Abstract: A variable stiffness actuator comprises a flexure plate which comprises a first cantilevered beam that extends inwards from an outer periphery of the flexure plate. A housing and the flexure plate rotatable about a common joint axis. A first contactor is pivotably secured at a revolute joint to the housing. The first contactor rotates about the revolute joint at a first rotation axis. The first rotation axis offset on the housing from the joint axis. The first contactor engages the first cantilevered beam at a variable angle about the rotation axis to adjust a stiffness of a mechanical connection between the flexure plate and the housing.

Abstract: Split-crank pedaling devices and methods of operation support patient use and rehabilitation, particularly for stroke patients. A split-crank pedaling device includes first and second crank assemblies. First and second motors are operably connected to the first and second crank assemblies. A first shaft sensor produces an indication of a position of the shaft of the first crank assembly. A second shaft sensor produces an indication of a position of the shaft of the second crank assembly. A controller is communicatively connected to the first and second motors and the first and second shaft sensors and calculates a phase error between the positions of the first and second shafts and a predetermined phase relationship between the first and second shafts. The controller operates at least one of the first motor or the second motor to provide a supplemental torque to one of the first crank assembly and the second crank assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds with increased plasma stability that modulate PAR1 signaling, and methods of using them. The present invention provides methods of using the novel PAR1 modulators for the treatment of a number of disorders, including, inflammation, thrombosis, kidney disease, sepsis, stroke, as well as proliferation-related diseases. Furthermore, the PAR1 modulators of the present invention provide cytoprotection for certain cells and tissues, for example, in coronary blood vessels and tissues after a heart attack.

Abstract: Systems and methods of diagnosing open-circuit fault in power converters receives a neutral point current value, a switching state of the power converter, and load current values. At least one fault condition is identified based upon the switching state of the power converter and the load current values. The neutral point current value current value is compared to the at least one fault condition. An open circuit fault is determined to be present at the switching state of the power converter based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Devices for controlling movement of aerial buckets via hydraulic systems. Each hydraulic system has valves that control movement of the aerial bucket. A control head of the device has a joystick that is moveable and encoders that detect movement of the joystick. A valve actuator manifold of the device is coupled between the control head and the hydraulic system and supports valve actuators moveably coupled to the valves. Servo drive systems supported by the valve actuator manifold are coupled to the valve actuators and are controllable to move the valve actuators. A processor module of the device is in communication with the encoders and the servo drive systems. The processor module controls the servo drive systems based on input from the encoders such that moving the joystick controls movement of the aerial bucket.

Abstract: Scaffolds for use in bone tissue engineering include a skeleton and a host component. Methods of preparation of scaffolds include identification of biodegradation properties for the skeleton and the host component. The skeleton is constructed to form a three-dimensional shape. The skeleton is constructed of a first material and has a first rate of biodegradation. The host component fills the three-dimensional shape formed by the skeleton. The host component is constructed of a second material and has a second rate of biodegradation. The first rate of biodegradation is slower than the second rate of biodegradation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes, systems, and catalysts for improving pyrolysis technology. The disclosed processes and systems utilize a catalyst to increase pyrolysis gas (py-gas) and decrease bio-oil yields in pyrolysis reactions. The disclosed catalysts may include biochar derived from pyrolysis of industrial residuals, such as pyrolysis of wastewater biosolids (WB) and paper mill sludge (PMS). The disclosed catalysts also may include ash derived from incineration of wastewater biosolids (“biosolids incineration ash” (BIA)).

Abstract: Scaffolds for use in bone tissue engineering include a skeleton and a host component. Methods of preparation of scaffolds include identification of biodegradation properties for the skeleton and the host component. The skeleton is constructed to form a three-dimensional shape. The skeleton is constructed of a first material and has a first rate of biodegradation. The host component fills the three-dimensional shape formed by the skeleton. The host component is constructed of a second material and has a second rate of biodegradation. The first rate of biodegradation is slower than the second rate of biodegradation.

Abstract: Disclosed are fluorescent markers that include a known number of copies of a fluorescently-labeled protein regularly interspersed along the length of the fluorescent marker. The fluorescent markers may be used to quantify fluorescently-labeled samples in fluorescent microscopy.

Abstract: An anchoring device for securing objects within a rack mount system using fasteners. The anchoring device has a base portion with flush and anchor faces, the anchor faces defining apertures. Hooks are provided for securing the anchoring device to the rack mount system. Each hook has a horizontal arm with base and distal ends, and a vertical arm with upper and lower ends. Each base end is coupled to the anchor face and each distal end is coupled to the upper end of one vertical arm. Hooks are receivable within openings in the rack mount system to secure the anchoring device. The apertures in the base portion align with the openings in the rack mount system when the anchoring device is secured to the rack mount system such that the object is securable to the rack mount system by engaging the fasteners with the apertures in the anchoring device.

Abstract: Passive wireless sensors include an antenna. The antenna receives a combined signal. The combined signal includes a low frequency modulating signal modulated on a high frequency carrier wave. A demodulator receives the combined signal and extracts the modulating signal. A sensor receives the extracted modulating signal and produces an output signal with a time delay indicative of a property to be sensed. A modulator receives the output signal and the high frequency carrier wave and modulates the output signal onto the high frequency carrier wave to create a combined output signal broadcast by the antenna.

Abstract: A device for processing a surface of a work piece. A motor is configured to produce a rotary force. A driving pulley is operatively coupled to the motor such that the rotary force produced by the motor causes rotation of the driving pulley. A belt is operatively coupled to the driving pulley such that rotation of the driving pulley causes rotation of the belt. A second pulley is also operatively coupled to the belt such that rotation of the belt causes rotation of the second pulley. Bristles are coupled to the belt and extend away from the belt. The rotary force produced by the motor causes the plurality of bristles to move relative to the motor. The surface of the work piece is processed when the bristles contacts the surface while the bristles are moving.

Abstract: An ankle prosthesis comprises a foot prosthesis. A lower ankle is pivotably secured to the foot prosthesis at an ankle joint. An upper ankle is connected to the lower ankle in a manner that permits vertical movement of the upper ankle relative to the lower ankle. A coupling spring is biased in an extended condition. The coupling spring is connected at a first end to the upper ankle. A second end of the coupling spring is movable in a first condition which is engaged to the lower ankle and in a second condition engaged to the foot prosthesis. Energy is stored in compression of the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the first condition and energy is released from the coupling spring when the coupling spring is in the second condition.

Abstract: Passive wireless sensors include an antenna. The antenna receives a combined signal. The combined signal includes a low frequency modulating signal modulated on a high frequency carrier wave. A demodulator receives the combined signal and extracts the modulating signal. A sensor receives the extracted modulating signal and produces an output signal with a time delay indicative of a property to be sensed. A modulator receives the output signal and the high frequency carrier wave and modulates the output signal onto the high frequency carrier wave to create a combined output signal broadcast by the antenna.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a method of detecting hydrocarbons in Systems and methods for sensing analytes in an aqueous solution, include pretreating a water sample to provide a test sample. A flow cell includes at least one sensor with a polymer coating having at least partial selectivity for at least one analyte. The flow cell receives a test sample and a reference sample. At least one output signal from the at least one sensor is processed with a microcontroller using a model of the sensor response and a bank of Kalman filters to estimate a concentration of at least one analyte in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods of diagnosing open-circuit fault in power converters receives a neutral point current value, a switching state of the power converter, and load current values. At least one fault condition is identified based upon the switching state of the power converter and the load current values. The neutral point current value current value is compared to the at least one fault condition.

Abstract: Split-crank pedaling devices and methods of operation support patient use and rehabilitation, particularly for stroke patients. A split-crank pedaling device includes first and second crank assemblies. First and second motors are operably connected to the first and second crank assemblies. A first shaft sensor produces an indication of a position of the shaft of the first crank assembly. A second shaft sensor produces an indication of a position of the shaft of the second crank assembly. A controller is communicatively connected to the first and second motors and the first and second shaft sensors and calculates a phase error between the positions of the first and second shafts and a predetermined phase relationship between the first and second shafts. The controller operates at least one of the first motor or the second motor to provide a supplemental torque to one of the first crank assembly and the second crank assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods of fault tolerant power conversion include an inverter with a plurality of inverter phase legs. Each phase leg includes a positive switch, a negative switch, and a bi-directional midpoint switch. Redundant phase leg includes a positive redundant switch connected between the positive switches and the bi-directional midpoint switches. The redundant phase leg includes a negative redundant switch connected between the negative switches and the bi-directional midpoint switches. Upon detection of a fault condition in at least one switch of the plurality of inverted phase legs, one of the positive redundant switch and the negative redundant switch is closed to bypass at least one switch with the fault condition to maintain operation of the power converter.

Abstract: Devices for controlling movement of aerial buckets via hydraulic systems. Each hydraulic system has valves that control movement of the aerial bucket. A control head of the device has a joystick that is moveable and encoders that detect movement of the joystick. A valve actuator manifold of the device is coupled between the control head and the hydraulic system and supports valve actuators moveably coupled to the valves. Servo drive systems supported by the valve actuator manifold are coupled to the valve actuators and are controllable to move the valve actuators. A processor module of the device is in communication with the encoders and the servo drive systems. The processor module controls the servo drive systems based on input from the encoders such that moving the joystick controls movement of the aerial bucket.

Abstract: Split-crank pedaling devices and methods of operation support patient use and rehabilitation, particularly for stroke patients. A split-crank pedaling device includes first and second crank assemblies. First and second motors are operably connected to the first and second crank assemblies. A first shaft sensor produces an indication of a position of the shaft of the first crank assembly. A second shaft sensor produces an indication of a position of the shaft of the second crank assembly. A controller is communicatively connected to the first and second motors and the first and second shaft sensors and calculates a phase error between the positions of the first and second shafts and a predetermined phase relationship between the first and second shafts. The controller operates at least one of the first motor or the second motor to provide a supplemental torque to one of the first crank assembly and the second crank assembly.