Abstract: An apparatus for inoculating and streaking a solid growth culture medium in a plate, the streaking using a streaking applicator having a line of resiliently and flexibly supported spaced apart contact surfaces, the apparatus including: (a) an inoculating and streaking station including: a plate work position having a notional action line fixed in two dimensions (x,y) in a predetermined position; and a plate rotation device for rotating a positioned plate to cause streaking; (b) a sensor capable of locating the surface of the medium in a positioned plate to thereby determine for that plate, prior to inoculation and streaking of that plate, the third dimension (z) of the action line; (c) an inoculating device capable of dispensing inoculum, along the action line, on the surface of the medium in the positioned plate; and (d) a streaking device capable of moving the streaking applicator such that its line of spaced apart contact surfaces contacts, along the action line, the surface of the medium in the positi

Abstract: A method of assessing a risk level of an enterprise using cloud-based services from one or more cloud service providers includes assessing provider risk scores associated with the one or more cloud service providers; assessing cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise; and generating a risk score for the enterprise based on the provider risk scores and on the cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise. The risk score is indicative of the risk of the enterprise relating to the use of the cloud-based services from the one or more cloud service providers.

Abstract: User equipments (UEs) may be scheduled by determining relative priorities of data radio bearers (DRBs), each DRB associated with a respective UE. A limit is established dividing radio resources available for allocation in the cell during a scheduling period into at least a first limited portion and a second remaining portion. According to the determined relative priorities: a) up to the first limited portion of the radio resources are allocated to only the DRBs that have a guaranteed bit rate (GBR), and thereafter b) the second remaining portion of the radio resources are allocated to only the DRBs which have not been fully allocated from the first limited portion. Schedules indicating this allocation are transmitted to the respective UEs. In carrier aggregation where each carrier aggregated cells has a respective plurality of DRBs, relative priorities for each respective plurality of DRBs are determined for each carrier aggregated cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture a coherent bundle of scintillating fibers is disclosed. A method includes providing a collimated bundle having a glass preform with capillaries therethrough known in the industry as a glass capillary array, and infusing the glass capillary array with a scintillating polymer or a polymer matrix containing scintillating nanoparticles.

Abstract: A cloud service usage assessment system analyzes network traffic from an enterprise data network and generates cloud service usage analytics for the enterprise. In some embodiments, the cloud service usage analytics may include cloud service usage risk assessment. The cloud service usage assessment system is advantageous applied to assess network security in view of an enterprise's adoption of multiple cloud based services.

Abstract: A network traffic monitoring system for redirecting network traffic between a client device and a cloud service includes a monitor proxy server configured as a network intermediary between the client device and the cloud service; and a published identity provider. The published identity provider is configured to receive a login request from a client device and to authenticate the client device at a federated identity provider. The published identity provider is configured to receive from the federated identity provider a redirect response including an identity assertion and a redirect web address to the cloud service. The published identity provider is configured to rewrite the redirect web address to the web address of the monitor proxy server. As a result, network traffic between the cloud service and the client device is routed through the monitor proxy server after user authentication using the published identity provider.

Abstract: User equipments (UEs) may be scheduled by, in a cell, determining relative priorities of data radio bearers (DRBs), each DRB associated with an active UE. A limit is established dividing radio resources available for allocation in the cell during a scheduling period into at least a first limited portion and a second remaining portion. According to the determined relative priorities: a) up to the first limited portion of the radio resources are allocated to only the DRBs that have a guaranteed bit rate (GBR), and thereafter b) the second remaining portion of the radio resources are allocated to only the DRBs which have not been fully allocated from the first limited portion. In carrier aggregation the radio resources are allocated in turn in each different cell per step a) and thereafter in turn in each different cell per step b).

Abstract: Disclosed is a juicer device. In some aspects, the juicer includes a feed housing releasably connected about a rotatable cutter, and an input chute of the feed housing can be offset away from a side of the cutter that rotates upward. In some aspects, the juicer includes a feed housing releasably connectable by a rotation of the feed housing relative to the mount from an aligned position to an installed position so that the feed housing is locked in place in response to the rotating motion. In some aspects, the juicer includes a press chamber in which pulp can be squeezed for juice extraction. The press chamber can include a base and a wall, and a press chamber form can include a continuous piece of material forming at least a portion of the base, at least a portion of the wall, and a transition between the base and the wall.

Abstract: For each X-ray path through a tissue, numerous trials are conducted. In each trial, X-ray photons are emitted along the path until a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode “clicks”. A temporal average—i.e., the average amount of time elapsed before a “click” occurs—is calculated. This temporal average is, in turn, used to estimate a causal intensity of X-ray light that passes through the tissue along the path and reaches the diode. Based on the causal intensities for multiple paths, a computer generates computed tomography (CT) images or 2D digital radiographic images. The causal intensities used to create the images are estimated from temporal statistics, and not from conventional measurements of intensity at a pixel. X-ray dosage needed for imaging is dramatically reduced as follows: a “click” of the photodiode triggers negative feedback that causes the system to halt irradiation of the tissue along a path, until the next trial begins.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present invention relates to microcapsules comprising a core; and a hydrophobic, cross-linked polymeric shell, as well as method for making and using same. Some embodiments of the present invention relate to microcapsules comprising a core; and a hydrophobic, cross-linked polymeric shell. These microcapsules can be used in a variety of applications, including agriculture, encapsulation of food ingredients, health care, cosmetics (e.g., perfumes, detergents, and sunscreen), coatings (e.g., paints and pigments), additives, catalysis, and oil recovery.

Abstract: A system and method for computed tomography (CT) imaging is provided. The system includes a gantry having a first and second circumference defining locations fixed in relation to a subject arranged therein, the first and second circumference being axially separated, and spaced from a central axial plane of the gantry. The system also includes a plurality of source modules arranged at locations along the first circumference, and configured for directing X-ray beams toward the subject using a selected illumination pattern, and a plurality of detector modules arranged at locations along the second circumference, wherein the source and detector modules are angled toward the central axial plane such that each source module is diametrically opposed to one or more detector modules. The system further includes an acquisition system configured for controlling the plurality of source modules in accordance with the selected illumination pattern, and acquiring CT image data from the plurality of detector modules.

Abstract: A cloud service usage assessment system analyzes network traffic from an enterprise data network and generates cloud service usage analytics for the enterprise. In some embodiments, the cloud service usage analytics may include cloud service usage risk assessment. The cloud service usage assessment system is advantageous applied to assess network security in view of an enterprise's adoption of multiple cloud based services.

Abstract: A method of assessing a risk level of an enterprise using cloud-based services from one or more cloud service providers includes assessing provider risk scores associated with the one or more cloud service providers; assessing cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise; and generating a risk score for the enterprise based on the provider risk scores and on the cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise. The risk score is indicative of the risk of the enterprise relating to the use of the cloud-based services from the one or more cloud service providers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture a coherent bundle of scintillating fibers is disclosed. In the method and apparatus, a polymer matrix of a transparent polymer and nanoparticle scintillators is placed on top of a collimated bundle having a plurality of capillaries and pressed in a pressure vessel until the polymer matrix is forced into the capillaries. Pressure is applied via an anvil on top of the polymer matrix. To prevent fracturing of the collimated bundle during pressing, back pressure is supplied to the pressure vessel via a valve, which controls a supply of high pressure gas. Alternatively, the back pressure may also be supplied by a press (and or pressure) and support to the collimated bundle is provided by a high melting point thermoplastic. Heat may be applied to the polymer matrix via the anvil to speed the pressing operation due to the viscosity of the polymer.

Abstract: A method of assessing a risk level of an enterprise using cloud-based services from one or more cloud service providers includes assessing provider risk scores associated with the one or more cloud service providers and in view of darknet intelligence data; assessing cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise; and generating a risk score for the enterprise based on the provider risk scores and on the cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise. The risk score is indicative of the risk of the enterprise relating to the use of the cloud-based services from the one or more cloud service providers.

Abstract: To schedule user equipments (UEs) in a scheduling period, for each of X cells in a carrier aggregation (CA) system relative priorities of data bearers are determined. Each data bearer is associated with a respective UE having buffered data and at least one of the UEs is a CA-UE that is allowed radio resource allocation to its associated data bearers in at least two of the cells. For each CA-UE, the buffered data of the CA-UE is distributed across those cells in which the CA-UE and its associated bearers are allowed resource allocation using a measure of total data throughput for each of those cells. For each of the X cells resources are allocated to the data bearers according to the relative priorities such that for each CA-UE the resources allocated to its associated data bearers across those cells are sufficient to carry the buffered data as distributed.

Abstract: A system and method for producing an image of a subject with a tomographic imaging system are provided. A tomographic imaging system is operated to rotate a radiation detector, radiation source, or both through a plurality of angular positions around a subject while acquiring data. As the radiation detector or source is rotated, the radiation detector or source is shifted at each angular position by a different shift value. An image of the subject is reconstructed from the acquired data using a reconstruction technique that incorporates the shifts applied to the detector, source, or both into a system matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture a coherent bundle of scintillating fibers is disclosed. In the method and apparatus, a polymer matrix of a transparent polymer and nanoparticle scintillators is placed on top of a collimated bundle having a plurality of capillaries and pressed in a pressure vessel until the polymer matrix is forced into the capillaries. Pressure is applied via an anvil on top of the polymer matrix. To prevent fracturing of the collimated bundle during pressing, back pressure is supplied to the pressure vessel via a valve, which controls a supply of high pressure gas. Alternatively, the back pressure may also be supplied by a press (and or pressure) and support to the collimated bundle is provided by a high melting point thermoplastic. Heat may be applied to the polymer matrix via the anvil to speed the pressing operation due to the viscosity of the polymer.

Abstract: A method of assessing a risk level of an enterprise using cloud-based services from one or more cloud service providers includes assessing provider risk scores associated with the one or more cloud service providers; assessing cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise; and generating a risk score for the enterprise based on the provider risk scores and on the cloud service usage behavior and pattern of the enterprise. The risk score is indicative of the risk of the enterprise relating to the use of the cloud-based services from the one or more cloud service providers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing x-ray phase-contrast imaging using a conventional x-ray source and detector are provided. An array of x-ray focusing elements it provided and used to focus x-ray onto a pattern of multiple different focal spots. When an object is introduced into the beam path, the focal spots will be displaced based on the x-rays being refracted by the object. A refraction angle map is produced and used to generate a phase contrast image, such as an image that indicates the electron density distribution in the object. Multi-spectral imaging can be achieved by utilizing the chromatic aberration of the array of x-ray focusing elements and sweeping the detector through different focal planes associated with different x-ray energy levels or sweeping the peak voltage of the x-ray source for a fixed object-to-detector distance.