Abstract: A system and method to generate a first skill-mapped item based on a mapping of at least a portion of first data associated with a first instructional product to a first skill in an ontology. A second skill-mapped item is generated based on a mapping of at least a portion of second data associated with a second instructional product to the first skill in the ontology. Based on first performance data associated with the first instructional product, a first estimate of skill proficiency corresponding to the first skill-mapped item and the first instructional product is determined. Based on second performance data associated with the second instructional product, a second estimate of skill proficiency corresponding to the second skill-mapped item and the second instructional product is determined. Based on the first estimate of skill proficiency and the second estimate of skill proficiency, a combined estimate of skill proficiency relating to the first skill is generated.

Abstract: A system for creating a patient-specific instrument model for chondral graft plugging comprises a bone model generator for producing a bone/cartilage model of an articular region of a bone from images thereof. A defect geometry identifier identifies a graft geometry from a defect region of said bone/cartilage model. A donor locator locates an autograft at a donor site or identifies an allograft from a database, using said bone/cartilage model and the graft geometry. A patient-specific instrument model generator creates a model of a graft-plugging patient-specific instrument from said bone/cartilage model, and the graft geometry, the graft-plugging patient-specific instrument model comprising a bone/cartilage interface surface shaped as a function of the bone/cartilage model for the at least one graft-plugging patient-specific instrument to be selectively positioned on the bone/cartilage to pose the autograft or the allograft at the defect region.

Abstract: An animal stanchion having fixed stanchion structure and a pivotal release stanchion laterally spaced apart to define a head opening. The animal stanchion further comprises an upper top control rail which is configured to interact with a latch to selectively hold and release various portions of the pivot rod from connection with the latch. This device further comprises a plurality of individual locking brackets which are configured to interact with handle catch devices so as to hold various devices within their designated location within the device.

Abstract: A method for reducing the permeation rate of a permeable species through a polymeric material includes identifying a solubility-increasing species in the polymeric material having a reversible affinity for the permeable species, and removing or altering at least a portion of the solubility-increasing species in the polymeric material. In one application, the permeable species is water, and the solubility-increasing species is hygroscopic. A example of a polymeric material is an elastomeric polymer. The solubility-increasing species may be removed in part from an existing piece of the polymeric material by leaching it out. The polymeric material may instead be manufactured with a reduced content of the solubility-increasing species.

Abstract: A system and method for modeling the effect of a molecular contaminant film on performance of an optical system is disclosed. A mass of material outgassed from materials of the optical system is correlated to spectrum of outgassed products. The spectrum of outgassed products is normalized, and an aggregate molecular contaminant film thickness is predicted from each material. The absorbance spectrum of the aggregate molecular contaminant film is derived, and the derived absorbance spectrum of the aggregate contaminant film is convolved with an optical system instrument function. A plot of at least one transmission band as a function of source temperature is performed to determine the degradation in performance of the optical system.

Abstract: An extrusion blow molding machine including an extruder and an extrusion die head, the extruder and extrusion die head carried on a carriage member. The carriage member is movable linearly along an extruder support frame of generally rectangular configuration, the extruder support frame extending laterally outwardly beyond a supporting mold clamp support frame that is adapted to support a movable blow mold. The carriage is shiftable in a horizontal direction so that the extrusion head can be selectively positioned above the blow mold when in an operating position, and can be shifted laterally outwardly in one direction to be positioned beyond the mold clamp support frame when in an inoperative position, to provide convenient access to the extrusion head from below for purposes of maintenance, cleaning, and the like.