Abstract: A single-use electronic endoscope has a hub, a shaft extending from the hub, flexible or rigid as desired, and an expandable distal tip extending from the shaft. Within the distal tip, an image sensor provides a field of view external from the endoscope. Illuminating elements or light guides within the distal tip emit light to illuminate the field of view. The distal tip also has a variable profile working channel that permits tools to be passed from the hub and into the field of view. The expandable working channel changes cross-sectional shape from a generally noncircular shape to a shape to accommodate the cross-sectional shape of the tool when expanded.

Abstract: A method for configuring a system is provided. The method comprises a first entity obtaining function information identifying a Cloud-Native Network Function, CNF, to be provided by the system and using the obtained function information, the first entity identifying the CNF to be provided by the system. The method further comprises the first entity transmitting to a second entity a request for deployment information, wherein the deployment information is about a deployment of one or more microservices for providing the identified CNF. The method further comprises the first entity receiving from the second entity the requested deployment information and using the deployment information, deploying in the system said one or more microservices for providing the CNF.

Abstract: A method for configuring a system having a current specification is provided. The method includes receiving specification information identifying a first desired specification of a first requested service for the system and determining whether the system satisfies the first desired specification. Determining whether the system satisfies the first desired specification includes determining whether there are any discrepancies between the first desired specification and the current specification of the system. The method further includes after determining that there is a discrepancy between the first desired specification and the current specification of the system, identifying a first group of one or more configuration changes for the system for fixing said discrepancy and implementing in the system one or more configuration changes included in the first group.

Abstract: A single-use electronic endoscope has a hub, a shaft extending from the hub, flexible or rigid as desired, and an expandable distal tip extending from the shaft. Within the distal tip, an image sensor provides a field of view external from the endoscope. Illuminating elements or light guides within the distal tip emit light to illuminate the field of view. The distal tip also has a variable profile working channel that permits tools to be passed from the hub and into the field of view. The expandable working channel changes cross-sectional shape from a generally noncircular shape to a shape to accommodate the cross-sectional shape of the tool when expanded.

Abstract: A method for detecting a lytic activity of one or more types of phages or of the activity of one or more antibiotics with respect to a bacterial strain, the method including using a first multiwell plate, each well receiving a sample containing phages or antibiotics, making at least one deposit on a transparent area of a support, the deposit containing bacteria of the bacterial strain, applying the first plate against the support so that each sample in each well comes into contact with the deposit, for each well, determining, using the detection means, the activity or absence of activity of the phage or antibiotic with respect to the bacterial strain, taking into account the intensity of light signals transmitted through each well and/or the variation thereof over time.

Abstract: The systems and methods of a governance process that combines conventional election of representatives with an ongoing direct democracy governance system. This combination includes electing one or more elected representatives, identifying an issue, elected representatives voting on the issue, sending the voting results of the elected representatives to one or more voters. voting by the one or more voters for one or more elected representatives, the one or more voters use the issue and the voting results of the elected representatives. Voting results of the one or more voters for each of the one or more elected representatives are calculated. This calculation being the determination of proportional electoral support of the one or more voters who voted for each elected representative. A second result on the issue is implemented using the proportional electoral support of each elected representative.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for conducting a payment transaction to ensure data integrity of the payment transaction that includes generating a transaction authorization request message, where the transaction authorization request message comprises a payload associated with an electronic funds transfer at a point-of-sale (POS) device, and where generating the transaction authorization request message includes generating a digital signature for the payload using a private key of a payment gateway system and inserting the digital signature for the payload into the transaction authorization request message, transmitting the transaction authorization request message including the digital signature, and receiving a transaction authorization response message from a transaction service provider system. A system and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: Flexible graphic element objects in a process plant are configurable both in a run-time operating environment in which a process is being controlled and in a configuration environment. An instantiated flexible graphic element object may be a display view or may be another graphic element included on a display view. A graphic element object may be linked to and/or derived from another graphic element object, and changes to a particular graphic element object may be propagated to its derivations, e.g., according to a distribution policy. Changes to definitions corresponding to a particular graphic element object (e.g., to the definition of a graphic element attribute such as a shape, animation, event handler or property) may be overridden or modified in another object derived from the particular graphic element object. The modified derived object may be renamed and saved separately from the particular graphic element object.

Abstract: Flexible graphic element objects in a process plant are configurable both in a run-time operating environment in which a process is being controlled and in a configuration environment. An instantiated flexible graphic element object may be a display view or may be another graphic element included on a display view. A graphic element object may be linked to and/or derived from another graphic element object, and changes to a particular graphic element object may be propagated to its derivations, e.g., according to a distribution policy. Changes to definitions corresponding to a particular graphic element object (e.g., to the definition of a graphic element attribute such as a shape, animation, event handler or property) may be overridden or modified in another object derived from the particular graphic element object. The modified derived object may be renamed and saved separately from the particular graphic element object.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for conducting a payment transaction to ensure data integrity of the payment transaction that includes generating a transaction authorization request message, where the transaction authorization request message comprises a payload associated with an electronic funds transfer at a point-of-sale (POS) device, and where generating the transaction authorization request message includes generating a digital signature for the payload using a private key of a payment gateway system and inserting the digital signature for the payload into the transaction authorization request message, transmitting the transaction authorization request message including the digital signature, and receiving a transaction authorization response message from a transaction service provider system. A system and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A single-use electronic endoscope has a hub, a shaft extending from the hub, flexible or rigid as desired, and an expandable distal tip extending from the shaft. Within the distal tip, an image sensor provides a field of view external from the endoscope. Illuminating elements or light guides within the distal tip emit light to illuminate the field of view. The distal tip also has a variable profile working channel that permits tools to be passed from the hub and into the field of view. The expandable working channel changes cross-sectional shape from a generally noncircular shape to a shape to accommodate the cross-sectional shape of the tool when expanded.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for conducting a payment transaction to ensure data integrity of the payment transaction that includes generating a transaction authorization request message, where the transaction authorization request message comprises a payload associated with an electronic funds transfer at a point-of-sale (POS) device, and where generating the transaction authorization request message includes generating a digital signature for the payload using a private key of a payment gateway system and inserting the digital signature for the payload into the transaction authorization request message, transmitting the transaction authorization request message including the digital signature, and receiving a transaction authorization response message from a transaction service provider system. A system and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A configuration element is presented on a configuration display view for configuring a graphic element object. The graphic element object is to be instantiated on a process control display view, and corresponds to a process entity in a process plant. The configuration element object has a set of properties for an attributed of the graphic element object and includes a link to a configuration display object from which the configuration display view is instantiated. The instantiation of the configuration element object includes a visual representation of the set of properties for the attribute of the graphic element object, and a link to the graphic element object to send data corresponding to a property configured in the configuration element from the set of properties. The configured property corresponds to at least one configured attribute of the graphic element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an SOP object and executing the SOP object is described herein. The SOP object may include (a) a first element corresponding to a description for performing one or more steps of an SOP when monitoring or controlling a process plant, (b) a second element corresponding to a link to process control data associated with a first process control element included in an operating environment of the process plant to receive real-time data corresponding to a process being controlled in the process plant; and (c) a layout defining a visual representation of the first element and the second element.

Abstract: A single-use electronic endoscope has a hub, a shaft extending from the hub, flexible or rigid as desired, and an expandable distal tip extending from the shaft. Within the distal tip, an image sensor provides a field of view external from the endoscope. Illuminating elements or light guides within the distal tip emit light to illuminate the field of view. The distal tip also has a variable profile working channel that permits tools to be passed from the hub and into the field of view. The expandable working channel changes cross-sectional shape from a generally noncircular shape to a shape to accommodate the cross-sectional shape of the tool when expanded.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for conducting a payment transaction to ensure data integrity of the payment transaction that includes generating a transaction authorization request message, where the transaction authorization request message comprises a payload associated with an electronic funds transfer at a point-of-sale (POS) device, and where generating the transaction authorization request message includes generating a digital signature for the payload using a private key of a payment gateway system and inserting the digital signature for the payload into the transaction authorization request message, transmitting the transaction authorization request message including the digital signature, and receiving a transaction authorization response message from a transaction service provider system. A system and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: Flexible graphic element objects in a process plant are configurable both in a run-time operating environment in which a process is being controlled and in a configuration environment. An instantiated flexible graphic element object may be a display view or may be another graphic element included on a display view. A graphic element object may be linked to and/or derived from another graphic element object, and changes to a particular graphic element object may be propagated to its derivations, e.g., according to a distribution policy. Changes to definitions corresponding to a particular graphic element object (e.g., to the definition of a graphic element attribute such as a shape, animation, event handler or property) may be overridden or modified in another object derived from the particular graphic element object. The modified derived object may be renamed and saved separately from the particular graphic element object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for automatically distributing device identification amongst components of a process control loop in a process plant while the loop is communicatively disconnected from the plant's back-end environment or control room. A field device's identification is stored in a memory of a component of the loop (which may be the field device or a proxy) and is used for commissioning the field device. While the loop remains disconnected, the field device's identification is distributed to the memory of another component of the loop and used for commissioning a portion of the loop including the field device and the another component. Additional distribution to other components for commissioning other loop portions is possible. Distribution may be triggered by the completion of certain commissioning activities, the establishment of communicative connections between components, and/or other conditions.

Abstract: Flexible graphic element objects in a process plant are configurable both in a run-time operating environment in which a process is being controlled and in a configuration environment. An instantiated flexible graphic element object may be a display view or may be another graphic element included on a display view. A graphic element object may be linked to and/or derived from another graphic element object, and changes to a particular graphic element object may be propagated to its derivations, e.g., according to a distribution policy. Changes to definitions corresponding to a particular graphic element object (e.g., to the definition of a graphic element attribute such as a shape, animation, event handler or property) may be overridden or modified in another object derived from the particular graphic element object. The modified derived object may be renamed and saved separately from the particular graphic element object.

Abstract: Flexible graphic element objects in a process plant are configurable both in a run-time operating environment in which a process is being controlled and in a configuration environment. An instantiated flexible graphic element object may be a display view or may be another graphic element included on a display view. A graphic element object may be linked to and/or derived from another graphic element object, and changes to a particular graphic element object may be propagated to its derivations, e.g., according to a distribution policy. Changes to definitions corresponding to a particular graphic element object (e.g., to the definition of a graphic element attribute such as a shape, animation, event handler or property) may be overridden or modified in another object derived from the particular graphic element object. The modified derived object may be renamed and saved separately from the particular graphic element object.