Abstract: A stationery accessory system comprises a slidable tab including indicia of contents contained in or demarcated by the stationery accessory system and a sheet-like member including a rail; one of the slidable tab and the rail having a channel defined along a longitudinal aspect thereof, the channel defined by a wall of the rail, and the channel having a longitudinal opening narrower than a width interior to the channel measured parallel to the longitudinal opening; and the other of the slidable tab and the rail having an expanded edge, the expanded edge having a width greater than the longitudinal opening such that the channel and the expanded edge are slidably engageable.

Abstract: Amphoteric liposomes are proposed, which comprise positive and negative membrane-based or membrane-forming charge carriers as well as the use of these liposomes.

Abstract: The invention concerns a Raman spectrometry apparatus containing a source of excitation (14), optical means (16) of excitation directing a beam of excitation (15) derived from that source on the sample (17), means (18) for collecting the energy diffused by the sample (17) containing an inlet diffusion slot (19), a spectral dispersion system (20), means for selecting the Raman energy (23), a detector (22), optical detection means (21) directing the Raman energy thus collected and selected to the detector (22). According to the invention, the optical means (16) of excitation cause the beam of excitation (15) to be dispersed by the dispersion system (20), said optical means (16) of excitation containing an inlet slot (24) and an outlet slot of excitation constituted by the inlet diffusion slot (19) and selecting the wavelength of excitation.

Abstract: An imaging sonar system develops three-dimensional images of the space below, to the sides, and forward of a ship relative to a fixed frame of reference. Various features permit the system to be used in non-military environments and make possible low cost with substantial capabilities.

Abstract: A novel structure for increased comfort and utility of jewelry items, particularly rings, is described and claimed herein. The structure, comprising a plurality of elevated surfaces within the interior of the jewelry item, allows increased blood circulation, increased air flow, and ease of cleansing, as well as increased comfort. A variety of embodiments are described.

Abstract: A solid frame orthotic seating device for use in a sling seat that is supported by solid rails, such as a wheelchair. The solid frame orthotic seating device comprises a solid, rigid, non-collapsing, and durable interior skeletal frame with an elevated anterior wedge sloping down to the top surface of the frame, lateral well support arms, and a posterior well. The frame dimensions are designed to place the user's hips into flexion, position the user's pelvis in a neutral to anterior position, and position the user's buttocks into and or below the posterior well. The anterior wedge supports and distributes the weight of the user's body away from the buttocks. The strength and design of the solid frame uniquely promotes proper positioning, and helps to anchor the user by positioning their buttocks into and or below the posterior well and or below the solid lateral well support frame.

Abstract: An optical imager, such as a microscope for performing multiple frequency fluorometric measurements comprising a light source, such as a laser source is disclosed. The system is used to excite a sample into the fluorescent state. Light from the excited sample is collected by a microscope. The microscope utilizes conventional confocal optics optimized to have a very narrow depth of field, thus limiting the information collected to a thin planar region. Measurements are taken over the fluorescence lifetime of the sample simultaneously from the excitation source and from the excited sample. Information is taken in a matrix and comparison of the image matrix and the standard during simultaneous measurements yields output information.

Abstract: An optical imager, such as a microscope for performing multiple frequency fluorometric measurements comprising a light source, such as a laser source is disclosed. The system is used to excite a sample into the fluorescent state. Light from the excited sample is collected by a microscope. The microscope utilizes conventional confocal optics optimized to have a very narrow depth of field, thus limiting the information collected to a thin planar region. Measurements are taken over the fluorescence lifetime of the sample simultaneously from the excitation source and from the excited sample. Information is taken in a matrix and comparison of the image matrix and the standard during simultaneous measurements yields output information.

Abstract: A device and a method for spectroscopic measurement of the spectrum of a light beam. The method includes detecting the dispersed light fluxes of the beam on an imaging device comprising a matrix of photodetectors with active columns, directing the imaging device so that one wavelength is allocated to a line of photodetectors, determining for each light flux the exposure time ?i necessary to measure a maximal intensity Imax and the sub-matrix Mi of photodetectors associated with the light fluxes, allocating to the sub-matrix Mi of photodetectors an exposure time ??i so that ??i is the largest integer divider of the total integration time T smaller than ?i, measuring and resetting, during the integration time T of said spectrum, at each time ??i, the corresponding sub-matrix Mi independently of the other sub-matrices Mj with j?i, and measuring the spectrum of the beam at the time T.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for obtaining a low-noise optical signal. According to the method, a luminous beam is injected through two apertures and after detection respectively a basic optical signal (21) and a corrective optical signal (22) are generated. Both optical signals obtained (21, 22) are subtracted, so that a resulting optical signal is generated, forming the low-noise optical signal. The apertures are preferably two slits of a spectroscope, the optical signals being expressible relative to the wavelength.

Abstract: A spectrograph with a first concave spectrographic diffraction grating is positioned to receive light from an input light source. The first concave spectrographic diffraction grating is configured to provide a diffracted light output dispersing the components of the input light source in a first dispersion direction with a first angular orientation with respect to the plane of the grating. The dispersion forms the input light into an intermediate spectrum. The intermediate spectrum is formed in a focal surface by the once diffracted light. A slit is substantially positioned on the focal surface. A second concave diffraction grating is positioned to receive once diffracted light from the slit and configured to provide a twice diffracted light output, the second concave diffraction grating dispersing the components of the input light source in a second diffraction direction with a second angular orientation with respect to the plane of the grating.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating an amplifier apparatus for low frequency and/or DC components of an externally applied input signal as well as for any voltage offsets contributed by the amplifier circuitry. Band-limited servo feedback is applied to predetermined nodes in the forward gain path to null out unwanted signal components, leaving a residual signal that, when amplified, will be centered around ground, so that the full dynamic range of the amplifier system may be utilized. Consequently, the signal-to-noise ratio available at the output of the amplifier system will be maximized. The servo compensation may either operate in continuous time, or it may be held constant once a suitable level of compensation has been established, or it may be adjusted from time to time to accommodate slow variations of the average DC component of the input signal.

Abstract: A mechanism for snowboard support while riding a chair lift is provided. The support mechanism includes a flexible retractable cable within a housing having a recoil mechanism. The housing is advantageously mounted to the snowboard or the snowboard binding mechanism. The recoil assembly has two main elements, a housing member which stores a retractable cable and a spring assembly that retracts the flexible cable advantageously into the housing member. The recoil assembly may allow for adjustment of an elongation length of the retractable flexible cable.

Abstract: High Dynamic Range (HDR) spherical images can be obtained without a requirement for special purpose cameras having linear optical sensors. Various examples of the present invention can use a standard single lens reflex (SLR) camera with a fisheye lens to obtain spherical images. The camera is positioned to obtain a plurality of images at different exposures with the camera facing up and again with the camera facing down. The images may then be processed to obtain an HDR spherical image. A center post of a tripod, an offset arm and a rotational mount may be used to position the camera. The offset arm and rotational mount can enable the camera to be oriented straight up or straight down along an optical axis separated from the center post of the tripod.