Abstract:
A microphone pop filter for attenuating plosive artifacts utilizes a substantially acoustically transparent material configured to define multiple airfoil surfaces that are oriented non-orthogonally relative to an axis defined between an audio source and a microphone diaphragm, with the substantially acoustically transparent material disposed intermediate the audio source and the microphone diaphragm and separated from the microphone diaphragm by an airspace. Plosive artifacts from the audio source may be deflected away from the microphone diaphragm by the airfoil surfaces to reduce the impact of such artifacts on the microphone diaphragm and the resulting electronic signal output therefrom.
Abstract:
A method and computer program product is provided that, in various embodiments, may provide a measure of efficiency of resources used in medical treatment plan options. A normalized Relative Resource Value (RRV) may be obtained that measures the level of resources required to satisfy a “normal” case for a particular aspect of medical care. Applying this value against actual costs allows ranking and/or comparison of health care providers relative to one another on the basis of the price or resources applied or utilized. Moreover, applying the RRV against the quality of outcome allows comparison and ranking of providers on overall value. The invention may be applied to the components of medical care comprising, inter alia, acute inpatient, non-acute inpatient, outpatient, professional office-based care including scheduled outpatient, and pharmacy/prescriptions. The normalized RRV obtained under various embodiments of the invention may measure resource use for medical treatment plan options/resources independent of price. The RRV may be relative across, as well as within, each of the components of medical care. Thus, provider profiling generally as well as profiling across treatment plan options based on efficiency generally is within the scope of various embodiments of the invention. Moreover, providers may be compared based on efficiency for specific conditions, as well as across conditions, across treatment plan options and across components of care using various embodiments of the invention.
Abstract:
Erosion resistant gas turbine engine compressor airfoil substrates coated with a diamond-like coating (DLC), wherein the coated airfoil substrates are protected from ingested abrasive particulates. The DLC may be applied to an airfoil surface of an axial flow compressor blade or stator vane via a hydrogen-free chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process by ablation of a graphite target in a vacuum. The DLC may be comprised predominantly of sp3 (tetrahedral) carbon, and may be devoid of detectable amounts of hydrogen. Methods for making erosion resistant compressor components are also disclosed, together with gas turbine engines incorporating such components, and vehicles incorporating such engines.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for sampling semivolatile compounds is disclosed. A collection bag is placed around an air conditioning vent on an aircraft. An opening in the collection bag receives air from the air conditioning vent into the bag. An exit in the collection bag allows the air sample to escape from the collection bag. Vacuum applied by tubing at the exit pulls the air sample from the bag. Flow is adjusted so that the inflow into the collection bag exceeds the outtake, thereby inflating the bag. The inflation of the collection bag assures that the air being sampled is only air originating from the air conditioning vent.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a culture tank for marine organisms, having a water tank, an overflow sill with an algae scrub and an optional cover. The culture tank provides an environment capable of culturing both the target marine organism and secondary organisms, simultaneously.
Abstract:
The collector habitat device comprises panels of non-biodegradable and/or synthetic fibrous material set in durable weatherproof frames and attached to a base; when placed in, the panels hang within the water column providing numerous parallel settlement surfaces for post-larvae. A float assembly, optionally attached to the opposite side of the base from the panels, allows the device to float just below the water's surface. The collector habitat device also incorporates a guard, surrounding the panels, with apertures to allow settlement-stage post-larvae access to the settlement surfaces, while preventing larger organisms and potential predators from gaining access. The collector habitat device also, optionally, incorporates an optionally removable/re-attachable reservoir hung below the guard; and an optional olfactory attractant delivery device.
Abstract:
A microphone pop filter for attenuating plosive artifacts utilizes a substantially acoustically transparent material configured to define multiple airfoil surfaces that are oriented non-orthogonally relative to an axis defined between an audio source and a microphone diaphragm, with the substantially acoustically transparent material disposed intermediate the audio source and the microphone diaphragm and separated from the microphone diaphragm by an airspace. Plosive artifacts from the audio source may be deflected away from the microphone diaphragm by the airfoil surfaces to reduce the impact of such artifacts on the microphone diaphragm and the resulting electronic signal output therefrom.