Abstract: Improved razors and razor blades and processes for producing razor blades or similar cutting tools with sharp and durable cutting edges, by hard-carbon coating of blades with amorphous diamond, preferably using a filtered cathodic arc plasma source. A coating of amorphous diamond having at least 40 percent sp3 carbon bonding, a hardness of at least 45 gigapascals and a modulus of at least 400 gigapascals is applied to the sharpened edge of a substrate. The substrate may be mechanically honed, and there is no interlayer between the substrate and the amorphous diamond coating. The coating imparts stiffness and rigidity to a thin blade while maintaining a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: A collapsible, lightweight, sturdy bassinet-style combination and convertible baby bed and carrier which is also flexible, comfortable, durable, and modular. A fabric basket with a flexible support structure having rounded edges combine to create a soft sided yet semi-rigid and sturdy carrier, and a rocker unit is provided.

Abstract: Improved razors and razor blades and processes for producing razor blades or similar cutting tools with sharp and durable cutting edges, by hard-carbon coating of blades with amorphous diamond, preferably using a filtered cathodic arc plasma source. A coating of amorphous diamond having at least 40 percent sp3 carbon bonding, a hardness of at least 45 gigapascals and a modulus of at least 400 gigapascals is applied to the sharpened edge of a substrate. The substrate may be mechanically honed, and there is no interlayer between the substrate and the amorphous diamond coating. The coating imparts stiffness and rigidity to a thin blade while maintaining a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: A (1,3).beta.-glucan synthase mutant useful in the research and development of anti-fungal drugs. A key step in fungal wall assembly, hyphal growth and infection is the synthesis of (1,3).beta.-linked glucan. Because .beta.-glucan is not made by humans, (1,3).beta.-glucan synthase is an attractive target for development of new antifungal antibiotics. A (1,3).beta.-glucan synthase gene has been cloned and the cDNA sequence and polypeptide amino acid sequence of the gene has been established.

Abstract: A centerline mounted overbalanced multiple main jet engine configuration. The multiple jet engines are centerline mounted rather than parallel offset. While each jet engine is a "main" engine, capable of safely operating the aircraft in the event of a failure of the other engines, the engines are overbalanced in the sense that at least one of the main engines has substantially greater thrust than the other main engines. All of the main engines operate at critical periods of flight, but only one or the other of the main engines operates at other periods. The configuration of this invention combines the efficiency and performance of a single engined aircraft with enhanced safety advantages.

Abstract: A pulp of milled agave plant heads are liquified during centrifugation and a polyfructose solution is removed and then concentrated to produce a polyfructose concentrate. Small particulates are removed by centrifugation and/or filtration and colloids are removed using termic coagulation techniques to produce a partially purified polyfructose extract substantially free of suspended solids. The polyfructose extract is treated with activated charcoal and cationic and anionic resins to produce a demineralized, partially hydrolyzed polyfructose extract. This partially hydrolyzed polyfructose extract is then hydrolyzed with inulin enzymes to produce a hydrolyzed fructose extract. Concentration of the fructose extract yields a fructose syrup.

Abstract: A rectangular vacuum-arc plasma source and associated apparatus for generating and directing a stream of plasma containing an ionized vapor of a cathode material toward a substrate by vacuum arc evaporation of a rectangular planar cathode mounted in a rectangular plasma duct. The rectangular duct conducts the plasma from the cathode to the substrate region, while intercepting the molten droplets of cathode material also generated by the arc. Magnets control the arc motion on the cathode surface while simultaneously generating the magnetic field which guides the plasma through the duct. Benefits of a filtered cathodic arc (fully ionized vapor stream, elimination of splattered droplets) are combined with the benefits of a rectangular source (uniform evaporation from the source and uniform deposition on the substrate using linear motion). The rectangular source may be extended indefinitely in length, thus allowing coating or ion implantation on large or long substrates.

Abstract: An active paste for an lead-acid electrochemical cell which in a preferred embodiment includes tin; a method of manufacturing the same; and an electrochemical cell utilizing the same. The tin may be a tin sulfate, tin oxide, or metallic tin. The active paste sandwiches a primarily lead film which may, but need not, also include tin, to form a positive electrode. One or more positive electrodes are interleafed with a number of negative electrodes, separated by a separator material. The assembly is placed in a container and electrolyte is introduced. In alternate embodiments, the paste may include some combination of antimony, arsenic, germanium, indium, selenium, gallium, tellurium or other semiconductor materials with or without tin compounds.

Abstract: A compact vacuum insulation panel comprising a chamber enclosed by two sheets of metal, glass-like spaces disposed in the chamber between the sidewalls, and a high-grade vacuum in the chamber includes apparatus and methods for enabling and disabling, or turning "on" and "off" the thermal insulating capability of the panel. One type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a metal hydride for releasing hydrogen gas into the chamber in response to heat, and a hydrogen grate between the metal hydride and the chamber for selectively preventing and allowing return of the hydrogen gas to the metal hydride. Another type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a variable emissivity coating on the sheets of metal in which the emissivity is controllably variable by heat or electricity.

Abstract: A moving vision sensor scans the image of an object by moving the transducer to create a topographic image map of the object in three dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, the vision sensors are disposed in a preset camber, caster, toe wheel alignment station within a vehicle assembly line. A first moving vision sensor maps the plane of the wheel in space for toe and camber audit and adjustment. A second moving vision sensor maps the axis of the king pin ball joint in space for caster audit and adjustment.

Abstract: A ferroelectric capacitor device and method of manufacture. A substrate supports a bottom electrode structure, with an adhesion/diffusion barrier layer sandwiched therebetween. The electrode layer includes a metal or metal alloy and an oxide of the metal or alloy. The adhesion/diffusion barrier layer is a similar oxide. Ferroelectric material is sandwiched between a top electrode. The top layer includes a metal or metal alloy and an oxide of the same; the metal or metal alloy may be the same as the bottom electrode but need not be. The metal and metal oxide electrodes may be deposited by known deposition techniques, or the metal may be deposited and the oxide formed by annealing in oxygen ambient environment.

Abstract: A closure for a container, including means for counting and indicating the number of times the closure has undergone a cycle of closing and opening the container, and further including means for incorporating the closure into means for resisting the opening of the container by a child.

Abstract: A device to indicate the application of a non-rotative force, having particular utility in recording the dispensing of a push-down activated aerosol medication dispenser. A non-rotative force on an outer cover is translated into a rotation of an indicator wheel relative to the outer cover by a set of flexible pawls engaged with a set of teeth. The pawls depress and thereby extend circumferentially when the applied force flexes them to effect a rotation of the teeth. Suitable means indicate the relative rotation of the teeth such as a window in the outer cover through which is visible indicia on the indicator wheel. The device may also include means to resist its operation by a child.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the fluid flow through a waste fluid inlet channel, such as for a sewage treatment plant, includes a weir that may be inserted into the channel. The weir may be one or more plates that serve to reduce the effective cross section of the channel. The plates may be shaped so that the channel is more restricted at greater depths, or may be combined to form such other shape, in order to provide desirable flow patterns. Plates may be added, removed, or exchanged with different sized plates, to accommodate a range of fluid volume at a desired flow rate. The plates may combine with a bar rack, and will not interfere with the cleaning thereof. The plates may be positioned to allow grit to flow through without impediment.