Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for Raman imaging of carotenoids and related chemical substances in biological tissue, such as macular pigments. The method and apparatus utilize the technique of resonance Raman spectroscopy to produce an image of the levels of carotenoids and similar substances in tissue. In this technique, light is directed upon the area of tissue which is of interest such as the retina of an eye. A small fraction of the scattered light is scattered inelastically, producing a carotenoid Raman signal which is at a different frequency than the incident light. The Raman signal is collected, filtered, and analyzed to determine the spatial position and intensity of the Raman signals in the inelastically scattered light. An image of the Raman signals is then produced on an output device, with the image representing the spatial distribution and concentration level of carotenoids in the tissue.

Abstract: A voltage protection circuit for a terminal of an electronic device, for example the TIP and RING lines of a linecard, is provided. The voltage protection circuit comprises a protection element, a first terminal of which is coupled to the terminal of the electronic device, a second terminal of which is coupled to a ground potential and a control terminal of which is coupled to a reference voltage element, the protection element having a low resistance between its first and second terminals when the control terminal is in a first state and a higher resistance between its first and second terminals when the control terminal is in a second state, the reference voltage element being further coupled to a reference voltage and being adapted such that the state of the control terminal depends on an applied voltage at the first terminal and the reference voltage.

Abstract: A container system has a container defining a volume. Inlet structure includes a cap that threads onto a spout. A tether has a first end formed integral with the base or neck of the spout. A second end of the tether is attached to a mount in the cap extending downward so that when installed and in the closed position, the second end of the tether attached to the mount is substantially in the same plane as the first end and the spiral stretch of the tether in between. When the tether moves from the stored position and the deployed position, it urges itself back toward the closed position. The tether has a length for positioning the cap of the inlet structure away from the inlet. A discharge port is connected to a discharge tube and a bite valve.

Abstract: An article of clothing has a front and back, each of which has a layered structure, including a protective layer for impeding the flow of liquid through the article of clothing, and an absorbing layer external to the protective layer, for absorbing the liquid and slowing its flow downward on the exterior surface of the article of clothing, with the force of gravity, a lining for facilitating the donning and removal of the article of clothing, and sleeves and a collar that is closeable, to protect the wearer's neck area and upper arms from deposits of liquid on the wearer's upper shoulder and chest areas.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support member, a moveable member supported by the support member, a user support mechanically associated with the moveable member, and a sound producing mechanism that produces sound as a result of movement of the moveable member between a first position and a second position caused by the user's application of force to the urge the moveable member between the first position and second position. The applications include a play apparatus, wherein the user interacts with the moveable member with the result that the moveable member changes position and a selected sound is thereby produced.

Abstract: An exercise bar and cord assembly having a cavity or nest at each end of the bar for connection with a snugly fitting cord emplacement block. The exercise cord, stoppered with a plug in conventional manner, is connected to the block, extending through a tunnel within it. The block may be shaped in any of several ways and a strapped handgrip connection block will serve the purpose. Emplacement channels or slots are optionally present in both the bar and the block. If the block has an axially symmetrical neck, it may be rotated so that the channels are misaligned for improved cord retention. Two modes of exercise are defined in terms of the cord's anchoring means—that is, whether its ends or a mid-portion of it.

Abstract: A hand held an portable pump has a housing with an inlet on the bottom and an outlet on its side. A central tube extends up from the housing and has a bulb attached at its end. An inlet gate is positioned proximate the inlet to operate between a closed position in which the flow of liquid there through is inhibited and an open position in which liquid may flow through the inlet. The outlet has an outlet gate that is positioned to inhibit the flow of liquid into the housing in its closed position and to permit the flow of liquid out of the housing and into a discharge tube in the open position. The bulb is operated between an at rest position and a deflected or compressed position to urge fluid into and out of the bulb and in turn draw liquid through the inlet into the housing and to urge the liquid out of the outlet and into the discharge tube.

Abstract: The invention involves a system and method for constructing decks, adapted for use with wood composite materials. The invention may include the application of facing to cover the materials used in forming the outer edge or rim of the deck and the underlying deck support members. Additionally, the invention may include railing structures that involve a combination of wood composite and metal elements, coordinated with other deck features.

Abstract: An output signal to be transmitted via an especially two wire transmission line (A, B), which is composed of a transmission signal and a DC supply voltage, is generated by a data transmission device especially designed in the form of a SLIC circuit. Using a control circuit (5-8), which tracks the DC supply voltage on the output side of the transmission device (1-3) in such a manner that the level of the DC supply voltage does not decrease, it is possible to ensure that both the specified requirements concerning the maximally admissible DC voltage drop as well as the specified requirements concerning the reflection attenuation are met.

Abstract: A novel structural thermal framing and panel system for assembling finished or unfinished walls with multiple combinations for poured and nonpoured walls comprising of a permanent structural framing stud which can be adjusted to different wall thickness, a plurality of permanent forms, wherein the pluralities of permanent forms are interchangeable with various other permanent panel forms with or without defined spaces for receiving filler, and wherein the framing stud substantially conforms to a portion of the pluralities of panel forms and resists bending in the panel forms. The framing stud is the main structural element in the wall. A structural framing system in combination with insulated panel forms with various defined spaces for receiving filler, and wherein panels may not be prefinished to form a rigid substrate.

Abstract: An electrospray nozzle system is disclosed. The electrospray portion of the device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray. The nozzle system may be utilized alone or as part of a liquid chromatography system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for changing the rate of time-discrete signals. When changing the rate or for the interpolation of time-discrete input values (xn), output values (yk) of an output signal are produced. If the frequency of the output signal is greater than the frequency of the input signal and the shape of the output signal essentially corresponds to the shape of the input signal, the difference between a first and a second input value (xn, xn-1) subsequent to this is determined, interpolation values (PO . . . PN) of an interpolation progression (p) are scaled in dependence on the difference determined and output values (yk) in each case are produced by addition of the first input value (xn) to a scaled interpolation value (PC . . . PN).

Abstract: A flask is formed of two panels heat sealed together along with a base or bottom insert. Two spouts are provided proximate the top one of which is for the extraction of fluids and the other of which is for the introduction of fluids. The flask may have a bite valve or a fluid conduit attached to one spout cap. Both spouts may be sealed into and along the edge of the flask. Alternately, one spout may be formed into a panel and the other into and along the edge of the flask. Alternately a pump may be provided to pump air into the flask to pressurize the fluid so that it will be urged out of the flask and through the bite valve when it is open.

Abstract: An electrospray device is disclosed. The electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray.

Abstract: For digital demodulation of a quadrature amplitude- or phase-modulated signal (xE(t)), this is sampled with a sampling frequency fs and A/D converted, which has the relationship f s = 4 · f 0 1 + 2 · λ with the carrier frequency f0, whereby &lgr; is a whole number greater than or equal to zero.

Abstract: A droplet/electrospray device and a liquid chromatography-electrospray system are disclosed. The droplet/electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate droplets or an electrospray. A plurality of these electrospray devices can be used in the form of an array of miniaturized nozzles. The liquid chromatography-electrospray device comprises a separation substrate defining an introduction channel between an entrance orifice and a reservoir and a separation channel between the reservoir and an exit orifice, the separation channel being populated with separation posts perpendicular to the fluid flow.

Abstract: Multilayered magnetic pigment flakes and foils are provided. The pigment flakes can have a symmetrical coating structure on opposing sides of a magnetic core, or can be formed with encapsulating coatings around the magnetic core. The magnetic core can be a magnetic layer between reflector or dielectric layers, a dielectric layer between magnetic layers, or only a magnetic layer. Some embodiments of the pigment flakes and foils exhibit a discrete color shift so as to have distinct colors at differing angles of incident light or viewing. The pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce colorant compositions for subsequent application to objects or papers. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate.