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: Disclosed herein is a prosthesis that may be used to replace standard prosthetic material used in osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) surgery. The disclosed prosthesis is not prepared from tissue removed from a patient's tooth and jaw bone, but rather is a synthetic prosthesis. The synthetic prosthesis typically includes a solid part for supporting an optical cylinder and a porous part that facilitates bio-integration of the implanted prosthesis into the patient's eye.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of sensor fusion for exemplary use with robotic navigation control. Systems and methods include providing local estimates of a target location from a plurality of expert modules that process sensor data. The local estimates are weighted based upon a Mahalanobis distance from an expected estimated value and based upon a Euclidean distance between the local estimates. The local estimates are fused in a Bayesian fusion center based upon the weight given to each of the local estimates.

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: 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 composite materials, ionic liquid compositions for preparing the composite materials, and methods for using the composite materials prepared from the ionic liquid compositions. The composite materials typically include structural polysaccharides, structural proteins, and optionally including metal or metal oxide particles. The composite materials may be prepared from ionic liquid compositions comprising the structural polysaccharides, structural proteins, and the optional metal or metal oxide particles, where the ionic liquid is removed from the ionic liquid compositions to obtain the composite materials.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rating fiduciaries that govern assets. Governance variables relating to governing the assets that the impact performance of the assets are collected. Control variables that also impact the performance are assigned. A collection of actual test values are compiled for the governance variables, the control variables, and the performance for test assets within the assets. A weight factor indicating the impacts on the performance by each of the governance variables and the control variables is assigned. A rating model incorporating the governance variables and the control variables and each respective weight factor is constructed. Actual asset values for the governance variables and the control variables for a given asset within the assets are collected. A given fiduciary within the fiduciaries that governs the given asset is rated using the rating model with the actual asset values collected.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rating fiduciaries that govern assets. Governance variables relating to at least one of environmental and social factors for governing the assets that impact performance of the assets and related financial securities are collected. Control variables that also impact the performance are assigned. A collection of actual test values are compiled for the governance variables, the control variables, and the performance for test assets within the assets. A weight factor indicating the impacts on the performance by each of the governance variables and the control variables is assigned. A rating model incorporating the governance variables and the control variables and each respective weight factor is constructed. Actual asset values for the governance variables and the control variables for a given asset within the assets are collected. A given fiduciary within the fiduciaries that governs the given asset is rated using the rating model with the actual asset values collected.

Abstract: An actuation system for preventing actuation of a base device upon a non-target substrate. The actuation system includes a detector configured to generate and transmit a profile signal of a test substrate. A processing unit is in communication with the detector and configured to receive the profile signal of the test substrate from the detector, the processing unit being configured to determine whether the profile signal of the test substrate corresponds to a profile signal of a target substrate, and to generate an actuation signal if the profile signal of the test substrate corresponds to the profile signal of the target substrate. An actuation unit is in communication with the processing unit and the base device, the actuation unit being configured to receive the actuation signal from the processing unit and to permit the base device to actuate when receiving the actuation signal.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Disclosed herein are spectrofluorometric adaptors for cell holders in spectrofluorometers and uses of the adapters in spectrofluorometric methods that enable fluorescence detection from surfaces of a microcell in conventional horizontal-beam spectrofluorometers equipped with standard cell holders and having multiple excitation channels.

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: A method of processing x-ray images comprises training an artificial neural network to process multi-spectral x-ray projections to determine composition information about an object in terms of equivalent thickness of at least one basis material.

Abstract: A method of processing x-ray images comprises training an artificial neural network to process multi-spectral x-ray projections to determine composition information about an object in terms of equivalent thickness of at least one basis material.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for modulating Dpy-30 binding activity. The compositions may include peptides or peptidomimetics thereof that are related to radial spoke protein 3 (RSP3) or absent, small, homeotic discs 2-like protein (Ash2L) and that bind to Dumpy-30 protein (Dpy-30).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a selectable-rate spring comprises a flexure bar connected to a rotatable shaft, the flexure bar having at least one arched portion. The selectable-rate spring also includes at least one rotational contactor connectable to a link member, wherein the rotational contactor rotates about an axis while maintaining contact with the arched portion of the flexure bar. As the rotational contactor rotates, it changes the connection stiffness between the rotatable shaft and the link member.