Abstract: An improved method for time alignment (TA) procedure and crystal efficiency (CE) normalization estimation procedure for a PET scanner system is disclosed. In the TA procedure modeled time-of-flight (TOF) data are compared against the measured TOF data from an axially short cylinder phantom in order to find individual detector's time offsets (TOs). Then the TOs are estimated simultaneously by matching the TOF center of mass between the modeled and measured TOF data. In the CE estimation, TOF reconstruction of CBM data on the axially short cylinder phantom is performed. Alternating between TOF image reconstruction and CE updates eventually lead to the correct estimation of activity and CE component.

Abstract: A loudspeaker cabinet design that increases dispersion and minimizes cabinet size by not only mounting mid and high frequency generators in the mouth of the port horn, but also placing diffractors and reflectors within the mouth of the port horn. Additionally grab handle cut-outs are placed at specific locations in the side walls to increase horizontal dispersion. The inventive device creates greater vertical and horizontal dispersion characteristics from a smaller than previously possible cabinet, aiding particularly those who require frequent transport of loudspeakers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in improving the linearity characteristics of MOSFET devices using an accumulated charge sink (ACS) are disclosed. The method and apparatus are adapted to remove, reduce, or otherwise control accumulated charge in SOI MOSFETs, thereby yielding improvements in FIT performance characteristics. In one exemplary embodiment, a circuit having at least one SOI MOSFET is configured to operate in an accumulated charge regime. An accumulated charge sink, operatively coupled to the body of the SOI MOSFET, eliminates, removes or otherwise controls accumulated charge when the FET is operated in the accumulated charge regime, thereby reducing the nonlinearity of the parasitic off-state source-to-drain capacitance of the SOI MOSFET. In RF switch circuits implemented with the improved SOI MOSFET devices, harmonic and intermodulation distortion is reduced by removing or otherwise controlling the accumulated charge when the SOI MOSFET operates in an accumulated charge regime.

Abstract: A system includes a customer authentication system and an automatic teller machine (ATM). The ATM includes a display, one or more memory devices storing software instructions, and one or more processors configured to: execute the software instructions to perform operations to display an item on display; store information regarding the item; receive from a customer device captured information regarding the item; receive from the customer device identifying information of a customer; send the identifying information to the customer authentication system; compare the captured information with the information stored in the one or more memory devices; authenticate the customer device based on the comparison; and allow access to the customer account via the ATM after the authentication.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to polishing compositions that include (1) at least one abrasive; (2) at least one organic acid or a salt thereof; (3) at least one amine compound; (4) at least one nitride removal rate reducing agent; and (5) an aqueous solvent.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides batteries that have a reduced risk or no risk of gastrointestinal damage in a conductive aqueous environment, such as when accidentally swallowed. The batteries of the present disclosure advantageously stop producing significant current flow shortly after contact with a conductive aqueous medium, including the conductive aqueous medium of a wet tissue environment such as that found in the GI tract. The present disclosure further provides multi-layered laminate materials useful for manufacturing such batteries and methods for making the batteries. The batteries are, in some embodiments, 3 V or 1.5 V coin or button cell-type batteries.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds of Formula I: suitable for treating, ameliorating and/or preventing neuromuscular disorders, including the reversal of drug-induced neuromuscular blockade. The compounds as defined herein preferably inhibit the CIC-1 ion channel.

Abstract: A method of accessing objects with fine-grained access control (FGAC) in a relational database management system (RDBMS) storing a segmented column-major database. For each object with access restrictions, an artificial neural network (ANN), is trained by generating an equally distributed segment map of segmented data entries, so that the map reproduces the row disposition in the unsegmented object. When a user access request is received, these ANNs are referred to determine if any of the objects to be accessed are subject to access restrictions. If that is the case, then the ANN creates a pseudo-view construct of its associated object which is limited to data entries that the user has permission to access. The pseudo-views are then injected into the user access request to embed the fine-grained access controls for subsequent processing of the request, which can then proceed without further regard to user-specific access restrictions.

Abstract: A system and method for providing personalized recommendations or promotional information to consumers based upon a recommendation algorithm selected from a number of recommendation algorithms, by matching personal contextual information of each consumer to detailed contexts in which each recommendation algorithm exhibits optimal performance with regard to particular business performance measures.

Abstract: A composite structure includes a thermoplastic material and axial fibers and radial fibers arranged within the thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material can define a substructure of the composite structure. The fibers can be continuous and/or discontinuous fibers. The substructure can be a first substructure and the composite structure can further include a second substructure. Opposing ends of the first substructure and the second substructure are bonded with one another to form a tubular structure. The composite structure can exhibit enhanced damping characteristics such as having a damping coefficient greater than 0.5 lbf s/in. In some cases, this can limit vibrations of the tubular structure to less than 5.0 m/s2.

Abstract: An aircraft wing trailing edge section assembly is disclosed having an upper skin structure providing an upper external aerodynamic trailing edge surface, a lower skin structure providing a lower external aerodynamic trailing edge surface, and a movement mechanism including a first portion attached to an internal surface of the upper skin structure, a second portion attached to an internal surface of the lower skin structure, and a rotationally mounted connector member connected between the first and second portions, such that rotational movement of the connector member causes simultaneous movement of both first and second portions and therefore both upper and lower skin structures, such that the camber of the trailing edge section is changed. An aircraft wing section assembly, an aircraft and methods of operating an aircraft are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for making a ceramic mini-tube configured for use in a fluid modification system. The method involves using an electrospinning system to receive a quantity of precursor solution. The electrospinning system creates an electric field which causes the precursor solution, when emitted, to be stretched into a fiber jet. The fiber jet is deposited on a collector resulting in a fiber mat. The fiber mat is removed from the collector, wherein the fiber mat is formed into a shape. The fiber mat is further processed so that the fiber mat retains a desired shape. A heat treatment operation is then performed to convert the fiber mat into a ceramic structure having the desired shape.

Abstract: A retractable bayonet that can be removably coupled to a firearm or used alone. The retractable bayonet includes a housing having a first side, a second side, an internal channel, a slot having first and second ends, and first and second opening; a blade configured to be displaced between a retracted position and an extended position along the internal channel within the housing; and a fastener secured to the blade and configured to slidingly engage with the slot. When the blade is in the retracted position, the fastener is positioned at the first end of the slot and engaged with the first opening. When the blade is in the extended position, the fastener is positioned at the second end of the slot and engaged with the second opening. With one-handed operations, the bayonet can be extended or retracted when not in use.

Abstract: The compound (S)-1-(5-((2,3-dihydro-[1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyridin-7-yl)sulfonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2(1H)-yl)-3-hydroxy-2-phenylpropan-1-one, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is useful to increase the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen. Methods and compositions for the treatment of a hemoglobinopathies are provided herein, including certain pharmaceutical compositions for activating PKR.

Abstract: A graphics processing management system includes a virtual machine coupled to client devices and a graphics processing system including graphics processing device(s). A graphics processing management subsystem is coupled to the virtual machine system and the client devices, and operates to monitor a usage of the graphics processing device(s) via the virtual machine system by a first client device. The graphics processing management subsystem then uses a graphics processing usage class equation to determine that feature(s) of the usage of the graphics processing device(s) by the first client device identifies a first graphics processing usage class. Based on determining that the usage of the graphics processing device(s) by the first client device identifies the first graphics processing usage class, the graphics processing management subsystem then performs a usage action with the first user that is associated with the first client device.

Abstract: A method of distributing a smart will of a user, the method comprising: receiving a smart will creation request comprising: one or more beneficiary wallet identifiers, and asset distribution rules; creating, based on the smart will creation request, an estate smart contract, the estate smart contract being configured to authorize transfer of one or more assets registered to the estate smart contract to a storage location specified by an executor smart contract; receiving, by the executor smart contract, a death notification indicative of death of an owner of the estate smart contract; instructing the estate smart contract to transfer the assets from the estate smart contract to a trust smart contract; verifying, by the trust smart contract, that the beneficiary wallets are valid; and transferring, by the trust smart contract, one or more assets to the beneficiary wallets in accordance with the asset distribution rules.

Abstract: The present invention includes a relatively light weight wheeled cart and one or more magnets to releasably secure the cart to the roof. The rolling apparatus is equipped with adjustable, magnetic anchors, and include large rubber tires for easy movement. Extra magnets may be added to support more workers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a load securing system for flat-deck vehicles. The system includes a first member configured to provide a stable resting surface to load mounted over a flat-deck of the vehicle. The system further includes a second member having an elongated flat body, and two lugs fixedly configured underside in proximity to its two ends and extending downward. The second member is configured to act as a divider to separate rows of loads mounted over the flat-deck of the vehicle. The system further includes a third member having an elongated body embodying a track system, and a pair of slidable members each slidably configured over the track system of the elongated body and slide in opposing direction. The third member acts as a divider to separate rows of loads mounted over the flat-deck of the vehicle and retain the load mounted between the pair of slidable members.

Abstract: The utility usage of a particular individual occupying a residence may give insight into the individual's current cognitive health and/or to enable provision of various services within the facility for the individual, particularly when monitoring patterns in utility usage over time. To enable accurate and non-invasive utility monitoring, a single-point utility sensor may be secured relative to a utility supply line, and generated signals may be utilized to monitor utility usage and to distinguish between utility fixtures. A centralized computing entity may identify frequency characteristics within the generated data, and may automatically generate one or more machine-learning algorithms to distinguish between utility usage events, without requiring substantial user input.