Abstract: A compact protective hood comprising a pre-molded, substantially non-elastic crown having at least one preformed fold line whereby the package size of the hood is reduced by folding the hood along the at least one preformed fold line.

Abstract: A system and associated methodology to directly measure the concentration of carbonate ions in seawater by ultraviolet absorbance spectroscopy. Metal ions are added to seawater and the absorbance spectra of the added ions are measured in the ultraviolet. The spectral absorbance (light attenuation) of ions such as divalent lead or copper in seawater is predominantly determined by the carbonate ion content of seawater. Through a knowledge of (1) the strength of association between carbonate and either divalent lead or divalent copper and (2) the spectral characteristics of these cations in seawater (e.g., Pb2+ complexed solely as PbCO3 and Pb2+ complexed solely in the form of chloride complexes), it is possible to directly determine seawater carbonate ion concentrations from absorbance measurements at a variety of wavelengths in the ultraviolet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel animal model for neurological degenerative diseases, especially autism, relating to overexpression of human secreted APP-alpha. This novel animal model exhibits several aspects of amyloidopathy. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the double transgenic animals, to cells and cell lines derived from these animals. Moreover, a method for the evaluation of the in vivo effects of a test compound on secreted APP-alpha expression and autism pathology in these animals is provided.

Abstract: A real-time reverse transcription-PCR, or NABSA, method (and associated primers) targeting the rbcL gene for the detection and quantitation of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis.

Abstract: Activation of a propellant in a constant volume container causes a phase change material to rapidly expand so that the pressure in the container increases. Programmability and sequential actuation are enabled by patterning the phase change material into the integrated device. The pressure generated may be used to activate an energy transducer such as a high pressure turbine, a piezoelectric material, and an elastic strain material. This provides a hybrid actuation system of electrical energy, pneumatic and hydraulic power. The pressure change in a constant volume container is also harnessed to provide a microbattery.

Abstract: A personal air cooling apparatus includes a main housing having a hollow interior that houses a water-retaining sponge in a first chamber and a motor-driven fan in a second chamber. A partition wall separates the chambers and is apertured so that air pulled into the first chamber flows through the sponge and through the aperture into an air passageway that leads to an air outlet vent that directs a strong flow of cooled air onto the user. The first chamber has a depth less than a depth of the sponge so that an empty space is provided between the partition wall and the sponge. The empty space facilitates flow of ambient air through the sponge and reduces the load on the motor. The personal air cooling apparatus is compact and light-in-weight so that it can be carried by a user.

Abstract: A seat cushion employing the benefit of a foam cushion and alternating pressure air cushion. An air bladder reservoir with vertically extending fingers is located beneath a foam core with vertical holes. The vertically extending fingers are aligned with the vertical holes of the foam core. The air bladder reservoir and vertically extending fingers are inflated and deflated by a compressor system which provides alternating timed pressure. When inflated, the fingers protrude through the holes in the foam core beyond the top surface of the foam core. A method for fabricating the vertically extending fingers includes a cloth material coated in silicon.

Abstract: A device for face-down, prone respiration comprising a head support made of resilient material having a facial cavity conformable to the contours of a person's face, a plenum cavity in fluid communication with the person's face, a substantially L-shaped support base removably engaged to the head support, a horizontal member of the base engaged underneath the head support and a vertical member of the base engaged to an end of the head support proximate to the facial cavity and in fluid communication with the plenum cavity, the vertical member having at least one air pump intake pathway and at least one exhalation discharge pathway integral to the base whereby air pumped through at least one air pump intake pathway creates a plenum in plenum cavity which is inhaled by person and air exhaled by person is discharged back into plenum cavity and out the at least one exhalation discharge pathway.

Abstract: A novel, resistance-based porous silicon sensor with Pd nano structures as the hydrogen sensing layer is presented. The sensor operates at room temperature. The hydrogen sensor of the present includes a p-Type Si substrate that is subjected to porous Si etching to form a nanoporous substrate. The substrate is then coated with a thin layer of Pd and annealed at 900 degrees C. This results in some Pd getting oxidized on porous Si and a thin PdO layer forms on the surface of the substrate. The sensor in accordance with the present invention exhibits an inverse relationship between increased hydrogen concentration versus resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacture and treatment of depression and health disorders using a non-pharmacologic stable negative ion solution.

Abstract: A method of targeted drug delivery and imaging using nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) in combination with ultrasound. Niosomes have potential applications in targeted drug delivery and imaging because of their ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents and their enhanced uptake by physiological membranes. Ultrasound may be used to mediate delivery non-invasively by altering the niosome membrane structure. Niosomes composed of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (Tween 61), cholesterol, and dicetyl phosphate were synthesized via a thin film hydration technique and used for encapsulation studies. Carboxyfluorescein dye (CF) was used as a drug model to demonstrate delivery. The amount of dye in the niosomes, the concentration of the vesicles, and their mean particle size after each 5 minute incremental exposure to ultrasound was monitored. Dye concentration in niosome samples decreased while the population and size distribution of the niosome remained largely unchanged.

Abstract: A system of tracking and analyzing the movement of human subjects. UWB is used to track the location of all persons and/or physical objects (assets) occupying a defined area, giving their location with an accuracy of under twenty centimeters, their acceleration, their path, and a time/date-stamp for each observation. The system then uses artificial intelligence to detect variations in patterns of movement of designated individuals and movable physical objects in the defined space. The extracted patterns inform the design of intelligent methods to automatically track behavioral markers of movement. The system can be used to detect dementia in otherwise healthy human subjects and to identify changes in movement pursuant to medication or health changes and which may precede a fall or to detect proper movement in military training scenarios such as battlefield simulations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for modifying the frequency response of a wooden article by exciting the article with acoustic energy. Frequency response is the measure of a system's spectrum response at the output due to a signal of varying frequency (but constant amplitude) at its input. The acoustic energy includes at least one excitation frequency, a composite broadband frequency component, or a combination thereof, which is preferably in the audible spectrum (20 to 20,000 Hz). The use of acoustic energy from the remote source provides non-contact excitation of the wooden article. In one embodiment, the acoustic energy is at least one sound wave which comprises at least one resonant frequency of the wooden article, at least one acoustic mode of the wooden article, at least one discrete frequency, a broadband frequency component, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A cable-in-conduit-conductor (CICC) joint for use with a hybrid magnet. An elongate copper member is disposed in sandwiched relation between a first and second cable that are disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another. A first elongate member is disposed in overlying relation to the first cable and a second elongate member is disposed in underlying relation to the second cable. All of the parts are positioned within a joint box, and the joint box is sandwiched between first and second flat plates that are interconnected to one another by elongate bolts. Tightening the bolts compresses the parts within the joint box. A heat treatment completes the solderless joint.

Abstract: A countertop apparatus dispenses hair coloring, developers and bleach in specified quantities and mixes them, substantially reducing the manual labor involved in performing such tasks. A housing has an upstanding back wall and a bottom wall. A plurality of hair color tube stations is mounted on a forward side of the back wall and a hair color tube squeezing device is positioned at each hair color tube station. The hair color tube squeezing device includes a pair of confronting rollers that engage the trailing end of an inverted hair color tube. A plurality of developer reservoirs and a bleach hopper are also mounted to the apparatus. First and second mixing bowls receive and mix hair coloring and developer at first and second stations, and a third mixing bowl receives and mixes bleach and developer at a third station. Operation of the apparatus is keypad-controlled.

Abstract: A backlighting apparatus for a flat panel LCD display includes an elongate light guide having a front wall through which travels polarized light in a direction toward the LCD display. An RGB LED set is positioned adjacent a first end wall of the light guide so that light enters the light guide from the first end wall. A retardation and reflection film covers respective external surfaces of the bottom wall and a second end wall. Microlenses are formed in the front wall along its extent and each microlens is filled with a birefringent material. Light emitted by the LED set travels through a collimated light coupling module and exits the light guide through the birefringent microlenses in polarized form toward the LCD display. The viewing angles and angular light distributions of the LCD display in vertical and horizontal directions are optimized for enhancing the brightness without involving DBEF and BEF.

Abstract: An anti-subsidence, anti-translocation, fusion compression cervical plate system with interface visualization, drill guide and temporary pin is provided. In one embodiment the invention provides a vertebral plate for minimizing the ability of an inter-body cage, filled with bone (or BMP-soaked sponges, etc.), to telescope into the vertebral body and to minimize failure due to cages that telescope into adjacent vertebral bodies on a delayed basis after surgery, as well as creation of reverse lordosis due to such telescoping. Another embodiment provides method to reduce the gap between the inter-body cage and the vertebral body end plate intra-operatively using compression from the plate caused by an offset between the screw bores on the plate and the drill holes, as established with an asymmetric drill guide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method to maintain the integrity of a vapor barrier for use with concrete slab on grade construction. In accordance with the present invention an apparatus to repair a punctured concrete slab vapor barrier includes a substantially planar concrete slab vapor barrier patch having a resealable aperture to receive a removable, substantially upright support. The patch is secured to the existing vapor barrier and the concrete is poured and substantially set. The support is removed and the malleable concrete flows, causing the engagement of the resealable aperture, thereby repairing the punctured vapor barrier.