Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a computer-assisted, handheld machining tool allows even an inexperienced user to carve a complex 3D object, while maintaining artistic freedom to modify the sculpture from an initial CAD design. The tool prevents the user from unintentionally removing material from a volume defined by the CAD design. It does so by slowing or halting spindle rotation as the bit approaches or penetrates the protected volume. The user can override this protective feature. The tool may operate in at least three interaction modes: (i) a static mode in which a static CAD model is used, where the computer assists by preventing the user from damaging the static model; (ii) a dynamic mode where the computer dynamically modifies the CAD model during the sculpting process; and (iii) an autonomous mode where the computer can operate independently of the user, for tasks such as semi-automatic texture rendering.

Abstract: A light guided pixel having a guide layer and a light detector layer. The guide layer has a light guide. The light detector layer has a light detecting element that receives light channeled by the light guide. The light guide may include a filter for channeling emissions to the light detecting element.

Abstract: Injectable insulin loaded microgels that are capable of modifying the amount of insulin released based on the patient's tissue glucose levels, methods for making and using these compositions have been developed. The microgels contain insulin, glucose oxidase entrapped in or bound to the microgels, and an agent that reduces hydrogen peroxide, entrapped in or bound to the microgels, wherein the polymeric microgel expands when pH decreases from physiological pH and shrinks when pH increases towards physiological pH, thereby releasing insulin at a rate corresponding to the glucose concentration. In one embodiment, the glucose oxidase and/or the agent reducing hydrogen peroxide are encapsulated in nanogels, then encapsulated within the microgel.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method to generate an attack graph includes determining if a potential node provides a first precondition equivalent to one of preconditions provided by a group of preexisting nodes on the attack graph. The group of preexisting nodes includes a first state node, a first vulnerability instance node, a first prerequisite node, and a second state node. The method also includes, if the first precondition is equivalent to one of the preconditions provided by the group of preexisting nodes, coupling a current node to a preexisting node providing the precondition equivalent to the first precondition using a first edge and if the first precondition is not equivalent to one of the preconditions provided by the group of preexisting nodes, generating the potential node as a new node on the attack graph and coupling the new node to the current node using a second edge.

Abstract: A method for establishing a secure communication session over communication paths between one or more client devices and one or more server computers according to a communication protocol includes initiating the session including passing communication through a proxy on a device on the communication paths, passing session initiation information between the client devices and the server computers via the proxy, passing encrypted content between the client devices and the server computers over secure communication sessions, each established for exclusive access from one client device and one server computer based on the exchanged session initiation information between said client device and said server computer whereby the proxy does not have access to the content, and modifying, using the proxy, at least some information passing between a client device and a server computer such that the communication to and from the server computer adheres to the communication protocol.

Abstract: An alkali metal ion source with a moderate rate of release of the ion (e.g. potassium) is formed by a method that includes: 1) combining an particulate ore that contains at least one of an alkali metal ion-bearing framework silicate (e.g. syenite ore) with at least one of an oxide and hydroxide of at least one of an alkali metal and alkaline earth metal such as calcium hydroxide; 2) milling the mixture of these two components optionally, with water, optionally, milling the dry components separately and blended thereafter, optionally, with water; 3) forming a mixture by adding water to the solid mixture after milling, if water was not added before milling; 4) exposing the mixture to an elevated temperature and pressure to form a gel that includes silica and the alkali metal of the framework silicate.

Abstract: A method to suppress biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat is described. The method includes the steps of adding a lysis agent to an isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber. The microfluidic chemostat includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat also included a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, light from a backlight is transmitted through two stacked LCDs and then through a diffuser. The front side of the diffuser displays a time-varying sequence of 2D images. Processors execute an optimization algorithm to compute optimal pixel states in the first and second LCDs, respectively, such that for each respective image in the sequence, the optimal pixel states minimize, subject to one or more constraints, a difference between a target image and the respective image. The processors output signals to control actual pixel states in the LCDs, based on the computed optimal pixel states. The 2D images displayed by the diffuser have a higher spatial resolution than the native spatial resolution of the LCDs. Alternatively, the diffuser may be switched off, and the device may display either (a) 2D images with a higher dynamic range than the LCDs, or (b) an automultiscopic display.

Abstract: An artificial foot and ankle joint consists of a curved leaf spring foot member having a heel extremity and a toe extremity, and a flexible elastic ankle member that connects the foot member for rotation at the ankle joint. An actuator motor applies torque to the ankle joint to orient the foot when it is not in contact with the support surface and to store energy in a catapult spring that is released along with the energy stored in the leaf spring to propel the wearer forward. A ribbon clutch prevents the foot member from rotating in one direction beyond a predetermined limit position. A controllable damper is employed to lock the ankle joint or to absorb mechanical energy as needed. The controller and sensing mechanisms control both the actuator motor and the controllable damper at different times during the walking cycle for level walking, stair ascent, and stair descent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface-patterned microgels to which molecular beacon probes are immobilized. The immobilized molecular beacon probes exhibit both low non-specific background and high specific fluorescence. Also disclosed are related arrays, related detection methods, and preparation methods.

Abstract: The invention provides delivery systems comprised of stabilized multilamellar vesicles, as well as compositions, methods of synthesis, and methods of use thereof. The stabilized multilamellar vesicles may comprise prophylactic, therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a batch of input data from available input data for parallel evaluation by a function is disclosed. The function is modeled as drawn from a Gaussian process. Observations are used to determine a mean and a variance of the modeled function. An upper confidence bound is determined from the determined mean and variance. A decision rule is applied to select input data from the available input data to add to the batch of input data. The selection of the input data is based on a domain-specific time varying parameter. Intermediate observations are hallucinated within the batch. The hallucinated observations are used with the decision rule to select subsequent input data from the available input data for the batch of input data. The input data of the batch is evaluated in parallel with the function. The resulting determined data outputs are stored.

Abstract: The present subject matter describes a catalyst composition based on sodium tantalate, a modifying agent and at least one co-catalyst and the process of preparing the catalyst composition. The process for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 comprises re-acting carbon dioxide and alkaline water in the presence of catalyst composition that is irradiated with radiation with wavelength in the range of 300-700 nm to produce lower hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon oxygenates.

Abstract: The invention provides computer-implemented methods for screening proteins such as antibodies based on viscosity properties. The methods involve making a spatial charge map (SCM) of the three-dimensional structure of the antibody or protein and determine a SCM score depending on a condition such as e.g. pH, which score correlates with the viscosity. Thus a quantitative measure of the viscosity is obtained.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention determine the effective toughness of a given material, and also implement materials possessing improved effective toughness values. In one embodiment, a method of determining the effective toughness of a material includes: causing a crack to propagate through the material; where the relative constant velocity and the relative overall direction are prescribed and maintained for the duration of the propagation of the crack through the material; measuring the energy release rate of the crack as it propagates through the material; and defining the effective toughness of the material as the maximum value of the measured energy release rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micropackaged device comprising: a substrate for securing a device with a corrosion barrier affixed to the substrate, wherein the corrosion barrier comprises a first thin-film layer, a metal film coating the thin-film layer and a second thin-film layer to provide a sandwich layer; and optionally at least one feedthrough disposed in the substrate to permit at least one input and or at least one output line into the micropackaged device, wherein the micropackaged device is encapsulated by the corrosion barrier. Methods of producing the micropackaged device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, systems (e.g., comprising compositions and/or methods) for diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment, prevention, and/or characterization of influenza transmission and/or infection. The present invention also provides methods for monitoring influenza variants for their potential to present a pandemic risk to humans.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first region having a first semiconductor material and a second region having a second semiconductor material. The second region is formed over the first region. The semiconductor device also includes a current blocking structure formed in the first region between first and second terminals of the semiconductor device. The current blocking structure is configured to reduce current flow in the first region between the first and second terminals.

Abstract: The trommel assembly (1) with a spiral assembly having a decaying spiral pitch (3) comprises rotating drum structure with the decaying spiral assembly (2) and screen panels (6) made of polymeric material or rubber compounds. The pitch (3) is at a maximum at the inlet and at a minimum at the outlet providing increased screening efficiency. Maximum pitch produces low media height with increased inlet velocity and minimum pitch increases media height. The spiral (2) is of single start, double start or multi start configuration. The pitch (3) decreases along the trommel such that screening efficiency is improved without affecting the retention time.

Abstract: A system is provided for multi-methodology, multi-user, self-optimizing Machine Learning as a Service for that automates and optimizes the model training process. The system uses a large-scale distributed architecture and is compatible with cloud services. The system uses a hybrid optimization technique to select between multiple machine learning approaches for a given dataset. The system can also use datasets to transferring knowledge of how one modeling methodology has previously worked over to a new problem.