Abstract: Cells may be grown in a bioreactor, and the cells may be activated by an activator (e.g., a soluble activator complex). Nutrient and gas exchange capabilities of a closed, automated cell expansion system may allow cells to be seeded at reduced cell seeding densities, for example. Parameters of the cell growth environment may be manipulated to load the cells into a particular position in the bioreactor for the efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. System parameters may be adjusted to shear any cell colonies that may form during the expansion phase. Metabolic concentrations may be controlled to improve cell growth and viability. Cell residence in the bioreactor may be controlled. In embodiments, the cells may include T cells. The cells may include T cell subpopulations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), for example.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A method for functionalizing a hollow-fiber membrane for cell expansion of targeted cells (e.g., natural killer cells) includes contacting a biotinylating molecule to a surface of the hollow-fiber membrane including an extracellular matrix component, the biotinylating molecule binding to the extracellular matrix component and having an affinity for the targeted cells. The biotinylated molecule may be selected from the group consisting of: cytokine, epitope, ligand, monoclonal antibody, stains, aptamer, and combinations thereof. The extracellular matrix component may be selected from the group consisting of: fibronectin, vitronectin, fibrinogen, collagen, laminin, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method performed by a docking station operable in a plurality of modes is disclosed. The method may include obtaining first data via a first interface of the docking station and second data via a second interface of the docking station, responsive to operating in a first mode of the plurality of modes. The first interface may be configured to couple the docking station to a computing device, and the second interface may be configured to communicate with a network. The method may also include obtaining third data via the second interface of the docking station, in lieu of the first interface, responsive to operating in a second mode of the plurality of modes. The method may further include selectively outputting the first data and the second data, or the third data, to a display based on whether the docking station operates in the first mode or the second mode.

Abstract: A time-of-flight sensor includes a light source to transmit periodic bursts light in a direction of one or more objects and an array of optical sensing elements to detect light reflected from the one or more objects and generate sensor data corresponding to the detected light. A distance calculator determines depth information of the one or more objects by determining a general phase shift of the reflected light relative to the transmitted light based on a first frame of the sensor data and a second frame of the sensor data, calculating an incremental phase shift of the reflected light relative to the transmitted light based on a linear relationship between the first frame and the second frame in relation to the general phase shift, and combining the general phase shift with the incremental phase shift to determine an actual phase shift of the reflected light relative to the transmitted light.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for generating and displaying a horse racing form for a completely virtual horse racing environment. The present invention stores a database of values for a virtual horse, each value corresponding to an attribute typically listed in a published daily racing form. In order to simulate horse racing performance, calculations are applied to the values, which are adjusted to account for an individual horse's running style, track preference, track condition preference, age, or other factors. The results of these calculations are then displayed on a horse racing form. Users of the present invention will be able to place educated bets, or handicap, using the horse racing form. The form may be used in a number of open or closed environments. As a result, the present invention provides a complete virtual horse racing environment based upon fully calculated and realistically weighted mathematical algorithms used to generate the horse racing form.

Abstract: A time-of-flight sensor includes a light source to transmit periodic bursts light in a direction of one or more objects and an array of optical sensing elements to detect light reflected from the one or more objects and generate sensor data corresponding to the detected light. A distance calculator determines depth information of the one or more objects by determining a general phase shift of the reflected light relative to the transmitted light based on a first frame of the sensor data and a second frame of the sensor data, calculating an incremental phase shift of the reflected light relative to the transmitted light based on a linear relationship between the first frame and the second frame in relation to the general phase shift, and combining the general phase shift with the incremental phase shift to determine an actual phase shift of the reflected light relative to the transmitted light.

Abstract: Encrypted storage often introduces unwanted latency in access. This delay can result in a processor having to wait for critical data thus slowing performance. Generally speaking, the latency is at most an issue when reading from encrypted storage, since the processor may need the information read from encrypted storage to proceed. During a write operation, there typically is not an issue because the processor does not need to wait for the end of the write operation to proceed. A variant of counter (CTR) mode for a block cipher can be used to perform the majority of the decryption operation without knowledge of the ciphertext, therefore the majority of the decryption operation can be performed concurrently with the retrieval of the ciphertext from memory. In order to further secure the encrypted storage, a light encryption can be performed to further obfuscate the ciphertext.

Abstract: A blunt impact test apparatus includes an apparatus frame having track rails for positioning proximate the test structure; a track angle positioning mechanism engaging the track rails to control a slope of the track rails; and an impact cart adapted to roll on the track rails.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for generating and displaying a horse racing form for a completely virtual horse racing environment. The present invention stores a database of values for a virtual horse, each value corresponding to an attribute typically listed in a published daily racing form. In order to simulate horse racing performance, calculations are applied to the values, which are adjusted to account for an individual horse's running style, track preference, track condition preference, age, or other factors. The results of these calculations are then displayed on a horse racing form. Users of the present invention will be able to place educated bets, or handicap, using the horse racing form. The form may be used in a number of open or closed environments. As a result, the present invention provides a complete virtual horse racing environment based upon fully calculated and realistically weighted mathematical algorithms used to generate the horse racing form.

Abstract: A system for controlling a touch screen. A touch screen element having a plurality of contacts, such as one contact electrode at each of four corners. A multiplexer coupled to the touch screen element for forming a plurality of connections, such as various combinations of the contact electrodes to allow measurements to be made of the impedance of the touch screen element from the left side to the right side, from the top to the bottom, and do forth. A touch screen processor coupled to the touch screen element for determining an oscillation frequency of the touch screen element as a function of the electrode connections.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting an aircraft may include a plurality of lifting mechanisms mounted on a supporting surface. Each lifting mechanism may be configured to impart an upward force on a component of the aircraft for lifting the aircraft off the supporting surface. The apparatus may include a beam structure configured to be mounted to the lifting mechanisms. The apparatus may also include a lifting beam suspended from the beam structure. A measurement device may be mounted to the lifting beam and may be configured to engage a jack point associated with the component to determine a weight of the aircraft when the aircraft is lifted off the supporting surface.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting a change in environmental conditions utilizing sampling circuitry configured to sample an environmental sensor while a processor remains in a low-power state or a sleep state. According to some embodiments, a pre-filter performs a simplified analysis of the sensor samples to determine if the processor should wake and perform additional analysis on stored sensor samples. Specific examples are provided for detecting motion using passive infrared detectors. Accordingly, systems and methods for reducing the power consumption of a motion detection system are provided herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting an aircraft may include a plurality of lifting mechanisms mounted on a supporting surface. Each lifting mechanism may be configured to impart an upward force on a component of the aircraft for lifting the aircraft off the supporting surface. The apparatus may include a beam structure configured to be mounted to the lifting mechanisms. The apparatus may also include a lifting beam suspended from the beam structure. A measurement device may be mounted to the lifting beam and may be configured to engage a jack point associated with the component to determine a weight of the aircraft when the aircraft is lifted off the supporting surface.

Abstract: A blunt impact test apparatus includes an apparatus frame having track rails for positioning proximate the test structure; a track angle positioning mechanism engaging the track rails to control a slope of the track rails; and an impact cart adapted to roll on the track rails.

Abstract: Multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory has become widely used due to their capacity to store more information in the same area as a single-level cell (SLC) flash memory. This makes MLC flash memory very attractive for storing media. Flash has also traditionally been used in electronic devices for firmware, but MLC flash is less reliable than SLC flash. For critical memory operations, MLC flash memory can be made as reliable as SLC flash by mapping one binary value to an MLC state corresponding to the highest threshold voltage and the other binary value to the MLC state corresponding the lowest threshold voltage when writing to the MLC flash, and by mapping all MLC states with corresponding threshold voltages above a central cutoff threshold voltage to one binary value and by mapping all MLC states with corresponding threshold voltages below a central cutoff threshold voltage to the other binary value.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting a change in environmental conditions utilizing sampling circuitry configured to sample an environmental sensor while a processor remains in a low-power state or a sleep state. According to some embodiments, a pre-filter performs a simplified analysis of the sensor samples to determine if the processor should wake and perform additional analysis on stored sensor samples. Specific examples are provided for detecting motion using passive infrared detectors. Accordingly, systems and methods for reducing the power consumption of a motion detection system are provided herein.

Abstract: A scanner for demarcating each media sheet of a multiplicity of media sheets and a method thereof. The scanner includes a platen, a scanlid, an illuminating mechanism and a scanhead. The platen accommodates the multiplicity of media sheets. The scanlid is pivotally coupled to the platen and provides a background for scanning the multiplicity of media sheets. The illuminating mechanism is coupled to the scanlid and is activated for illuminating the background. The scanhead scans the multiplicity of media sheets. A single background image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by activating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. A single foreground image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by deactivating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. Edges of each media sheet are detected in the background image, and are combined with the foreground image to extract content thereof.

Abstract: A system for controlling a touch screen. A touch screen element having a plurality of contacts, such as one contact electrode at each of four corners. A multiplexer coupled to the touch screen element for forming a plurality of connections, such as various combinations of the contact electrodes to allow measurements to be made of the impedance of the touch screen element from the left side to the right side, from the top to the bottom, and do forth. A touch screen processor coupled to the touch screen element for determining an oscillation frequency of the touch screen element as a function of the electrode connections.

Abstract: Multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory has become widely used due to their capacity to store more information in the same area as a single-level cell (SLC) flash memory. This makes MLC flash memory very attractive for storing media. Flash has also traditionally been used in electronic devices for firmware, but MLC flash is less reliable than SLC flash. For critical memory operations, MLC flash memory can be made as reliable as SLC flash by mapping one binary value to an MLC state corresponding to the highest threshold voltage and the other binary value to the MLC state corresponding the lowest threshold voltage when writing to the MLC flash, and by mapping all MLC states with corresponding threshold voltages above a central cutoff threshold voltage to one binary value and by mapping all MLC states with corresponding threshold voltages below a central cutoff threshold voltage to the other binary value.