Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for making interleaved cylindrical rolls from a polymer roll and a porous roll. The interleaved rolls disclosed herein are useful for subsequent high pressure gas impregnation and solid-state foam processing. In one embodiment, an interleaving apparatus comprises: a first rotatable platform for unwinding a first cylindrical roll of a first sheet material, the first rotatable platform being rotatable about a first central axis; a second rotatable platform for unwinding a second cylindrical roll of a second sheet material, the second rotatable platform being rotatable about a second central axis; and a third rotatable platform for winding, while the first and second materials are unwinding, the first sheet material together with the second sheet material to yield the interleaved cylindrical roll, the third rotatable platform being rotatable about a third axis and proximate to the first and second rotatable platforms.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for strengthening the thenar muscles of the hand. Generally, a device comprises a base shaped to be held in the hand, a thumb rest having a hinge attached to the base such that one end of the thumb rest can be pivoted relative to the base, and an elastic member attached to the base and the thumb rest, which resists the pivoting motion of the thumb rest relative to the base. The user can place the device in his or her hand, and place his or her thumb on the thumb rest. When the user presses the thumb rest toward the base with his or her thumb, the elastic member supplies a force resisting the pressing motion, which exercises the thenar muscles.

Abstract: A probe is used to inspect the health of a corner radius within an elongate internal cavity of a structure. The probe is transported through the cavity on a carriage that maintains the probe a substantially constant distance from the corner radius as the carriage traverses changes in the cross sectional shape of the cavity.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the permeability of a portion of a subterranean formation surrounding a wellbore using non-hydrolyzed liquid esters to attack carbonates within acid-soluble formations without requiring the use of a catalyst or enzyme. Some methods comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising a non-hydrolyzed liquid ester in a base fluid; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation at matrix flow rates to allow the non-hydrolyzed liquid ester to penetrate into at least a portion of the subterranean formation; and leaving the treatment fluid in contact with the subterranean formation for a period of time during which at least a portion of the non-hydrolyzed liquid ester hydrolyzes to produce an acid.

Abstract: A first unit configured to generate and transmit a code of positive and negative DC pulses through a first rail of a railway. A second unit spaced from the first unit and configured to sense the code, which includes a leading code word, having a positive or negative timing pulse followed after a first data interval by a positive or negative data pulse, followed by a modifying code word. The modifying code word consists of a second positive or negative timing pulse followed after a second data interval by a second positive or negative data pulse. The second timing pulse starts after one code cycle from the start of the leading code word timing pulse. The second timing pulse and the second data pulse duplicate the timing pulse and the data pulse of the same polarity, but invert the timing pulse and the data pulse of opposite polarities.

Abstract: The exhaust system is located on each nacelle of a tiltrotor aircraft. The exhaust system includes a vector nozzle that is selectively rotatable in relation to each nacelle in order to achieve certain performance objectives. The vector nozzle can be oriented to provide maximum flight performance, reduce infrared (IR) signature, or even to reduce/prevent ground heating.

Abstract: A method of producing a HIPE foam using Ultraviolet (UV) light to polymerize a High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) having two or more layers. The method uses UV light to polymerize HIPEs having two or more layers wherein each of the layers comprises a continuous oil phase containing monomers, photoinitiator, and an aqueous phase.

Abstract: A system and method that allow inspection of hollow structures made of composite material, such as an integrally stiffened wing box of an aircraft. A wing box comprises top and bottom skins connected by a plurality of spaced spars. The system employs a plurality of scanners for inspecting different portions of each spar. The system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to connect an external drive tractor to computer-controlled scanners that carry respective sensors, e.g., linear ultrasonic transducer arrays. A system operator can control the various components by means of a graphical user interface comprising multiple interaction regions that represent the individual scanner motion paths and are associated with respective motion script files.

Abstract: A process and apparatus that are described measure characteristics of radiated waves in an uncontrolled environment. These measurements are useful for the design of communications installations (site surveys) among other signal measurement applications.

Abstract: System and method for enabling ultrasonic inspection of a variable and irregular shape. The system comprises one or more ultrasonic pulser/receivers, one or more ultrasonic transducer arrays, a shoe or jig to hold and position the array(s), data acquisition software to drive the array(s), and data analysis software to select a respective best return signal for each pixel to be displayed. This system starts with information about the general orientation of the array relative to the part and a general predicted part shape. More specific orientation of the transmitted ultrasound beams relative to the part surface is done electronically by phasing the elements in the array(s) to cover the expected (i.e., predicted) surface as well as the full range of part surface variability.

Abstract: Described herein are composition composed of micronized placental components and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compositions have numerous medical applications. Methods for making and using the micronized compositions are also described herein.

Abstract: A power distribution system among a set of units (e.g., server blocks) may comprise, for each unit, a utility line and a unit generator, and a reserve generator providing failover transient performance and redundancy improvement to the power for the unit generators. The reserve generator may connect to the units via a reserve bus, and the unit generators may selectively connect to a wraparound bus connected to the reserve bus. When the failover load exceeds the available failover transient capability of one generator, one or more unit generators may (automatically or by operator selection) be connected with the wraparound bus to apply available transient capability to satisfy the excess failover load with minimal increase in power distribution resources and complexity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling ultrasonic inspection of a changing, insufficiently defined or unknown shape (e.g., a variable radius or a noncircular radius caused by the use of soft tooling) at a rate that meets production requirements. The apparatus comprises a linear ultrasonic array (i.e., sensor) incorporated in a toppler, which in turn is slidably supported by an oscillating sensor mechanism carried by a traveling trailer vehicle. As a result of this arrangement, the sensor can undergo a back-and-forth sweeping motion coupled with motion along the spar radius. The sensor is further able to displace radially relative to a sweep pivot axis and rotate (hereinafter “topple”) about a topple pivot axis. In this manner, the orientation of the sensor can adjust to the contour of the inspected surface as the sensor scans.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon comprises a compressed absorbent member having an exterior surface, the compressed absorbent member comprising an absorbent material. An overwrap substantially covers the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member. The overwrap comprises a fluid pervious material.

Abstract: A method of delivering a health care active having the steps of administering to a mammal in need of a health benefit or a treatment for a health condition a personal health care article and consuming the article. The article contains one or more filaments that contain a backbone material, a health care active and optionally aesthetic agents, extensional aids, plasticizers, and crosslinking agents.

Abstract: Endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes have an inflatable cuff for sealing the trachea so that a patient may be ventilated through a respiratory lumen of the tube. As a result of sealing the trachea outside of the tube, liquids accumulate above the cuff. If these liquids are allowed to move into the lungs, they may cause ventilator acquired pneumonia (VAP). The liquids may be removed by suction applied to a suction lumen terminating in a port above the cuff, but suctioning can cause damage to the trachea if the tube is sucked up against the tracheal wall. A tracheal catheter having a unique method of attaching the balloon cuff is provided. The cuff is to attached so that an upper part (collar) of the cuff is used to cover the distal end of a suction lumen port. This allows the port to be located closer to the cuff and so provides more thorough liquid removal and reduces the possibility that the tube may suck itself onto the tracheal wall.

Abstract: Described herein are placental tissue grafts produced by chemical dehydration followed by freeze-drying the placental tissue to produce the tissue graft. The tissue grafts retain their biological properties preferably at the same level as the placental tissues before they are processed. The placental tissue grafts have numerous medical applications. Methods for making the tissue graft compositions are also described herein.