Abstract: A sterile holder for sterile surgical implants. The implant holder is an ergonomically shaped body of deformable material having an implant-receiving cavity similar in size and shape to the implant. To remove the implant from the holder, the surgeon mates a sterile tool to the implant and gently pries the implant out of the holder by deforming the body. Preferably the tool used to pry the implant out of the body is an insertion tool mated to the implant which is also used to insert the implant in a patient. In this way the surgeon retrieves the implant from its container without touching the container and directly inserts the implant in the patient without risking contamination: sterility is maintained for both the surgeon and the implant. In a preferred embodiment, the implant holder is configured to hold two pedicle screws and their set-screws.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting an error in depth information estimated from a two-dimensional (2D) image are disclosed. The method includes diagnosing an error in depth information by inputting a color image and depth information estimated using the color image to a depth error detection network, and determining enhanced depth information by maintaining or correcting the depth information based on the diagnosed error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating depth information of an image are disclosed. The depth information estimation method of the image includes providing a confidence map for a ground truth depth map; and learning a depth information estimation model for estimating depth information of an image based on the ground truth depth map and the confidence map.

Abstract: A disinfectant method and device produces a disinfectant smoke. The smoke contains reaction products of the initiator compound, sometimes with an additional disinfectant agent. A composition for the non-pyrotechnic generation of the smoke includes a monomer that exothermically polymerizes, an initiator, and a disinfectant agent. A non-pyrotechnic method of generating disinfectant-containing smoke is provided, which includes initiating a frontal polymerization reaction (FPR) in a composition for the non-pyrotechnic generation of disinfectant-containing smoke, and generating disinfectant smoke. A method of disinfecting an area is provided, involving initiating an FPR to generate disinfectant smoke, and exposing the area to the smoke for a period of time sufficient to achieve disinfection.

Abstract: A depth estimation method and apparatus using a learning model are disclosed. A depth information estimation method may include identifying a plurality of image data, generating feature maps of the plurality of image data respectively, generating a cost volume using the feature maps, generating normalized cost volumes in different sizes by normalizing the cost volume, estimating disparity information from the normalized cost volumes, and generating depth information using the estimated disparity information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting an error in depth information estimated from a two-dimensional (2D) image are disclosed. The method includes diagnosing an error in depth information by inputting a color image and depth information estimated using the color image to a depth error detection network, and determining enhanced depth information by maintaining or correcting the depth information based on the diagnosed error.

Abstract: A method and device for classifying collected images. The method and device include instructions to compare a captured image to a known set of images to determine the location depicted therein; and applying a classification upon the image based upon the determined location depicted therein and whether the determined location indicates that the image has the potential to depict privacy sensitive information.

Abstract: A method and device for opportunistically collecting images of a location via a mobile device, the device including algorithms that allow the selective winnowing of collected images to facilitate the creation of a 3D model from the images while minimizing the storage needed to hold the pictures.

Abstract: A method and device for classifying collected images. The method and device include instructions to compare a captured image to a known set of images to determine the location depicted therein; and applying a classification upon the image based upon the determined location depicted therein and whether the determined location indicates that the image has the potential to depict privacy sensitive information.

Abstract: A video services receiver and related operating methods are disclosed here. In accordance with one disclosed methodology, the video services receiver receives a segment of video content, and processes a plurality of contiguous sub-segments of the segment of video content to generate a corresponding plurality of characterizing signatures. Each of the characterizing signatures identifies a respective one of the contiguous sub-segments. The video services receiver compares the characterizing signatures to video content signatures maintained in a database. When the results of the comparing satisfy predetermined matching criteria, the video services receiver initiates an operation that influences presentation attributes of the segment of video content.

Abstract: A method and device for opportunistically collecting images of a location via a mobile device, the device including algorithms that allow the selective winnowing of collected images to facilitate the creation of a 3D model from the images while minimizing the storage needed to hold the pictures.

Abstract: This invention describes novel methods of treating muscle damage, muscle wasting, muscle degeneration, muscle atrophy or reduced rates of muscle repair associated with various conditions such as muscular dystrophy, through the use of small-molecule PAI-1 inhibitors.

Abstract: A library of mutants of metastable proteins, such as proteinase inhibitors, can be screened for the specific loss of a wild-type capability to bind an antibody, yielding valuable drug-design information which otherwise is unavailable. By this approach, for example, a mutant proteinase inhibitor can be obtained that has the amino acid sequence of a wild-type protein, or an active fragment thereof, save for the presence of one or more mutations in at least one epitope, thereby altering interaction of the mutant with an anti-proteinase inhibitor antibody.

Abstract: A method for detecting objects in a digital image includes the steps of generating a first segmentation map of the digital image according to a non-object specific criterion, generating a second segmentation map of the digital image according to an object specific criterion, and detecting objects in the digital image using both the first and second segmentation maps. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the non-object specific criterion is a color homogeneity criterion and the object specific criterion is an object specific color similarity, wherein the object specific color is skin color and the method further comprises the step of detecting red-eye in the detected skin color regions.

Abstract: A firearm trigger assembly adapted to be disposed in operative relationship within a firearm, the firearm having in operative relationship one with another a barrel a forestock and a receiver connected in a forward assembly; and firing mechanisms including a sear assembly, and a combination of a firearm hammer and a firing pin; the trigger assembly being disposed at least partly shrouded within the forestock of the forward assembly and being adapted to be operably engaged by the user's forwardly-placed support hand when the support hand is in a substantially conventional forwardly-placed support hand position gripping the forestock of the firearm, the trigger assembly including: a translationally-movable trigger mechanism including: a trigger button, and an elongated trigger member, the trigger button being connected to and adapted to move the elongated trigger member in a substantially translational manner; the elongated trigger member is adapted to engage the sear assembly for the activation of the firearm

Abstract: A firearm frame which is adapted to be disposed in operative relationship as a component part of a firearm, the firearm having disposed in operative relationships each with one or more of the others, a barrel, a receiver, and at least one firing mechanism; wherein the barrel and receiver form operative parts of a movable assembly and the at least one firing mechanism is disposed in a substantially stationary operative relationship therewith; the firearm frame including at least one elongated support structure discrete from the barrel and receiver, the elongated support structure being adapted to directly support the movable assembly in an operative movable relationship therewith; whereby at least one of the barrel and receiver is in direct contact with and movable on the elongated support structure; and, a firing mechanism support structure connected to the at least one elongated support structure, the firing mechanism support structure being adapted to have the firing mechanism connected thereto; the firearm

Abstract: A separating firearm sear is shown and disclosed which is adapted to be disposed in operative relationship within a firearm, the firearm having a forwardly movable assembly with a barrel, receiver, and trigger; and a stationary assembly including one or more firing mechanisms including a combination firearm hammer and firing pin; the separating sear having a rotatable sear lever having first and second ends, the first end having a sear hook which is adapted to engage a sear engaging surface of the hammer, the second end formed as a bevel; and a translational sear link having first and second ends, the first end affixed to the trigger, and the second end formed as a bevel counter posed to the bevel on the sear lever; whereby the rotatable sear lever is connected to and is a part of the stationary assembly, and is disposed in non-translational yet rotatable relationship relative to the hammer; and whereby the respective bevels on the second ends of the sear link and the sear lever are adapted to contact each ot

Abstract: A forwardly movable assembly for a firearm, the forwardly movable assembly adapted to be disposed in operative relationship relative to the other operative parts of a firearm, the firearm having in operative relationship each with one or more of the others: a barrel, a receiver, and at least one firing mechanism; the forwardly movable assembly comprising: the barrel and the receiver operatively connected with each other; a movable hand support structure to which at least one of the barrel and the receiver is connected, the barrel being movable therewith, the movable hand support structure being adapted to be gripped by an operator of the firearm; the forwardly movable assembly being adapted to be moved forward by an operator upon gripping the movable hand support structure and manually maneuvering the hand support structure forwardly; and, as the forwardly movable assembly is moved forwardly, the firing mechanism is completely disengaged therefrom and held substantially stationary relative thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to substituted biphenyloxy acids (such as 4?-aryl-amido-biphenyl-4(3)-yloxy-acids and 4?-aryl-amidomethyl-biphenyl-4(3)-yloxy-acids) and methods of using them.

Abstract: This invention provides PAI-1 inhibiting compounds of Formula I: wherein: R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each H, alkyl, alkanoyl, halo, OH, aryl optionally substituted with R8, perfluoroalkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, perfluoroalkoxy; R5 is H, alkyl, perfluoroalkyl, aryl optionally substituted with R8, alkanoyl, aroyl optionally substituted with R8; R6 is H, alkyl, alkylaryl, benzyl optionally substituted with R8, alkanoyl, aroyl optionally substituted with R8; R7 is H, alkyl, alkylaryl, aryl optionally substituted with R8; n is 0-6; A is COOH, or an acid mimic such as tetraazole, SO3H, PO3H2, tetronic acid, etc.; R8 is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkanoyl, halo, OH, perfluoroalkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, perfluoroalkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment using these compounds.