Abstract: An imaging apparatus for an object in change includes an MRI system having a first channel which produces images of the object using alternate lines of k-space applied along each of the two phase encoding directions and a computer which combines the individual images into a composite 3D image. The MRI system acquires alternate lines of temporally resolved data along each phase encoding direction. A method for imaging an object in change includes producing an individual image of the object with a first channel of an MRI system using alternate lines of k-space applied for each phase encoding direction, producing an individual image of the object with at least a second channel of the MRI system by acquiring alternate lines of temporally resolved data using alternate lines of k-space, and combining the individual images into a composite 3D image of the object with a computer of the MRI system.

Abstract: Railcar monitoring utilizes instrumented, flexible pads supported within the truck pedestal jaws on the bearing adapters. The pads contain sensors for monitoring temperature pressure, shifting loads, truck hunting and the like and have circuitry for processing information received from the sensors and for processing and reporting departures of performance variables to a remote source. The system cyclically activates polling each pad on a car and communicates signals of critical departures and car identity to a remote source.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a polylactic acid block copolymer having high molecular weight, and in lower cost, wherein only a stereo-complex crystal is capable of growing, even when heat melting process is repeated. The present invention relates to a method for producing a polylactic acid block copolymer characterized in that (i) ring-opening polymerization of D-lactide (D component) is carried out in the presence of poly-L-lactic acid (L component), or (ii) ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide (L component) is carried out in the presence of poly-D-lactic acid (D component), and mass ratio of the D component and the L component is the D component/the L component=60/40 to 91/9, or the L component/the D component=60/40 to 91/9.

Abstract: Methods and systems of evaluating customer satisfaction with a plurality of print-related items are disclosed. A plurality of evaluator ratings, each including an ordinal scale value, may be received for each print-related item in a set. A rating distribution may be determined for each print-related item based on the received evaluator ratings. A similarity value between the rating distribution for the print-related item and each other print-related item may also be determined. The set of print-related items may be divided into one or more clusters based on the corresponding similarity values. A comparison of the one or more clusters may be displayed. The comparison may include a comparison of the similarity values and/or a rating variability between rating distributions associated with the print-related items in one or more clusters and/or a comparison of average rating distributions associated with one or more clusters.

Abstract: A composition comprising: hydrogen; and an oxygenate odorant; wherein the oxygenate odorant has a vapor pressure of about 0.002 psi. or greater at 25° C. and having a smell detectable at less than 1 ppm by a human nose; wherein the oxygenate odorant includes one or more carbonyl groups; and wherein the oxygenate odorant consists only of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygenate odorants may be cyclic or acyclic.

Abstract: A guidewire locking device assembly (200) including a guidewire tube (250) with a tubular passage therethrough having a first diameter and a distal end including a collar (260) having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A guidewire (202) having a third diameter, smaller than the first diameter is disposed within the tubular passage. When a guidewire locking device (216) is disposed within the guidewire tube distal end in a first position with its biasing member in the tubular passage, the at least one finger (220) is biased by the tubular passage into frictional engagement with the guidewire; when disposed in a second position in the collar, the at least one finger is disposed away from frictional engagement with the guidewire.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler (101) comprises an inhaler body (110), including an air passageway, and a medicament container (120). The medicament container (120) holds a dose of medicament and is provided with at least one dispensing aperture (123) through which the medicament may be drawn from the medicament container (120). The medicament container (120) is displaceable from a first position, in which the dispensing aperture (123) is occluded, to a second position, in which the dispensing aperture (123) is open and air is able to flow along the air passageway. When the medicament container (120) is in the first position, the air passageway is occluded by the medicament container (120).

Abstract: A protective inorganic composition that includes: (a) a liquid composition portion that includes by weight percent of the liquid composition portion: from about 54% to about 58% by weight water, from about 22% to about 26% by weight of an alkali metal oxide component that includes potassium oxide, wherein up to about 30% by weight of the alkali metal oxide component includes sodium oxide, and from about 18% to about 22% by weight amorphous silica; and (b) a powder composition portion that includes by weight percent of the powder composition portion: up to about 65% by weight amorphous silica and one or more components selected from calcined clay, a Group II metal oxide powder, high-temperature resistant fillers, microfibers, and discrete fibers. Also provided are methods for coating a substrate and articles prepared therefrom.

Abstract: An MRI includes imaging coils. The MRI includes receiving coils. The MRI includes a controller causing the imaging coils to produce RF pulses at every repetition time so different parts of a patient are receiving excitation by RF pulses at different rates and k space data are acquired at each repetition time by the receiving coils to form images of the patient with the k space data. A method for an MRI includes the steps of causing with a controller imaging coils to produce RF pulses at every repetition time so different parts of a patient are receiving excitation by RF pulses at different rates. There is the step of acquiring k space data at each repetition time by receiving coils. There is the step of forming images of the patient with the k space data using approaches such as Fourier transformation or filtered back projection.

Abstract: A progressive gear assembly that is a vehicle steering gear, the assembly comprising at least one spur gear (1, 2) and a toothed structure (3, 4, 5, 7, 8) with which the spur gear (1, 2) meshes. The spur gear (1, 2) has teeth (11) arranged along a curve (10), the curve (10) comprising a radius of curvature (r) which monotonically rises over an angular range of more than 90° of the curve (10). Preferably the curve is a spiral, particularly a logarithmic spiral. This gear assembly is configured compact and simple, features smooth running and achieves a late end point.

Abstract: A catheter (100) having a catheter body (102) having a proximal end (106) and a distal end (104) and a proximal portion fixedly connected to the proximal end. A magnet (120,220,320) is disposed around the catheter body (112) distally of the proximal portion and may be contained within a hub (208, 308).

Abstract: A method (300) for generating a sine and cosine of an input angle (Ø102). The method involves decomposing Ø102 to an octant or quadrant, a coarse angle (A), and a fine angle (B), determining cos(A), and determining sin(A). The method also involves decomposing cos(A) and sin(A) to a most significant word (MSW) and a least significant word (LSW). The method further involves computing an approximation of 1?cos(B), an approximation of sin(B), and a plurality of products (P1, . . . , P4) using the MSWs and approximations. The method involves computing approximations of cos(Ø?102) and sin(Ø?102) using the values for cos(A), sin(A), and P1, . . . , P4. The method involves scaling the approximations of cos(Ø?102) and sin(Ø?102) to a desired resolution.

Abstract: A system which allows healthcare providers to monitor hand hygiene compliance includes a data reader adapted to be worn by a healthcare provider. The system includes a portal trigger disposed at each door portal of a patient room which activates the reader to record an entrance event when the provider enters the patient room. The system includes a dispenser trigger disposed at each cleaning dispenser having cleanser in or at the entrance of each patient room which activates the reader to record a dispensing event when the provider causes the dispenser to dispense cleanser, the reader having a display which displays a number of dispensing events and a number of entrance events. A method which allows healthcare providers to monitor hand hygiene compliance. A system which allows a person to monitor hand hygiene compliance. A method for allowing a person to monitor hand hygiene compliance.

Abstract: A multiple protocol land mobile radio (LMR) and a method for communicating LMR content are provided. The method includes communicating the LMR content using a plurality of LMR transport protocols within a single LMR network. The method further includes encapsulating the LMR content based on an LMR application layer protocol for a portion of the single LMR network through which the LMR content is to be communicated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and associated methodologies that promote the immune-mediated regression of tumors expressing an onconeural antigen, e.g. a cdr-2 antigen, HuD antigen. The cancer peptide vaccines of the present invention are antigenic peptides capable of being faithfully presented on the MHC I complex of a target cell or antigen presenting cell. This external cellular presentation of these peptides promotes a specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immune response against tumor cells expressing these proteins, thereby, inducing immunological reactivity.

Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device. The device includes a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. The first mechanism defines a first plurality of grooves. The second mechanism defines a second plurality of grooves. The first and second pluralities of grooves cooperate to define at least two working ports along a length of the device. At least one of the first and second mechanisms are steerable.

Abstract: Method for performing a data transaction (200) with a server (108) using a portable computer (106). The method includes receiving (402) in the portable computer a portable transaction file (104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-n) in a predetermined portable transaction file format (500) that includes two or more data fields. The data fields can contain a set of transaction parameters that define a type specific server protocol for a data transaction session with a particular server type (108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-n). By using a generic data transaction engine (302, 303) a data transaction session can be performed with any type of server for which a portable transaction file has been provided.