Abstract: Hardware encoders and communications networks for spiking neural networks (SNNs). In some examples, a hardware encoder is configured for encoding external data into spikes for spiking neural networks. The hardware encoder includes an input handler configured for managing input data using one or more registers and one or more counters; a spike generator configured for generating a spike-train using a look-up table (LUT) and the input data; and a neuron selector configured for routing the spike-train from the spike generator to a selected neuron or cluster of neurons. The hardware encoder can be configured for supported rate, temporal, and multi-spikes encoding. The hardware encoder can be configured for supporting different sizes for an encoding frame. The hardware encoder can be reconfigurable at runtime by virtue of the LUT.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes: a positioner controller communicatively coupled to a positioner, wherein the positioner controller is configured to generate a control signal to cause the positioner to rectilinearly translate a patient support relative to an imager, and/or to rectilinearly translate the imager relative to the patient support; an imaging controller configured to operate the imager to generate a first plurality of two-dimensional images for a patient while the patient is supported by the patient support, and while the positioner rectilinearly translates the patient support and/or the imager; and an image processing unit configured to obtain the first plurality of two-dimensional images and arrange the two-dimensional images relative to each other to obtain a first composite image.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes: a positioner controller communicatively coupled to a positioner, wherein the positioner controller is configured to generate a control signal to cause the positioner to rectilinearly translate a patient support relative to an imager, and/or to rectilinearly translate the imager relative to the patient support; an imaging controller configured to operate the imager to generate a first plurality of two-dimensional images for a patient while the patient is supported by the patient support, and while the positioner rectilinearly translates the patient support and/or the imager; and an image processing unit configured to obtain the first plurality of two-dimensional images and arrange the two-dimensional images relative to each other to obtain a first composite image.

Abstract: An anatomical measurement device and method enables a medical professional to obtain anatomical measurements of a patient. The anatomical measurements may be obtained directly from the patient or from a radiographic image, such as an x-ray, using the measurement device. The measurement device includes a base that includes a linear portion joining branches at each end of the base. The branches may extend perpendicularly to the linear portion. A handle extends at an angle from a first side of the base's linear portion and a protractor arm extends from the opposite side of the base's linear portion. The position and angle of the protractor arm may be adjusted along at least a portion of the length of the base's linear portion. Each of the branches, the linear portion, and the protractor arm may include respective scales to enable the medical professional to take measurements.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes: a positioner controller communicatively coupled to a positioner, wherein the positioner controller is configured to generate a control signal to cause the positioner to rectilinearly translate a patient support relative to an imager, and/or to rectilinearly translate the imager relative to the patient support; an imaging controller configured to operate the imager to generate a first plurality of two-dimensional images for a patient while the patient is supported by the patient support, and while the positioner rectilinearly translates the patient support and/or the imager; and an image processing unit configured to obtain the first plurality of two-dimensional images and arrange the two-dimensional images relative to each other to obtain a first composite image.

Abstract: Adaptive toggle number compensation techniques for reducing data dependent supply noise in DACs are disclosed. Various embodiments are based on setting a certain target toggle number for a plurality of DAC units used to convert at least a portion of a digital data sample and then applying various adaptive techniques to try to achieve the target toggle number in converting the data sample from digital to analog domain. Adaptive toggle number compensation techniques described herein try to reduce data dependent supply noise by deliberately limiting, to a certain target number, the number of DAC units that undergo a switch from the digital input of 1 to 0 or from 0 to 1 in converting a digital data sample. Compared to the conventional dummy signal generation approach, such adaptive toggle number compensation techniques may provide significant savings in terms of power consumption of a DAC.

Abstract: A multi-path dual-switch DAC refers to implementing multiple paths in a switch driver and only two switches in a DAC stack of a DAC unit. In addition to multiple paths configured to improve the driving ability of the input signals, the switch driver of a multi-path dual-switch DAC unit includes two or more logic gates configured to act as multiplexers combining some of the output signals from different paths. The use of such logic gates enables using only two switches in the DAC stack unit to receive the data. Furthermore, optionally, additional logic gates may be used to combine some other output signals from different paths to generate dummy signals, thus providing internal dummy logic. The multi-path dual-switch DACs described herein may advantageously use half-clock rate and reduce or eliminate supply modulation issues, while also reducing power consumption and improving linearity compared to traditional DAC architectures.

Abstract: There is provided a method of website optimization for a website hosted on a server system, the website for use by a plurality of users, the method including steps executed by the server system of: (i) collecting data for constructing a plurality of user profiles corresponding to the plurality of users; (ii) constructing the plurality of user profiles using the collected data; (iii) quantifying affinities between the plurality of user profiles; (iv) constructing a user network map, in which users are represented as nodes, and in which the affinities are represented as links between the nodes; (v) segmenting the user network map into a plurality of communities of users, and (vi) providing website content to each user according to the segmented community of each user.

Abstract: There is provided a method of website optimisation for a website hosted on a server system, the website for use by a plurality of users, the method including steps executed by the server system of: (i) collecting data for constructing a plurality of user profiles corresponding to the plurality of users; (ii) constructing the plurality of user profiles using the collected data; (iii) quantifying affinities between the plurality of user profiles; (iv) constructing a user network map, in which users are represented as nodes, and in which the affinities are represented as links between the nodes; (v) segmenting the user network map into a plurality of communities of users, and (vi) providing website content to each user according to the segmented community of each user.

Abstract: Provided is a portable container system for holding and dispensing a quantity of fuel. The container includes an attachment for attaching the container to a support area, such as a belt loop, and a self-closing dispensing cap for dispensing the gasoline contained within the container. Additionally, the container is constructed of an approved material for storing gasoline, is painted bright red, and includes a warning that indicates the contents of the container. The internal volume of the container holds between 16-32 ounces of fuel, which provides extended use of conventional lawn equipment while being light enough to attach to a belt loop or other support area for hands-free use.

Abstract: Provided is a portable container system for holding and dispensing a quantity of fuel. The container includes an attachment for attaching the container to a support area, such as a belt loop, and a self-closing dispensing cap for dispensing the gasoline contained within the container. Additionally, the container is constructed of an approved material for storing gasoline, is painted bright red, and includes a warning that indicates the contents of the container. The internal volume of the container holds between 16-32 ounces of fuel, which provides extended use of conventional lawn equipment while being light enough to attach to a belt loop or other support area for hands-free use.

Abstract: A system includes a water injection system configured to supply water from a pressure regulating valve to a water manifold of a turbine engine. The system also includes a drain valve configured to drain at least a portion of the water from the pressure regulating valve during a start-up period of the water injection system at least until a stable water pressure is achieved downstream of the pressure regulating valve.

Abstract: In one aspect, a calibration component configured to calibrate an automatic gain controller (AGC) for use in a tuner configured to isolate a selected channel from a multi-channel broadcast signal, the tuner implemented substantially on two chips, a first chip comprising a radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit adapted for RF processing and a second chip comprising a digital integrated circuit adapted for digital processing is provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a water injection system configured to supply water from a pressure regulating valve to a water manifold of a turbine engine. The system also includes a drain valve configured to drain at least a portion of the water from the pressure regulating valve during a start-up period of the water injection system at least until a stable water pressure is achieved downstream of the pressure regulating valve.

Abstract: In one aspect, a calibration component configured to calibrate an automatic gain controller (AGC) for use in a tuner configured to isolate a selected channel from a multi-channel broadcast signal, the tuner implemented substantially on two chips, a first chip comprising a radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit adapted for RF processing and a second chip comprising a digital integrated circuit adapted for digital processing is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing the presence or severity of liver fibrosis in an individual by detecting ?2-macroglobulin (?2-MG) in sample from the individual; detecting hyaluronic acid (HA) in a sample from the individual; detecting tissue inhibitor of a metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in a sample from the individual; and diagnosing the presence or severity of liver fibrosis in the individual based on the presence or level of ?-MG, HA and TIMP-1.