Abstract: An X-ray detecting device comprises a support mechanism for supporting a detector housing pivotably about a horizontal shaft parallel to an X-ray incidence surface, a shaft connected at one end to the detector housing and having an opposite end adapted to perform a rectilinear motion to induce a pivotal motion of the detector housing, a drive mechanism having a drive end connected to the opposite end of the shaft, the drive mechanism inducing the rectilinear motion of the opposite end of the shaft in a mutually connected state of the drive end and the opposite end of the shaft, a switching mechanism for between connection and non-connection of the opposite end of the drive shaft and the drive end, a brake mechanism for inhibiting the pivotal motion of the detector housing, and brake operating means for switching between operation and non-operation of the brake mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an end closure structure of a carton. The end closure structure is formed from minor end flaps and major end flaps. The apparatus includes a carton conveyor for transferring the carton in a flow direction along a carton conveyor path, a major end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the major end flaps in an outwardly upright position, a minor end flap retaining guide assembly for retaining the minor end flaps in an inwardly folded position, and a gluing station for applying adhesive to the major and minor end flaps.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) security system and method is disclosed comprising two or more IR cameras directed upon a common surveillance area. Locations of the cameras and their optical fields of view are pre-established and stored in a central computer database. Computer programs harmonize the information into a 3D grid. The camera processors perform image processing on the surveillance area to detect moving objects. Object angular position, size, aspect ratio, and radiometric intensity are simultaneously transmitted to the central computer. The grid position, physical size, and inherent electro-magnetic contrast of the objects are computed. These IR signatures are then compared to the target definitions in the database of IR signatures on pre-defined threats. Alarm criteria can be based on object size, location, and movement over time. When a threat is determined, the user is notified by text message, image or video.

Abstract: A multi-level contraband detection system. At a first level, the system obtains volumetric information about an item under inspection. The volumetric information provides a basis for identifying suspect objects in the item under inspection and their locations. The location information is expressed in a first coordinate system relative to the device used for first level scanning. When first level scanning identifies a suspicious object, the item under inspection is passed to a second level scanner that can take further measurements on the suspicious objects. The second level machine is controlled in a second coordinate system. A translation between the two coordinate systems is obtained by registering a multi-dimensional image obtained at the first level with positioning information obtained at the second level. Registration is performed using a coarse and then a fine registration process for quick and accurate registration.

Abstract: The system includes an excitation source for providing a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a source wavelength. A first wavelength selective device is positioned to be impinged by the beam of electromagnetic radiation. The first wavelength selective device is constructed to transmit at least a portion of any radiation having the source wavelength and to reflect radiation of other wavelengths. A medium containing particles is positioned to be impinged by the beam of electromagnetic radiation. At least a portion of the beam of electromagnetic radiation becomes scattered within the medium, the scattered electromagnetic radiation including forward scattered electromagnetic radiation and backward scattered electromagnetic radiation. An optical detector is positioned to receive backward and/or forward scattered electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A system and method for harnessing power associated with ocean waves and converting that power into electricity. The apparatus is a buoy that houses a vertically oriented central shaft, a pendulum, a generator mechanism, and other components that synergistically operate to optimize power output of the buoy. Both the load on the pendulum and the effective length of the pendulum may be varied in response to changing environmental conditions. Also, the buoy may be part of a network that shares environmental data and a series of best tuning responses to that data, across the network. A library of environmental data and associated tuning responses is built at a central location and shared across the network.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, all related stereoisomers as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts provided as simplified analogs of pateamine A, in which the analogs generally are devoid of the C3-amino and C5-methyl groups, also referred to as desmethyl, desamino-pateamine A. Suitable analogs provide anticancer and antiproliferative effects in vivo and in vitro by a novel drug mechanism of action described herein for pateamine A, including inhibition of eIF4A-dependent translation initiation. As with pateamine A, as described herein, suitable analogs cause cell cycle arrest or induce apoptosis in transformed cells. However, toxicity of such compounds to slow growing normal cells is low. In addition, such analogs, like pateamine A, target translation initiation factors and are useful as anticancer and antiproliferative agents in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: A method of controlling obesity by physically narrowing the lumen of the pylorus One embodiment includes injection of a bio-compatible bulking or stiffening material into the pyloric sphincter area of the stomach. The injection of this material bulks the pyloric sphincter, narrowing the lumen, retarding stomach emptying and producing a feeling of satiation in the patient. The method may be practiced or supplemented by cauterization of the pyloric sphincter or by suturing the sphincter to narrow the same and may be augmented by inducing flacid paralysis of the stomach by injecting botulinum toxin into the muscle tissue of the antrum or fundus of the stomach.

Abstract: The electronic identification system provides two-way communications between reader and tags using alternating magnetic fields established by the reader and tag. Communication is accomplished by utilizing either a one-step or a two-step modulation process in which the information to be communicated either modulates an alternating magnetic field directly or modulates a periodic signal which modulates an alternating magnetic field. The coil in the reader that is used to establish an alternating magnetic field is transformer-coupled through capacitors to a push-pull driving circuit consisting of four field-effect transistors connected in a bridge arrangement. The coil, capacitors, and coupling circuitry are maintained in a tuned condition by continually adjusting either the driving frequency, the coil inductance, or the capacitor capacitance during communications.

Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: In accordance with a specific implementation of the disclosure, a stream of audio frames is received and compressed using psycho-acoustical processing. The signal-to-mask ratio table generated by the psycho-acoustical algorithm is updated using only a portion of the received audio frames.

Abstract: A vertical and trench type insulated gate MOS semiconductor device is provided in which the surfaces of p-type channel regions and the surfaces of portions of an n-type semiconductor substrate alternate in the longitudinal direction of the trench between the trenches arranged in parallel, and an n+-type emitter region selectively formed on the surface of the p-type channel region is wide by the side of the trench and becomes narrow toward the center point between the trenches. This enables the device to achieve low on-resistance and enhanced turn-off capability.

Abstract: In an endoscope washer disinfector, a bath comprises a mounting plane on which an endoscope with a duct is mounted and a wall member. A connector has two ends consisting of one end located to penetrate through the wall member and to be secured watertightly to the wall member. The one end faces an opening of the duct of the endoscope mounted in the bath. The other end is connected to a fluid source storing fluid for washing and disinfecting the endoscope. A nozzle is movable in the connector along an inner passage thereof and moved toward the one end of the connector to protrude from the one end to realize a watertight and detachable connection with the opening of the duct. The fluid is supplied to the duct when the fluid is supplied from the fluid source.

Abstract: The device for storing, mixing, and dispensing components is provided with means for mixing (6) a first component (27) with a second, liquid component (28) and for dispensing the mixed materials. The individual components (27, 28) are stored in respective containers (2, 3) that are arranged side by side, and a valve assembly (8) is arranged in the transfer area (7) between the outlet area (26) of the container (3) for storing the second, liquid component (28) and the liquid inlet (25) of the container (2) for storing the first component (27). Such a device allows an unproblematic storage of the different components without a local separation of the containers and an efficient mix thereof. This applies especially if the first component is a powder or a granular or porous substance, e.g. bone cement or bone replacement material.

Abstract: A stable, aqueous barrier coating composition includes: (a) prolamine; (b) cold water insoluble polymer; (c) water; (d) water-soluble co-solvent; and (e) stabilizer. The composition, when applied to a substrate, produces an article having a high surface energy and resistance to oil and grease penetration. A method of producing the article involves applying the composition to a substrate.

Abstract: An aircraft stringer clip and related methods are disclosed that provide an apparatus for attaching aircraft elements to an aircraft stringer. In one embodiment, the stringer clip is a three-piece clamp assembly spanning the width of an aircraft stringer and including a single bottom member and two opposing top members that are configured to be engagingly coupled. The top and bottom members of the stringer clip are preferably made of rigid, but light-weight and flame retardant material.

Abstract: This invention provides a signal synchronizer that is capable of minimizing the effects of multi-path reception. The signal synchronizer provides signal samples from a first signal source and a second signal source for generating an output signal. The signal synchronizer includes a memory for storing signal samples obtained from a first signal source and for storing signal samples obtained from a second signal source. Circuitry in the synchronizer determines a signal transit time difference between the first signal source and the second signal source. A readout controller then determines a memory offset from the signal transit time difference. The memory offset specifies a location in the memory from which to begin reading the signal samples obtained from the second signal source.

Abstract: A flush valve for a waste water system comprises a valve including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a main valve element adapted for movement to allow fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet based on a pressure differential across a portion of the main valve element. The valve also includes a vent system comprising a control chamber in flow communication with the fluid inlet of the valve and a vent outlet in flow communication with the fluid outlet of the valve, and a solenoid for venting fluid venting fluid from the control chamber to the fluid outlet. A pressure sensor, such as an electronic pressure transducer, senses the fluid pressure of fluid within the vent system. When a predetermined pressure threshold is reached or exceeded, the solenoid can be energized to release fluid from the control chamber.

Abstract: An improved decoding process as applied to MPEG AAC decoders of the type that use codebooks, reduces redundant traversing steps while finding the location of a specific binary stream codeword in the codebook. To this end, the codebooks are divided into a plurality of node-tables, each table corresponding to a node. From the number of bits “k” in a given node-table, the decimal value of the first “k” bits in a binary stream to be decoded is ascertained and compared with the decimal value of the maximum code word in the given node-table. The comparison is used for the identification of the location of the codeword in the node-tables to assist in decoding without unnecessary traversing of all the nodes in the codebook.