Abstract: A Laminography system with x-ray source and a detector assembly. The x-ray source uses a narrow, deflected pencil beam to scan to a linear target. An x-ray cone beam detected by the detector assembly is produced where the electron beam strikes the target. The target is a layer of high-emitting material that is partitioned with narrow regions of low-emitting material, where the low flux intensity is sufficiently low to be easily distinguished from the flux intensity of the high-emitting material. The target may be constructed as a discontinuous layer of high-emitting material applied to a substrate of low-emitting material, or as strips of low-emitting material applied to a continuous layer of high-emitting material.

Abstract: The disclosed mutual fund systems, processes and products involve: selecting, from the universe of asset classes, a restricted number of asset classes that have demonstrated superior returns by maintaining momentum during an existing first period of time, say at least two years; selecting, from these asset classes, portfolios of assets that have demonstrated superior returns by maintaining momentum during an existing second period of time, say at most two years; establishing and optimizing a benchmark based upon these portfolios of assets to identify a moving portfolio having calculated momentum; and tracking and periodically updating investment decisions to monitor and maintain the calculated momentum of the moving portfolio.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact assembly for temporarily interfacing two electrical devices. The assembly includes a contact having loops with axes forming with a closed coil with opposed contact points. The axes is angled from the direction of the compression force holding the assembly sandwiched between the electrical devices. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as the compression force is applied, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric panel such that the contact points extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: A method for substantially reducing the contribution of dense regions of an object while less dense regions of the object are being processed in a laminography blurring system. The method comprises the steps of positioning an x-ray source with a moving fan beam on one side of the object; positioning a row of x-ray detectors on the side of the object opposite that of the x-ray source; sequentially emitting a plurality of x-ray fan beams along an x-ray source line and directed through a focused pixel of the object to the row of x-ray detectors; sampling the x-ray detectors once for each of the fan beams for a total of it samples of intensity Ii; determining the maximum intensity Imax from the samples Ii; choosing a parameter P greater than one; retaining only those samples Ii that are greater than or equal to Imax/P; summing the retained samples; and normalizing the resultant sum. Normalizing can include multiplying the sum by the total number of samples divided by the number of retained samples.

Abstract: An magnetic resonance imaging system having a housing comprising a transmit and/or receive inductor system having a coil about the housing axis in proximity with the housing. The transmit and/or receive coil includes a series of electrical transmission line elements distributed with respect to the axis about the subject. Each transmission line element includes an outer conductor and an inner conductor spaced radially from the outer conductor relative to the axis. Capacitive elements are dispersed among the inner conductor and outer conductor. The coil includes capacitive elements connecting pairs of conductors. The capacitive elements may connect pairs of outer conductors or pairs of inner conductors.

Abstract: The paint brush protective caddy of the present invention is an open-top compartment bounded by a back, two sides, a bottom, and a front flap. The front flap is openable for inserting a brush in the compartment. To be openable, the front flap is attached to the bottom by a hinge. Alternatively, the bottom and front flap form a relatively rigid 90° corner and the caddy is composed of a material that will bend as a result of application of a moderate amount of force. The brush bristles fit into the compartment and is secured by a flexible strap that extends over the brush from the back. At least one surface includes a multitude of through holes to provide air circulation for allowing the brush to dry.

Abstract: A manually operated dough press comprising a frame with a base and a housing. A shaft mounted for reciprocating motion extends from an opening in the housing and an upper platen is attached to the lower end of the shaft. A pair of lower platens are pivotally mounted to the base so that they can be alternately aligned with the upper platen. A drive mechanism moves the shaft between an open position where the upper platen is spaced from the aligned lower platen and a closed position where dough on the aligned lower platen is compressed between the upper and lower platens. The drive mechanism includes a mechanism for latching the upper platen in the closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing blurring caused by transverse movement of an object being inspected relative to the x-ray source/detector array assembly. The plane of the scanning fan beam plane generated by the x-ray source is tilted by an angle relative to the plane that is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the object by an angle such that the fan beam source traverses distance D parallel to the direction of motion of the object in the same amount of time as one scan of the fan beam.

Abstract: A method of inducing spin excitation by employing RF transmission fields of time-varying spatial characteristics in order to better control the overall distribution of spin excitation. The MRI transmit inductor system generates an RF transmission of particular spatial characteristics, followed by one or more additional RF transmissions with different spatial characteristics, where the additional RF transmissions alter the spin excitation produced by the first RF transmission. The spin excitation can be provided by a sequence of two or more discrete RF transmissions with different spatial characteristics, by a single RF transmission that has continuously varying spatial characteristics, by using successive RF transmissions of the primary and higher order modes of a volume coil, and/or by an RF transmission from a volume or surface coil followed by a second RF transmission from one or more local surface coils.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical contact with a crimp ear from a flat ribbon of conductive material including applying a force to the ribbon to form an adjacent pair of approximately semicylindrical depressions on opposite sides of the centerline of the ear, shearing the ribbon at the depression bisectors to form a pair of legs on opposites of the centerline, and forming the legs into a predetermined shape about the centerline. Forming the legs includes straightening the legs and bending the legs to the appropriate predetermine relative angle. Optionally, the ear is coined. Optionally, serrations are inscribed across the ear.

Abstract: A manually operated dough press comprising a frame with a base and a housing, an upper platen having a working surface, and a lower platen attached to the base and having a working surface opposed to, substantially parallel to, and spaced from the upper platen working surface. The upper platen is attached to the lower end of a shaft that extends from the housing and mounted for reciprocating motion. A pair of mated interlocking components, one attached to the shaft and one attached to the housing, provide stability for vertical reciprocation. The drive mechanism includes a rod fixed perpendicularly to the shaft interlocking component, a pair of cam with spiral slots within which the ends of the rod ride, and an axle to which the cams are mounted and driven by a handle that rotates the cams to raise and lower the upper platen. Counterbalance for the upper platen/shaft is provided by a torsion bar assembly.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact assembly for temporarily interfacing two electrical devices. The assembly includes a contact with a closed coil with opposed contact points and an axis that is angled from the direction of the compression force holding the assembly sandwiched between the electrical devices. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as the compression force is applied, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric panel. The coil fits into a center section of the aperture. The contact points extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.

Abstract: A detachable lining for outerwear comprises a bodice, which includes an inner substantially full layer composed of a relatively rough fabric, an outer substantially full layer composed of a relatively smooth fabric, and an overlay partial layer composed of a relatively smooth fabric. The partial layer is superposed on the inner layer at an upper region of the bodice. The inner layer and outer layer are quilted together for enhancing dimensional stability and preventing bunching. The overlay partial layer has a relatively low coefficient of friction for encouraging sliding and preventing catching.

Abstract: A water cooler with a drip tray in which liquid in the drip tray drains through a drain hole connected to a pump. When liquid is detected, the pump activates to pump the liquid to a remote drain. An optional filter between the drip tray and the pump traps overly-large particles. Optionally, the drip tray is covered by a removable strainer. A vent in the hose between the drip tray and pump includes a pressure relief vent. Optionally, an access point between the drip tray and vent provide drainage for another source of liquid. The pump is activated by a sensor that detects the presence of liquid in the inlet hose and remains on for a period after liquid is no longer detected so that the liquid is pumped the full distance to the drain.

Abstract: A light weight, high visibility vest, is intended to be worn over regular or service clothing. This vest comprises: a front panel and a back panel that extend from the neck to the hips or waist; mating fastener arrangements at the shoulders and hips detachably connecting the front and back panels; and front and rear retro-reflective bands spanning the front and the back panels. Preferably, the mating fastener arrangements at each of the shoulders include a front arrangement that is affixed to the upper edge of the front panel and a rear arrangement that is affixed to an upper edge of the back panel. When one or both of the panels are grasped and pulled, the mating fastener arrangements separate, thereby freeing the front and back panels from each other and from the wearers body.

Abstract: A dummy for practicing hockey checking composed of a base, an upper body, and a mechanism for controlling the dummy's motion. The generally cylindrical base has a foundation, an upwardly-extending column, and is weighted. The weight can be a solid weight or a removable material, such as sand or water, in a hollow container in the base. The upper body core is a column that slides onto or into the base column. A torso and a head is composed of a hard but resilient material. Rolled foam arms optionally have bendable wires for retaining the arms in a desired position. The upper body is covered with standard hockey clothing and equipment and a stick is secured to the gloves. The height of the dummy is adjustably by sliding and locking the base and upper body columns relative to each other. The undersurface of the base is smooth or has wheels or knobs in order to easily slide along the playing surface.

Abstract: A device and method for simplifying, organizing, and reducing medication error, and enhancing therapeutic compliance with the combined use of liquid medications for continuous nebulization for treating respiratory disorders comprising at least two separate liquids for continuously nebulized delivery to the respiratory tract, indicia for distinguishing the liquids, instructions for coordination of the liquids use together, a unifying container, and optionally, a spirometer. The method comprises providing the liquids, indicia, and instructions in the unified container, dispensing the prescribed amount of the liquids into the nebulization device, and administering the liquids according to the instructions.

Abstract: A method for playing a card game between a banker and at least one player that includes a Pai Gow phase and at least one bonus phase using a number of cards fewer than the number used in the Pai Gow phase. The player wagers on the bonus outcome and the Pai Gow outcome. Cards are dealt to each player and dealer to form a partial hand. The player's partial hand is compared to a bonus payout schedule and appropriate payouts are made to the player. Then cards are dealt to each player and dealer until each hand is complete. The player and dealer divide their hands into low and high hands, then the player's and dealer's hands are compared, and appropriate payouts are made.

Abstract: A compliant electrical contact having a closed coil with opposed, paraxial leads extending therefrom at an angle from the axis of the coil. The electrically shorted loops of the coil slide on the surfaces of one another as axial force is applied to the ends of the leads, providing compliance. The contact can be made extremely small such that pitches in the micrometer range can be achieved with very low inductance values. The contact is a component of an assembly where it is installed in a through aperture in a dielectric sheet. The coil fits into a larger center section of the aperture. The leads extend from opposed openings of the aperture. Optionally, the aperture is filled with a compliant, conductive elastomer.