Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. The system may generate a virtual robotic surgical environment using a client application, where the virtual robotic surgical environment includes at least one virtual robotic component. In response to a user input to move the at least one virtual robotic component in the virtual robotic surgical environment, the system may pass status information regarding the at least one virtual robotic component from the client application to a server application, generate an actuation command based on the user input and the status information using the server application, pass the actuation command from the server application to the client application, and move the at least one virtual robotic component based on the actuation command.

Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. Within the virtual reality system, various user modes enable different kinds of interactions between a user and the virtual robotic surgical environment. For example, one variation of a method for facilitating navigation of a virtual robotic surgical environment includes displaying a first-person perspective view of the virtual robotic surgical environment from a first vantage point, displaying a first window view of the virtual robotic surgical environment from a second vantage point and displaying a second window view of the virtual robotic surgical environment from a third vantage point. Additionally, in response to a user input associating the first and second window views, a trajectory between the second and third vantage points can be generated sequentially linking the first and second window views.

Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. The virtual reality system may be used to expedite the R&D cycle during development of a robotic surgical system, such as by allowing simulation of potential design without the time and significant expense of physical prototypes. The virtual reality system may also be used to test a control algorithm or a control mode for a robotic surgical component.

Abstract: A method of cooking food using a device for cooking the food in a container includes supplying water for cooking the food; generate heat by a heater of the device; and controlling by a controller an operation of the heater to initially supply the container with a first quantity of the water in a form of steam during a first period of time of a cooking process, and to subsequently supply the container with a second quantity of the water in a form of heated water during a second period of time of the cooking process. The second period of time is longer than the first period of time.

Abstract: Provided herein are tandem Fcs and tandem Fc antibodies (“TFcAs”), e.g., tandem Fc bispecific antibodies (“TFcBAs”), which comprise one or at least two binding sites that specifically bind to one or more cell surface receptors. The binding sites are connected through a TFc, which TFc comprises a first Fc region and a second Fc region, wherein the first and the second Fc regions are linked through a TFc linker to form a contiguous polypeptide and dimerize to form an Fc dimer. Exemplary TFcBAs bind to the cell surface receptors c-Met and EpCam and inhibit signal transduction through the cell surface receptor(s) for which the binding sites of the TFcBA are specific.

Abstract: Provided herein are tandem Fcs and tandem Fc antibodies (“TFcAs”), e.g., tandem Fc bispecific antibodies (“TFcBAs”), which comprise one or at least two binding sites that specifically bind to one or more cell surface receptors. The binding sites are connected through a TFc, which TFc comprises a first Fc region and a second Fc region, wherein the first and the second Fc regions are linked through a TFc linker to form a contiguous polypeptide and dimerize to form an Fc dimer. Exemplary TFcBAs bind to the cell surface receptors c-Met and EpCam and inhibit signal transduction through the cell surface receptor(s) for which the binding sites of the TFcBA are specific.

Abstract: A device for cooking food such as rice is configured to perform a cooking process which is performed by heating the food under the influence of boiling water during a period of time. The device includes a controller for controlling an operation of the device. The controller is configured o operate components of the device in such a way that a total quantity of water to be used in the cooking process is gradually supplied to the food. The supply of a major portion of the total quantity of the water is performed when the cooking process is already taking place. In one embodiment, the cooking process is initiated by evaporating a relatively small portion of the total quantity of the water to steam, supplying this steam to the food, and allowing this steam to condense on the food.

Abstract: A method of cooking food using a device for cooking the food in a container includes supplying water for cooking the food; generate heat by a heater of the device; and controlling by a controller an operation of the heater to initially supply the container with a first quantity of the water in a form of steam during a first period of time of a cooking process, and to subsequently supply the container with a second quantity of the water in a form of heated water during a second period of time of the cooking process. The second period of time is longer than the first period of time.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polymeric particles suitable for transporting bioactive agents across mucosal barriers. The invention also relates to methods of making and using those polymeric particles.

Abstract: Provided herein are tandem Fcs and tandem Fc antibodies (“TFcAs”), e.g., tandem Fc bispecific antibodies (“TFcBAs”), which comprise one or at least two binding sites that specifically bind to one or more cell surface receptors. The binding sites are connected through a TFc, which TFc comprises a first Fc region and a second Fc region, wherein the first and the second Fc regions are linked through a TFc linker to form a contiguous polypeptide and dimerize to form an Fc dimer. Exemplary TFcBAs bind to the cell surface receptors c-Met and EpCam and inhibit signal transduction through the cell surface receptor(s) for which the binding sites of the TFcBA are specific.

Abstract: A inhalant delivery system for supplying oxygen or another harmless gas to a user positioned on a massage apparatus such as a massage table or massage chair. A plenum having exit openings conforms generally to the inner periphery of a headrest of the massage apparatus such that the exit openings direct the oxygen or other harmless gas toward the nostrils of the user. The plenum is coupled to a supply of the gas. An optional infusion port may be included in the plenum to allow a fragrance or other additive to be infused in the stream of gas passing through the plenum.

Abstract: A dodecamer peptide, and its modified variant, having a repeating glycine-lysine sequence was created and found to bind with high affinity to oxide surfaces and certain activated polymeric surfaces. Reversible binding characteristics of the peptides were demonstrated. The peptides were integrated with proteins, cells and fusion proteins to provide attachment of the proteins, cells and fusion proteins to solid material structures. The peptides can be used to functionalize surfaces of components within mechanical, in mechanical, biomechanical, micro fluidic, electronic, bioelectronic, bio-optical, and biochemical devices. Experiments were carried out to assess functionalization and reusability of a suspended mass resonator's cantilever.

Abstract: A unit for washing and/or sterilizing a baby care component is disclosed. The unit comprises a base (2) and a lid (3), the base having a bottom wall (9) and a side wall (10) extending upwardly from the periphery of the bottom wall, wherein a line of closure between the base and the first lid portion at least partially extends in a direction away from the bottom wall.

Abstract: A wheelchair suspension system includes a suspension member which clamps to longitudinal bars of the wheelchair frame located below the seat of the wheelchair. The suspension member is elongate with upper and lower parallel leaf springs extending between the opposing ends of the suspension member. An axle support member is hinged to each end of the suspension member, by pivotal connection to each of the leaf springs. Each axle support member receives the axle of one of the opposing large rear wheels of the wheelchair. As the large wheels encounter uneven areas on the ground surface on which the wheelchair moves, the leaf springs flex reducing vibrations and shock to the wheelchair occupant. The axle support members maintain their generally upright orientation as the leaf springs flex so that camber angle of the rear wheels does not change.

Abstract: A dodecamer peptide, and its modified variant, having a repeating glycine-lysine sequence was created and found to bind with high affinity to oxide surfaces and certain activated polymeric surfaces. Reversible binding characteristics of the peptides were demonstrated. The peptides were integrated with proteins, cells and fusion proteins to provide attachment of the proteins, cells and fusion proteins to solid material structures. The peptides can be used to functionalize surfaces of components within mechanical, in mechanical, biomechanical, micro fluidic, electronic, bioelectronic, bio-optical, and biochemical devices. Experiments were carried out to assess functionalization and reusability of a suspended mass resonator's cantilever.

Abstract: A device (17) for cooking food such as rice (4) is adapted to perform a cooking process which is performed by heating the food (4) under the influence of boiling water during a period of time. The device (17) comprises means (23) for controlling an operation of the device (17), which controlling means (23) are adapted to operate components of the device (17) in such a way that a total quantity of water (5) to be used in the cooking process is gradually supplied to the food (4), the supply of a major portion of the total quantity of the water (5) being performed when the cooking process is already taking place. Preferably, the cooking process is initiated by evaporating a relatively small portion of the total quantity of the water (5) to steam, supplying this steam to the food (4), and allowing this steam to condense on the food (4).

Abstract: A wheelchair suspension system includes a suspension member which clamps to longitudinal bars of the wheelchair frame located below the seat of the wheelchair. The suspension member is elongate with upper and lower parallel leaf springs extending between the opposing ends of the suspension member. An axle support member is hinged to each end of the suspension member, by pivotal connection to each of the leaf springs. Each axle support member receives the axle of one of the opposing large rear wheels of the wheelchair. As the large wheels encounter uneven areas on the ground surface on which the wheelchair moves, the leaf springs flex reducing vibrations and shock to the wheelchair occupant. The axle support members maintain their generally upright orientation as the leaf springs flex so that camber angle of the rear wheels does not change.

Abstract: beverage dispensing apparatus for enclosing and cooling a keg (1) containing a beverage, comprising means for guiding the beverage from the keg (1) to a dispending tap for controlling the beverage output from the dispensing apparatus. The apparatus comprises a cooling system provided with heat transfer means (4) being in direct thermal contact with the keg (1). The cooling system is provided with an adsorbent cooling device (3) comprising a liquid chamber (5) for containing and vaporizing a liquid working substance (8), and an adsorbent chamber (6) containing an adsorbent (9) for adsorbing the vaporized working substance. The liquid chamber (5) is connected through a control valve (12) with the adsorbent chamber (6).

Abstract: A two level branch history table (TLBHT) is substantially improved by providing a mechanism to prefetch entries from the very large second level branch history table (L2 BHT) into the active (very fast) first level branch history table (L1 BHT) before the processor uses them in the branch prediction process and at the same time prefetch cache misses into the instruction cache. The mechanism prefetches entries from the very large L2 BHT into the very fast L1 BHT before the processor uses them in the branch prediction process. A TLBHT is successful because it can prefetch branch entries into the L1 BHT sufficiently ahead of the time the entry is needed. This feature of the TLBHT is also used to prefetch instructions into the cache ahead of their use. In fact, the timeliness of the prefetches produced by the TLBHT can be used to remove most of the cycle time penalty incurred by cache misses.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polymeric particles suitable for transporting bioactive agents across mucosal barriers. The invention also relates to methods of making and using those polymeric particles.