Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic methods. Specifically, the present invention contemplates a method for diagnosing heart failure in a subject based on determining the amounts of at least three biomarkers. The invention also relates to tools for carrying out the aforementioned methods, such as diagnostic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic means and methods for heart failure. In particular, the invention relates to a method for diagnosing heart failure in a subject suspected to suffer therefrom comprising determining the amount of at least one cholesterol parameter and/or total sphingomyelins and/or triacylglycerols in a sample of the said subject, and comparing the amount(s) determined in step (a) to a reference, whereby it is diagnosed whether the subject suffers from heart failure, or not. Moreover, the invention pertains to a device for diagnosing whether a subject suffers from heart failure, or not, and to the use, in general, of enzymatic detection agents for at least one cholesterol parameter and/or total sphingomyelins and/or triacylglycerols for diagnosing in a sample of a subject whether the said subject suffers from heart failure, or not. Finally, contemplated is a kit for diagnosing heart failure in subject suspected to suffer therefrom.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical monitoring system for the measurement of layer thicknesses of thin coatings applied in a vacuum, particularly on moving substrates, during the coating process, in which the light intensity of the light of a light source injected into a reference light guide and released by a first piezoelectric or electrostrictive or magnetostrictive light chopper is registered by a light detector unit in a reference phase, the light of the light source in a measuring phase is injected into a first measuring light guide and the light released by a second piezoelectric or electrostrictive or magnetostrictive light chopper is directed to the substrate, and the light intensity of the light reflected or transmitted from the substrate is registered by the light detector unit through a second measuring light guide, and a remaining light intensity is registered by the light detector unit in at least one dark phase, wherein the reference phase, the measuring phase, and the dark phase are shifted in t

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of diagnostic methods. Specifically, the present invention contemplates a method for diagnosing heart failure in a subject based on a group of biomarkers. The invention also relates to tools for carrying out the aforementioned methods, such as diagnostic devices.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to assisting credit account holders during economic hardship. More specifically, aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for providing a rebate of at least a portion of a finance charge applied to a credit account. Unlike certain prior art systems and methods, embodiments disclosed herein may benefit both the credit account holder as well as the financial institution that extends the credit account. In one embodiment, it may be determined that several credit accounts meet a threshold of probability of having a charge-off. In certain embodiments, the number of accounts that receive a rebate may be limited to a certain percentage of credit accounts with a non-zero balance.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to assisting credit account holders during economic hardship. More specifically, aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for providing a rebate of at least a portion of a finance charge applied to a credit account. Unlike certain prior art systems and methods, embodiments disclosed herein may benefit both the credit account holder as well as the financial institution that extends the credit account. In one embodiment, it may be determined that several credit accounts meet a threshold of probability of having a charge-off. In certain embodiments, the number of accounts that receive a rebate may be limited to a certain percentage of credit accounts with a non-zero balance.

Abstract: According to one or more aspects, financial transactions may be conducted using a financial card product, such as a hybrid secured credit card that permits transactions up to a predetermined total credit limit, and then allows transactions in excess using a security interest in assets. The asset may be the available balance in an interest-bearing checking account (e.g., a DDA account), a brokerage account, or other type of account that may hold funds/assets. The available balance of the asset(s) may be monitored in real-time (or near real-time) such that the available spending limit on the hybrid secured credit card may be floating (e.g., dynamic). In one example, backend systems may be configured to monitor in real-time an available balance in security accounts in order to prevent spending over the amount of secured funds. In addition, in some examples, more than one account may be associated with the card such that the total spending limit on the card is greater.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for determining, recommending, and/or executing a payment strategy. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided for determining a payment strategy for using at least some funds from a first account to make two or more payments on a second account during a single pay period. In such embodiments, the method includes: (1) determining that the second account includes a payment due date and a minimum payment due; (2) determining a number of payments to make on the second account; (3) determining a payment amount for each payment, such that the total payment amount for all of the payments is sufficient to at least offset the minimum payment due; and (4) determining a triggering event for each payment, such that each of the payments is made on or before the payment due date.

Abstract: According to one or more aspects, financial transactions may be conducted using a financial card product, such as a hybrid secured credit card that permits transactions up to a predetermined total credit limit, and then allows transactions in excess using a security interest in assets. The asset may be the available balance in an interest-bearing checking account (e.g., a DDA account), a brokerage account, or other type of account that may hold funds/assets. The available balance of the asset(s) may be monitored in real-time (or near real-time) such that the available spending limit on the hybrid secured credit card may be floating (e.g., dynamic). In one example, backend systems may be configured to monitor in real-time an available balance in security accounts in order to prevent spending over the amount of secured funds. In addition, in some examples, more than one account may be associated with the card such that the total spending limit on the card is greater.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to assisting credit account holders during economic hardship. More specifically, aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for providing a rebate of at least a portion of a finance charge applied to a credit account. Unlike certain prior art systems and methods, embodiments disclosed herein may benefit both the credit account holder as well as the financial institution that extends the credit account. In one embodiment, it may be determined that several credit accounts meet a threshold of probability of having a charge-off. In certain embodiments, the number of accounts that receive a rebate may be limited to a certain percentage of credit accounts with a non-zero balance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for determining, recommending, and/or executing a payment strategy. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided for determining a payment strategy for using at least some funds from a first account to make two or more payments on a second account during a single pay period. In such embodiments, the method includes: (1) determining that the second account includes a payment due date and a minimum payment due; (2) determining a number of payments to make on the second account; (3) determining a payment amount for each payment, such that the total payment amount for all of the payments is sufficient to at least offset the minimum payment due; and (4) determining a triggering event for each payment, such that each of the payments is made on or before the payment due date.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical monitoring system for the measurement of layer thicknesses of thin coatings applied in a vacuum, particularly on moving substrates, during the coating process, in which the light intensity of the light of a light source injected into a reference light guide and released by a first piezoelectric or electrostrictive or magnetostrictive light chopper is registered by a light detector unit in a reference phase, the light of the light source in a measuring phase is injected into a first measuring light guide and the light released by a second piezoelectric or electrostrictive or magnetostrictive light chopper is directed to the substrate, and the light intensity of the light reflected or transmitted from the substrate is registered by the light detector unit through a second measuring light guide, and a remaining light intensity is registered by the light detector unit in at least one dark phase, wherein the reference phase, the measuring phase, and the dark phase are shifted in t

Abstract: A permanent chill mold for the continuous casting of metal, having a mold cavity (2) which has a pouring slot (3), an exit opening (4) and a casting cone (6). At least one concave bulging (7) is provided that extends in the casting direction (G), which begins at a distance (A) below a predetermined casting bath level position (5) and extends up to the exit opening (4).

Abstract: A gas sensor arrangement comprises a gas measuring chamber containing a gaseous analyte. First and second radiation sources emit radiation. The first radiation source operates as a measuring radiation source and the second radiation source operates as a reference radiation source. The radiation is directed through the gas measuring chamber and into a detector that generates an output signal depending on the presence of the gaseous analyte. A control device evaluates the output signal from the detector. The control device interchanges the operation of the first and second radiation sources after a predetermined service life.

Abstract: A permanent chill mold for the continuous casting of metal, having a mold cavity (2) which has a pouring slot (3), an exit opening (4) and a casting cone (6). At least one concave bulging (7) is provided that extends in the casting direction (G), which begins at a distance (A) below a predetermined casting bath level position (5) and extends up to the exit opening (4).

Abstract: A permanent chill mold for the continuous casting of metals. At least one partial region of the outer surface of the permanent chill mold (1) is provided with cooling channels (2, 2a, 2b, 2c). The depth and/or the width of the cooling channels (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) are greatest in the middle of a sidewall of the permanent chill mold (1), and they decrease in the direction of the corner region (4) of the sidewall. Because of this, a uniform heat dissipation can be implemented, and thereby higher casting speeds are possible.

Abstract: A gas sensor arrangement comprises a gas measuring chamber containing a gaseous analyte. First and second radiation sources emit radiation. The first radiation source operates as a measuring radiation source and the second radiation source operates as a reference radiation source. The radiation is directed through the gas measuring chamber and into a detector that generates an output signal depending on the presence of the gaseous analyte. A control device evaluates the output signal from the detector. The control device interchanges the operation of the first and second radiation sources after a predetermined service life.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled mold for a continuous casting of metals, including mold plates made of copper or a copper alloy, which are connected respectively to an adapter plate or a cooling-water tank by clamping bolts. The mold is characterized in that the clamping bolts are fastened to plateau pedestals which project in an island-like manner from the cooling arrangement side of the mold plate, which jut at least partially into a cooling arrangement gap formed between the mold plate and the adapter plate or the cooling-water tank, respectively, and have a streamlined shape adjusted to the flow direction of the cooling arrangement.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled mold for a continuous casting of metals, including mold plates made of copper or a copper alloy, which are connected respectively to an adapter plate or a cooling-water tank by clamping bolts. The mold is characterized in that the clamping bolts are fastened to plateau pedestals which project in an island-like manner from the cooling arrangement side of the mold plate, which jut at least partially into a cooling arrangement gap formed between the mold plate and the adapter plate or the cooling-water tank, respectively, and have a streamlined shape adjusted to the flow direction of the cooling arrangement.

Abstract: A housing surrounds a compressor for cooling media and forms at one axial end of the same a chamber which receives from the compressor one or more streams of gaseous cooling medium in which compressor lubricating oil is entrained. The chamber communicates with an outlet of the housing and is filled with a body of gas-permeable material through which the stream or streams must pass on the way to the outlet, and which separates entrained oil from the gaseous cooling medium.