Abstract: The method and system of the present invention may be utilized to enable a blind or visually impaired computer user to graphically select a displayed graphic element within a computer system display. A unique identifiable audible signal is associated with each displayed graphic element. A movable cursor element or pointer is displayed within the computer system display and a composite audible signal is periodically generated in response to the position of the movable cursor element. The composite audible signal preferably includes elements of each identifiable audible signal associated with each displayed graphic element within a predetermined radius of the location of the movable cursor element.

Abstract: An articulated bend limiter (10) is provided for connection to an elongate flexible member such as a steel cable (14). In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes of a plurality of interconnected segments (12), each of which includes a modified ball and socket joint capable of limited angular movement. The ball (36) contained within each socket is modified in that it comprises two generally hemispherical sections (36A,36B) that form a split ball and that move relative to one another within a limited range. Each hemispherical section (36A,36B) is formed of two half-portions which may be bolted together about a mid span region of a cable (14). The socket is defined by a curved inner surface (34) of an outer sleeve (30) that, itself, includes two half-portions (30A,30B) which are bolted around the ball assembly (36). The range of movement of each of the hemispherical sections (36A,36B) within the socket is defined by a coacting stop surfaces (42A,42B) respectively provided on the sections (36A,36B).

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination of IL-12 and IFN.alpha. together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier useful for treatment and prophylaxis of infectious diseases, preferably chronic infectious diseases and more preferably viral infections, e.g. HSV, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, papilloma etc., bacterial infections, e.g. tuberculosis, salmonellosis, listeriosis, etc., and parasite infections, e.g. malaria, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis. These compositions are characterized by the synergistic interaction of IL-12 and IFN.alpha.. The present invention also provides the use of the above combination for the treatment and prophylaxis of infectious diseases.

Abstract: When a speech signal that may include a sibilant consisting of one or more formants is received, frequencies and selectivity factors are determined for each sibilant formant in the speech signal. Then, the frequencies and selectivity factors are compared to a set of empirically derived criteria to classify the sibilant sound.

Abstract: A novel self-supporting flat display screen based on thermionic emission of indirectly heated cathode structures (23, 30, 31, 32, 34; 230, 32, 34) is provided utilizing micro-filament heaters (21) that can be interconnected in any predetermined manner. The planar micro-filament (21) construction utilizes Dewer and Dewer-like techniques (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for controlling the thermal energy emitted and lowering the power consumption of a display device. Several control electrode techniques (42, 52, 33, 133, 142) are also incorporated in the invention to reduce the voltage levels required to control the display and simplify the overall electronic control circuitry needed by the display device. These techniques are combined to provide a high intensity, high contrast flat panel display using low voltage off-the-shelf electronic driver circuitry.

Abstract: An electrical transformer includes a tank containing transformer fluid and a transformer core and winding subassembly located in the transformer fluid within the tank. The electrical transformer also includes a mechanism for varying the dynamic pressure of the transformer fluid within the tank during electromagnetic operation of the transformer core and winding subassembly to cancel out (or reduce) noise-causing vibrations in the transformer fluid which come from the operating transformer core and winding subassembly. Preferably, the electrical transformer further includes an active mount subassembly.

Abstract: An electrical transformer includes a housing, a transformer core and winding subassembly located within the housing, and an active mount subassembly having an active mount and a controller. The active mount has a first end attached to the housing and a second end attached to the transformer core and winding subassembly. The controller has an output port connected to the active mount. The active mount cancels out (or reduces) noise-causing vibrations which come from the transformer core and winding subassembly during transformer operation.

Abstract: An electrical transformer includes a housing, a transformer core and winding subassembly located in the housing, and a cooling fan subassembly. The cooling fan subassembly includes a variable speed fan located outside the housing, a temperature sensor located near the housing, and a controller having an output port connected to the variable speed fan and an input port connected to the temperature sensor. The controller reduces the fan speed (and hence the fan noise) when a lower fan speed can maintain the desired temperature as sensed by the temperature sensor. Preferably, the electrical transformer further includes an active mount subassembly and/or (when the housing includes a tank containing transformer fluid) a mechanism for varying the dynamic pressure of such transformer fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a plurality of logical elements connected to each other by a plurality of connectors, wherein a change of state may occur in at least one of the plurality of logical elements. A state data field is established for each of the plurality of connectors. State data is used within each connection to compare and asserted output of one node with the acknowledged input of another node. Logical elements that require reevaluation are identified from the plurality of elements. By searching for discrepancies within the state data field(s).

Abstract: Fabric handling apparatus is provided to continuously unwind a fabric sheet being supplied from a supply roll at variable travel speeds for subsequent processing operations. The fabric sheet being unwound is accumulated in storage means enabling the fabric travel speed to be automatically and continuously decreased as fabric is being accumulated while also being automatically and continuously increased as the fabric sheet is being withdrawn from storage.

Abstract: A ball type universal joint construction where a ball member is rotatably received in a housing and a bearing structure interposed therebetween in a manner which limits the relative rotational degrees of freedom. The ball member has a spherical surface portion which includes axially extending bearing receiving slots and the housing has a cavity spherical surface portion which includes bearing receiving recesses in registry with the receiving slots. Ball type bearings disposed partially within the recesses and partially within the slots limit movement between the ball member and the housing to articulated movement relative to each other. The housing also includes an access opening at one end face having an enlargement through which the ball member can be passed when rotated 90 degrees to its nominal, functioning position. This allows the ball member to be inserted into the housing through the enlargement while at the same time accommodating passage of the bearings into the housing recesses.

Abstract: A ball type universal joint construction where a ball member is rotatably received in a housing and a bearing structure interposed therebetween in a manner which limits the relative rotational degrees of freedom. The ball member has a spherical surface portion which includes axially extending bearing receiving slots and the housing has a cavity spherical surface portion which includes bearing receiving recesses in registry with the receiving slots. Ball type bearings disposed partially within the recesses and partially within the slots limit movement between the ball member and housing to articulated movement relative to each other. The housing also includes an access opening at one end face having an enlargement through which the ball member can be passed when rotated 90 degrees to its nominal, functioning position. This allows the ball member to be inserted into the housing through the enlargement while at the same time accommodating passage of the bearings into the housing recesses.

Abstract: A bending strain relief assembly which includes a plurality of helical band members cooperatively interdigitated to define a sleeve having a cylindrical passage therethrough for receiving a cable or hose. Each band member includes a plurality of individual helical elements encapsulated together in synthetic plastic material. Each band member also has an external grip groove on one end portion thereof for receiving a clamping flange on a clamping head. Cooperation between the clamping flange and grip grooves prevents radial separation of the band members at the one end portion thereof and prevents relative longitudinal movement between the band members and the clamping head. A holding device is positioned around the band members adjacent the other end portions for preventing radial separation thereof.

Abstract: A bending strain relief device in the form of an elongated tubular member having a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of rigid sleeve members positioned one after another along the axis. The sleeve members are connected together only by elastomeric material which deforms and flows elastically during relative angular movement between adjacent sleeve members for imparting curvature to the tubular member. Adjacent sleeve members have cooperating surfaces which interfere with each other to effectively limit the maximum degree of relative angular movement and thereby limit the degree of curvature which can be imparted to the tubular member.

Abstract: A contraction termination device and method for electrical conductor cable or the like encased in a sheathed braided material. The device employs an elongated sleeve having opposed lead and terminal ends with an internal passageway communicating therebetween. The sleeve tapers outwardly from the lead end along a tapered area which merges into a roughened area which then merges into an intermediate area. These three areas are all coated for creating a friction surface along the sleeve. The internal cable conductors or strands are passed through the sleeve passageway from the lead end and the braided sheath is passed over the sleeve lead end to the intermediate area. Thereafter, the sheath is affixed to the sleeve at the intermediate area by tie wraps and the ends of the conductors or strands may be conveniently interconnected to attendant equipment at the sleeve terminal end.

Abstract: There are provided novel S-(.alpha.-substituted -arylmethylthio, -arylmethylsulfinyl, and -arylmethylsulfonyl) methyl phosphorus esters of reduced mammalian toxicity and methods for controlling insects and acarids therewith. There are also provided methods for protecting plants from attack by insects and acarids by applying an insecticidally or acaricidally effective amount of the aforementioned esters to the foliage of said plants or to the soil in which they are grown.

Abstract: The invention also relates to a method for controlling insects and acarina with the oxygenated derivatives of S-(tert-butylthio)methyl O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate and phosphorothioate.