Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for determining an optimized flight route for an aerial vehicle. In some examples, weather conditions for the aerial vehicle during a flight can be predicted based on weather data. At least two flight route segments based on the predicted weather data can be determined. The at least two flight route segments can include one of a solar flight route segment and a thermal flight route segment. A respective flight route segment of the at least two flight route segments can be discarded that can cause the aerial vehicle to violate a flight constraint. A replacement flight route segment for the respective discarded flight route segment can be determined. An optimized flight route for the aerial vehicle can be generated based on the replacement flight route segment and at least one remaining flight route segment of the at least two flight route segments.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating an oral appliance are described for correcting malocclusions on a dentition of a subject. A three-dimensional representation of the dentition may be captured and a free-form structure having a lattice structure which matches at least part of a surface of the dentition is generated. The lattice structure defines a plurality of open spaces such that the free-form structure is at least partially transparent. The lattice structure may then be manufactured by impregnating or covering a coating into or upon the lattice structure such that the oral appliance is formed.

Abstract: A wireless single-frequency-channel, full-duplex, full-time transmit and receive communication node includes an antenna that transmits a transmit signal over a wireless transmit channel and that receives a receive signal over a wireless receive channel. A communications processor includes a first port electrically coupled to the antenna and a second port electrically coupled to a transmit path where the transmit path connects the second port to the first port. A third port of communications processor is electrically coupled to a receive path that connects the first port to the third port. The communications processor is configured to pass the transmit signal in the transmit path to the first port and configured to pass the receive signal in the receive path from the first port to the third port such that the transmit signal and the receive signal occupy a same frequency channel and operate simultaneously in a same time slot.

Abstract: A mechanical hand mimics a human hand having similar degrees of freedom and sensory abilities while appearing visually similar to human hand. The mechanical hand comprises a mechanical hand skeleton and resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin that fully encloses the mechanical hand skeleton. The mechanical hand skeleton may advantageously be molded directly into the resilient elastomer (e.g., silicone) skin such that the hand appears, moves, and feels very similar to a real human hand. The mechanical hand may have applications in robotics, for example as an end-of-arm tool or end effector, or may have other applications. Robotic applications may include prosthetics applications.

Abstract: A nerve cuff electrode device comprising a cuff body having a smart memory polymer layer with a rigid configuration at room temperature and a softened configuration at about 37° C. The smart memory polymer layer has a trained curved region with a radius of curvature of about 3000 microns or less. A plurality of thin film electrodes located on the smart memory polymer layer. The thin film electrodes include discrete titanium nitride electrode sites that are located in the trained curved region. An exposed surface of each of the discrete titanium nitride electrode sites has a charge injection capacity of about 0.1 mC/cm2 or greater. Methods or manufacturing and using the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique of managing communications among multiple modules of a munition includes receiving, by a first module of the munition, a first set of messages from a second module of the munition. The first set of messages is received in a first protocol used for communicating among the modules of the munition over a computer network. The technique further includes translating, by an interface assembly of the first module, the first set of messages in the first protocol into a second set of messages in a second protocol. The second protocol is a native protocol of the first module and is different from the first protocol. The technique still further includes providing the second set of messages from the interface module to an operational component of the first module, the operational component then responding to the second set of messages for performing a function of the munition.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer-program products for handling a call reaching a party's voicemail. A predictive model is used to generate a first probability of an outcome occurring as a result of leaving a voicemail message and a second probability of the outcome occurring as a result of sending a text message. If the first probability is greater, an IVR uses DTMF tone(s) to bypass a greeting on the voicemail so that a message can be recorded with minimal time. If the second probability is greater, the call is ended and an email is sent to the party's service provider using an email address comprising a mobile number for the party and a domain portion specific to the provider. As a result, the provider delivers a text message to the party with the body of the message including the content of the email.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence control circuitry and processing circuitry. The sequence control circuitry performs multi-frame acquisition where FOVs (Field Of Views) of at least two acquired frames are overlapped in a first direction. Then, based on the multi-frame acquisition performed by the sequence control unit, the processing unit generates data regarding the components in the first direction of flow of a fluid.

Abstract: In the field of government engagement management, for users of an employee desktop web client, it is now possible, within the web client application, to search and read articles and/or knowledge content that has been authored to external locations. Due to this integration to external, third-party applications, content and/or articles can be displayed to an agent on the employee desktop web client graphical user interface. Agents can enter free text into a specific search field and review the results in summary form, and then select an article in HTML format to progress the current interaction with the client. An additional feature extending from this capability is to add an amount of coding to external knowledge content websites that are owned and/or operated by the owner of the system such that when the website is viewed through the third-party integration module, a button or icon appears within the website that when selected takes the agent to an appropriate form.

Abstract: A portable refrigeration system for use in transport of medicines or other valuable, temperature sensitive materials is disclosed. The system can use GPS positioning technology to provide absolute global location along with internet connection through a cellular modem on board which allows for communication to the cloud of temperature and transit data during device use. The refrigerator 10 can be powered by a rechargeable battery back that may be recharged through connection to AC mains supply or connection to the photovoltaic panel 26 included with the device 10. The insulated container can be held at a constant temperature through the use of vacuum insulated panel construction. The device 10 can be cooled through the use of thermoelectric cooling modules 68 coupled to the insulated chamber 74 and paired with a heat exchanger 56 with heat pipes 60 and a system fan 54.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for transitioning vehicle control between autonomous operation and manual operation. The system includes sensors configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the vehicle and its operation. During autonomous vehicle operation, the system gauges the level of responsiveness of a vehicle operator through challenges and corresponding responses. The system determines when to present a challenge to the vehicle operator based on internal and external factors. If necessary, the system will transition from an autonomous operation mode to a manual operation mode.

Abstract: One example includes a cryogenic wafer test system. The system includes a first chamber that is cooled to a cryogenic temperature and a wafer chuck confined within the first chamber. The wafer chuck can be configured to accommodate a wafer device-under-test (DUT) comprising a plurality of superconducting die. The system also includes a second chamber that is held at a non-cryogenic temperature and which comprises a wafer chuck actuator system configured to provide at least one of translational and rotational motion of the wafer chuck via mechanical linkage interconnecting the wafer chuck and the wafer chuck actuator system. The system further includes a radiation barrier arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber and through which the mechanical linkage extends, the radiation barrier being configured to provide a thermal gradient between the cryogenic temperature of the first chamber and the non-cryogenic temperature of the second chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for locating a tip of a catheter that has been inserted into a patient includes an implantable catheter having a distal tip, a pulsed light source that is co-located with the distal tip of the implantable catheter, the pulsed light source being configured to emit pulses of light into surrounding patient tissue, an optoacoustic sensor configured to be applied so a skin surface of the patient at a position proximate to the pulsed light source and to sense optoacoustic waves generated when the pulses of light are absorbed by the surrounding patient tissue, and an optoacoustic console configured to receive optoacoustic wave signals from the optoacoustic sensor and to display an indication of the optoacoustic wave signals to a medical professional to provide an indication of the location of the pulsed light source and, therefore, the distal tip of the implantable catheter.

Abstract: A method of treating motor deficits in a stroke patient, comprising assessing a patient's motor deficits, determining therapeutic goals for the patient, based on the patient's motor deficits, selecting therapeutic tasks based on the therapeutic goals, performing each of the selected therapeutic tasks repetitively, observing the performance of the therapeutic tasks, initiating the stimulation of the vagus nerve manually at approximately a predetermined moment during the performance of the therapeutic tasks, stimulating the vagus nerve of the patient during the performance of the selected therapeutic tasks, and improving the patient's motor deficits.

Abstract: A trans-inductor voltage regulator (TLVR) has regulator blocks and transformers. Secondary windings of the transformers are connected in series with a compensation inductor to form a trans-inductor loop, which is connected to the output voltage of the TLVR instead of to ground. Primary windings of the transformers serve as output inductors of the regulator blocks. The inductance of each output inductor and the output inductance of the TLVR are input to an averaging network of an averaging inductor direct current resistance (DCR) current sense circuit to generate an average sensed voltage. The average sensed voltage is converted to an average sensed current, which is used by a controller to generate control signals that drive the regulator blocks to generate the output voltage of the TLVR.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and computing system for sensing gameplay events and optionally and preferably augmenting a video feed with overlay, comprising in some embodiments a data acquisition module, a sensor module, and optionally and preferably an overlay module. By describing the state of gameplay with models that capture the semantics of the game and comparing this description to a library of event patterns using one or more pattern matchers defining different ways of evaluating criteria, occurrences of events are detected. Detected events are processed by the overlay module to generate video feed augmented with overlay illustrating said events.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a screw shaft comprising a screw thread and having a longitudinal axis A, a nut movable along the screw shaft from a retracted position to an extended position, and a plurality of rollers movable with the nut. Each roller includes a cylindrical surface configured to roll along one or more flanks of the screw thread, such that rotation of the screw shaft causes the rollers to roll along the flank(s) so that the nut translates in an axial direction along the screw shaft. The screw thread has a variable lead angle. The actuator can be part of a power door opening system of an aircraft.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for using compositions that include a fusion protein having a YscF protein domain, a mature F1 protein domain, and a LcrV protein domain. In one embodiment the composition is used to confer immunity to plague, such as pneumonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis. In one embodiment, the composition is administered to a mucosal surface, such as by an intranasal route. In one embodiment, the administration to a mucosal surface includes a vector that has a polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein, where the fusion protein includes a YscF protein domain, a mature F1 protein domain, and a LcrV protein domain. The administration is followed by a second administration by a different route, such as an intramuscular route. The second administration includes a fusion protein having the same three domains, and in one embodiment the fusion protein is the same one administered to a mucosal surface.