Abstract: A method and apparatus for investigating subsurface properties of sediment, soil, snow, food stuff and other soft materials incorporates a probe head, preferably in the form of a coil spring that functions as a screw thread, which moves into the soil, snow, sediment, food stuff or other soft material, isolates a column of the material and applies tension to that column while measuring the applied force with a force sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. The invention further provides methods and compositions for distinguishing acute ischemic stroke from other forms of stroke and TIAs and “stroke mimic” events. Moreover, methods and compositions are provided to facilitate the treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for investigating subsurface properties of sediment, soil, snow, food stuff and other soft materials incorporates a probe head, preferably in the form of a coil spring that functions as a screw thread, which moves into the soil, snow, sediment, food stuff or other soft material, isolates a column of the material and applies tension to that column while measuring the applied force with a force sensor.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for calculating changepoints in a rule-based environment. At least one time-based value is created from at least one date value, and combined with at least one changepoint value to calculate changepoints. The changepoints are then formatted, and a report is generated and output for display to the user in plain language. In another aspect, a value is assigned to a time-based parameter and combined with a changepoint value to calculate changepoints.

Abstract: A rule based computerized method is disclosed of developing and/or implementing and/or administering rule based systems such as legislation and/or policy and/or other rule sets, the method including: -developing a computerized database containing a set of rules in accordance with which the rule based system can be developed, written in and delivered; wherein the rules are: -written in natural spoken language to express the individual grammatical units constituting the rules, constrained in being written in accordance with defined constraints to limit the number of logical formats in which the rules can be expressed, and explicit in being written in a manner to avoid implicit meanings; whereby the rules are expressed in a logical format readily understandable to both humans and computers.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for calculating changepoints in a rule-based environment. At least one time-based value is created from at least one date value, and combined with at least one changepoint value to calculate changepoints. The changepoints are then formatted, and a report is generated and output for display to the user in plain language. In another aspect, a value is assigned to a time-based parameter and combined with a changepoint value to calculate changepoints.

Abstract: A rule based computerised method is disclosed of developing and/or implementing and/or administering rule based systems such as legislation and/or policy and/or other rule sets, the method including:—developing a computerised database containing a set of rules in accordance with which the rule based system can be developed, written in and delivered; wherein the rules are:—written in natural spoken language to express the individual grammatical units constituting the rules, constrained in being written in accordance with defined constraints to limit the number of logical formats in which the rules can be expressed, and explicit in being written in a manner to avoid implicit meanings; whereby the rules are expressed in a logical format readily understandable to both humans and computers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forward-chaining inferencing in a rulebased system having a rulebase and a set of input facts, wherein new facts are inferred in accordance with variations to the rules or the input facts, the method including: developing a computerized database containing a fact dependency tree for indicating which facts are used to produce other facts in accordance with respective rules in the rulebase; sequentially ordering the facts in the fact dependency tree to produce a serialized fact dependency tree wherein for any given fact in the sequence, all facts which are used to produce that fact are facts which are earlier in the sequence than is the given fact, and ordering the rules in the rulebase in accordance with the facts produced thereby to produce a serialized rulebase wherein the rules are in the same sequential order as the facts in the serialized fact dependency tree.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forward-chaining inferencing in a rulebased system having a rulebase and a set of input facts, wherein new facts are inferred in accordance with variations to the rules or the input facts, the method including: developing a computerized database containing a fact dependency tree for indicating which facts are used to produce other facts in accordance with respective rules in the rulebase; sequentially ordering the facts in the fact dependency tree to produce a serialized fact dependency tree wherein for any given fact in the sequence, all facts which are used to produce that fact are facts which are earlier in the sequence than is the given fact, and ordering the rules in the rulebase in accordance with the facts produced thereby to produce a serialized rulebase wherein the rules are in the same sequential order as the facts in the serialized fact dependency tree

Abstract: A target junction is illuminated with energy at a fundamental RF frequency and reflections from the non-linear junction are analyzed to determine the type of junction detected. The power output level of a transmitter emitting the illuminating signal is automatically controlled so as to drive the signal strength of the received signals towards a predetermined value, e.g. a minimum threshold value. An indication of the current received signal strength, adjusted by a factor so as to compensate for any automatic adaptation in the actual transmitter power output level, may be provided to an operator.

Abstract: A receiver for analyzing input RF signals includes a first stage that includes an input for receiving one or more RF signals for analysis and a first local oscillator having an output including a first plurality of frequencies. The input is mixed with the local oscillator output in a first mixer to generate a first intermediate frequency spectrum output. A second stage includes a second local oscillator adapted to produce as output a sweep signal traversing a second plurality of frequencies and a second mixer for combining the second local oscillator output with the first intermediate frequency output to generate a second intermediate frequency output.

Abstract: A receiver for analysing input RF signals comprises a first stage (51-55a) which includes an input for receiving one or more RF signals for analysis and a first local oscillator (51) having an output comprising a first plurality of frequencies. The input is mixed with the local oscillator output in a first mixer (55a) to generate a first intermediate frequency spectrum output. A second stage (56-59) includes a second local oscillator (58) adapted to produce as output a sweep signal traversing a second plurality of frequencies and a second mixer (55b) for combining said second local oscillator output with said first intermediate frequency output to generate a second intermediate frequency output.

Abstract: A non-linear junction detector (“NLJD”) detects junctions between two materials exhibiting dissimilar electronic or electrical properties, such as semiconductor junctions or junctions between dissimilar metals. A target junction is illuminated with energy at a fundamental RF frequency and reflections from the non-linear junction are analysed to determine the type of junction detected. The NLJD automatically controls the power output level of a transmitter emitting the illuminating signal so as to drive the signal strength of said received signals towards a predetermined value, e.g. a minimum threshold value. Advantages of the invention are improved system efficiency and the elimination of target saturation effects and unwanted device triggering/indications.

Abstract: There is provided a mass spectrometer having a gas inlet system for introducing a sample into the ion source of the spectrometer which inlet system includes a cold trap for condensing a sample. The inlet system is provided with means for detecting the pressure therein and means for automatically controlling the operation of the cold trap in dependence on the detected pressure whereby the sample is automatically condensed in the cold trap when it is present in a small quantity. Around the cold trap is conveniently a coolant passage through which coolant from a coolant reservoir is drawn.

Abstract: Charged-particle spectroscopy apparatus for the chemical analysis of a sample in which an apertured plate receives charged particles emitted from the sample and transmits them to an analyzer for analyzing the energies of the particles, the aperture of the plate being such as to restrict the particles passing therethrough to a pencil beam of particles from a selected area of the sample.