Abstract: An expendable metal detector system for facilitating the detection of improved explosive devices (IED) where the metal detector is launched toward the suspected IED and using either magnetic field sensors in a passive mode to detect magnetic anomalies or current pulses through a loop antenna in an active mode to detect eddy currents, or using both modes sequentially, detects the ferrous material in the IED. In the active mode, the loop antenna is deployed automatically after launch and impact. The signals are transmitted from the metal detector to the operator who can then take appropriate steps to neutralize the IED.

Abstract: A system and method (FIG. 1) for automated handling and identification of parcels sorted by an automated high-speed mail sorting apparatus that identifies parcels that contain hoax or biological threat material comprising an opener (120) and a particle sampler (170) wherein said sampler analyzes air flow created as the parcels are compressed by pinch rollers (140).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for advanced, multiple-projection, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning systems include combinations of a conical collimator; a high-resolution two-dimensional detector; a portable, power-capped, variable-exposure-time power supply; an exposure-time control element; calibration monitoring; a three-dimensional anti-scatter-grid; and a gantry-gantry base assembly that permits up to seven projection angles for overlapping beams. Such systems are capable of high precision bone structure measurements that can support three dimensional bone modeling and derivations of bone strength, risk of injury, and efficacy of countermeasures among other properties.

Abstract: A computer based training tool and method that emulates human behavior using a computer-simulated person in a realistic scenario. It provides an interactive experience in detecting deception during interviews and acceptance of statements during interpersonal conversations. The simulated person provides verbal responses in combination with an animated video display reflecting the body language of the simulated person in response to questions asked and during and after responses to the questions. The questions and responses are pre-programmed and interrelated groups of questions and responses are maintained in dynamic tables which are constantly adjusted as a function of questions asked and responses generated. The system provides a critique and numerical score for each training session.

Abstract: A suspension system for carrying a compressed gas fuels in vehicle. The suspensions arms and springs are configured to maximize the space between the wheels while providing a high degree of suspension stiffness to maintain proper wheel alignment during cornering, braking and in rough terrain. The suspension arms have two broadly-spaced attachment points to the chassis that provides structural rigidity to the rear suspension subassembly.

Abstract: A fluid sampling device is provided comprising an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of alternating sorbent units and spacer units disposed longitudinally through the housing and slidably movable therethrough along the longitudinal direction, and means for individually and sequentially exposing the sorbent units to a fluid. The adsorbed components can then be desorbed and analyzed to provide composition data of target compounds in a fluid, e.g., a gas, over a period of time.

Abstract: An x-ray tube and method of operating include a vacuum chamber vessel and a source of an electron beam inside the vacuum chamber vessel. A target disposed inside the vacuum chamber vessel includes a substrate and one or more deposits attached to the substrate. Each different deposit includes an atomic element having a different atomic number. The x-ray tube also includes a means for directing the electron beam to a selectable deposit of multiple deposits. The substrate material can be selected with better vacuum sustaining strength, x-ray transparency, melting point, and thermal conductivity than a deposit. The substrate may be cooled by an integrated cooling system. The x-ray tube allows a selectable x-ray frequency to be produced with enhanced economy of power, reduced moving parts, and reduced size. For improved bone mass applications, one of the deposits has a k-fluorescence energy less than about 53 thousand electron volts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method to prevent or reduce postoperative corneal subepithelial haze after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. According to the method, a therapeutically effective amount of one or more plasminogen activators, most preferably urokinase (uPA), is administered topically to the surface of the affected eye at levels between 0.1 and 2,500 IU/ml, about eight to twelve times on the day of surgery, and four to eight times per day for about the next six to twelve days thereafter. The most preferred therapeutic amount is from about 0.1–1 IU uPA/ml, and also 1–10 IU/ml. Plasminogen activators that can be used in the inventions include urokinase, prourokinase, streptokinase and mutants thereof. The invention also covers topical ophthalmic compositions that include one or more plasminogen activators, most preferably uPA, to prevent or reduce postoperative corneal subepithelial haze.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for particle collection (30) that is characterized by co-aerosolizing fluids (62) into an air stream (34) containing the particles to be analyzed to significantly enhance their collection and identification efficiency is provided.

Abstract: Methods are described for detecting and quantifying occult blood in a biological sample using laser desorption mass spectrometry (LD MS). Biological samples that can be analyzed using various embodiments of the present invention include stool (fecal occult blood, FOB), and any bodily fluid including urine, cerebrospinal fluid and other bodily fluids. If the heme or heme metabolite is bound to protein, the sample is treated with acid before analysis to release the porphyrin. Some of the methods use LD MS with a time of flight analyzer (TOF) to detect and measure unbound heme, other hemoglobin metabolites and other molecules that have a porphyrin-based structure, e.g., bilirubin, biliverdin, protoporphyrin IX, and Zinc protoporphyrin in the biological sample. In other methods, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) is used to detect and quantify the individual ?- and ?-polypeptide chains of hemoglobin.

Abstract: A method for identifying a buried metal object using a three-dimensional steerable magnetic field (3DSMF) system. The method comprises generating a magnetic field vector (MFV) at a first MFV position above the buried metal object; measuring a time decay response at the first MFV position; generating a MFV at a next MFV position above the buried metal object; measuring a time decay response at the next MFV position; repeating the above steps until a complete 360-degree measurement of time decay responses of the buried metal object is completed; processing all measured time decay responses with a target search algorithm to determine a magnetic polarizability tensor of the buried metal object; and identifying the buried metal object by matching the magnetic polarizability tensor of the buried metal object to a known magnetic polarizability tensor of an object.

Abstract: A method for segmenting a small feature in a multidimensional digital array of intensity values in a data processor computes an edge metric along each ray of a plurality of multidimensional rays originating at a local intensity extreme (local maximum or minimum). A multidimensional point corresponding to a maximum edge metric on each said ray is identified as a ray edge point. Every point on each ray from the local extreme to the ray edge point is labeled as part of the small object. Further points on the feature are grown by labeling an unlabeled point if the unlabeled point is adjacent to a labeled point, and the unlabeled point has a more extreme intensity than the labeled point, and the unlabeled point is closer than the labeled point to the local extreme. The resulting segmentation is quick, and identifies boundaries of small features analogous to boundaries identified by human analysts, and does not require statistical parameterizations or thresholds manually determined by a user.

Abstract: A method for determining a threat substance encountered by a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) using a pre-computed threat library is described. The method comprising the steps of acquiring a spectrum of a test substance, wherein the acquired spectrum is an average of individual spectra acquired from a plurality of laser shots on the analyte; identifying mass/charge (m/z) values corresponding to each of a plurality of spectral peaks of the acquired spectrum; assigning a corresponding ranking code to the acquired spectrum based on the plurality of its spectral peaks and troughs, wherein a peak presence is indicated by a numeral 1, while peak absence is indicated by a numeral 0, relative to each of a set of substances in a threat library; comparing the assigned rankings of the acquired spectrum over all threat substances stored in the threat library; and identifying the threat substance as that which produced the highest ranking.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method and system for detecting hidden dense objects in cargo containers including at least a cargo container platform with two-dimensional sensor arrays in juxtaposition therewith. The system further includes a process that estimates a weight and mass distribution data from a cargo manifest for the cargo container and available historical information about the cargo container. The historical weight and mass distribution is compared to the actual weight and mass distribution measured by the sensor arrays to detect discrepancies which will identify the tested cargo container as suspect and in need for further investigation.

Abstract: A process for preparing vinyl substituted beta-diketones includes reacting a halogen-containing beta-diketone with an olefin in a reaction zone under Heck coupling reaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst, a base, and an organic phosphine to provide a vinyl substituted beta-diketone product.

Abstract: Provided herein is a xylophone bar magnetometer (XBM) with automatic resonance control, the XBM having a voltage input, a current drive input and a sensor output, having a voltage input switch for switching between a positive drive voltage and a negative drive voltage; a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for controlling the voltage input switch; and a feedback loop, connected between the sensor output and a input of the VCO.

Abstract: The present invention is an outpatient monitoring system which enables patients to interact with a health care provider using a standard telephone. A patient is presented with a series of condition-appropriate questions. Based upon the patient responses, additional questions are posed on a real-time dynamic basis. In addition, certain general questions from a predefined set of questions are asked of the patient in a rotating manner to ensure that there is variety with each telephone session. Further, the question sets can be recorded in the voice of the patient's clinician, or other person familiar to the patient, so that a familiar voice is heard by the patient, thereby personalizing the medical experience.

Abstract: A computer based training tool and method that emulates human behavior using a computer-simulated person in a realistic scenario. It provides an interactive experience in detecting deception during interviews and acceptance of statements during interpersonal conversations. The simulated person provides verbal responses in combination with an animated video display reflecting the body language of the simulated person in response to questions asked and during and after responses to the questions. The questions and responses are pre-programmed and interrelated groups of questions and responses are maintained in dynamic tables which are constantly adjusted as a function of questions asked and responses generated. The system provides a critique and numerical score for each training session.

Abstract: A steerable electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor system for measuring the magnetic polarizability tensor of a metal target. Instead of creating a vertical magnetic field from a horizontal loop transmitter configuration used by most prior art EMI metal detectors, the transmitter geometry of the sensor system's antenna is designed especially for creating multiple horizontal and vertical magnetic fields and for steering the same in all directions. The horizontal magnetic field (HMF) antenna has the potential advantage of a relatively uniform magnetic field over a large volume. A second potential advantage of the HMF antenna is that compared to a conventional loop antenna, the magnetic field intensity falls off slowly with distance from the plane of the antenna. Combining two HMF sensor systems creates a steerable two-dimensional magnetic field sensor. Combining the steerable HMF sensor with a vertical magnetic field antenna forms a three-dimensional steerable magnetic field sensor system.

Abstract: An optical switch and optical storage loop are used as the basis of a single-photon source and a quantum memory for photonic qubits. To operate as a single-photon source, the techniques include a source of a pair of photons, such as a parametric down-conversion crystal, which is known to emit photons in pairs. The detection of one member of the pair activates the switch, which re-routes the other member into the storage loop. The stored photon is then known to be circulating in the loop, and can be switched out of the loop at a later time chosen by the user, providing a single photon for potential use in a variety of quantum information processing applications. To operate as a quantum memory for photonic qubits, a single-photon in an arbitrary initial polarization state is coherently stored in the loop, and coherently switched out of the loop when needed.