Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a reduction operator circuits arranged in a first level of a reduction tree. Each reduction operator circuit accumulates respective products into a respective sum. Quantizer circuits are configured to quantize the sums from the reduction operator circuits into quantized sums, respectively, based on values of the sums relative to respective first thresholds. Another reduction operator circuit is arranged in a second level of the reduction tree and is configured to accumulate the quantized sums and provide a first sum. A second-level quantizer circuit is configured to quantize the first sum into a quantized first sum based on a value of the first sum relative to a second threshold.

Abstract: An example of a system to provide energy storage capacity moveable between multiple locations is provided. The system includes a plurality of docking stations, wherein each docking station is connected to a power distribution network. In addition, the system includes an energy storage unit to connect to a first docking station selected from the plurality of docking stations. Furthermore, the system includes a transporter onto which the energy storage unit is mounted to transport the energy storage unit from the first docking station to a second docking station.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus to connect a power distribution network with an energy storage unit. The apparatus includes a mobile platform. In addition, the apparatus includes a connection system to connect with an energy storage unit and to receive a current from the energy storage unit. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a transformer mounted on the mobile platform to convert the voltage from the connection system to the voltage of a power distribution network. The apparatus also includes an output cable to connect with the power distribution network.

Abstract: A protective clothing equipment is provided that is comfortable, stabilizing, and compatible with varying types of surfaces. One embodiment of the protective clothing equipment includes a shell, padding disposed in front of the knee of the wearer, the padding including a non-uniform stiffness.

Abstract: Described herein are improved thermoplastic composites, which demonstrate excellent physical properties, such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, toughness, elongation, and, optionally, superior tunable biodegradability when compared to known thermoplastics. The composite comprises minimally a thermoplastic polymer, at least one phenolic compound, and, optionally, a filler.

Abstract: A pipe support may include a body. The body may include a first side. The first side may include a channel defined along a length of the body. The body may further include a second side opposite the first side. The second side may include a first planar surface. The body may further include a third side. The third side may include a concave surface defined along the length of the body. The body may further include a fourth side opposite the third side. The fourth side may include a second planar surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a wearable device with an electrically conductive skin interface that excites the underlying nerves from a transcutaneous surface stimulator. The device may be sized for a range of user sizes with stimulation electrodes positioned to target the appropriate nerves, such as the saphenous and/or posterior tibial nerves. The therapy may be adjusted based on leg restlessness or movement.

Abstract: An adder for fractional logarithmic number system (FLNS) format operands includes a compare-and-swap circuit that inputs first and second FLNS operands represented by fixed point values and provides a greater one as operand x and a lesser or equal one as operand y. Sign bits are sx and sy of x and y, respectively, qx and qy, are integer portions of x and y, respectively, fraction portions of x and y have integer values rx and ry, respectively. The compare-and-swap circuit is configured to provide sx as a sign bit, sz of a sum z=x(1+y/x) for x?0. A subtraction circuit subtracts (qy+ry/n)?(qx+rx/n) and outputs q? and r?, such that ?=y/x, where n=2wr and wr is a bit-width of rx and ry. An approximation circuit provides an approximation of (1+?) to a nearest FLNS value, ?, as fixed point value having an integer portion q? and a fraction portion that has an integer value r?.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer program products for operating a lidar system. The methods comprise: arranging, by the processor, a plurality of pixels in a grid (the pixels comprising result values generated from processing waveforms produced by photodetectors of the lidar system); identifying, by the processor, a first region of interest in the grid based on correlations between range values associated with the plurality of pixels and/or correlations between intensity values associated with the plurality of pixels; combining, by the processor, result values associated with pixels located within the first region of interest to produce first feature value(s); and generating, by the processor, a first superpixel having value(s) set to the first feature value(s).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer program products for reducing optical interference in an optical sensor. The methods comprise: detecting, by an optical sensor device comprising a plurality of pixel sensors, a signal with a reflected light component and a stray light component; estimating, by a processor, a stray light intensity in each pixel of the plurality of pixel sensors using a measured mapping of an intensity of stray light relative to an intensity of reflected light, wherein the measured mapping is derived from the measured intensities associated with all pixel sensors of the optical sensor device; adjusting, by the processor, a noise probability for the signal using the estimated stray light intensity and an unbiased noise intensity; and adjusting, by the processor, a signal confidence score using the adjusted noise probability.

Abstract: A method of controlling a rotational imaging device, and which includes capturing imaging data from a sensor in the imaging device; and controlling a rotational movement of the rotational imaging device to be synchronized with the capturing of the image data via a same system clock.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating symptoms of an inflammatory gastrointestinal disease in a patient with transcutaneous stimulation of a peripheral nerve are disclosed. The method can include any number of positioning a first peripheral nerve effector on the patient's skin to stimulate the peripheral nerve of the patient, delivering a first electrical nerve stimulation signal transcutaneously to the peripheral nerve through the first peripheral nerve effector, and modifying at least one brain or spinal cord autonomic feedback loop relating to release of neurotransmitters from the autonomic nervous system that modulate synthesis of inflammatory biomarkers and reduce inflammation relating to the inflammatory gastrointestinal disease.

Abstract: A trailer jack support apparatus configured to support trailer hitches includes a monolithic block having six sides with the trailer jack support being in the shape of a square frustrum or trapezoid. The top of the trailer jack support includes a number of protrusions which extend from the trailer jack support. Further, the top side has a recess and a void located at the bottom of the recess. In addition, the bottom of the trailer jack support includes numerous recesses defined therein and may engage with the protrusions extending from the top of a second trailer jack support.

Abstract: Compounds, methods, and compositions are provided for the treatment of cancer, neurological disorders, and fibrotic disorders. Specifically, the invention includes administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula I, II, or III, or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition, salt, isotopic analog, prodrug, or combination thereof, to a subject suffering from a cancer, neurological disorder, or fibrotic disorder.

Abstract: Submount structures for light-emitting diode (LED) packages are provided. Submounts may include a base material that is configured to provide high thermal conductivity and a ceramic layer on the base material that is configured to provide high reflectivity for one or more LED chips that are mounted thereon. In certain aspects, the base material may include a ceramic base having a ceramic material that is different than a material of the ceramic layer. In certain aspects, submounts may also include additional ceramic layers configured to provide high reflectivity. In certain aspects, LED packages include electrical traces that are arranged either on one or more ceramic layers or at least partially embedded within one or more ceramic layers. The arrangement of such ceramic layers may provide increased reflectivity in areas where it may be difficult for other reflective materials to be present, such as gaps formed between tightly spaced electrical traces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system and method embodiments for generating a signal indicative of light received by a lidar unit that has a high signal-to-noise ratio. For example, the system includes a focal plane assembly (FPA) with an array of detectors. The FPA includes a micro-lens array (MLA) with an input surface that is configured to receive light, and an array of optics forming an output surface arranged along a focal plane that is configured to focus the light on the array of detectors. A mask is disposed over an outer portion of at least one of the input surface and the output surface. The mask is configured to absorb stray light and reduce optical noise within the MLA.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for stimulating peripheral nerves in the fingers or hand to treat tremor are described. For example, a wearable ring device for delivering electrical stimulation to sensory nerves in a patient's finger can include an annular ring having a plurality of electrodes and a detachable unit having a power source and a pulse generator.

Abstract: A temporal pulse coding scheme is disclosed for use in operating pulsed lidar systems, and in particular, pulsed lidar systems used as sensors on autonomous vehicles. Pulse coding can be implemented to eliminate range ambiguity due to aliasing effects. Alternatively, pulse coding can be used with cyclic re-mapping to extend the maximum range of the lidar detector. Pulse coding can be further combined with arm coding to make range determinations over a continuous range having no dead zones.

Abstract: A stair stringer may include a body. The body may include a horizontal arm, a center angled portion coupled to the horizontal arm, and a vertical arm coupled to the center angled portion. The stair stringer may also include a first appendage coupled to a first edge of the horizontal arm, a second appendage coupled to a second edge of the horizontal arm, a third appendage coupled to a third edge of the vertical arm, and a fourth appendage coupled to a fourth edge of the vertical arm. The fourth edge may be adjacent the third edge. The first appendage, the second appendage, and the third appendage are parallel with respect to one another. A stairway system may include a first stair stringer and a second stair stringer. The second stair stringer may be an architectural chiral with respect to the first stair stringer.