Abstract: A navigation system, used for example to navigate visually handicapped people, uses a satellite system such as the GPS system to locate the user via a user held receiver (14). A two-way communication system such as a digital telephone (18) communicates with a central service center (10) at which the user's exact location and navigational information can be determined. There is preferably provided a human-to-human information interface (30). The use of a two-way communication system (18) enables some of the components (20-30) to be kept at a remote and stationary base station (10).

Abstract: A mycorrhiza have growth-retardant activity for Poa annua and may be used to control the growth of P. annua in high quality sport or amenity turf consisting mainly of Agrostis or Festuca species. Strains of VA mycorrhiza selected from genera Glomus, Acaulospora, Entrophosphora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora and Scierocytis may be used. The VA mycorrhiza is applied to the soil as a formulated product in which the VA mycorrhizae constitute the principal component having biological activity on the growth of turf grass. Dose rates of inoculum having an MPN of from about 200 To 1000 or more propagules per gram are effective and may be formulated with a clay or other solid carrier. The amount of formulated product applied to the turf may be from about 5 g/m2 to about 1 kg/m2. The infective prop are selected from fungal spores, mycelium, hyphae, and fragments of mycorrhiza infected roots. These may be applied to sport or amenity turf, or other grassy area in need of P.

Abstract: This document describes a drop foot jack, also known as a vehicle landing gear or landing gear jack. A drop foot is telescopically borne within an inner sleeve, which is in turn telescopically borne within an outer sleeve. A rotatable screw is situated within the outer sleeve, and it engages the top surface of the inner sleeve so that rotation of the screw will move the outer sleeve and inner sleeve with respect to each other. The drop foot, inner sleeve, and outer sleeve preferably each have a circumference having multiple discrete sides, e.g., each may have a polygonal cross-section. Apertures are spaced along the lengths of the drop foot and the inner sleeve, and a latch plate having a generally planar configuration which can be selectively moved into aligned apertures in the inner sleeve and the drop foot to thereby engage the drop foot with respect to the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A digital radiographic imaging system is described which includes an automatic X-ray exposure sequence during which two consecutive images of a target are obtained from two views separated by a translation of the X-ray emitter, wherein such translation is oriented generally parallel to the plane of the X-ray detector. The two images acquired by the digital X-ray detector may then be combined using stereo reconstruction to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the target. The three-dimensional combination of images allows for better radiographic definition of clinical objects of interest, thereby increasing a radiologist's ability to detect and distinguish between normal and pathological structures.

Abstract: Construction modules made of concrete or other cementitious materials, as well as walls made from such modules, are shown and described. The modules bear internal passages through which cables, rods, or other elongated members may be extended. The members may then be tensioned to affix the modules together, and also to place the individual modules in compression and thereby enhance their strength. The tensioning members can be anchored to the members at opposing ends of a wall, and/or they may be affixed inside the passages within the members by flooding the passages with cement, grout, or other suitable adhesive materials. The modules may be formed with insulation, electrical boxes/wiring, furring strips, and other such features so that these features will be pre-installed when the modules are assembled into a wall.

Abstract: A multiaxial testing apparatus is shown and described wherein items to be tested are affixed to opposing mounts, and wherein at least one of these mounts defines a constant link of a mobile truss. By varying the lengths of other links within the mobile truss, the pose of the constant link mount is changed, thereby altering the pose and/or loading on the test item affixed between the mounts. In preferred embodiments, the mobile truss includes six variable-length links situated between two constant links, at least one of which is a mount, so that a test item affixed between the mounts may be moved and/or loaded in six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for generating a synthetic measure of combustion quality which is particularly useful in diagnosing and controlling combustion quality in internal combustion engines. The synthetic measures, which may be generated utilizing an engine's actual speed or acceleration as an input, have the important qualities that they (1) accurately reflect the engine's actual combustion work at all nominal engine speeds, and (2) retain essentially the same characteristics (e.g., waveform shape) at all nominal engine speeds. These qualities significantly simplify combustion diagnosis and control. The synthetic measures for the overall engine may be resolved into the contributions from each individual cylinder in the engine if diagnosis and control of combustion quality in the individual cylinders is desired.

Abstract: A candle is constructed of a series of wax members arrayed in a stack, and extending between a top wax member and a base wax member. Each wax member has a through-hole, and a wick is closely received within the through-holes in the wax members to extend between the top wax member and the base wax member in the stack. The wick therefore retains the wax members about its length, but its flexibility and “play” allows for limited motion of the wax members with respect to each other about the wick. As a result, the wax members may be reconfigured so that the candle assumes different shapes, in accordance with the user's tastes and desires.

Abstract: Protective construction chaps are worn about a worker's waist to extend downwardly from a location just below the worker's abdomen. The chaps cover the fronts of the worker's thighs in substantially form-fitting fashion (even when the worker is bending, walking, or otherwise moving), and terminate at a point slightly above the worker's knees. The chaps include a waist section which extends vertically between an upper edge and an opposing lower portion, and laterally between opposing inner and outer side edges. A pair of leg sections is also included, wherein each leg section extends vertically between a top portion and an opposing bottom edge, and laterally between opposing inner and outer side edges. The top portions of the leg sections are joined to the waist section on opposing sides of its lower portion, with the inner side edges of the leg sections extending from the lower portion of the waist section.

Abstract: A method for converting a digital image to an analog-simulative film-like digital image is described wherein input pixel values (designated X) from the original digital image are converted to film-like output values (designated Y) wherein Y=AXp+B. The input values X, which range from Xmin to Xmax, are divided into consecutive intervals wherein different values of A, p, and B are applied for each interval. Most preferably, three intervals are defined so as to correspond to low, medium, and high light/radiation response intervals on film. In a low light/radiation region wherein X<X1, A is generally chosen to be less than 1 to provide range compression at the low end of the input dynamic range, and p is generally chosen to be greater than 1 to provide increasing light response. In a high light/radiation region wherein X>X2, p is generally chosen to be less than 1 to provide range compression.

Abstract: A splint (17) includes first and second collars (18,19) pivotally supported on a body member (20) and adjustable so as to adjust the internal dimensions of the splint (17). A plurality of spaced resilient pads (21-27) are provided on the internal surfaces of the splint (17) so as to exert pressure on a limb (11) held in the splint (17) while allowing vascular flow. The splint (17) is provided with a support (36) for supporting the extremity of a limb, such as a hand (14) or foot. The support (36) allows some movement of the limb extremity to reduce swelling by promoting vascular flow.