Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided disable one or more antennas of an antenna array in order to achieve a predefined objective while selectively utilizing the remainder of the antennas of the antenna array. The one or more antennas to be disabled are selected in a manner to avoid appreciable impact to the fidelity of the resulting array radiation pattern. For example, the method, apparatus and computer program product may disable certain antenna elements based upon the distance of the antenna elements from a predefined location relative to the antenna array, such as the distance from the center of the antenna array, and may selectively utilize the remainder of the antenna elements such that an active portion of the antenna array approximates a circular array which results in an array radiation pattern for which the fidelity is maintained.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides thermal energy absorbers for use in smoking articles. In an example embodiment, the smoking article may comprise an outer wrap circumscribing at least a portion of the smoking article, wherein the smoking article is defined by an upstream lighting end and a downstream mouth end, a carbon heat source positioned proximate the lighting end, a tobacco material positioned downstream of the carbon heat source and spatially separated from the mouth end of the smoking article, and a thermal energy absorber at least partially positioned between the tobacco material and the carbon heat source.

Abstract: A hardware module which operatively carries out a method of compressing mass spectral data, the method comprising: receiving a first signal output from an ion detector of a mass spectrometer; processing the first signal to a digital signal at an output being data frame types representative of the first signal output; temporarily storing the data frame types in a memory block and reading a data frame from the memory block and determining its data frame type and according to its data frame type compressing the data frame according to one or more compression algorithms to generate a compressed data output stream.

Abstract: A data acquisition system for a TOF mass spectrometer comprises a processing module and a data collection module. The processing module generates a stream of data comprising, for each respective transient of a first scan, a set of time-intensity related parameter pairs. For each new set of data, the data collection module reads out a previous set of data from a previous memory bank, merges that previous set of data with the new set of data, and writes that latest merged set of data into a memory bank other than the previous memory bank. The data acquisition system provides a convenient way to merge sequential sets of time-intensity related parameter pairs for respective transients as a stream of data for a first scan is generated.

Abstract: A hardware module which operatively carries out a method of compressing mass spectral data, the method comprising: receiving a first signal output from an ion detector of a mass spectrometer; processing the first signal to a digital signal at an output being data frame types representative of the first signal output; temporarily storing the data frame types in a memory block and reading a data frame from the memory block and determining its data frame type and according to its data frame type compressing the data frame according to one or more compression algorithms to generate a compressed data output stream.

Abstract: A hardware module which operatively carries out a method of compressing mass spectral data, the method comprising: receiving a first signal output from an ion detector of a mass spectrometer; processing the first signal to a digital signal at an output being data frame types representative of the first signal output; temporarily storing the data frame types in a memory block and reading a data frame from the memory block and determining its data frame type and according to its data frame type compressing the data frame according to one or more compression algorithms to generate a compressed data output stream.

Abstract: A hardware module which operatively carries out a method of compressing mass spectral data, the method comprising: receiving a first signal output from an ion detector of a mass spectrometer; processing the first signal to a digital signal at an output being data frame types representative of the first signal output; temporarily storing the data frame types in a memory block and reading a data frame from the memory block and determining its data frame type and according to its data frame type compressing the data frame according to one or more compression algorithms to generate a compressed data output stream.

Abstract: A data acquisition system for a TOF mass spectrometer comprises a processing module and a data collection module. The processing module generates a stream of data comprising, for each respective transient of a first scan, a set of time-intensity related parameter pairs. For each new set of data, the data collection module reads out a previous set of data from a previous memory bank, merges that previous set of data with the new set of data, and writes that latest merged set of data into a memory bank other than the previous memory bank. The data acquisition system provides a convenient way to merge sequential sets of time-intensity related parameter pairs for respective transients as a stream of data for a first scan is generated.

Abstract: A hardware module which operatively carries out a method of compressing mass spectral data, the method comprising: receiving a first signal output from an ion detector of a mass spectrometer; processing the first signal to a digital signal at an output being data frame types representative of the first signal output; temporarily storing the data frame types in a memory block and reading a data frame from the memory block and determining its data frame type and according to its data frame type compressing the data frame according to one or more compression algorithms to generate a compressed data output stream.

Abstract: A hardware module which operatively carries out a method of compressing mass spectral data, the method comprising: receiving a first signal output from an ion detector of a mass spectrometer; processing the first signal to a digital signal at an output being data frame types representative of the first signal output; temporarily storing the data frame types in a memory block and reading a data frame from the memory block and determining its data frame type and according to its data frame type compressing the data frame according to one or more compression algorithms to generate a compressed data output stream.

Abstract: In response to detecting a sound when a ball is contacted, a training device presents a visual indicator selected from at least two visual indicators. The visual indicator is presented for a display duration. After an elapsed time after the visual indicator is presented for the display duration, a confirmation indicator is presented identifying the visual indicator. As a result, the training device can be used without a coach or trainer.

Abstract: The invention is a combiner and a method for selectively combining modulated signals. The combiner includes a first modulator (12) with a selective input which receives at least one input signal and a first carrier signal and which outputs a first output modulated with the first carrier signal; a second modulator (14) with a selective input which receives at least one input signal and a second carrier signal and which outputs a second output modulated with the second carrier signal; means for combining (24?) the first and second amplified output signals to provide a combined output; and wherein the first and second carrier signals are selectably coherent or incoherent with the selection of first and second coherent carrier signals causing the combined output to comprise a single carrier of higher power and the selection of incoherent carrier signals causing the combined output to comprise two distinguishable carriers of lower power.

Abstract: The invention is a combiner and a method for selectively combining modulated signals. The combiner includes a first modulator (12) with a selective input which receives at least one input signal and a first carrier signal and which outputs a first output modulated with the first carrier signal; a second modulator (14) with a selective input which receives at least one input signal and a second carrier signal and which outputs a second output modulated with the second carrier signal; means for combining (24′) the first and second amplified output signals to provide a combined output; and wherein the first and second carrier signals are selectably coherent or incoherent with the selection of first and second coherent carrier signals causing the combined output to comprise a single carrier of higher power and the selection of incoherent carrier signals causing the combined output to comprise two distinguishable carriers of lower power.

Abstract: A lever arm for testing consistency of effort during a lifting assessment has a plurality of measurement points at intervals along the length of the device. The lever arm pivots on a fulcrum located at the distal end of the device. The fulcrum consists of a rod which is supported in a horizontal position by a plurality of bearing boxes affixed to the distal end of the lever arm and a plurality of bearing boxes affixed to a base which is secured to, or rests on, a surface. This arrangement allows the lever arm to pivot in an arc when the proximal end of the device is lifted by the test subject. Workloads are applied to the lever arm and secured at said measurement points with a weight retaining assembly. Said weight retaining assembly contains a roller bar to which a plurality of barbell weighs can be affixed.

Abstract: A cart for rehabilitation exercise and testing dynamic pushing and pulling forces has a plurality of wheels, a handle, and a braking device attached to one or more pulleys. Said pulleys are affixed to an axle in static positions. Two or more bearingless wheels are affixed to said axle on which the pulleys are positioned in such a manner as to allow said wheels to turn in unison with the axle. A strap, which is suspended on one end from a housing, is held in contact with the perimeter of the pulley and is threaded through a slip buckle. Said slip buckle is connected to one end of a tension spring. The other end of said tension spring is suspended from said housing. Tension on the brake is regulated by adjusting the amount of said strap which is pulled through the slip buckle. The amount of force applied to the cart for rehabilitation exercise, or generated by a subject during a test, can be measured by using a manually-operated, commercially available, force gauge.