Abstract: Systems and methods for biometric payments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for conducting a biometric payment may include (1) receiving at a server and from an electronic device, transaction information comprising an identification of a good or service to purchase from a merchant and a biometric payment instruction from an individual that was captured by the electronic device; (2) at least one computer processor authenticating the individual based on the biometric payment instruction; (3) the at least one computer processor determining a payment account for the transaction from the biometric payment instruction; (4) the at least one computer processor retrieving a payment device associated with the payment account; and (5) the at least one computer processor providing the payment device to the merchant.

Abstract: A secure cloud-based privileged access management (CBPAM) service manages on-premise resources. While enrolling an on-premise authentication domain admin group, a secured cloud-based shadow administrating group (SCBSAG) is created; a SCBSAG security identification includes at least part of the enrollee's security identification. The SCBSAG belongs to a clean CBPAM authentication domain which may be secured by defense in depth controls such as time limits on authentication or authorization, password avoidance, least privilege, one-way syncing, and one-way trust. Management via the configured SCBSAG may be fostered by emptying the on-premise admin group, although a break glass account may be kept. CBPAM services direct administrative actions toward on-premise resources through SCBSAGs for cloud tenants, providing secure management control as a service, with broader geographic scope and lower maintenance burdens and costs than privileged access management approaches that are not cloud-based.

Abstract: Bone implants, including methods of use and assembly. The bone implants, which are optionally composite implants, generally include a distal anchoring region and a growth region that is proximal to the distal anchoring region. The distal anchoring region can have one or more distal surface features that adapt the distal anchoring region for anchoring into iliac bone. The growth region can have one or more growth features that adapt the growth region to facilitate at least one of bony on-growth, in-growth, or through-growth. The implants may be positioned along a posterior sacral alar-iliac (“SAI”) trajectory. The implants may be coupled to one or more bone stabilizing constructs, such as rod elements thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in situ method for detecting spatial proximity relationships between nucleic acid sequences, such as DNA, in a cell. The method includes: providing a sample of one or more cells comprising nucleic acids; fragmenting the nucleic acids present in the cells that leaves 5? overhanging ends; filling in the overhanging ends with at least one labeled nucleotide; joining the filled in end of the fragmented nucleic acids that are in close physical proximity to create one or more end joined nucleic acid fragments having a junction; isolating the one or more end joined nucleic acid fragments using the labeled nucleotide; and determining the sequence at the junction of the one or more end joined nucleic acid fragments.

Abstract: Time-stamped images are captured for unknown items within a store. Portions of the images are cropped to restrict the cropped images to attributes associated with the unknown items. A set of time ordered cropped images are proved to a trained machine-learning item recognition algorithm, which produces an output of confidence values that map to specific items of the store. When the confidence value meets or exceeds a predefined threshold, the specific item associated with that confidence value is used to identify the unknown item. The known item is assigned to an appropriate shopping cart of a shopper based on tracking from the images of the shopper while in the store.

Abstract: A method of planning the correction of spinal deformations of a subject, by performing segmentation on a three dimensional image of the subject's spine in its erect neutral position, such that the positions and orientations of the vertebrae in a region of interest are characterized. Parameters relating to the alignment and position of the vertebrae are derived from the segmentation, followed by determining whether the parameters fall within an acceptable range desired for the spine of the subject. If not within the acceptable range, an alignment optimization is performed on the vertebrae to bring the parameters within the acceptable range, to reduce the spinal deformations of the subject's spine. The alignment optimization is performed by taking into consideration limitations arising from the dynamic range of motion of the vertebrae as determined by analyzing images of the subject's spine, while the subject is in positions of maximum bending.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for protecting restricted actions on encryption keys that control the management of data stored by a service provider. In some implementations, a system of the service provider receives a request to generate a data encryption policy (DEP) for data stored by the system of the service provider for a customer, the request including a reference to a customer key and an availability key. The customer key and the availability key are root keys for encrypting a data encryption key. The data encryption key is used to encrypt the data stored by the service provider for the customer. Further, destructive changes to the availability key require receiving an approval from an account of the service provider. The system of the service provider validates the DEP. The system of the service provider stores the DEP based on the validation.

Abstract: An online image search and marketplace platform and browser plug-in system is described. The system is configured to execute image-based searches of the Internet to correlate hosted images with ownership and licensing metadata, facilitating the marketing of images to users and expediting the purchase of licensing for said images. The system employs an online platform in communication with an image metadata database, providing a conduit for users to execute an image search from an image search field populated by a target image URL or direct image upload. An auto-cropping feature combined with extensive steganography integration ensures accurate image identification, ownership mapping, and usage tracking. The browser plug-in facilitates the execution of an image search within the right-click menu of any image hosted to the Internet. Image tracking enables content owners to be alerted in real-time when unlicensed use of content is detected.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for aiding prediction of the likelihood of progression from Barrett's esophagus to high grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma in a subject, is disclosed. The method can include (a) providing an oesophagal sample from said subject (b) determining if said sample stains abnormally with Aspergillus oryzae lectin; (c) determining if there is a DNA content abnormality in said sample; and (d) determining if there is low grade dysplasia in said sample; wherein if (b) is abnormal and (c) is abnormal and low grade dysplasia is present, then an increased likelihood of progression is determined. The disclosed subject matter also relates to an apparatus, and to different uses of certain materials.

Abstract: The invention provides aptamer-gene modulator conjugates, where the aptamer and the gene modulator are linked together. The invention further provides a method for cell-specific delivery of gene modulators to hard to transfect cells such as CD4+ cell.

Abstract: Method, system, and program products are disclosed herein for creating a 3D model based on a plurality of received 2D medical images. Once the 2D images are received, a determination is made regarding any potential processing steps required to put the images into a standard view. Once the images are processed, a plurality of points are identified that are associated with a portion of an anatomical landmark. Various historical 2D images are then identified based on a comparison between the plurality of points. Using the historical information, a 3D image is generated of an anatomical feature of a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for setting up live online conversations between people, and selecting participants for such conversations in a manner that optimizes the enjoyment of the participants. Conversations are analyzed and attributes of participants and conversations are extracted from the audio of the conversations. A quality level of the conversations is determined from the audio, and subjective quality assessments may be received from participants. Participants and conversations are divided into classes and clusters, where the classes and clusters represent groups of entities which have certain attributes in common. Based on the attributes, classes, clusters, and quality levels, compatibilities are determined between arbitrary pairs of participants and for arbitrary groups of participants. Conversations are generated, and participants are selected for the conversations based on the determined compatibilities.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to bone implants. More specifically, the present invention relates to bone implants used for the fixation and or fusion of the sacroiliac joint and/or the spine. For example, a system for fusing and or stabilizing a plurality of bones is provided. The system includes an implant structure having a shank portion, a body portion and a head portion. The body portion is coupled to the shank portion and is configured to be placed through a first bone segment, across a bone joint or fracture and into a second bone segment. The body portion is configured to allow for bony on-growth, ingrowth and through-growth. The head portion is coupled to the proximal end of the shank portion and is configured to couple the shank portion to a stabilizing rod. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a technical improvement for providing visualization of vehicle speed via a speedometer in an instrument cluster of a vehicle/driver interface of a transportation vehicle by providing multiple indicia of vehicle speed and rate of change of speed in a manner that connotes vehicle motion so as to enhance the driving experience for the driver and improve safety.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle charging station according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a charger assembly including a plug connected to a terminal via a charger cable, and a transceiver configured to communicate information to an electrified vehicle which is useable to guide the electrified vehicle to an acceptable parking position. The acceptable parking position is a position in which the plug will reach a charging port of the electrified vehicle. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal printer comprising a thermal head including an array of heating elements disposed on the thermal head, the array of heating elements including optical structures comprising an array of first pixels corresponding to a first color and second pixels corresponding to a second color, the first color being different from the second color; wherein individual ones of the pixels comprise sub-pixels, a given pixel comprising a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel comprising a first optical structure corresponding to light to be reflected or transmitted from a substrate toward a left eye of a person from a first viewing angle, the second sub-pixel comprising a second optical structure corresponding to light to be reflected or transmitted from a substrate toward a right eye of the person from the first viewing angle, and the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel correspond to the color of light of the given pixels to be reflected or transmitted from a substrate.

Abstract: A method of generating a custom three-dimensional model of a bone is disclosed. A 2D image of the bone is obtained and an orientation and scale of the 2D image are aligned to a pre-determined coordinate system. Based on the 2D image, a representative bone is identified from a library of representative bones that are aligned to the pre-determined coordinate system. Based on the 2D image, an ideal view of a 3D model of the representative bone is selected. Modifications may be made to the 3D model by using additional representative bones from the library. A custom three-dimensional model of the bone is thereby generated.

Abstract: A request to activate a service may be received from a user device and a determination may be made as to whether the request is authorized or fraudulent. In particular, a geographical location of the user device may be determined. Whether to activate the service may be determined based on the geographical location of the user device.

Abstract: An intervertebral fusion mechanism includes a disc cage having a scaffolding structure to support bone growth and a porous cancellous bone feeder anchor, connected to the disc cage, for providing a biological material transference interface between cancellous bone and the disc cage.