Abstract: Combinations, called matrices with memories, of matrix materials that are encoded with an optically readable code are provided. The matrix materials are those that are used in as supports in solid phase chemical and biochemical syntheses, immunoassays and hybridization reactions. The matrix materials may additionally include fluophors or other luminescent moieties to produce luminescing matrices with memories. The memories include electronic and optical storage media and also include optical memories, such as bar codes and other machine-readable codes. By virtue of this combination, molecules and biological particles, such as phage and viral particles and cells, that are in proximity or in physical contact with the matrix combination can be labeled by programming the memory with identifying information and can be identified by retrieving the stored information. Combinations of matrix materials, memories, and linked molecules and biological materials are also provided.

Abstract: A device for protecting a modem against harmful telephone line signals or reversed polarity telephone line signals includes a telephone line interface couplable to a telephone line, a modem interface couplable to a modem communication port, a measurement circuit that measures the value of an electrical parameter of a signal on the telephone line, an indicator circuit that provides an indication if the value of the parameter is not within predetermined limits, an isolation circuit that electrically isolates the modem communication port from the telephone line if the value of the parameter is not within predetermined limits, and a polarity detection circuit that determines the polarity of the telephone line with respect to the polarity of the modem communication port and reverses the polarities with respect to one another if they are opposite. Such operation of the apparatus may be initiated automatically in response to detection of an off-hook condition of the modem.

Abstract: A release device for a tandem axle of a semi-truck is a compressible piston and cylinder, with the piston rod extending out of one end of the cylinder and biased into an extended position by a biasing mechanism such as compressed gas in the cylinder. A latch on the cylinder is releasably engageable with an indent on the piston rod to hold it in a retracted position. A hook on the cylinder engages over the handle of a manual release rod for a truck tandem axle, with an enlarged head on the end of the piston rod bearing against part of the frame adjacent the release rod with the piston rod in the latched, retracted position. Release of the latch puts biasing force on the piston rod, urging the cylinder outwardly away from the frame to pull out the release rod.

Abstract: A lid support assembly for a trash bin lid rod has a plurality of rod supports engaging the lid rod and secured to the rear wall of the bin to resist bending of the lid rod. An elongate lid prop has an opening for engaging over the lid rod with a first portion of the lid prop extending away from the opening in a first direction to provide a support for the trash bin lid in a partially open position, and a second portion extending in a second direction away from the first direction to engage the rear wall of the trash bin. Rod supports are positioned on opposite sides of the lid prop to secure the lid prop in the desired position on the lid rod.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the heat treatment of iron-based alloys, including irons and steels, such as carbon steels and low alloy steels, in a controlled oxidative environment, to modify the microstructure of the metal to obtain both improved mechanical properties and a protective surface oxide scale. In a first high-temperature treatment, a layer of wüstite (FeO) is formed on the surface of the material and austenite forms in the interior of the material. Rapid cooling follows the high temperature treatment so as to preserve the wüstite scale and to obtain at the same time an internal steel microstructure comprising martensite or bainite. In a second step of lower-temperature heat treatment, the scale is transformed so that it comprises an intermediate layer composed predominantly of wüstite (FeO), with a surface of predominantly magnetite (Fe3O4), while the mechanical properties of the material are tailored for specific applications.

Abstract: A deburring, burnishing and polishing machine using a grinding or polishing medium rotating on an endless conveyor belt, especially for noble metals, with a service-friendly, at any time integratable collection device for the products to be polished and the polishing medium by means of a basket or a cage with holes, and with the inside of the machine being accessible at any time through a panshaped polishing trough, which on the one side is connected with the pipe frame and on the front sides exhibits a carrier profile for the storage of the conveyor rollers rotating on the backing side of the conveyor belt, whereby polishing dust or polishing solution is collected in a collection pan that can be pulled out below the polishing trough, and in the wet process the solution is transported by means of a rotating pump back into the polishing trough.

Abstract: A molar (1) shows a cusp (6), which occludes in a designated central fossa (7). The cusp (6) essentially shows even facets (8,12) of which each facet (9,11) has a coordinating central fossa (7). When biting down, there are at least two coordinating facets of the cusp and the central fossa that meet. At least one set of coordinating facets of the cusp (6) and the central fossa (7) are located outside/buccal (8,9) and/or in the back/distal (24,23) and have essentially a larger-scale surface, than the facets (12,26; 11,27) located in the slope of the opposing ridge. One of the larger facets (8; 9) preferably inclines essentially to the outside and the other one essentially to the back, while the smaller facets, preferably one (12; 11) essentially raises to the inside and the other one essentially to the front. This improves the stability of the denture and provides more space for the tongue.

Abstract: Leash apparatus providing a user the ability to conveniently secure and walk two or more animals, especially dogs, from a single leash handle, without encountering the usual frustration of impossibly intertwined leashes as the animals move about. The leash apparatus is a combination assembly of swivels to which each leash of a plurality of leashes is attached, with each leash either terminating in a loop collar for one of the animals or having further extending from its distal end, through a swivel, at least one successive leash, the most distal of which terminates in such a loop collar. The handle essentially includes a primary swivel ring of size to receive two snap-hooks of multiple leashes arranged either in “series” or in “duplex.” Incorporation of the loop collars allows use of the apparatus without needing to have a fixed collar on each of the animals, and also allows control of unruly animals by the choke function of some configurations of the loop collars described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for improving airborne vehicle tracking and guidance systems by reducing boresight error induced by polarization of the RF energy impinging on the vehicle radome. The radome wall is formed with a taper which gradually increases from the base near the vehicle antenna to the tip according to a disclosed formula which accounts for frequency, incidence angle, look angle, and the dielectric constant of the radome material. This taper of the radome minimizes the crossplane boresight error component magnitude which is polarization sensitive and produces a polarization insensitive inplane boresight error component. Also disclosed is a method of electronically compensating such radomes for boresight error where the radome boresight error data accumulated during testing is digitized and processed for compensating data in the vehicle electronic system to provide compensated tracking data for the vehicle guidance system.

Abstract: A high-frequency passband microelectronic package suitable for housing a high-frequency (e.g.,GHz range) electronic device operating at frequencies within the passband is disclosed herein. The package includes a base, an RF circuit substrate attached to a surface of the base and having a cavity for receiving the electronic device, and transmission lines formed on a surface of the circuit substrate. Each transmission line includes a first conductive pad for attachment to a node of the electronic device, a second conductive pad for attachment by a conductive lead to a node external to the package, and a matching circuit electrically coupled between the pads. The matching circuit includes a non-straight conductive trace shaped to compensate for impedance discontinuities between the node of the electronic device and the node external to the package at the high-frequency passband. For example, the trace can be shaped to compensate for the impedance discontinuity caused by the lead.

Abstract: An artificial capillary testing apparatus (ACTA) is provided for evaluation of gas transport/exchange properties of a fluid. A sample fluid, having a known of measured partial gas pressure, is introduced from a gas-tight dispenser into an artificial capillary of known diameter located within an exchange chamber containing a flowing exchange gas. The artificial capillary is formed from a permeable material which permits gas exchange between the interior and exterior of the capillary. After exit from the artificial capillary, the effluent fluid is collected in a gas-tight collection cell, then removed from the apparatus to a gas analyzer to measure partial gas pressure, The dispenser, exchange chamber and collection cell are all enclosed within a temperature controlled cabinet, useful in measurement of oxygen transport properties of hemoglobin in blood or blood-substitutes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of assigning fingers in a rake receiver for incorporation in a receiver of a CDMA communications system is disclosed herein. The method includes measuring the multipath profile of a received spread-spectrum radio-frequency (RF) signal to obtain a sequence of measurements, identifying the best candidate path of the RF signal to demodulate by determining which measurement within the sequence has the highest signal strength, deriving a timing offset for the best candidate path as a function of the measurement for the best candidate path and its adjacent measurements, and assigning a finger processing element to the best candidate path using the derived timing offset. The measurements are taken using a searcher having a predetermined timing resolution (e.g., ½ chip), and the resolution of the timing offset is higher (e.g., ⅛ chip). The best candidate path to demodulate is identified using the measurement having the highest amplitude or correlation function.

Abstract: Interrupted-Fan-Beam imaging is a method of producing back-scatter x-ray images from conventional line scan systems, such as those used for luggage and cargo inspection. Since back-scatter and transmission images are formed from different physical principles, the use of both images provides a more thorough security inspection. A mathematical relation relates the signal-to-noise ratio to the spatial resolution in an Interrupted-Fan-Beam image. When used in conjunction with typical operating values of x-ray systems, such as flux level and number of pixels, this relation provides the performance level of the Interrupted-Fan-Beam technique.

Abstract: A container having a container body, a thermic module at one end of the body, and a closure at the other end of the body initiates an internal exothermic (or, alternatively, endothermic) chemical reaction to heat its contents when auser actuates the thermic module. A plastic thermic module body is spin-welded to a plastic container body by rotating one relative to and in contact with the other. The container body has multiple layers, including an inner layer such as a so-called oxygen barrier layer that inhibits oxidation and spoilage of the contents, and spin-welding the container body to the module body seals the otherwise-exposed oxygen barrier layer against air or moisture intrusion. The container includes a rotatable cover adhered to the container end over the closure with heat-sensitive adhesive that prevents a user from accessing the contents until a certain temperature is reached.

Abstract: A process for filling containers simultaneously with their sterilization, including also the evacuation of the aeriform content of the containers that is exhausted directly to the outside without flowing back in the general tank containing the filling process fluids.