Abstract: A system includes an optical ice detection (OID) sub-system optically coupled to light collection optics. A water vapor differential absorption LIDAR (WV-DIAL) sub-system is optically coupled to the OID laser source or light collection optics. The OID sub-system and the WV-DIAL sub-system share at least a portion of an optical path of the light source or through the light collection optics. The OID sub-system, the WV-DIAL sub-system, and the illumination and light collection optics can all be aboard an aircraft. A method includes using a set of illumination and light collection optics aboard an aircraft to obtain data indicative of optical ice detection (OID) and water vapor differential absorption LIDAR (WV-DIAL), e.g. to detect contrail forming conditions for the aircraft and/or predict persistence of contrails from the aircraft.

Abstract: An IED detection training device can include a barrel which can be adapted to receive a blank ammunition cartridge. A housing can be connected to the barrel, and a firing pin having a tab extending from the firing pin can be disposed in the housing. A spring can surround the firing pin, and a sleeve having a slot can surround the sleeve so that the firing pin tab is disposed in the sleeve slot. A lever can be pivotably attached to the housing so that the lever selectively engages the tab. A pull ring can also be pivotably attached to the housing, to selectively engage the lever. Pivoting of the pull ring can cause pivoting engagement of the lever and disengagement of the tab, which can further cause the spring to move the firing pin forward to strike the ammunition blank cartridge.

Abstract: There is provided a method for mitigating static discharge in a fuel container. The method provides a static dissipative coating having a volume resistivity of 1.0×109 ?-m (ohm-meter) or less when measured at 40 V (volts) or less, having a surface resistivity of 1.0×1011 ?/sq (ohm per square) or less when measured at 100 V (volts) or less, having a breakdown voltage of 4000 V (volts) or less, and having a charge decay of 60 seconds or less. The method further provides applying the static dissipative coating to a surface of the fuel container to form a coated surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.

Abstract: There is provided a method for mitigating static discharge in a fuel container. The method provides a static dissipative coating having a volume resistivity of 1.0×109 ?-m (ohm-meter) or less when measured at 40 V (volts) or less, having a surface resistivity of 1.0×1011 ?/sq (ohm per square) or less when measured at 100 V (volts) or less, having a breakdown voltage of 4000 V (volts) or less, and having a charge decay of 60 seconds or less. The method further provides applying the static dissipative coating to a surface of the fuel container to form a coated surface.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of mycoplasma in a sample and a mycoplasm detection kit. A sample is contacted with a first and a second oligonucleotide probe, wherein the first and second oligonucleotide probes are substantially complementary to portions of a 16S ribosomal subunit of at least one mycoplasma species. The first probe may be labeled with a capture ligand. The second probe may be labeled with a first component of a detection system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the dimensions of insulating coating sections applied to a conductive component are disclosed. The method includes providing a specimen having an insulating coating section of a first surface area and a first thickness. The method further includes conducting a test of the specimen for propagating brush discharges. If the specimen exhibits propagating brush discharges, the method further includes reducing at least one of the first surface area and the first thickness to produce at least one of a second surface area or a second thickness, or reducing a first maximum distance that any portion of the insulating coating may extend from an adjacent static dissipative feature to produced a second maximum distance. In additional embodiments, insulating coating patterns may be established on the component based on at least one of the dimensions of the second surface area, the second thickness, or the second maximum distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the dimensions of insulating coating sections applied to a conductive component are disclosed. The method includes providing a specimen having an insulating coating section of a first surface area and a first thickness. The method further includes conducting a test of the specimen for propagating brush discharges. If the specimen exhibits propagating brush discharges, the method further includes reducing at least one of the first surface area and the first thickness to produce at least one of a second surface area or a second thickness, or reducing a first maximum distance that any portion of the insulating coating may extend from an adjacent static dissipative feature to produced a second maximum distance. In additional embodiments, insulating coating patterns may be established on the component based on at least one of the dimensions of the second surface area, the second thickness, or the second maximum distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying a genetic disorder associated with pigment dispersion syndrome or pigmentary glaucoma in a mammal. The methods include analytical characterization of a nucleic sample from an afflicted individual, and comparison of this characterization with an otherwise identical characterization of a nucleic acid sample from a non-afflicted individual. Also disclosed are methods for identifying a compound useful in the therapeutic treatment of pigment dispersion syndrome or pigmentary glaucoma. Such methods include the study of melanocyte cell cultures from afflicted and/or non-afflicted individuals, and the effect of test compounds on such cultures. Also disclosed are methods for identifying a therapeutic compound through the use of a mouse model system. Therapeutic methods are also encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A connector for coupling a communication link to a printed circuit board includes a plurality of pins and a shield. The pins electrically couple the communication link to an interface on the printed circuit board and generate electromagnetic emissions when supplied with an electric current. The shield is displaced outwardly from the pins and prevents at least some of the electromagnetic emissions from radiating outside the connector. The shield includes a plurality of tabs that extend into the printed circuit board when the pins are electrically coupled to the interface.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying a genetic disorder associated with pigment dispersion syndrome or pigmentary glaucoma in a mammal. The methods include analytical characterization of a nucleic sample from an afflicted individual, and comparison of this characterization with an otherwise identical characterization of a nucleic acid sample from a non-afflicted individual. Also disclosed are methods for identifying a compound useful in the therapeutic treatment of pigment dispersion syndrome or pigmentary glaucoma. Such methods include the study of melanocyte cell cultures from afflicted and/or non-afflicted individuals, and the effect of test compounds on such cultures. Also disclosed are methods for identifying a therapeutic compound through the use of a mouse model system. Therapeutic methods are also encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A laminated game racket frame having a closed hoop-shaped inner frame and an outer frame with the outer part of the inner frame integrally bonded to the inner part of the outer frame to form a unitized body, each frame being formed as a laminate comprised of a plurality of strips. Some of these strips are made of wood, thermoplastic resin or metal, and some are made as laminates themselves from plies of reinforced thermosetting resins.