Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating substance use disorders comprising the oral administration mescaline or a salt thereof. In another aspect, the oral administration comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising synthetic mescaline. The synthetic mescaline, mescaline or salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein, provide several advantages over plant extracted mescaline. For example, plant extractions can have varying concentrations of active mescaline leading to dosing variability and potency. In additional embodiments, the administration is accompanied with a preparatory therapy session. In another aspect, the method further comprises a plurality of treatment steps to aid in the efficacy of treating substance use disorders.

Abstract: A method for self-generating an engine-specific model in an engine health monitoring system is provided. The method comprises generating a generic engine model including a generic physics-based model for each of a plurality of engine components in the specific engine; capturing a plurality of observed engine component parameters for each of the plurality of engine components and a plurality of observed environmental parameters during one or more pre-planned training missions; and training an engine-specific model using the plurality of observed engine component parameters and the plurality of environmental parameters captured during the one or more pre-planned training missions, wherein the engine-specific model includes an engine-specific physics-based model for each of the plurality of engine components in the specific engine.

Abstract: A method for self-generating an engine-specific model in an engine health monitoring system is provided. The method comprises generating a generic engine model including a generic physics-based model for each of a plurality of engine components in the specific engine; capturing a plurality of observed engine component parameters for each of the plurality of engine components and a plurality of observed environmental parameters during one or more pre-planned training missions; and training an engine-specific model using the plurality of observed engine component parameters and the plurality of environmental parameters captured during the one or more pre-planned training missions, wherein the engine-specific model includes an engine-specific physics-based model for each of the plurality of engine components in the specific engine.

Abstract: A real-time diagnostic and fault detection system and method for a gas turbine engine under test in a test cell is disclosed. Sensor data from instrumentation coupled to the gas turbine engine are processed, using a physics-based component level aero-thermal model, to calculate a plurality of engine parameters at a plurality of non-instrumented locations within the gas turbine engine. The plurality of engine parameters are processed to detect when a fault exists and, when a fault does exist, an image is rendered that indicates at least a mostly likely cause for the fault and one or more corrective actions that can be taken to correct the fault. The model is also used to generate projections of engine performance at one or more selected test conditions, and to prognosticate, based on the projections, as to whether the gas turbine engine will actually pass at the one or more selected test conditions.

Abstract: A real-time diagnostic and fault detection system and method for a gas turbine engine under test in a test cell is disclosed. Sensor data from instrumentation coupled to the gas turbine engine are processed, using a physics-based component level aero-thermal model, to calculate a plurality of engine parameters at a plurality of non-instrumented locations within the gas turbine engine. The plurality of engine parameters are processed to detect when a fault exists and, when a fault does exist, an image is rendered that indicates at least a mostly likely cause for the fault and one or more corrective actions that can be taken to correct the fault. The model is also used to generate projections of engine performance at one or more selected test conditions, and to prognosticate, based on the projections, as to whether the gas turbine engine will actually pass at the one or more selected test conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing a sample comprising an analyte selected from a volatile organic compound, a semi-volatile organic compound, a non-volatile organic compound, a polar organic compound and a halogenated non-volatile organic compound are provided. The systems comprises an ionization source, a flow cell or an immersion probe with a delicate membrane, the flow cell or immersion probe for accepting the sample, and the delicate membrane interface in fluid communication with the ionization source and a mass spectrometer. The flow cell system further comprises a simultaneously matched pumping in and out delivery (SMPIOD) system for delivering an acceptor phase comprising the analyte from the delicate membrane interface to the mass spectrometer at a constant acceptor flow pressure and a constant acceptor flow rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing a sample comprising an analyte selected from a volatile organic compound, a semi-volatile organic compound, a non-volatile organic compound, a polar organic compound and a halogenated non-volatile organic compound are provided. The systems comprises an ionization source, a flow cell or an immersion probe with a delicate membrane, the flow cell or immersion probe for accepting the sample, and the delicate membrane interface in fluid communication with the ionization source and a mass spectrometer. The flow cell system further comprises a simultaneously matched pumping in and out delivery (SMPIOD) system for delivering an acceptor phase comprising the analyte from the delicate membrane interface to the mass spectrometer at a constant acceptor flow pressure and a constant acceptor flow rate.

Abstract: A game-playing set including a striking device and a ball, and games for playing therewith, are disclosed. The ball includes a hollow spherical translucent outer shell and a smaller inner object loosely disposed within the outer shell. The inner object includes a first illumination element and a first inertia switch. The striking device includes a hollow translucent tube, a second illumination device rigidly disposed within the tube, and a second inertia switch. The first inertia switch is triggered by impact of the inner object against the outer shell to cause illumination of the first illumination element and the second inertia switch is triggered by an externally-applied impact against the tube to cause illumination of the second illumination element.

Abstract: A game-playing set including a striking device and a ball, and games for playing therewith, are disclosed. The ball includes a hollow spherical translucent outer shell and a smaller inner object loosely disposed within the outer shell. The inner object includes a first illumination element and a first inertia switch. The striking device includes a hollow translucent tube, a second illumination device rigidly disposed within the tube, and a second inertia switch. The first inertia switch is triggered by impact of the inner object against the outer shell to cause illumination of the first illumination element and the second inertia switch is triggered by an externally-applied impact against the tube to cause illumination of the second illumination element.

Abstract: A game-playing set including a striking device and a ball, and games for playing therewith, are disclosed. The ball includes a hollow spherical translucent outer shell and a smaller inner object loosely disposed within the outer shell. The inner object includes a first illumination element and a first inertia switch. The striking device includes a hollow translucent tube, a second illumination device rigidly disposed within the tube, and a second inertia switch. The first inertia switch is triggered by impact of the inner object against the outer shell to cause illumination of the first illumination element and the second inertia switch is triggered by an externally-applied impact against the tube to cause illumination of the second illumination element.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system to simulate, analyze, and optimize the financial aspects of a banking institution's plan to convert existing depository locations to distributed capture technology.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique for timing recovery. A frequency acquisition loop locks a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) clock of a multi-band VCO to a reference clock. The frequency acquisition loop generates first and second feedback clocks from the VCO clock. A data lock phase loop generates a driving signal corresponding to a phase error signal from interleaved partial response signal (PRS) samples based on the second feedback clock. The driving signal controls the multi-band VCO in a data phase lock mode. A lock detect controller detects a frequency lock condition in a frequency lock mode and a data lock condition in the data phase lock mode based on the first feedback clock and the reference clock.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique for timing recovery. A frequency acquisition loop locks a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) clock of a multi-band VCO to a reference clock. The frequency acquisition loop generates first and second feedback clocks from the VCO clock. A data lock phase loop generates a driving signal corresponding to a phase error signal from interleaved partial response signal (PRS) samples based on the second feedback clock. The driving signal controls the multi-band VCO in a data phase lock mode. A lock detect controller detects a frequency lock condition in a frequency lock mode and a data lock condition in the data phase lock mode based on the first feedback clock and the reference clock.

Abstract: A device for providing variable compression of data files includes a weighting module, a summing module, and a processing element. The weighting module is capable of assigning a weighting value to each coefficient of an array of j number of coefficients. Each weighting value defines a characteristic associated with each corresponding coefficient. The summing module is in communication with the weighting module and is capable of adding the magnitude of a weighted value of an ith coefficient to the absolute sum of weighted values of all previous coefficients, i being a value from 1 to j. The processing element is in communication with the summing module and is capable of comparing the absolute sum of the weighted values of the ith coefficient and the previous coefficients to a threshold. If the absolute sum of the weighted values of the ith coefficient and the previous coefficients is greater than the threshold then each of the previous coefficients are replaced with a zero.

Abstract: A membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) sampling interface is presented that demonstrates improved online performance for the direct, real-time measurement of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in samples such as air and water, at parts-per-billion and parts-per-trillion levels. The device is based upon a capillary hollow fiber silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) membrane in a ‘flow-over’ configuration that is resistively heated on the membrane interior. One embodiment resistively heats using a coaxial nichrome wire, establishing a thermal gradient counter to the analyte concentration gradient. This arrangement allows for continuous and/or pulsed heating modes, affording excellent sensitivity for the online measurement of SVOCs while retaining sensitivity for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In addition, the signal response time for SVOCs is reduced substantially over conventional MIMS methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an active inductor apparatus and system, having a variable frequency response through inductance adjustment. The active inductor apparatus comprises a variable resistive element and a variable gain element, and the system further comprises an inductance controller and a gain controller. The variable resistive element has a first terminal and a second terminal, with the second terminal capable of receiving a first adjustment signal. The inductance controller is capable of providing the first adjustment signal to control and adjust a resistance level of the variable resistive element. The variable gain element has a third terminal capable of receiving a second adjustment signal. The gain controller is capable of providing the second adjustment signal to control and adjust a transconductance of the variable gain element.

Abstract: A hair extension kit may include a container configured to include multiple components for installing hair extensions. Within the container may be included a hair weft having a base with hair extending therefrom and double-sided tape configured to have a substantially planar portion. The double-sided tape may have a length of at least three inches and a height of at least one inch. The double-sided tape may be medical grade quality. A hair extension replenish kit may also be provided to include additional supplies to reuse the hair weft provided in the hair extension kit, thereby forming a hair extension system. The hair weft and double-sided tape may be configured such that no additional fasteners are used to secure the hair weft to a wearer's hair.

Abstract: A method for preparing a hair weft for applying to hair of a user. The method may include determining a length of hair weft to produce, measuring the length on a hair weft longer than the hair weft to produce, and cutting a base of the longer hair weft to produce a hair weft having the measured length. The method may further include cutting a double-sided tape to be utilized with the measured hair weft, where the double-sided tape may be composed of a double-sided adhesive film and non-adhesive backing adhered to each adhesive side. A non-adhesive backing may be peeled from the double-sided adhesive film to expose the double-sided adhesive film and the exposed cut double-sided adhesive film may be adhered to the base of the measured hair weft. The hair weft may be applied to a user's hair to form a hair extension.

Abstract: The present invention provides an active inductor apparatus and system, having a variable frequency response through inductance adjustment. The active inductor apparatus comprises a variable resistive element and a variable gain element, and the system further comprises an inductance controller and a gain controller. The variable resistive element has a first terminal and a second terminal, with the second terminal capable of receiving a first adjustment signal. The inductance controller is capable of providing the first adjustment signal to control and adjust a resistance level of the variable resistive element. The variable gain element has a third terminal capable of receiving a second adjustment signal. The gain controller is capable of providing the second adjustment signal to control and adjust a transconductance of the variable gain element.