Abstract: A shot-peening assembly for dispelling shot onto a workpiece includes a discharging device for dispelling shot onto the workpiece. The shot-peening assembly also includes a reservoir for collecting the shot dispelled from the discharging device. The assembly further includes a transfer tube defining a fluid passageway between the reservoir and the discharging device for recirculating the shot from the reservoir back to the discharging device. A fluid nozzle of the assembly is interposed between the reservoir and the transfer tube for conveying the shot through the fluid passageway.

Abstract: An autofocus system for use for instance in a photolithography machine (but not so limited) uses oblique incident optics which transform a defocus of the plane of the wafer whose location is being detected to a lateral shear of the beam. A common path interferometer measures the lateral shear. The common path interferometer is for instance a triangular path interferometer. Since both the signal (object) light beam and the reference light beams transverse almost exactly the same optical path, the system is thereby independent of mechanical vibration or other environmental influence such as temperature variations. Compensation is provided for refractive effects caused by local atmospheric heating immediately above the wafer surface.

Abstract: The subject invention is related to human MMP-8alt genes and gene products and their differential expression when comparing a patient with a disease state to a control. A further aspect of the invention concerns compounds which antagonize the biological activity of MMP-8alt protein and methods for identifying these compounds. Another aspect of the present invention concerns pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds for the treatment of arthritis, cancer, and disease caused by cellular apoptosis including but not limited to Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's chorea.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric having a system of primary machine direction yarns which form seaming loops at each end of the fabric and a system of secondary machine direction yarns. A system of cross-machine direction yarns are interwoven with the primary and secondary systems of machine direction yarns in a weave pattern that provides adjacent balancing yarns that maintain the seam loops in substantially vertical alignment.

Abstract: The transparent articles described herein have interspersed small particles with a metallic glint. This appearance is achieved by dispersing metal oxide-coated glass platelets within a thermoplastic matrix. It is desirable to take steps to avoid breaking the glass platelets during the process of preparing these materials.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rex Begonia plant named ‘Houston Fiesta’, characterized by its uniform growth habit; moderate plant vigor; no requirement for winter dormancy; and interesting and attractive leaf coloration and pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nectarine tree, Prunus persica, and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium sized, vigorous, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the third week in June, with first picking on Jun. 25, 1999. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and crisp in texture, and fully red in skin color. The variety was a first generation cross using Diamond Ray U.S. Plant Pat. No. (8,948) yellow flesh nectarine as the selected seed parent and an unnamed nectarine seedling as the selected pollen parent.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Mimulus plant named ‘Jelly Bean White’, characterized by its upright, rounded and compact plant habit, freely branching habit; moderate vigor; dark green leaves; and numerous large white ruffled flowers.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Mimulus plant named ‘Jelly Bean Apricot’, characterized by its upright, somewhat open and relatively compact plant habit; freely branching habit; high vigor; dark green glossy leaves; and numerous large flowers that are initially pale yellow and become pink with development.

Abstract: The claimed cultivar brings a new color to the Trumpet series of Petunias and is characterized by a purple colored flower accented in its center with dark purple veining, over medium green foliage. As with all Trumpet Petunias, this cultivar exhibits early flowering with superior branching so that the plant may also be used in a hanging pot.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena fragrans stednarii characterized by its leaves having a richer dark green color, gently corrugated margins, and a broader width than those of its parent, and its cane having a color graduated from a brownish grey at the base to a green, partially smooth, surface at the tip.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Mimulus plant named ‘Jelly Bean Yellow’, characterized by its upright, somewhat spreading, mounding and compact plant habit; freely branching habit; moderate to high vigor; and numerous golden yellow flowers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peach tree, Prunus persica, and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium sized, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the first week in August, with first picking on Aug. 7th, 1999. The fruit is uniformly large in size, very good in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, and mostly red in skin color. The variety was developed as a first generation cross using Crown Princess (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,070) yellow flesh peach as the selected seed parent and an unnamed white flesh nectarine as the selected pollen parent.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plant named ‘Coral Duet’, characterized by its consistently double flowers that are either coral or light coral pink in color with flowers of both colors on the same plant; upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching; and dark green leaves.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Hoosiers’, characterized by its upright and somewhat spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; shiny dark green leaves; large and unique bi-colored flowers with pure white center surrounded by dark red margin; and red and white vertically striped styles.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rex Begonia plant named ‘Albuquerque Midnight Sky’, characterized by its uniform growth habit; moderate plant vigor; no requirement for winter dormancy; and interesting and attractive leaf coloration and pattern.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Golden Wind’, characterized by its very glossy, undulate, very dark green leaves; upright, compact, outwardly spreading, uniform, dense and symmetrical plant habit that is appropriate for container production; very freely flowering; numerous golden yellow-colored flowers with red “eyes”; short peduncles; good resistance to flower bud abscission; relative resistance to diseases common to Hibiscus grown under Florida production conditions; and excellent postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A Deodar Cedar tree named ‘CDMTF1’ having an upright, narrow growth habit with a dense foliage canopy, a dominant leader, branches which generally ascend upwardly from the trunk or leader, silvery green needles and which is also capable of being reproduced reliably from vegetative cuttings.

Abstract: A malfunction detection apparatus for detecting a malfunction in an evaporated fuel purge system for use in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a vapor passage connecting a fuel tank to a canister for feeding fuel vapor from the fuel tank into the canister, a purge passage connecting the canister to an intake passage of the engine for feeding the fuel vapor adsorbed in an adsorbent in the canister into the intake passage, a purge control valve provided for controlling a flow of the adsorbed fuel vapor in the canister being fed into the intake passage, a pressure sensor provided for outputting a signal indicative of pressure in the vapor passage, and a malfunction detection part responsive to the signal outputted by the pressure sensor for detecting a malfunction in the evaporated fuel purge system.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of a metal from an ore or concentrate comprises subjecting the ore or concentrate to pressure oxidation in the presence of oxygen and an acidic solution containing halogen ions and a source of bisulphate or sulphate ions, such as H2SO4. The metals which can be extracted by the process comprises copper as well as non-cuprous metals such as zinc, nickel and cobalt. During pressure oxidation the metal may be precipitated as an insoluble basic salt, such as basic copper sulphate, or substantially completely solubilized and precipitated later as the basic metal salt.

Abstract: A needle protection safety package, instead of being enclosed in a pouch or other containment wrappings, has fitted thereto at respective ends thereof caps or sheaths so that both the needle and the end to which a syringe is adapted to mate remain enclosed and sterile. Such an arrangement enables easy transport of the safety needle package and provides convenience for the user at the same time. The safety package is further designed to prevent burring of the tip of the needle as the cap or sheath is removed from the needle portion of the package. A further embodiment of the safety package incorporates a locking mechanism which prevents contact between the needle and the housing as the housing is pivoted to envelop the needle after use.

Abstract: A unitary structure for packaging a shock sensitive article within a container is provided. The structure has a side flange adapted to contact a side end portion of the article and a number of sidewall structures disposed about the periphery of the flange which extend over the side end portion of the article to contactingly support the article. Each of the sidewalls cushions the article against shocks by having an outboard wall which operably and supportingly contacts the container and a bridge section integral with the inboard wall and the outboard wall to cushioningly space the outboard wall from the inboard wall. The structure also includes a crush depression integral to the flange, inward of the sidewall and generally extending away from the article to supportingly contact a lateral sidewall of the container thereby forming a cushion distance. The crush button is configured to absorb shock loading of the article directed generally toward the sidewall.

Abstract: A rotatable drive/support element having a support surface is used with a chain link having a hardened running surface extending in and adapted to ride in a travel direction on the support surface and a side surface also extending in the travel direction and normally out of contact with the element. The running surface has a predetermined width b and is formed of at least one edge region of an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in the travel direction having a radius R of curvature and a respective corner region extending from the edge region to the side region and of an outwardly convex arcuate shape seen in the travel direction having a radius r of curvature. Herein r/b≅0.05 to 0.11, and preferably R/b≅2.4 to 3.1.

Abstract: A fire detector assembly comprises a base (1) and a sensor (5) adapted to fit the base. The base (1) is provided with passive means, such as pins (6) or contacts arranged in a pattern to represent an address of the detector. When the sensor (5) is fitted to the base (1), reading means in the sensor reads the address code and thereby conditions the sensor to receive appropriate signals from a control unit.

Abstract: A GPS system and method for generating precise position determinations. The GPS system includes a ground based GPS reference system which receives with a reference receiver GPS signals and makes phase measurements for the carrier components of the GPS signals. The GPS reference system then generates and broadcasts an initialization signal having a carrier component and a data link signal having a data component. The data component of the data link signal contains data representing the phase measurements made by the reference receiver. The GPS system also includes a GPS mobile system which receives with a mobile position receiver the same GPS signals as were received by the reference system. In addition, the GPS position receiver receives the data link and initialization signals broadcast by the reference system.

Abstract: A transfer imaging system is disclosed wherein images are formed by image-wise exposing a layer comprising a chromogenic material and pressure rupturable capsules containing, as an internal phase, a photosensitive composition. In a preferred embodiment, the chromogenic material is encapsulated with the photosensitive composition. Upon exposure and capsule rupture the chromogenic material is image-wise transferrable to a developer or copy sheet where the chromogenic material reacts with a developer to form an image. Preferred systems are sensitive to U.V. or blue light in the wavelength range of 380 to 480 nm.

Abstract: An object-oriented printing system includes objects that provide query, data transfer, and control methods. The inventive object-oriented printing system communicates with the remainder of the operating system by means of a standard interface such as a grafport and printer drivers are provided for each printer type within the operating system. Thus, an application not only need not worry about the particular printer/computer combination with which it is to operate, but also need not have a built in document formatting capability. The printing system includes objects that provide queries for device identification, optimized imaging, and printer status. Other objects are also provided for data transfer to bracket connections prior to sending and receiving information. Still other objects are provided for cancelling a print job, pausing a job, and clearing out a job. Finally, an object is also provided for supporting multiple streams of communication to an imaging task.

Abstract: An electrically operated, directly overwritable, multibit, single-cell chalcogenide memory element with multibit storage capabilities and having at least one contact for supplying electrical input signals to set the memory element to a selected resistance value, the second contact tapering to a peak adjacent to the memory element. In this manner the tapered contact helps define the size and position of a conduction path through the memory element.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of an object in a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted from a first transducer into the passenger compartment, waves reflected off an object in the passenger compartment are received by the first transducer and a first distance from the first transducer to the object is calculated based on the time difference between the transmitted waves and reflected waves when received by the first transducer. Further, different ultrasonic waves are transmitted from a second transducer into the passenger compartment which then receives reflected waves off the object and a second distance from the second transducer to the object is calculated based on the time difference between the transmitted waves and reflected waves when received by the second transducer. The approximate location of the object in the passenger compartment is determined based on the first distance and the second distance.