Abstract: A connector includes gripping features. The gripping features can comprise two surfaces that generally oppose each another. Each surface can be configured to facilitate or hamper rotation of the connector in a direction. Some embodiments can hamper tightening and facilitate loosening of the connector. Other embodiments can facilitate tightening and hamper loosening. Still other embodiments can hamper both tightening and loosening. Yet other embodiments can facilitate both tightening and loosening.

Abstract: A distal tibia plating system includes anterolateral and medial plates. The anterolateral plate includes a shaft with both threaded first fastener holes and compression slots along its length. The head includes a first row of four threaded fastener holes arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis, a non-threaded compression screw hole, and a plurality of distal tabs. Each tab includes a ring with a single threaded fastener hole and a bridge that couples the ring to the distal end of the plate. The bridge is configured to bend preferentially in a desired direction and to allow tab removal. The medial plate is a low profile plate including a shaft and a relatively enlarged distal head. Several fasteners can be used with the plates. A plate holder is provided to maneuver the plates subcutaneously.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an analysis instrument, e.g., a gas chromatograph, for water analysis that includes four steps. The first step is to continuously remove water from a liquid that contains water to produce a liquid containing a reduced amount of water such as by membrane pervaporation. The second step is to analyze the liquid containing a reduced amount of water for water by a reference water analysis method such as by Karl Fischer titration. The third step is to analyze the stream of liquid containing a reduced amount of water using the instrument to be calibrated, e.g., a gas chromatograph having a helium photoionization pulse discharge detector. The fourth step is to calibrate the instrument using the analysis of the second step. In a related embodiment, a system for normal phase chromatography.

Abstract: A positioning system includes a plurality of devices configured to exchange RF signals with one another. A first device periodically receives a message from each other device during time slots assigned them. The received message includes information representing a time of arrival at the other device of a respective message transmitted by the first device. A time of arrival of the message from each of the other devices is determined by the first device. The first device periodically transmits messages to the other devices, each transmitted message including information representing the determined time of arrival for at least one of the other devices. A range from the first device to each of a plurality of the other devices is determined as function of the determined time of arrival of the message from the other device and the time of arrival information in the message from the other device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively manipulating and/or restandardizing color measurement or spectral data are provided. The color measurement or spectral data may be advantageously restandardized based on a selected color coordinate system using data transform(s) or delta profile(s). Users of the systems/methods are able to mix or employ color-measuring instrument types more easily and effectively by selectively causing a first instrument produced by a first color-measuring instrument manufacturer to provide color measurement data according to a color measurement standard of another color-measuring instrument manufacturer. Selective transformation of color measurement data gathered by the first manufacturer's color-measuring instrument is facilitated, so that the resultant color measurement data may be evaluated as though it was generated by the other manufacturer's color-measuring instrument.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an analysis instrument, e.g., a gas chromatograph, for water analysis that includes four steps. The first step is to continuously remove water from a liquid that contains water to produce a liquid containing a reduced amount of water such as by membrane pervaporation. The second step is to analyze the liquid containing a reduced amount of water for water by a reference water analysis method such as by Karl Fischer titration. The third step is to analyze the stream of liquid containing a reduced amount of water using the instrument to be calibrated, e.g., a gas chromatograph having a helium photoionization pulse discharge detector. The fourth step is to calibrate the instrument using the analysis of the second step. In a related embodiment, a system for normal phase chromatography.

Abstract: The functionality of a blade is expanded by the installation of an expansion unit including expansion components. The blade and expansion unit are provided with connectors allowing the blade components to access and utilize the expansion components when the connectors are mated. The blade and expansion unit include elements ensuring that the connectors align properly as the expansion unit is installed onto the blade, making the installation simple and quick. The blade and expansion unit also include elements securing the connection between the two, once made.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively manipulating and/or restandardizing color measurement or spectral data are provided. The color measurement or spectral data may be advantageously restandardized based on a selected color coordinate system using data transform(s) or delta profile(s). Users of the systems/methods are able to mix or employ color-measuring instrument types more easily and effectively by selectively causing a first instrument produced by a first color-measuring instrument manufacturer to provide color measurement data according to a color measurement standard of another color-measuring instrument manufacturer. Selective transformation of color measurement data gathered by the first manufacturer's color-measuring instrument is facilitated, so that the resultant color measurement data may be evaluated as though it was generated by the other manufacturer's color-measuring instrument.

Abstract: The functionality of a blade is expanded by the installation of an expansion unit including expansion components. The blade and expansion unit are provided with connectors allowing the blade components to access and utilize the expansion components when the connectors are mated. The blade and expansion unit include elements ensuring that the connectors align properly as the expansion unit is installed onto the blade, making the installation simple and quick. The blade and expansion unit also include elements securing the connection between the two, once made.

Abstract: A digital bit stream including video data is transmitted via a digital video transmission system for presentation on a television receiver. The video data is suitable for viewing on a television receiver having a first aspect ratio. Transmitted within a predefined field of the digital bit stream are pan-edit vectors which, when applied to the video data, produce a resulting signal suitable for presentation on a television receiver having a second aspect ratio. The digital video signal may comprise an MPEG video stream. The digital video transmission system may include a transmission link, such as a satellite transmission system, for transmission of the digital bit stream.