Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for echo cancellation in a communication system utilizing a bidirectional transmission medium. The invention significantly reduces computational overhead associated with echo cancellation by using sub-Nyquist sampling in the echo path. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for echo cancellation in a communication system utilizing different signaling or baud rates in the transmit and receive directions, whereby the computational overhead of the echo cancellation is significantly reduced as compared to traditional methods. In a preferred embodiment herein, the present invention reduces by one-half the computational overhead associated with echo cancellation in a data communications system utilizing symmetrical information rates at asymmetrical signal rates.

Abstract: The present invention is a communication system for communicatinginformation over greater distances than otherwise possible on bidirectional media subject tointerference, by reducing the interference while assuring spectral compatibility with other communication services. The system of the present invention provides symmetric data service to end users by using asymmetric signaling. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes partially overlapped, non-symmetric baud rates and spectrally shaped transceiver filters to achieve both spectral compatibility and extended range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the tendency of a protein to form amphiphilic .alpha. or .beta. structure, wherein a series of values for U are calculated for spans of x residues, where the equationU.sub..alpha.x =H.sub.x +.mu..sub..alpha.x -<pt>is used to predict regions of amphiphilic .alpha. structure and the equationU.sub..beta.x =H.sub.x +.mu..sub..beta.x <pt>is used to predict regions of amphiphilic .beta. structure, and where H.sub.x is the average hydrophobicity for a span of x residues, .mu..sub.x is the hydrophobic moment, and <pt> is the position dependent turn propensity. When the values for U.sub..alpha.x and U.sub..beta.x are represented graphically, peaks are predicted to represent regions of .alpha. and .beta. structure, respectively.

Abstract: Peptides comprised within the 100 KDa protein of the TLP complex (i.e., released proteins from tumors) having antigenic activity as well as antibodies thereof, able to react with TLP for diagnostic and clinical purposes.

Abstract: A retinal disease analyzer processes data obtained by processing a color retinal image and measured visual field data provided by a perimeter to detect the condition of the optic disc and defects in the nerve fiber bundles for the clinical analysis of the condition of the optic disc and the defects in the nerve fiber bundles, and combines detected information on a fundus coordinate system taking into consideration the arrangement of the nerve fiber bundles for the comprehensive analysis of the condition and the degree of progress of glaucoma. The detected information is analyzed on the basis of the distribution pattern of the nerve fiber bundles or the corresponding fundus coordinate system to integrate all the data for analysis. The condition and the degree of progress of glaucoma can be determined on the basis of the integrated data.

Abstract: Thin-film photoelectric conversion elements are spaced from each other on an insulating belt-like film. Respective common conductive tapes are soldered to the terminal electrodes of the elements at the two edges of the film. The common conductive tape is in contact with non-adhesive resin in gap portions between adjacent photoelectric conversion elements. For forming a module, the assembly can be cut at these portions, followed by removal of the non-adhesive resin to expose the common conductive tape for external connection of the module.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material suited for use in direct thermal imaging, wherein said recording material comprises: (i) a layer (1) containing uniformly distributed in a film-forming water-insoluble resin binder a substantially light-insensitive organic metal salt, preferably a silver salt, and (ii) a layer (2) in direct contact with said layer (1) or in thermal working relationship therewith through the intermediary of a spacer layer (3), characterized in that said layer (2) contains, uniformly distributed in a film-forming water-soluble hydrophilic binder at least one organic reducing agent that is capable of diffusing out of said layer (2) into said layer (1) on heating said recording material, and is coated from an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate from an original containing multiple tones comprising the steps of frequency modulation screening the multiple image to obtain screened data representing tones of the multiple tone image in terms of halftone dots; reproducing the halftone dots on a lithographic printing plate precursor having a surface capable of being differentiated in ink accepting and ink repellant areas upon scanwise exposure and an optional development step, by means of a scanwise exposure, wherein the scanwise exposure for rendering a halftone dot is intensity modulated.

Abstract: A kit for preparing a processing liquid for use in the preparation of a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process, and comprising all necessary active compounds for preparing said processing liquid, said active compounds including a hydrophobizing agent, said hydrophobizing agent being provided in a concentrated dissolved liquid state.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the harmful effect of UVR exposure to the human skin comprising topically applying a therapeutically effective amount of genistein to the skin at a time sufficiently close to the time of UVR exposure to inhibit UVR-induced damage to the skin. The genistein appears to act as a chemo preventative agent since it has no appreciable sun blocking effect. The genistein may be mixed with a variety of carriers and skin treatment compositions.

Abstract: A photographic contact printing device has a point-like light source (17) and two uni-directionally curved parabolically cylindrical mirrors (18, 19) the axis of curvature (22, 23) of which are perpendicular to each other, and one axis (23) being parallel to the exposure plane.

Abstract: An egg shaped musical shaker instrument has an egg shaped shell and pellets enclosed therein. The shell has two parts. A first large shell part includes an exterior surface forming a large end portion and a central portion. The first part truncates at a small end portion of the shell and includes an opening in the truncated small end portion. The second small shell part has a cap member for closing the opening in the first large shell part. The first and second shell parts are joined together by an internal joint which is not exposed to the external surface of the shell. In a second embodiment, a handle, which replaces the second small shell part, is attached to the first large shell part.

Abstract: A lighttightly packaged roll (10) of light-sensitive film wound on a hollow supporting core (15), which comprises a lighttight flexible end cover (11, 12) for each end surface of the roll, and a lighttight flexible circumferential cover (13) secured to the film and covering the outermost convolution thereof, the inside faces of the rims (22, 24) of the circumferential cover being sealed to the corresponding inside faces of the rims (21, 23) of the end covers, and the sealed rims of the lighttight wrapping thus formed having a bending all along their circumference towards the circumferential cover of said wrapping.

Abstract: A robot having a vision system for sensing an image of a manipulated object is described. The system includes a robot with an end effector, a transparent gripper mounted on the end effector, a camera for sensing an image of a manipulated object, and an image processing apparatus for processing sensed image data to correct the image data for optical distortion, such as refraction-induced image shifts. Three dimensional image information may be retrieved by including a light plane source and adapting the image processing apparatus to perform three-dimensional image processing.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of propane, propylene and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and/or expanded to partially condense it, then separated to provide one or more C.sub.3 containing liquid steams and a first vapor stream. These streams are then directed into a distillation column wherein a second vapor stream is separated to recover a product containing the major portion of the C.sub.3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components. A distillation stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the first vapor stream and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the second vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the distillation column as its top feed.

Abstract: A technique for efficiently joining multiple large tables in a database system with a processor using a small main memory. The technique utilizes a join index and minimizes the number of Input/Output operations while maximizing the use of the small main memory through a buffer allocation process. Three embodiments of the technique are described all of which use the parallel-merge operation. The first technique, slam-join, is for joining two tables and does not require any pre-allocation of buffers to perform the join operation. The second technique, multi-slam-join, is for joining three or more tables and adds the parallel-merge technique to a join technique which partitions memory to be used for an efficient join operation. The third technique, called parallel-join, processes each input table completely independently using the parallel-merge technique. The parallel-merge technique identifies the lowest value from multiple files and orders all the values from lowest to highest.

Abstract: An injectable ivermectin composition having a programmable release rate and providing multiple concentration peaks of active ivermectin to produce a sequence of ivermectin release pulses into the blood of cattle and horses. The composition comprises a solution of 0.2%-10% w/w of ivermectin in a solvent selected from propyleneglycol and a mixture of glycerile caprylate, caproate and caprate, such as glycerides of caproic, caprilic and capric acids in equal parts. The solution is used as a vehicle for suspending microspheres 100 nm-200 .mu.m in diameter of a degradable polymer containing between 0.5% and 50% of ivermectin. The microspheres may be formed from polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid or a copolymer of polylactic-polyglycolic acid. The programmable multi-pulse release system may also be obtained with a biodegradable matrix selected from hardenable natural polymers, such as gelatin or albumin, apart from the copolymers of lactic and gycolic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in medical procedures for imaging a patient's lumbar spine while in a supine position by computerized tomography and magnetic resonance tomography, comprising a garment-like structure such as waistcoat substantially surrounding a portion of the body of a patient, a foot plate having pressure sensors and being attached to a substantially stationary surface, a pulling cord attached to said waistcoat and said foot plate as well as a transmission attached to said pulling cord and said foot plate for exerting a pressure on the spine.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments described in the specification, a dry sprinkler has a tube-like section with a sprinkler head at one end and a threaded portion to be received in a water supply line at the opposite end and it includes an internal support structure extending between a sealing plug in the end to be received in the water supply line and a cap in the sprinkler head which is supported by a thermally responsive structure. In one embodiment, the support structure includes a rod on which the sealing plug is mounted at one end and having a cap-engaging tip at the opposite end which is shaped to facilitate the flow of water from the sprinkler head toward a deflector, the rod being spaced from the tube-like section by two guide members, one of which acts as a stop for motion of the structure toward the sprinkler head and the other which engages a spring urging the structure toward the sprinkler head.

Abstract: A warp-knitted loop net fabric comprises a first group of threads forming warp chains knitted by a front bar, a second group of threads guided by a second bar and forming lay-ins under underlaps of the first group of threads in every course of the warp chains, the underlaps of the warp chains of the first group of threads being loops formed by tensioning the threads of the second group, and a knitted net forming a groundwork incorporating the warp chains and lay-ins.