Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprises an agonist-antagonist arrangement of two series-elastic actuators in parallel, including a knee joint, flexion and extension actuators connected to the joint in parallel with a leg member, and a controller for independently energizing the actuators to control the movement of the knee joint and leg. The flexion actuator comprises the series combination of a flexion motor and a flexion elastic element and the extension actuator comprises the series combination of an extension motor and an extension elastic element. Sensors provide feedback to the controller. The flexion actuator and the extension actuator may be unidirectional, with the flexion and extension elastic elements being series springs. The extension actuator may alternatively be bidirectional, with the extension elastic element being a set of pre-compressed series springs. Alternatively, the flexion elastic element may be a non-linear softening spring and the extension elastic element may be a non-linear hardening spring.

Abstract: The invention provides delivery systems comprised of stabilized multilamellar vesicles, as well as compositions, methods of synthesis, and methods of use thereof. The stabilized multilamellar vesicles comprise terminal-cysteine-bearing antigens or cysteine-modified antigens, at their surface and/or internally.

Abstract: Analysis of keystroke dynamics performed by an individual can be used for assessment and monitoring of the individual's motor function. Keystroke events related to a user pressing one or more keys on a keyboard or regions on a touch screen may be analyzed to identify a plurality of distributions of keystroke event intervals. The plurality of distributions may be analyzed to identify one or more features indicative of variation among the distributions and indicative of the user's motor function. Monitoring of a user's motor function may include comparing a value for a feature for one plurality of distribution to a second value for the same feature for another plurality of distributions.

Abstract: The invention provides delivery systems comprised of stabilized multilamellar vesicles, as well as compositions, methods of synthesis, and methods of use thereof. The stabilized multilamellar vesicles may comprise prophylactic, therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: Articles and methods in which an electric field is used to actuate a material are generally described. Provided in one embodiment is a method including applying an electric field to a ceramic material. Applying the electric field to the ceramic material can transform the ceramic material from a first solid phase to a second distinct solid phase. The applied electric field is less than a breakdown electric field of the ceramic material, according to certain embodiments.

Abstract: InAs based core-shell particles which leads to tunable, narrow emitting semiconductor nanocrystals with a very high quantum yield which can be preserved in physiological buffers with long stability can used for short wavelength infrared (SWIR) imaging. Increased resolution with reduced read time and increased imaging frequency can provide advantages in in vivo applications.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to enabling reversible, on-demand remote control of blood clotting and clot dissolution. In one embodiment, a laser at one wavelength triggers release of a DNA thrombin inhibitor from one nanorod, which acts as an anticoagulant to stop blood clotting. Another wavelength triggers release of a specific antidote, which reverses the effect of the thrombin inhibitor, restoring blood clotting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing an input signal. In some embodiments, an input pattern in the input signal may be combined with each stored representation of a plurality of stored representations of at least one template to obtain a respective value for each stored representation, thereby obtaining a plurality of values. A representation for the input pattern may be constructed at least in part by analyzing a probability distribution associated with the plurality of values, and the representation for the input pattern may be provided to a recognizer programmed to process the representation for the input pattern and output at least one label for the representation for the input pattern. In some embodiments, the plurality of stored representations of the at least one template comprises a sequence of stored representations representing the at least one template undergoing a transformation that is not translation or scaling.

Abstract: A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions at a predetermined temperature and responsive to at least a threshold amount of temperature change of the shape memory alloy element. The valve actuator further includes an expansion element attached to the shape memory alloy element, the expansion element responsive to temperature changes at a rate lower than a rate of change of temperature indicative of a valve leak, the expansion element adjusting tension on the shape memory alloy element, thereby changing the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a 3D range camera “looks around a corner” to image a hidden object, using light that has bounced (reflected) off of a diffuse reflector. The camera can recover the 3D structure of the hidden object.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a time of flight camera (ToF camera) can estimate the location, motion and size of a hidden moving object, even though (a) the hidden object cannot be seen directly (or through mirrors) from the vantage point of the ToF camera (including the camera's illumination source and sensor), and (b) the object is in a visually cluttered environment. The hidden object is a NLOS (non-line-of-sight) object. The time of flight camera comprises a streak camera and a laser. In these exemplary implementations, the motion and absolute locations of NLOS moving objects in cluttered environments can be estimated through tertiary reflections of pulsed illumination, using relative time differences of arrival at an array of receivers. Also, the size of NLOS moving objects can be estimated by backprojecting extremas of NLOS moving object time responses.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for utilizing network coding for multi-resolution multicast is presented. A network source partitions source content into a base layer and one or more refinement layers. The network source receives a respective one or more push-back messages from one or more network destination receivers, the push-back messages identifying the one or more refinement layers suited for each one of the one or more network destination receivers. The network source computes a network code involving the base layer and the one or more refinement layers for at least one of the one or more network destination receivers, and transmits the network code to the one or more network destination receivers in accordance with the push-back messages.

Abstract: Sorbent for reversible warm CO2 capture. The sorbent includes activated carbon impregnated with magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesium oxide constitutes at least 5% by weight of the sorbent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving in black space is described. The asymmetric interference channel is an appropriate model for many realistic scenarios, especially those arising more frequently as dynamic spectrum access (DSA) becomes more prevalent. As DSA nodes evolve to become more cognitive (e.g. self aware, environment aware, and adaptive), the prevailing white space seeking and gray space adapting policies leave a significant portion of the spectrum, namely, the black space, untapped. Described herein is a throughput versus SINR result and a corresponding technique for jointly choosing a transmission rate and multiuser detection algorithm that allows computationally constrained cognitive DSA nodes high rate operation in spectrum black space.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, two LCD screens display a multi-view 3D image that has both horizontal and vertical parallax, and that does not require a viewer to wear any special glasses. Each pixel in the LCDs can take on any value: the pixel can be opaque, transparent, or any shade between. For regions of the image that are adjacent to a step function (e.g., a depth discontinuity) and not adjacent to a sharp corner, the screens display local parallax barriers comprising many small slits. The barriers and the slits tend to be oriented perpendicular to the local angular gradient of the target light field. In some implementations, the display is optimized to seek to minimize the Euclidian distance between the desired light field and the actual light field that is produced. Weighted, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) is used for this optimization.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide sensitive pixel arrays formed using solvent-assisted or unassisted release processes. Exemplary devices include detectors arrays, tunable optical instruments, deflectable mirrors, digital micro-mirrors, digital light processing chips, tunable optical micro-cavity resonators, acoustic sensors, acoustic actuators, acoustic transducer devices and capacitive zipper actuators to name a few.

Abstract: A discrete bypass particle concentrator can significantly reduce surface fouling and manufacturing cost by including bypass stages after each of concentration stages.

Abstract: In illustrative implementations, a gyroscope, an accelerometer and a camera gather sensor data indicative of motion of a human head. The gyroscope, accelerometer and camera are each housed in, or attached to, headwear that is worn on the head. In some cases, the headwear comprises a headband, hat, cap, or structure similar to an eyeglasses frame. A computer takes the sensor data as input and calculates a heart rate and respiration rate of the human. In some cases, a computer also calculates heart rate variability. The head motion being measured is caused by forces that are transmitted, at least in part, from the chest, through the neck, and to the head. This head motion is caused, at least in part, by respiration, by heart beats, or by blood flow caused by the heart beats.

Abstract: A vertical semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. A vertical semiconductor device has a substrate that includes a first material, a first electrode below the substrate, and at least one semiconductor region. The at least one semiconductor region includes a second material different from the first material. The second material is a III-nitride semiconductor material. The at least one semiconductor region is formed over the substrate. The vertical semiconductor device also has a second electrode over the at least one semiconductor region.

Abstract: Network coding and multiple packet reception (MPR) are used together to improve message dissemination speed in a wireless network using half duplex communication. In at least one embodiment, MPR is used to initially distribute data packets from a number of source nodes in the network to the other nodes of the network. Network coding techniques may then be used to perform backfilling within the network to supply data packets to the source nodes that were originally missed due to the half duplex constraint.