Abstract: A mortar cartridge generates effective white or colored smoke obscuration with reduced adverse environmental impact and collateral damage, and provides an improved drag assembly that reduces drift during projectile descent and improves targeting.

Abstract: Aerosol particle analyzer (APA) for measuring the amount of analyte in airborne particle is described. The APA uses an analysis liquid. When this analysis liquid is mixed with the particles, an optical property of the analysis liquid (CDAL) varies according to the amount of the analyte in the particles. A charged droplet of the analysis liquid is levitated. Airborne particles are drawn into the instrument and given a charge that is opposite that of the CDAL, and made to flow near the CDAL so that electrostatic forces greatly increase the probability that the CDAL and charged particles will combine. Then the CDAL is ejected into a horizontally oriented linear quadrupole that is in an airtight container, except for a small orifice to let the CDAL enter. The CDAL is levitated in a high humidity environment so that it evaporates slowly, so that there is time for the reaction between the analyte, if any, and the CDAL can take place, and so that the optical property, typically fluorescence, can be measured.

Abstract: Fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) seismic activity sensors coupled in sensor arrays provide increased sensitivity to seismic activities, lower strain values and an absence of EMI allowing detection of troop and vehicle movements based on ground vibrations generating seismic signals. The FBG sensor head features a spring-mass configuration with a head surface, fiber optic cable and the FBG sensor attached to a spring that stretches during the acceleration of the mass. Waves propagating inside the earth and along the ground arriving at the sensor locations cause movement of the seismic activity sensors embedded in the ground and this movement induces an acceleration-dependent change in the FBG gratings placed on the sensors. In multiple sensor configurations, the cable will be connected to the other sensors in the network. FBG sensors, sensor arrays and sensor methods are provided in several embodiments.

Abstract: A packaging system for a single ammunition includes a cylindrical metal container and a cap therefore. A locking mechanism locks the cap to the top end of the container and a guiding mechanism guides the cap onto the top end of the container before the locking mechanism is locked to assure proper alignment. A plurality of impact rings are located laterally about the container and the cap to provide impact protection therefore. A stacking mechanism for each container allows a plurality of the containers to be securely stacked adjacent one another. The stacking mechanism includes a first top member and a second top member located adjacent the top ring and located 180° from one another about the cap such that the first top member of one cap interlocks with the second top member of an adjacent cap, and a similar arrangement on the bottom ring of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for high intensity acoustic test cells that employ the Helmholtz resonator principle, incorporating at least one moderately-sized volume or test cell that is tunable to a given infrasonic to low-sonic frequency and generates sound of high intensity with very pure sinusoidal waveforms in this test cell or volume, by varying the geometry of a port which is connected to the test volume and open to either atmosphere or a second or input volume and by introducing to the test volume or the input volume a driving acoustic signal at the given tuned frequency. The apparatus and method are used for testing or performing experiments on materials, structures, devices, products, biological entities or humans at high acoustic intensities and frequencies in the low-sonic to infrasonic ranges.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a clearance between feed lips of an ammunition magazine includes a generally T-shaped member including a support portion and a measuring portion that is generally perpendicular to the support portion; the measuring portion including first and second surfaces, the first surface having a width that is less than the clearance between the feed lips and the second surface having a width that is greater than the clearance between the feed lips.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antigens that stimulate protective antibodies against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Also disclosed herein are proteins encoded by cssA and cssB genes as well as constructs containing the genes and methods of using thereof.

Abstract: An additive for buffering a projectile trapping medium and spent projectiles trapped therein is a buffering compound formed as a low density foamed concrete block that will self-dispense via fragmentation or pulverization when subjected to incoming fire. The block combines at least one dry component selected from the group consisting of low solubility phosphate compounds, low solubility aluminum compounds, iron compounds, sulfate compounds, and calcium carbonate with a cementing material, water, and an aqueous based foam in substantially stoichiometric amounts. The aqueous based foam is added in a quantity sufficient to adjust the density of the resulting block to be non-buoyant without sinking in the projectile trapping medium. The additive may be employed in a projectile trapping medium to chemically stabilize the medium and environmentally stabilize projectiles trapped therein.

Abstract: An immunogenic complex, essentially consisting of neisserial outer membrane protein proteosomes hydrophobically complexed to native purified bacterial lipopolysaccaride and formulated in accordance with the current invention for mucosal delivery such as via the oral or intranasal route is used as a vaccine. Specifically, a vaccine using shigella lipopolysaccharides complexed to proteosomes for such mucosal administration induces IgG and IgA antibodies in sera and in respiratory and intestinal fluids. Furthermore, such antibodies are associated with protection against shigella infection and these vaccines are herein demonstrated to protect against mucosal infection with shigella.

Abstract: A conductive (electrical, ionic, and photoelectric) polymer membrane article, comprising a non-woven membrane of polymer fibers, wherein at least some of the fibers have diameters of less than one micron; and wherein the membrane has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10?6 S/cm. Also disclosed is the method of making such an article, comprising electrostatically spinning a spin dope comprising a polymer carrier and/or a conductive polymer or conductive nanoparticles, to provide inherent conductivity in the article.

Abstract: A multi-color IR imaging device includes optics that direct mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) radiation onto a focal plane array having LWIR and MWIR detection layers. Pixel groups that include at least one first pixel and one second pixel are defined on the focal plane array, and a first filter and a second filter which form part of an inhomogeneous filter is placed over the respective first and second pixels in a checkerboard pattern, in close proximity to the detection layers. This allows MWIR radiation in M band, and LWIR radiation in an L1 band to pass therethrough and illuminate the first pixels, and M, L1, and a separate LWIR band designated L2 to pass therethrough and illuminate the second pixels. To simultaneously image both MWIR and LWIR, the focal plane array is placed at a predetermined distance from the optics so that the MWIR spot size covers a single pixel and the LWIR spot size is about the same area as the area of a group of two first pixels and two second pixels.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether leaks exist in a pressure vessel comprises measuring a mechanical response of the pressure vessel using any of an acoustic sensor and a vibration sensor; processing the mechanical response using a digital signal processor system; categorizing the processed mechanical response into events of interest and events not of interest; and determining if any of a ballistic impact and penetration of the pressure vessel has occurred based on the processed mechanical response, wherein the mechanical response comprises any of an acoustic response and a vibration response, wherein the events of interest comprise any of environmental events and ballistic events, wherein the categorizing comprises differentiating the environmental events from the ballistic events, and wherein the events not of interest comprise noise.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel polyazido compound: 2,2-dinitro-1,3-diazidopropane.

Abstract: An ionized alpha particle detector to directly measure alpha activity in ambient air that counts alpha pulses instead of measuring radon concentration is provided by an open-air ionization chamber, a means for collecting ions, a voltage source, a charging means and a means for recording alpha pulses. The ionized alpha particle detector allows the user to directly measure the alpha particle activity in ambient air and consequently, better assess the radiological public health risk from alpha particles emitted by inhaled air. The ionized alpha particle detector advantageously overcomes the difficulties in measuring alpha particles caused by oxygen ions that quickly attract electrons and form negative ions that compensate positive charged particles and prevent the formation of alpha particle pulses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are 2-guanidinylimidazolidinedione compounds having the structural formula A or B wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxyl, amino, alkylamino or aralkyl, and wherein R3 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, acyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, sulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of making thereof. Also disclosed are methods of treating, preventing, or inhibiting malaria with the 2-guanidinylimidazolidinedione compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the 2-guanidinylimidazolidinedione compounds, and kits.

Abstract: For use in landmine clearing, a hitch system providing backup with anti-jack knife and anti-dive, the system includes a hitch assembly and a roller assembly. The hitch assembly has a hinge axis housing containing a hinge shaft and a connector shaft housing containing a stop block having a first side that engages a flat region on the hinge shaft and a second side that engages a biasing spring that is held in the connector shaft housing using an end cap. The roller assembly includes a roller frame that is rigidly mechanically coupled to the hinge shaft. The biasing spring is selected to provide a compressive bias to the stop block such that the roller assembly selective rotates about the hinge axis housing when the roller assembly is subjected to a landmine detonation, and such that rotation of the hinge shaft is prevented during normal forward, reverse, and turning maneuvers.

Abstract: A large-scale system for storage and mixing of a solution comprising a plurality of ingredients not compatible for long-term storage in a pre-mixed formulation includes a storage tank that is divided into a plurality of compartments each of which is adapted to isolate and store a proportionate amount of ingredient, fluid conduits for withdrawing and conveying the ingredients from the compartments, valves for controlling the flow of ingredients and for preventing backflow, a manifold for continuous mixing and blending of the ingredients as they are withdrawn, a sump for holding a quantity of the mixed solution, a display to enable monitoring of system parameters and a discharge port to which conduits may be coupled for withdrawing the mixed solution from the system.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the like. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a visual and thermal shield system that effectively obscures visual indicators and thermal signatures of wheel assemblies of a military vehicle to thereby address longstanding military concerns for vehicle and crew survivability. Our device is spaced outboard from the wheel and tire to maintain an insulating body of air between said shield and the adjacent axle, hub, wheel, and tire. Expeditiously, this invention also affords substantial eclipse of the complete tire profile. If a plurality of wheels exist on said vehicle, then multiple shields of this invention can be used to hinder vehicle identification and potential designation of its military purpose.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is characterized by accepting voice input defining at least one spoken word; and calibrating the at least one spoken word in response to at least one defined speech-energy criterion. In one embodiment, a related system includes but is not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the foregoing-referenced method embodiment; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the foregoing-referenced method embodiments depending upon the design choices of the system designer.