Abstract: A method for training a control policy for manipulating an object. For each of one or more objects in each of one or more scenes, receiving an input data element including image data representing a shape of the object to be manipulated and its position in the scene, generating, for each input data element, one or more training data elements by generating augmentations of the image data and pseudo-labels for the augmented image data according to a semi-supervised learning scheme and training the control policy using the generated training data elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are expandable introducer sheaths and methods of making and using the same. The sheaths minimize trauma to a patient's vasculature by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the sheath to accommodate passage of a delivery system for an implant, then return to a non-expanded state after the passage of the device. The sheath includes a foldable inner member having a detached flap structure at its distal tip that facilitates expansion of the sheath lumen to increased diameters, and an elastomeric distal end that reduces push and retrieval forces therethrough. The sheath can include a hemostasis seal on its proximal end to prevent the leakage of blood out of the sheath and prevent ballooning of outer layer of the sheath.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calculating dynamic ambient occlusion (AO) values for character models to yield high-quality approximations of global illumination effects. The approach utilizes a dual component machine-learning model that factorizes dynamic AO computation into a non-linear component, in which visibility is determined by approximating spheres and their casted shadows, and a linear component that leverages a skinning-like algorithm for efficiency. The parameters of both components are trained in a regression against ground-truth AO values. The resulting model accommodates lighting interactions with external objects and can be generalized without requiring carefully constructed training data.

Abstract: A server employs a shared raytracing context to generate video streams for multiple client devices. The server uses the shared raytracing context to perform raytracing operations for each of the client devices, and based on the raytracing operations generates different sets of image frames. The server then streams each set of image frames to a corresponding client device over a network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are expandable introducer sheaths and methods of making and using the same. The sheaths minimize trauma to a patient's vasculature by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the sheath to accommodate passage of a delivery system for an implant, then return to a non-expanded state after the passage of the device. The sheath includes a foldable inner member having a detached flap structure at its distal tip that facilitates expansion of the sheath lumen to increased diameters, and an elastomeric distal end that reduces push and retrieval forces therethrough. The sheath can include a hemostasis seal on its proximal end to prevent the leakage of blood out of the sheath and prevent ballooning of outer layer of the sheath.

Abstract: A delivery sheath includes an outer tubular layer and an initially folded inner tubular layer. When an implant passes therethrough, the outer tubular layer expands and the inner tubular layer unfolds into an expanded lumen diameter. The sheath may also include selectively placed longitudinal support rods that mediate friction between the inner and outer tubular layers to facilitate easy expansion, thereby reducing the push force needed to advance the implant through the sheath's lumen.

Abstract: A delivery sheath includes an outer tubular layer and an initially folded inner tubular layer. When an implant passes therethrough, the outer tubular layer expands and the inner tubular layer unfolds into an expanded lumen diameter. The sheath may also include selectively placed longitudinal support rods that mediate friction between the inner and outer tubular layers to facilitate easy expansion, thereby reducing the push force needed to advance the implant through the sheath's lumen.

Abstract: An implantable device or implant is configured to be positioned within a native heart valve to allow the native heart valve to form a more effective seal. The device can be deployed from a delivery system including one or more lines which can be decoupled from the device by energizing. The device can include contoured clasps which approximate the shape of the native valve when the clasps are in the closed position. The device can include a coaptation element with body portion including a plurality of struts and openings defining a lattice structure. One or more surfaces of one or more components of the device can be coated to improve the visibility of the device during deployment and implantation.

Abstract: Methods of treating and preventing fibrosis, and diseases/disorders characterised by fibrosis, through ADAMTS14 inhibition are disclosed, as well as agents for use in such methods.

Abstract: A method that includes playing back audio content through a speaker of the headset at a volume setting; receiving a microphone signal that includes noise of an acoustic environment captured by a microphone of the headset; detecting a change to an environmental noise level of the noise based on the microphone signal; retrieving, from memory of the headset, an adapted volume setting to the changed environmental noise level, wherein the adapted volume setting is generated at least in part based on user context or user behavior; and adjusting playback of the audio content by transitioning the volume setting to the adapted volume setting.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments of introducer devices provide hemostatic sealing and allow a delivery catheter to be inserted through the introducer seals without the use of a separate loader device that covers a medical device that is mounted on the catheter. Some disclosed introducers comprise a housing, a distal sheath extending distally from the housing and adapted to be inserted into a patient's vasculature, a distal hemostatic seal mounted within the housing and a proximal hemostatic seal mounted within the housing, and a slidable tube positioned within the housing that is movable longitudinally relative to the distal hemostatic seal between a proximal position and a distal position, wherein in the proximal position a distal end of the tube is positioned proximal to the distal hemostatic seal with the distal hemostatic seal closed, and wherein in the distal position the distal end of the tube extends through the distal hemostatic seal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot device. The method includes: receiving sensor data for a plurality of sensor data types, processing the sensor data of the plurality of sensor data types by an encoding and fusion model which includes a sequence of encoding stages which each includes an encoding layer for each of the sensor data types generating features for the sensor data of the sensor data type, a plurality of fusion layers which each combine features of the multiple sensor data types generated by a respective one of the encoding stages and generating an input for a respective subsequent encoding stage in the sequence of encoding stages and an output stage generating an output from an output of a last encoding stage of the sequence of encoding stages, selecting an action to be performed by the robot device, and controlling the robot device to perform the selected action.

Abstract: Provided are a nucleic acid extraction module and a nucleic acid test system including the same. A nucleic acid extraction module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an extraction base in which a nucleic acid attachment member is disposed and a first flow path connected to one side of the nucleic acid attachment member and a second flow path connected to the other side of the nucleic acid attachment member are formed, an injection needle having a hollow shape, protruding from one side of the extraction base, and connected to the first flow path, and a discharge needle having a hollow shape, protruding from the other side of the extraction base, and connected to the second flow path.

Abstract: Devices and methods for crimping a prosthetic heart valve onto a delivery device are described. In some embodiments, valves are crimped over an inflatable balloon and between proximal and distal shoulders mounted on a shaft inside the balloon. Crimping methods can include multiple compression steps with the valve located in different axial positions relative to the crimping jaws at each different step. In some methods, the valve may extend partially outside of the crimping jaws during certain crimping steps, such that the crimping force is only applied to the part of the valve that is inside the jaws. Exemplary crimping devices can include two or more adjacent sets of jaws that close down to different inner diameters, such that different parts of a valve get compressed to different outer diameters at the same time during a single crimping step.

Abstract: A valve catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature while a prosthetic heart valve is attached to flexible extensions along a distal end thereof. The valve catheter is advanced through a tubular sleeve for exposing the prosthetic heart valve and allowing the prosthetic heart valve to self-expand while the extensions remain attached to the prosthetic heart valve. A release mechanism on a handle portion is actuated for releasing the prosthetic heart valve from the extensions, thereby implanting the prosthetic heart in a native heart valve. If the operator is not satisfied with the initial expansion, the prosthetic heart valve may be reoriented before release from the extensions by retracting the prosthetic heart valve back into the tubular sleeve, adjusting the orientation of the prosthetic heart valve and then re-advancing the valve catheter from the tubular sleeve for allowing the prosthetic heart valve to re-self-expand at a more desirable location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are expandable introducer sheaths and methods of making and using the same. The sheaths minimize trauma to a patient's vasculature by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the sheath to accommodate passage of a delivery system for an implant, then return to a non-expanded state after the passage of the device. The sheath includes a foldable inner member having a detached flap structure at its distal tip that facilitates expansion of the sheath lumen to increased diameters, and an elastomeric distal end that reduces push and retrieval forces therethrough. The sheath can include a hemostasis seal on its proximal end to prevent the leakage of blood out of the sheath and prevent ballooning of outer layer of the sheath.

Abstract: Systems and processes for operating an intelligent dictation system based on gaze are provided. An example method includes, at an electronic device having one or more processors and memory, detecting a gaze of a user, determining based on the detected gaze of the user, whether to enter a dictation mode, and in accordance with a determination to enter the dictation mode: receiving an utterance; determining, based on the detected gaze of the user and the utterance, whether to enter an editing mode; and in accordance with a determination not to enter the editing mode, displaying a textual representation of the utterance on a screen of the electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments of introducer devices provide hemostatic sealing and allow a delivery catheter to be inserted through the introducer seals without the use of a separate loader device that covers a medical device that is mounted on the catheter. Some disclosed introducers comprise a housing, a distal sheath extending distally from the housing and adapted to be inserted into a patient's vasculature, a distal hemostatic seal mounted within the housing and a proximal hemostatic seal mounted within the housing, and a slidable tube positioned within the housing that is movable longitudinally relative to the distal hemostatic seal between a proximal position and a distal position, wherein in the proximal position a distal end of the tube is positioned proximal to the distal hemostatic seal with the distal hemostatic seal closed, and wherein in the distal position the distal end of the tube extends through the distal hemostatic seal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calculating dynamic ambient occlusion (AO) values for character models to yield high-quality approximations of global illumination effects. The approach utilizes a dual component machine-learning model that factorizes dynamic AO computation into a non-linear component, in which visibility is determined by approximating spheres and their casted shadows, and a linear component that leverages a skinning-like algorithm for efficiency. The parameters of both components are trained in a regression against ground-truth AO values. The resulting model accommodates lighting interactions with external objects and can be generalized without requiring carefully constructed training data.

Abstract: Devices and methods for crimping a prosthetic heart valve onto a delivery device are described. In some embodiments, valves are crimped over an inflatable balloon and between proximal and distal shoulders mounted on a shaft inside the balloon. Crimping methods can include multiple compression steps with the valve located in different axial positions relative to the crimping jaws at each different step. In some methods, the valve may extend partially outside of the crimping jaws during certain crimping steps, such that the crimping force is only applied to the part of the valve that is inside the jaws. Exemplary crimping devices can include two or more adjacent sets of jaws that close down to different inner diameters, such that different parts of a valve get compressed to different outer diameters at the same time during a single crimping step.