Abstract: Embodiments of the innovation relate to, in an access controller, a method for providing access to a network resource. The method includes receiving, by the access controller, a network access request and user interaction information associated with the network access request from the client device, the user access information received with the network access request from the client device. The method includes comparing, by the access controller, the user interaction information with a policy corresponding to the user interaction information. The method includes providing communication, by the access controller, between the client device and the network resource associated with the network access request in response to detecting an association between the user interaction information and the policy.

Abstract: An assembly for rigid bone fixation includes a plate and a screw. The screw can be rotated freely within the plate in a non-locking configuration to secure the plate against the bone. A locking mechanism is engaged to prevent the screw from moving relative the plate. In one embodiment, the plate includes a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion. The screw head rotates within the non-threaded portion to tighten the screw and pull the plate against the bone. The locking mechanism can include a moveable nut that rotates within the threaded portion of the plate to lock the screw and plate in a locking mode. The assembly can be used for rigid fixation of bones that experience cyclic loads, such as the sternum and mandible. Methods of rigid bone fixation are also described.

Abstract: An assessment engine includes a definition of inquiry skills being assessed. Assessment models are used to infer skill demonstration as one or more students engage in inquiry within computerized simulations and/or microworlds. A pedagogical agent and/or help system provides real-time feedback to one or more students based on the assessment model outputs, and/or based on additional models that track one or more students developing proficiency across inquiry tasks over time. A pedagogical agent and/or help system for science inquiry tutoring responds in real-time on the basis of knowledge-engineered and data-mined assessment and/or tracking models.

Abstract: Methods and systems for endoscopic observation of tympanic function.

Abstract: A virtual interactive ultrasound training system provides training of medical personnel in the practical skills of performing ultrasound scans, including recognizing specific anatomies and pathologies. The training system can be utilized in an asynchronous mode in which the system is used locally by a learner for personal training. The system can also be used in a synchronous mode in which multiple systems are connected over a network, allowing multiple user located remotely from each other and/or from a training instructor to train under the supervision of the instructor.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a crank-slider linkage and a rocker link. The crank-slider linkage has a crank coupled to the slider by a jointed connecting rod. The jointed connecting rod has a first link and a second link. The first link is coupled to the second link by a first revolute joint. The first link is coupled to the crank and has a longitudinal axis. The rocker link has a rocker end and a ground end. The rocker end is coupled to the jointed connecting rod. The ground end is coupled to ground by a second revolute joint. The rocker link and the second link are disposed on a common side of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A unitized regenerative fuel cell (URFC) employs a molten salt electrolyte for negative ion transfer by operating at temperatures above that of aqueous reactants for supporting gas-phase reactants, and the molten salt mitigates the need for reactant based catalysts by serving the dual role of the electrolyte as well as an optional catalyst or catalyst solvent. The molten-salt electrolyte (MSE) hydrogen-halogen unitized regenerative fuel cell is adaptable for microgrid electricity storage applications. Configurations herein employ a molten-salt electrolyte and a closed system of the reactants for cycling between charge and discharge modes. The URFC employs reactants including hydrogen and halogen as the oxidant, which is more reactive and energy efficient than oxygen employed in conventional URFCs, and avoids platinum electrodes by employing a high temperature, gas-phase, system which further reduces reactant crossover issues.

Abstract: Methods that extend the utility of standard rotational rheometers for accurate and sensitive viscoelastic characterization of small or small irregularly shaped or small anisotropic samples and systems to implement those methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasive monitoring and detection of sudden changes in cardiovascular hemodynamics, in which a PPG signal is obtained from a patient, a time-frequency spectrum (TFS) is computed from the PPG signal, instantaneous modulations at a plurality of time points defining a curve of a prominent frequency of oscillation are extracted from the TFS, a peak power spectral density sequence is computed using the instantaneous modulations, and instantaneous peak values for following prominent frequency oscillations are monitored.

Abstract: Enhanced real-time realizable AF algorithm for accurate detection of, and discrimination between, NSR, AF, PVC, and PAC. The method of these teachings includes an AF detection method having a modified Poincare approach in order to differentiate various patterns of PAC and PVC from NSR and AF. The method of these teachings can also apply to the Kullback-Leibler divergence or the Turning Point Ratio (TPR) to differentiate between various patterns of PAC and PVC from NSR and AF.

Abstract: An assessment engine includes a definition of inquiry skills being assessed. Assessment models are used to infer skill demonstration as one or more students engage in inquiry within computerized simulations and/or microworlds. A pedagogical agent and/or help system provides real-time feedback to one or more students based on the assessment model outputs, and/or based on additional models that track one or more students developing proficiency across inquiry tasks over time. A pedagogical agent and/or help system for science inquiry tutoring responds in real-time on the basis of knowledge-engineered and data-mined assessment and/or tracking models.

Abstract: A ski binding device having a plate adapted to engage the ski binding, in which the plate has a heel end and a toe end, and a heel absorption mechanism is adapted to absorb excessive lateral pivoting force from the heel of a ski boot. A restrictor biases the heel into engagement with a heel receptacle. A dual pivot engages the toe end of the plate for permitting both downward movement of the heel end and lateral movement of the heel end out of alignment with the ski. The lateral pivoting force corresponds to release of potentially harmful forces. The restrictor is responsive to upward force from the toe end, as results from disproportionate backweighting of a skier. The restrictor disengages the heel end from the heel receptacle based on a predetermined release force, and permit lateral outward displacement of the heel end upon disengagement of the heel.

Abstract: A digital instructional environment leverages an infrared eye-tracker to monitor a learner's reading and viewing of text and simulations for subject matter. The system detects out-of-order reading/viewing patterns that could lead to poor comprehension. The digital learning environment communicates with other tutorial components including simulation environments, pedagogical agents and may respond in real-time to such patterns with messages that guide learners (knowledge acquirers) to return to effective reading/viewing patterns so as to promote effective construction of mental model(s) developed during knowledge acquisition/learning.

Abstract: A flow battery employs a solid suspension charge material to maintain high charge density via stability of a suspension including a binder, conductive carbon and an electrolyte. A cathodic suspension employs carbon powder as a stabilizing agent in a suspension form to avoid precipitation of solids and maintain a high surface area of the suspended solids. The stabilizing agent undergoes agitation and milling to reduce a particle size and increase the change density due to the conductive nature of the fine powdered stabilizing agent exhibiting high energy density. The resulting suspensions are circulated in a charge cell connected to a load for providing electrical power.

Abstract: De-differentiation protocols are described herein for generating progenitor cells from adult connective tissue, in particular adult human fibroblasts. The de-differentiation protocols described herein comprise culturing the differentiated cells with an amount of FGF2 to de-differentiate the cells. These de-differentiated cells may then be cultured and used for experimentation, amplification and clinical applications. The clinical applications include the use of the cells for tissue and cell based therapies.

Abstract: Methods and systems that use the time-wise stability of RF location systems and the short time accuracy and spatial stability of inertial tracking system to increase the accuracy of tracking method.

Abstract: A digital instructional environment leverages an infrared eye-tracker to monitor a learner's reading and viewing of text and simulations for subject matter. The system detects out-of-order reading/viewing patterns that could lead to poor comprehension. The digital learning environment communicates with other tutorial components including simulation environments, pedagogical agents and may respond in real-time to such patterns with messages that guide learners (knowledge acquirers) to return to effective reading/viewing patterns so as to promote effective construction of mental model(s) developed during knowledge acquisition/learning.

Abstract: Methods and systems for endoscopic observation of tympanic function.

Abstract: A skate boot appliance for absorbing impact force of landing skating maneuvers by disposing a plunger or displacement member in a receptacle in response to an impact force, such that the receptacle is attached to a skate boot bottom and has a counterforce mechanism for resisting displacement below a threshold force, and resiliently deforming in response an impact force greater than the threshold force. The impact force is transferred from a skate blade through the plunger in response to a figure skating maneuver The disclosed plunger has a post and a horizontal displacement portion adapted to be disposed through the receptacle and engage the counterforce mechanism, such as the resilient planer member, in response to the threshold impact force, in which the horizontal displacement portion includes a convex ridge or protrusion for engaging the resilient planar member along an annular surface defined by the convex ridge.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing the phases and frequencies of devices in multi-user, wireless communications systems are provided. A primary beacon signal is transmitted by a destination node in a wireless communications network to a plurality of source nodes. Secondary beacon signals are also exchanged between the source nodes. Using the primary and secondary beacon signals, the nodes generate local phase and frequency estimates which are used to control local phases and frequencies of the source nodes. The source nodes then transmit common information to the destination at carrier frequencies based on the estimated local frequencies and phases, so that the phases and frequencies of the transmitted information are synchronized to facilitate coherent combining of the bandpass signals at the destination. Phase and frequency synchronization can be applied to wireless communications systems having any number of source nodes, and effects of Doppler shifts and moving platforms are accounted for.