Abstract: A signal processing method that includes inputting sample values of a signal and considering the signal to have a plurality of portions. For each portion, a predetermined function is fitted to the sample values of that portion of the signal by calculating values of coefficients for that predetermined function. At least one statistical information function is evaluated for the signal to determine statistical information about the signal and the calculated coefficient values are used so that the form of the statistical information function has been determined for the predetermined function used to fit the signal portion and further includes using the statistical information obtained about the signal to process the signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for managing the storage of gaseous hydrogen and increasing the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system. In order to increase the hydrogen utilization rate of the cascade storage system, after dispensing gaseous hydrogen to a hydrogen vehicle, gaseous hydrogen is transferred via a compressor from at least one storage vessel at a lower pressure to at least one storage vessel at a higher, dispensable pressure. The methods of the present invention economically and efficiently increase the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system.

Abstract: Intensity inhomogeneities can obscure areas of interest and are problematic for MR image segmentation algorithms. An efficient approach to estimating these inhomogeneities by computing a calibration factor that is a function of an estimated bias field from a series of calibration scans is disclosed. This enables correction of T1W and T2W images by reducing inhomogeneities without the need to map T1 and T2. Because of interest in the shape of the intensity inhomogeneities a limited number of flip angles yield satisfactory performance. Additionally, an RF transmit field B1+ can be estimated and inhomogeneities resulting from the B1+ field reduced from the MR image using the estimated B1+ field.

Abstract: Methods are described for the production of a three-dimensional reconstruction of a undeformed object from two different views of the object under deformation using a volume constraint and also by matching corresponding features in the two images. The volume constraint involves assuming that the deformed volume is the same as the undeformed volume, and calculating the deformed volume from one of the images. Further, the deformation of the object can be parameterised by finding corresponding image entities in the each of the images. The method is particularly applicable to breast mammograms in which case the two images are the cranio-caudal (CC) image and medio-lateral oblique (MLO) image whose angular separation varies from 35 to 60 degrees. The image entities which are detected in the two images are microcalcifications, and these are matched by detecting a value representing their volume a looking for matches in this value between the two images.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an oxidic catalyst composition consisting of one or more trivalent metals preferably aluminum, one or more divalent metals preferably magnesium and more than 18 wt % of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of rare earth metal compounds, phosphorus compounds, and transition metal compounds, which process comprises the steps of preparing a precursor mixture consisting of (i) or more trivalent metal compounds, (ii) one or more divalent metal compounds, (iii) one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of rare earth metal compounds, and transition metal compounds, and (iv) optionally water, which precursor mixture is not a solution. The resulting oxidic catalyst composition is suitable as a metal trap and SOx sorbent FCC processes.

Abstract: A method of matching data sets, such as different images, by estimating a transformation which relates the two images. Different candidate transformations are scored by using a similarity measure calculated on the basis of probability density functions derived from the two data sets themselves. The probability density functions are based on local likelihood density estimation (LLDE). The technique is applicable to image registration, and also to data fusion.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for facilitating decision making, such as in a clinical setting. In accordance with this technique, a set of encoded guidelines are executed to identify information that may be used to generate patient management options. The information is acquired, if available. Based on the encoded guidelines and the acquired information, a set of patient management options are generated and provided to one or more reviewers for review and selection of a patient management option.

Abstract: A device and methods for performing biological or chemical analysis is provided. The device includes an array of three-dimensional microcolumns projecting away from a support plate. Each microcolumn has a relatively planar, first surface remote from the support plate. An array of multiple, different biological materials may be attached to the first surface. The device, when used in combination with existent micro-titer well plates, can improve efficiency of binding assays using microarrays for high-throughput capacity.

Abstract: Heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Such heaters can be obtained by using the systems and methods described herein. The heater includes a heater section including iron, cobalt, and carbon. The heater section has a Curie temperature less than a phase transformation temperature. The Curie temperature is at least 740° C. The heater section provides, when time varying current is applied to the heater section, an electrical resistance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Systems and methods for making heaters are described herein. At least one heater includes a ferromagnetic conductor and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the ferromagnetic conductor. The heater provides a first amount of heat at a lower temperature. The heater may provide a second reduced amount of heat when the heater reaches a selected temperature, or enters a selected temperature range, at which the ferromagnetic conductor undergoes a phase transformation.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a metal-containing composition, which process comprises the steps of (a) calcining a physical mixture of an anionic clay and a metal additive at a temperature between 200 and 800° C., and (b) rehydrating the calcined product of step a). This process allows the use of insoluble metal additives. It does not require the use of soluble metal additives, which has economic and environmental advantages.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an additive-containing anionic clay comprising the steps of (a) milling a physical mixture of a divalent metal compound and a trivalent metal compound, (b) calcining the physical mixture at a temperature in the range 200-800° C., and (c) rehydrating the calcined mixture in aqueous suspension, wherein an additive is present in the physical mixture and/or the aqueous suspension of step (c). With this process additive-containing anionic clays with a homogeneous additive distribution can be prepared.

Abstract: Methods and systems for efficient scaling in the transform domain are provided when transform coefficient data is provided as an input to a data processing system, comprising generating a first matrix from transform coefficient data; zeroing out a row or column of, or inserting a row or column of zeros into, the first matrix; generating a second matrix by applying a one-dimensional inverse transform to the first matrix with the zeroed-out at least one row, the at least one column, the inserted at least one row of zeros or the at least one column of zeros; generating a third matrix by regrouping the second matrix; generating a combined matrix by applying a forward transform to the third matrix; and the data processing system scaling the data represented by the transform coefficient data by applying the combined matrix to the transform coefficient data.

Abstract: A method of enhancing and normalizing x-ray images, particularly mammograms, by correcting the image for digitizer blur, glare from the intensifying screen and the anode-heel effect. The method also allows the calculation of the compressed thickness of the imaged breast and calculation of the contribution to the mammograms of the extra focal radiation. The correction of the image for glare from the intensifying screen allows the detection of noise, such as film shot noise, in the image, and in particular the differentiation between such noise and microcalcifications.

Abstract: A method comprises creating calibration data using a first control circuitry of an apparatus, replacing the first control circuitry with a second control circuitry in the apparatus, and operating the apparatus with the second control circuitry using the calibration data. As an example, the apparatus may be a disc drive. The second control circuitry may be substantially similar to the first control circuitry such that calibration measurements using the first control circuitry are applicable to the second control circuitry. The first control circuitry may be included in a circuit board that is replaced with a second circuit board including the second control circuitry. In an exemplary embodiment, the second circuit board may include different and/or additional components relative to the first circuit board, such as integrated video inputs and/or video control circuitry.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an oxidic composition comprising a trivalent metal, a divalent metal and—calculated as oxide and based on the total composition—more than 18 wt % of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of rare earth metal compounds, phosphorus compounds, and transition metal compounds, which process comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a precursor mixture comprising (i) a compound 1 being a trivalent metal compound, (ii) a compound 2 being a divalent metal compound, and (iii) a compound 3 being different from compounds 1 and 2 and being selected from the group consisting of rare earth metal compounds, phosphorus compounds, and transition metal compounds, (b) optionally aging the mixture, without anionic clay being formed, (c) drying the mixture, and (d) calcining the product of step c). The resulting oxidic composition is suitable as a metal trap and SOx sorbent FCC processes.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of quasi-crystalline boehmite comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous precursor mixture comprising a water-insoluble aluminium source; (b) decreasing the pH of the precursor mixture of step (a) by at least 2 units; (c) increasing the pH of the mixture of step (b) by at least 2 units, and (d) aging the mixture of step (c) under hydrothermal conditions to form a quasi-crystalline boehmite. This process provides for the hydrothermal preparation of quasi-crystalline boehmites with high peptizability. The invention therefore further relates to quasi-crystalline boehmites with a high peptizability, measured as the Z-average submicron particle size. This Z-average submicron particle size preferably is less than 500 nm, more preferably less than 300 nm, even more preferably less than 200 nm, and most preferably less than 100 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oxidic catalyst composition comprising 5-60 wt % of a divalent metal, 5-60 wt % of a trivalent metal, and 35-60 wt % of a rare earth metal, calculated as oxide and based on the total weight of the oxidic catalyst composition. The invention also relates to a process for preparing such an oxidic catalyst composition. This composition is suitable as metal trap in FCC processes.

Abstract: A method and deposition device are described herein that use an aerosol jet direct write technique to create non-binding reference region(s) and/or binding sample region(s) within a single well or multiple wells of a microplate, or on a single or multiple biosensors of an unassembled bottom insert.