Abstract: The present invention describes particles of titanium, titanium alloy, at least one type of titanium oxide or a combination thereof, wherein at least a substantial amount of the particles are of micrometer-millimeter size and are non-spherical, for use as an X-ray contrast agent. The irregular shapes and/or internal pores and cavities of said particles lead to a prolonged retention time in the gastrointestinal tract leading to a longer time period available for X-ray examination. Further, the particles are not only chemically inert, they also exhibit an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect on the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing blood exposure or contamination upon withdrawal of a hypodermic needle is provided. The apparatus may include a needle having a tip and a shield configured to at least partially entrap the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle. The apparatus may further include a blood stabilizing material disposed such that upon withdrawal of the needle the blood stabilizing material is disposed in operative association with the needle tip such that blood carried by the needle is prevented from escaping the apparatus. In some exemplary implementations, the blood stabilizing material may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the shield. The shield of the hypodermic needle may include protective device and/or a housing for shielding the needle tip upon withdrawal. The housing may be adapted to at least partially cover the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle.

Abstract: The invention provides an antenna arrangement for a radar system arranged for coverage of a surveillance area and comprising antenna elements. The antenna elements are arranged to receive a signal transmitted from a transmit antenna of a transmit antenna arrangement and reflected by a target towards the antenna arrangement wherein: • the antenna arrangement comprises at least two non-parallel line arrays, • each antenna element being connected to a receiver where each line array is arranged to create, by using digital beam forming, beams for instantaneous coverage of at least said surveillance area and • within the surveillance area said line arrays are arranged to allow the target position to be limited to one or two crossing areas between at least two beams from different line arrays from which target reflections have been received. The invention also provides a corresponding method and a radar system comprising the antenna arrangement.

Abstract: Software at a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game website receives a request for assistance with a game task from a first player of a MMO game. The software transmits the request to a second player of the MMO game who is associated with the first player through a relationship recognized by the MMO game. The software determines whether the second player responds to the request within a time period. The time period depends on one or more factors related to game mechanics and to user data for the first player. Then if the second player does not respond within the time period and the game task is a game task whose completion can be assigned without the assistance of another player, the software assigns completion of the game task to the first player and transmits an automated apparent response to the first player.

Abstract: Software at a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game website receives a request for assistance with a game task from a first player of a MMO game. The software transmits the request to a second player of the MMO game who is associated with the first player through a relationship recognized by the MMO game. The software determines whether the second player responds to the request within a time period. The time period depends on one or more factors related to game mechanics and to user data for the first player. Then if the second player does not respond within the time period and the game task is a game task whose completion can be assigned without the assistance of another player, the software assigns completion of the game task to the first player and transmits an automated apparent response to the first player.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening a mammalian subject to determine if the subject is at risk to develop or is suffering from, cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting a measurable feature of at least two biomarkers in an HDL subfraction, or in a complex containing apoA-I or apoA-III isolated from a biological sample obtained from the subject, wherein the at least two biomarkers are selected from the group consisting of apoA-I, apoA-II, apoB-100, Lp(a), apoC-I, and apoC-III, combinations or portions and/or derivatives thereof, and comparing the measurable features of the at least two biomarkers from the biological sample to a reference standard, wherein a difference in the measurable features of the at least two biomarkers from the biological sample and the reference standard is indicative of the presence or risk of cardiovascular disease in the subject.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for creating a crew to participate in a mission challenge in an online game includes identifying quests to complete the mission challenge. Each quest includes a plurality of tasks and each task includes a plurality of subtasks. A request feed is sent to members of a social graph of a user requesting the members to join the crew and to participate in completing the subtasks of the challenge. Skill set associated with each member of the social graph responding to the request feed is determined and matched with the skill set required for completing each subtask. A distinct subtask is delegated to each member based on the match. Each crew member's progression in completing the challenge is monitored and managed based on the progression made in the delegated subtask. Status of the challenge is updated and shared with the members of the crew.

Abstract: A method for performing a social project in a video game is provided. A session of the video game for a primary user is initiated, and a social project is initiated within the session of the video game. One or more secondary users are determined from a social graph of the primary user. A message requesting help to complete the social project is sent to the one or more secondary users, the message including a low-friction response mechanism. Upon activation of the low-friction response mechanism of the request, a response is received indicating an intent to help complete the social project from a responsive secondary user. Upon receiving the response, automated retrieval and animation of an avatar of the responsive secondary user is triggered within the primary user's session of the video game so as to collaborate on the social project.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for generating revenue in an online game are presented. One method includes an operation for creating, in the online game, a first virtual currency and a game score, where the amount of the first virtual currency can be increased in exchange for real currency. The first virtual currency can be traded for advancement in the online game. Further, a game module, that is an autonomous game within the online game, is started, and a second virtual currency and a module score are created in the game module. The amount of the second virtual currency can be increased in exchange for real currency, where the second virtual currency can be traded for advancement in the game module and cannot be traded for advancement in the online game outside of the game module. Advancement in the game module increases the module score and does not increase the game score.

Abstract: Software at a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game website receives a request for assistance with a game task from a first player of a MMO game. The software transmits the request to a second player of the MMO game who is associated with the first player through a relationship recognized by the MMO game. The software determines whether the second player responds to the request within a time period. The time period depends on one or more factors related to game mechanics and to user data for the first player. Then if the second player does not respond within the time period and the game task is a game task whose completion can be assigned without the assistance of another player, the software assigns completion of the game task to the first player and transmits an automated apparent response to the first player.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for creating a crew to participate in a mission challenge in an online game are provided. The method identifies quests to complete the mission challenge. Each quest includes a plurality of tasks and each task includes a plurality of subtasks. A request feed is sent to members of a social graph requesting the members to join the crew and to participate in the completion of the subtasks of the mission challenge. The members in the social graph have a social relation with a user initiating the online game wherein the user is a mission leader managing the mission challenge. A distinct subtask is assigned to each member of the crew that responds to the request feed. Each crew member's progression in completing the mission challenge is monitored and status of the mission challenge is updated based on the progression made by each crew member of the crew.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening a mammalian subject to determine if the subject is at risk to develop or is suffering from, cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting a measurable feature of at least two biomarkers in an EMT subfraction, or in a complex containing apoA-I or apoA-III isolated from a biological sample obtained from the subject, wherein the at least two biomarkers are selected from the group consisting of apoA-I, apoA-II, apoB-100, Lp(a), apoC-I, and apoC-III, combinations or portions and/or derivatives thereof, and comparing the measurable features of the at least two biomarkers from the biological sample to a reference standard, wherein a difference in the measurable features of the at least two biomarkers from the biological sample and the reference standard is indicative of the presence or risk of cardiovascular disease in the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening a mammalian subject to determine if the subject is at risk to develop or is suffering from, cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting a measurable feature of at least two biomarkers in an HDL subfraction, or in a complex containing apoA-I or apoA-II isolated from a biological sample obtained from the subject, wherein the at least two biomarkers are selected from the group consisting of apoA-I, apoA-II, apoB-100, Lp(a), apoC-I, and apoC-III, combinations or portions and/or derivatives thereof, and comparing the measurable features of the at least two biomarkers from the biological sample to a reference standard, wherein a difference in the measurable features of the at least two biomarkers from the biological sample and the reference standard is indicative of the presence or risk of cardiovascular disease in the subject.

Abstract: Beverage package container includes an opening, which is resealable using a sealing device, where the package container is essentially or completely parallelepipedic, including a hollow, box-shaped body and the sealing device, where a corner of the parallelepipedic, hollow, box-shaped body is chamfered, at which corner a triangular surface is formed, connecting to the box-shaped body, where a tube-shaped part extends out from the surface, including the opening. The sealing device has an essentially pyramid-shaped body, designed so that it, together with the body, forms the parallelepipedic package container when it bears on the triangular surface of the box-shaped body, and a cavity for receiving the tube-shaped part, and where cooperating members are arranged, on the tube-shaped part as well as in the cavity, for removably and tight-fittingly detaining the sealing device at the tube-shaped part, so that the box-shaped body and the sealing device together form a parallelepiped.

Abstract: A beverage packaging unit (1) that includes an opening (8) from which the liquid contents of the unit can be drunk, wherewith said opening, or orifice (8), can be closed with the aid of an closure element (3).

Abstract: A fuel injection system has a fuel lance for supplying gaseous fuel to the burner of a gas turbine engine. The fuel lance includes a gas sensor that is used to monitor the concentration of the methane fuel inside the gas pilot channel of the fuel lance. The invention prevents overheating caused by the ignition of the methane fuel inside the fuel lance by monitoring the concentration of the methane fuel during the purge sequence and taking action if a critical fuel air mixture is reached.

Abstract: An extravascular system includes a catheter assembly, a needle assembly, and a hemostatic adapter. The catheter assembly defines a lumen extending from a distal end thereof to a catheter hub at a proximal end thereof. The needle assembly includes a needle hub disposed at a proximal end of a needle disposed within the lumen defined by the catheter assembly. The hemostatic adapter defines a passage and is adapted to be operatively associated with the needle assembly and the catheter assembly. The hemostatic adapter-further includes at least one liquid-reactive material adapted to at least substantially seal the passage. The liquid-reactive material is selected and configured to morph upon contact with liquids to provide a mechanical barrier to prevent blood flow. A fluid may be injected into the lumen and/or passage by way of an optional port to provide a fluidic barrier in addition to the mechanical barrier.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement suitable for determining a condition. A first RFID-unit and a second RFID-unit are subjected to the condition. The second RFID-unit is at least partly provided with a degradation unit having such properties that, when subjected to the condition, the second RFID-unit is functionally degraded to a greater extent than the first RFID-unit. A sensor arrangement product includes at least one sensor arrangement.

Abstract: A method for determining a particle impact on a sensor device comprising M sensing areas, each impact causing a variation of at least one physical magnitude of several sensing portions, said method comprising the steps of: determining an impact center sensing area, where the variation of the at least one physical magnitude is substantially maximal, allocating a result of a sum of the physical magnitude variations of a first set of N sensing areas, said set including the impact center area and other sensing areas neighboring said impact center sensing area, where N is at least 2 and is strict less than M.

Abstract: A method of forming a longitudinal solid body within at least one longitudinal hole formed in an optical fiber, comprising the steps of placing a first end and a portion of the optical fiber in a heating chamber; keeping a second end of said optical fiber outside of the heating chamber; forcing a molten material into the longitudinal hole of the fiber from the first end; and thereupon longitudinally extracting the optical fiber from the heating chamber at a controlled rate. Preferably, the fiber is extracted while molten material is being urged into the fiber.