Abstract: Systems and methods of ground testing a position and orientation measurement and control system are provided. The method includes outputting control forces and torques by a position and orientation measurement and control system (POMCS) hardware unit mounted at a tip of a robotic manipulator configured to emulate a dynamic system in a selected gravity environment; sensing accelerations and velocities of the POMCS hardware unit in response to the control forces and torques; sensing forces and moments exchanged between the tip and the POMCS hardware unit in response to the control forces and torques; correcting the sensed forces and moments using the sensed accelerations and velocities to obtain compensated forces and moments; and using the compensated forces and moments in an emulation software package to produce a simulated inertial response of the dynamic system in the selected gravity environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved compositions for cleansing dental appliances comprising hydrogen peroxide and at least one acid selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid, furoic acid and formic acid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing, testing, and validating a robotic system for space are provided. A system includes: a robotic manipulator; a dynamic system emulator configured to simulate a motion behaviour response of a first space robotic system based on forces and moments measured by the first robotic manipulator during physical interaction of the first robotic manipulator with a second robotic manipulator emulating motion behaviour of a second space robotic system; an arm controller configured to generate a manipulator tip reference trajectory command based on the motion behaviour response simulated by the dynamic system emulator and provide the manipulator tip reference trajectory command to the robotic manipulator; and an arm mechanism in the robotic manipulator configured to track a trajectory based on the manipulator tip reference trajectory command, such that the robotic manipulator emulates motion behaviour of the first space robotic system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising low levels of hydrogen peroxide and at least one acid selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid, furoic acid and formic acid. The compositions and methods of the invention are particularly suitable for use in household cleaning, for example in hard-surface cleaning or cleaning soft surfaces such as textiles and laundry.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for real-time autonomous path planning for a robotic device. The method includes receiving data about the robotic device in a three-dimensional workspace, encapsulating objects in the environment of the robotic device including the robotic device, a target, and one or more obstacles in simulated robotic space, calculating a direction of movement for the robotic device according to three virtual forces including a virtual attractive force, a virtual repulsive force, and a virtual tangential force acting at least partially perpendicularly relative to the virtual repulsive force, mapping each virtual force in the three-dimensional workspace into torque vectors in the simulated robotic space at each joint, converting a sum of the torque vectors into one or more commands for the robotic device defining a path to reach the target, and sending the one or more commands to the robotic device.

Abstract: A motion-assisted positioning arm for a medical procedure. The positioning arm includes a base, an arm coupled to the base, and an end effector coupled to the arm. The arm includes a plurality of arm segments. The arm includes a plurality of joints for connecting the arm segments. The end effector may be manipulable with six degrees of freedom in a task-coordinate space based on motion by at least one joint in the plurality of joints. The positioning arm includes a processor to: detect manipulation of and determine forces or torques acting on the end effector; determine a surgical mode for constraining movement of the end effector in the task-coordinate space; determine an end effector velocity based on the determined forces or torques and the surgical mode for moving end effector; and apply at least one joint space movement based on the end effector velocity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing, testing, and validating a robotic system for space are provided. A system includes: a robotic manipulator; a dynamic system emulator configured to simulate a motion behaviour response of a first space robotic system based on forces and moments measured by the first robotic manipulator during physical interaction of the first robotic manipulator with a second robotic manipulator emulating motion behaviour of a second space robotic system; an arm controller configured to generate a manipulator tip reference trajectory command based on the motion behaviour response simulated by the dynamic system emulator and provide the manipulator tip reference trajectory command to the robotic manipulator; and an arm mechanism in the robotic manipulator configured to track a trajectory based on the manipulator tip reference trajectory command, such that the robotic manipulator emulates motion behaviour of the first space robotic system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising an opsin polypeptide and an arrestin polypeptide and their use thereof. Exemplary embodiments provide a composition including an opsin polypeptide, or an opsin polypeptide and an arrestin polypeptide, wherein at least one of the opsin or arrestin polypeptide comprises at least one mutation that increases a temporal resolution of the opsin polypeptide’s response to light. The opsin polypeptide and the arrestin polypeptide can be operably linked or separate. Additionally, use of said compositions for restoring retinal photosensitivity or treating a retinal degenerative condition is also provided.

Abstract: A smoke detection assembly for indicating when organic material has been smoked in an area includes a decal that has an adhesive layer is integrated such that the decal can be adhered to a surface in a cab of a vehicle. A chemical reagent is provided and the chemical reagent is infused into the decal. The chemical reagent is chemically reactive with one or more chemicals that are unique to smoke from combustion of organic material. Moreover, the chemical reagent changes colors when the chemical reagent is exposed to airborne nicotine. In this way the chemical reagent can visually indicate when organic material has been smoked in the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of regulating G protein activity, and related methods for the treatment of therapeutic conditions, for example retinal degeneration, by transforming a cell with a bistable opsin to activate a G protein, and provide a phototransduction response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of providing photoreceptor function to a cell, for example for use in the treatment of retinal degeneration. The present invention also relates to compositions and kits, in particular for use in such methods.

Abstract: A doctor blade is disclosed that includes a blade surface and at least one shaped feature that is formed of a polymeric material and is provided to assist in maintaining the doctor blade with a doctor blade holder.

Abstract: A motion-assisted positioning arm for a medical procedure. The positioning arm includes a base, an arm coupled to the base, and an end effector coupled to the arm. The arm includes a plurality of arm segments. The arm includes a plurality of joints for connecting the arm segments. The end effector may be manipulable with six degrees of freedom in a task-coordinate space based on motion by at least one joint in the plurality of joints. The positioning arm includes a processor to: detect manipulation of and determine forces or torques acting on the end effector; determine a surgical mode for constraining movement of the end effector in the task-coordinate space; determine an end effector velocity based on the determined forces or torques and the surgical mode for moving end effector; and apply at least one joint space movement based on the end effector velocity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of providing photoreceptor function to a cell, for example for use in the treatment of retinal degeneration. The present invention also relates to compositions and kits, in particular for use in such methods.

Abstract: A motion-assisted positioning arm for a medical procedure. The positioning arm includes a base, an arm coupled to the base, and an end effector coupled to the arm. The arm includes a plurality of arm segments. The arm includes a plurality of joints for connecting the arm segments. The end effector may be manipulable with six degrees of freedom in a task-coordinate space based on motion by at least one joint in the plurality of joints. The positioning arm includes a processor to: detect manipulation of and determine forces or torques acting on the end effector; determine a surgical mode for constraining movement of the end effector in the task-coordinate space; determine an end effector velocity based on the determined forces or torques and the surgical mode for moving end effector; and apply at least one joint space movement based on the end effector velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the integrity of a tube is provided. The apparatus includes: a body having an extension mechanism and configured to be inserted into the tube; and a flexible eddy current sensor including a flexible housing coupled to the body via the extension mechanism, and one or more coils disposed in the flexible housing. The flexible housing is selectively extendable via the extension mechanism between a first position and a second position. The one or more coils are farther away from the body when the flexible housing is in the second position than when the flexible housing is in the first position. The one or more coils electrically couple with an interior surface of the tube when the flexible housing is in the second position, and the flexible eddy current sensor is operative to selectively induce electrical currents within the tube via the one or more coils.

Abstract: A motion-assisted positioning arm for a medical procedure. The positioning arm includes a base, an arm coupled to the base, and an end effector coupled to the arm. The arm includes a plurality of arm segments. The arm includes a plurality of joints for connecting the arm segments. The end effector may be manipulable with six degrees of freedom in a task-coordinate space based on motion by at least one joint in the plurality of joints. The positioning arm includes a processor to: detect manipulation of and determine forces or torques acting on the end effector; determine a surgical mode for constraining movement of the end effector in the task-coordinate space; determine an end effector velocity based on the determined forces or torques and the surgical mode for moving end effector; and apply at least one joint space movement based on the end effector velocity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanning device for performing ultrasonic nondestructive testing of a tube, comprising a housing; the housing having bottom surface that is concavely curved with cavities to accommodate a waveguide assembly and an encoder assembly; where the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide and a probe that are in communication with one another; the waveguide having at least one surface that is contoured to match an outer surface of the tube; where the waveguide facilitates the transmission of ultrasonic signals into the tube generated by the probe; and where the encoder assembly comprises a spring loaded wheel that contacts the tube; and where the encoder assembly provides a signal indicative of a location of the probe relative to a position on the tube as the scanning device is moved in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the integrity of a tube is provided. The apparatus includes: a body having an extension mechanism and configured to be inserted into the tube; and a flexible eddy current sensor including a flexible housing coupled to the body via the extension mechanism, and one or more coils disposed in the flexible housing. The flexible housing is selectively extendable via the extension mechanism between a first position and a second position. The one or more coils are farther away from the body when the flexible housing is in the second position than when the flexible housing is in the first position. The one or more coils electrically couple with an interior surface of the tube when the flexible housing is in the second position, and the flexible eddy current sensor is operative to selectively induce electrical currents within the tube via the one or more coils.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of providing photoreceptor function to a cell, for example for use in the treatment of retinal degeneration. The present invention also relates to compositions and kits, in particular for use in such methods.