Abstract: A system for stitching images together is disclosed. The images are sometimes referred to as frames, such as frames in a video sequence. The system comprises one or more imagers (e.g. cameras) that work in coordination with a matching amount of custom code modules. The system achieves image stitching using approximately one third the Field of View (FOV) of each imager (camera) and also by increasing the number of imagers to be above a predetermined threshold. The system displays these stitched images or frames on a computer monitor, either in a still-image context but also in a video-context. Normally these tasks would involve a great detail of computation, but the system achieves these effects while managing the computational load. In stitching the images together, it is sometimes necessary to introduce some image distortion (faceting) in the combined image. The system ensures no gaps in any captured view, and assists in achieving full situational awareness for a viewer.

Abstract: A system for stitching images together is disclosed. The images are sometimes referred to as frames, such as frames in a video sequence. The system comprises one or more imagers (e.g. cameras) that work in coordination with a matching amount of custom code modules. The system achieves image stitching using approximately one third the Field of View (FOV) of each imager (camera) and also by increasing the number of imagers to be above a predetermined threshold. The system displays these stitched images or frames on a computer monitor, either in a still-image context but also in a video-context. Normally these tasks would involve a great detail of computation, but the system achieves these effects while managing the computational load. In stitching the images together, it is sometimes necessary to introduce some image distortion (faceting) in the combined image. The system ensures no gaps in any captured view, and assists in achieving full situational awareness for a viewer.

Abstract: A system for stitching images together is disclosed. The images are sometimes referred to as frames, such as frames in a video sequence. The system comprises one or more imagers (e.g. cameras) that work in coordination with a matching amount of custom code modules. The system achieves image stitching using approximately one third the Field of View (FOV) of each imager (camera) and also by increasing the number of imagers to be above a predetermined threshold. The system displays these stitched images or frames on a computer monitor, either in a still-image context but also in a video-context. Normally these tasks would involve a great detail of computation, but the system achieves these effects while managing the computational load. In stitching the images together, it is sometimes necessary to introduce some image distortion (faceting) in the combined image. The system ensures no gaps in any captured view, and assists in achieving full situational awareness for a viewer.

Abstract: A system for stitching images together is disclosed. The images are sometimes referred to as frames, such as frames in a video sequence. The system comprises one or more imagers (e.g. cameras) that work in coordination with a matching amount of custom code modules. The system achieves image stitching using approximately one third the Field of View (FOV) of each imager (camera) and also by increasing the number of imagers to be above a predetermined threshold. The system displays these stitched images or frames on a computer monitor, either in a still-image context but also in a video-context. Normally these tasks would involve a great detail of computation, but the system achieves these effects while managing the computational load. In stitching the images together, it is sometimes necessary to introduce some image distortion (faceting) in the combined image. The system ensures no gaps in any captured view, and assists in achieving full situational awareness for a viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for lowering probability that low data rates, high bit error rates, and susceptibility to signal degradation in communication environments during storms, solar activity, and adversarial activity is disclosed. The system and method affect communications by minimizing the amount of data/information that needs to be transmitted, partly by creating an algorithmic process/method that moves knowledge and not data and information. The system and method is based upon the realization that structured communications often possess a similar level of context that can be exploited to communicate full meaning (knowledge), even when only a small fraction of the message is transmitted to the receiver. Reducing the number of bytes transmitted significantly reduces the probability that a transmission will be affected by either naturally occurring or human supplied factors present in modern communication environments.

Abstract: A system and method for lowering probability that low data rates, high bit error rates, and susceptibility to signal degradation in communication environments during storms, solar activity, and adversarial activity is disclosed. The system and method affect communications by minimizing the amount of data/information that needs to be transmitted, partly by creating an algorithmic process/method that moves knowledge and not data and information. The system and method is based upon the realization that structured communications often possess a similar level of context that can be exploited to communicate full meaning (knowledge), even when only a small fraction of the message is transmitted to the receiver. Reducing the number of bytes transmitted significantly reduces the probability that a transmission will be affected by either naturally occurring or human supplied factors present in modern communication environments.

Abstract: A system and method for lowering probability that low data rates, high bit error rates, and susceptibility to signal degradation in communication environments during storms, solar activity, and adversarial activity is disclosed. The system and method affect communications by minimizing the amount of data/information that needs to be transmitted, partly by creating an algorithmic process/method that moves knowledge and not data and information. The system and method is based upon the realization that structured communications often possess a similar level of context that can be exploited to communicate full meaning (knowledge), even when only a small fraction of the message is transmitted to the receiver. Reducing the number of bytes transmitted significantly reduces the probability that a transmission will be affected by either naturally occurring or human supplied factors present in modern communication environments.

Abstract: A system and method for lowering probability that low data rates, high bit error rates, and susceptibility to signal degradation in communication environments during storms, solar activity, and adversarial activity is disclosed. The system and method affect communications by minimizing the amount of data/information that needs to be transmitted, partly by creating an algorithmic process/method that moves knowledge and not data and information. The system and method is based upon the realization that structured communications often possess a similar level of context that can be exploited to communicate full meaning (knowledge), even when only a small fraction of the message is transmitted to the receiver. Reducing the number of bytes transmitted significantly reduces the probability that a transmission will be affected by either naturally occurring or human supplied factors present in modern communication environments.

Abstract: A natural gas feedstream containing contaminants such as carbon dioxide is purified by passing the contaminated natural gas stream through a membrane to remove the bulk of the contaminant, passing the purified natural gas stream to a TSA unit to remove additional contaminant from the natural gas stream to a desired specification, and regenerating the TSA adsorbent by heating the adsorbent with a heated contaminant-containing permeate stream from the membrane.

Abstract: A natural gas-containing stream such as biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing an adsorbent having a neutral surface, which adsorbs the siloxanes. When the bed of neutral adsorbent is filled to capacity, the adsorbent bed is heated to remove the siloxanes and regenerate the bed. The neutral adsorbent reduces disadvantageous reactions between the adsorbent and siloxane and other impurities in the natural gas-containing stream.

Abstract: A natural gas-containing stream such as biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing an adsorbent having a neutral surface, which adsorbs the siloxanes. When the bed of neutral adsorbent is filled to capacity, the adsorbent bed is heated to remove the siloxanes and regenerate the bed. The neutral adsorbent reduces disadvantageous reactions between the adsorbent and siloxane and other impurities in the natural gas-containing stream.

Abstract: A natural gas feedstream containing contaminants such as carbon dioxide is purified by passing the contaminated natural gas stream through a membrane to remove the bulk of the contaminant, passing the purified natural gas stream to a TSA unit to remove additional contaminant from the natural gas stream to a desired specification, and regenerating the TSA adsorbent by heating the adsorbent with a heated contaminant-containing permeate stream from the membrane.

Abstract: A method of treating a human or animal is provided. The method includes: locating a treatment site; providing bone grafting material at the treatment site; and generating one or more acoustic shock waves. The method also includes grafting the bone grafting material to existing bone material in the human or animal by applying to the treatment site the generated one or more acoustic shock waves.

Abstract: This invention is associated to with the practicality and method of acquiring of Radiographs of a human body. Particularly of the foot when the patient is standing utilizing direct digital receptors. Presently, to obtain a weight bearing, anterior-posterior foot, you must stand on the media that you intend to record on, in this case a direct digital receptor. Table will protect the highly sensitive direct digital X ray receptor from weight of a patient. This unique feature will allow this type of equipment to produce these exams. The Table can also be modified to perform as a fixed height positioning table for routine examinations. This device is designed to “Transform” into a “Stand” to acquire images to “Stitch”, a process where two or more digital radiographs are aligned to form one image such a Scoliosis examination or Leg Length studies. The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for managing livestock to improve performance and health of the general livestock population by reducing the impact of subclinical animals persistently infected with a contagious disease by separating animals into arrival groups, screening all animals for the pathogen of the contagious disease, promptly removing the pathogen positive animals from the general livestock population and feeding and managing the pathogen negative animals and pathogen positive animals separately. In preferred embodiments, the pathogen positive animals are removed from their arrival group within about 1.5-3 days after arrival. In preferred embodiments, the method of the present invention is applied in a cattle operation such as a seedstock operation, a cow-calf operation, a stocker operation, a backgrounding operation, a feedlot operation, a dairy operation, a farm of origin, such as a dairy farm, an auction facility, a gathering point or a buyer facility.

Abstract: A saddle correcting device consisting of 4 protective shields placed over the shoulders and loins of an equine to protect areas of movement often damaged by the rigid structure of a saddle. The shields are placed upon, or within, a pair of connected aprons, under the saddle against the horse. The shields are molded to the general shape of the equine anatomy they are to protect and slotted to induce flexing in areas necessary to utilize the upward bending actions of the shoulders and downward and inward pressures of the saddletree bars. By harnessing these opposing forces, the shields act to keep the corrector device in place, while concurrently holding the saddle rearward of the rotating scapulas. The area of weight distribution is increased under the shields only in the areas of most damage to the musculature of the animal by the typical saddletree. The closeness of the rider to the horse is enhanced because little padding is needed under the saddle.

Abstract: A process for purifying a stock Sr-90 solution containing stable and radioactive impurities, holding the purified Sr-90 solution for Y-90 ingrowth, and subsequently extracting the Y-90 from the Sr-90NY-90 solution. The stock solution is sequentially passed through two thermoxide-type sorbents (T-3 and T-5), which hold the impurities while passing the Sr-90 solution. After ingrowth of Y-90, the Sr-90/Y-90 solution is passed through sorbent T-3, which preferentially sorbs the Y-90 while passing the Sr-90 solution. The Y-90 is then eluted from the T-3 sorbent. The T-3 and T-5 sorbents are specially prepared compounds of zirconium dioxide and titanium dioxide, respectively, that preferentially sorb Y-90 under predetermined conditions of solution pH and NaCl concentration.

Abstract: An inflator (110) including: a pressure means (12, 14, 16, 20) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure means including a first burst disk (46) in communication with the stored inflation gas and preventing egress of the gas from the chamber and a hollow sliding piston (172) having at one end thereof cutting edges (174) for puncturing the first burst disk (46). A shear disk (180) having a stationary outer portion (187) and a central portion or second disk (186), central portion is secured to one end of the piston (172) opposite the cutting edges (174). The central portion is capable of separating from the outer portion and moving with the piston (172). A quantity of propellant material (218) is provided near the second burst disk (80) to produce gaseous combustion products when burned.

Abstract: An inflator for an air cushion including a pressure vessel comprising a hollow sleeve for storing a quantity of inert gas such as Argon. One end of the sleeve is closed by a first pyrotechnic actuator assembly while the other end of the sleeve may include a closed end or another pyrotechnic actuator assembly. The pressure vessel is secured within a diffuser which directs inflation gases into the air cushion. The pressure vessel in cooperation with the diffuser defines various regions which assist in reducing the gas turbulence and heat transfer between the gas and the diffuser.

Abstract: An inflator for an air cushion including a pressure vessel comprising a hollow sleeve for storing a quantity of inert gas such as Argon. One end of the sleeve is closed by a first pyrotechnic actuator assembly while the other end of the sleeve may include a closed end or another pyrotechnic actuator assembly. The pressure vessel is secured within a diffuser which directs inflation gases into the air cushion. The pressure vessel in cooperation with the diffuser defines various regions which assist in reducing the gas turbulence and heat transfer between the gas and the diffuser.