Abstract: A controller for providing user input of a desired direction of motion or orientation for a transporter. The controller has an input for receiving specification by a user of a value based on a detected body orientation of the user. User-specified input may be conveyed by the user using any of a large variety of input modalities, including: ultrasonic body position sensing; foot force sensing; handlebar lean; active handlebar; mechanical sensing of body position; and linear slide directional input. An apparatus that may include an active handlebar is provided for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ballistic body armor and dehumidification system includes a flexible carrier containing a watertight sealed pouch which itself contains a desiccant and a stack of substantially vertical layers of ballistic material whose performance degrades under certain conditions in the presence of moisture. The watertight sealed pouch is mounted into the carrier so as to cover a portion of a user's body. The desiccant is mounted into the pouch so that either it is, or its effect is, distributed uniformly across the ballistic material to uniformly reduce the humidity level within the pouch.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: A quick release canister supporting apparatus includes a mounting bracket mountable to a rigid support, a rigid, canister retaining frame releasably mountable into mating engagement with the mounting bracket, and at least one latch cooperating between the mounting bracket and the retaining frame for the releasable mounting into mating engagement of the retaining frame with the mounting bracket. The latch may be mounted to the mounting bracket or to the retaining frame. A manually operable release actuator may cooperate with the latch for selective actuation of the latch to release the retaining frame from the mounting bracket. The retaining frame defines a rigid cavity having an opening for receiving a gas canister substantially completely into the cavity.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: A quick release canister supporting apparatus includes a mounting bracket mountable to a rigid support, a rigid, canister retaining frame releasably mountable into mating engagement with the mounting bracket, and at least one latch cooperating between the mounting bracket and the retaining frame for the releasable mounting into mating engagement of the retaining frame with the mounting bracket. The latch may be mounted to the mounting bracket or to the retaining frame. A manually operable release actuator may cooperate with the latch for selective actuation of the latch to release the retaining frame from the mounting bracket. The retaining frame defines a rigid cavity having an opening for receiving a gas canister substantially completely into the cavity.

Abstract: An optical assembly, such as a multiple output diode laser pump source for EDFAs, is formed by pressing an optical array emitter chip against a standoff structure protruding from a submount such that the emitter chip deforms to match the curvature of the standoff structure. An IO chip is also juxtaposed against the standoff structure such that its optical receivers can receive optical energy from the emitter chip. The IO chip can provide various optical functions, and then provide an optical array output for coupling into an optical fiber array. The standoff structure preferably contacts the emitter chip over an aggregate contact area much smaller than the area by which the emitter chip overlaps the submount. The materials used for bonding the emitter chip and the IO chip to the submount are disposed in the recesses between standoffs and not on the contact surfaces of the standoff structure.

Abstract: The address translation logic of the present invention is incorporated in a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and operates to group data in memory based on translating the address from a direct memory access controller. The data includes post-correlated samples of the correlation of a signal with a generated frequency and a generated code having a plurality of time offsets. In general, the address translation logic organizes the data such that each element of the data associated with particular ones of the plurality of time offsets are grouped together in order to improve the efficiency of performing a fast Fourier transform of the data. In addition, the address translation logic allows the transfer of data from correlation circuitry to memory, from the memory to an FFT module, and from the FFT module to the memory using standard DMA controllers.

Abstract: The quick release canister supporting apparatus includes a mounting bracket mountable to a rigid support, a rigid, canister retaining frame releasably mountable into mating engagement with the mounting bracket, and at least one latch cooperating between the mounting bracket and the retaining frame for the releasable mounting into mating engagement of the retaining frame with the mounting bracket. The latch may be mounted to the mounting bracket or to the retaining frame. A manually operable release actuator cooperates with the latch for selective actuation of the latch to release the retaining frame from the mounting bracket. The retaining frame defines a rigid cavity having an opening for receiving a gas canister substantially completely into the cavity. The retaining frame includes at least one selectively releasable canister rotation restraint for inhibiting rotation and sliding of the canister about and along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: An optical structure is fabricated by forming an active layer including a photodefinable material on a substrate or on another underlying layer, forming an upper layer above the active layer, and then patterning the active layer by selective application of radiation through the upper layer. The upper layer is substantially transparent to radiation of the type required to activate the photodefinable material in the active layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a matt, thixotropic paint formulation comprising a resin system and a matting agent. The matting agent comprises a hydrophobic metal oxide, which has a surface moiety (i.e., one or more surface moieties) selected from the group consisting of trimethyl silyl, vinyl dimethyl silyl, acryl dimethyl silyl, and dimethyl silyl. Morever, the paint formulation is characterized by having thixotropic properties such that it does not sag at a notch height of about 75 &mgr;m when measured with an anti-sag meter after application to a substrate. The invention also provides a method of producing such a paint formulation. The invention further provides a substrate having a surface coated with the matt, thixotropic paint formulation of the invention.

Abstract: A quick detachable gun barrel assembly for allowing a user to repair one's gun more quickly and easily when needed. The quick detachable gun barrel assembly includes a barrel coupling assembly being adapted to removably attach to a chamber of a gun; and also includes an elongate barrel member being detachably attached to the barrel coupling assembly.

Abstract: A ballistic body armor and dehumidification system includes a flexible carrier containing a watertight sealed pouch which itself contains a desiccant and a stack of substantially vertical layers of ballistic material whose performance degrades under certain conditions in the presence of moisture. The watertight sealed pouch is mounted into the carrier so as to cover a portion of a user's body. The desiccant is mounted into the pouch so that either it is, or its effect is, distributed uniformly across the ballistic material to uniformly reduce the humidity level within the pouch.

Abstract: A system and method of using a blower device to maintain an inflatable carnival attraction at a level of inflation safe for using the inflatable attraction, wherein the blower device operates on electrical energy received from an external source, monitoring the electrical energy, and triggering an alarm if the electrical energy is insufficient for the blower device to maintain the level of inflation safe for using the inflatable attraction, wherein the alarm is of sufficient loudness to be heard by personnel operating the attraction at a location distant from the blower device.

Abstract: Described are conduction cardiomyocyte-enriched cellular populations, and methods and materials for obtaining the same. The populations may be used to engraft mammalian myocardial tissue, for example to provide biological pacemakers. Also described are restorative cellular myocardial tissue, for example to provide biological pacemakers. Also described are restorative cellular myocardial grafts for improving the contractile function of injured segments of myocardium, and articles adapted for heart implantation (e.g. conductive pacemaker leads), which includes coatings of viable cardiomyocytes and optionally a carrier for the cardiomyocytes.

Abstract: A system and method of using a blower device to maintain an inflatable carnival attraction at a level of inflation safe for using the inflatable attraction, wherein the blower device operates on electrical energy received from an external source, monitoring the electrical energy, and triggering an alarm if the electrical energy is insufficient for the blower device to maintain the level of inflation safe for using the inflatable attraction, wherein the alarm is of sufficient loudness to be heard by personnel operating the attraction at a location distant from the blower device.

Abstract: The quick release canister supporting apparatus includes a mounting bracket mountable to a rigid support, a rigid, canister retaining frame releasably mountable into mating engagement with the mounting bracket, and at least one latch cooperating between the mounting bracket and the retaining frame for the releasable mounting into mating engagement of the retaining frame with the mounting bracket. The latch may be mounted to the mounting bracket or to the retaining frame. A manually operable release actuator cooperates with the latch for selective actuation of the latch to release the retaining frame from the mounting bracket. The retaining frame defines a rigid cavity having an opening for receiving a gas canister substantially completely into the cavity. The retaining frame includes at least one selectively releasable canister rotation restraint for inhibiting rotation and sliding of the canister about and along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated, stem-cell derived cell populations and methods of use thereof. Methods of use include genomic target identification, validation of conventionally obtained genomic targets using e.g. expression profiling, positional cloning and/or transgenic animals, lineage-specific and/or transgene-specific drug screening and pharmacogenomics analysis.

Abstract: An optical device includes at least a first and second electrical conductors. At least one optical layer overlies at least a portion of the first and second electrical conductors. An applicator is positioned proximate to said at least one optical layer to selectively redirect light from the optical layer. An electrical coupling path between said at least one applicator and one of said first or second electrical conductors, at least a portion of the coupling path traversing said at least one optical layer. At least one optical waveguide may be formed in an optical layer above said electrical conductors. A feature is located to receive light redirected by the applicator and at least one electrical coupling path, which may be included in said feature, couples the applicator and at least one of said plurality of conductors. In a further aspect, a method for manufacturing an optical device is disclosed.