Abstract: A bit error rate test on a transceiver is accelerated by adding a phase offset to data phase encoding and decoding in the transceiver and by mapping bit error rate test results from an elevated error rate condition to a normal error rate condition for the transceiver. The elevated error rate is accomplished by adjusting the phase of the phase encoder and decoder with the value of the phase offset so that the encoded data transmission signal is not as robust against noise as it normally would be. Noise in the form of an interference signal is introduced during the transmission, and the bit error rate is measured after the receiver has decoded the signal. The bit error rate (BER) data with an elevated propensity for error is mapped against bit error rate data for normal operations. A mapping function is built to map BERE (bit error rate elevated) data—data from the elevated error rate condition for data encoding, to BERN (normal bit error rate) data—data from the normal error rate condition for data encoding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the blowing of compressed air from an aerodynamic structure such as an aircraft wing or helicopter rotor blade and thus controlling the aerodynamic properties of the wing comprises a narrow slot (13) in the upper surface 915) of the structure near its trailing edge (14). Inside the wing (12) is a chamber (23) that is connected to the narrow slot (13) in the wing surface (15). The chamber (23) houses a compressed air conduit (16) for supplying and holding compressed air. A passageway (25) connects the conduit (16) to the slot (13) in the upper surface (25) of the wing (12). The lower wall (27) of the passage (25) has a slit (32) allowing a shutter (31) to move selectively into the passage (25) and obstruct the flow of compressed air through the passageway (25). The shutter (31) is attached to a smart material actuator comprising a piezoelectrical bender (29). When a control voltage is applied to the bender (29), the bender (29) will bend.

Abstract: A virtual reality system provides effective exposure treatment for psychiatric patients suffering from a particular anxiety disorder. The system is characterized by a video screen disposed in front of the patient to display an image of a specific graphical environment that is intended to trigger anxiety within the patient as a result of the particular patient phobia. A headset is worn by the patient, and has sensors disposed to detect movement and positioning of the patient's head. A computer program controls the operation of the system, and is designed to control the display of the graphical environment on the video screen, monitor the headset sensors and determine the position of the patient's head, and controllably manipulate the graphical environment displayed on the video screen to reflect the movement and position of the patient's head.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of highly purifying a polypeptide or other biological compounds from a contaminant by crystallization comprising contacting a mixture containing uncrystallized polypeptides and a contaminant with an exogenous nucleating agent, crystallizing the polypeptides, thereby forming at least one crystal of the polypeptide attached to the nucleating agent, the attached crystal being of a high purity, and at least one polypeptide crystal unattached to the nucleating agent, the unattached crystal being of a lower purity than the attached crystal, and separating the crystal attached to the nucleating agent from the crystal unattached to the nucleating agent.

Abstract: A non-destructive, non-contact testing apparatus and method which generally includes an ultrasonic signal generator for inducing one or more ultrasonic signals in a material and an optical interferometer that includes a laser for illuminating a section of the material and for detecting beat frequencies resulting from reflected light from the material. Deformations in the material as a result of the ultrasonic signal cause the beat frequency to be shifted as a result of the Doppler effect. Such differences in the beat frequency are detected by the system and used as an indication of a characteristic of the material.