Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for the thermal storage of nuclear reactor generated energy including diverting a selected portion of energy from a portion of a nuclear reactor system to an auxiliary thermal reservoir and, responsive to a shutdown event, supplying a portion of the diverted selected portion of energy to an energy conversion system of the nuclear reactor system.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes a first ultrasound transmitter acoustically coupled to a conducting layer of a display surface and configured to deliver a first ultrasound wave to a selected delineated area. The first ultrasonic wave has parameters sufficient to induce a non-linear vibrational response in the conducting layer. A second ultrasound transmitter is acoustically coupled to the conducting layer and configured to deliver a second ultrasound wave to the selected delineated area. The second ultrasonic wave has parameters sufficient to induce a non-linear vibrational response in the conducting layer. A controller selects a delineated area in response to an indication of a touch to the display surface, and initiates delivery of the first and second ultrasonic waves. A convergence of the first and second ultrasonic waves at the selected delineated area produces a stress pattern perceivable or discernible by the human appendage.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an antenna system and method. The antenna system includes a surface scattering antenna that has an electromagnetic waveguide structure and a plurality of electromagnetic wave scattering elements. The plurality of electromagnetic wave scattering elements are distributed along the waveguide structure, have a respective activatable electromagnetic response to a propagating electromagnetic wave, and produce a controllable radiation pattern. A gain definition circuit defines a radiation pattern configured to acquire a possible interfering signal. The defined antenna radiation pattern has a field of view covering at least a portion of an undesired field of view of an associated antenna. An antenna controller establishes the defined radiation pattern in the surface scattering antenna by activating the respective electromagnetic response of selected electromagnetic wave scattering elements.

Abstract: Garment systems including a flexible compression garment, at least one sensor, and at least one therapeutic stimulation delivery device operable responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one sensor, effective to provide therapeutic radiation to a body part of a subject. Methods of using such garment systems are also described.

Abstract: Breast monitoring systems and methods are described including a flexible substrate fabricated to substantially conform to one or more breasts of a subject; dynamically bendable optical fibers associated with the flexible substrate; a light source operably coupled to the optical fibers; a photodetector positioned to detect light reception from the optical fibers; a reporting device; and a microcontroller including a microprocessor and circuitry, wherein the circuitry includes input circuitry configured to receive a first set of signals and at least one second set of signals from the photodetector; calculation circuitry configured to calculate a curvature delta value based on a comparison of the received first and at least one second set of signals, and calculate a breast volume delta value from the calculated curvature delta value; and reporting circuitry configured to transmit a signal to the reporting device based on the calculated breast volume delta value.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to protective garments and systems that include a protective garment for protecting one or more body regions of an individual wearing the protective garment.

Abstract: A method for facilitating physiological data acquisition includes scheduling a medical appointment between a patient and a medical provider. The medical appointment is to be conducted at a medical provider location on an appointment date. The method also includes selecting a medical device configured to acquire physiological data regarding the patient. The method further includes sending, to a fulfillment system, a request to provide the medical device to a patient location prior to the appointment date. The patient location is remote from the medical provider location.

Abstract: A system and associated methods of operation for regulating an environmental variable (such as ambient room temperature) within a target zone. The system includes an occupancy sensor configured to monitor the target zone and determine a number of inhabitants present within the zone. The occupancy sensor generates an occupancy signal communicating the number of detected inhabitants to an environmental control system. Upon receiving the occupancy signal, the environmental control system regulates an environmental variable within the zone based on the number of inhabitants present in the zone.

Abstract: A fluid control system includes a deformable surface that covers a body in at least a first and second direction. The first direction is orthogonal to the second direction. The deformable surface includes a bottom side that faces the body and a top side that is opposite the bottom side. The fluid control system also includes at least one deformer between the deformable surface and the body. The at least one deformer is configured to modify a boundary layer of a fluid that is flowing over the deformable surface by selectively deforming the top side of the surface.

Abstract: A stethoscope system includes a microphone device configured to receive a plurality of sound waves from the subject and output an audio signal corresponding to the plurality of sound waves; and a control circuit configured to receive the audio signal from the microphone device and calculate a physiological parameter based on the audio signal.

Abstract: A micro impulse radar (MIR) system includes an MIR transceiver circuit configured to transmit, towards a subject, at least one transmitted radar signal, and receive at least one radar return signal. The system includes a control circuit configured to generate a control signal defining a radar signal parameter of the at least one transmitted radar signal, provide the control signal to the MIR transceiver circuit to cause the MIR transceiver circuit to transmit the at least one transmitted signal based on the radar signal parameter, and determine, based on the at least one radar return signal, a physiological parameter of the subject.

Abstract: A micro impulse radar (MIR) system includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a control circuit. The first sensor includes a micro impulse radar (MIR) sensor configured to receive a plurality of radar returns corresponding to an MIR radar signal transmitted towards a subject. The second sensor is configured to detect sensor data regarding the subject. The control circuit is configured to calculate a physiological parameter of the subject based on the plurality of radar returns and the sensor data.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and apparatus. The apparatus includes a magnetic substrate at least partially covered by a first negative-permittivity layer comprising a first plasmonic outer surface. The apparatus includes a plasmonic nanoparticle having a magnetic element at least partially covered by a second negative-permittivity layer comprising a second plasmonic outer surface. The apparatus includes a dielectric-filled gap between the first plasmonic outer surface and the second outer surface. The first plasmonic outer surface, the dielectric-filled gap, and the second plasmonic outer surface are configured to support one or more mutually coupled plasmonic excitations.

Abstract: Devices, systems, or methods are disclosed herein for treatment of disease in a vertebrate subject. The device can include a quasi-planar substrate; and one or more laterally-mobile effector molecule types at least partially embedded within the quasi-planar substrate, wherein the one or more laterally-mobile effector molecule types is configured to interact with one or more cell types. The device can further include one or more sensors configured to detect at least one aspect of an interaction between the at least one of the one or more laterally-mobile effector molecule types and the one or more cell types; and a controller in communication with the one or more sensors, wherein the controller is configured to responsively initiate modification of at least one of the one or more laterally-mobile effector molecule types, the quasi-planar substrate, and the one or more cell types.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring a request for particular image data that is part of a scene, transmitting the request for the particular image data to an image sensor array that includes more than one image sensor and that is configured to capture the scene that is larger than the requested particular image data, receiving only the particular image data from the image sensor array, and transmitting the received particular image data to at least one requestor. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, computer program products, devices and systems are described that carry out accessing at least one persona that includes a unique identifier that is at least partly based on a first user's device-identifier data and the first user's network-participation data; verifying the persona by comparing the first user's device-identifier data and the first user's network-participation data of the unique identifier to a second user's device-identifier data and the second user's network-participation data; and presenting the persona in response to a request for personal information.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for enhancing learning of a sound pattern or relating to a sound pattern are described. A sound output corresponding to the sound pattern is delivering to the subject, and a learning enhancing neural stimulus is delivered to a cranial nerve of the subject in association with the sound output. The neural stimulus may be, for example, a transcutaneous neural stimulus. In an aspect, the subject is prompted to mentally rehearse the sound pattern. Electrical control circuitry controls timing of delivery of sound outputs and neural stimuli. In some aspects, the system is implemented in connection with a personal computing device.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a garment system including at least one sensor and at least one actuator that operates responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one sensor to cause a flexible compression garment to selectively constrict or selectively dilate, thereby compressing or relieving compression against at least one body part of a subject. Such selective constriction or dilation can improve muscle functioning or joint functioning during use of motion-conducive equipment, such as an exercise bike or rowing machine.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed herein for producing one or more immunoglobulins in an isolated cytotoxic B lymphocyte cell line. An isolated cell line includes an isolated B lymphocyte cell line capable of expressing at least one exogenously incorporated membrane immunoglobulin capable of binding to a first antigen and at least one endogenous secreted immunoglobulin capable of binding to a second antigen, and further capable of expressing at least one exogenously incorporated recombinant B cell receptor that signals for expression of cytotoxic effector molecules.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring compliance of a patient with a prescribed treatment regimen are described. Patient activity is detected unobtrusively with an activity sensor at the patient location, and activity data is transmitted to a monitoring location. Patient speech detected during use of a communication system such as a mobile telephone by the patient may also be used as an activity signal. Patient activity and/or speech is processed at the patient location or monitoring location to identify activity parameters or patterns that indicate whether the patient has complied with the prescribed treatment regimen. The activity sensor and other components at the patient location may be incorporated into, or associated with, a cell phone, computing system, game system, or vehicle system, for example. The system may provide a report to an interested party, for example a medical care provider or insurance company, regarding patient compliance with the prescribed treatment regimen.