Abstract: Apparatuses, capacitor arrays, and methods for generating therapeutic compressed acoustic waves (e.g., shock waves). In the apparatuses and at least some of the methods, a plurality of electrodes can disposed in a chamber that is defined by a housing and configured to be filled with liquid, and a plurality of capacitors can be electrically connected to the electrodes and can be carried by (e.g., physically coupled to) the housing. Voltage pulses can be applied simultaneously to the plurality of electrodes (e.g., to begin to vaporize and ionize portions of the liquid to provide at least one inter-electrode conductive path between the plurality of electrodes) and to the capacitors to charge the plurality of capacitors). The plurality of capacitors can be configured to, upon reaching a threshold charge, discharge to the plurality of electrodes (e.g.

Abstract: A block is provided for use in a wall structure. The block comprises a first block side which is configured to form a section of one side of the wall structure, a second block side which is configured to form a section of an opposite side of the wall structure, a plurality of ribs which are configured to receive a rib insert or a block corner insulation, and a stud component which is configured to accept a finishing material, wherein the stud component includes a recess portion.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for reducing curling, warping, or both in poured concrete. The method includes substituting a lightweight fine aggregate for at least a portion of the natural fine aggregate in a concrete mixture, mixing the components, pouring the mixture, and curing the poured concrete. The invention also discloses a concrete component, formed by the method, for use in building a parking structure.

Abstract: Pressure-based refreshable scanning tactile graphic display apparatus and methods are disclosed for localized sensory stimulation. The apparatus include a display array having stimulus points embedded in a matrix, an energy source applied at the stimulus points through a modulator, a control unit, and a position sensing and feedback unit or units (such as a mouse-type device or data glove, for example). The energy source is preferably stored and pressurized fluid with application to selected stimulus points (pins, for example) preferably directed at a microvalve array under the control of a computer-based control unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extended refreshable tactile graphic display are disclosed, the apparatus including an array of pins at a display surface, with pin setting actuators and display surface matrix preferably being separable units. The display matrix is provided by stacked functional layers, functions including temporary pin retention and pin locking.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for refreshable tactile display are disclosed, the apparatus being preferably embodied as a rotating-wheel refreshable Braille reader. The reader includes a housing having a reading aperture with a rotatable wheel assembly maintained therein so that a display surface of a rotating wheel passes the reading aperture. The wheel has endless rows of openings defined therethrough to the display surface, a pin held in each opening and freely movable therein. Actuators, at least equal in number to the rows of openings but substantially fewer in number than the openings, are held at a static location relative to the wheel for selectively moving pins in the rows so that Braille characters are arrayed at the display surface after passing the static location. Braille characters are thus streamed across the reading aperture of the housing.

Abstract: A refreshable Braille reader apparatus and method are disclosed, the apparatus preferably utilizing a rotating cylinder having endless rows of openings defined therethrough to a display surface with a pin held in each opening and freely movable therein. Static actuators at least equal in number to the rows of openings through the cylinder are maintained at a station adjacent to the surface of the cylinder, and are configured and positioned so that the pins are selectively contactable at either of their ends by different ones of the actuators during cylinder rotation in either forward or reverse direction thereby selectively positioning first ends of the pins relative to the surface of the cylinder to allow streaming of Braille text across a display area in either forward or backward order depending upon selected direction of cylinder rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extended refreshable tactile graphic display are disclosed, the apparatus including an array of pins at a display surface, with pin setting actuators and display surface matrix preferably being separable units. The display matrix is provided by stacked functional layers, functions including temporary pin retention and pin locking.

Abstract: Pressure-based refreshable scanning tactile graphic display apparatus and methods are disclosed for localized sensory stimulation. The apparatus include a display array having stimulus points embedded in a matrix, an energy source applied at the stimulus points through a modulator, a control unit, and a position sensing and feedback unit or units (such as a mouse-type device or data glove, for example). The energy source is preferably stored and pressurized fluid with application to selected stimulus points (pins, for example) preferably directed at a microvalve array under the control of a computer-based control unit.

Abstract: A refreshable Braille reader apparatus and method are disclosed, the apparatus preferably utilizing a rotating cylinder having endless rows of openings defined therethrough to a display surface with a pin held in each opening and freely movable therein. Static actuators at least equal in number to the rows of openings through the cylinder are maintained at a station adjacent to the surface of the cylinder, and are configured and positioned so that the pins are selectively contactable at either of their ends by different ones of the actuators during cylinder rotation in either forward or reverse direction thereby selectively positioning first ends of the pins relative to the surface of the cylinder to allow streaming of Braille text across a display area in either forward or backward order depending upon selected direction of cylinder rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extreme pressure lubricant composition, in per cent by weight, which includes from about 25 to about 37 percent polyalphaolefin, from about 1 to about 5 percent pentaerythritol ester of a fatty acid, from about 20 to about 35 percent of said methyl ester, from about 1 to about 10 percent of said copolymer of ethylene and propylene, from about 22 to about 32 percent of said bismuth salt and from about 1 to about 10 percent antimony diakyldithiocarbamate.

Abstract: A millimeter wave link provides a means for easily transporting multiple high speed data channels, in excess of 100 Mb/s, a distance of up to 10 km, without requiring elaborate modulators and demodulators. This invention also provides fast setup, versatility, and is portable, which makes it desirable for field use. In addition, it can be set up for long term high speed data collection in a virtually permanent environment. The unidirectional link of the present invention is intended for use in experimental data collection systems, where portability, ease of setup and high speed data transfer are required. University environments as well as independent research and development institutions can benefit significantly from its use.

Abstract: A random number generator structure is arranged to include a plurality of wheels to generate a like plurality of numbers, wherein the wheels are arranged within a tubular housing and rotatably mounted within the housing arranged for spinning within the housing for viewing of individual numbers through an individual window associated with each respective wheel.

Abstract: A bag for collecting and transporting loose debris such as leaves, twigs, grass cuttings and the like in which the bag mouth is held open and positioned to receive the debris by a person, with the top of the bag mouth hung behind the person by a shoulder harness attached thereto and the bottom of the bag mouth being moved along the ground by the person's feet, engaged in stirrups which are secured to the bottom of the bags. The bag is fabricated of an inexpensive plastic material which is conveniently disposed when filled with debris.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism in a reversible ratchet wrench is sealed by novel means. The sealed reversible ratchet wrench includes a ratchet body having a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion has a head cavity formed therein, which cavity receives the ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism communicates exteriorly of the head cavity via at least two journal bearings which respectively receive journal pins associated with the ratchet mechanism. The novel sealing means comprises a pair of annular lip seals, each of which includes an opening that receives one of the journal pins. The annular lip seals bridge the gap between the exteriorly communicating journal bearings and journal pins, thereby facilitating the retention of lubricant and hindering the entry of foreign particles in the head cavity and ratchet mechanism housed therein.

Abstract: A bag for collecting and transporting loose debris such as leaves, twigs, grass cuttings and the like in which the bag mouth is held open and positioned to receive the debris by a person, with the top of the bag mouth hung behind the person by a shoulder harness attached thereto and the bottom of the bag mouth being moved along the ground by the person's feet, engaged in stirrups which are secured to the bottom of the bags. A wear strip is provided along the bottom forward edge of the bag mouth to protect against wear and to serve as a guide means to guide the debris into the bag. A handle is provided at the rear end of the bag to facilitate transport, handling and emptying.

Abstract: A tetrazolium-based system for testing for the presence of organisms or cells in a specimen includes in one embodiment a mixture of a substrate and an indicator system, wherein the overall system is buffered to a pH above 8.0, and in a preferred embodiment at about a pH of 9.0 when mixed. The substrate solution and indicator solution are not mixed until shortly before use. The indicator solution is buffered at a pH of approximately 3.3, thereby enhancing the shelf life. The substrate may consist of glucose with at least one amino acid in a buffered solution formulated such that, by mixing equal parts with the indicator solution, a pH above 8, preferably 9.0 results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for delivering reagents for tests, and particularly for assays applicable to biological fluids.

Abstract: A composition is used as a reagent in a method for measuring Antistreptolysin O (ASO) in a blood sample. The composition contains Streptolysin O (SO) at a pH outside the range of its hemolytic activity, e.g., outside the pH range of 5-9. At that pH the SO is reversibly inactivated while maintaining its hemolytic capacity. The composition is employed to measure ASO by mixing one or more samples of non-hemolyzed blood or serum with one or more known quantities of the composition with a known hemolytic capacity, incubating each mixture to allow reaction of any ASO in the sample with the SO, restoring the hemolytic activity of the SO by adjustment of pH to permit lysis and detecting the presence or absence of lysis in each sample.