Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a biomechanical finger brace assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling tip, a proximal ring configured to concentrically receive a user's finger, a distal ring configured to concentrically receive the finger, and a rocker formed in an H-shape. The distal ring and the rocker are pivotally suspended between a proximal coordinated pivot point anchored on the proximal ring and a distal coordinated pivot point anchored on the coupling tip, such that movements of the finger within the proximal ring articulate the distal ring together with the rocker to articulate the coupling tip. The coupling tip may include an open end or an enclosed recess to accept a minimally-amputated or non-amputated finger. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The devices, methods and systems are described for providing controlled amounts of gas, gas pressure and vacuum to microfluidic devices the culturing of cells under flow conditions. The devices, methods, and systems contemplated here may also be used to control the environment surrounding the microfluidic devices; offer user control over experiments comprising microfluidic devices, such as the ability to directly or remotely control experiment conditions; and comprise information aggregation and transmission, such that experimental data may be collected, stored, aggregated and transmitted to users.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a disease associated with elevated KRAS activity or expression in a subject, comprising suppressing KRAS expression in the subject by targeting an expression regulatory region of KRAS gene using a CRISPR-Guide Nucleotide Directed Modulation (GNDM). Also, provided is a CRISPR-GNDM system for suppressing KRAS expression comprising (a) a protein selected from the group consisting of dCas9 or dCpf1, a fusion protein of dCas9 or dCpf1 and Kruppel associated box (KRAB), and (b) a guide nucleotide targeting an expression regulatory region of KRAS gene.

Abstract: Embeddable extensions of the functionality of email and calendaring applications are described herein. An originating email and calendaring application formats meeting items to include extensible content, e.g., within the body field of the meeting item. Recipient email and calendaring applications receive the meeting items and, depending on whether they are configured to provide an extended functionality, will either deploy the extensible content item according to the extended functionality or present the extensible content item according to a standardized functionality. The body field includes the extensible content item according to the standardized functionality that is interpretable by configured clients to provide the extended functionality.

Abstract: The nonlinearity of power amplifiers (PAs) has been a severe constraint in performance of modern wireless transceivers. This problem is even more challenging for the fifth generation (5G) cellular system since 5G signals have extremely high peak to average power ratio. Nonlinear equalizers that exploit both deep neural networks (DNNs) and Volterra series models are provided to mitigate PA nonlinear distortions. The DNN equalizer architecture consists of multiple convolutional layers. The input features are designed according to the Volterra series model of nonlinear PAs. This enables the DNN equalizer to effectively mitigate nonlinear PA distortions while avoiding over-fitting under limited training data. The non-linear equalizers demonstrate superior performance over conventional nonlinear equalization approaches.

Abstract: In order to provide a balanced bent lip disc, the applicant routinely had issues with rippling at an outer circumference edge of the lip. Due to the geometries involved in a 3½ inch disc bent to provide an outer lip of ½ inch at 45 degrees, 0.1145 of excess circumference is created thereby providing a ripple effect. The applicant discovered that simultaneously embossing the lip while bending the lip could reduce this rippling effect (and the outer circumference at the edge) by at least 75 if not 90 or 95% of a non-embossed lip bent in the same manner.

Abstract: A perfusion manifold assembly is described that allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate. A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body.

Abstract: A strain wave gearbox configured to provide over-torque protection. The strain wave gearbox is designed to include a clutch that is at least partially housed within or positioned inside the internal space (herein labeled a chamber or void space interchangeably with internal space) of a flex spline. In some cases, the internal space is utilized to generate the preload for the clutch, and it may be used to provide room for a clutch preload subassembly. The clutch is located outside the flex spline's internal space and is formed to use geometric friction surfaces in the form of mating rings of teeth on mating surfaces or sides of the first and second clutch plates that once preloaded by the clutch preload subassembly require a greater torque than the design torque to rotate to the next tooth.

Abstract: An uplock is disclosed including a hook configured to engage a capture pin mounted on an aircraft component. The hook is mounted for movement between a closed position and an open position. The uplock further includes an indicator system configured to detect whether a pin is engaged with the hook when the hook is in the closed position.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include receiving a color image and an IR image, the IR image taken contemporaneously with the color image, providing a set of facial landmarks depicted in the color image, determining a depth value for each facial landmark in the set of color landmarks, depth values being provided from the IR image, determining an average depth difference based on at least a sub-set of facial landmarks in the set of facial landmarks, comparing the average depth difference to a difference threshold to provide a comparison, and selectively authenticating the person based on the comparison.

Abstract: Polynucleotides comprising the following base sequences: (a) a base sequence encoding a fusion protein of a nuclease-deficient CRISPR effector protein and a transcription activator, and (b) a base sequence encoding a guide RNA targeting a continuous region of 18 to 24 nucleotides in length in a region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 104, 105, 135, 141, 153, 167, or 172 in the expression regulatory region of human Utrophin gene are expected to be useful for treating or preventing DUCHENNE muscular dystrophy or BECKER muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: The nonlinearity of power amplifiers (PAs) has been a severe constraint in performance of modern wireless transceivers. This problem is even more challenging for the fifth generation (5G) cellular system since 5G signals have extremely high peak to average power ratio. Non-linear equalizers that exploit both deep neural networks (DNNs) and Volterra series models are provided to mitigate PA nonlinear distortions. The DNN equalizer architecture consists of multiple convolutional layers. The input features are designed according to the Volterra series model of nonlinear PAs. This enables the DNN equalizer to effectively mitigate nonlinear PA distortions while avoiding over-fitting under limited training data. The non-linear equalizers demonstrate superior performance over conventional nonlinear equalization approaches.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a disease associated with activated MYD88 signaling in a subject, including suppressing MYD88 expression in a subject by targeting an expression regulatory region of MYD88 gene by using a CRISPR-Guide Nucleotide Directed Modulation (GNDM), without affecting the expression of an adjacent ACAA1 gene. Also, provided is a CRISPR-GNDM system for suppressing MYD88, including expression comprising (a) a protein selected from the group consisting of dCas9 or dCpf1, a fusion protein of dCas9 or dCpf1 and Kruppel associated box (KRAB) and (b) a guide RNA (gRNA) targeting an expression regulatory region of MYD88 gene.

Abstract: A system and method for aging an unaged distilled spirit (raw product) to produce rapidly aged spirits over a very fast period of time whereby the rapidly aged spirit has flavor profiles and taste that replicate the flavor and taste of alcoholic beverages that are traditionally aged. A processing vessel dedicated to holding the unaged spirit and mixing the unaged spirit with charred wood staves is provided. Pressurized, filtered air is added to the processing vessel for a period of time and then the filtered pressurized air is released and vented elsewhere. Then, a vacuum pump is used to vacuum remaining air in the processing vessel for a period of time, and then the vacuum is quickly released resulting in violent, quick agitation of the remaining air and spirit in the processing vessel. A computer application is used to schedule the sequence of steps for a recurring period of time.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a bidirectional biomechanical prosthetic finger assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an eccentric metacarpophalangeal (MCP) pivot configured for swivelable attachment to a hand of a user, a distal coupler, and an articulation assembly rotatively coupled therebetween. A ring configured to receive a user's residual finger is disposed upon the articulation assembly, and may be adjusted to a target location based on a length of the residual finger. The articulation assembly is configured to utilize vertical movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-z plane, and the MCP pivot is configured to utilize lateral movements of the residual finger within the ring to articulate the distal coupler within a plane parallel to an x-y plane. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A strain wave gearbox configured to provide over-torque protection. The strain wave gearbox is designed to include a clutch that is at least partially housed within or positioned inside the internal space (herein labeled a chamber or void space interchangeably with internal space) of a flex spline. In some cases, the internal space is utilized to generate the preload for the clutch, and it may be used to provide room for a clutch preload subassembly. The clutch is located outside the flex spline's internal space and is formed to use geometric friction surfaces in the form of mating rings of teeth on mating surfaces or sides of the first and second clutch plates that once preloaded by the clutch preload subassembly require a greater torque than the design torque to rotate to the next tooth.

Abstract: A remote seal assembly for a process transmitter includes a seal body containing a cavity sealed by a diaphragm. The seal body configured to be mounted to a process element containing a process fluid such that a first side of the diaphragm is exposed to the process fluid. A capillary contains a fill fluid that is in fluid communication with the cavity and a second side of the diaphragm. A coupling has a capillary recess and two cavities separated by a second diaphragm. The capillary extends through the capillary recess and connects to the coupling such that the fill fluid in the capillary is in fluid communication with one of the two cavities and the second diaphragm. A thermally conductive element preferably extends continuously along the capillary from the seal body toward the coupling and into the capillary recess without contacting the coupling.

Abstract: A robot actor, or character mobility hardware platform, adapted to unleash or provide a wide variety of characters in the physical world. The robot actor enables the often screen-constrained characters to become life-like, interactive participants with nearby people in ways not presently achievable. The robot actor is an untethered, free-roaming robot that is has two (or more) legs, is adapted for high dexterity, is controlled and designed to be self-balancing, and, due to this combination of characteristics, the robot can provide characters with an illusion of life and, in many cases, in correct proportion and scale. The hardware and software of the robot actor will become a new generation of animatronic figures by providing a hardware platform capable of continuously evolving to become more capable through advances in controls and artificial intelligence (AI).

Abstract: A bird mister apparatus for attracting and cooling birds includes a base plate, a housing, and a reservoir within a housing inside configured to hold liquid that can be sealed and unsealed. A spout has a spout aperture extending through to the housing inside. A pump is coupled within the housing inside and is in fluid communication with the spout aperture. An inlet tube is coupled to the pump and is in fluid communication with the pump. A CPU is coupled within the housing inside and is in operational communication with the pump. A battery is in operational communication with the CPU and the pump. A power switch is in operational communication with the CPU to activate and alternatively deactivate the pump. A hanger is coupled to the housing to support the apparatus on a tree branch, a fence, or an awning.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a prosthetic finger assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling tip and a distal ring coupled with the coupling tip. The assembly further includes a proximal ring coupled with the distal ring. A rocker formed in a Y-shape with a first end forming a single prong and a second end forming a split prong may extend between the coupling tip and the proximal ring. The coupling tip, distal ring, proximal ring, and Y-shaped rocker may all be hingedly connected such that movements of the residual finger within the proximal ring and the distal articulate the distal ring together with the rocker to curl and bend the coupling tip. Other embodiments are also disclosed.