Abstract: A process for cultivating photosynthetic microbes comprising Closed Systems for continuous cultivation and Open Systems for batch cultivation, in which (a) the Closed System Area occupies no more than 20% of the Total Land Area of the cultivation facility; (b) batch cultures in the Open Systems are initiated with an inoculum from the Closed Systems containing a cell biomass of no less than 5% of the carrying capacity of said Open System; (c) the doubling rate of said photosynthetic microbe is no less than once every 16 hours; and (d) the residence time of the batch culture in said Open System is no more than a period of 5 days.

Abstract: A device and process for vertically extracting diffusers from a wastewater treatment tank where the diffusers are attached to a device having a lifting point and a pivot extraction point. The device and diffusers are lifted from the bottom of the tank until there is a clearance between the diffusers and the bottom of the tank, and then a pulling member attached to the pivot extraction point is pulled to pivot the device and the diffusers to align the diffusers with the hole. The diffusers and the device can then be extracted vertically through the hole.

Abstract: A visual display mounted on a musical instrument for use as a teaching aid, for teaching fingerings and chords, a performing aid for displaying information relevant to a user's performance, and a visual effects aid, for displaying visual effects to an audience while a user is performing.

Abstract: A temperature sensing method in which pulses of optical radiation are launched by a laser diode (11) into an optical fibre (14) and optical radiation backscattered from the fibre is detected, the method comprising passing the backscattered radiation through a single optical filter (15) whereby a first signal is recorded at the anti-Stokes Raman wavelength from a signal launched by the laser diode in a laser mode and a second signal is recorded at the Rayleigh wavelength from a signal launched by the laser diode in a light emitting diode mode, and a comparison is made of the two signals to provide an indication of temperature.

Abstract: The image registration systems and methods according to this invention register reflectance and fluorescence hyperspectral imagery and provide the spatial image transformation between the reflectance and fluorescence hyperspectral imagery. A reflectance image is embedded into the fluorescence hyperspectral imagery and thereby resolves the resemblance problem of reflectance and fluorescence hyperspectral imagery. The reflectance image is embedded into the fluorescence hyperspectral imagery using (1) light from a narrow-band source embedded in Ultraviolet (UV) excitation light, (2) second order diffracted light, and/or (3) Ultraviolet (UV) excitation light reflectance. Resembling reflectance images are calculated from the reflectance hyperspectral imagery and the embedded reflectance image in the fluorescence hyperspectral imagery. The two respective reflectance images are pre-processed to maximize the resemblance between them.

Abstract: A device and process for vertically extracting diffusers from a wastewater treatment tank where the diffusers are attached to a device having a lifting point and a pivot extraction point. The device and diffusers are lifted from the bottom of the tank until there is a clearance between the diffusers and the bottom of the tank, and then a pulling member attached to the pivot extraction point is pulled to pivot the device and the diffusers to align the diffusers with the hole. The diffusers and the device can then be extracted vertically through the hole.

Abstract: The invention is a device that push releasably retains one end of a rope (111) abutting against an intermediate part of the rope (103) to form a push releasable loop.

Abstract: A plurality of flat rigid supports protect flat surfaces, flexible membranes protect contoured surfaces, and intersections of these rigid and flexible surfaces form joints that protect the corners and edges of cut seafood such that the physical shape of each packaged seafood segment resembles its freshly cut shape. Cut seafood surfaces, corners, and edges protected by this supporting means avoid contact with other surfaces that may disfigure their original cut appearance. This supporting means accommodates varying seafood fillet sizes and shapes, and minimizes the unused space within the packing unit. As a result, a substantial cost savings is realized by shipping seafood fillets with the weight and volume of non-edible portions of the whole fish removed prior to shipping without compromising the quality of the delivered product.

Abstract: An automotive tool tray and support assembly that can be removably engaged with and affixed to the hood-latch mechanisms of automobiles having rear-raising engine hoods. The support assembly comprises two hollow support members, with an extendable insert movably disposed within the support member. Both support members are substantially rigidly and removably affixed to their respective hood latch mechanisms by inserting the inserts in the hood latch mechanisms. The hood latch mechanisms engage with and retain the inserts, and the support members rest on the hood latch mechanism housings. An automotive tool tray is positioned over the exposed engine compartment by affixing the tray to the top ends of the support members.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and process for real-time screening of areas that can be identified as suspicious either through image segmentation utilizing image processing techniques or through treatment with an exogenous fluorescent marker that selectively localizes in abnormal areas. If screening detects a suspicious area, then the invention allows acquiring of autofluorescence images at multiple selected narrow differentiating spectral bands so that a “virtual biopsy” can be obtained to differentiate abnormal areas from normal areas based on differentiating portions of autofluorescence spectra. Full spatial information is collected, but autofluorescence data is collected only at the selected narrow spectral bands, avoiding the collection of full spectral data, so that the speed of analysis is increased.

Abstract: A hair accessory storage, display, and organizing device having a plurality of storage compartments, a centrally mounted hollow member and a plurality of pillars for the display and storage of a wide variety of various hair accessories.

Abstract: A nuclear power plant (18) and its heat exhanger (26) are enclosed in an envelope (22) which is suspended above a bored shaft (14) from a support stem (30). When appropriate, the stem (30) can be melted by a furnace (34) to drop the envelope (22) to the bottom of the shaft (14). Sand (42) can then be dropped onto the envelope (22) through a drainage pipe (46). While the nuclear power plant (18) is operating and suspended in the shaft, spent fuel rods (70) are dropped into a sand blasting machine's hopper (130), mixed with sand and dropped into a bag (134) containing a small explosive device. The bag (134) is then dropped to the bottom of the shaft (14) and the explosive detonated to scatter the contents of the bag (134). Optionally, more sand or earth is then added to reduce heat and radiation to acceptable levels.