Abstract: An audio device having a housing including a first loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound towards a top of the housing, a second loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound towards a bottom of the housing, and a third loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound radially outward from the housing of the audio device. Embodiments may include a microphone array disposed proximate the top of the audio device and encircling the first loudspeaker.

Abstract: An audio device having a housing including a first loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound towards a top of the housing, a second loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound towards a bottom of the housing, and a third loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound radially outward from the housing of the audio device. Embodiments may include a microphone array disposed proximate the top of the audio device and encircling the first loudspeaker.

Abstract: An audio device having a housing including a first loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound towards a top of the housing, a second loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound towards a bottom of the housing, and a third loudspeaker disposed in the housing and oriented to emit sound radially outward from the housing of the audio device. Embodiments may include a microphone array disposed proximate the top of the audio device and encircling the first loudspeaker.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, a microfluidic apparatus for detecting target molecules. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a protein microarray-integrated microfluidic system for detecting target molecules.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of preventing, ameliorating and/or treating disorders or diseases associated with the integrated stress response (ISR) involving the p-eIF2? pathway arising from various cellular stresses such as oxidative stress, hypoxia and ER stress, chronic or prolonged bio-mechanical stress. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method which prevents or alleviates aberrant cell differentiation that is caused by the activation of the integrated stress response and thereby prevents or alleviates conditions, disorders or diseases resulting therefrom. In one embodiment, ISR-associated diseases subject to the present invention include but are not limited to skeletal disorders including disc degeneration, MCDS and other skeletal dysplasias, cancers, inflammatory diseases, diabetes, fibrosis, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A plurality of UAVs may be operated in a fleet, each of the UAVs in the fleet being configured to work collectively to achieve one or more functions, such as to create a display or implement an antenna array. The fleet of UAVs may operate individually and/or may be coupled to one another to operate as a collective unit. In some embodiments, one or more UAVs in the fleet may operate individually, while two or more UAVs in the fleet may be connected to one another. In such embodiments, the individual UAVs and the connected UAVs may together comprise the fleet.

Abstract: A method has been developed to produce stable cell-matrix microspheres with up to 100% encapsulation efficiency and high cell viability, using matrix or biomaterial systems with poor shape and mechanical stability for applications including cell therapeutics via microinjection or surgical implantation, 3D culture for in vitro expansion without repeated cell splitting using enzymatic digestion or mechanical dissociation and for enhanced production of therapeutic biomolecules, and in vitro modeling for morphogenesis studies. The modified droplet generation method is simple and scalable and enables the production of cell-matrix microspheres when the matrix or biomaterial system used has low concentration, with slow phase transition, with poor shape and mechanical stability.

Abstract: A plurality of UAVs may be operated in a fleet, each of the UAVs in the fleet being configured to work collectively to achieve one or more functions, such as to create a display or implement an antenna array. The fleet of UAVs may operate individually and/or may be coupled to one another to operate as a collective unit. In some embodiments, one or more UAVs in the fleet may operate individually, while two or more UAVs in the fleet may be connected to one another. In such embodiments, the individual UAVs and the connected UAVs may together comprise the fleet.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical device and its application to generate an adjustable wave front deformation of a laser beam and thus to generate an adjustable beam spot geometry in the focal plane of laser optics. For this purpose, a device is provided which allows adjusting and modifying a laser beam in such a way that a beam spot, the shape of which can be adjusted continuously based on the original focal shape, is generated after focusing the beam, i.e. at least one dimension parameter of the shape of the beam spot has to be variable and adjustable so that the beam parameter product of the beam can also be modified without having to modify the focal position.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an advertisement for display on a mobile platform includes providing access to the advertisement via a plurality of mobile devices. Each mobile device is associated with a subscriber to an advertisement evaluation organization. Feedback to the advertisement by the subscriber is solicited via a mobile device that accesses the advertisement. A reward with monetary value is provided to the subscriber that is associated with the in exchange for providing the solicited feedback.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed that includes a plurality of elements arranged to image radiation at a wavelength ? from an object field in an object surface to an image field in an image surface. The elements include mirror elements have a reflective surface formed by a reflective coating positioned at a path of radiation. At least one of the mirror elements has a rotationally asymmetrical reflective surface deviating from a best-fit rotationally symmetric reflective surface by about ? or more at one or more locations. The elements include an apodization correction element effective to correct a spatial intensity distribution in an exit pupil of the optical system relative to the optical system without the apodization correcting element. The apodization correction element can be effective to increase symmetry of the spatial intensity distribution in the exit pupil relative to the optical system without the apodization correcting element.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical device and its application to generate an adjustable wave front deformation of a laser beam and thus to generate an adjustable beam spot geometry in the focal plane of laser optics. For this purpose, a device is provided which allows adjusting and modifying a laser beam in such a way that a beam spot, the shape of which can be adjusted continuously based on the original focal shape, is generated after focusing the beam, i.e. at least one dimension parameter of the shape of the beam spot has to be variable and adjustable so that the beam parameter product of the beam can also be modified without having to modify the focal position.

Abstract: A method has been developed to produce stable cell-matrix microspheres with up to 100% encapsulation efficiency and high cell viability, using matrix or biomaterial systems with poor shape and mechanical stability for applications including cell therapeutics via microinjection or surgical implantation, 3D culture for in vitro expansion without repeated cell splitting using enzymatic digestion or mechanical dissociation and for enhanced production of therapeutic biomolecules, and in vitro modeling for morphogenesis studies. The modified droplet generation method is simple and scalable and enables the production of cell-matrix microspheres when the matrix or biomaterial system used has low concentration, with slow phase transition, with poor shape and mechanical stability.

Abstract: A bioengineered IVD for disc replacement has been developed that has mechanical and structural support characteristics similar to those of native IVD. Extracellular matrix (ECM) provides support to living cell components and interacts with the living cellular components during the fabrication process without introducing toxicity. The composition can be produced from both natural or synthetic source but preferably natural and induced to self-assemble or reconstitute into its solid form under conditions that are mild enough to support cellular survival and growth. The cells induce a volume change of the structures, leading to changes in dimension, ECM density, cell density, mechanical property and stability, etc. The extent of the change in volume of the composition can be precisely controlled by factors such as the density of the ECM, the density of the living cells, the timing for interaction and the serum concentration. Increased structural support is provided by crosslinking.

Abstract: A system to stabilize images of a digital camera adjusting to unintentional movements of the camera during capture of an image has been achieved. A gyroscopic sensor senses any movement of a camera by angular speed detection and via an electronic regulator at least two linear motors move an x-y table, carrying an optical sensor or a lens barrel of the camera, in a way to adjust the optical sensor to these movements. Position sensors, as e.g. sensors integrated in the linear motors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, or Hall sensors, sense the actual position of one or more movable plates of the x-y table and feed it back to the regulator. The movable plates of x-y table are guided by a multitude of rolling elements, e.g. ball bearings.

Abstract: A method has been developed to produce stable cell-matrix microspheres with up to 100% encapsulation efficiency and high cell viability, using matrix or biomaterial systems with poor shape and mechanical stability for applications including cell therapeutics via microinjection or surgical implantation, 3D culture for in vitro expansion without repeated cell splitting using enzymatic digestion or mechanical dissociation and for enhanced production of therapeutic biomolecules, and in vitro modeling for morphogenesis studies. The modified droplet generation method is simple and scalable and enables the production of cell-matrix microspheres when the matrix or biomaterial system used has low concentration, with slow phase transition, with poor shape and mechanical stability.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for digital cameras to gain tilt information of an image sensor of the camera in order to achieve a fast correction for this tilt. By moving the lens of the camera to positions providing a maximum sharpness of at least three regions of interest (ROI) in the image sensor the tilt of the image sensor is calculated by using the correspondent lens/sensor distances and the distances of the different ROIs to the center of the image sensor. Yaw and pitch values of the tilt of the image sensor are calculated to enable an alignment of the sensor.

Abstract: Methods for providing access to voice content are provided. For example, voice content is accessible to a plurality of users employing a platform in which inputting, outputting, searching, processing and transacting are facilitated in a manner uniquely suited to voice content. Such a platform may isolate characteristics specific to voices for purposes of ranking, grouping, gaming, translating, teaching or studying.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for presenting personalized information to consumers in a retail environment. A personalized price is determined for at least one product that is in physical proximity to the customer. The physical proximity may be determined, for example, by evaluating identifiers, such as RFID tags, associated with each customer and product. A personalized message can be also presented to a customer regarding at least one product that is in physical proximity to the customer. The personalized message can provide, for example, dietary or safety information relevant to the customer and at least one product in the proximity of the customer. The personalized information may be determined based on one or more personalized message rules.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed that includes a plurality of elements arranged to image radiation at a wavelength ? from an object field in an object surface to an image field in an image surface. The elements include mirror elements have a reflective surface formed by a reflective coating positioned at a path of radiation. At least one of the mirror elements has a rotationally asymmetrical reflective surface deviating from a best-fit rotationally symmetric reflective surface by about ? or more at one or more locations. The elements include an apodization correction element effective to correct a spatial intensity distribution in an exit pupil of the optical system relative to the optical system without the apodization correcting element. The apodization correction element can be effective to increase symmetry of the spatial intensity distribution in the exit pupil relative to the optical system without the apodization correcting element.