Abstract: An information provision device in an information provision system includes, as its functions: a score control circuit that increases or decreases a provision timing score on the occurrence of a predetermined action; a timing determination circuit that determines the coming of the time to provide quiz information if the provision timing score exceeds a predetermined threshold; a priority control circuit that determines or changes, based on the situation of, e.g., a sport game on each occurrence of an action, priority associated with text information from which quiz information is generated; a quiz information generation circuit that generates appropriate quiz information based on the situation of, e.g., the sport game at the time determined; and a quiz information provision circuit that provides the generated quiz information to a user.

Abstract: A splint device includes a thin-walled strip as a stiffening component. A first fiber material is disposed on one side of the thin-walled strip. The splint device also includes a strap of a second fiber material. The one and the other fiber material function in combination as a hook and loop fastener.

Abstract: A method for supporting payment is provided. The method includes the steps of: acquiring information on at least one payment means associated with a user and payment information of the at least one payment means; and determining a payment means to recommend to the user at the time of payment by referring to the result of learning performed using learning data including feature information extracted from the information on the at least one payment means and the payment information of the at least one payment means to maximize cumulative benefits according to the user's payment pattern.

Abstract: A detection system serves for X-ray inspection of an object. An imaging optical arrangement serves to image the object in an object plane illuminated by X-rays generated by an X-ray source. The imaging optical arrangement comprises an imaging optics to image a transfer field in a field plane into a detection field in a detection plane. A detection array is arranged at the detection field. An object mount holds the object to be imaged and is movable relative to the X-ray source via an object displacement drive along at least one lateral object displacement direction in the object plane. A shield stop with a transmissive shield stop aperture is arranged in an arrangement plane in a light path and is movable via a shield stop displacement drive in the arrangement plane.

Abstract: A display comprises a transparent polymer support, an array of light emitters embedded in the support, and a redistribution layer. Each light emitter comprises electrode contacts that are substantially coplanar with a back surface of the support and emits light through a front surface of the support opposite the back surface when provided with power through the electrode contacts. The redistribution layer comprises a dielectric layer that is disposed on and in contact with the support back surface and distribution contacts that extend through the dielectric layer. Each of the distribution contacts is electrically connected to an electrode contact and is at least partially exposed.

Abstract: A x-ray micro tomography system provides the ability to proscriptively determine regularization parameters for iterative reconstruction of a sample, from projection data of the sample. This allows a less experienced operator to determine the regularization parameters with adequate precision.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigen-binding polypeptides, including bi-specific antigen-binding polypeptides, that specifically bind to a first and a second target antigen with high affinity. The present invention also provides novel antigen-binding polypeptides that specifically bind to HER2 and antagonize HER2 activation. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding the antigen-binding polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such antigen binding polypeptides. Methods of using antigen-binding polypeptide of the invention to treat disease, including cancer, are also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: The technology employs a state-based power control loop (PCL) architecture to maintain tracking and communication signal-to-noise ratios at suitable levels for optimal tracking performance and data throughput in a free-space optical communication system. Power for a link is adjustable to stay within a functional range of receiving sensors in order to provide continuous service to users. This avoids oversaturation and possible damage to the equipment. The approach can include decreasing or increasing the power to counteract a surge or drop while maintaining a near constant received power at a remote communication device. The system may receive power adjustment feedback from another communication terminal and perform state-based power control according to the received feedback. This can include re-initializing and reacquiring a link with the other communication terminal automatically after loss of power, without human intervention.

Abstract: A flat-panel display comprises a display substrate, an array of pixels distributed in rows and columns over the display substrate, the array having a column-control side, and column controller disposed on the column-control side of the array providing column data to the array of pixels through column-data lines. In some embodiments, rows of pixels in the array of pixels form row groups and each column of pixels in a row group receives column data through a separate column-data line. In some embodiments, each pixel in each column of pixels in the array of pixels is serially connected and each pixel in the array of pixels comprises a token-passing circuit for passing a token through the serially connected column of pixels.

Abstract: Techniques for simulating networks using dynamics-based constraints are disclosed.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed that involves creating an implant-supported prosthesis that is dynamically guided into position using an image-guided navigation system into position in a patient’s mouth without the use of a surgical guide.

Abstract: Disclosed here are methods, systems, and devices for measuring cervical range of motion. Exemplary devices include wearable motion sensing devices integrated into eyeglass frames. The disclosure may measure cervical motion in six directions or any desired planes including Cartesian planes containing pitch, yaw, and roll movements to diagnose and track a user's recovery from a head and neck injury or ailment.

Abstract: The technology of the invention relates to an ultrasonic characterization method for a flowstream to detect impurities that can include placing a first transducer and a second transducer aligned confocally to a flowstream, transmitting, from the first transducer, ultrasonic waveform signals into the flowstream, receiving, by the second transducer, the ultrasonic waveform signals, removing waveform signal reflections using a pitch-catch configuration of the first transducer and the second transducer, detecting waveform signals indicating impurities in the flowstream using induced nucleation of the impurities, detecting waveform signals indicating bubbles in the flowstream using nonlinear dynamic behaviors of the bubbles, and differentiating between the waveform signals of the impurities and the waveform signals of the bubbles using cavitation properties of the impurities and the bubbles.

Abstract: A throttle assembly that includes a housing with an internal cavity. The housing includes an upper port and a first lower port that provides access to the internal cavity. A plate with a second lower port encloses the internal cavity. The second lower port is aligned with the first lower port. A hollow tube having an open first end and a closed second end includes a cable attachment profile on the first end. The first end of the hollow tube is positioned within the internal cavity of the housing. The hollow tube extends out the second lower port of the plate away from the housing and may twist axially within the housing. A clamp positioned around the first lower port is connected to the housing. An insert with internal threads is positioned within the upper port. A transparent plate provides visual access to the internal cavity of the housing.

Abstract: A robot includes an operation control unit that selects a motion of the robot, a drive mechanism that executes a motion selected by the operation control unit, and a remaining battery charge monitoring unit that monitors a remaining charge of a rechargeable battery. Behavioral characteristics of the robot change in accordance with the remaining battery charge. For example, a motion with a small processing load is selected at a probability that is higher the smaller the remaining battery charge. Referring to consumption plan data that define a power consumption pace of the rechargeable battery, the behavioral characteristics of the robot may be caused to change in accordance with a difference between the remaining battery charge scheduled in the consumption plan data and the actual remaining battery charge.

Abstract: A system for reducing plasma instability is disclosed. The system includes: an outer electrode having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end; and an inner electrode disposed inside of a void defined within the outer electrode and arranged coaxial with the outer electrode. The inner electrode includes: a base end defined by the first end of the outer electrode; and an apical end spaced from the base end. The system includes a fiber injector configured to inject a frozen fiber into the void from the apical end of the inner electrode; an electrode power source configured to energize the outer electrode and the inner electrode, and thereby, cause a plasma contained within the outer electrode to flow axially along the frozen fiber; and a frozen fiber power source configured to drive an electrical pulse to the frozen fiber.

Abstract: Methods for designing a mode-selective optical device including one or more optical interfaces defining an optical cavity include: defining a loss function within a simulation space encompassing the optical device, the loss function corresponding to an electromagnetic field having an operative wavelength within the optical device resulting from an interaction between an input electromagnetic field at the operative wavelength and the one or more optical interfaces of the optical device; defining an initial structure for each of the one or more optical interfaces, each initial structure being defined using a plurality of voxels; determining values for at least one structural parameter and/or at least one functional parameter of the one or more optical interfaces by solving Maxwell's equations; and defining a final structure of the one or more optical interfaces based on the values for the one or more structural and/or functional parameters.

Abstract: A system includes a transmitter configured to output an optical signal. The transmitter includes a seed laser, an optical array including a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters in a multi-layer arrangement. The multi-layer arrangement includes a plurality of layers between the seed laser and the optical array, wherein a first layer of the plurality of layers transmits light to a second layer of the plurality of layers. The first layer has fewer phase shifters than the second layer. The multi-layer arrangement also includes a plurality of branches wherein each branch includes a phase shifter from each of the plurality of layers connected in series between the seed laser and one of the plurality of array elements. Each phase shifter is configured to shift the optical signal incrementally to amass a total phase shift for each of the plurality of array elements.

Abstract: A Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) wavefront sensor including a sensor element having an array of photodiodes and a passivation layer covering the sensor element. The sensor further includes a binary lens formed in the passivation layer and arranged to focus incident light onto the sensor element.

Abstract: A cooking assembly can include a cooking vessel, a mixer, and a motor. The cooking vessel can include a bottom contact portion including a first bore therethrough, a heating portion spaced above the bottom contact portion and including a second bore therethrough, and a sidewall connected to the heating portion and together with the heating portion configured to retain food in the cooking vessel. The mixer can be located within the cooking vessel, where the mixer configured to rotate relative to the heating portion. The motor can be connected to the mixer via the first bore and the second bore to drive the mixer to rotate.