Abstract: A sensor assembly for determining an operating characteristic of a nuclear reactor. The sensor assembly includes a solid-state lasing media and an optical fiber. The solid-state lasing media is doped with a fissile species. The solid-state lasing media is disposable within a core of the nuclear reactor and is configured to generate laser light. An output of the laser light is based at least in part by the fissile species. The optical fiber is operably coupled to the solid-state lasing media and configured to receive the laser light generated by the solid-state lasing media. The optical fiber is configured to extend out of the core of the nuclear reactor to a control system of the nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A conversation control system and associated methods adapt or modify currently active or future conversations and/or interactions based on machine-generated models that continuously evaluate client satisfaction over the entirety of the active conversations and/or interactions. The system receives a conversation with utterances by two or more participants, and generates a vector with features comprised of words, word sequences, and category classifications associated with at least one of the utterances. The system provides the features as inputs to a prediction model that assigns weights to a set of features based on a modeling of different impacts that each feature of the set of features has on one or more aspects of customer satisfaction. The system generates predictions for those aspects of customer satisfaction without input from the participants based on the assigned weights, and performs an automated action based on the one or more predictions.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a flap valve in a diaphragm pump. The flap valve includes a body and a self-centering hinge portion. A front portion of the body includes a front surface having a raised portion and a recessed portion. The front surface is configured to form a seal with a surface of the pump when the body is in a closed position, the surface of the pump being at an inlet or an outlet of a pumping chamber. The body is configured to allow a downstream flow of a fluid when the flap valve is in an open position. The self-centering hinge portion is operably connected to the body. The self-centering hinge portion has a dynamically changing longitudinal axis. The body is configured to simultaneously translate and rotate about the dynamically changing longitudinal axis to form the seal.

Abstract: One or more systems are disclosed for leak detection for a pump that include a reservoir having a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to couple to an exhaust of a pump and the reservoir is configured to create a vortex flow therein. An optical sensor is positioned at a bottom of the reservoir with a detecting portion of the optical sensor extending into the chamber. The vortex flow causes one or more liquids to settle at the bottom of the reservoir on the optical sensor. The one or more liquids are indicative of a leak and the optical sensor is configured to detect the one or more liquids.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a flap valve in a diaphragm pump. The flap valve includes a body and a self-centering hinge portion. A front portion of the body includes a front surface having a raised portion and a recessed portion. The front surface is configured to form a seal with a surface of the pump when the body is in a closed position, the surface of the pump being at an inlet or an outlet of a pumping chamber. The body is configured to allow a downstream flow of a fluid when the flap valve is in an open position. The self-centering hinge portion is operably connected to the body. The self-centering hinge portion has a dynamically changing longitudinal axis. The body is configured to simultaneously translate and rotate about the dynamically changing longitudinal axis to form the seal.

Abstract: A hip abduction pillow is used to prevent to post operative hip dislocation of a patient that received a hip prosthesis. The hip abduction pillow in may be integrally formed rigid foam or other suitable material and enables a single person to rotate the patient from side to side with virtually no risk of post operative hip dislocation while minimizing pressure on a patient's heels to virtually eliminate heel pressure sores. The hip abduction pillow includes a base portion; a support portion; and a spacer portion. The hip abduction pillow is self-supporting and can support the patient in two stable alternative rotated positions without the need for a pillow or other support material to maintain a patient in a rotated position.

Abstract: A hip abduction pillow is used to prevent to post operative hip dislocation of a patient that received a hip prosthesis. The hip abduction pillow may be integrally formed rigid foam or other suitable material and enables a single person to rotate the patient from side to side with virtually no risk of post operative hip dislocation while minimizing pressure on a patient's heels to virtually eliminate heel pressure sores. The hip abduction pillow includes a base portion; a support portion; and a spacer portion. The hip abduction pillow is self-supporting and can support the patient in two stable alternative rotated positions without the need for a pillow or other support material to maintain a patient in a rotated position.

Abstract: An intense field dielectric air filtration system includes a perimeter frame for wall or ceiling mounting at the inlet of a return air duct for an air conditioning apparatus. A door including a grille disposed thereon is mounted for movement on the frame between working and non-working positions for access to an air filter unit, a pre-filter unit and an intense field particle charging unit. Contacts on the filter unit and the field charging unit engage cooperating contacts on an enclosure mounted on the frame when the door is closed to supply electrical power. An interlock is provided to interrupt power when the door is moved to an open position or the grille is removed. A control system disposed in the enclosure includes user control features accessible when the door is in an open position. An alternate embodiment includes a support frame for positioning the filtration system in ductwork or the like other than a return air inlet.

Abstract: A plant and watering and feeding device (10) including an elongate tubular body having an upper portion (38) and a lower portion (16), said elongate tubular body having a hollow cavity for receiving water and feed therein, said upper portion (38) having an opening (14) in fluid communication with said hollow cavity for supplying said water and feed into said device (10), said lower portion (16) having a plurality of apertures (18) in fluid communication with said hollow cavity and the exterior of said device (10), wherein said device (10) is positionable relative to a plant such that said lower portion (16) of said device (10) is surrounded by soil proximate the roots of said plant, and wherein said water and feed may be introduced into said device (10) through said opening (14) and subsequently slowly released into said soil proximate said roots of said plant via said apertures (18).

Abstract: A plant and watering and feeding device (10) including an elongate tubular body having an upper portion (38) and a lower portion (16), said elongate tubular body having a hollow cavity for receiving water and feed therein, said upper portion (38) having an opening (14) in fluid communication with said hollow cavity for supplying said water and feed into said device (10), said lower portion (16) having a plurality of apertures (18) in fluid communication with said hollow cavity and the exterior of said device (10), wherein said device (10) is positionable relative to a plant such that said lower portion (16) of said device (10) is surrounded by soil proximate the roots of said plant, and wherein said water and feed may be introduced into said device (10) through said opening (14) and subsequently slowly released into said soil proximate said roots of said plant via said apertures (18).

Abstract: An intense field dielectric air filtration system includes a perimeter frame for wall or ceiling mounting at the inlet of a return air duct for an air conditioning apparatus. A door including a grille disposed thereon is mounted for movement on the frame between working and non-working positions for access to an air filter unit, a pre-filter unit and an intense field particle charging unit. Contacts on the filter unit and the field charging unit engage cooperating contacts on an enclosure mounted on the frame when the door is closed to supply electrical power. An interlock is provided to interrupt power when the door is moved to an open position or the grille is removed. A control system disposed in the enclosure includes user control features accessible when the door is in an open position. An alternate embodiment includes a support frame for positioning the filtration system in ductwork or the like other than a return air inlet.

Abstract: A realtime display compression for a waveform image uses a priority basis for combining groups of pixels when producing a compressed waveform image in order to preserve intensity information. As an example successive lines of data for the waveform image are demultiplexed into line buffers in a circulating manner, the number of line buffers being a function of the maximum desired integer compression ratio. The outputs from the line buffers are aligned and the corresponding pixels are combined according to a desired compression ratio, one output line for each integer compression ratio. The appropriate compressed line is selected as the output line according to the desired compression ratio, with the totality of the output lines forming the compressed waveform image.

Abstract: A test and measurement instrument includes a memory configured to store a digitized signal, a display configured to display the digitized signal, a mark interface configured to generate a mark creation signal, a processor coupled to the memory, the display, and the mark interface. The processor is configured to identify a feature of the digitized signal and create a mark indicating the feature and the digitized signal in response to the mark creation signal.

Abstract: A lamp display table (10) is disclosed for use with several lamp bases LB and several lamp shades LS. The lamp display table (10) has a base (11) with an upright, vertical support (12), a lamp base platform (13) rotatably coupled to the vertical support (12, and lamp shade platform (14) in the form of a radial array of shade supports (15) rotatably coupled to the vertical support (12) and adapted to hold a lamp shade LS.

Abstract: A test station is provided to test a circuit board unit. The test station includes a disk drive storing uncompiled files which are interpretatively processed in order to carry out test operations. A bar code reader can scan a label on the unit, in order to accurately identify the unit. The label information can be used to ensure accurate programming of any programmable devices on the unit, and accurate selection of the correct test definition files for the unit. Step-by-step instructions can be provided to an operator regarding every manual act required during a test definition, and can include a graphic image of each such manual act. The test station can have two different test modes, where at least one command of the test definition is carried out for one mode but not the other. The test station has a debug mode, which includes capabilities for breakpoints, step mode, dynamic alteration of test definitions, and dynamic observation and alteration of variables.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved aquatic exercise device for a user immersed in water, comprising a restraining member having a top surface and a bottom surface with the restraining member defining a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion. A float comprises the restraining member having an outer skin with an internal surface defining the internal volume for receiving a gas for providing increasing the buoyancy of the aquatic exercise device. The internal volume may receive a ballast for reducing the buoyancy of the aquatic exercise device. The restraining member is secured to a foot of a user to enable the restraining member to restrain the foot movement of the user and with the flotation means to partially supporting the user in the water.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an alcove in a rough opening for a standard door. The alcove is formed with a pair of converging side walls, disposed at an angle relative to the plane of the rough opening, which define a recessed door opening that is closed by an access door. The walls and the access door may be covered with mirrors forming a three-way mirror arrangement. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the alcove is formed with a recessed wall relative to the plane of the door opening and one or more side wall doors. In order to facilitate construction of the alcove, a construction guide is disclosed which locates the positions of the side walls used to form the alcove. The guide as well as preformed structural members allow for relatively quick and easy construction of the mirrored alcove. Mirror panels are removably mounted for allowing relatively easy replacement of damaged mirrors.

Abstract: A method and a kit is disclosed for forming an alcove in a rough opening for a standard door. The alcove is formed with a pair of converging side walls, disposed at an angle relative to the plane of the rough opening, which define a recessed door opening that is closed by an access door. The walls and the access door may be covered with mirrors forming a three-way mirror arrangement. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the alcove is formed with a recessed wall relative to the plane of the door opening and one or more side wall doors. In order to facilitate construction of the alcove, a construction guide is disclosed which locates the positions of the side walls used to form the alcove. The guide as well as preformed structural members allow for relatively quick and easy construction of the mirrored alcove. Mirror panels are removably mounted for allowing relatively easy replacement of damaged mirrors.

Abstract: An aquatic exercise device for a user immersed in water comprising a restraining member having a top surface and a bottom surface with the restraining member defining a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion. A flotation means is affixed to the restraining member. The restraining member is secured to each foot of a user to enable the user immersed in water to exercise in the water with the restraining member to inhibiting the foot movement of the user and with the flotation means to partially supporting the user in the water.