Abstract: Springs can provide energy return and have a conductivity that changes in relation to an amount of strain or deformation of the spring. An upper-extremity prosthetic device includes a first coil spring coupled to a first member and a first cantilever spring extending from the first member to a surface adapted to engage with an object. The first coil spring is arranged to absorb energy and to provide energy return in response to movement of the first member. The first coil spring includes a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface separate from the first conductive surface by non-conductive surfaces. The first cantilever spring includes a conductive trace with a plurality of conductive segments arranged on the conductive trace.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for recognizing speech using a spiking neural network acoustic model implemented on a neuromorphic processor are described. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, a trained acoustic model implemented as a spiking neural network (SNN) on a neuromorphic processor of a client device, a set of feature coefficients that represent acoustic energy of input audio received from a microphone communicably coupled to the client device. The acoustic model is trained to predict speech sounds based on input feature coefficients. The acoustic model generates output data indicating predicted speech sounds corresponding to the set of feature coefficients that represent the input audio received from the microphone. The neuromorphic processor updates one or more parameters of the acoustic model using one or more learning rules and the predicted speech sounds of the output data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic devices and methods of manufacturing electronic devices. A method of manufacturing a dissolvable electronic device includes forming a dissolvable sheet; applying a self-sintering agent to the dissolvable sheet to form a substrate; and depositing electrically conductive ink onto the substrate in a trace. A method of manufacturing a meltable electronic device includes mixing a conductive material with a melted wax to form a conductive wax mixture in liquid form; molding the conductive wax mixture; and solidifying the conductive wax mixture to obtain the meltable electronic device. A method of manufacturing an edible electronic device includes cutting a layer of conductive material to form a pattern that defines a circuit; applying the layer of conductive material to an edible medium, wherein the edible medium is in liquid or semi-solid form; and solidifying the edible medium to obtain the edible electronic device.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for a platform that predicts performance metrics for a person of interest (POI) in real-time and over an extended time period. The platform extracts attributes of the POI, attributes of a team corresponding to the POI, and inherent properties of an event corresponding to the POI. The platform generates a live component vector comprising the extracted attributes and inherent properties and inputs the live component vector to a first machine learning model to determine a live metric characterizing the performance of the POI during a current event. The platform generates a career component vector by updating the live component vector with one or more live metrics determined by the first machine learning model. The platform inputs the career component vector to a second machine learning model to determine a career metric characterizing the long-term performance of the POI during an extended time period.

Abstract: Electrical input devices, conductive traces, and microcontroller interface devices can be created in a single print using a multi-material 3D printing process. The devices can include a non-conductive material portion and a conductive material portion. The non-conductive and conductive material portions are integrally formed during a single 3D printing process. For example, a fully functional QWERTY keyboard, ready to receive a microcontroller, can be multi-material 3D printed using the techniques described herein.

Abstract: Packaging devices such as bags, pouches, envelops, containers, and the like, can include an integrated heating system. The packaging devices described herein have multiple potential uses such as for the containment and heating of single-serving meals, drinks, massage oils, masks, body wax, anti-wrinkle eye creams, and the like, to be heated on the go. The packaging devices described herein can also be used for instant heating of food and/or beverages for backcountry use. In some embodiments, the packaging devices use fibrous natural materials (e.g., leaf skeletons and soft biomaterials like chitosan) along with silver nanowires to create completely biodegradable, and reusable self-heating packaging.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container for a fluid dispenser is provided. The refillable fluid dispenser includes a body, an output port and a dispensing mechanism. The body includes at least one wall that defines a reservoir for storing fluid therein. The output port is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispensing mechanism is associated with the output port. The dispensing mechanism is selectively operable between a closed position and an opened position. A fluid dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container for a fluid dispenser is provided. The refillable fluid dispenser includes a body, an output port and a dispensing mechanism. The body includes at least one wall that defines a reservoir for storing fluid therein. The output port is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispensing mechanism is associated with the output port. The dispensing mechanism is selectively operable between a closed position and an opened position. A fluid dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container for a fluid dispenser is provided. The refillable fluid dispenser includes a body, an output port and a dispensing mechanism. The body includes at least one wall that defines a reservoir for storing fluid therein. The output port is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispensing mechanism is associated with the output port. The dispensing mechanism is selectively operable between a closed position and an opened position. A fluid dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of generating fusion protein variants are provided that comprise introducing sequence diversity at the junction region or regions in the fusion and allows for the generation of variants having a desired activity. Examples include immunoglobulins comprising a domain or polypeptide inserted into, or replacing, a CDR. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding a fusion protein and comprising two or more RSSs, and compositions and host cells comprising same, as well as fusion proteins variants produced by the described methods.

Abstract: A lock mechanism is disclosed, the lock mechanism having a rotary latch configured for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the rotary latch rotating in a first plane and the rotary latch is retained in the locked position after it has been rotated into the locked position from the unlocked position, the rotary latch being spring biased into the unlocked position by a biasing member; and a first lock mechanism for retaining the rotary latch in the locked position after rotation of the rotary latch into the locked position, the rotary latch being capable of being manipulated back into the unlocked position from the locked position after actuation of the first locking mechanism into a release position, wherein actuation of the first lock mechanism is in a second plane that is not parallel to the first plane.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward providing visualization models of image characteristics. The visualization models can allow a user to intuitively understand and optionally edit or match characteristics. For example, one or more embodiments involve generating a visualization model of colors (including their hue and saturation) within a source image. Furthermore, one or more embodiments involve enabling a user to interact with and edit the visualization model of the source image. In one or more embodiments further involve generating a transformation model based on the visualization model of the source image. A target image can be altered in accordance with the transformation model such that characteristics of the source image are matched to the target image.

Abstract: Methods of generating fusion protein variants are provided that comprise introducing sequence diversity at the junction region or regions in the fusion and allows for the generation of variants having a desired activity. Examples include immunoglobulins comprising a domain or polypeptide inserted into, or replacing, a CDR. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding a fusion protein and comprising two or more RSSs, and compositions and host cells comprising same, as well as fusion proteins variants produced by the described methods.

Abstract: Methods of generating fusion protein variants are provided that comprise introducing sequence diversity at the junction region or regions in the fusion and allows for the generation of variants having a desired activity. Examples include immunoglobulins comprising a domain or polypeptide inserted into, or replacing, a CDR. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding a fusion protein and comprising two or more RSSs, and compositions and host cells comprising same, as well as fusion proteins variants produced by the described methods.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container for a fluid dispenser is provided. The refillable fluid dispenser includes a body, an output port and a dispensing mechanism. The body includes at least one wall that defines a reservoir for storing fluid therein. The output port is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispensing mechanism is associated with the output port. The dispensing mechanism is selectively operable between a closed position and an opened position. A fluid dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of generating fusion protein variants are provided that comprise introducing sequence diversity at the junction region or regions in the fusion and allows for the generation of variants having a desired activity. Examples include immunoglobulins comprising a domain or polypeptide inserted into, or replacing, a CDR. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding a fusion protein and comprising two or more RSSs, and compositions and host cells comprising same, as well as fusion proteins variants produced by the described methods.

Abstract: A refillable fluid container for a fluid dispenser is provided. The refillable fluid dispenser includes a body, an output port and a dispensing mechanism. The body includes at least one wall that defines a reservoir for storing fluid therein. The output port is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispensing mechanism is associated with the output port. The dispensing mechanism is selectively operable between a closed position and an opened position. A fluid dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of generating fusion protein variants are provided that comprise introducing sequence diversity at the junction region or regions in the fusion and allows for the generation of variants having a desired activity. Examples include immunoglobulins comprising a domain or polypeptide inserted into, or replacing, a CDR. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding a fusion protein and comprising two or more RSSs, and compositions and host cells comprising same, as well as fusion proteins variants produced by the described methods.

Abstract: Methods of generating sequence diversity in a protein, such as a ligand-binding protein, are provided. The methods comprise targeted introduction of two or more recombination signal sequences (RSSs) into the protein coding sequence and introduction of the modified protein coding sequence into a recombination-competent host cell, specifically a recombination-competent host cell that is capable of expressing at least RAG-1 and RAG-2, thereby allowing for recombination of the protein coding sequence and expression of variant proteins. Also provided are polynucleotides comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a target protein, such as a ligand-binding protein, and comprising two or more RSSs, and compositions and host cells comprising same.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including light source(s), a screen to which light from the light source(s) is directed, to provide images of flickering flames thereon, and a rotatable flicker element for reflecting the light from the light sources toward the screen. The flicker element includes a number of paddle elements located in respective predetermined locations on the rod. Each paddle element includes one or more body portions with reflective surfaces thereon. The reflective surface includes a central region and a perimeter region at least partially located around the central region, the perimeter region at least partially defining a perimeter plane. The central region is substantially non-planar and the perimeter region is at least partially planar. The perimeter region includes a middle part and side parts, partially separated by channels.