Abstract: A skin-contacting fabric underlay for use beneath a therapeutic or prosthetic device on a human or animal body part is formed as a tube of knitted fabric. The yarns forming the fabric have a core of elastic material surrounded by moisture-transporting filaments of substantially non-elastic material, the yarn having elasticity, the fabric having a warp-knitted structure characterized by an artificial terry surface on an inner skin-contacting surface of the tube. The artificial terry surface is formed by underlaps of the yarn, in which the elasticity of the yarn causes the underlaps to draw up and form artificial terry loops that contact the skin of the body part about which the tube is sleeved. The artificial terry loops serve to space overlaps of the yarn from the skin and to move moisture away from the skin.

Abstract: A chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapon detection system is disclosed that heightens its acuity and alertness when it senses that a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapon attack is more likely. For example, it is well understood that a chemical gas attack is likely to be less effective when it is raining than when it is clear because the rain will suppress and dilute the chemical agent. Therefore, the likelihood of a chemical gas attack is higher when it is clear. In light of this and similar knowledge, the illustrative embodiment checks for evidence of an attack more frequently and with great acuity than when the ambient environmental (e.g., meteorological, etc.) characteristics (e.g., whether is it precipitating or not, whether it is sunny or not, etc) suggest that an attack is more likely. This enables the embodiment to conserve consumables that are used in detecting attacks for when the attacks are more likely.

Abstract: A building protection system comprises a filtration unit, an air handling unit, an emergency exhaust subsystem, a first damper positioned between the filtration unit and the air handling unit, and a second damper positioned between the emergency exhaust subsystem and the filtration unit. The first damper is selectively opened and the second damper is selectively closed to filter outside air as it enters a building, and the first damper is selectively closed and the second damper is selectively opened to filter inside air as it is exhausted from, the building.

Abstract: A chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapon detection system is disclosed that incorporates a mechanism to reduce the probability that a false alarm will be issued. In particular, the mechanism causes an alarm to be triggered when the amount of a hazardous material reaches a threshold, but changes the threshold based, at least in part, on environmental (e.g., meteorological, etc.) characteristics (e.g., whether is it precipitating or not, whether it is sunny or not, etc) that effect the efficacy of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapon. Given that there are environmental factors that make an attack less effective, and given that terrorists are aware of this, the illustrative embodiment is less likely to issue an alarm when the environmental factors suggest that an attack is less effective, and, therefore, less likely. The illustrative embodiment accomplishes this by changing the threshold needed to issue an alarm based on one or more the environmental factors.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting particles in a sample of gas is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a single optical radiation source, a sensor head, and detection electronics. The sensor head comprises a housing having an elliptical cross section. The sensor head receives optical radiation from the source through a fiber optic line at the first focus, and a detector is located at the second focus. The detector receives radiation scattered and emitted by particles in the light beam at the first focus. The detection electronics determine the presence, and in one embodiment the identity, of particles based on the radiation incident on the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting particles in a sample of gas is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a single optical radiation source, a sensor head, and detection electronics. The sensor head comprises a housing having an elliptical cross section. The sensor head receives optical radiation from the source through a fiber optic line at the first focus, and a detector is located at the second focus. The detector receives radiation scattered and emitted by particles in the light beam at the first focus. The detection electronics determine the presence, and in one embodiment the identity, of particles based on the radiation incident on the detector.

Abstract: A cut-resistant flexible yarn suitable for knitting, method of forming the cut-resistant yarn, and protective apparel incorporating the cut-resistant yarn are provided. The yarn includes a plurality of core units. Each of the core units includes a core yarn, and a flexible metallic filament wrapped around the core yarn. The plurality of core units are positioned adjacent to each other to form a bundle. At least one cover strand is wrapped around and encases the bundled core units to form a cover.

Abstract: A pie, such as a meat or fruit pie, having a bottom crust which is suitable for baking and browning in a microwave oven is provided. A preferred bottom crust contains a reducing sugar such as dextrose, an amino acid source such as whey solids, a dough conditioner to prevent dough shrinkage and a leavening agent to enhance browning and to provide a puffy crust. The pie filling contains less than 90 weight % water. The pie is supported in a tray composed of a microwave-interactive material which heats upon exposure to microwaves. The bottom crust of the pie browns as a result of several browning phenomena including low temperature Maillard browning reactions and high temperature caramelization reactions.

Abstract: A composite yarn construction particularly adapted for use in cut resistant body protective apparel and comprising a core yarn and an abrasion and cut resistant monofilament covering yarn knitted onto and encasing the core yarn in a series of cut resistant loops. The core yarn is preferably a multifilament synthetic yarn such as nylon, and the knitted yarn is stainless steel. The yarn is suitable for knitting cut resistant gloves, and apparel.