Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag comprising foam bulk at least partially surrounded by a flexible membrane, the airbag compressible from a second volume to a first volume; a locking mechanism for maintaining the airbag compressed to the first volume; a one-way valve openable to deliver air to the airbag when the locking mechanism is released; and wherein when the locking mechanism is released, the airbag expands.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.

Abstract: A three-phase boost converter is disclosed, as well as a related control technique. In certain embodiments, the provided boost converter enables efficient transfer of energy from an irregular input power source to a battery storage device or a DC link. To achieve maximum power absorption in such cases, the provided embodiments utilize a variable resistive behavior across each phase of the converter using feedback control.

Abstract: An electrically conductive, thermosetting elastomeric composition is provided. The composition may comprise: an initially substantially non-electrically conductive, thermosetting base polymer; a particulate filler comprising electrically conductive particles; and an electrically conductive polymer additive. The non-electrically conductive, thermosetting base polymer, the particulate filler and the electrically conductive polymer additive are mixed substantially macroscopically homogeneously.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) for selectively inhibiting glycosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds. The invention also provides methods of treating diseases and disorders related to deficiency or overexpression of O-GlcNAcase, accumulation or deficiency of O-GlcNAc.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a live video stream and a pre-recorded video stream over a wireless network to a mobile device, the method including: receiving the live video stream and the pre-recorded video stream for a current scheduling window; dividing the live video stream and the pre-recorded video stream into segments in the current scheduling window, each segment including an aggregate data amount, a transmission start time and a transmission end time; determining a transmission schedule for the current scheduling window, said transmission schedule including the segments; locating slack time slots, the slack time slots being time slots for which no segment is allocated; and scheduling bursts associated with the pre-recorded video stream in the slack time slots.

Abstract: The invention provides in part dialkoxybenzene compounds for controlling infestation by a Trichoplusia ni, and methods thereof. The compounds include a compound of Formula I: where R1 may be methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, isopentyl (3-methylbutyl) or allyl; R2 may be at positions 2, 3 or 4 and may be H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, isopentyl (3-methylbutyl) or allyl; and R3 may be optionally present at positions 2, 3 and 4, and is allyl; except that when R2 is at position 2, R3 if present is at position 3, and when R2 is at position 3, R3 if present is at to positions 2 or 4, and when R2 is at position 4, R3 if present is at position 2, and when R2 is at position 4 and R3, if present, has reacted with an OH group at position 1 in a Markovnikov sense, then R3 becomes R4, a dihydrofuran.

Abstract: Novel reconfigurable antennas are provided which may be used to accommodate the requirements for wideband multi-standard handheld communication devices. It is shown that using a shape memory alloy spring actuator, the height of a helical antenna and therefore the pitch spacing and angle can be varied. This can in turn tune the far-field radiation pattern and gain of the antenna dynamically to adjust to new operating conditions. The radiation pattern can further be directed using a two-helix array. Finally, a helical antenna embodiment is implemented and measured using a shape memory alloy actuator. Measurement results confirm that while keeping the centre frequency constant, gain tunability can be attained using this structure.

Abstract: Salacinol and ponkoranol homologues, derivatives thereof and methods of synthesizing and using said homologies and derivatives. The derivatives include stereoisomers, de-O-sulfonated compounds and congeners of the naturally occurring homologues. Some of the derivatives exhibit enhanced glucosidase inhibitory bioactivity in comparison to the naturally occurring compounds which have been isolated from Salacia reticulata.

Abstract: A method is provided for the automatic control of locomotion speed in a human or other animal subject. The method comprises: estimating the subject's actual locomotion speed using one or more sensors to thereby obtain a measured speed; determining an error comprising a difference between a desired speed and the measured speed; and outputting, to the subject, a stimulus frequency signal wherein the stimulus frequency signal is based on the error in such a manner that when the subject ambulates in a manner that matches a frequency of the stimulus frequency signal, the subject's actual speed controllably tracks the desired speed.

Abstract: Angular rate sensors cause a stream of fluid to flow by heating the fluid. A trajectory of the stream of fluid is deflected by Coriolis forces. Apparatus according to some embodiments provides two heaters spaced apart along a channel. A stream of gas can be made to flow along the channel by operating one of the heaters. The flow can be periodically reversed by alternating operation of the heaters. Temperature sensors may be applied to detect deflection of the flowing gas. Angular rate sensors may be fabricated inexpensively by micromachining techniques.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing Salacinol, its stereoisomers, and analogues, homologues and other derivatives thereof potentially useful as glycosidase inhibitors. In some embodiments the compounds of the invention may have the general formula (I) or (II): The synthetic schemes may comprise reacting a cyclic sulfate with a 5-membered ring sugar containing a heteroatom (X). The heteroatom preferably comprises sulfur, selenium, or nitrogen. The cyclic sulfate and ring sugar reagents may be readily prepared from carbohydrate precursors, such as D-glucose, L-glucose, D-xylose and L-xylose. The target compounds are prepared by opening of the cyclic sulfates by nucleophilic attack of the heteroatoms on the 5-membered ring sugars. The resulting heterocyclic compounds have a stable, inner salt structure comprising a heteroatom cation and a sulfate anion. The synthetic schemes yield various stereoisomers of the target compounds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering data from communication signals apply estimated distribution algorithms. Estimated probability distributions may be constructed to avoid deterministic values. Non-converging data elements may be resolved by performing selective local searches. Embodiments recover data from space-time-frequency block coded signals. A data receiver comprises two or more antennas and signal detectors for detecting signals received at the antennas. A data detection module constructs a fitness function based on the received set of signals and generates additional possible solution sets by an iterative process in which the fitness of possible data sequences are evaluated using the fitness function.

Abstract: A user interface system comprises a plurality of linkages connected between a platform and a base. The linkages permit motion of the platform over at least a portion of a spherical surface. A support assembly coupled between the platform and the base comprises a spherical joint having a center of rotation substantially concentric with a center of the spherical surface. The spherical joint constrains motion of the platform to the spherical surface. The system may include a sensor corresponding to each linkage. Each sensor may be coupled to sense a movement of its corresponding linkage in response to motion of the platform over the portion of the spherical surface. A user-manipulable handle may be coupled to the platform so that the user can move the platform.

Abstract: An electrically conductive, thermosetting elastomeric composition is provided. The composition may comprise: an initially substantially non-electrically conductive, thermosetting base polymer; a particulate filler comprising electrically conductive particles; and an electrically conductive polymer additive. The non-electrically conductive, thermosetting base polymer, the particulate filler and the electrically conductive polymer additive are mixed substantially macroscopically homogeneously.

Abstract: The invention encompasses microfluidic microarray assemblies (MMA) and subassemblies and methods for their manufacture and use. In one embodiment, first and second channel plates are provided and are sealingly connected to a test chip in consecutive steps. Each plate includes microfluidic channels configured in a predetermined reagent distribution pattern. The test chip comprises a plurality of discrete test positions, each test position being located at the intersection between a first predetermined reagent pattern and a second predetermined reagent pattern, wherein at least one of said patterns is non-linear. The first channel plate allows the distribution of a first reagent on said test chip, wherein said first reagent is immobilized at said test positions. The second channel plate allows the distribution of a second reagent on said test chip, wherein said second reagent comprises a plurality of different test samples.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I) for selectively inhibiting glycosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds The invention also provides methods of treating diseases and disorders related to deficiency or overexpression of O-GlcNAcase, accumulation or deficiency of O-GlcNAc

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I) for selectively inhibiting glycosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds. The invention also provides methods of treating diseases and disorders related to deficiency or overexpression of O-GlcNAcase, accumulation or deficiency of O-GlcNAc.

Abstract: A security document is disclosed which includes an electrical circuit embedded in a document substrate, where the electrical circuit includes a power source with at least one electroactive polymer power generator, and an optical display including at least one electroluminescent display element and at least one nanohole array which forms a layer of the electroluminescent display element. A method of authenticating a security document is also disclosed, the method including illuminating an encoded nanohole array in the security document with a focused light beam or laser light source emitting at least one defined wavelength of incident light, detecting a transmitted portion of the incident light transmitted through the nanohole array with an optoelectronic sensor, analyzing at least one wavelength of the transmitted portion of light to produce a detected signal, and comparing the detected signal with an authentication signal to authenticate the security document.