Abstract: CSMA/CD is used to implement flow control in a full-duplex Ethernet network in a lossless fashion. Uniquely identifiable flow control transmit on/off ("XON/XOFF") messages are transmitted, preferably during IPG, by a receiving station about to be congested to the transmitting station whose data output is to be controlled. The transmitting station physical layer receives and decodes these messages. If XOFF is recognized, the transmitting station continuously asserts CRS to its MAC layer at the MII, regardless of the prior CRS current state. CRS is continuously asserted until the receiving station transmits an XON flow control signal, indicating its ability to accept further data. During CRS assertion, the transmitting station defers transmission, e.g., is flow controlled. The MAC layer is slightly modified (but is still backward compatible with half-duplex networks) to provide separate transmit deferral receive data frame mechanisms using separate and independent input status signals, namely CRS and RX.sub.

Abstract: Flexible optical medium comprising a flexible substrate having a surface. An imaging layer is carried by the surface and a protective overcoat of silicon dioxide is provided on the imaging layer to provide abrasion resistance for said imaging layer.

Abstract: Pipe coupling system and method in which a tapered wall is formed on one of two tubular pipe members for press-fit engagement with a wall of the second pipe member, and the two pipe members are pressed together in an axial direction to bring the tapered wall and the other wall into direct press-fit engagement with each other. The two pipe members can, for example, be a length of copper water pipe and a copper pipe fitting, and in certain disclosed embodiments, the pipe members are drawn together by a tool having axially movable jaws which engage the pipe members and are driven together in the axial direction by an actuator and linkage which move in a perpendicular direction.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode inward rectifier, G-protein activated, mammalian, potassium KGA channel. This invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with the above nucleic acid molecule. This invention further provides a vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode inward rectifier, G-protein activated, mammalian, potassium KGA channel. This invention provides a host vector system for the production of a polypeptide having the biological activity of KGA channel which comprises the above vector in a suitable host.

Abstract: Cold termination is provided at the bus output port of a last device coupled to a bus. Each device includes a termination integrated circuit ("TIC") that receives operating voltage from bus-provided V.sub.TERM potential. The TIC includes a series-coupled resistor-capacitor ("R-C") connected between V.sub.TERM and ground. The "R-C" junction defines a SENSE node that is coupled to a groundable pin on the device bus output port and to a SENSE input node on the TIC. If a bus cable connector is attached to the device bus output port, attachment grounds the groundable pin, and thus the TIC SENSE node is "0", which disables TLC bus termination. But if no connector is attached, the groundable pin floats to a potential approximating V.sub.TERM, and is a logical "1", which enables TIC bus termination. Preferably an inverter is series-coupled between the TIC SENSE node and input SENSE node to accommodate a TIC that enables termination with a "0" input SENSE signal. A visual indicator coupled between V.sub.

Abstract: Novel tandem dyes comprising a conjugate of a Cy7 dye and allophycocyanin are provided. Also provided are probes comprising the subject dyes conjugated to a member of a specific binding pair. Probes comprising the subject tandem dyes find use as labels in variety of fluorescence detection assays.

Abstract: Apparent object motion is created to stimulate rapid M cell response in an observer's visual system. In one embodiment, first and second pairs of lights, spaced apart about 1 to 60 minutes of visual angle at the viewing distance, are operated such that the innermost of each pair is activated for duration T1, and after a duration T2, the outermost of each pair is activated for the duration of a warning event. T1 is determined by luminous energy intensity from the innermost light pair, while duration T2 is selected to preclude an overlap in the observer's visual system between response to the end of the first-activated light, and the response commencing with the start of the second-activated light. An observer rapidly perceives the lights as looming closer, due to the inward-to-outward sweeping visual image that enhances salience. Because the observer's M cells appear to be primarily stimulated by the luminous energy, the observer can react more rapidly to the warning event than to conventional warning lights.

Abstract: A zoom lens is described which is quite simple and yet provides a wide (5:1) zoom range. The lens consists of a front focusing negative lens which provides a stationary virtual image for two rear zooming lens groups. These two zooming groups are positive and reimage the object at a camera pickup device. Such zooming groups are of substantially equal focal length and bear equally in the magnification change. The invention includes a magnifier which utilizes the zoom lens and has the mechanical aspects necessary to provide the needed lens motions.

Abstract: A disposable diagnostic device and method of its use are provided. The device comprises a housing containing first and second flow paths orthogonal to each other. The first flow path commences at a sample addition port and continues through a transport channel which feeds sample to an incubation area by means of capillary flow. The incubation area comprises a signal producing system and is underneath an optically-clear window. The first flow path terminates in a top waste reservoir which receives sample and wash fluid. The second flow path begins on one side of the incubation area at an inlet port over a side reagent reservoir. Liquid flows along the second flow path from the side reagent reservoir across the incubation area into the side waste reservoir. The incubation area may comprise agitation means for homogenous dispersion of reagent into liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a curler having a roller made of a plastic or latex material and a self-gripping tape which is seated thereon, the self-gripping tape covering a central portion of a circumferential surface of the roller designed as a soft roll and consisting of a closed-cell foam, and the roller exhibiting, on both sides of the central portion, in each case one uncovered portion which occupies from 18 to 35% of a length of the roller.

Abstract: An IC wafer containing thin oxide is fabricated with at least one pair of antenna structures having identical antenna ratio A.sub.R but different antenna plate areas. Each antenna structure includes connected-together conductive plate regions, one plate formed over thick field oxide and the other plate formed over thin oxide on the IC. Because weak oxide defects occur somewhat uniformly throughout the thin oxide, a larger antenna structure will overlie more weak oxide defects than will a smaller antenna structure. If wafer test leakage current across the larger antenna structure exceeds leakage current across the smaller antenna structure, weak oxide is indicated because the defect is area dependent. By contrast, charge-induced damage is substantially independent of the area of the antenna plates. Because the A.sub.R ratios are constant, charge density is constant in the antenna structure portions overlying the thin oxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marking a surface with a predetermined pattern is described. The apparatus includes a surface marking mechanism that supports a material dispenser. The material dispenser is manipulated along a number of axes including an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. In addition, the material dispenser is manipulated to rotate around a w-axis and to form a tilt angle with the w-axis. The surface marking mechanism includes movement devices for initial positioning of the mechanism and for re-positioning the mechanism to complete a selected pattern that does not fit within the border of the mechanism. The surface marking mechanism is responsive to control signals from a controller. The control signals are derived from a mathematical model characterizing the spatial relationship between the predetermined pattern, the material dispenser, and the surface to be marked.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an underwater excavation apparatus comprising a tube (10) in which a propeller (18) is mounted for rotation. The tips of the propeller blades are formed with jets (30) supplied from a high pressure water supply through passages in the propeller blades. The jets impinge on vanes (31) mounted on the tube wall around the propeller to cause the propeller to rotate and thereby draw water through the tube from an inlet at one end to an outlet at the other end to act on the seabed. The apparatus is particularly useful for excavating trenches on the seabed and exposing previously covered installations on the seabed.

Abstract: A device comprising a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. A flexible coil spring is provided having proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the coil spring is secured to the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member. A shape-memory alloy element is disposed within and extends substantially longitudinally of the coil spring. The shape-memory alloy element has a memory which makes it attempt to assume a straight shape when an electrical current is passed through and heats the same. The shape-memory alloy element also has a stiffness which increases with the temperature of the element. An electrical current supply is provided for supplying an electrical current to the shape-memory alloy element for changing the stiffness of the shape-memory alloy element to thereby stiffen the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member.

Abstract: A mannequin-type display assembly (10) for modeling clothing ensembles which includes a body form (16) having a torso portion (20) and a pair of shoulder portions (22). Each shoulder portion (22) includes an upwardly facing shoulder top (24) and an outwardly facing shoulder end (26). The shoulder ends (26) are provided by a pair of flanges (28) extending downwardly from the shoulder top (24). The body form (16) is formed from a substantially planar sheet (14) of impact-resistant, rubberized, acrylic material which is permanently bent in a compound curve at the shoulder portions (22). The compound curve is provided by bending each of the shoulder tops (24) in a fore-and-aft direction and bending each of the flanges (28) in a downward and inward direction relative to the shoulder tops (24). The body form (16) may also include a head assembly (18) for displaying head wear.

Abstract: A method of mass analyzing a sample including the steps of defining a trap volume with a three-dimensional quadrupole field for trapping ions within a predetermined range of mass-to-charge ratio, forming or injecting ions within the trap volume such that those within the predetermined mass-to-charge ratio range are trapped within the trap volume, applying a supplementary AC field superimposed on the three-dimensional quadrupole field to form combined fields, scanning the combined fields to eject ions of consecutive mass-to-charge ratio from the trap volume for detection characterized in that the supplementary field has an amplitude just sufficient to eject the ions and that the supplementary field has a beta value below 0.891 and that the combined fields are scanned at a rate so that a length of time corresponding to 200 cycles or more of the supplementary AC field passes per consecutive thomson.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a mass spectrometer for mass spectroscopic or mass spectrometric investigation of particles. The particles are separated in a separating system in accordance with their different masses. In order to reduce detection errors due to scattered particles, there is arranged upstream of a detecting device a correction device which builds up a braking potential in order to suppress particles having an energy loss due to scattering. The invention provides a further, preferably combined correction, by means of which the particles are selected as a function of their direction of motion. For this purpose, the mass spectrometer according to the invention preferably has at least one braking electrode and one quadrupole lens.

Abstract: A stud puller comprises a body that can be attached selectively to a hand pulling tool or to a slide hammer for removal of dents. A small bore at the forward end of the tool receives a pulling stud and a slot at the top of the tool at the leading end extends in communication with the stud passageway. An eccentrically mounted wheel in the slot may be turned forward to clear the stud passageway for insertion of a stud and then pulled back to engage the shank of the stud in a firm grip for pulling. The stop prevents the wheel from being turned too far and block the stud passageway until the stud is inserted.