Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for producing differentiated otic cells. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for the production of inner ear cells from pluripotent stem cells. The present invention also relates to methods of treating sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one sensor to detect the position and/or orientation of a body portion of a subject, the sensor in communication with a computing device to process sensor data and optionally a transmitter to transmit sensor data between the sensor and the computing device and/or one or more computing devices.

Abstract: A computing system includes: a storage unit configured to store protected personal information of a life profile; and a control unit, coupled to the storage unit, configured to: determine an event indicator for the protected personal information; monitor an event source associated with the protected personal information for the event indicator; determine the occurrence of a life event based on detecting the event indicator from the event source; and generate a life guidance to address the life event for displaying on a device.

Abstract: Optimal Incentive recommendation which is related to economic incentive being available with a SAC and/or RIC processing facility is synchronized with economic incentive being provided by the processing facility. An interactive recycling bin operates to receive optimal incentive recommendation which is related to the incentive being provided with the processing facility. The system operates based on interactive recycling bin location, and the processing facility location. Based on the location, a server can determine what incentive is available with the processing facility and can therefore provide optimal incentive recommendation based on that to the interactive recycling bin. It works passively with periodic regular updates of the interactive recycling bin location or actively through the use of a button (touch screen, keyboard, etc.) on the interactive recycling bin to signal the server to check its location and therefore identifying which processing facility the interactive recycling bin is near.

Abstract: One or more computers may close a purchase order by use of rules. Certain embodiments use values of attributes of a line in a purchase order (PO) to identify a rule among multiple rules. The PO line's attributes which are used to identify the rule are internal to a buyer. When the rule which is identified is disabled, the line is retained unchanged in the purchase order. When the identified rule is not disabled, a user-specified logic which is identified in the rule is used to determine a new value of a numeric term, the numeric term having a preexisting value previously agreed upon by the buyer and the seller, e.g. in units of quantity or units of money. Subsequently, an indication of the line being changed in the purchase order is transmitted to the seller. User may specify different logics in different sets of rules, for different business units.

Abstract: A computing system includes: a storage unit configured to store protected personal information of a life profile; and a control unit, coupled to the storage unit, configured to: determine an event indicator for the protected personal information; monitor an event source associated with the protected personal information for the event indicator; determine the occurrence of a life event based on detecting the event indicator from the event source; and generate a life guidance to address the life event for displaying on a device.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one sensor to detect the position and/or orientation of a body portion of a subject, the sensor in communication with a computing device to process sensor data and optionally a transmitter to transmit sensor data between the sensor and the computing device and/or one or more computing devices.

Abstract: One or more computers may close a purchase order by use of rules. Certain embodiments use values of attributes of a line in a purchase order (PO) to identify a rule among multiple rules. The PO line's attributes which are used to identify the rule are internal to a buyer. When the rule which is identified is disabled, the line is retained unchanged in the purchase order. When the identified rule is not disabled, a user-specified logic which is identified in the rule is used to determine a new value of a numeric term, the numeric term having a preexisting value previously agreed upon by the buyer and the seller, e.g. in units of quantity or units of money. Subsequently, an indication of the line being changed in the purchase order is transmitted to the seller. User may specify different logics in different sets of rules, for different business units.

Abstract: A method of measuring emotional response of at least one subject to a specific sensory stimulus comprises establishing (202) a plurality of basic emotions for measurement, including one or more positive affect emotions and one or more negative affect emotions. The subject is presented (302) with the specific sensory stimulus, and for each basic emotion is further presented (306) with a computer-generated display comprising interactive animated visual images representative of a metaphorical concept corresponding with the basic emotion. Input is then received (308) from the subject, who is enabled to adapt the animated visual images to accord with an emotional response to the sensory stimulus. The received input is converted to a corresponding quantitative emotional response value for each basic emotion.

Abstract: A method of measuring emotional response of at least one subject to a specific sensory stimulus comprises establishing (202) a plurality of basic emotions for measurement, including one or more positive affect emotions and one or more negative affect emotions. The subject is presented (302) with the specific sensory stimulus, and for each basic emotion is further presented (306) with a computer-generated display comprising interactive animated visual images representative of a metaphorical concept corresponding with the basic emotion. Input is then received (308) from the subject, who is enabled to adapt the animated visual images to accord with an emotional response to the sensory stimulus. The received input is converted to a corresponding quantitative emotional response value for each basic emotion.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for implementing a purchase order approval workflow engine and approval framework. The method includes receiving, at an approval engine of an application server from a purchaser, a purchase order, wherein the purchase order includes a plurality of line items, applying, by the approval engine, one or more rules associated with the purchase order, and transmitting the purchase order to one or more approvers. The method further includes receiving, from the one or more approvers, approval for each of the plurality of line items. The approval of each line item is completed independent from any other line item. Further, the method includes receiving, at the approval engine, an indication that each of the plurality of line items are approved, and transmitting, to a supplier, the purchase order.

Abstract: Low cost implementation of broadband upstream transmission for local and access network applications is made possible through the use of modulated downstream signals in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) passive optical network (PON) to injection-lock vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for operation as stable, uncooled, and directly-modulated upstream transmitters. By way of example and not limitation, an optical network unit comprises: downstream input, photoreceiver, tunable laser, upstream output, and means for directionally coupling the downstream input into the tunable laser for modulating the output wavelength which is coupled to the upstream output.

Abstract: A method is provided of predicting changes in market share, in the form of Preference Shares, in a market associated with proposed performance changes. The initial step is to provide a set of market research data suitable for CVA, including current market share data. The next step is to perform a CVA analysis through regression analysis in order to determine WWP parameters, so that for the market as a whole, a set of coefficients determining relative importance of each value driver to WWP, and for each market participant, a set of performance scores for each value driver, and an overall WWP value. The method continues by postulating a changed value in the performance score for one or more value drivers for a selected market participant. The postulated changed value is used to determine a predicted WWP value through relative impacts of the components associated with the WWP model.

Abstract: An optical network (10) comprising a plurality of optical network units (12), an optical line terminal unit, and a first optical combiner unit (20), wherein the optical network units (12) are optically connected to the first optical combiner unit (20) via respective optical connections in a manner such that optical transmissions from the optical network units (12) are combined onto one optical line connection to the optical line terminal unit, a redirection unit (24) for redirecting a portion of a transmission signal on the optical line connection towards the first combiner unit (20) each optical network unit (12) comprising an optical transmitter unit (14) for transmitting an optical signal to the optical line terminal unit, and a CSMA/CD unit (16) arranged, in use, to tap off at least a portion of the redirected portion of the transmission signal from the optical connection between the optical network unit (12) and the first combiner unit (20), wherein the CSMA/CD unit (16) is further arranged to control th