Abstract: The present invention makes use of immunoassays, such as sandwich ELISAs, to profile the circulating concentration of elastic fiber and microfibril fragments in samples from individuals with diseases associated with elastic fiber and/or microfibril degradation. Examples of such diseases include, Marfan's syndrome, aortic aneurysm, and scleroderma. Profiling the concentration of such fragments can be used to diagnose disease and monitor disease progression.

Abstract: A battery cell connector for a battery module includes a pair of cantilevered arms and base portions that are linked at the base portion by a bridge. An interconnect board for connecting a plurality of battery cells includes a circuit board and a plurality of battery cell connectors. A battery block system includes a battery block that has a tray and a plurality of battery cells, and an interconnect board in mating relationships with the tray. A battery system includes first and second bus bars, a first and second pluralities of battery cells, and an interconnect board having a plurality of battery cell connectors linking the first and second plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A battery cell connector for a battery module includes a pair of cantilevered arms and base portions that are linked at the base portion by a bridge. An interconnect board for connecting a plurality of battery cells includes a circuit board and a plurality of battery cell connectors. A battery block system includes a battery block that has a tray and a plurality of battery cells, and an interconnect board in mating relationships with the tray. A battery system includes first and second bus bars, a first and second pluralities of battery cells, and an interconnect board having a plurality of battery cell connectors linking the first and second plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A battery cell connector for a battery module includes a pair of cantilevered arms and base portions that are linked at the base portion by a bridge. An interconnect board for connecting a plurality of battery cells includes a circuit board and a plurality of battery cell connectors. A battery block system includes a battery block that has a tray and a plurality of battery cells, and an interconnect board in mating relationships with the tray. A battery system includes first and second bus bars, a first and second pluralities of battery cells, and an interconnect board having a plurality of battery cell connectors linking the first and second plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A battery block includes a first prismatic battery cell defining a first substantially planar surface, a second prismatic battery cell defining a second substantially planar surface, the second substantially planar surface being in opposing relation to the first substantially planar surface, and a thermal barrier suspended between the first and second substantially planar surfaces, wherein the thermal barrier is spaced from both the first and second substantially planar surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention makes use of immunoassays, such as sandwich ELISAs, to profile the circulating concentration of elastic fiber and microfibril fragments in samples from individuals with diseases associated with elastic fiber and/or microfibril degradation. Examples of such diseases include, Marfan's syndrome, aortic aneurysm, and scleroderma. Profiling the concentration of such fragments can be used to diagnose disease and monitor disease progression.

Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining the structured stability and configuration of golf course sand bunker borders which method comprises excavating the soil area adjacent the bunker edge, rigidly positioning adjacent open-top, uniquely designed compartments in the excavated area along the edge of the bunker, filling the compartment with soil to the top of each compartment and leveling the soil on top of the compartments. Each compartment comprises side panels, front and back panels and a bottom closure panel. The compartment is rigidly positioned by means of spikes driven through the back and front panel into the soil at the edge of the bunker and a spike through the bottom closure into the soil beneath the sand in the bunker.

Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining the structured stability and configuration of golf course sand bunker borders which method comprises excavating the soil area adjacent the bunker edge, rigidly positioning adjacent open-top, uniquely designed compartments in the excavated area along the edge of the bunker, filling the compartment with soil to the top of each compartment and leveling the soil on top of the compartments. Each compartment comprises side panels, front and back panels and a bottom closure panel. The compartment is rigidly positioned by means of spikes driven through the back and front panel into the soil at the edge of the bunker and a spike through the bottom closure into the soil beneath the sand in the bunker.

Abstract: Method for forming a fluid conduit comprising (a) molding a template having at least a part thereof corresponding to an internal geometry of the conduit; (b) coating a layer on an exposed surface of the template; and (c) removing the template. A wide variety of conduit shapes can be economically manufactured, including those having small dimensions and high design tolerances. Fluid vaporizing devices, which can be used to deliver fluids and/or generate aerosols including capillary tubes with finished or activated inner surfaces, can be manufactured.

Abstract: In a flame ionization sensor type gas combustion control apparatus, the sensor tip, or probe, exposed to the flame is constructed and arranged according to materials and shapes which promote mechanical deformation of the sensor due to thermal expansion and contraction. The mechanical deformation will cause cracks to open in the contaminant layers surrounding the probe, enabling the sensor to perform as intended even though insulative contaminant build up is present.

Abstract: In a flame ionization sensor type gas combustion control apparatus, the sensor tip, or probe, exposed to the flame is constructed and arranged according to materials and shapes which promote mechanical deformation of the sensor due to thermal expansion and contraction. The mechanical deformation will cause cracks to open in the contaminant layers surrounding the probe, enabling the sensor to perform as intended even though insulative contaminant build up is present.

Abstract: An optical disc having machine-readable, information-encoding features is provided with a barrier layer secured to the disc. This barrier layer is configured to prevent machine-reading of the features. A reading-inhibit agent, included in the disc and activated by removal of the barrier layer, is operative, once activated, to alter the disc to inhibit reading of the disc. Alternately, the barrier layer can be eliminated, and the reading-inhibit agent can be activated by initial reading of the disc, as for example by exposure to optical radiation associated with reading of the disc, or rotation of the disc.

Abstract: In a flame ionization sensor type gas combustion control apparatus, the sensor tip, or probe, exposed to the flame is constructed and arranged according to materials and shapes which promote mechanical deformation of the sensor due to thermal expansion and contraction. The mechanical deformation will cause cracks to open in the contaminant layers surrounding the probe, enabling the sensor to perform as intended even though insulative contaminant build up is present.

Abstract: An optical disc having machine-readable, information-encoding features is provided with a barrier layer secured to the disc. This barrier layer is configured to prevent machine-reading of the features. A reading-inhibit agent, included in the disc and activated by removal of the barrier layer, is operative, once activated, to alter the disc to inhibit reading of the disc, after some period of time. Alternately, the barrier layer can be eliminated, and the reading-inhibit agent can be activated by initial reading of the disc, as for example by exposure to optical radiation associated with reading of the disc, or rotation of the disc.

Abstract: An optical disc having machine-readable, information-encoding features is provided with a barrier layer secured to the disc. This barrier layer is configured to prevent machine-reading of the features. A reading-inhibit agent, included in the disc and activated by removal of the barrier layer, is operative, once activated, to alter the disc to inhibit reading of the disc Alternately, the barrier layer can be eliminated, and the reading-inhibit agent can be activated by initial reading of the disc, as for example by exposure to optical radiation associated with reading of the disc, or rotation of the disc.

Abstract: An optical disc having machine-readable, information-encoding features is provided with a barrier layer secured to the disc. This barrier layer is configured to prevent machine-reading of the features. A reading-inhibit agent, included in the disc and activated by removal of the barrier layer, is operative, once activated, to alter the disc to inhibit reading of the disc. Alternately, the barrier layer can be eliminated, and the reading-inhibit agent can be activated by initial reading of the disc, as for example by exposure to optical radiation associated with reading of the disc, or rotation of the disc.

Abstract: A radar system (10) forms a range-Doppler map (28). A CFAR processor (57) determines a threshold (60) and evaluates the map (28) to identify potential targets whose amplitudes are greater than the threshold. The potential targets are evaluated to determine (88) whether they form substantial peaks for the Doppler bins (32) where they are located, and to determine (98) whether they resemble noise more than targets. In addition, the potential targets are evaluated to determine (114) whether they are most likely the result of range sidelobes and to determine (118) whether they are most likely images of targets rather than targets. When any of these situations are detected, the potential targets are removed from a potential target list (50).

Abstract: A method for pinpointing the actual coordinate location of a passive location device for a simulated battlefield condition is described. A plurality of actuators transmit to a passive location device which includes the method for determining its coordinate location. The coordinate location of a desired impact point is transmitted to the location device. The determination method initializes a starting coordinate location as the impact point of a round of munition. The method then iteratively determines the gradient direction of the position and moves the position estimate in the direction of gradient. As the estimated position approaches the true position successively smaller steps are taken and additional coordinate directions introduced into the solution until the convergence solution is terminated with least rms error in the neighborhood of the true coordinate position of the passive location device.

Abstract: A digital poly phase pulse compressor that utilizes delay lines to separate KN samples of a received compressed pulse in I and Q channels, multiplies N of the KN samples with quadrature, weighted code phase signals by shifting and adding, cross couples the products of the shifting and adding in the I and Q channels to remove all code phase terms from the N samples in each channel, and combines the final n signals to provide I and Q compressed pulse components. The I and Q channels can be expanded into pluralities of channels to include compensation for Doppler shift.

Abstract: An optical disc having machine-readable, information-encoding features is provided with a barrier layer secured to the disc. This barrier layer is configured to prevent machine-reading of the features. A reading-inhibit agent, included in the disc and activated by removal of the barrier layer, is operative, once activated, to alter the disc to inhibit reading of the disc, after some period of time. Alternately, the barrier layer can be eliminated, and the reading-inhibit agent can be activated by initial reading of the disc, as for example by exposure to optical radiation associated with reading of the disc, or rotation of the disc.