Abstract: A continuous process for the production of low-modified polyethylene terephthalate for food packaging in which, while maintaining specific processing conditions, a precondensate is polycondensed in the melt, the polycondensate is pelletized, and the pellets are first hardened, then crystallized and subjected to dealdehydization. The process results in a polyester having a very low acetaldehyde content.

Abstract: A microphone for use in a harsh environment of intense vibration and sound pressure. A microphone transducer and an acceleration transducer are located adjacent each other inside of a housing. The microphone transducer substantially blocks much of the acoustic signal from reaching the acceleration transducer. Accordingly, the acceleration transducer provides a signal substantially related only to the movement of the microphone, while the microphone transducer provides a signal related to both the movement of the microphone and the acoustic signal applied to it. The acceleration signal may then be removed from the microphone signal, providing a electrical signal substantially representative only of the acoustic signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solvent system for enhancing the solubility of an acidic, basic, or amphoteric pharmaceutical agent to produce a highly concentrated solution suitable for softgel filling or two piece encapsulation. The solvent system comprises polyethylene glycol containing 0.2-1.0 mole equivalents of an ionizing agent per mole equivalent pharmaceutical agent and 1-20% water. Glycerin or polyvinylpyrrolidone may be added to further enhance the solubility of certain drugs. The disclosed solvent system is capable of enhancing solubilities of pharmaceutical agents 40-400%.The ionizing agent functions by causing partial ionization (neutralization) of the free pharmaceutical agent. When the pharmaceutical agent is acidic, the ionizing agent is preferably a hydroxide ion species, whereas when the pharmaceutical agent is basic, the ionizing agent is preferably a hydrogen ion species.

Abstract: During radiotherapy for malignant conditions, healthy tissues can suffer from radiation damage. Traditional radiation shields designed to protect healthy tissues are prepared by a lengthy, multi-step complex procedure. Materials are described for preparation of a radiation shield for use during radiation therapy, especially therapy of the head and neck, where the material comprises a composite of non-radioactive, non-toxic high atomic density metal or metal alloy spherical particles dispersed in a manually moldable elastomeric material. Custom radiation shields are formulated of this material without the need for use of impressions or molds. Healthy tissues may then be shielded during radiation therapy by positioning the custom-fitted radiation shield in the desired location on the patient's body.

Abstract: A process for producing spin-oriented continuous filaments at a draw-off speed of more than 2400 m/min, whereby the filaments extruded through the spinnerets of the spinning heads are cooled in cooling shafts by the ambient air entrained as a result of the suction action of the filaments and the filaments leaving the cooling shafts enter a chamber that is separate from the intake environment where the air pressure is regulated at a lower pressure in comparison with the air pressure in the intake environment.

Abstract: A stepped-edge blister pack for containing and dispensing unit doses of medication such as capsules, tablets, caplets or fast-dissolving dosage forms (FDDF) is disclosed. The invention is comprised of a base sheet and a substantially planar lidding sheet. The base sheet has a plurality of blister compartments and a plurality of steps along its edges, one step being adjacent to each blister compartment. The substantially planar lidding sheet is peelably sealed to the base sheet except at extended edge regions, thus forming edge peel tabs, and the lidding sheet is scored with lines of weakening about each blister compartment. The steps along the edges underlay the unsealed extended edge regions of the lidding sheet, thus providing a series of finger accesses to thereby ease the process of grasping a given edge peel tab and ultimately opening a given blister compartment.

Abstract: A microcontroller based multiple access unit for use in interconnecting a plurality of computers with a token ring data network. The microcontroller monitors a phantom voltage applied by a computer to determine whether the computer should be inserted into, or withdrawn from, the network. The microcontroller also monitors a manual activation device to determine whether any computer that is not providing a phantom voltage is still interconnected to the network. In such a case, the microprocessor withdraws the computer from the network. A coil-pair is directly interconnected to a plurality of microprocessor gates. The microcontroller activates the coil-pair in one manner to cause the computer to be brought into the network and reverses the plurality of the coil-pair so as to withdraw the computer from the network. The controller further includes a circuit to inhibit operation of the microcontroller when the supply voltage is unstable.

Abstract: A cable cutting apparatus incorporating a mechanism for preventing the erroneous cutting of the cables in use, which is both inexpensive and simple. This cable cutting apparatus includes a cutting mechanism having cutting blades for cutting a cable; a core potential recognition unit for recognizing a potential of the cutting blades brought into contact with a core of the cable as one of a potential for a cable in use and a potential for a cable out of use; and a locking mechanism for locking cutting movements of the cutting blades of the cutting mechanism whenever the core potential recognition unit recognizes the potential of the cutting blades in contact with the core of the cable as the potential for a cable in use.

Abstract: A two to four wire hybrid converter for use in a telephone system that allows other telephone equipment, such as a caller identification device, to more readily decipher signals. The converter controls noise by using a digital to analog converter, hybrid circuit, interface circuit, and controller. The digital to analog converter accepts a receive digital data signal from a transmission line and converts it to a receive analog signal. The hybrid circuit accepts the receive analog signal and provides it to the customer telephone line, as well as accepting a transmit telephone analog signal from the customer telephone line. Such transmit telephone analog signals are then converted to digital signals and provided to the carrier transmission lines. The hybrid circuit includes an inverter, variable amplifiers, and summing circuit. The inverter inverts the transmit telephone analog signal with respect to the receive analog signal.

Abstract: An ionizing radiation converter 10 comprises a vacuum tight enclosure 12; a cathode 16; an anode 18 defining a pinhole 20 and comprising an output phosphor layer facing away from the cathode; and focusing electrodes 26 and 30. The focusing electrodes, anode and cathode, in use, force photoelectrons, emitted by the cathode as a result of input ionizing radiation, to move through the pinhole, and back to the anode, so that the photoelectrons impinge on the output phosphor layer to provide an intensified signal representative of the input radiation.

Abstract: An all-optical polarization independent optical time division multiplexer and demultiplexer which are stable as well as very fast, while being independent of the polarization state of the input optical signal pulses.

Abstract: A method of purifying full length synthetic target oligonucleotides from a mixture of oligonucleotides, particularly from a mixture containing truncated or failed sequences is disclosed. The method involves attaching a short nucleotide sequence complementary to the 5' end of a target oligonucleotide to a solid support. The complementarity between the most 5' nucleotides of the target oligonucleotide and the bound oligonucleotide results in hybridization which serves to retain the target oligonucleotide. Truncated or failed sequences lacking 5' sequences complementary to the attached oligonucleotide, fail to hybridize and therefore are not retained. The method makes it possible to purify gram quantities of synthetic deoxyribonucleic acids or ribonucleic acids and sequences which have modifications, such as on the phosphate backbone. The support-bound nucleotide sequences are stable under conditions of purification and therefore can be reused.

Abstract: A personal exercise device on which an exerciser may slide back and forth. The exercise device includes a sliding mat as well as first and second end pieces. Each end of the mat defines a series of apertures. Each of the end pieces include a plurality of bosses and posts, which engage the apertures of the mat. Such assemblies prevent the mat from ripping away from the end pieces while an exerciser uses the mat and pushes against the end assemblies with her feet.

Abstract: A method for recovering a purified 52,000 dalton fraction of human pancreatic cholesterol esterase is disclosed. The 52,000 dalton fraction of human pancreatic cholesterol esterase is purified by passing a solution having a pH of about 8.2 which contains two or more fractions of human pancreatic cholesterol esterase including the 52,000 dalton fraction over DEAE-cellulose to produce an effluent containing said 52,000 dalton fraction. Since the 52,000 dalton fraction of the esterase does not bind to the DEAE-cellulose whereas the other esterase fractions do bind to the DEAE-cellulose, the 52,000 dalton fraction is then collected in the effluent. The method can be further carried out by passing the purified 52,000 dalton fraction over both hydroxyapatite and heparin-Sepharose to obtain a homogeneous solution of the 52,000 dalton fraction.

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for a round hay baler is capable of feeding plastic sheet, netting, or alternatively twine by means of a single set of parallel feed rolls. The device includes a control mechanism which, upon sensing of a full bale having been formed within the baler, initiates a programmed control sequence beginning with driving of one roll for an incremental period of time. The driven roll engage netting, sheet or twine against the second idler roll and feeds the netting, sheet or twine into the bale forming mechanism for wrapping about the bale. Upon completion of the wrapping sequence, a special knife descends and cuts the twine or sheet of netting or plastic. The controller then resets the mechanism.

Abstract: A method of consolidating particulate materials or combinations of such materials into shaped products of very low porosity. High compaction pressures are applied at temperatures in the range of sintering temperature of the materials being consolidated to achieve essentially complete densification at extremely rapid processing rates. Electrothermal heating is utilized to accomplish these results. Difficult materials such as silicon carbide, boron carbide and other very high melting point materials may be densified by these techniques.