Abstract: Skeletonized blood vessels for use as vascular grafts are protected from biomechanical injury and/or certain cellular and extracellular changes by application of a biocompatible hydrogel to the vessel exterior. The hydrogel may be applied to the vessel graft before or after harvesting from a donor patient.

Abstract: Skeletonized blood vessels for use as vascular grafts are protected from biomechanical injury and/or certain cellular and extracellular changes by application of a biocompatible hydrogel to the vessel exterior. The hydrogel may be applied to the vessel graft before or after harvesting from a donor patient.

Abstract: A portable work capacities testing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a hub releaseably interconnected with the portable computer, a dynamic strength and lifting device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a hand grip strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger pinch strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a forearm/wrist strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a handling/proprioception device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger flexion device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a whole body coordination device releaseably interconnected with the hub, and a strength push/pull/lift device releaseably interconnected with the hub.

Abstract: A portable work capacities testing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a hub releaseably interconnected with the portable computer, a dynamic strength and lifting device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a hand grip strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger pinch strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a forearm/wrist strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a handling/proprioception device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger flexion device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a whole body coordination device releaseably interconnected with the hub, and a strength push/pull/lift device releaseably interconnected with the hub.

Abstract: A portable work capacities testing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a hub releaseably interconnected with the portable computer, a dynamic strength and lifting device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a hand grip strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger pinch strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a forearm/wrist strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a handling/proprioception device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger flexion device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a whole body coordination device releaseably interconnected with the hub, and a strength push/pull/lift device releaseably interconnected with the hub.

Abstract: A portable work capacities testing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a hub releaseably interconnected with the portable computer, a dynamic strength and lifting device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a hand grip strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger pinch strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a forearm/wrist strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a handling/proprioception device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger flexion device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a whole body coordination device releaseably interconnected with the hub, and a strength push/pull/lift device releaseably interconnected with the hub.

Abstract: A portable work capacities testing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a hub releaseably interconnected with the portable computer, a dynamic strength and lifting device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a hand grip strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger pinch strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a forearm/wrist strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a handling/proprioception device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger flexion device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a whole body coordination device releaseably interconnected with the hub, and a strength push/pull/lift device releaseably interconnected with the hub.

Abstract: A portable work capacities testing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a hub releaseably interconnected with the portable computer, a dynamic strength and lifting device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a hand grip strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger pinch strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a forearm/wrist strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a handling/proprioception device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger flexion device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a whole body coordination device releaseably interconnected with the hub, and a strength push/pull/lift device releaseably interconnected with the hub.

Abstract: Force-controlled autodistraction for lengthening a bone is disclosed. A distractor is coupled to first and second fixators that are coupled to first and second portions of the bone, respectively, on opposite sides of an osteotomy of the bone. A motor produces a motion of the first fixator relative to the second fixator such that the first portion of the bone is distracted from the second portion of the bone. A force sensor measures a resistant force to the motion, and a distractor displacement sensor measures a distractor displacement. A controller is operably coupled to the force sensor, the distractor displacement sensor, and the motor. The controller is configured to determine a variable limb stiffness using the resistant force, the distractor displacement, and a known distractor stiffness of the distractor, and to adjust a gain of the motor such that the variable limb stiffness matches a desired limb stiffness.

Abstract: A portable work capacities testing apparatus comprising a portable computer, a hub releaseably interconnected with the portable computer, a dynamic strength and lifting device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a hand grip strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger pinch strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a forearm/wrist strength device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a handling/proprioception device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a finger flexion device releaseably interconnected with the hub, a whole body coordination device releaseably interconnected with the hub, and a strength push/pull/lift device releaseably interconnected with the hub.

Abstract: A portable work capacities testing apparatus, and a method using that portable apparatus, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a host computer 110, a dynamic strength and lifting device 120 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a hand grip strength device 130 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a finger pinch strength device 140 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a forearm/wrist strength device 150 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a handling/proprioception device 190 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a finger flexion device 180 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, a whole body coordination device 170 releaseably interconnected with the host computer, and a strength push/pull/lift device 160 releaseably interconnected with the host computer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal material interposed between a transparent front plate and a back plate. The cholesteric liquid crystal material is switchable between a transparent state and a reflective state in response to an electric field applied in a first direction. In the reflective state the material reflects light characterized by a first wavelength when no electric field is applied. Electrodes are provided for applying an electric field lied to the cholesteric liquid crystal material in the reflective state in a second direction distinct from the first direction. In this manner the cholesteric liquid crystal material is altered to cause the material to reflect light characterized by a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A display device may thus be produced having pixels capable of a wide range of colors, thereby achieving a multicolored image for the display.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a lighting unit of a display, a maximum value of ambient light intensity is determined (156). Ambient light intensity is sensed (154) from a first direction relative to the display and from a second direction, different from the first direction, relative to the display. The lighting unit is driven so that light from the lighting unit has a low intensity (172) when the maximum value is less than a first intensity threshold and so that light from the lighting unit has a high intensity, greater than the low intensity, when the maximum value is greater than a second intensity threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods for producing a three-dimensional (3D) tissue-engineered cardiac construct and more specifically, a vascularized 3D tissue-engineered cardiac construct and uses regarding the same. The tissue-engineered cardiac constructs of the invention share the same physiological characteristics, such as contractile function, as in vivo intact cardiac tissue.

Abstract: Force-controlled autodistraction for lengthening a bone is disclosed. A distractor is coupled to a first fixator and to a second fixator distal to the first fixator. The distractor has a known distractor stiffness. The first fixator is configured to be coupled to a first portion of the bone, and the second fixator is configured to be coupled to a second portion of the bone. The first and second portions are on opposite sides of an osteotomy of the bone. A motor is controllable to produce a motion of the first fixator relative to the second fixator such that the first portion of the bone is distracted from the second portion of the bone. A force sensor is configured to measure a resistant force to the motion, and a distractor displacement sensor is configured to measure a distractor displacement. A controller is operably coupled to the force sensor, the distractor displacement sensor, and the motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for shaping and homogenizing a laser beam for interaction with a film. The shaping and homogenizing system may include a lens array and a lens that is positioned to receive laser light from the lens array and produce a respective elongated image in a plane for each lens in the lens array. In addition, the system may include a beam stop having an edge that is positioned in the plane, and a moveable mount rotating a lens of the lens array to vary an alignment between one of the elongated images and the beam stop edge.

Abstract: A method of providing the service of obtaining information for a client is disclosed, which may comprise, providing a search service brokering internet location; providing an information search identification internet location accessible on or through the search service brokering internet location; providing an information search reference internet location associated with the information search identification internet location; and providing access to a searcher to the information search reference internet location to log in a reference. The search service brokering internet location may comprise a search service broker web-site; and the search identification internet location may comprise a search service broker web-site search web-page; and, the search reference internet location may comprise a search service broker web-site reference web-page. The method may also comprise date stamping the log in of a reference.

Abstract: An EUV light source apparatus and method are disclosed, which may comprise a pulsed laser providing laser pulses at a selected pulse repetition rate focused at a desired target ignition site; a target formation system providing discrete targets at a selected interval coordinated with the laser pulse repetition rate; a target steering system intermediate the target formation system and the desired target ignition site; and a target tracking system providing information about the movement of target between the target formation system and the target steering system, enabling the target steering system to direct the target to the desired target ignition site.

Abstract: Tissue-engineered bio-active cardiac constructs (BACCS) are described. These constructs are prepared by combining a suspension of isolated cells with a suitable support such as an extra-cellular filament or matrix. The isolated-cell component of the constructs is prepared from mammalian cardiac tissue, or from cells that differentiate into cardiac tissue. Extra-cellular filaments and/or matrices are prepared from naturally-occurring or synthetic polymers and may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable, depending on the application. Bio-active cardiac constructs are prepared in suspension culture using a defined, serum-free medium. Bio-active cardiac constructs are functionally and morphologically similar to intact cardiac tissue and may be used as tissue equivalents for research or drug testing applications, as well as in surgical applications for the treatment of heart disease.

Abstract: A two-way trans-reflective display pixel (100) having two viewable sides (102, 104) is disclosed. The two-way trans-reflective display pixel has a first transparent layer (106), a second transparent layer (108), and light modulating medium (110) sandwiched between them. Both the first and second transparent layers (106, 108) have light reflectors (132, 136) and light absorbers (130, 134), which allow light entering from either viewable sides (102, 104) to partially reflected, partially absorbed, and partially transmitted, allowing an image to be viewable from both viewable sides (102, 104). A two-way trans-reflective display (402) comprising a plurality of two-way trans-reflective display pixels (100) and a transparent light source (412) is also disclosed. The transparent light source (412) provides color light, and enables an image from the two-way trans-reflective display (402) to be viewable in color from both first and second viewable sizes (418, 602).