Abstract: The invention comprises a method of operating a breathing apparatus comprising measuring a baseline breath flow parameter being respiratory rate and/or tidal volume or a parameter derived therefrom, varying the flow rate provided by the breathing apparatus, measuring a current breath flow parameter being respiratory rate and/or tidal volume or a parameter derived therefrom, comparing the baseline and current breath flow parameters, and altering operation of the breathing apparatus based on the comparison. The invention also comprises a breathing apparatus that implements the above method.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a biologic pharmaceutical. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a batch of a biologic pharmaceutical based on a causal model that measures current causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of batches of the biological pharmaceutical; ii) determining a measure of the quality of a batch of the biological pharmaceutical manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the batch of the biological pharmaceutical, the causal model.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a plurality of control signals used in operating a vehicle is described. The operation has a plurality of associated measurable parameters. The method includes: for each control signal, selecting a plurality of potential optimum values from a predetermined set; operating the vehicle in at least a first sequence of operation iterations, where for each pair of sequential first and second operation iterations in the first sequence of operation iterations, the potential optimum value of one control signal in the first operation iteration is replaced in the second operation iteration with a next potential optimum value of the control signal, while the potential optimum values of the remaining control signals are maintained; for each operation iteration, measuring each parameter in the plurality of measurable parameters; and generating confidence intervals for the control signals to determine causal relationships between the control signals and the measurable parameters.

Abstract: A method of controlling a flow rate of gases supplied to a patient by a respiratory assistance device includes controlling the supply gases flow rate so as to deliver gases to the patient according to a predetermined gases pressure/flow rate profile for at least a portion of the breathing cycle. A profile may be achieved that provides the patient with a particular benefit or therapy.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for designing a clinical trial. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting, from a population of patients, patients for being treated with the treatment using a configuration of input settings, wherein the configuration is selected based on a causal model that measures current causal relationships between input settings and a measure of success of the clinical trial; ii) determining the measure of success of the clinical trial for which patients were selected using the certain configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of success of the clinical trial, the causal model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for controlling operations of one or more healthcare facilities. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for controlling operations of the healthcare facilities based on a causal model that measures current causal relationships between input settings and a measure of success of operations at the healthcare facilities; ii) receiving a measure of success of the operation of the healthcare facilities while controlled using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of success of the operation of the healthcare facilities while controlled using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A mount provides a structure that facilitates coupling of a nebuliser downstream of a humidifier chamber and upstream of a conduit that delivers conditioned breathing gases to a patient or user. The mount can couple together a chamber, a nebulizer and a conduit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing operations of a supply chain. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for operating a supply chain, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of success of the supply chain; ii) determining the measure of success of the supply chain operated using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of success of the supply chain operated using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A breathing assistance system for delivering a stream of heated, humidified gases to a user, comprising a humidifier unit which holds and heats a volume of water, and which in use receives a flow of gases from a gases source via an inlet port, the flow of gases passing through the humidifier and exiting via an exit port, the system further having a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the gases exiting the humidifier unit, an ambient temperature sensor which measures the temperature of gases before they enter the humidifier unit, and a flow sensor which measures the flow rate of the gases stream, the system also having a controller which receives data from the temperature and flow sensors, and which determines a control output in response, the control output adjusting the power to the humidifier unit to achieve a desired output at the humidifier unit exit port.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to determining an intent of a query provided to a question answering (QA) system. Embodiments may map a first (e.g., literal) intent of the query to a different, underlying intent. The mapping may be achieved using a map which represents associations between query intents in a first portion of a frequency distribution of known query intents and query intents not in the first portion of the frequency distribution.

Abstract: A method of performing a process using a plurality of control signals and resulting in a plurality of measurable outcomes is described. The method includes optimizing the plurality of control signals by at least: receiving a plurality of process constraints; receiving, for each measurable outcome, an optimum range; receiving, for each control signal, a plurality of potential optimum values; iteratively performing the process, where for each process iteration, the value of each control signal is selected from among the plurality of potential optimum values received for the control signal; for each process iteration, measuring each outcome in the plurality of measurable outcomes; and generating confidence intervals for the control signals to determine a causal relationship between the control signals and the measurable outcomes. The method includes performing the process using at least the control signals determined by the causal relationship to causally affect at least one of the measurable outcomes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product provide for receiving, storing, and providing parameters associated with an entrance pupil of an omnidirectional lens. In the context of a method, the method receives parameter information associated with an entrance pupil of an omnidirectional lens. The method stores one or more elements of the parameter information in one or more data structures. The method provides the one or more data structures for use in one or more image formation tasks.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments. One of the methods includes identifying a procedural instance; determining a temporal extent for the procedural instance based on temporal extent parameters for the one or more entities in the procedural instance; selecting control settings for the procedural instance; monitoring environment responses to the control settings that are received for the one or more entities; determining which of the environment responses to attribute to the procedural instance in a causal model; and adjusting, based at least in part on the environment responses that are attributed to the procedural instance, the temporal extent parameters for the one or more entities.

Abstract: A nasal cannula assembly is disclosed having a face mount part, in use resting against a user's face, which includes at least one nasal prong capable of being fitted into a person's nares. The cannula assembly also includes a manifold part, in fluid communication with the face mount part, having a single horizontal side gases entry. In particular, this cannula assembly is for supplying heated, humidified gases to a patient suffering from COPD. A tie or lanyard is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus such as a nasal cannula, face or nasal mask or tracheostomy connector. The tie or lanyard transfers the weight of the conduits supplying gases to the breathing assistance apparatus from the breathing assistance apparatus and distributes it onto the neck of the patient.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of polishing semiconductor wafers. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for polishing a semiconductor wafer, based on a causal model that measures current causal relationships between input settings and a quality of semiconductor wafers; ii) receiving a measure of the quality of the semiconductor wafer polished with the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the semiconductor wafer polished with the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: Immune effector cells and immune effector cell lines are modified to have increased resistance to TRAIL-induced cell death, by knockout of a TRAIL receptor or by linking a TRAIL receptor to an immune effector cell co-stimulatory domain, or both.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing parameters of one or more proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of respective PID parameters for each of the plurality of PID controllers, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between PID parameters and a measure of success in controlling the system; ii) determining the measure of success of the configuration of respective PID parameters for the plurality of PID controllers in controlling the system; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of success of the configuration of respective PID parameters for the plurality of PID controllers in controlling the system, the causal model.

Abstract: Systems and method of wrapping an object are disclosed. An object wrapping system includes a contractible loop, a positioning system, and a wrapping material system. The contractible loop is configured to be deployed in an expanded position and a contracted position. The positioning system is configured to position an object in alignment with an aperture defined by the contractible loop. The wrapping material system is configured to position a wrapping material between the object and the aperture. The positioning system is configured to move the object into the wrapping material and through the aperture when the contractible loop is deployed in the expanded position. The contractible loop is configured to deploy into the contracted position to at least partially close the wrapping material around the object.