Abstract: A connection structure capable of coping with thermal expansion and shrinkage of a cable/pipe bed is disclosed. There are also disclosed a connector panel (30) and a connector belt or wire (40) to be utilized in the connection structure. A cable/pipe bed which utilizes the present invention comprises a plurality of cable/pipe bed sections (10a, 10b) each comprising two side rails (20a, 20b) and a floor (51, 52). Each side rail comprises an outer engagement protrusion or protrusions (21) to engage an inner engagement protrusion or protrusions (31) of the connector panel (30). The connector panel (30) holds two such side rails (20a, 20b) in longitudinal alignment, one (20a) securely and the other (20b) slidably to cope with thermal expansion and shrinkage of the side rails. Accidental separation of the side rails (20a, 20b) is adequately prevented by use of the connector belt or wire (40).

Abstract: A digital signature scheme for a "smart" card utilizes a set of prestored signing elements and combines pairs of the elements to produce a new session pair. The combination of the elements is performed partly on the card and partly on the associated transaction device so that the exchange of information between card and device does not disclose the identity of the signing elements. The signing elements are selected in a deterministic but unpredictable manner so that each pair of elements is used once. Further signing pairs are generated by implementing the signing over an anomalous elliptic curve encryption scheme and applying a Frobenius Operator to the normal basis representation of one of the elements.

Abstract: A file card for a paper slip holder and dispensing unit comprises a substantially flat stiff support panel having a generally rectangular configuration, a front face, a back face, a top edge and a bottom edge, a mounting attachment at the bottom edge for mounting on a support shaft, and a coupon clip on the front and back faces, the clip formed of a substantially rectangular sheet of semi-rigid material having a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end secured to the support panel adjacent an edge thereof, the sheet formed with a rounded fold along a transverse line forming a long panel and a short panel having a common edge, the short panel having the free end, the short panel disposed adjacent the face of the support panel, and the free edge of the short panel curved toward the face of the support panel.

Abstract: Apparatus for tuning a system for detecting a target substance through the use of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The apparatus tunes an RF coil (34) which is employed to excite the substance under test. The tuning apparatus (36) includes a series of fixed value capacitors (93) switched in the tuning circuit by controllable switches (94). A programmable controller (21) is employed to control the switching and thereby the tuning of the coil.

Abstract: A laser-based method and apparatus for corneal and intraocular surgery. The preferred method of performing a surface ablation of cornea tissue or other organic materials uses a laser source which has the characteristics of providing a shallow ablation depth or region (about 0.2 .mu.m to about 5.0 .mu.m), a low ablation energy density threshold (about 0.2 to 5 .mu.J/(10 .mu.m).sup.2), and extremely short laser pulses (having a duration of about 0.01 picoseconds to about 2 picoseconds per pulse) to achieve precise control of tissue removal. The laser beam cross-sectional area is preferably about 10 .mu.m in diameter. The preferred laser system includes a broad gain bandwidth laser, such as Ti.sub.3 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Cr:LiSrAlF.sub.6, Nd:YLF, or similar lasers, with a preferred wavelength of about 830 nm, which is generally transmissive in eye tissue. Various surgical procedures can be performed to correct refractive errors or to treat eye diseases.

Abstract: A central ticker plant system for distributing financial market data that receives ticker feed data from many exchanges throughout the world, processes and formats the received data and then distributes or broadcasts the data to regional customers in the form of securities transactional data denoting the security identity and related transactional data. The central ticker plant system is fault-tolerant because of novel hardware redundancy and multi-thread software processing architecture and operates continuously during hardware and software maintenance and repair, ensuring that every financial market data message received from the exchanges is included within 500 milliseconds in broadcast output.

Abstract: Compositions and a method for promoting an alert state without promoting anxiety, comprising at least one kavalactone and at least one methylxanthine. The compositions balance the energizing effects of methylxanthine stimulants with the calming effects of kavalactone relaxants. The compositions of the invention are presented in a variety of formulations, with or without other active ingredients such as vitamins and minerals.

Abstract: A spindle-drive motor, especially for driving a hard drive, with a stator, a rotor, an axle between them having at least one bearing, and a drive, where the rotor or stator is provided with a bushing which accommodates at least one bearing. The bushing and bearing together form a sealing gap which seals the rotor and the stator with respect to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transdermal molecular delivery, comprises a first electrode assembly having an anode and a cathode in closely spaced relation for engaging the stratum corneum through which to apply an electric field, a second electrode assembly spaced from the first electrode assembly through which to apply an electric field and comprising at least one of an anode and a cathode, a first power supply including a first circuit preferably connected to the first electrode assembly for applying a pulsed electric field of sufficient amplitude to induce pores in the stratum corneum, second power supply including a second circuit connected to the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly for applying a low voltage continuous electric field of a preselected polarity and sufficient amplitude to induce migration of molecules through pores in the stratum corneum. The iontophoresis current density to the electrode assembly is around 0.5 mA per cm.sup.

Abstract: An adjustable pillow includes a stretchable pillow case having a plurality of removable pillow layer inserts. The pillow layer inserts come in various thicknesses and firmness to permit adjustment for overall pillow height, overall firmness, and surface firmness upon insertion into the pillow case. The total height of the pillow depends on the total height of the various inserts being used, the overall firmness depends on whether the inserts are soft, medium, or hard, and the surface firmness depends on the firmness of the topmost inside layer. The inserts adjust across the entire length and width of the pillow so that a sleeper will not experience changing height or firmness while sleeping. The adjustable pillow can be used in combination with a conventional pillow by placing the conventional pillow inside the stretchable pillow case and selectively adding the removable inserts as desired.

Abstract: A protocol appropriate for use with smartcard purchase applications such as those that might be completed between a terminal or ATM and a users personal card. The protocol provides a signature scheme which allows the card to authenticate the terminal without unnecessary signature verification which is an computationally intense operation for the smart card. The only signature verification required is that of the terminal identification (as signed by the certifying authority, or CA, which is essential to any such protocol). In the preferred embodiment, the protocol provides the card and terminal from fraudulent attacks from impostor devices, either a card or terminal.

Abstract: A needle removal apparatus, comprises a support member having an elongated track formed therein, a carriage mounted in the track and moveable back and forth on the track, a coupling device mounted on the carriage and adapted for receiving and coupling to a needle hub, a drive for rotating the coupling device and unthreading the needle from the syringe collar upon movement with the guide along the track, and biasing means for normally biasing the carriage to one end of the track.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery electrolyte fluid solution additive is disclosed, the fluid solution additive including aluminum sulfate, cobalt sulfate, copper sulfate, magnesium sulfate, cadmium sulfate, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and deionized water sufficient to effect extended battery life.

Abstract: An apparatus for span-by-span bridge construction, comprises an elongated girder assembly for spanning between adjacent bridge piers for supporting precast bridge segments during assembly, pier brackets for attachment to a pier shaft, the brackets having rollers for support of the girder assembly for movement between piers, and at least one carriage vehicle for engagement with top rail tracks on the girder assembly, the vehicle moveable between a working position of supporting the bridge segments during assembly of multiple segments and a stowage position.

Abstract: A laser scanner for measuring the spatial properties of objects in a scene within a range less than a predetermined maximum object distance. A laser diode supplies a laser beam that is intensity-modulated by a reference waveform from a waveform generator. An optical scanning system scans the scene with the intensity-modulated laser beam, and receives reflected intensity-modulated light and supplies it to an optical processing system that includes an aperture that transmits a first percentage of light reflected from the maximum object distance and a second, lesser percentage of light reflected from objects closer than the maximum object distance. A photodetector receives the processed light and converts the energy into an amplitude-modulated range signal. A mixer down-converts the frequency into an IF frequency, and a first circuit converts the range signal to the form of a square wave.

Abstract: A cryptosystem utilizes the properties of discrete logs in finite groups, either in a public key message exchange or in a key exchange and generation protocol. If the group selected has subgroups of relatively small order, the message may be exponentiated by a factor of the order of the group to place the message in a subgroup of relatively small order. To inhibit such substitution, the base or generator of the cryptosystem is chosen to be a generator of a subgroup of prime order or a subgroup of an order having a number of relatively small divisors. The message may be exponentiated to each of the relatively small divisors and the result checked for the group identity. If the group identity is found, it indicates a vulnerability to substitution and is rejected.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic wiring substrate for sensors formed over a subminiature through hole. Because of the small diameter of the through hole, the material that fills the through hole and the through hole itself have an essentially negligible effect on the sensor. Only a small amount of conductive material which fills each through hole is in contact with each associated electrode. Therefore, the purity of the electrode is not significantly altered by the conductive material coupled to the electrode. A relatively large number of sensors can be formed on the surface of the substrate within a relatively small fluid flowcell. Thus, more information can be attained using less blood. The substrate is essentially impervious to aqueous electrolytes and blood over long periods of storage in potentially corrosive environments.

Abstract: A flow meter having reference and active thermal sensing elements and a pressure transducer configured to be placed in a conduit of flowing fluid. Appropriate computation apparatus is employed to modify the flow velocity reading resulting from normal comparison of the thermal sensors in accordance with pressure differences reflected by the pressure transducer.

Abstract: A universal combined milling and boring machine having a machine column, a compound slide that can traverse horizontally on the machine column, a spindle head mounted on the compound slide so that it can traverse vertically, with a work spindle, a rotary table mounted so it can pivot over a supporting console on the machine column and a control unit. Multiaxial machining with relatively inexpensive control technology and a control system with optimum visual contact with the machining site are made possible according to this invention due to the fact that the supporting console is mounted on the machine column so it can rotate about a horizontal swivel axis. The swivel axis is offset laterally relative to the central axis of the combined milling and boring machine; the rotary table is mounted centrally on the console so it can rotate about an axis of rotation normal to the swivel axis; and the control unit includes a portable control console.