Abstract: An encapsulated surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tag. The tag includes a metal core and an encapsulant, typically a glass encapsulant. The encapsulant is further derivatized with a polymer.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating power to a plurality of displays is disclosed. An exemplary system preferably includes an AC current sensor, a power load sharing controller, ambient light sensors for each display, and a brightness controller for each display. A maximum total current draw may be selected. The ambient light contacting each display may be measured and a corresponding desired brightness calculated. Depending on the present amount of current draw, the system determines if the displays can be driven at the desired brightness without exceeding the maximum total current draw. If yes, the displays are driven at their desired brightness. If no, the desired brightness for each display may be slightly reduced to prevent exceeding the maximum total current draw. Thus, as the ambient light varies between the displays, the available power may be shared.

Abstract: A data-processing tool for displaying real-time patient data on remote and/or mobile devices. The tool renders graphical data on the screen of the remote device in a manner that makes it practical for the health care provider to review the data. Charting components provide landscape support, an ability to overlay patient data and patient images, zoom in/zoom out, custom variable speed scrolling, split screen support, and formatting control. The methodology operates as an asynchronous application, allowing patient data to be streamed in real-time to the handheld device while conserving enough CPU power to simultaneously allow the end user to interact at will with the responsive display application. Finally, the methodology implements an IT management console that allows system managers to monitor the exchange of data between hospital systems and the primary database, including all patient data packets, notifications and alerts, connected remote devices, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for enhanced PCI and dual-use radiation imaging systems. In one implementation high resolution storage phosphor plate radiation detector (an area detector) is employed for conventional attenuation radiation imaging and/or PCI (including conventional PCI and coded aperture PCI). Slit and slot scan implementations for dual-use systems are introduced. Dedicated single and dual-use slit and slot scan system for conventional attenuation imaging and PCI are described that employ face-on or edge-on detectors. Slit and slot scan systems that employ area detectors are described. Edge-on, structured cell detector designs are described. Applications of edge-on structured cell detectors for CT, Nuclear Medicine, PET, and probe detectors are described.

Abstract: A catheter for delivery of sclerosant to a tubular member or vein of the body to cause ablation. The catheter has one or more balloons located near the distal end to enhance effectiveness of the sclerosant and prevent its delivery to the deep venous system. The catheter has an orifice located near the distal end of the catheter to direct the sclerosant into the vessel and one or more effluent openings to provide for removal of the sclerosant fluid. A heating member such as an electrical resistance element, a Laser probe, or an RF electrode located within the catheter lumen or on the outside of the catheter shaft heats the sclerosant fluid to improve its ablation effectiveness.

Abstract: A hemispheric armillary with arms and supporting a structure for supporting a gnomon over a time indicating dial plate is constructed to avoid the arms' shadows from eclipsing the gnomon shadow on the dial plate.

Abstract: A computing device for use with a power system is provided. The computing device includes a processor that is programmed to organize data representative of at least one fault within the power system and to generate a graphical representation of the organized data. The computing device also includes a presentation interface that is coupled to the processor for presenting the graphical representation to a user to enable the user to identify the fault. Moreover, a user interface is coupled to the presentation interface and configured to enable the user to select at least one data point on the graphical representation such that the user is enabled to identify at least one variable of the fault.

Abstract: A system employing split-PHY functionality across multiple access heads to establish multiple paths between a client device (CD) and an access network. Space-time coding includes transmitting one or multiple spatial streams through each access head. Macro transmit diversity includes transmitting a same signal, consisting of one or more spatial streams, from one or more access heads. A CD uses a strongest signal transmitted from at least one access head or diversity combining of two or more signals to recover the signal. Space-time coding includes receiving one or multiple spatial streams through each access head. Macro receive diversity includes receiving a same signal from a CD at one or more access heads. A strongest received signal is used to recover a signal or diversity combining of two or more signals received at different access heads is used to recover the transmitted signal.

Abstract: A zero turning radius vehicle is disclosed having a power transmission operatively and independently engaged to each one of at least two driven wheels, and including at least one caster, supporting a portion of said vehicle weight, rotatably connected to the vehicle whereby the caster is operatively biased while the vehicle is operating at a side angle such that the caster neutralizes the gravitational force that would tend to drive the vehicle downward when traversing a slope.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp including the four rare earth phosphor system provided herein exhibits high color rendering index (CRI), of at least 87, while simultaneously achieving high lumen output, or lumens per watt (LPW), of at least 80. The phosphor coating may be disposed in a one or two layer coating format. The four rare earth phosphor system includes a red emitting phosphor, a green emitting phosphor, a blue emitting phosphor, and a blue-green emitting phosphor, all four phosphors being rare earth-doped phosphor compositions.

Abstract: Sheet casting of metallic glasses and twin roll sheet casting of bulk metallic glasses and composite in an inert environment. Samples may be heated by RF to a temperature in the semi-solid region. After semi-solid processing, the partial liquid then may be poured or injected to achieve the desired shape. Plates of metallic glasses and/or metallic glass matrix composites may be formed (for example, through diecasting) and serve as a pre-form for rolling. In this configuration, the plates may be lowered through a radio frequency coil into compressing wheels, directly next to or below the coil. As the plates pass through the coil they may heat to above the glass transition temperature. Next, they may be fed into the rolling wheel to thermoplasically form the plates into thinner sheets.

Abstract: A system for supporting a shaft inside a turbine includes a support member having load and counterweight portions. A fulcrum is between the load and counterweight portions, and the load portion is configured to fit inside the turbine. Nests are connected to the support member between the load and counterweight portions, and the nests are configured to rigidly connect the shaft to the support member. A counterweight is connected to move along the support member only on the counterweight portion of the support member. A method for supporting a shaft inside a turbine includes inserting a support member inside the turbine and connecting the shaft to the support member. The method further includes connecting a crane to a fulcrum on the support member, lifting the support member and shaft with the crane, and moving a counterweight on the support member to change a horizontal angle of the support member.

Abstract: A processing chamber including multiple plasma sources in a process chamber top. Each one of the plasma sources is a ring plasma source including a primary winding and multiple ferrites. A plasma processing system is also described. A method of plasma processing is also described.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for using an optimized order plan including freight allowance and expense per shipment. Further, an notification of non-compliance is sent to purchasing when purchasing attempts to initiate an order outside of the optimized order plan. Additionally, a compliance reporting system reports the actual shipping results as compared with the optimized order plan.

Abstract: Described are aircraft with at least one fuselage, a wing, a power plant coupled to the at least one fuselage, a shroud surrounding a propeller, and at least two floats coupled to the wing. As examples, each float may include a step that is forward of the location at which the bottom surface of the float intersects a line that passes through a center of gravity of the aircraft and is oriented at an angle of six degrees rearward from vertical. As further examples, each float may include a forward portion located forward of the step, the forward portion including a ski surface that is planar in a left to right horizontal direction, and an aft portion that is located rearward of the step.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for dynamic feature detection of physical features of objects in the field of view of a sensor. Dynamic feature detection substantially reduces the effects of accidental alignment of physical features with the pixel grid of a digital image by using the relative motion of objects or material in and/or through the field of view to capture and process a plurality of images that correspond to a plurality of alignments. Estimates of the position, weight, and other attributes of a feature are based on an analysis of the appearance of the feature as it moves in the field of view and appears at a plurality of pixel grid alignments. The resulting reliability and accuracy is superior to prior art static feature detection systems and methods.

Abstract: A hood assembly for a protective suit has a hood (41) and a seal (10). The seal extends about the rim of the hood and comprises a sheet composed partly or entirely of resilient material. The sheet is provided with a pocket (14). The pocket (14) has an inner layer (16) for contacting a contoured surface and an outer layer (18), separated by a filler medium (22). The outer layer is curved about the filler medium when no stretching force (26) is applied to the sheet, and as the sheet is subjected to a stretching force a first component of the stretching force is transmitted along the outer layer. As the sheet is subjected to a stretching force the curvature of the outer layer is reduced, so that a pressing force (28) is transmitted from the outer layer, through the filler medium, onto the inner layer. The pressing force presses the inner layer against the contoured surface, so as to reduce fluid flow between the inner layer and the contoured surface.

Abstract: Melody and accompaniment audio signals are received and processed to identify one or more harmony notes and a harmony signal is produced based on the one or more harmony notes. Typically the melody note is identified and a spectrum of the accompaniment audio signal and is obtained, and one or more harmony notes are identified based on the melody note and the accompaniment spectrum. The melody, and accompaniment signals can be processed in real-time for combination with the harmony signal in an audio performance. In some examples, audio signals are processed and harmonies generated for subsequent performance based on, for example, MIDI files generated from the audio signals.

Abstract: A method of traversing a travel joint with a line can include, after the travel joint has been installed in a well, activating a connector which provides sealed fluid communication between sections of the line on respective opposite sides of the travel joint. A travel joint system for use with a subterranean well can include a travel joint comprising a releasing device which permits relative displacement between sections of the travel joint, and a connector which provides fluid communication between sections of a line.

Abstract: Stabilization, via active-feedback positional drift-correction, of an optical microscope imaging system in up to 3-dimensions is achieved using the optical measurement path of an image sensor. Nanometer-scale stability of the imaging system is accomplished by correcting for positional drift using fiduciary references sparsely distributed within or in proximity to the experimental sample.