Abstract: A supporting element for a loading unit comprises a main body associable with a loading pallet of a loading unit, the main body being provided with a receiving component/unit/element/device or the like (e.g., a receiver) of at least one stiffening element of the loading unit to support it, wherein the main body is made at least partly of a plastic material, and the supporting element comprises fastening component/unit/element/device or the like (e.g., a fastener) associated with the main body and configured to allow the main body to be fastened to the loading pallet.

Abstract: Ceramic articles such as catalyst carriers that include a continuous matrix and a dispersed phase distributed within the matrix as a plurality of discrete regions are disclosed. The matrix and discreet regions have different dye penetration test values. The disclosure also relates to methods of making and characterizing ceramic articles, and to catalyst bodies including the ceramic articles.

Abstract: An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for measuring spectral information corresponding with propionic acid (PA), either alone or in combination with other measurements corresponding with other chemicals, to diagnose and/or monitor at least one of bacterial infection, such as associated with P. acnes, or conditions related thereto such as nociceptive pain associated with tissue acidity. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals to produce a post-processed spectrum, with spectral regions corresponding with certain chemicals, including PA, then measured as biomarkers. A diagnostic processor derives a diagnostic value for each disc, and performs certain normalizations, based upon ratios of the spectral regions related to chemicals implicated in degenerative painful tissue pathology, such as PA and hypoxia markers of lactic acid (LA) and alanine (AL), and structural chemicals of proteoglycan (PG) and collagen or carbohydrate (CA).

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for operating one or more self-driving vehicles. In some embodiments, the self-driving vehicles may include a vehicle processor being operable to: control the vehicle to navigate an operating environment in an initial vehicle navigation mode; monitor for one or more trigger conditions indicating a possible change for the vehicle navigation mode; detect a trigger condition; determine a prospective vehicle navigation mode associated with the detected trigger condition; determine whether to change from the initial vehicle navigation mode to the prospective vehicle navigation mode; and in response to determining to change from the initial vehicle navigation mode to the prospective vehicle navigation mode, adjust one or more vehicle attributes corresponding to the prospective vehicle navigation mode, otherwise continue to operate the vehicle in the initial vehicle navigation mode.

Abstract: An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing and diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra for multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A display provides an indication of results for analyzed discs as an overlay onto a MRI image of the lumbar spine.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a set of multiple serially acquired magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) free induction decay (FID) frames from a multi-frame MRS acquisition series from a region of interest (ROI) in a subject, and for providing a post-processed MRS spectrum. Processing parameters are dynamically varied while measuring results to determine the optimal post-processed results. Spectral regions opposite water from chemical regions of interest are evaluated and used in at least one processing operation. Frequency shift error is estimated via spectral correlation between free induction decay (FID) frames and a reference spectrum. Multiple groups of FID frames within the acquired set are identified to different phases corresponding with a phase step cycle of the acquisition. Baseline correction is also performed via rank order filter (ROF) estimate and a polynomial fit.

Abstract: A radiotherapy system includes an X-ray target configured to convert an incident electron beam into a therapeutic X-ray beam, a purging magnet configured to redirect unwanted particles emitted from the X-ray target away from the therapeutic X-ray beam, and a particle collector configured to absorb the unwanted particles subsequent to redirection by the purging magnet. The particle collector may be configured to dissipate at least 50% of the energy of the incident electron beam.

Abstract: A manual ear pump including one or more of a support element configured to releasably engage an external ear canal and having an interior chamber, a resilient element capable of being resiliently deformed coupled to a support element, and an aperture disposed on a support element bottom surface communicating with the external ear canal and interior chamber.

Abstract: A radiotherapy system includes an X-ray target configured to convert an incident electron beam into a therapeutic X-ray beam, a purging magnet configured to redirect unwanted particles emitted from the X-ray target away from the therapeutic X-ray beam, and a particle collector configured to absorb the unwanted particles subsequent to redirection by the purging magnet. The particle collector may be configured to dissipate at least 50% of the energy of the incident electron beam.

Abstract: A surface-mounted keylessly operated lock (10) comprises a chassis (11) mountable on one of two parts, especially a door and a door surround, to be locked and unlocked relative to one another and carrying locking means (17 to 23) transferrable between a locking state and an unlocking state respectively for the locking and unlocking, the locking means being electrically operable to cause or allow transfer from the locking state to the unlocking state. In addition, the lock includes a control module (16) mounted on the chassis (11) and carrying control means (30) for controlling supply of electrical operating power to the locking means. The chassis has a receptacle (25) for reception of an electrical energy source, especially batteries, for providing the operating power and the module (16) inclusive of the control means (20) is movable relative to the chassis (11) to permit access to the receptacle (25) to enable battery exchange without demounting of the installed lock.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition includes at least one monomer, a photoinitiator capable of initiating polymerization of the monomer when exposed to light, and a phosphor capable of producing light when exposed to radiation (typically X-rays). The material is particularly suitable for bonding components at ambient temperature in situations where the bond joint is not accessible to an external light source. An associated method includes: placing a polymerizable adhesive composition, including a photoinitiator and energy converting material, such as a down-converting phosphor, in contact with at least two components to be bonded to form an assembly; and, irradiating the assembly with radiation at a first wavelength, capable of conversion (down-conversion by the phosphor) to a second wavelength capable of activating the photoinitiator, to prepare items such as inkjet cartridges, wafer-to-wafer assemblies, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a radiotherapy treatment by focusing an electron beam on an x-ray target (e.g., a tungsten plate) to produce a high-yield x-ray output with improved field shaping. A modified electron beam spatial distribution is employed to scan the x-ray target, such as a 2D periodic beam path, which advantageously lowers the temperature of the x-ray target compared to typical compact beam spatial distribution. As a result, the x-ray target can produce a high yield x-ray output without sacrificing the life span of the x-ray target. The use of a 2D periodic beam path allows a much colder x-ray target functioning regime such that more dosage can be applied in a short period of time compared to existing techniques.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a set of multiple serially acquired magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) free induction decay (FID) frames from a multi-frame MRS acquisition series from a region of interest (ROI) in a subject, and for providing a post-processed MRS spectrum. Processing parameters are dynamically varied while measuring results to determine the optimal post-processed results. Spectral regions opposite water from chemical regions of interest are evaluated and used in at least one processing operation. Frequency shift error is estimated via spectral correlation between free induction decay (FID) frames and a reference spectrum. Multiple groups of FID frames within the acquired set are identified to different phases corresponding with a phase step cycle of the acquisition. Baseline correction is also performed via rank order filter (ROF) estimate and a polynomial fit.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective generation and delivery of radiation. A radiation generation system can comprise: a particle beam gun, a high energy dissipation anode target (HEDAT); and a liquid anode control component. In some embodiments, the particle beam gun generates an electron beam. The HEDAT includes a solid anode portion (HEDAT-SAP) and a liquid anode portion (HEDAT-LAP) that are configured to receive the electron beam, absorb energy from the electron beam, generate a radiation beam, and dissipate heat. The radiation beam can include photons that can have radiation characteristics (e.g., X-ray wavelength, ionizing capability, etc.). The liquid anode control component can control a liquid anode flow to the HEDAT. The HEDAT-SAP and HEDAT-LAP can cooperatively operate in radiation generation and their configuration can be selected based upon contribution of respective HEDAT-SAP and the HEDAT-LAP characteristics to radiation generation.

Abstract: An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing and diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra for multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A display provides an indication of results for analyzed discs as an overlay onto a MRI image of the lumbar spine.

Abstract: An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for measuring spectral information corresponding with propionic acid (PA), either alone or in combination with other measurements corresponding with other chemicals, to diagnose and/or monitor at least one of bacterial infection, such as associated with P. acnes, or conditions related thereto such as nociceptive pain associated with tissue acidity. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals to produce a post-processed spectrum, with spectral regions corresponding with certain chemicals, including PA, then measured as biomarkers. A diagnostic processor derives a diagnostic value for each disc, and performs certain normalizations, based upon ratios of the spectral regions related to chemicals implicated in degenerative painful tissue pathology, such as PA and hypoxia markers of lactic acid (LA) and alanine (AL), and structural chemicals of proteoglycan (PG) and collagen or carbohydrate (CA).

Abstract: Absorbent articles with biodegradable and/or biocompostable elements are disclosed, wherein the absorbent articles include sensors. The sensors detect and determine variables associated with collected fluids, solids, and gases, including a presence of fluids, solids, and gases, a volume of fluids, solids, and gases, and/or a distribution of fluids, solids, and gases. In one embodiment, the sensors and/or connected computing systems are calibrated to capacities and other properties of elements within the articles, including superabsorbent polymers, and are operable to trigger an alert based on detected or determined conditions.

Abstract: A radiotherapy system includes an X-ray target configured to convert an incident electron beam into a therapeutic X-ray beam, a purging magnet configured to redirect unwanted particles emitted from the X-ray target away from the therapeutic X-ray beam, and a particle collector configured to absorb the unwanted particles subsequent to redirection by the purging magnet. The particle collector may be configured to dissipate at least 50% of the energy of the incident electron beam.

Abstract: An interlocking wrap for covering an outer surface of an object provides desirable qualities to complex tube shapes using a flat piece of material. The wrap may cover tubes, handles, rods, or hoops, in their many examples. Existing adhesive technologies applied to the back of the material, combined with the formation of the material into a series of three or more offset tabs that interlock when folded together in the prescribed alternating order at their meeting points, creates a cover that is pleasing to the eye, protective, and durable to frictional use. The tabs overlap one over the next in similar fashion to a zipper or a braid, only leaving the bottom tab exposed to use.

Abstract: A system for processing a transaction at a point of engagement comprising receiving an input interaction from a user, communicating with a plurality of identity providers to validate an identity of the user, communicating with a plurality of payment providers to collect available payment or funding options, mapping the input interaction to an output interaction, and performing a transaction that reflects the mapping of the input interaction to the output interaction.