Abstract: An optical quality, freestanding, compliant membrane mirror is cast with a concave parabolic shape, and includes a substrate and a reflective stress coating. The stress coating is in compression and applies a tensile shear stress to the substrate that opposes and offsets the intrinsic stress in the substrate that would otherwise decrease the concavity. The stress coating generates a force to restore the membrane mirror to its cast concave parabolic shape when an external force deforms the mirror.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that toxicity to mustard may be evaluated by diagnostic test means disclosed herein. Upon electrophoretic separation (sodium dodocyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)) of buffered extract of human skin cells (normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK)) which had been exposed to mustard-type chemical compounds a band at approximately 50,000 to 80,000 daltons molecular weight was found. The protein band constitutes a biomarker.

Abstract: A spatially conformable tunable filter comprises a structure that includes a first flexible and optically reactive electrode; a second flexible and optically reactive electrode; a flexible electro-optic material layer affixed between the first and second electrodes and having a voltage dependent refractive index; and a voltage source connected to the first and second electrodes for establishing an electric field in the electro-optic material layer and dynamically controlling the index of refraction of the electro-optic material layer, wherein a section of said structure has an arcuate shaped neutral axis having a radius R, when said structure is flexed, where 0<R≦∞.

Abstract: A method of fusing outputs from multiple detection/classification (D/C) schemes is provided. Each of a plurality of D/C schemes provides output scores for an area of interest. Each output score corresponds to a detected object at a known location in the area of interest and indicates a degree of confidence with respect to a detection of a target at the known location. Each output score is normalized and then categorized into a group based on the known location associated therewith. The normalized output scores for each group are fused in accordance with a fusion rule.

Abstract: An acoustic projector device having a piston exposed to pressure balanced air and water in an acoustically ideal position thereof within a piston chamber enclosing sleeve disposed in an outer housing to which deaerating water is selectively supplied in surrounding relation to the piston chamber sleeve while in communication with one side of the piston through axial slots in the sleeve uncovered by displacement of the piston from said acoustically ideal position.

Abstract: An optical detector system includes an electrically resistive screen that is substantially transparent to radiation energy having a wavelength of interest. An electron transfer element (e.g., a low work function photoactive material or a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based element) has a first end and a second end with its first end spaced apart from the screen by an evacuated gap. When radiation energy passes through the screen with a bias voltage being applied thereto, transfer of electrons through the electron transfer element is induced from its first to its second end such that a quantity indicative of the electrons transferred can be detected.

Abstract: The invention, as embodied herein, comprises a kinetic energy driven projectile for defeating unexploded ordnance or buried land mines. This projectile has been developed to address the specific problem with similar devices in that the kinetic energy by itself does not sufficiently fracture the explosive material within a mine in order to fully defeat the mine. This invention adds a small amount of insensitive high explosive material but that is cap sensitive to one tip of the projectile, along with a novel initiation mechanism, so that the detonation of the high explosive material can more fully fracture the explosive material within a mine. This allows a neutralization agent to completely react with all of the explosive material within the mine, thereby consuming the entire fill.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nitric oxide-releasing amidine- and enamine-derived diazeniumdiolates, compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds and compositions, and to a method for the preparation of nitric oxide-releasing amidine- and enamine-derived diazeniumdiolates via the direct reaction of nitric oxide with amidines and enamines, and to a method of converting amines into such compounds.

Abstract: A tornado recognition system converts a sound signal containing a weather-indicating component and a noise component into a probability of a presence of a tornado. The sound signal is transformed from a time domain into a frequency domain and compared with a set of previously developed Markov models of possible signals representative of a presence of the tornado. Next a determination is made by using Virterbi beam search of the probable presence of the tornado. The probability is used to inform of the presence of a tornado.

Abstract: A detector for time-resolved small-angle x-ray scattering includes a nearly constant diameter, evacuated linear tube having an end plate detector with a first fluorescent screen and concentric rings of first fiber optic bundles for low angle scattering detection and an annular detector having a second fluorescent screen and second fiber optic bundles concentrically disposed about the tube for higher angle scattering detection. With the scattering source, i.e., the specimen under investigation, located outside of the evacuated tube on the tube's longitudinal axis, scattered x-rays are detected by the fiber optic bundles, to each of which is coupled a respective photodetector, to provide a measurement resolution, i.e., dq/q, where q is the momentum transferred from an incident x-ray to an x-ray scattering specimen, of 2% over two (2) orders of magnitude in reciprocal space, i.e., qmax/qmin≅100.

Abstract: A fetal heart monitoring system preferably comprising a backing plate having a generally concave front surface and a generally convex back surface, and at least one sensor element attached to the concave front surface for acquiring acoustic fetal heart signals produced by a fetus within a body. The sensor element has a shape that conforms to the generally concave back surface of the backing plate. In one embodiment, the at least one sensor element comprises an inner sensor, and a plurality of outer sensors surrounding the inner sensor. The fetal heart monitoring system can further comprise a web belt, and a web belt guide movably attached to the web belt. The web belt guide being is to the convex back surface of the backing plate.

Abstract: Displacement assays, under non-equilibrium conditions, are performed by flowing a liquid sample through a membrane having binding elements with binding sites saturated with a labelled form of the analyte. Analyte in the sample displaces, under non-equilibrium conditions, the labelled form of the analyte from the membrane. The displaced labelled form of the analyte may then be detected.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for induction of an antigen-specific, mucosal cytotoxic T lymphocyte response useful in preventing and treating infections with pathogens that gain entry via a mucosal surface.

Abstract: A cement repair material composition is provided for repairing thin concrete. The composition comprises, in weight percentages: fine aggregates, 50-80%; cement, 10-20%, said cement being selected from the group consisting of expansive hydraulic cement, gypsum cement, and magnesium phosphate cement; reinforcing fibers such as polyethylene, steel and fiberglass fibers, 1-5%; and a first water-reducing chemical additive, and a second shrinkage compensating chemical additive, a combined 0.01 to 5%.

Abstract: A method and combination creates an air tight CBR impervious barrier for combatants. Protective garments including a protective overgarment, gloves, and over-boots are donned. The protective garments have an annular drawstring interface between a hooded-coat and trousers of the protective overgarment, an annular interface between each sleeve of the hooded-coat and each glove, and an annular interface between each leg portion of the trousers and each over-boot. Dilating elastomeric sheaths to an extended or stretched disposition and placing each elastomeric sheath over a separate one of the interfaces allow constricting of each elastomeric sheath over a separate one of the interfaces and compressedly engaging of the interfaces and the wearer's body by the constricting elastomeric sheaths to create an air-tight CBR impervious barrier at the interfaces. Elastomer, adhesive, or other coatings can be on inside surfaces of elastomeric sheaths to create better friction surfaces.

Abstract: A portable numerically controlled (“N/C”) water-jet driller for drilling a hole through skin and substructure of structures, which includes an agile water-jet driller end effector and a numerically controlled apparatus for placing the water jet driller end effector within a region of the hole to be drilled. The N/C apparatus communicating with the agile water-jet driller end effector.

Abstract: Corrective stabilizing motions are applied to a sea vessel hull during seawater travel in response to stern flap displacement by hydrodynamic forces induced at the buttock of the vessel hull and by the lower flap surfaces at the stern end of the sea vessel hull in response to angular displacement of flap elements from a deployed position in either in-phase or out-of-phase relation to each other in rough seas. An angle of attack range for limiting angular displacement of the flaps is selected so as to minimize resistance to travel and optimize fuel saving during propulsion of the vessel hull at different speeds under different seawater conditions.

Abstract: An assay for detecting, measuring, or monitoring the activity or concentration of at least two proteins that have similar or overlapping properties is disclosed. The assay comprises first determining the sensitivity coefficients of the substrates for each of the proteins in which the concentrations are to be determined. This method may be used for detecting, measuring, or monitoring the activity and concentration of AChE, BChE, or both in a test sample which test sample may be whole and unprocessed blood or tissue. Also disclosed are methods of using the assay to detect a subject's exposure to an agent which affects cholinesterase, determine the efficacy or progress of a treatment, determine the amount of protection provided against exposure to an agent which affects cholinesterase, or both, screen a subject for having a drug sensitivity or a particular disease, detect a change in red blood cell count of a subject, determine whether a candidate compound affects cholinesterase.

Abstract: A “passive-active” mount includes an emanator-securement plate, a foundation-securement plate, at least one elastomeric “streamlined resilient element,” and at least one collocated motion sensor-vibratory actuator pair. The mount brings to bear, sequentially and complementarily, passive vibration control followed by active vibration as control. The passive vibration control is effectuated by one or more “streamlined resilient elements,” each attributed with a “constant natural frequency” (CNF) property whereby such element is naturally predisposed to passively reducing vibration at a particular frequency band regardless of the extent of the loading, within certain limits, to which such element is being subjected.