Abstract: An automated avocado processing system for cutting an avocado in half, removing the pit, and extracting the flesh from the peel includes a plurality of functional assemblies arranged on a frame. Exemplary stations include a loading assembly, cutting assembly, peeling station, and food collection assembly. Computer and electronics are programmed and operable to control the automated stations. Related methods are described.

Abstract: Medical image data is analysed to produce a biomarker. The data is filtered with a plurality of band-pass filters each having a different bandwidth. A texture parameter is then determined from the filtered data from each filter and the biomarker is determined as at a ratio of the texture parameters. When the biomarker is obtained from a CT image of a liver, it can be predictive of poor survival, disease extent and liver physiology of a patient following resection of colorectal cancer. When obtained from a mammographic image, the biomarker can be indicative of cancer invasion and receptor status within mammographic abnormalities. When obtained from a CT image of a lung nodule, the biomarker can be predictive of tumour stage (or grading) and tumour metabolism of a patient with non-small cell lung carcinoma (lung cancer).

Abstract: Medical image data is analysed to produce a biomarker. The data is filtered with a plurality of band-pass filters each having a different bandwidth. A texture parameter is then determined from the filtered data from each filter and the biomarker is determined as at a ratio of the texture parameters. When the biomarker is obtained from a CT image of a liver, it can be predictive of poor survival, disease extent and liver physiology of a patient following resection of colorectal cancer. When obtained from a mammographic image, the biomarker can be indicative of cancer invasion and receptor status within mammographic abnormalities. When obtained from a CT image of a lung nodule, the biomarker can be predictive of tumour stage (or grading) and tumour metabolism of a patient with non-small cell lung carcinoma (lung cancer).

Abstract: A method of generating a position error signal for a desired radial position of a read/write head relative to a data track of a disk is disclosed. The track has a plurality of servo bursts defining a plurality of servo nulls for the track, and are positioned such that they are at more than four different radial positions relative to the track, and define a predetermined locus having a known position relationship with the track. The method comprises determining a target null position on the null locus corresponding to the radial position of the head relative to the track; detecting the position of the servo null with the head; determining from the detected servo null position the position error of the head relative to the target null position; and, generating a position error signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling the position of a read/write head relative to a disk in a test apparatus is disclosed. The test apparatus has a positioner for positioning the head. The positioner has a sensor to measure the actual position achieved by the positioner. The method includes generating a sensor signal measuring the actual position achieved by the positioner; generating a position error signal of the head relative to the disk detected at the head; high pass filtering the head position error signal and low pass filtering the sensor signal so that there is substantially no overlap in frequency between them; and, deriving a low frequency head error signal from the head position error signal corresponding to any drift of the head.

Abstract: Medical image data is analysed to produce a biomarker. The data is filtered with a plurality of band-pass filters each having a different bandwidth. A texture parameter is then determined from the filtered data from each filter and the biomarker is determined as at a ratio of the texture parameters. When the biomarker is obtained from a CT image of a liver, it can be predictive of poor survival, disease extent and liver physiology of a patient following resection of colorectal cancer. When obtained from a mammographic image, the biomarker can be indicative of cancer invasion and receptor status within mammographic abnormalities. When obtained from a CT image of a lung nodule, the biomarker can be predictive of tumour stage (or grading) and tumour metabolism of a patient with non-small cell lung carcinoma (lung cancer). When obtained from an MRI image of the brain, the biomarker can be indicative of schizophrenia and/or other brain disorders.

Abstract: A method of controlling the position of a read/write head relative to a disk in a test apparatus is disclosed. The test apparatus has a positioner for positioning the head. The positioner has a sensor to measure the actual position achieved by the positioner. The method includes generating a sensor signal measuring the actual position achieved by the positioner; generating a position error signal of the head relative to the disk detected at the head; high pass filtering the head position error signal and low pass filtering the sensor signal so that there is substantially no overlap in frequency between them; and, deriving a low frequency head error signal from the head position error signal corresponding to any drift of the head.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for writing and verifying servo frames written on a storage medium, for verifying data areas of a storage medium, and for writing and verifying servo frames and data areas of a storage medium. In one example, the writing of at least a portion of a position field of a servo frame to a track of the storage medium is interleaved with reading of at least a portion of a previously written logic field of a servo frame of a track of the storage medium whereby said portion of the previously written logic field can be verified during the servo writing process.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading a read/write head to a spinstand has a load area for receiving at least one head to be tested. The apparatus further has a first station having a coarse precisor arranged to provide a coarse positioning of the head. A first automation device is arranged to pick a head from the load area and to deliver it to the coarse precisor. The apparatus has a deck having a test station at which a head can be tested. The deck has a fine precisor arranged to provide a second, fine positioning of the head. A second automation device is arranged to pick a head from the first station and deliver it to the fine precisor where the head can be subjected to a second, fine precising and to pick a head from the fine precisor and to deliver it to the test station.

Abstract: A method of generating a position error signal for a desired radial position of a read/write head relative to a data track of a disk is disclosed. The track has a plurality of servo bursts defining a plurality of servo nulls for the track, and are positioned such that they are at more than four different radial positions relative to the track, and define a predetermined locus having a known position relationship with the track. The method comprises determining a target null position on the null locus corresponding to the radial position of the head relative to the track; detecting the position of the servo null with the head; determining from the detected servo null position the position error of the head relative to the target null position; and, generating a position error signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading a read/write head to a spinstand has a load area for receiving at least one head to be tested. The apparatus further has a first station having a coarse precisor arranged to provide a coarse positioning of the head. A first automation device is arranged to pick a head from the load area and to deliver it to the coarse precisor. The apparatus has a deck having a test station at which a head can be tested. The deck has a fine precisor arranged to provide a second, fine positioning of the head. A second automation device is arranged to pick a head from the first station and deliver it to the fine precisor where the head can be subjected to a second, fine precising and to pick a head from the fine precisor and to deliver it to the test station.

Abstract: In a cable modem system, a method and apparatus is provided to reduce the time to ascertain modem failure by sensing ranging nonresponses and increasing the frequency of the ranging invitations upon detection of a predetermined number of nonresponses. The increased frequency of ranging invitations decreases the time required to ascertain modem failure, modem failure being defined to be a predetermined number of nonresponses, for instance 16. In so doing, a system is provided which minimizes the bandwidth necessary for rapid modem failure detection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for writing and verifying servo frames written on a storage medium, for verifying data areas of a storage medium, and for writing and verifying servo frames and data areas of a storage medium. In one example, the writing of at least a portion of a position field of a servo frame to a track of the storage medium is interleaved with reading of at least a portion of a previously written logic field of a servo frame of a track of the storage medium whereby said portion of the previously written logic field can be verified during the servo writing process.

Abstract: A tactile simulator has an array of actuators (1), with each actuator including a linear motor, the movable thrust rod (6) of which carries a force sensor (5). The position of each thrust rod (6) is sensed by a corresponding position sensor (8). Each actuator (1) also includes a corresponding controller (12) which drives the motor in dependence upon signals from the force sensor (5) and the position sensor (8). An array controller (13) controls the individual element controllers (12) in order to drive the thrust rods (6). The simulator can be used in a display mode, in which the thrust rods (6) are driven to occupy positions corresponding to a surface stored in a database, or in a scan mode, in which the thrust rods (6) are driven in to contact with a surface to be registered or recorded.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a scraper blade or cutting blade includes two retaining devices for retaining a first part of the blade therebetween. An operational part of the blade extends from the retaining devices to scrape debris from a roll. One of the retaining devices is a plate made up of a plurality of fibrous layers arranged to provide predetermined strength to the blade in a first direction while allowing flexing of the blade in a second perpendicular direction. The fibrous layers are primarily of woven or laid glass but these layers can also include carbon, ceramic, polyester or aramid fibers. These fibers or monofilament reinforced laminations are encapsulated and bonded in a thermosetting resin to provide desired operational properties.