Abstract: A computing system for realizing visual content of an image collection executes feature detection algorithms and semantic reasoning techniques on the images in the collection to elicit a number of different types of visual features of the images. The computing system indexes the visual features and provides technologies for multi-dimensional content-based clustering, searching, and iterative exploration of the image collection using the visual features and/or the visual feature indices.

Abstract: A computing system for recognizing salient events depicted in a video utilizes learning algorithms to detect audio and visual features of the video. The computing system identifies one or more salient events depicted in the video based on the audio and visual features.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a gate valve comprising: a valve body including a cavity coupled to a channel having proximal and distal portions; a gate to seal and unseal the channel; proximal and distal seats adjacent the gate; wherein (a) the proximal seat traverses towards the gate and stops at a first position when the gate is closing and the proximal channel portion is more highly pressurized than the cavity, and (b) the distal seat slides away from the gate and stops at a second position when the gate is closing and the cavity is more heavily pressurized than the distal channel portion. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first ring having an open annular space and a variable-width groove disposed on an interior peripheral surface of the first ring; a second ring rotatable within the open annular space of the first ring, where the second ring has a respective variable-width groove disposed on an exterior peripheral surface of the second ring; and a plurality of rollers disposed between, and configured to roll on, the interior peripheral surface of the first ring and the exterior peripheral surface of the second ring and rotatable therebetween.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, an array of metal pads on a first surface of the substrate, a carbon polymer composite covering the array of metal pads, the composite having variations that result in random resistance values between the metal pads usable as a random code. A method of manufacturing a secure device, including forming an array of metal pads on a dielet substrate, the dielet substrate containing at least one memory in which is stored an encryption key, and an RF communication section, covering the array of metal pads with a carbon polymer composite such that variations in the carbon concentration in the polymer forms a unique pattern of resistance, attaching the dielet substrate to a host component, receiving a request from a security server for a unique code determined by the unique pattern of resistance, and using the encryption key, encrypting and providing the unique code to the security server.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing that includes an inner space, an inlet connected to the inner space, and a plurality of outlets connected to the inner space. The housing allows an inner cable of a Bowden cable to pass therethrough such that the inner cable passes through the inlet, the inner space, and any of the plurality of outlets. The apparatus also includes an inner hub rotatably mounted in the inner space of the housing. The inner hub is configured to receive and guide the inner cable passing through the housing such that the inner cable forms a curved path about the inner hub. The apparatus includes a socket configured to receive the Bowden cable. The socket can be coupled to the housing at a plurality of different positions to select any of the plurality outlets such that the inner cable of the Bowden cable passes through the selected outlet.

Abstract: The disclosure provides bisindole suitable for inhibiting lipoxygenases or A?-formation, and treating associated diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. The bisindoles are indolo[2,3-b]carbazole derivatives, and may be administered to a patient as part of a pharmaceutical formulation.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds, agents, compositions, and methods related to the treatment of a viral infection (e.g., Hepatitis C viral infection). In particular, the compounds, agents, compositions, and methods described herein inhibit viral entry into a target cell.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for the parallel detection of a set of distinct nucleic acid sequences use multiple sequence amplification and simultaneous hybridization readout. An automated nucleic acid analysis system comprises in microfluidic connection sample lysis, purification, PCR and detection modules configured to detect in parallel distinct nucleic acid sequences via multiple sequence amplification and simultaneous microarray hybridization readout. High performance microfluidic electroactive polymer (?EAP) actuators comprising a dead-end fluid chamber in which a surface of the chamber is an electrode covered with an EAP layer of dielectric elastomer are configured for particle sorting.

Abstract: User interface devices are disclosed. The device can include a body that can be held in a user's hand. The body has an outer surface that can be gripped by fingers of the user's hand to facilitate translation and rotation of the body by the user's hand. The device can include one or snore sensors disposed within the body. In some embodiments, the one or more sensor can provide one or both of position and orientation information of the body to a control system. The body can provide feedback to the user via the exterior surface of the body that is gripped by the user's fingers and/or can receive control inputs from the user via one or more of translation of the body, rotation of the body, pressing of the outer surface with the user's fingers, and changing of the angular orientation of the longitudinal axis of the body. Methods of using a user interface device are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns the discovery of the use of fenoterol and (R,R)- and (R,S)-fenoterol analogues for the treatment of a tumor expressing a ?2-adrenergic receptor, such as a primary brain tumor, including a glioblastoma or astrocytoma expressing a ?2-adrenergic receptor. In one example, the method includes administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of fenoterol, a specific fenoterol analogue or a combination thereof to reduce one or more symptoms associated with the tumor, thereby treating the tumor in the subject.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods detect latent HIV in a patient on anti-retroviral therapy (ART), the method comprising using optical scanning to identify in a cell sample of the patient Gag+ CD4 downregulated cells as in indication of latent HIV.

Abstract: A material includes a porous particle that includes a metal ion imprinted polymer. The metal ion imprinted polymer is formed from a hydrophilic co-monomer, a metal containing polymerizable compound, and a cross-linking agent. The metal containing polymerizable compound includes at least one metal chelating ligand. The metal ion imprinted polymer includes a plurality of metal ion selective binding sites. A method includes flowing brine containing a metal ion through a reactor that includes the material. The method further includes discharging the brine from the reactor, contacting the porous particles with water, and pressurizing the reactor with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide reacts with the adsorbed metal ions to form a metal carbonate solution. The method further includes depressurizing the reactor to precipitate metal carbonate from the metal carbonate solution and discharging the metal carbonate solution from the reactor.

Abstract: A computing system is operable as a virtual personal assistant (VPA). Among other things, a semantic preprocessor of the VPA recognizes natural language user input that is intended as a reference to a known semantic type, and creates a semantic interpretation of the natural language input. The semantic interpretation may be used by a natural language understanding module of the VPA.

Abstract: Materials, systems and methods are provided for qualitative assessment of exposure of a person to ionizing radiation by measuring amounts of the biomarkers, wherein a change compared with corresponding un-irradiated control reference ranges of the biomarkers, provides the assessment, wherein the biomarkers include (i) alpha-1-Antichymotrypsin (ACT), (ii) Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), and (iii) one or more additional proteins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for training and guiding users comprising generating a scene understanding based on video and audio input of a scene of a user performing a task in the scene, correlating the scene understanding with a knowledge base to produce a task understanding, comprising one or more goals, of a current activity of the user, reasoning, based on the task understanding and a user's current state, a next step for advancing the user towards completing one of the one or more goals of the task understanding and overlaying the scene with an augmented reality view comprising one or more visual and audio representation of the next step to the user.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly having an actuator housing coupled to a bonnet and a housing lid. A hydraulic cylinder is positioned within the actuator housing and directly coupled to the bonnet. A piston is positioned within the hydraulic cylinder and coupled to a spring lifter assembly and a spring is positioned within the actuator housing and having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to a lower surface of the housing lid, and the second end being coupled to the spring lifter assembly. An operating stem is coupled to the piston and positioned in a channel extending through the bonnet to a valve body assembly.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are used to decouple proximal movement of a catheter supply lead or tubing from the tissue-embedded catheter. A catheter decoupling device comprises a catheter hub, sled and track, wherein the hub comprises a proximal end configured to receive a catheter fluid supply device, and a distal end configured to receive a catheter, the sled receives and retains the hub, the track receives and retains the hub; and, the hub has a limited range of back-and-forth motion relative to the track.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of electronic devices and the preparation thereof. In an aspect is an electronic device comprising a nanocomposite of carbon nanodomains homogeneously embedded in an insulating ceramic matrix, wherein the size and distribution of carbon nanodomains is such that the nanocomposite has a permittivity of greater than or equal to 200.

Abstract: A compact lightweight robotic end-effector has a large range of possible applied force. The end-effector includes one or more underactuated appendages, where each appendage is driven by a single motor connected to a driving cable wound throughout the appendage. The driving cable may be a flat cable or a cable with another non-circular cross section. The driving cable may be wrapped through a series of pulleys and/or bearings within the appendage to reduce frictional losses. The design of the pulley path may allow a desired mechanical response by the appendage, and the mechanical response may be optimized for a grasping process.