Abstract: An exemplary character interaction system located at a first site receives character behavior data representative of captured behavior of a real-world performer located at a second site. Based on the character behavior data, the system presents, to an interactive user at the first site, a representation of a virtual character avatar that performs, in real-time synchrony with the real-world performer at the second site, the captured behavior of the real-world performer. During this presentation of the virtual character avatar, the system provides user video data representative of captured behavior of the interactive user for presentation to the real-world performer to allow the real-world performer to interact in real time with the interactive user via the virtual character avatar. The system also generates an augmented representation of an interaction between the virtual character avatar and the interactive user for presentation to a non-interactive observer.

Abstract: An exemplary character interaction system located at a first site receives character behavior data representative of captured behavior of a real-world performer located at a second site. Based on the character behavior data, the system presents, to an interactive user at the first site, a representation of a virtual character avatar that performs, in real-time synchrony with the real-world performer at the second site, the captured behavior of the real-world performer. During this presentation of the virtual character avatar, the system provides user video data representative of captured behavior of the interactive user for presentation to the real-world performer to allow the real-world performer to interact in real time with the interactive user via the virtual character avatar. The system also generates an augmented representation of an interaction between the virtual character avatar and the interactive user for presentation to a non-interactive observer.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is described and which includes an exterior container having an internal cavity; a refrigerant distribution tube is positioned within the internal cavity and which is further coupled in fluid receiving relation relative to a first source of refrigerant; and a multiplicity of closely nested refrigerant tubes are located within the internal cavity and are further disposed in a closely spaced, radially outwardly oriented positions relative to the refrigerant distribution tube, and which additionally have a predetermined and similar length dimension, and individually form helical coils which have a given and similar length dimension, and a variable pitch, and which are further coupled to a second source of a refrigerant.

Abstract: An air hood is described and which is arranged so as to be mounted on a refrigeration device of conventional design; the air hood is moveable between a first position where the air hood is collapsed and is placed in juxtaposed, covering relation relative to an air intake side of the refrigeration device, and a second position where the air hood is placed into an operational position which places it laterally outwardly relative to the air intake side of the refrigeration device.

Abstract: An achievement server may provide descriptions or specifications of virtual environment achievements to a user. A user may report to the achievement server the user's virtual achievements. This report may include verification of such virtual achievements. Based on the reported virtual achievements, the achievement server may unlock products or services for the user. In one embodiment, the achievement server may unlock tier-1 shoes (e.g., red shoes) for the highest level of achievement, tier-2 shoes (e.g., blue shoes) for the next-highest level of achievement, tier-3 shoes (e.g., orange shoes) for the next-highest level of achievement, tier-4 shoes (e.g., yellow shoes) for the next-highest level of achievement, and tier-5 shoes (e.g., green shoes) for the next-highest level of achievement.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is described and which includes an exterior container having an internal cavity; a refrigerant distribution tube is positioned within the internal cavity and which is further coupled in fluid receiving relation relative to a first source of refrigerant; and a multiplicity of closely nested refrigerant tubes are located within the internal cavity and are further disposed in a closely spaced, radially outwardly oriented positions relative to the refrigerant distribution tube, and which additionally have a predetermined and similar length dimension, and individually form helical coils which have a given and similar length dimension, and a variable pitch, and which are further coupled to a second source of a refrigerant.

Abstract: An air hood is described and which is arranged so as to be mounted on a refrigeration device of conventional design; the air hood is moveable between a first position where the air hood is collapsed and is placed in juxtaposed, covering relation relative to an air intake side of the refrigeration device, and a second position where the air hood is placed into an operational position which places it laterally outwardly relative to the air intake side of the refrigeration device.

Abstract: Custom LED light panel displays (20, 20a, 20b) are provided, equipped with transparent media covers (22), replaceable, image-bearing media sheets (24), and support and illumination assemblies (26) having backing panels (38) supporting the sheets (24). The sheets (24) are located between the covers (22) and the backing panels (38), and can be readily replaced without disassembly of the displays (20, 20a, 20b). The displays (20, 20a, 20b) are illuminated by means of peripheral LED lights (86) disposed about central panel sections (50) forming a part of the backing panels (38). The LED-emitted light may be4 scattered or changed in color to achieve different illumination patterns.

Abstract: A direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and a method of direct expansion ammonia refrigeration is described and which includes a source of liquid ammonia refrigerant which is delivered in fluid flowing relation to a plurality of evaporator tubes which incorporate wicking structures, and which through capillary action facilitated by the wicking structures are effective for drawing liquid ammonia refrigerant along the inside facing surface of the evaporator tubes so as to substantially reduce any stratified and/or wavy flow patterns of the liquid ammonia refrigerant within the evaporator tubes. The invention further includes a novel accumulator vessel and heat exchanger vessel which are coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and which facilitate the removal of water from the ammonia refrigerant in order to enhance the operation of the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system.

Abstract: A direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and a method of direct expansion ammonia refrigeration is described and which includes a source of liquid ammonia refrigerant which is delivered in fluid flowing relation to a plurality of evaporator tubes which incorporate wicking structures, and which through capillary action facilitated by the wicking structures are effective for drawing liquid ammonia refrigerant along the inside facing surface of the evaporator tubes so as to substantially reduce any stratified and/or wavy flow patterns of the liquid ammonia refrigerant within the evaporator tubes. The invention further includes a novel accumulator vessel and heat exchanger vessel which are coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and which facilitate the removal of water from the ammonia refrigerant in order to enhance the operation of the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system.

Abstract: A circuit for determining a polarization of a gas. The circuit includes a polarimetry circuit having an NMR coil that is configured to excite a polarized gas and that is responsive to an electromagnetic signal generated by the excited, polarized gas. The polarimetry circuit has a reproducible polarization measurement variability of less than about 2% when the NMR coil is exposed to a temperature in a range of about 0° C. to about 200° C.

Abstract: A direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and a method of direct expansion ammonia refrigeration is described and which includes a source of liquid ammonia refrigerant which is delivered in fluid flowing relation to a plurality of evaporator tubes which incorporate wicking structures, and which through capillary action facilitated by the wicking structures are effective for drawing liquid ammonia refrigerant along the inside facing surface of the evaporator tubes so as to substantially reduce any stratified and/or wavy flow patterns of the liquid ammonia refrigerant within the evaporator tubes. The invention further includes a novel accumulator vessel and heat exchanger vessel which are coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and which facilitate the removal of water from the ammonia refrigerant in order to enhance the operation of the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system.

Abstract: A system for determining polarization of a gas comprises a container that contains the polarized gas. An oscillator circuit comprises an Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) coil that is positioned adjacent to the container. A pulse generator circuit is configured to generate an electrical pulse that may be transmitted to an optical cell through the NMR coil to excite the polarized gas responsive to a control processor. A Q-reduction circuit that is independent of the pulse generator circuit is configured to reduce oscillations in the oscillator circuit from the transmitted electrical pulse responsive to the control processor. A receive circuit is responsive to an electrical signal that is induced in the oscillator circuit due to the electromagnetic excitation of the polarized gas. The control processor is configured to determine the polarization of the gas based on the output signal of the receive circuit.

Abstract: A radiation therapy system produces a treatment beam that is detected by an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) after it passes through the subject being treated. A chopper wheel modulates low energy components of the beam while leaving the higher energy components substantially unmodulated. Modulated components in the image signals produced by the EPID are detected and used to produce portal images.

Abstract: A radiation therapy system produces a treatment beam that is detected by an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) after it passes through the subject being treated. A chopper wheel modulates low energy components of the beam while leaving the higher energy components substantially unmodulated. Modulated components in the image signals produced by the EPID are detected and used to produce portal images.

Abstract: A system for determining polarization of a gas comprises a container that contains the polarized gas. An oscillator circuit comprises an Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) coil that is positioned adjacent to the container. A pulse generator circuit is configured to generate an electrical pulse that may be transmitted to an optical cell through the NMR coil to excite the polarized gas responsive to a control processor. A Q-reduction circuit that is independent of the pulse generator circuit is configured to reduce oscillations in the oscillator circuit from the transmitted electrical pulse responsive to the control processor. A receive circuit is responsive to an electrical signal that is induced in the oscillator circuit due to the electromagnetic excitation of the polarized gas. The control processor is configured to determine the polarization of the gas based on the output signal of the receive circuit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, assemblies, computer program products and devices produce hyperpolarized gas by: (a) providing a plurality of cells (30), each having a respective quantity of target gas held therein; (b) polarizing the target gas in and/or from the cells in a desired order to provide separate batches of polarized gas; and (c) repolarizing the previously polarized target gas held in least one of the cells when the polarization level falls below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system for determining polarization of a gas comprises a container that contains the polarized gas. An oscillator circuit comprises an NMR coil that is positioned adjacent to the container. A pulse generator circuit is configured to generate an electrical pulse that may be transmitted to the optical cell through the NMR coil to excite the polarized gas responsive to a control processor. A Q-reduction circuit that is independent of the pulse generator circuit is configured to reduce oscillations in the oscillator circuit from the transmitted electrical pulse responsive to the control processor. A receive circuit is responsive to an electrical signal that is induced in the oscillator circuit due to the electromagnetic excitation of the polarized gas. The control processor is configured to determine the polarization of the gas based on the output signal of the receive circuit.

Abstract: A system for determining polarization of a gas comprises a container that contains the polarized gas. An oscillator circuit comprises an NMR coil that is positioned adjacent to the container. A pulse generator circuit is configured to generate an electrical pulse that may be transmitted to the optical cell through the NMR coil to excite the polarized gas responsive to a control processor. A Q-reduction circuit that is independent of the pulse generator circuit is configured to reduce oscillations in the oscillator circuit from the transmitted electrical pulse responsive to the control processor. A receive circuit is responsive to an electrical signal that is induced in the oscillator circuit due to the electromagnetic excitation of the polarized gas. The control processor is configured to determine the polarization of the gas based on the output signal of the receive circuit.

Abstract: A high power diode laser system utilizes an external cavity to narrow the spectral width of a high power multimode diode laser to change the output power normally produced by the diode from a broad spectrum to a very narrow spectrum. The power output of the laser system is concentrated over a narrow spectral range which falls within the useable range for particular applications, such as optical pumping of noble gas samples for magnetic resonance imaging. The output of the diode is received by a collimating element which directs the light on a beam path to a diffraction grating which is oriented at an angle to the incident beam. A portion of the beam may be directed from the diffraction grating to provide useable output light, and a portion of the light incident on the grating is directed back to be focused on the diode to provide feedback to cause the diode to preferentially lase at the wavelength of the light that is fed back.