Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A method, comprising: generating, by a signal source, a continuous chirp signal the chirp signal being generated by converting to analog form a plurality of digital samples, each of the plurality of digital samples being calculated, at least in part, by: (i) incrementing a first counter by a frequency slope value, (ii) incrementing a second counter by a current value of the first counter, and (iii) evaluating a periodic function based on a current value of the second counter; and transmitting the chirp signal from the signal source to a signal receiver, the chirp signal being transmitted over a communications channel that couples the signal source to the signal receiver, the chirp signal being transmitted as part of a test for detecting a phase response of the communications channel.

Abstract: A radar system includes a transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal or a radar signal and a plurality of receivers. Each receiver receives a plurality of reflected signals created by a plurality of targets reflecting the RF signal or radar signal. The reflected signals include background noise and each of the receivers are separated by a predetermined distance. The radar system also includes a multiple input de-noiser configured to de-noise input signals from the plurality of receivers and to determine a time difference of arrival of the reflected signals between the plurality of receivers. A detection and angular resolution module is configured to determine an angular resolution between the plurality of targets using the time difference of arrival of the reflected signals between the plurality of receivers.

Abstract: A radar system including a transmit antenna for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal or a radar signal and a receive antenna for receiving a plurality of reflected signals created by a plurality of targets reflecting the RF signal or radar signal. The reflected signals include noise. The radar system also includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that digitizes or samples the reflected signals to provide a digitized or sampled noisy input signal. The radar system further includes a reservoir computer that receives the noisy input signal. The reservoir computer includes a time-varying reservoir and is configured to de-noise the noisy input signal and provide a range measurement for each of the plurality of targets.

Abstract: A radar system includes a transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal or a radar signal and a plurality of receivers. Each receiver receives a plurality of reflected signals created by a plurality of targets reflecting the RF signal or radar signal. The reflected signals include background noise and each of the receivers are separated by a predetermined distance. The radar system also includes a multiple input de-noiser configured to de-noise input signals from the plurality of receivers and to determine a time difference of arrival of the reflected signals between the plurality of receivers. A detection and angular resolution module is configured to determine an angular resolution between the plurality of targets using the time difference of arrival of the reflected signals between the plurality of receivers.

Abstract: A radar system including a transmit antenna for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal or a radar signal and a receive antenna for receiving a plurality of reflected signals created by a plurality of targets reflecting the RF signal or radar signal. The reflected signals include noise. The radar system also includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that digitizes or samples the reflected signals to provide a digitized or sampled noisy input signal. The radar system further includes a reservoir computer that receives the noisy input signal. The reservoir computer includes a time-varying reservoir and is configured to de-noise the noisy input signal and provide a range measurement for each of the plurality of targets.

Abstract: A mobile inspection robot that includes a robot body and a drive system supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface. A controller communicates with the drive system and a sensor system. The controller executes a control system that includes a control arbitration system and a behavior system in communication with each other. The behavior system executes an inspection behavior, the inspection behavior influencing execution of commands by the control arbitration system based on sensor signals received from the sensor system to identify and inspect electrical equipment.

Abstract: A mobile inspection robot that includes a robot body and a drive system supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface. A controller communicates with the drive system and a sensor system. The controller executes a control system that includes a control arbitration system and a behavior system in communication with each other. The behavior system executes an inspection behavior, the inspection behavior influencing execution of commands by the control arbitration system based on sensor signals received from the sensor system to identify and inspect electrical equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed are computational methods of clustering a set of protein structures based on local and pair-wise global similarity values. Pair-wise local and global similarity values are generated based on pair-wise structural alignments for each protein in the set of protein structures. Initially, the protein structures are clustered based on pair-wise local similarity values. The protein structures are then clustered based on pair-wise global similarity values. For each given cluster both a representative structure and spans of conserved residues are identified. The representative protein structure is used to assign newly-solved protein structures to a group. The spans are used to characterize conservation and assign a “structural footprint” to the cluster.

Abstract: Disclosed are computational methods, and associated hardware and software products for scoring conservation in a protein structure based on a computationally identified family or cluster of protein structures. A method of computationally identifying a family or cluster of protein structures in also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A set of known protein sequences associated with an organism is identified, wherein each known protein sequence comprises a plurality of ordered residues. A set of scores associated with a set of residues of the plurality of ordered residues is identified, wherein each score indicates a frequency of a residue in sequence context. A set of unique sub-sequences of the set of known protein sequences is identified. A plurality of protein signature residues is determined based on the set of scores associated with the set of residues and the set of unique sub-sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed are computational methods, and associated hardware and software products for scoring conservation in a protein structure based on a computationally identified family or cluster of protein structures. A method of computationally identifying a family or cluster of protein structures in also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A strip for placement across a sheet of a stack of banded sheet material and having end segments positionable against the sides of the stack. Flexible webs join the strip segments to the major part of the strip and permit bending of the end segments into place against the stack. Wall surfaces of the strip define an open area into which a clamp and clamped segments of a band may be displaced without damaging contact with the surface of the adjacent sheet of material.