battery unit is in a powered-off state; measuring a period of time during which the battery unit is in the powered-off state; and transitioning the battery unit from the powered-off state into a powered-on state when the period of time exceeds a time threshold. The battery modules (U1, U2, UN, V1, V2, VN, W1, W2; WN) are connected electrically in parallel to one another in the powered-on state.

Abstract: Method and system for emergency operation for a modular multilevel converter including a central controller and a plurality of battery modules. The respective battery module is given a respective switching state by the central controller at each switching stroke, through which a respective energy accumulator is connected to a respective energy accumulator of a respectively adjacent battery module. Through a module monitoring, a respectively faulty energy accumulator is reported to the central controller. For the respective battery module with a faulty energy accumulator, a bypass switching state is determined at each further switching stroke. If a threshold value defined by a specified number of faulty energy accumulators tolerable for an operation of the modular multilevel converter is exceeded, an emergency operation is caused, which includes an operating state change from “operation mode” to a “repair mode”; display of the same; and restriction of a further operating time until repair.

Abstract: An adaptive X-ray anti-scatter device for placement in a source-detector axis of an X-ray imager includes an anti-scatter filter having a source orientable surface and a detector orientable surface. The anti-scatter filter comprises a plurality of realignable slats that absorb incident X-rays and are separated by a plurality of interstitial portions. The device also includes a first actively deformable member comprising a first set of one or more actively deformable actuators disposed across a first region of the first actively deformable member. At least a portion of the first set is partially or fully recessed within the interstitial portions. At least one actuator of the first set is in contact with a corresponding realignable slat of the plurality of realignable slats and is configured to change the alignment of the corresponding realignable slat in relation to the source-detector axis.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus (6) for characterization of a condition of a vessel (12) wall of a living being (2). The relationship between temporal blood pressure (621) and blood flow (622) measurements of pulsatile blood motion within the vessel (12) is an indication of the health of the vessel (12) wall. Furthermore, the invention discloses a system (1) comprising the apparatus (6), and a method (100) of characterizing the condition of vessel (12) walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the classification of cancers, in particular prostate cancers, using samples from patients. In particular, the invention provides methods for identifying potentially aggressive prostate cancers to determine which cancers are or will become aggressive (and hence require treatment) and which will remain indolent (and will therefore not require treatment). The present invention is therefore useful to identify patients with a poor prognosis. The specific population of cancer identified by the present invention is referred to herein as DESNT cancer. The invention also provides biomarker panels useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.

Abstract: A method for a safety concept for an AC battery, in which the AC battery includes a central controller, a plurality of battery modules which respectively have a power board with a plurality of switching states, a plurality of contactors, a plurality of current sensors, a fault loop and a high-speed bus and is connected to a traction machine. The central controller has a hardware-programmable processor unit with at least one microprocessor core on which a control program is configured to control the battery modules, the plurality of contactors and the fault loop. A state machine is implemented by the control program. The battery modules are connected, starting from the central controller, via the high-speed bus and the fault loop. If an abort fault occurs, the AC battery is changed to a safe operating state. The safe state is achieved at least by emergency disconnection of the central controller.

Abstract: A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the classification of cancers, in particular prostate cancers, using samples from patients. In particular, the invention provides methods for identifying potentially aggressive prostate cancers to determine which cancers are or will become aggressive (and hence require treatment) and which will remain indolent (and will therefore not require treatment). The present invention is therefore useful to identify patients with a poor prognosis. The specific population of cancer identified by the present invention is referred to herein as DESNT cancer. The invention also provides biomarker panels useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a fastening mechanism, a sole, and a frame having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The sole includes a midsole structure and an outsole structure. The interior surface of the frame is adjacent portions of the midsole structure, the outsole structure, and the upper. The frame further has a lattice-work structure formed by a plurality of apertures extending through the interior and exterior surfaces of the frame such that at least some of the portions of the midsole structure, the outsole structure, and the upper adjacent the interior surface of the frame are exposed through the plurality of apertures. The fastening mechanism includes a fastening member extending through at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures of the frame.

Abstract: A method for state-of-charge monitoring of an AC battery, in which the battery includes a central controller having a scheduler, measuring sensors and at least two battery modules. The at least two battery modules each have at least one energy storage element and at least two power semiconductor switches, which connect the respective battery module in series or in parallel or in bypass with another battery module. The battery is controlled by the central controller, and a respective switching state of the at least two battery modules is preset by the scheduler. The state-of-charge monitoring is implemented by a control program within the scheduler. During operation of the battery, a state of each individual energy storage element is monitored by virtue of a respective current flow at a respective energy storage element being determined using continued evaluation of measured values of preset battery parameters which are detected by measuring sensors.