Abstract: The present invention satisfies the long felt need for a more compact and durable valve which may be formed in situ. The present invention provides a self-deployable valve system, a method of delivery, and a method of manufacturing for the self-deployable valve system. The present invention delivers the necessary components for forming a complete valve system in situ. The collapsed subcomponents of the system lack any functional characteristics commonly associated with a valve before being expanded. However, once expanded, the system is transformed into a competent valve for use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A system for intelligent goal-directed search in large volume visual imagery using a cognitive-neural subsystem is disclosed. The system comprises an imager, a display, a display processor, a cognitive-neural subsystem, a system controller, and operator controls. The cognitive-neural subsystem comprises a cognitive module, a neural module, and an adaptation module. The cognitive module is configured to extract a set of regions of interest from the image using a cognitive algorithm. The neural module is configured to refine the set of regions of interest using a neural processing algorithm. The adaptation module is configured to bias the cognitive algorithm with information gained from the neural module to improve future searches. The system functions in a plurality of operating modes, including: batch mode, semi-interactive mode, real-time mode, and roaming mode.

Abstract: Described is a system for multi-layered object detection which presents a unified way of processing an entire field-of-view (FOV) using cognitive swarms of software agents and classifier cascades by partitioning the FOV into layers and processing the closest layer first. A plurality of software agents operate as a cooperative swarm to search the first layer of the field-of-view to locate an objective function optima according to particle swarm optimization dynamics, wherein the objective function optima corresponds to a location of an object in the image in a layer of the field-of-view. The other layers are then sequentially swept to detect other objects in the FOV. In another aspect, the layers correspond to layers of increasing resolution in a hierarchical image pyramid. By using the cooperative swarm to search the coarser resolution layers first, objects can be detected more rapidly. A method and computer program product are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coaxial waveguide electrodeless lamp. The lamp is formed in analogy to coaxial waveguide cables, with an outer conductor, a central conductor, and a gas-fill vessel made of dielectric material between the outer conductor and the inner conductor. The gas-fill vessel is substantially hollow and filled with substances that form a plasma and emit light when RF radiation carried by the central conductor and ground conductor interacts with the substances in the gas-fill vessel. The present invention also relates to a leaky waveguide electrodeless lamp. The lamp is formed in analogy to leaky waveguides, with a conductor, a ground conductor, and a gas-fill vessel made of dielectric material butted against the conductor and encompassed by the ground conductor. The leaky waveguide electrodeless lamp emits light from a plasma similar to light-emission action of the coaxial waveguide electrodeless lamp described above.

Abstract: The present design is related to stuffed toys formed in the shapes of various dolls or animals by using a bead-shaped super absorbent polymer as filler instead of cotton or packing in the stuffed toys, with the stuffed toys having variable states of contraction and expansion according to liquid absorption amount, without the leakage of the super absorbent polymer itself. The stuffed toy is characterized by having been stitched in the shape according to the stuffed toy with a water absorbent inner fabric on the inside of water absorbent outer fabric. The shape is formed by the bead-shaped super absorbent polymer that expands when water is absorbed to fill the inner space. The outer fabric and the inner fabric are water absorbent with the inner fabric being made of bead-proof material such that the stitching is made up of fine density that does not allow leakage of the beads.

Abstract: Described is a method for injecting fillers into the dermis. The method provides a technique for arcing the needle to create a lasting support structure within a patient's dermal tissue. Described is an act of inserting a needle attached to a syringe filled with a dermal filler into a patient's facial dermis at a strategic insertion point. Once inserted, pressure is applied to hub of the needle to cause it to arc within the dermis and create pockets of space within the dermis. The needle is used to dissect the tissue in the subepidermal plane that is creating the depression showing on the epidermis. The syringe is used to release the filler into the dermis while simultaneously applying pressure to the hub of the needle while withdrawing the needle from the patient's dermis. Filler is injected strategically within the patient's dermis to raise a facial depression, wrinkle, or fold.

Abstract: An instrument and method using electron spin resonance spectrometry for measuring the concentration of airborne soot particles, and the like, that includes continuously passing a sample of exhaust gas through a resonating RF microwave cavity resonator during the application therethrough of a uniform slowly varying uniform magnetic field that is rapidly modulated and measuring the resulting phase modulation or amplitude modulation thereof to derive an electron spin resonance signal that directly senses the concentration of carbon free radicals produced as a result of inefficient combustion of hydrocarbons during operation of the vehicle or boiler. A further invention is the use of this signal for feedback control of the engine or boiler operating parameters to minimize or substantially eliminate particulate matter emissions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanowire sensor and method for forming the same. More specifically, the nanowire sensor comprises at least one nanowire formed on a substrate, with a sensor receptor disposed on a surface of the nanowire, thereby forming a receptor-coated nanowire. The nanowire sensor can be arranged as a sensor sub-unit comprising a plurality of homogeneously receptor-coated nanowires. A plurality of sensor subunits can be formed to collectively comprise a nanowire sensor array. Each sensor subunit in the nanowire sensor array can be formed to sense a different stimulus, allowing a user to sense a plurality of stimuli. Additionally, each sensor subunit can be formed to sense the same stimuli through different aspects of the stimulus. The sensor array is fabricated through a variety of techniques, such as by creating nanopores on a substrate and electrodepositing nanowires within the nanopores.

Abstract: A edible rawhide-based molded chew with a hollow core is described. The chew is formed by cutting a rawhide sheet into multiple small rawhide pieces. The small rawhide pieces are mixed with a binding agent and water to form a rawhide-based mass. The rawhide-based mass is introduced to mold with a pin to form a molded chew having a hollow core therethrough. The molded chew is removed from the mold. Finally, a flavor basting is applied to the hollow core of the molded chew. The flavor basting provides a smell and flavor to entice a dog to begin and continue chewing on the chew. Thus, the resulting item is a rawhide-based molded chew with a hollow core that is coated with a flavor basting.

Abstract: Described is a plasma electrode-less lamp. The device comprises an electromagnetic resonator and an electromagnetic radiation source conductively connected with the electromagnetic resonator. The device further comprises a pair of field probes, the field probes conductively connected with the electromagnetic resonator. A gas-fill vessel is formed from a closed, transparent body, forming a cavity. The gas-fill vessel is not contiguous with (detached from) the electromagnetic resonator and is capacitively coupled with the field probes. The gas-fill vessel further contains a gas within the cavity, whereby the gas is induced to emit light when electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source resonates inside the electromagnetic resonator, the electromagnetic resonator capacitively coupling the electromagnetic radiation to the gas, which becomes a plasma and emits light.

Abstract: The present invention satisfies the long felt need for a more compact and durable valve which may be formed in situ. The present invention provides a self-deployable valve system, a method of delivery, and a method of manufacturing for the self-deployable valve system. The present invention delivers the necessary components for forming a complete valve system in situ. The collapsed subcomponents of the system lack any functional characteristics commonly associated with a valve before being expanded. However, once expanded, the system is transformed into a competent valve for use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A toy with a launcher to rotate and launch an object is described. Attached within housing, the launcher comprises a driving element to form a drive connection with a receiving element on the object. The launcher is connected with a launcher rotating system, which imparts a rotary movement to the launcher. An energy storing system is mounted inside the housing and drivingly connected with the launcher rotating system. The energy storing system is configured to store potential energy, where upon release, the potential energy is converted to kinetic energy to actuate the launcher rotating system. Thus, user may use the toy to rotate and launch an object from the toy.

Abstract: Eyelash extensions and a method for applying the same are described. The eyelash extensions comprise a first filament having both a proximal end and a distal portion with a distal end. Each of the proximal end and distal end are tapered and of a size such that the proximal end can be attached with a single eyelash. In some aspects, the filament can be branched to form a branched eyelash extension. The eyelash extensions come in multiple sizes, shapes, and colors to provide the user with increased aesthetics and comfort.

Abstract: A method of and miniaturized apparatus adapted for in-situ measurement of degradation of automotive fluids and the like by micro-electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry, wherein the use of a modulated constant magnetic field in an RF resonating variable frequency microwave cavity resonator through which a fluid sample is passed, enables direct detection of molecular changes in such fluid sample resulting from fluid degradation during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication system and method that allows a transmitter segment (ground end of uplink segment) to dynamically combine power from plurality of propagation channels (transponders) in order to improve power levels of signals being transmitted, without affecting the receiver segment (user end of downlink segment) and the propagation segment (space segment), and without modifying the configuration of the propagation apparatus (satellite). Specifically, the transmitter segment generates mixtures of input signals by using Wavefront-Multiplexing and transmits the wavefront-multiplexed (WFM) signals through propagation channels to a receiver segment that coherently separates the mixtures of received WFM signals by using adaptive equalization and Wavefront-De-Multiplexing.

Abstract: Described is an electrode-less plasma lamp comprising a gas-fill vessel, a gas-fill contained within the gas-fill vessel, an RF electromagnetic radiation source, an RF electromagnetic resonator, an output probe that couples RF energy from the RF electromagnetic resonator to the gas-fill vessel, an input probe that couples RF energy from the RF electromagnetic radiation source to the resonator, and a grounding strap that holds a metal veneer surrounding the resonator and a portion of the gas-fill vessel at RF ground. Also described are many variations of the electrode-less plasma lamp, non-limiting examples of which include embodiments that employ other probes in a Dielectric Resonant Oscillator to drive the lamp, a lamp employing more than one resonator per gas-fill vessel, and many methods of improving light-harvesting, including raising the gas-fill vessel away from the resonator via a coaxial transmission line, and collecting light with an optical reflector.

Abstract: Described is a track set with a taut filament for use with a toy vehicle. The track set includes a first tower and a second tower. A spool is connected with the first tower, with the filament wound around the spool. The spool includes a ratcheting mechanism to allow a user to selectively unwind the filament from the spool. Once unwound, the filament can be connected with the second tower. The spool can again be used to tighten the filament between the two towers, thereby creating a taut filament. Using a toy vehicle with a grooved-wheel, the toy vehicle can pass from the first tower to the second tower along the taut filament with the grooved-wheel riding on the filament.

Abstract: A rawhide chew with a pizzle inner member is described. The rawhide chew includes a rawhide outer layer formed of a rawhide sheet. The rawhide outer layer comprises a hole cut therethrough to form a cut-out window. Pizzle positioned within the rawhide outer layer such that the pizzle is externally viewable through the cut-out window. Further, the pizzle is rolled within the rawhide outer layer such that no edges of the pizzle protrude through the cut-out window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for obtaining strain corresponding to an object's deformation by radially-tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The system acquires at least a ring-shaped crown region of Fourier domain (k-space) data for at least two sequential images of a radially-tagged object at different phases of deformation of the radially-tagged object. A first image represents a primary state of the radially-tagged object and a second image represents a secondary state of the radially-tagged object. Additionally, the images include radial tag lines. The first and second images are reconstructed as a reconstructed primary-state image and a reconstructed secondary-state image. The images are reconstructed as weighted by circumferential density of the radial tag lines, such that they are “tag line density-weighted” reconstructed images. Circumferential strain of the radially-tagged object is determined by comparing the two images.

Abstract: Described are a method, computer program product, and system for risk management using readily available, gridded hazard data to estimate and obtain a risk analysis parameter (e.g., expected repair cost) for use in risk management, such as in seismic risk management. The method includes calculating economic risk for buildings in terms of an expected annualized loss (EAL). EAL is the product of a scenario loss estimate called probable frequent loss (PFL) and an economic hazard coefficient (H). H can be created using readily available gridded hazard data produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. The method also includes a technique for calculating shaking intensity, sEBE, which is needed for determining PFL. Incorporated into a system, the system can be utilized by engineering consultants (or others interested in risk management) via the Internet, or on any other computer readable medium.