Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to training a scene simulator for rendering 2D scenes using data from real and simulated agents. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring trajectories and three-dimensional (3D) views for multiple agents from observations of real vehicles. The method also includes generating a 3D scene having the multiple agents using the 3D views and information from simulated agents. The method also includes training a scene simulator to render scene projections using the 3D scene. The method also includes outputting a 2D scene having simulated observations for a driving scene using the scene simulator.

Abstract: A quantitative ultrasound (QUS) system for characterizing a specimen, the system comprising an ultrasound transducer operable to transmit ultrasound signals into the specimen along multiple adjacent scan lines extending axially within the specimen, and collect returned ultrasound signals therefrom and generate RF signals based on said returned ultrasound signals, wherein said RF signals are associated with respective ones of said scan lines to represent a characteristic of the specimen at each of multiple locations within the specimen along each of said scan lines; and a parallelizable processing unit communicatively coupled to said ultrasound transducer and operable to concurrently compute from said RF signals respective QUS values representative of said characteristic for each of a plurality of said multiple locations in parallel, wherein successive parallel outputs of said respective QUS values are characteristic of the specimen along each of said multiple scan lines.

Abstract: A method of passivating semiconductor devices using existing tools of junction isolation and phosphosilicate glass (PSG)/borosilicate glass (BSG) etch via room temperature wet chemical growth (RTWCG) processes is provided. Back side processing of the semiconductor device achieves passivation and junction isolation in a single step, while front side processing achieves passivation, PSG/BSG etch, anti-reflection coating and potential induced degradation (PID) mitigation simultaneously. A modified solar cell fabrication method is then provided by integrating the passivation formation method into conventional solar cell manufacturing systems. The resulting solar cells comprise a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is coated with a SiOx layer less than 50 nm thick, over which a SiNx layer is deposited. On the back surface, another SiOx layer is coated. Experimental data shows high efficiency and mitigated PID of the solar cells.

Abstract: A venturi connector includes a housing having a mixing chamber defined therein and at least one window that is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and is open to atmosphere to allow air to be entrained into the mixing chamber. The connector includes a nozzle actuator member includes a body having a plurality of discrete nozzles formed therein. The nozzles are defined by different sized venturi orifices through which gas flows, thereby allowing the concentration of the gas delivered to the patient to be varied. The nozzle actuator member is disposed within one window formed in the housing between the gas port and the mixing chamber such that the position of the nozzle actuator member within the housing can be adjusted so as to position one of the discrete nozzles into the gas flow path, thereby controlling the flow rate of the gas into the mixing chamber and ultimately the concentration of gas delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A patient interface system for delivering a gas to a patient includes a patient interface device that includes at least one inhalation valve and at least one exhalation valve. The system also includes a venturi device that has at least one port for connection to a gas source. The venturi device has at least one primary air entrainment window and at least one secondary air entrainment window which is downstream of the at least one primary air entrainment window. The inhalation valve is disposed between: (1) the main body and (2) the primary and secondary air entrainment windows of the venturi device. At least one of the primary air entrainment window and secondary air entrainment window includes a means for closing the respective window, thereby changing a degree at which the respective window is open and changing a flow rate of the air flowing through the respective window.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of improving one or more symptoms of a dermatological condition in a patient. The methods comprise topically administering a topical composition to the patient comprising a branched chain amino acid, and an enzyme activator. Also provided are kits comprising the topical composition and optionally a topical steroid.

Abstract: A method of passivating semiconductor devices using existing tools of junction isolation and phosphosilicate glass (PSG)/borosilicate glass (BSG) etch via room temperature wet chemical growth (RTWCG) processes is provided. Back side processing of the semiconductor device achieves passivation and junction isolation in a single step, while front side processing achieves passivation, PSG/BSG etch, anti-reflection coating and potential induced degradation (PID) mitigation simultaneously. A modified solar cell fabrication method is then provided by integrating the passivation formation method into conventional solar cell manufacturing systems. The resulting solar cells comprise a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is coated with a SiOx layer less than 50 nm thick, over which a SiNx layer is deposited. On the back surface, another SiOx layer is coated. Experimental data shows high efficiency and mitigated PID of the solar cells.

Abstract: A venturi connector includes a housing having a mixing chamber defined therein and at least one window that is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and is open to atmosphere to allow air to be entrained into the mixing chamber. The connector includes a nozzle actuator member includes a body having a plurality of discrete nozzles formed therein. The nozzles are defined by different sized venturi orifices through which gas flows, thereby allowing the concentration of the gas delivered to the patient to be varied. The nozzle actuator member is disposed within one window formed in the housing between the gas port and the mixing chamber such that the position of the nozzle actuator member within the housing can be adjusted so as to position one of the discrete nozzles into the gas flow path, thereby controlling the flow rate of the gas into the mixing chamber and ultimately the concentration of gas delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium are for managing display devices using manager devices. A communication link is established between display subsystems and manager subsystems. Alarm conditions are detected and reported, and alarm events are triggered within the display devices. The display devices have restricted access to applications, settings, or networks. User-generated media is deleted from the display devices. When idle or when user activity is detected, audiovisual media is presented from the display devices. Powering of the display devices is regulated. Metrics and data associated with the display devices is collected.

Abstract: This specification relates to a charging, securing and monitoring system for hand-held electronic devices such as cell phones, BlackBerry's, PDA's, cameras, or the like and the components therefore. More particularly the teachings herein include a coaxial cable construction that permits securing and charging of said hand-held devices which are on display at a typical retailer. Further the cable may be accumulated on a unique recoiler assembly at one end of the coaxial cable and engages a unique holding device proximate the other end thereof.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for providing an adaptive knowledge platform. In one or more aspects, a system can include a knowledge management component to acquire, classify and disseminate information of a dataset; a human-computer interaction component to visualize multiple perspectives of the dataset and to model user interactions with the multiple perspectives; and an adaptivity component to modify one or more of the multiple perspectives of the dataset based on a user-interaction model.

Abstract: An electrical instrument includes an input terminal block that allows customers to configure input power as either single-phase, three-phase delta, or three-phase wye, using shorting bars to connect appropriate line and/or neutral terminals to each other without the need for an external adaptor or converter, and without modifying the internal circuitry or programming of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyance device for an energy collector such as a wind turbine, solar collector, or a combination thereof. The conveyance device is configured to orient the energy collector by moving the device to compensate for a change in the source of energy such as a change in power, direction, speed, location and a combination thereof. The conveyance device includes a track configured to be positioned near a support structure such as a telecommunications tower and first and second electrical contacts configured to electrically connect the energy collector to an electrical load. The conveyance device is also configured to receive an energy collector configured to be attached to the track such that the energy collector is movable relative to the track. In this manner, there is provided a device for adjusting the orientation of the wind turbine or solar collector such that it collects energy efficiently.

Abstract: Methods and devices for sculpting bones, particularly in preparation for implanting prosthetic devices to replace articulating bone joint surfaces. Improved bone removal devices including burr mills driven by gears and loop drives are provided. Reciprocating cutters and belt cutters are also provided. Some devices have either integral or removable expandable portions to vary the force and bone resection depth. Devices can have irrigation ports and plenums to remove bone fragments. Some cutters are dual cutters, adapted to remove bone in two or more regions, such as the knee joint, simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of optically imaging an object includes the determination of a source point and a destination point within the object. Planar boundaries are selected that approximate a geometrical shape of the object, and virtual sources are found using a reflection of the original source through the boundaries. Subsequent reflections of the added sources may be used to find higher order sources. Contributions to an optical transfer function from each of the added sources are added to determine a cumulative optical transfer function until a convergence limit is reached. The resulting optical transfer function is more accurate than the original in that it takes boundary phenomena into consideration.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, provide visualizations of sentiment assessments derived from content published online. In one or more aspects, a method includes: obtaining sentiment scores and associated data, the sentiment scores assigned to entities based on emotional tone detected in obtained content; obtaining input defining a subset of the sentiment scores and associated data to present; and outputting a visualization corresponding to the subset of the sentiment scores and associated data. In addition, obtaining the input can include receiving a definition corresponding to company relationships used to filter the sentiment scores and associated data. The definition can include an indication of which relationship types indicate the company relationships, and parameters that govern filtering by the indicated company relationships.

Abstract: An aerosol inhalation system includes a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient. The system also includes a first device in fluid communication with the first holding chamber for producing the aerosol particles and being sealingly yet releasably received within an adapter that forms an entrance into a first holding chamber. The adapter has a compressible material disposed thereon which is at least partially compressed by insertion of the first device to form the seal between the first device and the adapter, thereby creating a closed system that is therefore capable of delivering a fixed concentration of the medication to the patient due to a valve of the valve mechanism being closed when the patient inhales and the medication is delivered to the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for placing an implant into or onto supporting bone, or between adjacent bones, without impaction is disclosed. The system includes an implant, a distracter, and a sleeve. Optionally, the invention includes an alignment guide, a surgical navigational tracker, and a bone displacer. The sleeve is structured to interpose the implant and supporting bone and provide a differential engagement force between the sleeve-implant interface and the sleeve-bone interface to preferentially move the implant into, onto or between supporting bone structures.

Abstract: This specification relates to a charging, securing and monitoring system for hand-held electronic devices such as cell phones, BlackBerry's, PDA's, cameras, or the like and the components therefore. More particularly the teachings herein include a coaxial cable construction that permits securing and charging of said hand-held devices which are on display at a typical retailer. Further the cable may be accumulated on a unique recoiler assembly at one end of the coaxial cable and engages a unique holding device proximate the other end thereof.

Abstract: A device for use in an aerosol inhalation system for delivering aerosolized medication includes a housing that is operatively connected to a source of aerosolized medication such that the aerosolized medication is delivered to the housing. The device also includes a patient interface member removably connected to the housing and being separate therefrom. The patient interface member is in the form of a face mask for placement about a face of the patient and in communication with a mouth of the patient for delivering the aerosolized medication. The patient interface member incorporates an integral inhalation valve and safety feature for protecting against displacement of the inhaltation valve.