Abstract: A landing zone designation system is provided that includes a master and a slave landing strobes. A detector on an aircraft can detect master and slave optical signals, and a processor can be coupled to the detector to compute placement of the aircraft relative to the master and slave landing strobes. A method is provided for designating a landing zone for an aircraft. The method includes emitting first and second optical signals, where a determination is made whether the aircraft is to land at a first landing zone or a second landing zone depending on a difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. A distance to landing within the determined first landing zone or the second landing zone can also be determined.

Abstract: A landing zone designation system is provided that includes a master and a slave landing strobes. A detector on an aircraft can detect master and slave optical signals, and a processor can be coupled to the detector to compute placement of the aircraft relative to the master and slave landing strobes. A method is provided for designating a landing zone for an aircraft. The method includes emitting first and second optical signals, where a determination is made whether the aircraft is to land at a first landing zone or a second landing zone depending on a difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. A distance to landing within the determined first landing zone or the second landing zone can also be determined.

Abstract: A landing strobe is provided having an optical emitter configured to emit an optical signal. An input device can be coupled to the optical emitter for setting the optical signal to a signature strobe output unique to the landing strobe. A landing zone designation system is also provided having a landing strobe configured to emit a signature strobe output unique to the landing strobe. An aircraft spaced from the landing strobe can include a detector for optically receiving the signature strobe output to determine the landing zone is proper to land the aircraft if the signature strobe output matches an expected signature strobe output.

Abstract: A landing zone designation system is provided that includes a master and a slave landing strobes. A detector on an aircraft can detect master and slave optical signals, and a processor can be coupled to the detector to compute placement of the aircraft relative to the master and slave landing strobes. A method is provided for designating a landing zone for an aircraft. The method includes emitting first and second optical signals, where a determination is made whether the aircraft is to land at a first landing zone or a second landing zone depending on a difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. A distance to landing within the determined first landing zone or the second landing zone can also be determined.

Abstract: A landing zone designation system is provided that includes a master and a slave landing strobes. A detector on an aircraft can detect master and slave optical signals, and a processor can be coupled to the detector to compute placement of the aircraft relative to the master and slave landing strobes. A method is provided for designating a landing zone for an aircraft. The method includes emitting first and second optical signals, where a determination is made whether the aircraft is to land at a first landing zone or a second landing zone depending on a difference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal. A distance to landing within the determined first landing zone or the second landing zone can also be determined.

Abstract: A landing strobe is provided that comprises a vane extending from the landing strobe, and an actuator coupled to the vane. The actuator can be configured to move the vane from a first position to a second position upon impact of the landing strobe. The landing strobe can also comprise an optical emitter configured to emit an adjustable radiation pattern extending radially around a central axis that is substantially vertical when the van is moved to the second position. A landing strobe system is also provided and comprises a landing strobe configured to be released from an aircraft arranged over a landing zone. The vane is configured to extend at an upward angle outward from the landing strobe when released from the aircraft. The vane is further configured to extend at a downward angle outward from the landing strobe when the landing strobe contacts the landing zone.

Abstract: A landing strobe is provided having an optical emitter configured to emit an optical signal. An input device can be coupled to the optical emitter for setting the optical signal to a signature strobe output unique to the landing strobe. A landing zone designation system is also provided having a landing strobe configured to emit a signature strobe output unique to the landing strobe. An aircraft spaced from the landing strobe can include a detector for optically receiving the signature strobe output to determine the landing zone is proper to land the aircraft if the signature strobe output matches an expected signature strobe output.

Abstract: A landing strobe is provided that comprises a vane extending from the landing strobe, and an actuator coupled to the vane. The actuator can be configured to move the vane from a first position to a second position upon impact of the landing strobe. The landing strobe can also comprise an optical emitter configured to emit an adjustable radiation pattern extending radially around a central axis that is substantially vertical when the van is moved to the second position. A landing strobe system is also provided and comprises a landing strobe configured to be released from an aircraft arranged over a landing zone. The vane is configured to extend at an upward angle outward from the landing strobe when released from the aircraft. The vane is further configured to extend at a downward angle outward from the landing strobe when the landing strobe contacts the landing zone.

Abstract: A system for imaging a gamma source includes a pixelated Compton scattering layer, for Compton scattering of gamma photons emitted by the gamma source, and a non-pixelated full-energy detector for detecting at least a portion of Compton scattered gamma photons geometrically encoded by a coded aperture positioned between the pixelated Compton scattering layer and the full-energy detector at a distance from the pixelated Compton scattering layer. A method for imaging a gamma source includes (a) detecting coincidence events, each including Compton scattering in a pixelated Compton scattering layer, and transmission to a non-pixelated full-energy detector of a Compton scattered gamma photon transmitted through a coded aperture located at a distance from the pixelated Compton scattering layer, and (b) determining an image of the gamma source from the detection of the coincidence events.

Abstract: A system for imaging a gamma source includes a pixelated Compton scattering layer, for Compton scattering of gamma photons emitted by the gamma source, and a non-pixelated full-energy detector for detecting at least a portion of Compton scattered gamma photons geometrically encoded by a coded aperture positioned between the pixelated Compton scattering layer and the full-energy detector at a distance from the pixelated Compton scattering layer. A method for imaging a gamma source includes (a) detecting coincidence events, each including Compton scattering in a pixelated Compton scattering layer, and transmission to a non-pixelated full-energy detector of a Compton scattered gamma photon transmitted through a coded aperture located at a distance from the pixelated Compton scattering layer, and (b) determining an image of the gamma source from the detection of the coincidence events.

Abstract: A portable tester for testing mutual effects of multiple services received via a shared network access link includes service signaling means for simulating user premises devices. In one embodiment, the tester is a triple play services tester supporting three IP addresses at the same time.

Abstract: A portable tester for testing mutual effects of multiple services received via a shared network access link includes service signaling means for simulating user premises devices. In one embodiment, the tester is a triple play services tester supporting three IP addresses at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying a tensile force along the longitudinal axis of a cane assembly during the deposition of soot thereon to produce an optical fiber preform. Fiber drawn from such a preform exhibits improved core/clad concentricity. The tensile force may be applied at one or both ends of the cane assembly, with application at both ends being preferred. The tensile force may be varied during the deposition of soot. The cane assembly may be annealed prior to beginning the deposition of soot thereon.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry which is particularly suitable for the determination of isotopic ratios.In order to improve the precision of such determinations, the nozzle-skimmer type interface of the mass spectrometer is arranged so that the ratio ##EQU1## is greater than 0.8 mB.sup.1/2, where d.sub.s is the diameter of the orifice in the skimming member, s is the spacing between the sampling member and the skiming member, and p.sub.1 is the pressure in the region between the sampling and skimming members. Although use of the invention slightly reduces the efficiency of the interface it results in more accurate isotopic ratio determinations.

Abstract: A method of extracting cellular components, e.g., nucleic acids, particularly DNA, from biological, especially solid tissue, samples, particularly from plants, is provided, whereby all of the steps can be performed in one vessel, and the entire process can be automated. A vessel suitable for this process is provided, as well as a system for the automated performance of the process steps.

Abstract: A parallel plate dielectric viscometer is provided for measuring the viscty of a substance having differing substance dielectric properties at differing substance viscosities. Two electrodes are disposed in opposition to each other forming a variable dielectric cell having a dielectric distance between the electrodes. The viscosity of the substance is varied and force is applied to the substance to vary the dielectric distance according to the varying viscosity. The rate of change of the dielectric distance with respect to time is used to determine the viscosity of the substance. The viscosity may be varied by heating the substance and force may be applied to the substance by way of one of the electrodes such that the dielectric distance between the electrodes decreases as the substance becomes more viscous. A fixed cell may also be provided in order to correct for the effects of chemical changes in the substance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly forming a porous glass preform is provided in which an array of burners is oscillated along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the preform. Unlike existing soot deposition techniques, the oscillation amplitude is limited so that each burner deposits soot on only a portion of the preform, e.g., 20% of the preform. By controlling inter-burner variability and the air flow in the burner-array/preform region, preforms having substantially uniform axial properties are obtained notwithstanding the fact that different burners are used to laydown different parts of the preform.

Abstract: A process is provided for detecting polymorphisms on the basis of nucleotide differences in random segments of the nucleic acid by performing a primer extension reaction on the nucleic acids and comparing the extension reaction products. The random nucleic acid segment can be amplified by first dissociating the extension product from the template and contacting the dissociated extension product with a primer under conditions such that an amplification extension product is synthesized using the dissociated extension product as a template. Differences in the extension product are useful as markers in constructing genetic maps and as markers to distinguish or identify individuals.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly forming a porous glass preform is provided in which an array of burners is oscillated along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the preform. The oscillation amplitude is limited so that each burner deposits soot on only a portion of the preform, e.g., 20% of the preform. By controlling inter-burner variability and the air flow in the burner-array/preform region, preforms having substantially uniform diameter and axial properties are obtained.

Abstract: A method of extracting cellular components, e.g., nucleic acids, particularly DNA, from biological, expecially solid tissue, samples, particularly from plants is provided, whereby all of the steps can be performed in one vessel, and the entire process can be automated. A vessel suitable for this process is provided, as well as a system for the automated performance of the process steps.