Abstract: A rotational antenna includes a stationary feed which is disposed in a substantially vertical orientation. A parabolic dish is rotationally mounted about the stationary feed in a state of being tipped with respect to the stationary, substantially vertically oriented feed. The rotational parabolic antenna may alternatively be provided with a rotating radio frequency (RF) and acoustic feed. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for increasing a spectroscopic signal in a biological assay is provided. The method includes forming a suspension of magnetically attractable particles. The method also includes introducing a first magnetic field at a first location to draw the magnetically attractable particles towards the first location and form a first agglomeration. The method also includes removing the first magnetic field. The method further includes introducing a second magnetic field at a second location to draw the first agglomeration towards the second location and form a second agglomeration. The method further includes focusing an excitation source on the second agglomeration formed at the second location.

Abstract: A sampling system that contains filter components for collecting and concentrating vapor and particles in high-volume flows. The sample is then vaporized and delivered to a detector at a low-volume flow. The invention also has a sampling probe that contains an air-jet to help dislodge particles from surfaces and a heating lamp to help vaporize compounds on surfaces or objects. The sampling system is especially useful for screening for explosives and other illicit chemicals and toxins on people, baggage, cargo, and other objects.

Abstract: A method of operating a screening system includes applying an electromagnetic field to a subject in a region at least partially enclosed by electromagnetic shielding, and measuring an output from a sensor. The output is representative of an interaction of the electromagnetic field and the subject. A trace vapor is collected from the subject within the region, and the trace vapor is identified. Based on the measured sensor output and the identified trace vapor, whether a target material is associated with the subject is determined.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an article and a detector. The article includes a substrate, a faceted structure disposed on the substrate, and a sensor layer disposed on the faceted structure. The faceted structure is disposed on the substrate first surface and itself has a surface. The faceted structure surface has peripheral edge defining a diameter of the faceted structure surface. The sensor layer is disposed on the faceted structure surface. The sensor layer can react or can interact with a target species when the target species is sufficiently proximate to the sensor layer. The sensor layer responds to the reaction or to the interaction in a detectable manner. The detector detects a response to the reaction, or to the interaction, of the target species with the sensor layer.

Abstract: A sampling device that contains a heated porous inlet and a transfer line. The device provides sample compounds present as vapor, liquid, or solid, in air, or on surfaces such as soil. The sample device can collect and deliver the sample to an analyzer in real time and can operate while in motion such as on a moving vehicle. The sampling device is especially useful to screen toxic and hazardous compounds that might be contaminating an inhabited area.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for calibrating algorithms for determining electrical load and lifestyle characteristics. A model creation module creates an electrical usage model that includes an electrical device usage model for each electrical load assumed to be at simulated premises (an assumed load set). The simulated premises include characteristics from actual premises within an area serviced by an electric utility. A simulation module simulates a number of simulated electrical usages for a number of assumed load sets at the simulated premises. A load prediction module determines if a particular type of load is present within each simulated premises using a load prediction algorithm that includes algorithm parameters. An accuracy module determines an accuracy of the load prediction algorithm and an adjustment module adjusts the algorithm parameters of the load prediction algorithm in response to the determined accuracy.

Abstract: A curtain assembly includes at least one curtain including at least one slat. The at least one curtain is configured to be rotatably coupled to a housing of a scanning system having a radiation source and a detector. The at least one curtain is further configured to facilitate drawing an object into the scanning system housing while substantially preventing radiation emitted from the radiation source from exiting the housing through the at least one curtain.

Abstract: A rotational antenna includes a stationary feed which is disposed in a substantially vertical orientation. A parabolic dish is rotationally mounted about the stationary feed in a state of being tipped with respect to the stationary, substantially vertically oriented feed. The rotational parabolic antenna may alternatively be provided with a rotating radio frequency (RF) and acoustic feed. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a sample. In particular, the invention provides methods, compositions and kits for detecting and analyzing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other methicillin-resistant bacteria in a sample.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an industrial process and taking action based on the results of process monitoring. Actions taken may include process control, paging, voicemail, and input for e-enterprise systems. The system includes an input module for receiving a plurality of parameters from a process for manufacture of a substance or object. The system also includes a library module. The library module includes a plurality of computer aided processes. Any one of the computer aided processes is capable of using each of the plurality of parameters to compare at least two of the plurality of parameters against a training set of parameters. The training set of parameters is generally predetermined. The computer aided process is also capable of determining if the at least two of the plurality of parameters are within a predetermined range of the training set of parameters. Additionally, the system includes an output module for outputting a result based upon the training set and the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining electrical load and lifestyle characteristics. A record receiving module receives an electrical energy usage record for premises for a predefined time period (“record period”), and receives property characteristics for the premises. The property characteristics include physical characteristics for the premises, environmental characteristics for the premises for the record period, and/or lifestyle characteristics of users of the premises. A load identification module selects a load prediction algorithm to determine if a particular type of electrical load is present at the premises. A comparison module applies the load prediction algorithm to the electrical energy usage record for the premises for at least a portion of the record period (“comparison period”) to determine if the particular type of electrical load is present at the premises. The load prediction algorithm uses the property characteristics of the premises during the comparison period.

Abstract: A monitor that can detect at least one molecule. The monitor includes a housing with a passage that can receive a sample, and a photocathode that is located within the housing. The monitor also includes a first ultraviolet light source that can direct ultraviolet light onto the photocathode to create electrons that ionize molecules within the sample, and a detector that is coupled to the housing to detect at least one ionized molecule. The monitor enables electron ionization (EI) of a sample for chemical analysis without the disadvantages of current methods that use a hot filament or other thermal cathode devices.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring for chemical or other toxic agents includes operating a plurality of first type sensors having a first level of sensitivity to an agent in a monitored area. Concurrently a second type sensor is operated having a second level of sensitivity to the agent in the monitored area, where the second level of sensitivity is at least ten times more sensitive than the first level of sensitivity. Input from the plurality of first type sensors and the second type sensor is received and analyzed, at a central location, in order to determine the presence of the agent in the monitored area.

Abstract: An inspection system positions a balancing shim to asymmetrically balance a magnetic field generated by an inductive sensor, which forms part of the inspection system. Additionally, relays and capacitors used to tune the inductive sensor to a desired resonance frequency are geometrically arranged to minimize electrical interference generated by operation of the relays and capacitors. A shielding device, which may be formed on a printed circuit board, protects a magnetic field generated by the inductive sensor from external electromagnetic interference. A slot positioned in the inductive sensor may be used to tune a resonant mode of the inductive sensor to accurately and particularly detect metallic shanks and/or other metallic objects in shoes, socks, and/or clothing.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are provided for image based CT Number and volume corrections for thin objects in computed tomography systems. For example, in one embodiment a method is provide which computes an average computed tomography (“CT”) value and volume of voxels that are part of an object. Thereafter, a surface area and a surface CT Number, a boundary area and a boundary CT Number, and a corrected CT Number and a corrected volume for the object are computed. Embodiments of the invention also include other methods, computer-readable mediums, apparatuses, and systems that contain features similar to the features in the above described method.

Abstract: A method for identifying an object within a container is provided. The method includes acquiring image data representing an image, applying a morphological operator to the acquired image data to generate morphed image data, calculating a histogram based on the morphed image data, and classifying the image using the calculated histogram. A classification of the image may be displayed and/or stored in a computer-readable memory.

Abstract: A method and system for selective resolution improvement in computed tomography (CT) scanning. The method includes receiving scan data representative of a scanned object from a CT scanner and reconstructing the scan data using a first algorithm to create a first set of reconstructed data. A region of interest is identified within the first set of reconstructed data. A portion of the scan data corresponding to the region of interest is reconstructed using a second algorithm to create a second set of reconstructed data. The first set of reconstructed data and the second set of reconstructed data are combined to create combined reconstructed data.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a sample. In particular, the invention provides methods, compositions and kits for detecting and analyzing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other methicillin-resistant bacteria in a sample.

Abstract: A hand held detector system that has a housing with a passage that can receive a sample, and a concentrator that captures the sample. The hand held system further includes a single detector coupled to the concentrator and a fluid system that provides fluid communication between the housing passage and the concentrator, and between the concentrator and the detector. The system is powered by a battery. The system may include a controller that heats the concentrator with a temperature profile that causes a first trace molecule to desorb at a time different from the desorption of a second trace molecule. The system and components may be powered by a battery.