Abstract: A gas filter correlation radiometer mounted on an aircraft is flown over a target area. The gas filter correlation radiometer is configured to detect ethane (C2H6) gas in the event of a gas leak. The gas filter correlation radiometer uses background radiation to detect ethane.

Abstract: A remote pharmaceutical dispensing system for automatically dispensing medication includes a plurality of packets each containing at least one type of medication for a predetermined hour of administration (HOA). The system also includes at least one cartridge having a housing and a feed mechanism disposed within the housing for advancing at least one of the plurality of packets toward an opening in the cartridge housing. The system further includes a dispenser having a dispenser housing configured to receive the at least one cartridge and a motor that is drivably engageable with the feed mechanism of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the dispenser. The system also includes a controller in operable communication with the motor and configured to actuate the motor to advance at least one of the plurality of packets toward an opening in the dispenser housing at the predetermined HOA.

Abstract: One or more drag reducing deflector systems provide aerodynamic drag reduction during crosswind flow (CF) conditions including zero crosswind flow conditions. Embodiments of the drag reducing deflector system may also be utilized to assist braking of a vehicle.

Abstract: A compact variable pitch fan has a hydraulic pitch change mechanism. A pitch change piston is constrained to follow reciprocating motion under hydraulic control within a peripheral hub from which fan blades extend outward. An additional feature is the use of separated guiding and seal surfaces. A still further feature is the use of a pitch sensor, particularly on the hydraulic line leading to the variable pitch fan.

Abstract: A chewable animal toy having an edible core and a tearable outer shell molded around the edible core such that a portion of the edible core protrudes from the outer shell is provided. Further provided is a mold unit for making the chewable animal toy having a first mold half including a first mold cavity and a second mold half having a second mold cavity. The second mold half is engageable with the first mold half such that the first and second mold cavities cooperatively define an outer shell mold cavity. A first pocket is defined between the first and second mold halves that is adapted to receive a first protruding portion of the edible core. A first shut off defined within the first pocket is adapted to surround the first protruding portion of the edible core such that it is substantially isolated from the outer shell mold cavity.

Abstract: Systems (e.g., bioprocessing systems), including methods and apparatus, for controlling the flow of a sterilizing agent (e.g., steam) and/or at least one fluid reagent by utilizing a pressure-responsive valve, such as a rupture valve and/or a swing valve.

Abstract: An extension section for a ramp platform generally includes a first sloping portion including a lip releasably that is receivable by a lip receiving channel, wherein the first sloping portion includes a stepped surface configured to interface with a transition plate, and a second sloping portion oriented with respect to the first sloping section such that the first and second sloping portions converge to form an obtuse angle at their juncture.

Abstract: A binding for water sports comprises a baseplate, which may optionally include a toe cup, and a heel cup. A heel loop is pivotably attached to the heel cup, and is pivotable between an upper position and a lower position to adjust the amount of support provided to the user's ankle. An adjustment control, for example a lever and cam mechanism pivotably attaches to the heel cup and is positioned such that the user can selectively move the cam portion between a release position wherein the heel loop is not supported in the upper position, and a support position wherein the heel loop is supported in the upper position. A flexible upper portion is attached to the base plate.

Abstract: A system and method provide a dual beam chromatic point sensor (CPS) system operable to simultaneously measure two surface regions. In one embodiment, a single beam CPS optical pen may have a dual beam assembly attached. First and second measurement beams of the system may be positioned on respective first and second surface regions, and both reflect light through a confocal aperture of the dual beam CPS. At least one set of measurements is determined, comprising a first and second measurement arising from the first and second measurement beams, respectively. At least the first surface region may be moved to acquire sets of measurements at various positions. Each measurement may be determined with extremely fine resolution (e.g., at least as fine as 10 nm). The system and method satisfy applications that require such resolution and accuracy without the use of an interferometer or other costly and complex elements.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into and treatment of tissue in a patient comprises a radio frequency (RF) electrode having an elongated body that conducts electrical RF energy to a conductive tip. An insulating sleeve surrounding the elongated body prevents leakage of RF energy from the elongated body when the catheter is being inserted into the tissue of the patient. In a first mode of operation, the conductive tip is exposed outside the insulating sleeve and the RF electrode delivers first RF energy capable of producing sparks that erode the tissue of the patient and create a tunnel through which the catheter can advance into the tissue of the patient. In a second mode of operation, the insulating sleeve is retracted to expose a portion of the RF electrode. Second RF energy is delivered to the volume of tissue around the catheter to necrotize the tissue by heating without producing sparks.

Abstract: A storage device for retaining fluids is provided. The storage device includes a first container for retaining a first fluid, wherein the first container has a first end and a second end. The storage device further includes a first end container for retaining a second fluid, wherein the first end container is generally annular in shape and is at least partially received within a portion of the first end of the first container.

Abstract: Skin remodeling is stimulated at the site of blemished skin using an ionic metal-peptide complex to diminish or remove the skin imperfection. The blemish can be a scar, especially surgical or wound scars, acne scars, keloid scars, and the like, or a skin tag, callus, benign skin mole, stretch marks, facial keratosis, thickened sunspots of the skin, or a vitiligo spot. The peptide-ionic metal complex is comprised of an ionic metal selected from copper(II), tin(II), tin(IV), and zinc(II), and salts thereof, and the peptide component can be a hydrolysis of casein, collagen, elastin, meat products, silk protein, or soybean protein, or a chemically synthesized dipeptide, tripeptide, tetrapeptide or the like which complexes with the ionic metal.

Abstract: The reconstruction of genetic networks in mammalian systems is one of the primary goals in biological research, especially as such reconstructions relate to elucidating not only common, polygenic human disease, but living systems more generally. The present invention provides novel gene network reconstruction algorithms that utilize naturally occurring genetic variations as a source of perturbations to elucidate the networks. The algorithms incorporate relative transcript abundance and genotypic data from segregating populations by employing a generalized scoring function of maximum likelihood commonly used in Bayesian network reconstruction problems. The utility of these novel algorithms can be demonstrated via application to gene expression data from a segregating mouse population.