Abstract: Circuits are described in which the sensing and the reference electrodes of a gas sensor housed within a gas monitor are connected together through the source and the drain of a field effect transistor (FET). The gate of the FET is connected to a power source to apply a first voltage to the gate when the monitor is operational and a second voltage, which is preferably zero, when the monitor is not operational, the resistance between the source and the drain of the FET being low when the second voltage is applied to the FET gate so that the sensing and reference electrodes are connected together in a short circuit. When the first voltage is applied to the FET gate, however, the short circuit is effectively broken. The circuit has output lines leading to an output device, e.g. for displaying information or an alarm. A resistor of large resistance is connected between the two output lines and, when a gas is sensed a large voltage change occurs across the resistor which can be used directly, i.e.

Abstract: In order to prevent diffusion of silicon from under a titanium disilicide interconnect (1) and into an overlying aluminium layer (6), the disilicide is selectively nitrided by annealing in nitrogen at the points where interconnection between the disilicide and aluminium is required via holes (4) in a silicon dioxide layer (3). The titanium nitrode contacts (5) thus formed in a truly self-aligned manner provide a good barrier to silicon diffusion while having an acceptable low resistivity.

Abstract: Ultrasonic images are enhanced by applying to the images asymmetric balanced gradient operators or masks which are formed to produce values which are maximized at the edges of spots having a predetermined size and location relative to the mask, which spots have a high likelihood of being specular targets. The gradient operators are further formed to produce minimum values for smaller spots corresponding to acoustic speckle. In the resultant image, the edges of specular targets are enhanced and acoustic speckle is substantially eliminated. Ultrasonic images may be processed in real time with the gradient operators in either an image processing computer or in a hardware pipeline processor.

Abstract: The subject compounds, which are adapted for the site-specific/sustained delivery of centrally acting drug species to the brain, are compounds of the formula ##STR1## and the non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein D is the residue of a centrally acting primary, secondary or tertiary amine and ##STR2## is an unsubstituted or substituted dihydropyridyl, dihydroquinolyl or dihydroisoquinolyl radical. The corresponding ionic pyridinium, quinolinium and isoquinolinium salts ##STR3## X.sup.-, wherein X.sup.- is the anion of a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable acid, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for separating gases of differing masses by enhanced diffusion comprising a gas separating device which consists of a pair of gas reservoirs, at least one duct connecting the reservoirs and device for establishing oscillatory axial movement of gas within the duct. Each reservoir contains an inlet and outlet, the inlet being adapted for feeding a mixture of carrier gas and the mixture of gases to be separated and the inlet for the other reservoir being adapted for feeding a carrier gas into the other reservoir. One of the outlets is adapted for the withdrawal from one of the reservoirs of a mixture of carrier gas and a mixture of gases of differing masses which is enriched in the heavier gas component and the other outlet is adapted for withdrawal from the other of the reservoirs of a mixture of a carrier gas and a mixture of gases to be separated being enriched in the lighter gas component.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a pharmaceutical product preferably in medical bandage form, for the controlled release of a therapeutically active agent or several such agents to the skin.

Abstract: A weight training apparatus and method using a primary weight and a secondary weight, said apparatus enabling repeated negative resistance phases of a series of two-phase weight training cycles to be performed using only the primary weight, said apparatus enabling the positive resistance phases of the weight training cycles to be performed with the assistance of the secondary weight acting as a counterweight.

Abstract: An induced vibration dynamic touch sensor comprises a compliant membrane adapted for sliding contact with an object so as to induce vibrations in the membrane, and a transducer assembly for converting the vibrations into electrical signals. The electrical signals are processed to produce a normalized spectral signature characteristic of the size and shape of the object, and the sizes and shapes and nature of its surface features. A pattern vector is extracted from the spectral signature and subjected to discriminant analysis to classify and recognize the object. The invention is capable of discriminating between objects differing in diameter by as little as 1/32 inches and differing in spacing by as little as 0.01 inches.

Abstract: In order to permanently ensure the confinement of two closed volumes with respect to the outside atmosphere, while permitting the linking of said volumes, use is made of two gaskets, each having in section an approximately circular and generally hollow part, as well as a part forming a member. One of the gaskets is mounted by its member in a groove formed in a door received in a flange of the volume, whereas the member of the other gasket is fixed in a groove formed in a flange in which is received a door of the other volume. During engagement, the circular parts of the gaskets are in tight contact with one another and on V-shaped inclined surfaces formed within the flange and on the periphery of the door.

Abstract: Process and composition for reducing intraocular pressure and reducing aqueous humor formation by applying topically to the cornea an effective amount of an aqueous solution of a caronic anhydrase inhibitor comprising a sulfonamide having the following properties:a. sufficiently soluble in water to form at least a 3 mM solution at pH 8.2 or a pKa of not greater than 7.3;b. ether partition coefficient of at least 1.0;c. chloroform partition coefficient of at least 0.01;d. dissociation constant against carbonic anhydrase of not more than 3.times.10.sup.-8 molar;e. first order rate constant for penetration of the sulfonamide through a living rabbit cornea of at least 0.005 hr.sup.-1 ;f. not injurious to the cornea; andg. stable in aqueous solution and in contact with the cornea.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of hollow bodies of revolution formed from threads extending in three different directions, as well as to a machine for performing this process. The machining of a mandrel, the installation or implantation of retaining or locking rings on this mandrel, the winding and weaving of the threads in circumferential, longitudinal passages formed between the locking rings and the appropriate dimensional controls and checks are carried out on the same machine. On one side of the horizontal axis of the machine is provided a mobile support on which can be mounted the subassemblies for machining the mandrel, the implantation of the locking rings, winding and control, the weaving system being placed on the other side of the axis. In order the facilitate the weaving operations, the weaving carriage moves parallel to a fictitious generatrix joining the ends of the body, the weaving means being oriented perpendicular to said generatrix.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for regenerating and detoxifying electrolytes which contain sodium nitrate for use in electrochemical treatment of metallic workpieces. The reaction products, like ammonia, formed in the treatment which interfere with the operating process and in some instances are toxic shall be removed as harmless substances.The process according to the invention is characterized by(a) adjusting the electrolyte to a pH value within the range from 4 to 5 and oxidizing the nitrite with hydrogen peroxide to the nitrate or reducing the nitrite with urea to nitrogen.(b) raising the pH value to 11 to 12, precipitating the metal hydroxides and stripping the ammonia by passing air into the electrolyte,(c) precipitating the heavy metal hydrolisates by sedimentation, filtration and/or centrifugation,(d) neutralizing the electrolyte to a pH of 8 to 8.5.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing a polymer of a dialkyldiallyl ammonium compound comprising effecting polymerization in the presence of a free radical initiator and sufficient fluoride ion to increase the molecular weight of the polymer and accelerate the rate of polymerization.

Abstract: A variable ratio bicycle chain drive uses a variable radius sprocket assembly having a number of chain engagement elements mounted to worm gears for movement along radial channels. Radius changer gears, such as star wheels, are mounted on at least some worm gears to cause them to rotate upon contact with teeth of a switch. Drive gears are connected to each other by a center gear and connected to the worm gears to ensure that all worm gears rotate in unison.

Abstract: The invention refers to a process for regenerating electrolytes containing sodium nitrate for use in the electrochemical working of metallic workpieces within the pH range from 4 to 12.Iron (III) nitrate is added to the electrolyte in the working cycle in such an amount that the hydrolysates are predominantly precipitated in coarse flocculent form. Flocculents may be added to the electrolyte.

Abstract: A multi-mode radio transceiver comprising a sequence of bi-directional circuit modules including a radio frequency input/output amplifier module (1), a radio frequency/baseband I and Q quadrature channel conversion module (2), an analogue/digital conversion module (3), a digital signal processor (4,5), and a digital signal input/output interface (6), with a control means (7) whereby for transmission a radio frequency signal is formed from analogue quadrature I and Q channel components of a digitized signal at baseband and translated to the radio transmission frequency and for reception the radio frequency signals are transformed into I and Q quadrature analogue components at baseband and subsequently digitized.

Abstract: A pulse circuit is provided for switching a grid electrode of an electron beam generator having a cathode electrode at a very high potential relative to ground. The grid electrode is to be switched between two control voltages (+V, -V) of opposite polarity by first and second switching devices (TS1, TS2) each operable to connect one of the control voltages to the grid electrode. A pair of control devices (TC1, TC2) is provided, each associated with a separate one of the switching devices (TS1, TS2) and operable to switch off the associated switching device. A first pulse transformer (TR1, TR2) is provided having a primary winding to which pulses may be applied substantially at ground potential and a secondary winding operating at the potential of the cathode. A pulse amplifier (TA1-TA2, TA3-TA4) is connected between that secondary winding and the primary winding of a second or third pulse transformer (TR2, TR3).

Abstract: A brain-specific dopaminergic response is elicited in a patient in need of such treatment, e.g., a patient afflicted with Parkinson's disease of hyperprolactinemia, by administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of preferably catechol protected dopamine tethered to a reduced, blood-brain barrier penetrating lipoidal form [D-DHC] of a dihydropyridine.revreaction.pyridinium salt type redox carrier, e.g., 1,4-dihydrotrigonelline. Oxidation of the dihydropyridine carrier moiety in vivo to the ionic pyridinium salt type dopamine/carrier entity [D-QC].sup.+ prevents elimination thereof from the brain, while elimination from the general circulation is accelerated, resulting in significant and prolongedly sustained brain-specific dopaminergic activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements to a harvester, particularly a harvester for harvesting herbage, cereals, or other plants.The harvester comprises a cutting device (2) followed by means (6) for channelling the ears toward an elevator conveyor (7) towards processing means more particularly thrashing means.It is characterized by the fact that it further comprises, at the rear of the cutting device (2), at least one means for gathering up the grains and ears left on the ground, which device covers a width substantially equal to the cutting device (2).

Abstract: A hybrid arithmetic processor which combines attributes of conventional floating point (F.P) arithmetic with logarithmic number system (LNS) arithmetic. The arithmetic processor includes an input section (forward code converter) for converting input operands in F.P. format to intermediate operands in LNS format, an LNS arithmetic section for performing an arithmetic operation on the LNS intermediate operands and providing an intermediate output in LNS format, and an output section (inverse code converter) for converting the LNS intermediate output to an output in F.P. format. Significantly, output is provided in normalized floating point format but without the need for a time-consuming exponent alignment operation. Arithmetic operations, including addition and multiplication, are accomplished at a high speed, which speed moreover is constant and independent of the data. An efficient accumulator structure and the structure of an ultra-fast numeric processor are disclosed.