Abstract: A biomedical electrode is disclosed that includes at least first and second electrical nodes for connection to medical equipment. The biomedical electrode includes a first electrical node including a disc of conductive material having a diameter d1, and a second electrical node including a ring of conductive material. The ring is concentric with the disc and has a diameter d2 that is larger than d1 and having a ring thickness t2 such that (4?d1/t2?6).

Abstract: A microchip for performing a neural decoding algorithm is provided. The microchip is implemented using ultra-low power electronics. Also, the microchip includes a tunable neural decodable filter implemented using a plurality of amplifiers, a plurality of parameter learning filters, a multiplier, a gain and time-constant biasing circuits; and analog memory. The microchip, in a training mode, learns to perform an optimized translation of a raw neural signal received from a population of cortical neurons into motor control parameters. The optimization being based on a modified gradient descent least square algorithm wherein update for a given parameter in a filter is proportional to an averaged product of an error in the final output that the filter affects and a filtered version of its input. The microchip, in an operational mode, issues commands to controlling a device using learned mappings.

Abstract: A device for extracting objects from the body, such as urinary stones, using a low pressure inflatable toroidal balloon that serves to engulf the object during extraction while dilating and protecting the passageway. The balloon loads onto an ureteroscope prior to insertion, rather than through the ureteroscope as do existing balloons. The toroidal balloon is a simple and unique device that may be applied external to the extracting telescope and does not interfere with existing methods for stone manipulation such as laser lithotripsy, irrigation and basket extraction in the case of urinary stone manipulation.

Abstract: A doctoring system is disclosed for a papermaking machine wherein the doctoring system includes a doctor blade and a fluid assist means. The doctor blade is coupled to a doctor blade holder, and is for cleaning a moving surface. The doctor blade holder is coupled to a doctor-back. The fluid assist means is for providing a fluid under positive pressure that is higher than atmospheric pressure and is directed in a direction generally along a direction of movement of the moving surface such that a negative pressure that is lower than atmospheric pressure develops in a negative pressure zone adjacent the moving surface and a following surface of the doctor blade during movement of the moving surface.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte usable in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries including a solution of LiPF6/carbonate based electrolytes with low concentrations of LiFOP such that the thermal stability is increased compared to a standard lithium battery. A method of making lithium tetrafluorophospahte (LiF4C2O4, LiFOP) including, reacting PF5 with lithium oxalate, recrystallizing DMC/dichloromethane from a 1:1 mixture of to separate LiF4OP from LiPF6 to form a lithium salt. An electric current producing rechargeable Li-ion cell. The rechargeable lithium ion cell includes an anode, a cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte comprising a solution of a lithium salt in a non-aqueous organic solvent containing lithium tetrafluorooxalatophosphate (LiPF4(C2O4), LiF4OP).

Abstract: A wheel device for a carrier comprises a wheel, a shaft, a clipping fastener and a cover. The shaft passes through the wheel and has a channel at one end. The clipping fastener has a plurality of radially curved claws inwardly extending from an outer portion thereof and the claws are engaged into the channel to pivotally secure the wheel around the shaft. The cover has a connecting structure such as a snap-fit at an inner surface thereof for engaging with the clipping fastener.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for blocking the aesthetic lining of a dashboard, ensuring proper opening of integrated air bag door (5), comprising a list (2), flush within a channel (8) for opening the door (5) containing air bag, outer with respect to dashboard (1) lining (4), and provided with at least a tooth (3) entering within the lining, thus ensuring a symmetrical opening of air bag.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of providing an optimal minimum mass topology for a structure based on a set of design criteria including at least one support point and at least one force to be applied to the structure. The method includes the steps of: identifying a plurality of nodes within a structure design domain, and assigning an initial density value to said plurality of nodes; conducting a finite element analysis on the nodes; determining one of a stress intensity or strain energy values for each node; ranking the nodes by relative stress intensity or strain energy values; adjusting the density value for each node; and repeating the steps of conducting a finite element analysis on said nodes, wherein the step of adjusting each density value for each node is performed according to a family of statistical distribution functions that gradually transition to a bimodal distribution wherein nodes are either fully dense or effectively void thereby providing an optimal topology.

Abstract: An ultra-low-power circuit for wireless neural recording and stimulation is provided. The circuit includes a neural amplifier with adaptive power biasing for use in multi-electrode arrays and a decoding and/or learning architecture. An impedance-modulation telemetry system provides low-power data telemetry. Also, the circuit includes a wireless link for efficient power transfer, and at least one circuit for wireless stimulation of neurons.

Abstract: This invention provides a device and methods for increasing the concentration of a charged species in solution, wherein the solution containing the concentrated species is exposed to the environment. Such solution can be formed on a surface or on a tip of a measurement device. The open-environment concentration technique overcomes the disadvantages of in-channel concentration devices, especially by eliminating flow-induced delivery processes that lead to concentration losses. Combined with direct contact dispensing, methods of this invention can be used for various applications such as immunoassay and MALDI-MS.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering data associated with a damaged file stored in a NAND gate array memory. The method includes the steps of: identifying all meta data associated with the damaged file; identifying each logical block address of all identified meta data; collecting all physical block addresses associated with one of the identified logical block addresses or the identified meta data; counting in a replace table (ReplTable) a number of matches to a physical block address of the damaged file for each physical block address of the damaged file; choosing a block in a linked list that corresponds to the physical block address of the block in the linked list; and linking all chosen blocks to form a replicated file.

Abstract: A print record management device includes a comparison unit that compares print image data produced on the basis of stored document data with the stored document data, and a determination unit that determines, from a result of the comparison, which of the print image data and association data showing association with the stored document data is to be stored as record data for enabling reproduction of printing processing in relation to the print image data.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing branch misprediction prediction in a microprocessor. The system includes a mispredicted branch table that includes address, distance, and true/not true fields, and an index to the mispredicted branch table that is formed responsive to 1) a current mispredicted branch, 2) a global history, 3) a global misprediction history, and 4) a branch misprediction distance.

Abstract: An image formation system includes I storage units, an assignment unit that assigns to the storage units storage destinations of color component data forming a part of image data, J color component image formation units that form color component images of corresponding colors based on color component data stored in the storage units, and an image formation unit that forms an image of the image data based on the formed color component image, wherein the assignment unit includes a J-color assignment unit that assigns to the I storage units storage destinations of J sets of color component data forming a part of J-color image data, and an L-color assignment unit that assigns a storage destination of L sets of color component data forming a part of L-color image data to N storage units among the I storage units, and each of I, J, and N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2, L is a natural number greater than or equal to 1, L<J, and L<N?I.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic document printing system comprising an electronic document generator and a print controller, the electronic document generator comprising a superimposed-image information incorporating unit that incorporates, into the electronic document data, a superimposed image and mark information for invalidating the superimposed image, and the print controller comprising: a condition storage unit that stores a condition of electronic document data in which a superimposed image is to be invalidated when the electronic document data is printed, as a condition to be satisfied by mark information included in the electronic document data; a determination unit that determines whether or not mark information included in electronic document data satisfies the condition; and a controlling unit that instructs the printing device to invalidate the superimposed image in the electronic document data and print the document image when the determination unit determines that the condition is satisfied.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system is provided that includes a startup module for starting the energy harvesting system operation from a completely OFF state. The startup module uses mechanical vibrations due to motion to trigger a switch which permits the startup module to charge one or more first capacitive elements so to as reach a first defined voltage. A storage module buffers energy obtained from a thermoelectric harvester to be used by a load device. The storage module commences storing energy from the thermoelectric harvester when the first defined voltage has been reached allowing charging of one or more second capacitive elements to reach a second defined voltage. A DC-DC converter module provides regulated voltage to the load device after energy has been transferred from the thermoelectric harvester. The DC-DC converter module determines whether the second defined voltage has been reached and releases stored energy in the one or more first capacitive elements and the load device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the extension of a trajectory in a space-time volume of measure images. The space-time volume of measure images is generated by a measuring method utilizing a measuring system comprising a first light source and a sensor. The measuring method comprises a step of, in a predetermined operating condition of the measuring system, moving a measure object along a first direction of movement in relation to the measuring system while the first light source illuminates the measure object whereby the sensor generates a measure image of the measure object at each time instant in a set of at least two subsequent time instants, thus generating said space-time volume of measure images wherein a feature point of the measure object maps to a trajectory in the space-time volume.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a user authentication unit that authenticates a user in a condition where an authentication medium used for authenticating the user is inserted, the authentication medium storing personal identification information of the user, a private key, and a software program for using the private key and including a processor for running the software program, to thereby establish a verified state in which the user is allowed to use the apparatus, a data processor that performs data processing including private key processing, a processing completion detector that detects completion of the private key processing performed by the data processor, and a verification state changing unit that changes, the verified state of the user having been established as a result of authenticating the user to a user unverified state based on detection of the completion of the private key processing in the processing completion detector.