Abstract: A dampening device for an automated sampling/dispensing device is described. In an example implementation, the dampening device includes a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body includes a first end and a second end, a first opening being defined within the first end and a second opening being defined within the second end. Further, the cylindrical body may include an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of an automated sampling/dispensing device sample probe. During operation, the dampening device moves out of phase with the automated sampling/dispensing device sample probe allowing sample probe vibrations to be dampened during operation. The dampening device is configured to be magnetically attracted to the sampling/dispensing device. For example, the dampening device and/or the sampling/dispensing device can include a permanent magnetic material, a ferromagnetic material, a ferrimagnetic material, and/or an electromagnet.

Abstract: A communication system including a plurality of horn antennas, a waveguide feed network, and a converter unit coupled to the plurality of horn antennas is disclosed. The waveguide feed network is coupled to each horn antenna, splits an information signal into a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port. The converter unit receives the first summed component signal and the second summed component signal and compensates for polarization skew between the antenna array and a source.

Abstract: Described are coated food products having a sugar (sucrose) coating, the coating exhibiting desirable levels of sucrose crystallinity and a desired sucrose ratio (total sucrose per total soluble solids), as well as methods or preparing such coated food products and coating.

Abstract: A demountable plasma torch assembly suitable for use in ICP spectrometry comprises a first tube having an inner diameter and a second tube disposed concentrically within the first tube, wherein the second tube has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the first tube. The first and second tubes are supported by a torch body. The torch body includes a first bore configured to receive an end of the first tube, a second bore configured to receive an end of the second tube, and a manifold disposed between the first bore and the second bore to receive a gas for injection between the first tube and the second tube. The manifold has an outer diameter at least substantially equal to the inner diameter of the first tube and an inner diameter at least substantially equal to the outer diameter of the second tube.

Abstract: Methods are described for construction of long synthetic arrays of DNA repeats, such as alphoid repeats or other repeat sequences. The methods include concatamerization of DNA into short repeats (for instance using rolling circle amplification or directional in vitro ligation), followed by assembling the short repeats into long arrays by homologous recombination during transformation into microbe cells. These methods can be described generally as Recombinational Amplification of Repeats (RAR). The long arrays are engineered centromere-like regions that allow one to construct mammalian artificial chromosomes with a predefined centromeric region structure. Artificial chromosomes, including human artificial chromosomes with a regulated centromere, and methods of their use are also provided.

Abstract: A decompression panel for use in a door of an aircraft disclosed herein includes bi-directional latching mechanisms. A differential pressure sensor disengages upon a decompression event in a compartment of an aircraft, allowing latch hooks to disengage from a panel latch of the decompression panel. Once disengaged, the decompression panel can rotate to vent air in a compartment of higher pressure to the compartment experiencing the decompression event.

Abstract: A sensor used to measure physiological characteristics of body tissues is provided. The physiological sensor includes a first light source assembly having a first light source in parallel with a second light source. Each of the first light source and the second light source have an anode and a cathode. A second light source assembly includes a third light source in parallel with a fourth light source. Each of the third light source and the fourth light source have an anode and a cathode. The anode of the first light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the second light source, the anode of said third light source, and the cathode of said fourth light source. The anode of the third light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the fourth light source.

Abstract: An emergency guidance and alerting system comprising an organizer located in a room having a door, wherein the organizer is capable of holding a slip sign and a window placard. The slip sign is capable of being placed under a door so that the slip sign can be viewed outside of the room, alerting rescue personnel that an occupant is in the room. The window placard is capable of being attached to a window alerting rescue personnel outside of the room that the occupant is in the room.

Abstract: A communication system including a plurality of horn antennas, a waveguide feed network, and a converter unit coupled to the plurality of horn antennas is disclosed. The waveguide feed network is coupled to each horn antenna, splits an information signal into a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port. The converter unit receives the first summed component signal and the second summed component signal and compensates for polarization skew between the antenna array and a source.

Abstract: An emergency guidance and alerting system comprising an organizer located in a room having a door, wherein the organizer is capable of holding a slip sign and a window placard. The slip sign is capable of being placed under a door so that the slip sign can be viewed outside of the room, alerting rescue personnel that an occupant is in the room. The window placard is capable of being attached to a window alerting rescue personnel outside of the room that the occupant is in the room.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with example embodiments for comprehensive sales and service data reporting. Sales and service events that take place at a front end branch of an enterprise may be input into a front end system and transmitted to a backend system where various modules then use the front end system data to generate various data and reports to display various data, such as, for example, sales incentive metrics and key performance indicators.

Abstract: A sample preparation assembly includes a torch configured for use with an inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy instrument. The torch includes at least two approximately cylindrical tubes arranged substantially concentrically. The sample preparation assembly also includes an injector configured for use with the inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy instrument. The injector includes an injection nozzle and a spray chamber. The sample preparation assembly further includes a heat sink element. The heat sink element includes a securing element. The securing element is configured to mate with a mounting element of the torch to mechanically support the heat sink element.

Abstract: Power management methods are provided for projecting the likelihood of forthcoming power outage at one or more mobile radio base sites and for mitigating the effects of such a projected power outage.

Abstract: Described are coated food products having a sugar (sucrose) coating, the coating exhibiting desirable levels of sucrose crystallinity and a desired sucrose ratio (total sucrose per total soluble solids), as well as methods or preparing such coated food products and coating.

Abstract: Described are food products such as ready to eat cereal having a base and a coating; examples include a base, a slurry layer over the base produced by applying a slurry coating to the base, the slurry layer having less than about 80% sucrose on a dry weight basis, and a particulate layer on the slurry layer. The particulate layer can be produced by dry charging particulates onto the slurry coated base. Particulates include be one or more of pregel starch, high molecular weight dextrin, high molecular weight soluble fiber, partially soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, protein, low solubility non-sugar compound, or sucrose, for example.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner. REEXAMINATION RESULTS The questions raised in reexamination proceeding No. 90/010,128, filed Mar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.