Abstract: Text searching is achieved by techniques including phrase frequency analysis and phrase-co-occurrence analysis. In many cases, factor matrix analysis is also advantageously applied to select high technical content phrases to be analyzed for possible inclusion within a new query. The described techniques may be used to retrieve data, determine levels of emphasis within a collection of data, determine the desirability of conflating search terms, detect symmetry or asymmetry between two text elements within a collection of documents, generate a taxonomy of documents within a collection, and perform literature-based problem solving. (This abstract is intended only to aid those searching patents, and is not intended to limit the disclosure of claims in any manner.

Abstract: The invention presents methods for preventing and treating sensorineural hearing loss and is directed to the restoration or protection of hair cells in individuals experiencing a non-presbycusis type sensorineural hearing loss or who are at risk for an acute hearing loss due to exposure to noise, toxins, or other stressors. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of agents which augment inner ear antioxidant defenses (e.g. acetyl-L-carnitine, steroids, compounds that are transported into inner ear hair cells and then synthesized by said cells into glutahione) to prevent and/or reverse hearing loss induced by noise, toxins, or other stressors.

Abstract: A gauge and a method for using the gauge, measures the Frankfurt Mandibular Angle (FMA) non-invasively, without the use of x-rays. The gauge has an upper bar that, in use, parallels the patient's porion-orbitale line. A downward bar depends from the upper bar and has an adjustably attached lower bar. The lower bar is adjusted to parallel the patient's gonion-menton line. Once the gauge is properly adjusted to the patient and locked into place, the user reads a measuring device on the gauge, which indicates the relative positions of the components of the adjusted gauge. These reading are then correlated, directly or indirectly, to the patient's FMA.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously staining for various opportunistic pathogens stains tissues sections with Ziehl-Neelsen carbo-fuchsin, Schiff reagent, and a mixture of metanil yellow and stock fast green solution. In particular, the method is useful for staining tissue sections suspected of containing opportunistic pathogens commonly found in AIDS patients, i.e., acid fast mycobacteria, fungus, and Pneumocystis carinii.

Abstract: A random access memory element utilizes giant magnetoresistance. The element includes at least one pair of ferromagnetic layers sandwiching a nonmagnetic conductive layer. At least one of the two ferromagnetic layers has a magnetic moment oriented within its own plane. The magnetic moment of at least the first ferromagnetic layer of the pair has its magnetic moment oriented within its own plane and is typically fixed in direction during use. The second ferromagnetic layer of the pair has a magnetic moment which has at least two preferred directions of orientation. These preferred directions of orientation may or may not reside within the plane of the second ferromagnetic layer. The bit of the memory element may be set by applying to the element a magnetic field which orients the magnetic moment of the second ferromagnetic layer in one or the other of these preferred orientations.

Abstract: The apparatus for cooling a high power electrical transformer and electrical motors uses thermally conductive material interleaved between the turn layers of a high power transformer and iron core laminates to provide a low resistant thermal path to ambient. The strips direct excess heat from within the interior to protrusions outside of the windings (and core) where forced air or thermally conductive potting compound extracts the heat. This technique provides for a significant reduction of weight and volume along with a substantial increase in the power density while operating at a modest elevated temperature above ambient.

Abstract: Deployed equipment modules for satellite architecture improvement (DEMSAI) provide ample thermal radiator for area-limited small satellites that typically deploy large-area solar panels from a relatively small mainbody. Rectangular-box-shaped equipment modules are deployed from a compact stowed assembly to offer each of their six side panel exteriors as potential radiator area. Equipment packages are mounted to the interior of these panels. The resultant increase in radiator area translates to an increase in the power-handling capacity of small, fixed-body satellites without resort to deployed radiators.

Abstract: The moving map composer (MMC) is a device that allows a user to manipulate different sources of map data into a single map for presentation on a display. The MMC has an ability to extract a predetermined area of map coverage defined by sets of latitude and longitude points, or non-orthogonal areas of map coverage, the smallest of which is a segment. A bitmap is a representation of an available map coverage for a given area selected by a user having a “set”, or “1” bit to indicate a segment is present, and a “clear”, or “0” bit to indicate a segment is missing. The size of the bitmap is determined dynamically to assure a two-bit buffer zone of clear bits around a polygon's maximum extent. If the user selected polygon crosses one or more maps, the polygon is subdivided into several new polygons.

Abstract: An electron emitting device characterized by a monocrystalline substrate, a plurality of monocrystalline nanomesas or pillars disposed on the substrate in a spaced relationship and extending generally normally therefrom, monocrystalline self-assembled tips disposed on top of the nanomesas, and essentially atomically sharp apexes on the tips for field emitting electrons. A method for making the emitters is characterized by forming a gate electrode and gate electrode apertures before forming the tips on the nanomesas.

Abstract: A labeled compound detectable by IR spectroscopy contains at least one histidine residue bound to a cyanate or thiocyanate metal complex that has an IR absorption band within the spectral region of 2399-1900 cm−1. An assay reagent for simultaneously detecting or determining a plurality of different analytes in a sample is made up of a plurality of different labeled compounds, each being independently distinguishable from the others by absorbing energy in a different and distinguishable region in the range of 2300 to 1900 cm−1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sustaining chaos in a system by using the natural dynamics of the system to redirect flow towards a chaotic region along unstable manifolds of basin boundary saddles by utilizing small, infrequent parameter perturbations. The perturbations are determined based on the location of an unstable state, which is used as a control reference. The location of the unstable state, which is unobservable, is estimated by calculating a theoretical branch connecting the current state of the system to the target unstable state.

Abstract: An interactive data analysis system is disclosed that utilizes interactive graphic techniques to analyze ocean properties of a region of interest. The interactive system allows for a user to edit observed ocean data based on his/her a priori knowledge and insight so as to derive accurate ocean profile data.

Abstract: The valve is designed for the ejection of a plurality of different gases from within the valve, simultaneously, by having a plurality of plenum chambers within the chamber of the valve, and a poppet therein, that are charged with gases under pressure. The gases are sealed within the respective plenum chambers by the action of a spring that urges the poppet against a gas exit port associated with each plenum chamber. Ejection of the gases is accomplished by the application of an electrical current into a coil surrounding the poppet which produces an electromagnetic field that causes a non-ferrous hammer to be driven away from the coil and strike the poppet. Upon being struck by the hammer, the poppet is driven off of the plurality of gas exit ports thereby allowing the gases to be ejected, simultaneously, from the respective plenum chambers into a region of lower pressure.

Abstract: Corrosion protection in hollow metal structures is attained by placing an injected, foam-in-place, closed cell plastic polymer foam into an interior of a hollow metal structure, thereby preventing the ingress of foreign matter, such as dirt or water.

Abstract: Biological toxins are indirectly detected by using polymerase chain reaction to amplify unique nucleic acid sequences coding for the toxins or enzymes unique to toxin synthesis. Buffer, primers coding for the unique nucleic acid sequences and an amplifying enzyme are added to a sample suspected of containing the toxin. The mixture is then cycled thermally to exponentially amplify any of these unique nucleic acid sequences present in the sample. The amplified sequences can be detected by various means, including fluorescence. Detection of the amplified sequences is indicative of the presence of toxin in the original sample. By using more than one set of labeled primers, the method can be used to simultaneously detect several toxins in a sample.

Abstract: A system for concomitant scenario topography with the aid of a digital computer such that a two-dimensional or three-dimensional map is produced and displayed which illustrates the combined effects, particularly geo-environmental, of multiple, diverse criteria and factors relative to uniquely-referenced, uniform, small areas of a plane surface or the surface of a solid. The topography system employs plural interrelated tables, worksheets and mapping systems to receive, contain and apply various political, economic, scientific, and technical criteria and factors as attributes of a particular small area, and subsequently map the processed data. Each table includes at least one join field which links that table to at least one other table or worksheet. At least one worksheet includes capability for rapid, dynamic user-interaction to facilitate generation of a myriad of actual or imagined scenarios.

Abstract: A method for digital preemphasizer high fidelity reconstruction of an original pulse code modulation (PCM) serial stream binary data signal which has suffered degradation of fidelity, and consequent increase in bit-error-rate, during transmission on a single channel from a transmitter to a receiver. Prior to transmission, amplitude encoded digital pre-emphasis of each bit of the original binary data signal to be transmitted mitigates or remedies the signal degrading frequency dependent losses concomitant with the signal transfer network characteristics of the fixed transmission line. Subsequently, the amplitude encoded signal is transmitted to the receiver connected to the other end of the fixed transmission line. Compared to a conventional transmitter, transmision line, and receiver system, the end result of amplitude encoded pre-emphasis is superior reconstructed fidelity and quality of the PCM waveform, i.e. lower bit-error-rate, at the output of the receiver for the same length of transmission line.

Abstract: This invention is a communication system utilizing sharply bandlimited waveforms for sampled data communications computed for each sample value in a sequence of data samples. The computed waveform is centered at a sample point, weighted by a corresponding data value, and truncated outside an appropriate time interval. Sampled digital data in a sequence of data samples is received by a computer and scaled according to the value r(tn). A waveform generator, controlled by a computer, generates a sharply bandlimited keying waveform for each data sample and weights each waveform with the data and forms the sum of weighted waveforms to form the output signal in digital form which is converted to analog form. The analog output of the waveform generator is passed through a low-pass filter to filter out any harmonics generated, up-converted to produce a desired carrier frequency which can then be multiplexed, if required, and output as radio frequency (RF) energy which can be received by any standard receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing points of zero intensity, i.e. speckle pattern, emerging from a multimode fiber. The apparatus comprises a beam deflector for rotating an input beam in a conical shape around a launch lens for projecting the beam into the fiber. The rotation of the beam further incorporates the use of two tilting mirrors being 90° out of phase to ensure a conical rotation. The conical rotation of the beam deflector ensures that the lens aberrations, which are rotationally symmetric, do not play a factor in beam alignment into the fiber aperture.

Abstract: A computer-based device for providing spoken translations of a predetermined set of medical questions, upon the selection of individual questions. Translations are prerecorded into a number of languages, and the physician user, in cooperation with the patient, chooses the language into which the translations are made. Then the physician chooses the questions in the physician's own language that should be asked, then indicates his choice to the device, and the device speaks the corresponding questions in the language of a potential respondent.