Abstract: A process for more sensitive characterization of tissue composition for generating a quantitative MRI (qMRI) map and corresponding delta analysis. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), resulting in the depletion of hydrophilic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) located in the nucleus pulposus (NP), can lead to debilitating neck and back pain. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a promising means of IVD assessment due to the correlation between GAG content and MRI relaxation values. T1 and T2 relaxation data were obtained from healthy cervical IVDs, and relaxation data was modeled using both conventional and stretched exponential (SE) decays. Normalized histograms of the resultant quantitative MRI (qMRI) maps were fit with stable distributions. SE models fit relaxation behavior with lower error compared to monoexponential models, indicating anomalous relaxation behavior in healthy IVDs. SE model parameters T1 and T1 increased with IVD segment, while conventional monoexponential measures did not vary.

Abstract: A process for more sensitive characterization of tissue composition for generating a quantitative MRI (qMRI) map and corresponding delta analysis. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), resulting in the depletion of hydrophilic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) located in the nucleus pulposus (NP), can lead to debilitating neck and back pain. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a promising means of IVD assessment due to the correlation between GAG content and MRI relaxation values. T1 and T2 relaxation data were obtained from healthy cervical IVDs, and relaxation data was modeled using both conventional and stretched exponential (SE) decays. Normalized histograms of the resultant quantitative MRI (qMRI) maps were fit with stable distributions. SE models fit relaxation behavior with lower error compared to monoexponential models, indicating anomalous relaxation behavior in healthy IVDs. SE model parameters T1 and T1 increased with IVD segment, while conventional monoexponential measures did not vary.

Abstract: A fluidized bed system having a containment vessel, a precast and predried monolithic refractory floor module positioned in the vessel, and a plurality of precast and predried monolithic refractory wall modules stacked within the vessel. The plurality of wall modules includes a first wall module is positioned on the floor module, wherein the floor module and the first wall module have interlocking surfaces, and wall modules adjacent to one another have interlocking surfaces. A method for assembling a fluidized bed reactor is also provided.

Abstract: Ranchers and other owners of livestock commonly have a need for a transportable means of setting up a corral for numerous purposes. Sorting must take place in a remote location or a location without a permanent corral, which are prohibitively time consuming and expensive to build. A preferred embodiment of the Portable Corral is comprised of a central chute, a left corral area, and a right corral area. The central chute is comprised of a back chute, a front chute, a left central chute panel and a right central chute panel. The front chute is comprised of a breakaway hitch that in turn is comprised of a left breakaway hitch section and a right breakaway hitch section. The left and right breakaway hitch sections are collapsed together to comprise the breakaway hitch used to connect to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A fluidized bed system having a containment vessel, a precast and predried monolithic refractory floor module positioned in the vessel, and a plurality of precast and predried monolithic refractory wall modules stacked within the vessel. The plurality of wall modules includes a first wall module is positioned on the floor module, wherein the floor module and the first wall module have interlocking surfaces, and wall modules adjacent to one another have interlocking surfaces. A method for assembling a fluidized bed reactor is also provided.

Abstract: Ranchers and other owners of livestock commonly have a need for a transportable means of setting up a corral for numerous purposes. Sorting must take place in a remote location or a location without a permanent corral, which are prohibitively time consuming and expensive to build. A preferred embodiment of the Portable Corral is comprised of a central chute, a left corral area, and a right corral area. The central chute is comprised of a back chute, a front chute, a left central chute panel and a right central chute panel. The front chute is comprised of a breakaway hitch that in turn is comprised of a left breakaway hitch section and a right breakaway hitch section. The left and right breakaway hitch sections are collapsed together to comprise the breakaway hitch used to connect to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: Ranchers and other owners of livestock commonly have a need for a transportable means of setting up a corral for numerous purposes. Sorting must take place in a remote location or a location without a permanent corral, which are prohibitively time consuming and expensive to build. A preferred embodiment of the Portable Corral is comprised of a central chute, a left corral area, and a right corral area. The central chute is comprised of a back chute, a front chute, a left central chute panel and a right central chute panel. The front chute is comprised of a breakaway hitch that in turn is comprised of a left breakaway hitch section and a right breakaway hitch section. The left and right breakaway hitch sections are collapsed together to comprise the breakaway hitch used to connect to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle side window safety sun guard system for shielding a driver-user's eyes and face from bright sunlight entering a vehicle cab through a side window. The sun visor may be in addition to the standard front mounted sun visor and is mounted to the framework above the driver's and/or passenger's door side window of a truck and covers the entire length of the upper portion of the side window. The visor may be constructed of an opaque material or may be semi-transparent. The visor system may comprise a mounting flange, a pivot arm, a sun visor, and a proximate end sun shield support bracket.

Abstract: Ranchers and other owners of livestock commonly have a need for a transportable means of setting up a corral for numerous purposes. Sorting must take place in a remote location or a location without a permanent corral, which are prohibitively time consuming and expensive to build. A preferred embodiment of the Portable Corral is comprised of a central chute, a left corral area, and a right corral area. The central chute is comprised of a back chute, a front chute, a left central chute panel and a right central chute panel. The front chute is comprised of a breakaway hitch that in turn is comprised of a left breakaway hitch section and a right breakaway hitch section. The left and right breakaway hitch sections are collapsed together to comprise the breakaway hitch used to connect to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A luggage rack for a motorcycle having a shape conforming to the existing backrest on a sissy bar. The luggage rack is mounted to the existing mounting plate at brackets which may be selectively adjusted to provide the desired friction fit. The rack can be pivoted between an upright, stored position and a horizontal use position. In the stored position a stop associated with the brackets engage a portion of the rack to maintain it in a horizontal position. In one embodiment, a magnet on the rack exerts a force to retain the rack in an upright position against the sissy bar.

Abstract: Circuitry is provided for detecting threshold crossings of an input signal which is generally sinusoidal or otherwise periodic, but which is subject to either high-frequency noise which would cause erroneous multiple threshold crossings, or low-frequency noise which would cause erroneous failure to detect a threshold crossing. Two detection elements detect the crossing of two different threshold values and produce detection signals reflecting whether the input signal is above or below their thresholds. For noisy input signals, these detection signals may be bouncy. High- and low-true versions of the detection signals are logically combined to produce a first signal which is active only while the input signal moves in one direction, and is masked from the active state while the input signal moves in the other direction. Likewise, a second signal is produced which is active the opposite way. The first and second signals set and reset a latch, whose output state represents the threshold crossing.

Abstract: A crankcase breather oil collector serves to capture oil vapor mixed with crankcase blowby gases, and contain the oil vapor to preclude its exiting to the atmosphere and/or collecting on external machinery components. The device basically comprises a canister which communicates with the crankcase of a four stroke reciprocating internal combustion engine by a tube or line. blowby gases and oil vapor mixed therewith are routed to the canister by the tube or line, with the oil vapor cooling and falling out of suspension with the blowby gases to condense and collect as a liquid in the bottom of the canister. The blowby gases then exit the canister through a filtered vent or outlet. The outlet filter serves to preclude significant particulate matter from being expelled to the ambient atmosphere, and also serves to protect the engine by precluding the entrance of airborne contaminants to the engine when the engine is shut down and cools to provide a relatively low pressure within the crankcase.

Abstract: A trailer and a method for loading a trailer onto a transport vehicle. The trailer is elevated, causing a rear axle assembly of the trailer to pivot from a forward position to a position that is generally normal to the trailer frame. A front wheel axle assembly is rotated upwardly, and the trailer is then subsequently slid/or pushed along a generally planar bed surface of the transport vehicle. The end of the bed surface contacts the rear axle assembly during the sliding process, and with continuing sliding the rear axle assembly moves from a normal position to a rearward position.

Abstract: A trailer and a method for loading a trailer onto a transport vehicle. The trailer is elevated, causing a rear axle assembly of the trailer to pivot from a forward position to a position that is generally normal to the trailer frame. A front wheel axle assembly is rotated upwardly, and the trailer is then subsequently slid/or pushed along a generally planar bed surface of the transport vehicle. The end of the bed surface contacts the rear axle assembly during the sliding process, and with continuing sliding the rear axle assembly moves from a normal position to a rearward position.