Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure aim at configuring an optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) in a central office such that the OTDR is configured to be operatively coupled with and also configured to periodically poll each fiber at defined intervals and compute/store a reflection signature that can be used to compare with future signatures received from subsequent polls of the fiber to determine a fault (e.g., a fiber cut or breakage) between the central office (CO) and one or more optical network unit (ONU) over GIS.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure aim at configuring an optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) in a central office such that the OTDR is configured to be operatively coupled with and also configured to periodically poll each fiber at defined intervals and compute/store a reflection signature that can be used to compare with future signatures received from subsequent polls of the fiber to determine a fault (e.g., a fiber cut or breakage) between the central office (CO) and one or more optical network unit (ONU) over GIS.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds useful as contrast agents, such as for the CT imaging of cartilage tissue. The contrast agents are generally iodinated organic molecules that are positively charged under physiological environments. Also provided are compositions containing contrast agents and methods of using the agents, including, for example, the monitoring of glycosaminoglycan content in cartilage tissue. The invention provides non-invasive analytical techniques for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis in its earliest stages. The invention also provides improvements over existing contrast agents for cartilage monitoring, which tend to exhibit low residence times and require high dosages.