Abstract: This invention encompasses methods and reagents for making PT, PZT, and PLZT as well as their extrinsic ions doped powders and thin films. In particular, the invention includes methods for localized laser annealing of PT, PZT, PLZT films to the surface of materials to provide articles useful in electronic devices such as high value capacitors, optical switches, wave guides, and the like. A 15-25% by weight of PT/PZT/PLZT in about a 5-10% acetic acid solution having an effective wetting agent of a surfactant has been found to be a superior isolation for making both powders and thin films, especially thin films for laser writing.

Abstract: A compensation circuit for adjusting the gain or loss of a four to two wire hybrid circuit in a telephone system automatically, regardless of the length of the telephone line interconnected to the hybrid circuit. The compensation circuit includes a converter, interface, gate array, and controller. The converter, which includes an amplifier with a variable gain, is connected to a digital carrier transmission line. The converter accepts a digital data signal and converts it to an analog intermediate signal. The interface receives the analog intermediate signal and transmits an analog telephone signal, along a customer loop telephone line, to a telephone. The interface also includes a pulse width modulated power converter for which the pulse width varies according to the length of the telephone line between the compensation circuit and the telephone. The gate array senses the pulse width and responsively provides a measured signal to the controller.

Abstract: A method of ablating atherosclerotic plaque by means of short-duration laser light pulses. A carotenoid, such as beta-carotene, is preferably administered to the patient by injection or ingestion prior to exposing the plaque with laser light. Research data obtained by analysis of the absorption characteristics of plaque and the healthy arterial tissue reveals that the plaque may be selectively ablated without damaging the surrounding normal tissue by illuminating the plaque with laser light having a wavelength of about 430 to about 510 nanometers such that the relative absorption coefficient exhibited by the plaque is more than 1.5 times the absorption coefficient of the arterial tissue. Short duration laser light pulses preferably illuminate the plaque for less than the thermal relaxation time of the volume of exposed material. The intensity of the laser light is preferably in the range from about 1 to about 9 joules/cm.sup.2 in order to ablate the plaque without endangering the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An electrically heated molded plastic pet feeding bowl capable of being interengagedly stacked in nested relationship with similar bowls for shipment or storage has a removable electric heating unit insertable through an open bottom of the bowl into heat exchange relationship with the bottom wall of an open-top bowl cavity holding food or water to be heated. The removable heating unit includes a bottom base having an electric heating element disposed on its upper side electctrically connected to and surrounding a centrally located thermostatic control on the upper side of the bottom base. The bottom base has an upwardly convex shape for ensuring that the heating element and thermostatic control are in proper heat transfer relationship with the bottom wall of the bowl when the heating unit is installed on bowl. The under side of the bottom base has a plurality of posts about which a flexible electrical cord for supplying power to the heating element can be wound for storage within the open bottom of the bowl.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacturing freeze dried pharmaceutical tablets in blister packs is disclosed. Liquid dosages are introduced into a multilayer laminated blister sheet having an impermeable intermediate layer that is positioned between first and second outer layers, each of which has substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion. The properties of the outer layers of the blister sheet are such that there are no inter-layer stresses that will cause curvature of the blister sheet when it is subjected to temperature changes during the freezing and freeze drying steps. Following the introduction of the dosages into the depressions of the blister sheet, the dosages are frozen and freeze dried. A lidding sheet is then attached to the blister sheet to seal the solid dosages into the blister pack.

Abstract: A magnetic socket holder includes a molded plastic tray with a center bar having laminated keeper plates and bar magnets positioned therein to define pole pieces which permit the forming of magnetic circuits that when closed enhance the holding action of sockets in the tray, as well as holding action of the tray on a magnetizable surface. An integrally molded handle is provided for carrying the tray and sockets.

Abstract: Improved methods, apparatus, and compositions for achieving superconductivity are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are based upon applying an external driving force, i.e., either an electrical current or a magnetic field, at a predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency is chosen to equal one or more of the resonant frequencies of the molecular vibration of the atoms which provide conductivity to the material. The compositions of the invention require a continuous bridge or network of electrically compatible atoms between the opposite poles of the electrical pathway. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for determining the resonant frequency of molecular vibration, i.e., the frequency at which the external driving force should be applied. In this aspect of the invention, the composition is exposed to one or more sources of electromagnetic energy which radiate at known frequencies. The response of the composition to the various frequencies of radiation is measured and compared.

Abstract: A process for producing spin-oriented filaments at a draw-off speed of more than 2400 m/min, whereby the filaments extruded from a spinneret are solidified in a cooling shaft solely by the ambient air entrained by the suction effect of the filaments and the cooling shaft having a zone where the walls are air permeable directly beneath the spinneret and has a following zone where the peripheral walls are completely closed.

Abstract: A balloon product, including at least two sheets, has a background depiction on one sheet and a foreground depiction on the other. The foreground depiction has a complementary relationship to the background depiction so as to provide a three-dimensional animated image.

Abstract: An nonflammable insulating liquid is obtained by adding an emulsifying agent having a volume ratio of 1 to 3% to an insulating liquid containing a fluorocarbon liquid of at least 25% in a volume ratio to cause emulsification. In this liquid mixture, when polyol ester or dimethylcyloxane is used as the insulating liquid, an nonflammable insulating liquid that does not cause pollution or an environmental problem can be obtained. When tricresyl phosphate is used as the insulating liquid, an nonflammable insulating liquid having a dielectric constant close to that of insulating paper can be obtained. A liquid pipe for circulating a fluorocarbon emulsion in a tank is provided outside the tank, and a pump and a stirrer are connected midway along the liquid pipe to constantly stir the fluorocarbon emulsion, thereby preventing it from being separated into two layers. When a radiator is provided to the liquid pipe, the stirring system for the fluorocarbon emulsion can also serve as the cooling system.

Abstract: A mailbox comprising a housing and a hinged box which pivots into the housing. The housing is rectangular and has two side walls and a top wall connected to a rear wall, but has no bottom wall. The box has two side walls and a bottom wall, but no top wall. The box pivots about pins connected the side walls of the housing at the lower front corners thereof. As the box is pivoted outwardly, a slot opens at the upper edge of the front wall for dropping mail into the box. A stop connected to the housing limits the pivoting range of the box and thus the size of the slot. The stop can be recessed to permit pivoting the box a greater distance to enlarge the slot for removing mail. A spring provided on the rear wall of the housing for biasing the box to closed position thus completely closing the access slot. After mail has been deposited by manually pivoting the box to open position, the box is released and it springs back to closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of use for electrically connecting two printed circuit boards separated by an electrically grounded enclosure wall. The apparatus comprises a flexible, multi-conductor, flat cable that has exposed edge terminations on either end and an enlarged area comprising ground planes. The cable folds upon itself so that all three ground planes electrically connect so that after the cable passes through an opening in the wall and connects the printed circuit boards, the ground planes mechanically seal the opening and electrically shield the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus for two-wheeled vehicle parts in accordance with the present invention includes: a first fitting portion formed on an attachment part attached to component parts of a two-wheeled vehicle and having a single rail-shaped projection that has its one end open and has a recess formed in a portion of the projection; and a second fitting portion formed on an attachment part fixed to the two-wheeled vehicle parts and including a single groove that is slidably fit on the rail-shaped projection and including a projection piece having a jutted portion formed on a tip end of the projection piece and movable in a direction of crossing over the groove, the jutted portion being engaged with the recess of the projection in the groove.

Abstract: An image region extraction capable of extracting an image of a significant moving object in a dynamic image accurately and easily at high speed. The operator is required to manually enter the rough boundaries for the significant region in the first two fields of the dynamic image only, and the subsequent extraction operation for each subsequent field of the dynamic image is carried out automatically according to the conjectured rough boundary obtained on a basis of the extraction regions for the two fields immediately preceding that field. The extraction region for the significant region is obtained from the rough boundary on a basis of an original image of a respective field of the dynamic image, and the extracted image of the significant region in each field of the dynamic image is obtained by multiplying the original image of each field and the extraction region for the significant region in each field.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for more efficiently breeding novel species, subspecies or varieties of plants possessing desirable traits derived from other species, subspecies or varieties. In particular, the invention provides reagents and methods for quantitatively determining the genetic contribution from each parent in the progeny of a genetic cross between parental plants of different species, subspecies or varieties. The invention also provides methods for isolating hybrid and backcross progeny plants with a desired trait or combination of traits having inherited the minimum amount of DNA from the trait donor plant. Nucleic acid probes specific for species, subspecies and varieties of plants are also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing pharmaceutical and other matrix systems that comprises solidifying a matrix composition dissolved or dispersed in a first solvent and subsequently contacting the solidified matrix with a second solvent that is substantially miscible with the first solvent at a temperature lower than the solidification point of the first solvent, the matrix components being substantially insoluble in the second solvent, whereby the first solvent is substantially removed resulting in a usable matrix.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing pharmaceutical and other matrix systems that comprises solidifying a matrix composition dissolved or dispersed in a first solvent and subsequently contacting the solidified matrix with a second solvent that is substantially miscible with the first solvent at a temperature lower than the solidification point of the first solvent, the matrix components being substantially insoluble in the second solvent, whereby the first solvent is substantially removed resulting in a usable matrix.

Abstract: A diaphragm for microphones having a laminate structure which imparts damping characteristics to the diaphragm is disclosed. The laminate comprises upper and lower resilient layers composed of a plastic film. The upper and lower layers constrain a center layer composed of an elastomeric material having a high dissipation of vibratory shear motion. Manufacturing techniques for making such diaphragms are disclosed.