Abstract: A dialysis device, and a method of dialyzing a sample, are provided. The dialysis device includes a body having a first and a second major side, a first and a second retaining ring disposed on the first and second major sides, and a first and second dialysis membrane disposed, and held between the first and second major sides and the first and second retaining rings. The dialysis device is configured to receive a sample to enable dialysis of the sample across the membranes.

Abstract: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of a patient. Such a stimulation device may include cochlear implants, brain stem stimulation systems, auditory nerve stimulation systems, and middle or inner ear transducer systems. The signal coupling device is operative to provide processed drive signals from the signal processor to the stimulation device as well provide power from the power storage device to operate the stimulation device. In one arrangement, the signal coupling device is a wireless coupling between first and second coils. In such an arrangement, the hearing unit may be utilized with an existing implanted stimulation device to make that device a fully implanted hearing system.

Abstract: Leveling railway vehicles, leveling secondary suspension systems, lift-systems for suspension systems, and other related systems and methods are shown and described. In one example, a railway vehicle includes a superstructure, a bogey, and a leveling secondary suspension system. The leveling suspension system includes at least one spring positioned between the superstructure and the bogey, and a secondary suspension-mounting lift system (SMLS) interfaced with coil spring. The SMLS includes a spring-mount (SM) and a piston assembly. In operation, pressurized hydraulic fluid acts on the piston and lifts the superstructure, thereby allowing the superstructure's access to be raised to a desired height, e.g. a platform height.

Abstract: A process for preparation of catalysts for the production of acrylonitrile, acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide comprising contacting at an elevated temperature, propylene, ammonia and oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst comprising a complex of metal oxides wherein a heat-decomposable nitrogen containing compound is added during the process for the preparation of the catalyst.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography (MR-PET) hybrid scanner workflow for providing a scout scan (topogram) of a patient includes (a) positioning the patient in the MR-PET hybrid scanner; (b) referencing the patient to the scanner's field of view; (c) specifying the patient parameters for MR and PET hybrid topogram scan; (d) performing hybrid MR-PET topogram scan and acquiring MR topogram scan data and PET topogram scan data simultaneously; and (e) reconstructing the MR and PET topogram scan images in real-time; and (f) presenting the topogram san images as a fused topogram data set.

Abstract: A dialysis device, and a method of dialyzing a sample, are provided. The dialysis device includes a body having a first and a second major side, a first and a second retaining ring disposed on the first and second major sides, and a first and second dialysis membrane disposed, and held between the first and second major sides and the first and second retaining rings. The dialysis device is configured to receive a sample to enable dialysis of the sample across the membranes.

Abstract: In safety-critical computer systems, fault tolerance is an important design requirement. Data buses for on-chip interconnection in these processor-based systems are exposed to risk arising from faults in the interconnect itself or in any of the connected peripherals. To provide sufficient fault tolerance, a safety node is inserted between an upstream master section and a downstream slave section of an on-chip bus hierarchy or network. The safety node provides a programmable timeout monitor for detecting a timeout condition for a transaction. If timeout has occurred, the safety node transmits a dummy response back to the master, assumes the role of a master, and waits for the slave device to respond. Furthermore, the safety node rejects any subsequent requests by any of the masters on the upstream section by transmitting a dummy response to those subsequent requests, thus enabling these masters to avoid deadlock or stall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for the presence of a magnetic field during medical imaging are disclosed. Gamma photons are acquired at a detector. An orientation of the detector (e.g., relative to the surface of the earth) corresponding to the acquisition is determined. Based on the determined detector orientation, one or more compensation value(s) are determined from a memory of a computer, e.g., based on interpolation, parametric computation, or a look-up table. Energy signal variation of a detected signal due to the detector orientation is compensated for by applying the determined compensation value.

Abstract: There is provided a motor drive comprising: a temperature sensor arranged to sense a temperature of the drive; a braking resistor; switching means arranged when activated to cause current to flow to the braking resistor; and controlling means arranged to activate the switching means when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined threshold. There is also provided a method of controlling a temperature of a motor drive comprising a braking resistor. The method comprising comprises: monitoring a temperature of the drive; and activating switching means to cause current to flow to the braking resistor when the monitored temperature falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Timing in a medical imaging system. The system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subsystem and a non-MRI subsystem. Operation of the non-MRI subsystem involves a timing signal within a radio frequency (RF) cabin of the MRI subsystem. Basing each non-MRI subsystem timing signal on a time base common between the MRI subsystem and the non-MRI subsystem. The non-MRI subsystem can be a medical imaging subsystem. The non-MRI medical imaging subsystem can be a positron emission tomography (PET) subsystem. Each non-MRI subsystem timing signal that based on the common time base can be created using the same model of equipment used for creating timing signals in the MRI subsystem. At least one stage of the non-MRI subsystem timing signal based on the common time base can be created using the same equipment used for creating timing signals in the MRI subsystem.

Abstract: Disclosed is a locking electrical circuit apparatus connection device capable of making a firm electrical connection where more certainty is a premium. The locking electrical connector creates electrical connections of temporary and semi-permanent nature improving the quality of connections than was heretofore possible, drastically reducing the prospect of unintentional disconnection, reducing health and safety hazards, making a new and useful improvement over electrical connectors of this kind in the past.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly of a data processing unit for an integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system, the PCB assembly includes a plurality of PCB layers disposed in a stacked arrangement, first and second PET signal processing circuits carried by a first layer of the plurality of PCB layers, first and second ground plane structures carried by a second layer of the plurality of PCB layers and configured relative to the first and second PET signal processing circuits, respectively, and a ground partition that separates the first PET signal processing circuit from the second PET signal processing circuit on the first layer. The ground partition extends through the first layer to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding between the first and second PET signal processing circuits.

Abstract: An integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system includes an MR scanner including a magnet that defines an opening in which a subject is positioned, a set of PET detectors disposed about the opening, a plurality of data processing units each electrically connected with a respective one or more of the PET detectors of the set of PET detectors, and a plurality of power supply modules, each power supply module being operable to generate a DC power supply for different groups of one or more of the data processing units. Each power supply module is discrete from the other power supply modules.

Abstract: Leveling railway vehicles, leveling secondary suspension systems, lift-systems for suspension systems, and other related systems and methods are shown and described. In one example, a railway vehicle includes a superstructure, a bogey, and a leveling secondary suspension system. The leveling suspension system includes at least one spring positioned between the superstructure and the bogey, and a secondary suspension-mounting lift system (SMLS) interfaced with coil spring. The SMLS includes a spring-mount (SM) and a piston assembly. In operation, pressurized hydraulic fluid acts on the piston and lifts the superstructure, thereby allowing the superstructure's access to be raised to a desired height, e.g. a platform height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for the presence of a magnetic field during medical imaging are disclosed. Gamma photons are acquired at a detector. An orientation of the detector (e.g., relative to the surface of the earth) corresponding to the acquisition is determined. Based on the determined detector orientation, one or more compensation value(s) are determined from a memory of a computer, e.g., based on interpolation, parametric computation, or a look-up table. Energy signal variation of a detected signal due to the detector orientation is compensated for by applying the determined compensation value.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) system includes a PET detector configured to generate energy signals indicative of a set of events at the PET detector, a first discriminator coupled to the PET detector and configured to generate a primary timing signal in response to a primary event of the set of events, a second, derivative-based discriminator coupled to the PET detector and configured to generate a pileup timing signal in response to a piled-up event of the set of events, and a logic circuit to gate the primary and pileup timing signals of the first and second discriminators.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for image processing for enhancing, e.g., photos, videos, and graphics representations. Particularly, some embodiments perform a histogram-based SMQT decomposition of various attributes in an original image. The SMQT decomposition of these attributes may then be used to create a look-up-table indicating how to modify pixel attributes in the same or a subsequent image so as to enhance the same or subsequent image. The results of the SMQT decomposition for each attribute may be interpolated based, e.g., on user preferences, to achieve a more optimal enhancement.

Abstract: A process for preparation of catalysts for the production of acrylonitrile, acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide comprising contacting at an elevated temperature, propylene, ammonia and oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst comprising a complex of metal oxides wherein a heat-decomposable nitrogen containing compound is added during the process for the preparation of the catalyst.

Abstract: A system includes a gantry, a first positron emission tomography (PET) section including a first detector ring oriented about an axis, and a second PET section supported by the gantry and including a second detector ring oriented about the axis. The gantry is adjustable to move the second PET section relative to the first PET section.

Abstract: A process for preparation of catalysts for the production of acrylonitrile, acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide comprising contacting at an elevated temperature, propylene, ammonia and oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst comprising a complex of metal oxides wherein a heat-decomposable nitrogen containing compound is added during the process for the preparation of the catalyst.