Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of DDCE-MRF. The method can include: a) introducing two or more contrast agents to a region of interest (ROI) of a subject, the two or more contrast agents having different relaxivities; b) measuring a T1 relaxation time and a T2 relaxation time for locations within the ROI using magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF); c) determining, using equations that relate the different relaxivities, the T1 relaxation time, the T2 relaxation time, and concentrations of the two or more contrast agents, the concentrations of the two or more contrast agents for each of the locations within the ROI; and d) producing an image depicting the ROI based, at least in part, on the concentrations of the two or more contrast agents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for stimulating asymmetric division of at least some satellite stem cells in a patient suffering from a disease or disorder characterized by satellite cells having an inability, or a reduced ability, to assemble a functional dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC) that results in an inability, or reduced ability, to establish cell polarity. The method includes administering to the patient a sufficient amount of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway activator to stimulate asymmetric division of at least some satellite stem cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for entertaining a passenger of a vehicle by providing an immersive experience. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving image data from a plurality of camera devices coupled to the vehicle, wherein the image data depicts an environment surrounding the vehicle; receiving point of interest data associated with the environment of the vehicle; fusing, by a processor, the image data and the point of interest data using a localization method; orienting, by a processor, the fused image data based on a position of a user device; and rendering, by a processor, the oriented, fused data on a virtual reality display of the user device.

Abstract: A track mechanism and a front-loading washing machine are provided. The track mechanism includes a base, the base is provided with a track portion configured to guide a movable body to move along the track portion, the base includes a supporting body and a track body, the track portion is arranged on the track body, the supporting body and the track body are stacked and combined relative to each other, and wear resistance of the track body is higher than that of the supporting body.

Abstract: A database processing system includes a coordinator agent controller and a virtual node data base. The coordinator agent controller detects a request to access a database by an application program and to extracts database objects from a database protocol stream based on a requirement requested by the application program. The virtual node database is generated according to the extracted database objects. The virtual node database includes memory dump storage that stores the database objects extracted from the database protocol stream, and based on the database objects the virtual node database generates virtual database objects corresponding to the database protocol stream. The extraction of database objects is performed directly on the database protocol stream without communicating with a target real database.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for performing phosphorous-31 spectroscopic magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF). The method comprises performing a pulse sequence using a series of varied sequence blocks to a volume in a subject where the volume contains phosphate metabolites. A series of signal evolutions are acquired from the volume in the subject to form MRF data. The MRF data is then compared to simulated MRF signal to determine parameters associated with phosphate metabolites and the chemical exchange rates between these metabolites. These parameters and exchange rates can be used in diagnosing a metabolic disorder in a subject.

Abstract: A method for autonomously maneuvering a vehicle in a rearward direction towards a point of interest is provided. The method includes receiving one or more images from a camera positioned on a back portion of the vehicle. The method includes overlaying a path on the one or more images. In addition, the method includes receiving a command by way of a user interface. The command includes instructions to adjust the path. The method includes adjusting the path based on the received command. The method also includes transmitting a drive command to a drive system supported by the vehicle. The drive command causes the vehicle to autonomously maneuver along the adjusted path in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A method for tracking a trailer coupler positioned behind a tow vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving one or more images from a camera positioned on a back portion of the tow vehicle. The method also includes determining a trailer coupler position within the one or more images. The trailer coupler position associated with the trailer coupler. Additionally, the method includes receiving vehicle sensor data from one or more vehicle sensors. The method includes determining vehicle motion data based on the received vehicle sensor data. The method also includes determining an updated coupler position based on the trailer coupler position and the vehicle motion data.

Abstract: A method for autonomously maneuvering a tow vehicle. The method includes receiving images from one or more cameras positioned on a back portion of the tow vehicle and receiving sensor data from an inertial measurement unit supported by the tow vehicle. The method also includes determining a pixel-wise intensity difference between a current received image and a previous received image. The method includes determining a camera pose and a trailer pose with respect to a world coordinate system. The camera pose and the trailer pose are based on the images, the sensor data, and the pixel-wise intensity difference. The method includes determining a tow vehicle path based on the camera pose and the trailer pose. The method also includes instructing a drive system supported by the tow vehicle to autonomously maneuver along the tow vehicle path in a reverse direction causing the tow vehicle to hitch with the trailer.

Abstract: A method for autonomously maneuvering a tow vehicle towards a trailer positioned behind the tow vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving one or more images from one or more cameras positioned on a back portion of the tow vehicle. The method also includes identifying a trailer representation within the one or more images. The trailer representation being indicative of the trailer positioned behind the tow vehicle. The method also includes setting a vertical center of the trailer representation as a target. The method also includes determining a first steering wheel angle to turn the tow vehicle such that the vehicle autonomously maneuvers in a direction towards the target. The method also includes transmitting instructions to a drive system causing the tow vehicle to maneuver based on the first steering wheel angle.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a target positioned behind a tow vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving images from a camera positioned on a back portion of the tow vehicle. The images include the target. The method includes applying one or more filter banks to the images. The method also includes determining a region of interest within each image based on the applied filter banks. The region of interest includes the target. The method also includes identifying the target within the region of interest and determining a target location of the target including a location in a real-world coordinate system. The method also includes transmitting instructions to a drive system supported by the vehicle. The instructions cause the tow vehicle to autonomously maneuver towards the location in the real-world coordinate system.

Abstract: A selfie stick includes a holding bracket, a handle, and a connecting part. The holding bracket is operated to fix a photographic device. The handle includes a flexible touch screen and a control module. The flexible touch screen is operated to detect touch operations. The control module is electrically coupled to the flexible touch screen and operated to send control signal to the photographic device in accordance with the touch operations. The connecting part is coupled between the holding bracket and the handle. The present disclosure further provides a method for controlling a photographic device using a selfie stick.

Abstract: A method for determining a distance between a camera positioned on a rear portion of a tow vehicle and a trailer coupler supported by a trailer positioned behind the tow vehicle as the tow vehicle approaches the trailer. The method includes identifying the trailer coupler of the trailer within one or more images of a rearward environment of the tow vehicle. The method also includes receiving sensor data from an inertial measurement unit supported by the tow vehicle. The method includes determining a pixel-wise intensity difference between a current received image from the one or more images and a previously received image from the one or more images. The method includes determining the distance based on the identified trailer coupler, the sensor data, and the pixel-wise intensity difference, the distance includes a longitudinal distance, a lateral distance, and a vertical distance.

Abstract: Architecture that addresses page information lost as part of a selection process in a search engine framework. An aggregation process collects all page or document information from the same image cluster and uses the aggregated page information to annotate one or more selected image-page pairs within the same image cluster. Once the entire set of descriptive terms is received, the entire set of descriptive terms or only an optimum set of top N descriptive terms of the entire set is for annotation of one or more of the representative images in the cluster.

Abstract: A video communications method includes segmenting an image frame or an image frame portion into first and second source network packet blocks. The first source network packet block includes a first number of source network packets and the second network packet block includes a second number of source network packets. The method further includes encoding the first source network packet block to produce a first encoded network packet block and encoding the second source network packet block to produce a second encoded network packet block. The first encoded network packet block includes a first number of encoded network packets and the second encoded network packet block includes a second number of encoded network packets. Still further, the method includes transmitting the first and second encoded network packet blocks over a wireless network. A wireless device and a vehicle may utilize the video communications method.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a plurality of different player-selectable wager alternatives if a credit balance of a player is less than a designated wager amount (such as a cost to cover a play of a wagering game or a maximum wager amount for the play of the wagering game) and greater than or equal to a lowest eligible credit balance (such as 1 credit). Generally, selecting one of the different wager alternatives when the player's remaining credit balance is less than the designated wager amount and greater than or equal to the lowest eligible wager amount enables the player to utilize the player's remaining credit balance (or any suitable portion thereof) in a manner that is different than, separate from, and in addition to wagering on one or more plays of the wagering game.

Abstract: A hearing protection method, an apparatus and a system are provided. the start command input by the user is received by the hearing protection apparatus to activate the hearing protection mode; the sound data in multiple dimensions is collected and whether the sound data in any of the dimensions is within a corresponding preset threshold is determined; and corresponding prompt information is sent when the sound data in any of the dimensions exceeds the corresponding preset threshold Thus, various prompting manners are provided to remind the user to make corresponding adjustments, thereby achieving the purpose of hearing protection, and effectively adapting to the needs of specific users.

Abstract: A washing machine (100), comprising a support frame (1), the support frame (1) comprising a door support (11); a drum (2) being arranged on the support frame (1) in a manner enabling rotation around the central axis of rotation; a door (3) being arranged on the door support (11) in a manner enabling rotation around the central axis of rotation; and a pushing plate (4), connected respectively to the door (3) and the drum (2) when in a first state, and being spaced apart from at least one of the door (3) and the drum (2) when in a second state.

Abstract: A method performed by a notification system for selecting notification recipients that are to receive abnormal event information. The method comprises storing abnormal event information including at least one of an event identifier, location, speed, direction and road information in a memory of the notification system; determining, by a processor of the notification system, a latest potential impacted area (PIA) based on the abnormal event information; creating a list of potential recipients within the latest PIA; selecting from the list of potential recipients a recipient to be notified according to a selection criterion specified in the memory, wherein the selection criterion is based on potential recipients information, including at least one of notification configuration, notification log, location, speed, direction and behavior history of the potential recipients; and sending, by a transmitter of the notification device, an abnormal event notification to the selected recipient.

Abstract: The invention provides organic complexes of Zn2+ that are useful for treating cancer, as well as compositions and kits comprising such complexes, and intermediate monomer compounds that are useful for the preparation of such complexes.