Abstract: A communications system comprising at least one light source, a side-emitting fiber light rope into which light emitted from the light source is coupled, and means for sending at least one data carrying optical signal along the light rope.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for interaction with water usage information are provided. In various embodiments, a method comprises receiving water usage data from a meter device, receiving an identifier from a user associated with the meter device, providing an interactive interface to the user, the interactive interface conveying at least some water usage information based on the water usage data, receiving a first characterization of a first water activity from the user, generating a visualization based on the water usage information and the first characterization of the first water activity, and displaying the visualization.

Abstract: The wall seat is a box unit that fits between conventional wall stud framing with no legs or hinges. The seat mounts inside a wall. To operate, pull on seat knob, lower to a perpendicular position and slide under the seat stop. This is accomplished because the 2 vertical slides of the box have an L shaped dado at the bottom. These coincide with protruding dowels at the bottom of the seat enabling the seat to slide freely in the dado. The ?? radius on the bottom of the seat allows it to swing in an upward and downward motion without being obstructed. When the seat is in the perpendicular position and slid under the seat stop the position remains the same with a load of 210 lbs. The condo wall seat can be used anywhere space is limited and seating is needed with an attractive wood framed cabinet appearance.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for interaction with water usage information are provided. In various embodiments, a method comprises receiving water usage data from a meter device, receiving an identifier from a user associated with the meter device, providing an interactive interface to the user, the interactive interface conveying at least some water usage information based on the water usage data, receiving a first characterization of a first water activity from the user, generating a visualization based on the water usage information and the first characterization of the first water activity, and displaying the visualization.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a sealed/closed housing; a light source and/or a detector within the housing; a window through the housing that is transparent to light transmitted from the light source or to the detector and a fixing for fixing an optical fiber or bundle of such fibers into a coupling position adjacent to the window to allow light to pass between the housing and the fiber or fiber bundle, wherein the fixing is adapted to allow connection and/or disconnection of the fiber or fiber bundle without opening or breaking a seal of the sealed housing.

Abstract: A motion system for use in a panoramic dental radiation imaging system, including apparatus for rotating an overhead arm with respect to a support column, apparatus for rotating a C-arm with respect to the overhead arm, and apparatus for moving the C-arm axially with respect to the overhead arm. The overhead arm is rotatably mounted to the support column at a rotation point. The apparatus for rotating the overhead arm is a linear actuator, one end of which is connected to the support column at a first point spaced apart from the rotation point, while the other end is connected to the overhead arm at a second point spaced apart from the rotation point and from the first point. The C-arm rotating apparatus includes a C-arm rotation motor driving a wheel, which is engaged with the C-arm in such a way that the rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the C-arm.

Abstract: A patient positioning system for a panoramic dental radiation imaging system, including an upright support, and a patient positioning arm with chin rest mounted thereto. Wands are each rotatably connected to the patient positioning arm and connected together so as to move at identical angles of rotation, but in the opposite direction. Lasers, including a mid-sagittal, a Frankfort Plane, two cuspid, and one toe laser, each providing a line of visible laser light directed at a respective area of a patient's face, or at the floor, assist a technician in properly positioning the patient. A mirror is mounted to the upright support by a mechanism that permits the mirror to be pivoted outward from the support, in either of two directions, so as to enable the technician to see the lasers on the patient's face from the technician's position on either side of the positioning arm.

Abstract: An umbilical comprising a side-emitting optical fiber or optical fiber-bundle for providing a distributed source of light along part or the whole of the length of the umbilical.

Abstract: The application identifies novel fragments of alpha-synuclein in patients with Lewy Body Disease (LBD) and transgenic animal models thereof. These diseases are characterized by aggregations of alpha-synuclein. The fragments have a truncated C-terminus relative to full-length alpha-synuclein. Some fragments are characterized by a molecular weight of about 12 kDa as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis in tricine buffer and a truncation of at least ten contiguous amino acids from the C-terminus of natural alpha-synuclein. The site of cleavage preferably occurs after residue 117 and before residue 126 of natural alpha-synuclein. The identification of these novel fragments of alpha-synuclein has a number of application in for example, drug discovery, diagnostics, therapeutics, and transgenic animals.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a sealed/closed housing; a light source and/or a detector within the housing; a window through the housing that is transparent to light transmitted from the light source or to the detector and a fixing for fixing an optical fiber or bundle of such fibers into a coupling position adjacent to the window to allow light to pass between the housing and the fiber or fiber bundle, wherein the fixing is adapted to allow connection and/or disconnection of the fiber or fiber bundle without opening or breaking a seal of the sealed housing.

Abstract: A lighting system comprising a light source, a fiber rope into which light emitted from the light source is coupled, and a control unit for controlling the optical power of light emitted by the light source to maintain the fiber rope at or below a predetermined upper temperature even if the fiber is partially or fully severed.

Abstract: A removable radiation sensor for connecting to a panoramic dental radiation imaging system. The sensor includes a radiation sensor unit mounted in a housing. Connector bearings are positioned within the housing so as to engage with a pair of connector pins provided as part of the upright support of the imaging system. A lock pin within the housing is selectively slidable between Locked and Unlocked, and biased toward Locked. The lock includes a locking pin with a groove, and when the groove is aligned with the respective connector pin, the lock is unlocked, and that connector pin is slidable axially within the bearings. When the groove is not aligned with the connector pin, the lock is locked, the locking pin engaging with a groove formed for that purpose in the connector pin. The sensor has a field-replaceable electrical connector, to reduce maintenance cost.

Abstract: A communications system comprising at least one light source, a side-emitting fiber light rope into which light emitted from the light source is coupled, and means for sending at least one data carrying optical signal along the light rope.

Abstract: An umbilical comprising a side-emitting optical fiber or optical fiber-bundle for providing a distributed source of light along part or the whole of the length of the umbilical.

Abstract: A removable radiation sensor for connecting to a panoramic dental radiation imaging system. The sensor includes a radiation sensor unit mounted in a housing. Connector bearings are positioned within the housing so as to engage with a pair of connector pins provided as part of the upright support of the imaging system. A lock pin within the housing is selectively slidable between Locked and Unlocked, and biased toward Locked. The lock includes a locking pin with a groove, and when the groove is aligned with the respective connector pin, the lock is unlocked, and that connector pin is slidable axially within the bearings. When the groove is not aligned with the connector pin, the lock is locked, the locking pin engaging with a groove formed for that purpose in the connector pin. The sensor has a field-replaceable electrical connector, to reduce maintenance cost.

Abstract: A motion system for use in a panoramic dental radiation imaging system, including apparatus for rotating an overhead arm with respect to a support column, apparatus for rotating a C-arm with respect to the overhead arm, and apparatus for moving the C-arm axially with respect to the overhead arm. The overhead arm is rotatably mounted to the support column at a rotation point. The apparatus for rotating the overhead arm is a linear actuator, one end of which is connected to the support column at a first point spaced apart from the rotation point, while the other end is connected to the overhead arm at a second point spaced apart from the rotation point and from the first point. The C-arm rotating apparatus includes a C-arm rotation motor driving a wheel, which is engaged with the C-arm in such a way that the rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the C-arm.

Abstract: A patient positioning system for a panoramic dental radiation imaging system, including an upright support, and a patient positioning arm with chin rest mounted thereto. Wands are each rotatably connected to the patient positioning arm and connected together so as to move at identical angles of rotation, but in the opposite direction. Lasers, including a mid-sagittal, a Frankfort Plane, two cuspid, and one toe laser, each providing a line of visible laser light directed at a respective area of a patient's face, or at the floor, assist a technician in properly positioning the patient. A mirror is mounted to the upright support by a mechanism that permits the mirror to be pivoted outward from the support, in either of two directions, so as to enable the technician to see the lasers on the patient's face from the technician's position on either side of the positioning arm.

Abstract: A lighting system comprising a light source, a fiber rope into which light emitted from the light source is coupled, and a control unit for controlling the optical power of light emitted by the light source to maintain the fiber rope at or below a predetermined upper temperature even if the fiber is partially or fully severed.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for interaction with water usage information are provided. In various embodiments, a method comprises receiving water usage data from a meter device, receiving an identifier from a user associated with the meter device, providing an interactive interface to the user, the interactive interface conveying at least some water usage information based on the water usage data, receiving a first characterization of a first water activity from the user, generating a visualization based on the water usage information and the first characterization of the first water activity, and displaying the visualization.

Abstract: Disclosed are plastic compositions for a carpet backing having from about 5 to about 25% by weight PVC resin, from about 5 to about 25% by weight plasticizer, and from about 50 to about 90% by weight filler. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic composition is about 15% by weight Geon-138, about 15% by weight di-isononyl phthalate, and about 70% by weight fly ash. Also disclosed are methods for forming backings for floorcoverings using the disclosed plastic compositions. In preferred embodiments, a plastic composition is applied through a slot-die directly to the underside of a carpet or alternatively onto a conveyor belt on top of which the carpet or floorcovering may be subsequently positioned.