Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a housing including a first opening and a second opening. The first opening forms a suction connection with a transportable component. The apparatus includes a valve connected with the second opening a channel defined within the housing. The channel extends between the first opening and the second opening. The apparatus includes a vacuum maintaining mechanism disposed within the channel, and the vacuum maintaining mechanism holds a partial vacuum within the channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a housing including a first opening and a second opening. The first opening forms a suction connection with a transportable component. The apparatus includes a valve connected with the second opening a channel defined within the housing. The channel extends between the first opening and the second opening. The apparatus includes a vacuum maintaining mechanism disposed within the channel, and the vacuum maintaining mechanism holds a partial vacuum within the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a photonic system comprising a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) includes: a support structure configured to support the PIC; and a rigid structure surrounding a hollow passage that extends to an opening at a distal end of the rigid structure. The rigid structure includes an optically transmissive portion configured to transmit at least about 50% of a received beam of ultraviolet light, and configured such that at least a portion of the ultraviolet light transmitted through the rigid structure is incident upon an edge surface of the PIC at an angle of incidence that is less than about 60 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a photonic system comprising a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) includes: a support structure configured to support the PIC; and a rigid structure surrounding a hollow passage that extends to an opening at a distal end of the rigid structure. The rigid structure includes an optically transmissive portion configured to transmit at least about 50% of a received beam of ultraviolet light, and configured such that at least a portion of the ultraviolet light transmitted through the rigid structure is incident upon an edge surface of the PIC at an angle of incidence that is less than about 60 degrees.

Abstract: A device for rescuing a downed firefighter comprising a first rigid non flammable leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second rigid non flammable leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a connecting member, the proximal end of the first leg and the second leg being connected to the connecting member, the first and second rigid non flammable legs diverging outwardly from the proximal ends to the distal ends, a grasping element being secured to the connecting member, at least one flexible cross member extending between the first leg and the second leg, and at least one flexible strap secured to at least one of the legs or cross member. The device is particularly useful for rescuing downed firefighters.

Abstract: A device for rescuing a downed firefighter comprising a first rigid non flammable leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second rigid non flammable leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a connecting member, the proximal end of the first leg and the second leg being connected to the connecting member, the first and second rigid non flammable legs diverging outwardly from the proximal ends to the distal ends, a grasping element being secured to the connecting member, at least one flexible cross member extending between the first leg and the second leg, and at least one flexible strap secured to at least one of the legs or cross member. The device is particularly useful for rescuing downed firefighters.

Abstract: A process for producing at least one rare earth chloride from an ore containing the at least one rare earth comprises: contacting the ore containing the at least one rare earth with reactants comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent, chlorine, and a boron-containing Lewis acid in a chlorination reactor to produce a gaseous product and a non-volatile chloride mixture comprising the at least one rare earth chloride.

Abstract: A device and method for transporting an individual from a first location to a second location comprising first and second legs having one end thereof connected to a connecting member, a grasping element secured to the connecting member, at least one cross member extending between the first leg and the second leg, and at least one strap secured to at least one of the legs and cross member. The device is particularly useful for rescuing downed firefighters.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provides for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provides for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller roller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provide for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.

Abstract: Disclosed, in one general aspect, is a musculoskeletal imaging system that includes a source of feature data extracted from imaging data resulting from imaging acquisitions from joints of different individuals affected by different diseases, and this feature data includes disease characteristic categorization information for a plurality of disease categories. A comparison module is operative to compare patient imaging data resulting from an imaging acquisition from a joint of a patient with the feature data. The comparison module is also operative to provide at least one categorization indicator for the patient imaging data that indicates a correspondence between spatial information in the patient imaging data and the disease categories for which there is extracted categorization information in the feature data.

Abstract: Disclosed, in one general aspect, is a musculoskeletal imaging system that includes a source of feature data extracted from imaging data resulting from imaging acquisitions from joints of different individuals affected by different diseases, and this feature data includes disease characteristic categorization information for a plurality of disease categories. A comparison module is operative to compare patient imaging data resulting from an imaging acquisition from a joint of a patient with the feature data. The comparison module is also operative to provide at least one categorization indicator for the patient imaging data that indicates a correspondence between spatial information in the patient imaging data and the disease categories for which there is extracted categorization information in the feature data.

Abstract: Treating or preventing degeneration or destruction of articular cartilage and/or subchondral bone in the affected joint of a mammal is accomplished by administering a compound of formula (I), wherein the variables have the meanings given in the present description. A preferred compound of formula (I) is formula (II).

Abstract: In one general aspect, the invention features an MRI image processing method that includes accessing a first MRI data set including two-dimensional planar MRI images of a first hip of a first patient. Each of the images is positioned with respect to a virtual axis at a different angle so as to distribute the images axially around the virtual axis. The virtual axis is defined as an axis that runs from the fovea through the femoral neck of the femur of the first patient. The method also includes segmenting bone and cartilage surfaces in the first MRI data set.

Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller roller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provide for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.

Abstract: A prefabricated masonry covered structural wall panel is disclosed, comprising a plurality of framing members extending in a parallel relationship to each other and to which are secured metallic skeletal supports. A perforated metallic cladding, attached to the metallic skeletal supports, is covered with a plurality of thin bricks. The prefabricated panel can be used as an integral structural part of a building structure or in a curtain wall.

Abstract: Disclosed, in one general aspect, is a musculoskeletal imaging system that includes a source of feature data extracted from imaging data resulting from imaging acquisitions from joints of different individuals affected by different diseases, and this feature data includes disease characteristic categorization information for a plurality of disease categories. A comparison module is operative to compare patient imaging data resulting from an imaging acquisition from a joint of a patient with the feature data. The comparison module is also operative to provide at least one categorization indicator for the patient imaging data that indicates a correspondence between spatial information in the patient imaging data and the disease categories for which there is extracted categorization information in the feature data.

Abstract: An orthopedic magnetic resonance imaging system is disclosed. This system includes a source of magnetic resonance imaging data sets resulting from successive magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions from a diseased joint of a patient. A segmentation module segments surfaces in the joint based on information contained within at least one of the data sets, and a registration module spatially registers, in three dimensions, information represented by a first of the data sets with respect to information represented by one or more further data sets for the same patient. A comparison module detects differences between information represented by the data sets caused by progression of the disease in the joint of the patient between acquisitions. A cross-patient comparison module can compare detected differences for the patient with detected differences for at least one other patient.