Abstract: An imaging system, such as a surgical microscope, laparoscope, or endoscope or integrated with these devices, includes an illuminator providing patterned white light and/or fluorescent stimulus light. The system receives and images light hyperspectrally, in embodiments using a hyperspectral imaging array, and/or using narrowband tunable filters for passing filtered received light to an imager. Embodiments may construct a 3-D surface model from stereo images, and will estimate optical properties of the target using images taken in patterned light or using other approximations obtained from white light exposures. Hyperspectral images taken under stimulus light are displayed as fluorescent images, and corrected for optical properties of tissue to provide quantitative maps of fluorophore concentration. Spectral information from hyperspectral images is processed to provide depth of fluorophore below the tissue surface. Quantitative images of fluorescence at depth are also prepared.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the depth and fluorophore concentration of a fluorophore concentration below the surface of an optically absorbing and scattering medium suitable for use in fluorescence-based surgical guidance such as in tumor resection is described. Long-wavelength stimulus light us used to obtain deep tissue penetration. Recovery of depth is performed by fitting measured modulation amplitudes for each spatial frequency to precomputed modulation amplitudes in a table of modulation amplitudes indexed by optical parameters and depth.

Abstract: A computer executed process for mimicking human dialog, referred to herein as a “humanoid” or “humanoid system,” can be configured to provide automated customer support. The humanoid can identify a support issue for a customer, as well as a customer support campaign corresponding to the support issue. The humanoid can identify at least one machine learning model associated with the customer support campaign and can communicate with the customer using the at least one machine learning model. The humanoid can execute a support action to resolve the support issue.

Abstract: A valve actuation system comprises a first arm having a first arm contact surface and operatively connected to a valve actuation motion. A second arm having a second arm contact surface is operatively connected to the at least one engine valve. A discrete lost motion device is provided that is controllable between a first, motion conveying state and a second, motion absorbing state. The discrete lost motion devices comprises a plunger contact surface and a housing contact surface. The housing contact surface is configured to engage one of the first or second arm contact surfaces, and the plunger contact surface is configured to engage another of the first and the second arm contact surfaces. The first and second arm contact surfaces, the housing contact surface and the first plunger contact surface are configured to support the discrete lost motion device between the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for medical instrument navigation and targeting. In one aspect, a system includes a medical instrument having an elongate body and at least one sensor, a display, a processor, and a memory storing a model of a mapped portion of a luminal network and a position of a target with respect to the model. The processor may be configured to: determine, based on data from the at least one sensor, a position and orientation of a distal end of the medical instrument with respect to the model, and cause, on at least a portion of the display, a rendering of the model, the position of the target, and the position and orientation of the distal end of the medical instrument. The rendering may be based on a viewpoint directed at the target and different from a viewpoint of the medical instrument.

Abstract: An electric tricycle including a frame having a front end coupled to a steering assembly, the steering assembly having a front wheel, and a rear end coupled to a rear wheel assembly, the rear wheel assembly having two rear wheels. At least two pedals rotatably coupled to the rear wheel assembly and configured to move in a reciprocating motion, the at least two pedals having an engaged configuration wherein the at least two pedals are engaged with the two rear wheels and configured to rotate the two rear wheels in a first direction, and a disengaged configuration wherein each of the at least two pedals is disengaged from the two rear wheels and aligned with another of the at least two pedals. An electric motor electrically coupled to a battery and configured to engage with the two rear wheels and to rotate the two rear wheels in the first direction.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. A layer over the conductive levels includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus. In some embodiments the vertically-stacked conductive levels are wordline levels within a NAND memory array. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. Vertically-stacked NAND memory cells are along the conductive levels within a memory array region. A staircase region is proximate the memory array region. The staircase region has electrical contacts in one-to-one correspondence with the conductive levels. A layer is over the memory array region and over the staircase region. The layer includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel oocyte maturation medium or/and embryo culture medium with a chemically defined supplement to produce matured oocytes at high efficiency. The inventive medium or supplement comprises three growth factors, namely, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in a synergistic combination. Methods for oocyte and embryo culture are also provided.

Abstract: A method for enhancing interaction between a customer and a customer service representative of a company is provided. A graphical user interface (GUI) of a windows control tool is displayed. A type of an interaction between the customer and the customer service representative at a computer operated by the company is determined. One or more applications associated with the type of interaction are launched based on a predetermined display layout associated with the type of interaction. One or more application windows corresponding to the launched applications are arranged on a screen based on the predetermined display layout associated with the type of interaction. The windows control tool is configured to control the one or more application windows based on customer service representative's input. The GUI of the windows control tool displays a plurality of window objects corresponding to the one or more launched applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for measuring the jugular venous pressure of a patient. The device comprises a body defining a longitudinal enclosure and having a window along a length of the longitudinal enclosure to allow light to exit the longitudinal enclosure, a beam generator comprising a moveable portion mounted within the longitudinal enclosure, the beam generator configured to generate a sheet of light along a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and at an adjustable position along the longitudinal direction, and direct the sheet of light out the window, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the moveable portion of the beam generator relative to the body along the longitudinal direction, and, a readout indicating the position of the sheet of light along the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A steering rack support assembly with a support shaft and a sleeve. The support shaft has a first end, a second end, and at least two mounting members. The cross section of the support shaft may be substantially the same along the length of the support shaft. A first of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the first end of the support shaft, while a second of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the second end. Each of the at least two mounting members may be configured to couple to the frame of the vehicle. The sleeve is disposed around an outer surface of the support shaft and is slidably coupled to the support shaft. A bracket affixed to the sleeve may be configured to couple to a rack and pinion assembly, a first tie rod, and a second tie rod.

Abstract: Methods and devices to split electromagnetic waves across broad bandwidths in correspondence with orbital angular momentum states combined with orthogonal polarization states are disclosed. The described methods can be used in fiber communication and imaging systems. The devices include three-dimensional (3D) scattering structures that can be using existing CMOS processes and direct write lithography techniques. Performance metrics based on the intensity and contrast of the split electromagnetic waves are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of producing induced pluripotent (iPS), multipotent, and/or lineage-committed stem cells from differentiated cells, maintaining iPS, multipotent, and/or lineage-committed cells in culture, and re-differentiating the iPS and multipotent stem cells into any desired lineage-committed cell type.

Abstract: A hockey puck including a microprocessor operable to execute a processor readable code to convert sensor data generated by at least one sensor to hockey puck movement values, compare the hockey puck movement values to hockey puck movement threshold values, and actuate one or more light emitters or sound generators upon hockey puck movement values satisfying the hockey puck movement threshold values.

Abstract: A medical device position guidance system is provided. The system includes at least one reference transmitter and a receiver system configured to receive signals from the at least one reference transmitter. The reference transmitter is configured to maintain a static position on a subject. The system further includes a processor configured to (i) receive signals relating to the location and orientation of each sensor of the receiver system relative to the at least one reference transmitter; and (ii) using the received signals, create an anatomical coordinate system. The system may further include an inserted transmitter configured to be attached to a medical device. The inserted transmitter is adapted to establish the location and orientation of the medical device within the anatomical coordinate system. A method for medical device position guidance is also provided.