Abstract: An X-ray imaging module having a multilayer ionizing radiation sensitive element operative to convert spatially modulated impinging X-ray radiation to a spatially modulated charge distribution. The multilayer ionizing radiation sensitive element has a substrate, a conductive layer overlying the substrate, an ionizing radiation sensitive layer overlying the conductive layer which converts ionizing radiation impinging thereon to charge carriers, and a blocking layer exposed to ionizing radiation and optical radiation, overlying the ionizing radiation sensitive layer. The blocking layer generally limits the passage of charges, of at least one polarity, therethrough and blocks optical radiation, of at least one spectral band, from penetrating therethrough, while permitting passage therethrough of ionizing radiation.

Abstract: Exercise Gets Personal® is a system and method for delivering personalized exercise and injury prevention information based on identification and analysis of user-specific health and fitness indicators. By providing instruction for safe and effective cardiovascular, muscle conditioning and flexibility exercises, this invention assists healthy users in improving their physical fitness through exercise. The users' exercise programs are designed for safe progressions through four-week program guidelines in different levels. The Exercise Gets Personal® system is accessed by the user directly through the Internet or licensed Intranet, or through the guidance of an intake coordinator, personal trainer, or other qualified health/fitness professional.

Abstract: Fitness Triage® is a system and method for prioritizing delivery of personalized exercise and injury prevention information based on identification and analysis of user-specific health and fitness indicators. By providing answers to questions concerning key health risk factors, conditions, and habits, exercise information is delivered to the user based on the level of potential risk and other considerations associated with his/her participation in an fitness program. Based on the Fitness Triage® analysis of user data, the delivery of information is identified and prioritized according to one of three levels of potential risk. The user is thus informed of the level of risk associated with his/her participation in exercise, and the recommended precautions based on his/her individual health profile.

Abstract: Methods for abating coronary artery blockage in human subjects include administering a combination of natural hormones including human growth hormone with sufficient T3 thyroid supplement to maintain the body temperature of the subject at or above 97.6° F. upon awakening and at 98.7° F. or higher during afternoon hours. Testosterone, if any, administered to male subjects is in natural, gel form.

Abstract: Satellite audio broadcasting systems include orbital constellations for providing high elevation angle coverage of audio broadcast signals from the constellation's satellites to fixed and mobile receivers within service areas located at geographical latitudes well removed from the equator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for gas-tight sealing a plastic bag about perishable containers carried on a pallet utilize a rotatable turntable having an upper support surface for a pallet bearing produce, a tape dispenser for applying tape to seal a plastic bag to plastic sheeting at the periphery of the pallet, and a roller system that includes four rotatable rollers rotatably mounted on a single carrier. The carrier applies pressure through two of the rollers simultaneously against the tape during rotation of the turntable to seal the tape to the plastic sheeting and bag.

Abstract: A closure system for attachment to and use in gas flushing a container of fresh produce includes a body portion, a closure connected to the body portion, and a pressure-sensitive mechanism connected to the body portion and to the closure that moves the closure to an open position or to a closed position, depending on the pressure exerted on said mechanism.

Abstract: Calf supporting device includes a U-shaped or O-shaped support and, within the support, and attached to its inner surface, sealed bags at least partly filled with cushioning material to suspend a user's heel. The device also includes a foot pad at the end from which a user's foot protrudes for placement against, and support of the sole of a user's protruding foot.

Abstract: A radio receiver augmentation system for insertion in a cassette player or compact disc player includes a receiver unit and an antenna unit. The receiver unit includes an insertable element having a size and shape suitable for insertion in a tape cassette receiving slot of a cassette player/radio combination or in a compact disc receiving slot of a compact disc player/radio combination and delivers audio program signals to the magnetic head of the tape cassette player or the optical coupler of the compact disc player. The audio program signals come by retransmission from an antenna unit that receives radio broadcast signals from satellites and their terrestrial repeaters having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHZ to about 4000 MHZ. The system's circuitry conditions the signal for aural presentation through the tape cassette player/radio combination or compact disc player/radio combination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are shown for cladding grown single crystal optical fibers. Neodymium YAG fibers are clad with a high index glass, either melted around the fiber in a trough or extruded over the fiber surface. Lithium niobate fibers are clad through an impregnation process. The lithium niobate fiber is first coated with magnesium oxide and then heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient for the magnesium oxide dopant material to diffuse into the fiber. The dopant lowers the intrinsic refractive indices of the fiber material around its circumference, creating a cladding region around the fiber core. Single crystal fibers clad by these methods and combined with suitable pumping means or with deposited electrodes provide low-loss single mode optical components useful for amplification, electro-optical effects and acousto-optical effects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for closed-loop phase modulation to measure rate and control phase modulator gain errors in an electrical signal representing the phase difference between first and second light signals from light waves counterpropagating in an interferometric rotation sensor including a closed light path with a phase modulator in the path. The disclosed method and apparatus correct phase modulator gain in a way that is independent of rate.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage characterizer for varying the movement of one output linkage with respect to an input from a linkage includes a generally box-like housing with a carriage mounted on tracks within the housing with a pivotally mounted output arm carried on the movable carriage and a pair of elongated variable contour stationary cams positioned adjacent the track for pivotally moving the output arm in response to movement of the carriage along the tracks.

Abstract: Roof ridge ventilators include two panels joined by bendable hinges with each of the panels having an upper and lower surface. The lower surfaces of these panels include a plurality of spaced-apart, downwardly-projecting supports joined to the lower surfaces at substantially right angles and extending transversely across them. The support means on each panel have differing heights, with the first of the supports, of greatest height, being positioned near one end of the bottom surfaces, and with each successive support, behind the first, having successively smaller height than the preceding support. Each of the lower surfaces has substantially the same number of supports with substantially the same sizes and spacing to permit bending the ventilator over and attaching the ventilator to a roof ridge. The ventilator also includes air passages, such as a plurality of openings, of sufficient size and shape to facilitate overlapping these passages with a portion of the bottom surface of another of the ventilators.

Abstract: A high humidity refrigeration apparatus and method are disclosed. The high humidity refrigeration apparatus has an air inlet at a top thereof and an air outlet in a front thereof. The arrangement is such that when the high humidity refrigeration apparatus is fitted at one end of a chamber, such as a shipping container, goods in stacks, such as on pallets, can be loaded into the chamber from the other end of the chamber. Because the air which exits the outlet is the coldest and of the highest humidity available from the apparatus it is then caused to contact those goods which have been first loaded into the chamber before it contacts any subsequently loaded goods. This ensures that the first loaded goods are always kept as cold and in as high a humidity environment as possible.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying and marking the visual center of the cornea of a human eye includes a cylindrical tube for placement over the cornea of a human eye. The tube is open at one end and includes, inside the tube, a disk-shaped member having a central pinhole-sized opening near the open end of the tube. Farther from the open end of the tube are one or more illuminated disks having central pinhole-sized opacities, one in the shape of a ring, another in the shape of a dot. While a viewer focuses through the pinhole on these opacities, a movable member mounted coaxially with the tube is moved to engage and mark the central visual axis of the cornea.

Abstract: Such system can include, in the first plane, a first optical device for producing converging radiation from incident, substantially parallel radiation passing through the first optical device and, in a second plane, substantially parallel to the first plane, a second optical device for receiving, as incident radiation, converging radiation from the first optical device and for recollimating or reducing the degree of convergence of this incident, converging radiation as it passes through the second optical device.

Abstract: A system for providing and delivering a preservative gas such as carbon dioxide to an enclosure such as a palletized container for a perishable food product such as strawberries includes a mechanism for accumulating and temporarily storing a predetermined desired quantity of the preservative gas in gaseous state; adjustable, timer-controlled mechanism for withdrawing a predetermined, desired volume of air or other gases from the enclosure; adjustable, timer-controlled means for directing and delivering a predetermined, desired quantity of the preservative gas from storage to the enclosure; and a mechanism for temporarily preventing operation of the mechanism for withdrawing gases from, and for directing gases to the enclosure while the storage means is filling with preservative gas.

Abstract: An article adapted for holding, by its loops, in a substantially open position, a bag such as a plastic supermarket bag having at least two loops at or near the top of the bag includes a substantially flat, elongated, generally rectangular-shaped base member for attaching the article to a vertically-oriented flat surface such as a wall and, attached to the base member, at substantially right angles, two bag-supporting members at substantially opposite ends of the base member. The bag-supporting members are disposed in parallel to one another, and include hooks at each end to engage one of the two bag loops.