Abstract: Provided in some embodiments are methods of treating or preventing Raynaud's, comprising prescribing and/or administering to an individual in need thereof 2-(((1r,4r)-4-(((4-chlorophenyl)(phenyl)carbamoyloxy)methyl)cyclohexyl)methoxy)acetic acid (Compound 1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, or solvate thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking truss plates, each truss plate having a flat side and a pronged side, receives an odd number of plates. An even number of input channels underlie a stationary shelf and a movable shelf. The channels receive a first odd set of plates in a first cycle with the movable shelf in a first position, each of the first plates being received and falling input channels during the first cycle. The channels receive a second odd set of plates during a second cycle, the movable shelf in a second position during the second cycle. A roller and transport track assembly move each of the odd number of plates to an output so that an even number of plates is output during each cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking truss plates, each truss plate having a flat side and a pronged side, receives an odd number of plates. An even number of input channels underlie a stationary shelf and a movable shelf. The channels receive a first odd set of plates in a first cycle with the movable shelf in a first position, each of the first plates being received and falling input channels during the first cycle. The channels receive a second odd set of plates during a second cycle, the movable shelf in a second position during the second cycle. A roller and transport track assembly move each of the odd number of plates to an output so that an even number of plates is output during each cycle.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) phased array transmitter system comprises a phased array for generating an RF signal. The phased array comprises conductive patches formed in an array, separation gaps, and active sources. Each of the separation gaps is formed between two adjacent ones of the conductive patches, and each of the active sources is formed across its associated one of the separation gaps. The system further comprises an optical source for generating an optical signal and an RF source for generating an RF signal. In addition, the system comprises an optical modulator coupled to the optical source and the RF source. The optical modulator receives an optical signal and an RF signal, and produces an RF modulated optical signal based on the received optical signal and the received RF signal.

Abstract: A free-space optically-coupled collimator for the efficient bidirectional transmission of an optical metrology beam emanating from a waveguide aperture of a waveguide optical transmission element, all contained in an isothermal nested enclosure, with the waveguide element mounted in a stress-free fashion. The focus of the collimator is set at the waveguide aperture of the waveguide optical transmission element, the optical axis of the collimator aligns with the optical metrology beam as it exits the waveguide aperture of the waveguide optical transmission element, and the numeric aperture of the collimator is equal to or larger than the numeric aperture of the optical metrology beam as it exits the waveguide aperture of the waveguide optical transmission element.

Abstract: A locator for locating and holding a structural member in engagement with an adjacent structural member at a predetermined position of an assembly apparatus during a truss assembly operation. The locator includes a cylindric sleeve having an outer wall configured for engaging the structural member and a bore extending through the sleeve defining an inner wall sized for placement around a stop of the assembly apparatus. The bore is eccentrically positioned in the sleeve. The sleeve is portable, may be secured to the apparatus free from fixed connection, and is rotatable about the stop for adjusting a magnitude of force applied by the sleeve to the structural member.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus for use in assembling a truss. The apparatus has a truss table and a roller assembly movable relative to the truss table for pressing connectors into truss members. A wheel guide directs movement of the roller assembly relative to the truss table. The roller assembly automatically reduces speed when approaching an end of the wheel guide. A wear strip is removably secured to the guide so that the wear strip may be replaced with a different wear strip without replacement of the guide. The table is supported on legs which are telescopically adjustable in height to adjust the table to a level orientation. A support of the roller assembly is formed of a one piece plate to inhibit deflections. A roller is formed with a collar attached by interference fit to improve strength and durability.

Abstract: A locator for locating and holding a structural member in engagement with an adjacent structural member at a predetermined position of an assembly apparatus during a truss assembly operation. The locator includes a cylindric sleeve having an outer wall configured for engaging the structural member and a bore extending through the sleeve defining an inner wall sized for placement around a stop of the assembly apparatus. The bore is eccentrically positioned in the sleeve. The sleeve is portable, may be secured to the apparatus free from fixed connection, and is rotatable about the stop for adjusting a magnitude of force applied by the sleeve to the structural member.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus for use in assembling a truss. The apparatus has a truss table and a roller assembly movable relative to the truss table for pressing connectors into truss members. A wheel guide directs movement of the roller assembly relative to the truss table. The roller assembly automatically reduces speed when approaching an end of the wheel guide. A wear strip is removably secured to the guide so that the wear strip may be replaced with a different wear strip without replacement of the guide. The table is supported on legs which are telescopically adjustable in height to adjust the table to a level orientation. A support of the roller assembly is formed of a one piece plate to inhibit deflections. A roller is formed with a collar attached by interference fit to improve strength and durability.

Abstract: A system for performing photonic constant envelope modulation utilizing a frequency shifted optical signal and a pure phase modulated optical signal. A coupler superposes the pure phase modulated signal and the frequency shifted optical signal. A set of detectors generates a photocurrent signal based on the superposed signals. A splitter generates a first optical signal and a second optical signal, wherein each represents nominally one half of an input optical signal. A filter, coupled to the set of detectors, is operable to remove a DC current from the photocurrent signal.

Abstract: A photonics sensor and array for the reception and processing of RF signals. In one embodiment, the present invention is an antenna comprising: a first electro-optically active optical waveguide; a first planar electrode substantially parallel to the first waveguide; a second electro-optically active optical waveguide; a second planar electrode substantially parallel to the second waveguide, the first and second planar electrodes being substantially adjacent and coplanar; and a third planar electrode substantially parallel to the first and second planar electrodes and disposed such that the first waveguide lies between the first and third planar electrodes, and the second waveguide lies between the second and third planar electrodes.

Abstract: Dialyzers and methods are disclosed for performing shortened extracorporeal blood treatments. A flow restriction is provided in a dialyzer serving to partially impede flow of dialysate through the dialysate compartment of the dialyzer. As a result, the pressure of the dialysate upstream of the flow restriction is sufficient to cause the pressure profile of the dialysate from the dialysate inlet to the dialysate outlet of the dialyzer to be non-linear, in contrast to prior-art dialyzers. This perturbation of the dialysate pressure profile permits a single dialyzer to be used to remove large amounts of blood water from a patient's blood and re-infuse large amounts of liquid to the blood while still attaining a desired net ultrafiltration of the patient without the need for more than one dialyzer per treatment or for a separate replacement fluid.

Abstract: A method for aligning optical fibers (20) with leads (21) from electro-optical components (2). The method comprises the steps of completely severing a single crystallographic substrate (15) into discrete first (3) and second (5 or 7) pieces; on the first piece (3), fabricating at least one electro-optical component (2) having an elongated lead (21); on the second piece (5 or 7) fabricating at least one elongated groove (6) adapted to hold an optical fiber (20); and abutting the first (3) and second (5 or 7) piece against each other on a flat surface (17) so that each lead (21) abuts a groove (6). A film layer (18), e.g., comprising a thin-film polymer, may be placed on top surface (4) of crystallographic substrate (15). The electro-optical component (2) may be an array of electro-optical components comprising one or more integrated electro-optical components. At least one alignment channel (11) is formed in the upper surface (4) of the substrate (15).

Abstract: A monolithically integrated, micro-fabricated optical device for use in photonic applications has at least one waveguide surface configuration which cannot be fabricated by binary processing. The optical device comprises a plurality of layers of substrate materials. The material in at least one layer has an index of refraction different from the index of retraction of the material in an adjacent layer. A waveguide surface is formed at an interface between the layers and has a configuration fabricated by use of a gray scale mask.

Abstract: Wavefront correction apparatus for correcting a stepped wavefront output produced by certain angles of scan and by certain positions of scan in scanning microlens arrays includes anamorphic transfer optics with diffractive corrections. The transfer optics form the outputs of all of the unit cell trains of the microlens arrays into a unique, separate, linear image at each position of scan of the scanning array. A stepped wavefront corrector is positioned in the path of each linear image, and selected thicknesses of the material in the stepped wavefront corrector are effective to vary the times of optical passage through the stepped wavefront corrector in amounts to restore the wavefront to a continuous, unstepped form at the outlet of the plate.

Abstract: Wavefront correction apparatus for correcting a stepped wavefront output produced by certain angles of scan and by certain positions of scan in scanning microlens arrays includes anamorphic transfer optics with diffractive corrections. The transfer optics form the outputs of all of the unit cell trains of the microlens arrays into a unique, separate, linear image at each position of scan of the scanning array. A stepped wavefront corrector is positioned in the path of each linear image, and selected thicknesses of the material in the stepped wavefront corrector are effective to vary the times of optical passage through the stepped wavefront corrector in amounts to restore the wavefront to a continuous, unstepped form at the outlet of the plate.

Abstract: Wavefront correction apparatus for correcting a stepped wavefront output produced by certain angles of scan and by certain positions of scan in scanning microlens arrays includes anamorphic transfer optics with diffractive corrections. The transfer optics form the outputs of all of the unit cell trains of the microlens arrays into a unique, separate, linear image at each position of scan of the scanning array. A stepped wavefront corrector is positioned in the path of each linear image, and selected thicknesses of the material in the stepped wavefront corrector are effective to vary the times of optical passage through the stepped wavefront corrector in amounts to restore the wavefront to a continuous, unstepped form at the outlet of the plate.