Abstract: A method of modulating neural activity using a combination of electrical and optical stimulation transmitted via a gold nanoparticle covered nanoelectrode is presented. The combination of short-duration green visible light optical pulses with the complementary sub-threshold level electric current pulses are capable of producing action potentials in neurons. Cells were found to have a greater than a 5× survival rate using this hybrid stimulation method as compared to pure plasmonic/optical stimulation. The cell stimulation success rate was 3× greater with hybrid stimulation.

Abstract: A beverage machine and method in which a pod is positioned relative to a camera as a brew chamber moves to a closed position so the pod can be imaged prior to brew chamber closure. A pod stabilizer may urge a pod to be received by a pod receiver of the brew chamber before the brew chamber is closed and so as to properly position the pod for imaging.

Abstract: A beverage machine arranged to image at least a portion of a capsule held by a beverage forming station of the machine. Parts of the beverage forming station may be movable between open and closed positions, and a portion of the capsule may be imaged while parts of the forming station are between open and closed positions. A capsule image may be captured only when forming station parts are moved toward the closed position, and image date discarded if the forming station is moved toward the open position prior to beverage formation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a peristaltic micropump comprising a substrate having a first side and a second side, a microtube that extends across the first side of the substrate, and multiple pump actuators formed on the first side of the substrate and positioned adjacent to the microtube at discrete, spaced positions along the length of the microtube, wherein the micropump is configured to sequentially actuate the pump actuators so as to create peristaltic action that drives fluid contained in the microtube along the length of the tube.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personal flotation device that can be worn by a user includes an inflation system including an inflatable bladder, a gas-generating component configured to generate gas using a chemical reaction and inject the generated gas into the bladder to inflate it, and an actuator configured to activate the gas-generating component; a sensor configured to sense one or more physiological parameters of the user; and an inflation control system configured to receive physiological parameter data from the sensor, to determine whether or not the user is experiencing a medical event that places the user at risk of drowning, and, if the user is experiencing such a medical event, to signal the actuator to activate the gas-generating component so as to provide floatation to the user.

Abstract: A mailbox system includes a remote computing device and a mailbox. The remote computing device is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive and review user authorization information and transmit an authorization message indicating successful authorization. The mailbox has a mail piece receiving mechanism, a mailbox identifier, a label printer, a locking mechanism, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to communicate with a user device having received an authorization message, to control the label printer to print a mailing label corresponding to services selected by a user via the user device, to control the locking mechanism in response to communications from the user device to allow the user to place a mail piece in the mail piece receiving mechanism and to lock the mail piece receiving mechanism after the mail piece is placed therein, and to communicate with the remote computing device.

Abstract: A mailbox system includes a remote computing device and a mailbox. The remote computing device is configured to communicate with a user device and to receive and review user authorization information and transmit an authorization message indicating successful authorization. The mailbox has a mail piece receiving mechanism, a mailbox identifier, a label printer, a locking mechanism, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to communicate with a user device having received an authorization message, to control the label printer to print a mailing label corresponding to services selected by a user via the user device, to control the locking mechanism in response to communications from the user device to allow the user to place a mail piece in the mail piece receiving mechanism and to lock the mail piece receiving mechanism after the mail piece is placed therein, and to communicate with the remote computing device.

Abstract: A computerized method to identify potentially malicious code in a network is described. Herein, information associated with a threat is analyzed to yield intelligence that includes instructions or indicators related to the threat. Based on the intelligence, a determination is made as to an endpoint device, which includes an endpoint agent, is to (i) receive at least one of the instructions or the indicators, (ii) conduct an examination of memory of the endpoint device for data corresponding to any of the instructions or the indicators, and (iii) obtain results of the examination. Verification information, including at least a portion of the results of the examination by the endpoint device and an identifier for the endpoint device, is gathered and correlated to determine whether such information corresponds to a verified threat. Thereafter, a notification, including a portion of the verification information, is sent to identify the verified threat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personal flotation device that can be worn by a user includes an inflation system including an inflatable bladder, a gas-generating component configured to generate gas using a chemical reaction and inject the generated gas into the bladder to inflate it, and an actuator configured to activate the gas-generating component; a sensor configured to sense one or more physiological parameters of the user; and an inflation control system configured to receive physiological parameter data from the sensor, to determine whether or not the user is experiencing a medical event that places the user at risk of drowning, and, if the user is experiencing such a medical event, to signal the actuator to activate the gas-generating component so as to provide floatation to the user.

Abstract: A novel method to stimulate electrically active biological cells using visible wavelength light and metallic nanoparticles possessing plasmonic properties is presented herein. Using this technology, prosthetic devices such as cochlear and retinal implants and cardiac pacemakers can be developed to have superior properties as compared to the currently utilized electrical stimulation designs. These properties include improved spatial resolution; less or non-invasive devices; and higher fidelity of transduction. An additional advantage of using visible light wavelengths is the avoidance of unwanted heating of surrounding tissue that occurs with infrared stimulation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personal flotation device that can be worn by a user includes an inflation system including an inflatable bladder and a gas-generating component, the gas-generating component being configured to generate gas using a chemical reaction and inject the generated gas into the bladder to inflate it, and an inflation control system configured to control activation of the gas-generating component.

Abstract: A novel method to stimulate electrically active biological cells using visible wavelength light and metallic nanoparticles possessing plasmonic properties is presented herein. Using this technology, prosthetic devices such as cochlear and retinal implants and cardiac pacemakers can be developed to have superior properties as compared to the currently utilized electrical stimulation designs. These properties include improved spatial resolution; less or non-invasive devices; and higher fidelity of transduction. An additional advantage of using visible light wavelengths is the avoidance of unwanted heating of surrounding tissue that occurs with infrared stimulation.

Abstract: Permanent hearing loss or deafness affects about 15% of people worldwide, about 40 million in the US alone. There are currently no FDA-approved drugs on the market in the US, or anywhere in the world that prevent, treat or reverse permanent hearing loss or deafness. Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is one of the most common forms of permanent hearing loss and deafness. ARHL is the #1 neurodegenerative disorder, #1 communication disorder, and 1 of the top 3 chronic medical conditions (along with arthritis & cardiovascular diseases) of our aged population. The incidence of ARHL is increasing due to the “Baby Boomers” reaching old age, and cumulative effects of lifetime noise exposure, and widespread use of chemotherapeutic and antibiotic drugs, which are ototoxic, or have ototoxic side effects. A new drug is disclosed to prevent or slow the progression of ARHL, based upon natural, existing FDA-approved compounds that are on the market to treat other non-ARHL biomedical problems.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personal flotation device that can be worn by a user includes an inflation system including an inflatable bladder and a gas-generating component, the gas-generating component being configured to generate gas using a chemical reaction and inject the generated gas into the bladder to inflate it, and an inflation control system configured to control activation of the gas-generating component.