Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for simulating insertion of an elongated instrument attached to a tether into a structure. The apparatus comprises a casing having an aperture for receiving a distal end of the tether therethrough. The apparatus has a pulley having an outer tether receiving groove on a peripheral portion and an anchoring element therein for anchoring the distal end of the tether, the pulley rotating according to a longitudinal translation of the tether relatively to the casing. The apparatus has a sensing arrangement for sensing an angular position of the pulley representative of a relative longitudinal position of the elongated instrument. The apparatus has a feedback force actuator for applying an adjustable resistive force to a rotation of the pulley according to the sensed angular position and resistance characteristics of the structure. The present disclosure also relates to a medical insertion simulator comprising such an apparatus.

Abstract: An audio demonstration kit encourages understanding of audio concepts by enabling children to construct and study speaker performance. In a particular embodiment, the audio demonstration kit includes a paper speaker and instructions. The paper speaker includes a backplate, a suspension, and a diaphragm cut from a single sheet of paper. The demonstration kit may feature an amplifier that is configurable to accommodate various hardware additions as a child is ready for more progressively challenging construction. For example, the amplifier of an embodiment allows single and dual mode operation, as well as drives a rotary motor and is coordinated with a strobe light. The amplifier of an embodiment is synchronized with the strobe light and a moveable platform to create the impression of that jiggling figures attached to the table are dancing. Interfaces with smart phone, recording, and other technologies further enhances and encourages the learning experience.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for facilitating a computer-supported collaborative session that includes at least two participants using different computing devices to view a canvas that is configured to contain objects added by one or more of the participants. The computer-supported collaborative session is configured to permit participants to mark and/or edit selected objects presented on the canvas. Participants may use a mobile device camera to capture images or video clips, and post the captured images or video clips to the canvas by emailing or text messaging the captured image to a designated email address or phone number.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, information may be retrieved from an employee database that stores, for each of a plurality of employees, a current leadership value and a business unit association. Information about an employee leadership training event may be determined (including a number of slots associated with a first business unit and a number of slots associated with a second business unit), and, based on the information about the employee leadership training event and information in the employee database, including the current leadership values and business unit associations, a subset of the employees may be automatically selected to participate in the employee leadership training event. An indication of the automatically selected subset of employees may then be transmitted to at least one remote device.

Abstract: An audio demonstration kit encourages understanding of audio concepts by enabling children to construct and study speaker performance. In a particular example, the audio demonstration kit includes a paper speaker and instructions. The paper speaker includes a backplate, a suspension, and a diaphragm cut from a single sheet of paper. The demonstration kit may feature an amplifier that is configurable to accommodate various hardware additions as a child is ready for more progressively challenging construction. For example, the amplifier of an example allows single and dual mode operation, as well as drives a rotary motor and is coordinated with a strobe light. The amplifier of an example is synchronized with the strobe light and a moveable platform to create the impression of that jiggling figures attached to the table are dancing. Interfaces with smart phone, recording, and other technologies further enhances and encourages the learning experience.

Abstract: A tactile measuring instrument to be used primarily to measure and produce geometric quantities without use of sight, wherein a sliding jaw is configured to move over a guide to adjust the instrument to desired measurement, a mechanically controlled display mechanism is configured to place within tactile perception selected tactile forms or Braille dots, and condensed representation of tactile forms is configured to control display mechanism such that the numerical value of measurement is displayed; and because tactile forms are condensed and more may be packed in the same area, the instrument has high precision. As the display mechanism is small, lightweight and hidden, the instrument is small, portable and simple; and as all information is presented in Braille, it is quick-to-use and convenient. With different configurations of display mechanism and condensed tactile forms, the device may be used for applications other than measurement as well.

Abstract: A server, method and computer program product for identifying online usage of honeypots by test-takers during administration of online assessments is disclosed. The server includes at least one computer processor coupled to a network interface and configured to receive a pool of test questions used for a learning assessment. The server converts each question in the pool into a watermarked question comprising a unique string of characters; creates a corresponding web beacon for each watermarked question in the pool; loads available PHP server header information; propagates each watermarked question onto at least one seed site domain to create a cluster of seed sites; and detects when a test-taker visits at least one of the seed sites during an online assessment.

Abstract: A user interface device for a surgical simulation system, comprising a rigid shaft pivotably supported by a frame, and movable in the axial direction but fixed with respect to rotation around its longitudinal axis, and a handle having a sensor body rigidly attached to said rigid shaft, and a grip portion rotatable around said longitudinal axis relative said sensor body. The handle further comprises a rotator sleeve rotatable around said longitudinal axis relative said sensor body and said grip portion, a rotation sensor adapted to detect rotation of said rotator sleeve in relation to said sensor body, and a signal interface mounted on said sensor body and connected to receive a first detection signal from said rotation sensor. Through this design, all sensor elements and electronic circuitry can be provided in or adjacent to the sensor body, leading to an efficient design and manufacturing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating a user's performance. A first mobile communications device is configured to capture first audio and visual data of a user's performance. The first audio and video data are analyzed by the first device during the user's performance to determine if audio and video quality requirements are met. A second mobile communications device is configured to capture second audio and visual data of the user's performance, the second visual data capturing a different field of view than the first visual data. The second audio and visual data are transmitted by the second device to a remote computing system. The transmitted data is analyzed at the remote computing system to determine if the user is receiving utilizing unauthorized material in the performance. A computer-based scoring system is configured to determine a score for the user's performance based on the first audio and visual data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for simulating insertion of an inner elongated instrument attached to a tether into a structure through an outer elongated instrument. The apparatus has a carriage for mounting the outer elongated instrument, for translation according to a translation of the outer elongated instrument. The apparatus has a pulley for anchoring a tether and rotating according to a longitudinal translation of the tether into the outer elongated instrument. The apparatus has a feedback force actuator for applying an adjustable resistive force to a translation of the carriage according to the sensed longitudinal position of the carriage and resistance characteristics of the structure, and for further applying an adjustable resistive force to a rotation of the pulley according to the sensed angular position of the pulley and the resistance characteristics. The present disclosure also relates to a medical insertion simulator comprising such an apparatus.