Abstract: A self-contained fastener is provided for attaching to a structure having opposing edges that flank a cavity across a gap. The fastener includes a grip member, a clamp member and a latch member. The grip member has a knob and an inner annulus disposed thereon along an axis of symmetry. The knob has a central through-hole coaxial with the inner annulus. The inner annulus has an arc tab that radially protrudes therefrom. The clamp member includes a boss and an outer annulus disposed thereon. The boss has first and second dimensions perpendicular to the axis, the first dimension being shorter than the gap. The clamp member is flanked by opposing ledges along the second dimension. Each ledge is arranged to engage a respective edge of the structure. The inner annulus is coaxially insertable into the outer annulus. The latch member includes a stud and a flange. The stud is insertable at a proximal end into the inner annulus and the through-hole.

Abstract: A process is provided for analyzing a radar signal using CLEAN to identify an undetected target in sidelobes of a detected target. The process includes obtaining system impulse response data of a waveform for a point target having a signal data vector based on a convolution under conjugate transpose multiplied by a target amplitude vector plus a noise vector, estimating the target amplitude vector, and applying a CLEAN Deconvolver to remove the detected target from the data signal vector based on the estimate amplitude vector absent the detected target and an amplitude vector of an undetected target. The process further includes building a detected target vector with the amplitude estimate vector, setting to zero all elements of the detected target vector except at an initial time, and recomputing the amplitude estimate vector by a Reformulated CLEAN Detector.

Abstract: An ergonomic control instrument for an operator's hand is provided to be disposable on a platform and communicate with a processor. The instrument includes a base for mounting to the platform, a pistol-grip handle disposed on the base to tilt from perpendicular to the platform, a head unit disposed on the handle, a deck within the head unit connecting to the handle, and a plurality of input devices disposed on at least one of the head unit and the handle, each device of the plurality for receiving a command from the operator's hand. Also, an ergonomic control station for an operator is provided, with the station including a platform in front of the operator, a first hand-held instrument mountable to the platform, a second hand-held instrument mountable to the platform, and a processor having a plurality of connections to the first and second pluralities of input devices.

Abstract: A towable buoyant platform of modular floating segments is provided to serve as a floating target. The platform connects at least one pontoon thereto. The pontoon includes a keel that connects to the hull and a plurality of buoyant modules. The keel extends longitudinally along the platform. Each module has an interface that connects to the keel. Each module also includes first and second longitudinal ends. The first and second ends have a tongue and a groove, respectively. The tongue and groove are slideably connectable to each other, such that fore and aft modules of the plurality attach together.

Abstract: A photocapacitor device is provided for responding to a photon having at least a specified energy. The photocapacitive device includes a first portion composed of a photocapacitive material; a second portion composed of a non-photocapacitive material; and a depletion region disposed between the first and second portions. The ph otocapacitive and non-photocapacitive materials respectively have first and second Fermi-energy differences, with the second Fermi-energy difference being higher than the first Fermi-energy difference.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing a random list of binary values between first and second parties. The method includes sending photons from the second party into an interferometer at a first beam splitter; performing a first weak measurement on photons as a first pointer result into a first time-ordered list for photons; performing a second weak measurement by the first party on photons that pass through a second beam splitter as being a second pointer result into a second time-ordered list; recording identification for first and second detectors that the photons arrive via a third beam splitter as respective first and second detector registrations for collecting in a third time-ordered list as respective first and second detection lists; determining first and second averages of the respective first and second detection lists; and comparing the averages to verify existence of a non-trivial difference that indicates secure communication status of the element's binary value.

Abstract: A lid assembly is provided for mitigation or removal of meniscus along the periphery of sample liquid in the cavity wells of a microtiter plate. The assembly includes a lid plate having a mount surface, an array of plugs corresponding to the array of wells, and a plurality of posts. Each plug extends below from the mount surface and is insertable into the periphery of a counterpart well for contact with the liquid. The plurality of posts suspends the lid plate above the microtiter plate. Each post optionally passes through an orifice through the mount surface, with each post including an adjustable clamp to support the lid plate. The mount surface optionally includes an array of cavities that correspond in disposition to the array of plugs. Each plug is independently insertable through the mount surface to adjust depth of each plug into its counterpart well.

Abstract: A system and method provides conversion of SGML or XML files to HTML files by component conversion techniques. In one embodiment, the system addresses the conversion of an SGML formatted document, with associated graphic and multimedia for viewing in a plurality of frames produced in a web browser, such as with Java or JavaScript. A parser allows for multi-layered HTML documents comprised of dynamically sizing framesets which combines transformed SGML and external components such as graphics multimedia with executable mini-applications that enable external (to the SGML document domain) referencing of add-on interactive features such as local and global search, bookmarks, and annotation. In a preferred embodiment, a Java or JavaScript executable produces a collapsible/expandable table of contents in one of the frames.

Abstract: A system and process that incorporates hardware and software as elements to be combined with procedures and processes to obtain, format, store, combine, control, display, record, and visualize dynamic scenarios by interacting with accurate, realistic models and actual events within, on, and above a three-dimensional surface to be observed or modeled. One application provides a user-manipulated large-scale dynamic display of systems testing in a real world environment for real time visualization by test personnel. The Global Visualization Process (GVP) system is an integrated software solution for high-performance visualization. GVP software and process is capable of displaying extremely high resolution terrain models and imagery in real time over the entire surface of the planet, as well as a large number of moving entities and their associated graphical models. The system can display imagery at 2 cm/pixel, and infinitely detailed terrain in real time over the whole surface of a planet.

Abstract: A photonic band gap fiber and method of making thereof is provided. The fiber is made of a non-silica-based glass and has a longitudinal central opening, a microstructured region having a plurality of longitudinal surrounding openings, and a jacket. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is at least about 40%. The fiber may be made by drawing a preform into a fiber, while applying gas pressure to the microstructured region. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is changed during the drawing.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for decreasing the viscosity and/or cohesiveness of and/or increasing the liquefaction of excessively or abnormally viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting elastase in a patient. The compositions contains a compound containing a dithiol active-site in reduced state and optionally further contains a reducing system.

Abstract: An inflatable water exclusion device for protecting the rocket motor of a lid-propellant-powered missile, launched from below the surface of the sea by means of launching gas, from being damaged by a spout of water spurting up into the atmosphere. The device consists of a round base plate that attaches to an expellable baffle assembly located within the throat of the rocket motor nozzle, and an inflatable elastomer-coated cloth bag that is attached to the rim of the base plate. As the missile ascends toward the surface of the sea, launching gas that was originally contained within the voids of the rocket motor expands and streams out through the nozzle thereby causing the bag to inflate. After the missile has breached the surface of the sea the rocket motor ignites, thereby causing the baffle assembly and the inflatable water exclusion device attached thereto to be expelled from the nozzle and fall back into the sea.

Abstract: A reentry body nose tip constructed from materials and produced by a proc such that shape stability is maintained under ablative erosion occurring during atmospheric reentry.

Abstract: An improvement to a variable-pressure solid-propellant-powered maneuvering ystem for spacecraft, enabling the system to operate for longer than one propellant burn time. At least two solid propellant gas generators are connected via a manifold to a plurality of nozzle valve clusters; at least one of the gas generators is connected to the manifold via a sequence valve which isolates that generator from the manifold until such time as it is desired to put that generator into operation.

Abstract: A pulsed illuminator projector for reducing the reverberation levels of rected ligh by illuminating a lamp that is pulsed on and off at a specified rate and for a specified time duration. The critical factor is controlling the amount of time the light is on versus amount of time it is off, and the frequency at which the lamp is pulsed on. The pulsed illumination projector device reduces the amount of backscatter from particulate matter such as water, zooplankton, dust, fog and the like which causes a significant amount of light to reflect back toward the source thereby reducing visibility. Backscatter is reduced through the reduction of direct incident light. As the backscatter is reduced, the distance which objects can be detected is increased. Illumination is controlled directly by pulse length and repetition rate. The device is completely portable and can be hand held item as well as mounted on a vehicle and operable in gaseous or liquid atmospheres.