Abstract: The invention relates generally to electroactive material actuators (and combined sensor-actuators) having embedded magnetic particles (42) for facilitating enhanced actuation and/or sensing effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis with an anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) antibody.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating acute or chronic heart failure using inorganic nitrite, such as sodium nitrite. The method includes administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of inorganic nitrite. The nitrite may be administered by inhalation and may be nebulized. The nitrite may be administered at an emitted dose or in an escalated titrated dose. The nitrite may be a liquid formulation or a dry powder formulation.

Abstract: An additive manufactured heat exchanger includes a monolithic housing defining an outer surface, a plurality of first fluid passageways extending between a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, and a plurality of second fluid passageways extending between a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet. A cross section of the outer surface defines an irregular shape, the plurality of first fluid passageways and the plurality of second fluid passageways define a convoluted flow matrix within the monolithic housing, and the outer surface of the monolithic housing is complimentary to a space between at least two components of a vehicle. The monolithic housing can also include a plurality of third fluid passageways extending between a third fluid inlet and a third fluid outlet.

Abstract: A non-local spin valve (NLSV) sensor includes a bearing surface and a detector located proximate to the bearing surface. The NLSV sensor also includes a channel layer located behind the detector relative to the bearing surface, and in a substantially same plane as the detector. The channel layer has a front end that is proximate to the detector and a rear end that is distal to the detector. The NLSV sensor further includes first and second spin injectors, with the first spin injector located proximate to the rear end of the channel layer and positioned above the channel layer, and the second spin injector located proximate the rear end of the channel layer and positioned below the channel layer.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an axle having left and right wheels. The vehicle further includes left and right torque-vector control devices each having an actuator with a released position, a fully actuated position, and a plurality of intermediate positions. A vehicle controller is programmed to, in response to the vehicle turning and one of the actuators being actuated, command different torques to the left and right wheels to produce torque vectoring between the wheels, wherein a difference between the torques commanded to the wheels increases as the actuator moves toward the fully actuated position and decreases as the actuator moves toward the fully released position.

Abstract: An example assembly includes a core module including a processor, a display, a touch user interface (UI) element extending around at least a portion of an outer periphery of the display, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions; a housing configured to removably receive the core module; and a cover selectively positionable in a first position to expose the touch UI element and the display, and in a second position to cover at least a portion of the touch UI element and at least a portion of the display, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the core module to: when the cover is positioned in the first position, operate the display and the touch UI element according to a first functionality UI mode and, when the cover is positioned in the second position, the display and the touch UI element according to a second functionality UI mode.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a stylization subsystem automatically modifies a three-dimensional (3D) object design. In operation, the stylization subsystem generates a simplified quad mesh based on an input triangle mesh that represents the 3D object design, a preferred orientation associated with at least a portion of the input triangle mesh, and mesh complexity constraint(s). The stylization subsystem then converts the simplified quad mesh to a simplified T-spline. Subsequently, the stylization subsystem creases one or more of edges included in the simplified T-spline to generate a stylized T-spline. Notably, the stylized T-spline represents a stylized design that is more convergent with the preferred orientation(s) than the 3D object design. Advantageously, relative to prior art approaches, the stylization subsystem can more efficiently modify the 3D object design to improve overall aesthetics and manufacturability.

Abstract: A charging cradle includes: a cradle housing having a base portion, and a socket portion configured to interchangeably receive (i) a mobile device, (ii) a battery pack for the mobile device, and (iii) the mobile device in combination with the battery pack; the socket portion including: a shared base surface having disposed thereon a set of shared charging contacts; a first set of guide surfaces extending from the shared base surface and defining a first socket configured to receive the mobile device and, in the absence of the battery pack, to engage the shared charging contacts with a first set of contacts on the mobile device; and a second set of guide surfaces extending from the shared base surface and defining a second socket configured to receive the battery pack and engage the shared charging contacts with a second set of contacts on the battery pack.

Abstract: A system, according to various embodiments, receives images such as photographs and videos from one or more portable computing devices associated with one or more individuals (e.g., construction workers or landscapers) while the portable computing devices are in a particular position within a particular location at a particular time. The system determines a virtual position within a 3-D representation of the particular location that generally corresponds to the particular position and combines the images with the 3-D representation to generate an enhanced 3-D representation of the particular location. This may allow, for example, owners of a particular property to track and quickly understand construction and landscaping work that has been done on their property and to easily contact those individuals regarding that work.

Abstract: An actuator device comprises an electroactive polymer actuator (116) and a control circuit for driving the electroactive polymer actuator. The control circuit comprises a voltage boosting circuit including at least a capacitor (114; C11, C12, C13). An electroactive polymer layer (110) forms the electroactive polymer actuator in an active region (112) as well as a dielectric layer of the capacitor in a passive region (111). This provides integration of components to enable cost reductions and miniaturization.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer unit (12), e.g. probe, is configured with a friction guiding function. The transducer unit (12) comprises a vibration generating means (20) at a tissue contact area, and has means for sensing a sliding direction of the transducer unit across a tissue surface (42) at which the contact area is incident. The tissue surface may be an external skin surface or an internal tissue surface, e.g. in case of a catheter. A control means is operable to control the vibration of the vibration generator to adjust a level of friction at the tissue contact area. This is used by the control means to implement a friction guiding function for guiding a user in sliding the unit across the incident surface, e.g. toward a target location (44), based on controlling the friction level responsive to sensed sliding direction, for instance providing lower friction when sliding is in a target direction, while leaving other directions with relative higher frictional resistance.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods to prepare substituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-ones, and salts and stereoisomers thereof, as well as intermediates useful for the preparation of such compounds.

Abstract: An ultrasound device comprises a transducer arrangement and an acoustically transmissive window over said arrangement, said window comprising an elastomer layer having conductive particles dispersed in the elastomer, the elastomer layer having a pressure-sensitive conductivity. An electroactive material actuator is provided for biasing the transducer arrangement towards the transmissive window. The electroactive material actuator is controlled in dependence on a measured pressure-sensitive conductivity. In this way, a feedback system is provided for controlling a contact pressure. The device can be implemented with low cost and with low power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient support. In order to improve safety for MRI scanning protocols, a patient support is provided for an MRI scanner. The patient support comprises a braking device for deaccelerating the patient support when being transferred relative to the MRI scanner. The braking device comprises at least one non-magnetic electrically conductive element. The at least one non-magnetic electrically conductive element is configured to adjust one or more eddy currents induced in response to motion in a magnetic field of the MRI scanner to provide a counter force against an attractive force between the patient support and the MRI scanner, thereby creating an adjustable braking effect.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing system including a scoring assembly. The scoring assembly including a scoring device disposed along a first surface of a glass ribbon and a backing device disposed along a second surface of the glass ribbon directly opposite the scoring device. The scoring assembly is configured to delineate a peripheral region from a central region of the glass ribbon by forming a vertical score line along the first surface as the glass ribbon moves downward in a y-axial direction between the scoring device and the backing device.

Abstract: This application describes methods of treating cystic fibrosis or a CFTR mediated disease comprising administering Compound I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. (I) The application also describes pharmaceutical compositions comprising Compound I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and optionally comprising one or more additional CFTR modulating agents.