Abstract: Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a sterile connection for drug delivery. In some embodiments, the fluid coupling devices can be implemented as multi-use, sterile fluid coupling devices that are configured to reduce the likelihood of fluid spillage when being disconnected.

Abstract: The present application relates to a shaving guidance system (10) for guiding a user during a shaving procedure, the system comprising an image sensor (30) configured to register an image of a part of the body of the user, an image data analyzer (41) configured to determine a local hair-growth direction based on data in the image, a controller (40) configured to generate instructions about a direction in which a hair cutting device (20) is to be moved in dependence on the determined local hair-growth direction, and a feedback system (130) configured to provide the instructions to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inferring activity of a transcription factor of a signal transduction pathway in a subject. The method comprises performing (101) a first staining for detecting the transcription factor in cells of a sample of the subject and performing (102) a second staining for detecting a protein encoded by a target gene of the transcription factor in cells of the sample. The method further comprises quantifying (103) cells of the sample that show both a nuclear presence of the transcription factor and a presence of the target gene-encoded protein based on the first staining and the second staining, and inferring (104) the activity of the transcription factor in the subject based on the quantifying. This allows the presented method to more reliably infer the activity of the transcription factor in the subject.

Abstract: A device and method for launching a projectile, such as a golf ball, across a range. The device enables a golf ball to be launched across a golf course with greater control than is possible with a traditional golf club. The ease of loading the projectile into the launching device and swinging the launching device forward adds greater distance to the projectile due to an increase in angular momentum and back spin on the projectile. The device includes a C-shaped head defined by a nest, a pair of lateral retention arms, and a base. A distal portion is longer than a proximal portion to create backspin on the projectile. The concavity and lateral arms hold the projectile in place. The distal and proximal portions terminate at concave points that grip dimples on the projectile. The base is fixedly attached to a shaft, which is used for swinging the head.

Abstract: A device and method for launching a projectile, such as a golf ball, across a range. The device enables a golf ball to be launched across a golf course with greater control than is possible with a traditional golf club. The ease of loading the projectile into the launching device and swinging the launching device forward adds greater distance to the projectile due to an increase in angular momentum and back spin on the projectile. The device includes a C-shaped head defined by a nest, a pair of lateral retention arms, and a base. A distal portion is longer than a proximal portion to create backspin on the projectile. The concavity and lateral arms hold the projectile in place. The distal and proximal portions terminate at concave points that grip dimples on the projectile. The base is fixedly attached to a shaft, which is used for swinging the head.

Abstract: The present application relates to a shaving guidance system (10) for guiding a user during a shaving procedure, the system comprising an image sensor (30) configured to register an image of a part of the body of the user, an image data analyzer (41) configured to determine a local hair-growth direction based on data in the image, a controller (40) configured to generate instructions about a direction in which a hair cutting device (20) is to be moved in dependence on the determined local hair-growth direction, and a feedback system (130) configured to provide the instructions to the user.

Abstract: A method of facilitating trades of mismatch swaps including receiving trade data characterization a plurality of swap trades. Mismatches in at least two of the swap trades are identified and the mismatches are communicated to a plurality of traders. Offsetting mismatches may be identified and communicated to the plurality of traders also. The method may also include receiving offsetting mismatch trade requests from traders and communicating the offsetting mismatch trade requests to a clearinghouse. Identifying the offsetting mismatches may include determining a date gap between standard tenor instruments. And, the method may include determining whether the date gap is within a range of dates selected by a trader. The date gap will likely, in this instance, not be a benchmark tenor.

Abstract: System and method to improve intelligibility of coded speech, the method including: receiving an encoded speech signal from a network; extracting an encoded media data stream and one or more control data packets from the encoded speech signal; decoding the encoded media data stream to produce a decoded speech signal; boosting an upper spectral portion of the decoded speech signal to produce a boosted speech signal; and outputting the boosted speech signal. In another embodiment, the method may include: receiving an uncoded speech signal; processing the uncoded speech signal, wherein the processing comprises generating an unencoded data stream from the uncoded speech signal; boosting an upper spectral portion of the unencoded data stream to produce a boosted speech signal; encoding the boosted speech signal to produce an encoded speech signal; and outputting the boosted speech signal.

Abstract: A method of facilitating trades of mismatch swaps including receiving trade data characterization a plurality of swap trades. Mismatches in at least two of the swap trades are identified and the mismatches are communicated to a plurality of traders. Offsetting mismatches may be identified and communicated to the plurality of traders also. The method may also include receiving offsetting mismatch trade requests from traders and communicating the offsetting mismatch trade requests to a clearinghouse. Identifying the offsetting mismatches may include determining a date gap between standard tenor instruments. And, the method may include determining whether the date gap is within a range of dates selected by a trader. The date gap will likely, in this instance, not be a benchmark tenor.

Abstract: System and method to improve intelligibility of coded speech, the method including: receiving an encoded speech signal from a network; extracting an encoded media data stream and one or more control data packets from the encoded speech signal; decoding the encoded media data stream to produce a decoded speech signal; boosting an upper spectral portion of the decoded speech signal to produce a boosted speech signal; and outputting the boosted speech signal. In another embodiment, the method may include: receiving an uncoded speech signal; processing the uncoded speech signal, wherein the processing comprises generating an unencoded data stream from the uncoded speech signal; boosting an upper spectral portion of the unencoded data stream to produce a boosted speech signal; encoding the boosted speech signal to produce an encoded speech signal; and outputting the boosted speech signal.

Abstract: A system and method is described for controlling user access to a carrier's shipping services for delivery of a package. The system controls the user's access to the carrier's services by either limiting the selection of locations from which a package can be shipped to fewer than those described by the carrier's service area, or by limiting the user's ability to select shipping service levels to fewer than those provided by the carrier. Such limitation may be by way of displaying only a limited collection of ship from locations and service levels, or by pre-populating and locking ship from information submission fields on a web page. The distributed-user shipping system may reside on a client server or mobile computer that is connected to the carrier's server and transmits various shipping location information and service level selections to the carrier to facilitate shipping of packages while controlling the scope of shipping services provided.

Abstract: A wireless computing and communications device comprises a baseband processor configured to implement operations providing access to a wireless communications network, and an application processor configured to execute user applications. A communications management processor communicates with the baseband processor and the application processor by respective first and second communications channels. The communications management processor is configured to operate in a separate security domain from the application processor, and to mediate all access to the wireless communications network by the user applications.

Abstract: A method of filtering a signal includes determining a class of a section (23;39) of the signal obtained as input, wherein the determination of the class includes calculating a signal section (28;41) comprising at least a component representative of a derivative of at least a first order of the input signal section (23;39) and applying a quantisation operation to the calculated signal section (28;41). A digital filter associated with the class is selected from a plurality of available filters. In the quantisation operation, a quantisation step is adapted to a dynamic range of the calculated signal section (28;41).

Abstract: A system and method is described for controlling user access to a carrier's shipping services for delivery of a package. The system controls the user's access to the carrier's services by either limiting the selection of locations from which a package can be shipped to fewer than those described by the carrier's service area, or by limiting the user's ability to select shipping service levels to fewer than those provided by the carrier. Such limitation may be by way of displaying only a limited collection of ship from locations and service levels, or by pre-populating and locking ship from information submission fields on a web page. The distributed-user shipping system may reside on a client server or mobile computer that is connected to the carrier's server and transmits various shipping location information and service level selections to the carrier to facilitate shipping of packages while controlling the scope of shipping services provided.

Abstract: A system and method is described for controlling user access to a carrier's shipping services for delivery of a package. The system controls the user's access to the carrier's services by either limiting the selection of locations from which a package can be shipped to fewer than those described by the carrier's service area, or by limiting the user's ability to select shipping service levels to fewer than those provided by the carrier. Such limitation may be by way of displaying only a limited collection of ship from locations and service levels, or by pre-populating and locking ship from information submission fields on a web page. The distributed-user shipping system may reside on a client server or mobile computer that is connected to the carrier's server and transmits various shipping location information and service level selections to the carrier to facilitate shipping of packages while controlling the scope of shipping services provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for tracking packages inbound to a user. One embodiment of the invention discloses a process by which shipping information is analyzed to determine the various ways in which shippers have previously identified a consignee location. A consignee alias table is generated that lists the various combinations of consignee name and address used by shippers to identify the consignee location. Package level detail is then received from a carrier and compared against a consignee alias database to identify packages that are inbound to the consignee location, and a consignee location table is updated that monitors the status and anticipated delivery date of all packages inbound to the consignee location.

Abstract: A method for playing a series of electronic card games includes, prior to beginning the series of electronic card games, determining a jackpot event and a minimum jackpot for the series of electronic card games, and insuring against the jackpot event for the minimum jackpot. The method also includes determining a jackpot winner in response to the jackpot event and paying at least a portion of the minimum jackpot in response to the determined jackpot winner.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the ability to provide rapidly disintegrating tablets through the inclusion of a calcium carbonate material in combination with other common tablet components. Such a calcium carbonate material must exhibit a sufficiently low surface area in order to boost the ability of the tablet to separate quickly when introduced into a user's mouth cavity. Such a tablet is dimensionally stable prior to use (low friability) and, when immersed in water the tablet disintegrates therein in less than about 60 seconds.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the ability to provide rapidly disintegrating tablets through the inclusion of a titanium dioxide material in combination with other common tablet components. Such a titanium dioxide material must exhibit a sufficiently low surface area in order to boost the ability of the tablet to separate quickly when introduced into a user's mouth cavity. Such a tablet is dimensionally stable prior to use (low friability) and, when immersed in water the tablet disintegrates therein in less than about 60 seconds.