Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an interactive system for providing a training environment for a first user. The system includes a first computer system and a second computer system. The first computer system is programmed to display a first graphical user interface including multiple windows to a first user. The second computer system is programmed to display a second graphical user interface including multiple windows to a second user. The first computer system is further programmed to: display a video feed of the second user within one of the multiple windows in the first graphical user interface and capture and relay communications from the first user to the second user. The second computer system is further programmed to: display a video feed of the second user within one of the multiple windows in the second graphical user interface.

Abstract: A drying oven is disclosed including apparatus for transporting a shuttle (51) longitudinally in a drying conduit (5) arranged within an oven, characterized in that the transporting apparatus is at least partially contained within a housing (15) that hermetically seals one end of the drying conduit. The transporting apparatus includes a steel band (27) that is wound at one end of a disk (39) mounted for rotation within the housing, the other end of the band being releasably coupled with the shuttle by a pivotable latch (25).

Abstract: A specimen testing apparatus is disclosed, including a sensing device for engaging a specimen mounted on a support, an electrical measuring system associated with the sensing device for producing an electrical signal that is a function of a variation in a physical characteristic of the specimen as determined by the sensing device, and an electromagnetic compensation system for applying a compensating force to the sensing device. In one operating condition (as, for example, when the thermal expansion properties of the specimen are being tested), the compensation system is operable to apply to the sensing device a force compensating for the weight of the sensing device, thereby to cause the sensing device to rest upon the specimen in a weightless force-free manner. Alternately, the compensation system may be operable to apply to the sensing device a supplemental force in the compressive stressing condition, as might be desired when penetration tests are to be conducted on the specimen.

Abstract: An immersible probe for optical dual beam-measuring apparatus, comprising a sample feeler intended to be immersed in a sample for performing a measurement at the sample to be analyzed. The sample feeler is equipped with a light conductor. There is further provided a reference feeler immersible in a standard medium. Both the sample feeler and the reference feeler are attached to a probe body.