Abstract: A method for forming a fluorinated silicon dioxide layer on a silicon substrate is brought about by anodic oxidation at room temperature. The fluorinated silicon dioxide layer may serve as a field oxide layer or the oxide layer of a thin film transistor. The method involves an electrolytic reaction making use of the silicon substrate as an anode and an electrolyte made of a hydrosilicofluoric acid aqueous solution containing the hydrosilicofluoric acid and the water in a volumetric ratio of about 1:1000. The electrolytic reaction is brought about by a current density of about 1 mA/cm.sup.2. The oxide layer is formed on the anode at a rate of 1 .mu.m/hr and is proved to contain a Si-F bond by the FTIR analysis.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of measuring low interfacial tension of a two-phase fluid system by pendant drop digitization, in which a silhouette of a pendant drop is created and photographed, its video image is digitized, and a plurality of the digitized data points are then repeatedly compared with theoretical curves calculated numerically from Young Laplace equation to obtain the interfacial tension.

Abstract: A silicon dioxide layer grown by liquid phase deposition is, subjected to an oxygen or hydrogen plasma treatment to enhance the physical and electrical properties thereof. The plasma treatment is carried out at a temperature of about 300.degree. C.

Abstract: A new Schottky diode structure, Pt/Al/n-InP, is disclosed in the present invention. The thickness of Al layer of the Schottky diode structure is restricted in a range of about 80-120 .ANG.. This structure gives a barrier height of 0.74 eV and an ideality factor of 1.11 after it was annealed at 300.degree. C. for 10 min. This is due to the formation of Aluminum-oxide, as the interfacial layer to improve barrier height. A method of preparing this Schottky diode structure is also disclosed in the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strippable, rewettable film coating generally comprising polyvinyl polymer, polyalkyl acrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, release agents, surfactants, defoamers, dispersants, plactizicers and water. A machinable film coating mixture is also provided that is comprised of polyalkyl acrylate, release agents, surfactants, defoamers, dispersants, plactizicers and water. In another aspect, the present invention provides a heat-resistant film coating mixture comprised of polyalkyl acrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, release agents, surfactants, defoamers, dispersants, plactizicers and water.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of selectively oxidizing hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur, in which a H.sub.2 S-containing gas mixture contacts with an oxygen-containing gas at 50.degree.-500.degree. C. in the presence of a bismuth-based catalyst. The reaction product mixture contains substantially no sulfur dioxide. The bismuth-based catalyst may further contain molybdenum or vanadium atom.

Abstract: A subsystem for communicating a private network signalling message over a packet network and bridges for communicating a Media Access Control (MAC) layer frame over an isochronous channel and for communicating an isochronous signalling frame over a nonisochronous network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a programmable data collection and relay circuit for a towed hydrophone array. The circuit is designed to prepare data concerning operation of the array to be interleaved with substantive data produced by the hydrophones to produce a single data stream for transmission to recording equipment. The circuit comprises (1) a plurality of sensor inputs, each of the sensor inputs adapted to be coupled to a sensor capable of sensing a physical characteristic within the towed hydrophone array, (2) a circuit for polling at least a portion of the plurality of sensor inputs to determine values of the inputs, (3) a circuit for storing programmed data concerning which of the plurality of inputs is to be polled and (4) a circuit for serially placing the input values in condition for insertion into a data stream transmitted along the towed hydrophone array.

Abstract: Methods of treating inflammatory diseases in an animal by administering to the animal an effective amount of a polymeric acetylated mannan derivative of aloe origin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a telemetry data transmission circuit for a towed hydrophone streamer, the streamer comprised of a plurality of series-coupled modules. The transmission circuit comprises: (1) a slave clock input in a first module capable of receiving a master timing signal from a master clock source located in a second module, the master timing signal capable of synchronizing an operation of the transmission circuit to allow the transmission circuit to place local telemetry data on a data bus coupled to the transmission circuit and running a length of the streamer, (2) a local clock input in the first module capable of receiving a local timing signal from a local clock source located in the first module, the local timing signal alternatively capable of synchronizing the operation of the transmission circuit and (3) a clock source selection circuit capable of allowing the local clock source to synchronize the operation of the transmission circuit as a function of a condition of the master timing signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an ink cartridge refilling structure having a housing structure with a base structure and a housing lid structure. The housing lid structure has first and second outwardly opening chambers formed therein with a spring biased ink injection device received in the first chamber and an air plunger member with an associated air bellow member received in the second chamber. The base structure has positioned within its interior a moveable carrier member that is secured to a lever that extends outwardly through a slot extending horizontally and longitudinally along the side wall of the base structure. An empty ink cartridge is placed in the carrier member within interior of the base structure and refilled with ink. The carrier member and ink cartridge are then shifted over to the air injection position where air is injected into the air bags of the ink cartridge.

Abstract: A hydrophone module for a towed hydrophone array. The module comprises: (1) an elongated hydrophone module housing having a desired hydrophone group center associated therewith and (2) a plurality of hydrophone elements located substantially aperiodically along a length of the housing and electrically coupled together in a hydrophone group, the hydrophone group having an actual hydrophone group center proximate the desired hydrophone group center to thereby allow locations of the plurality of hydrophone elements to be altered without dislocating the actual hydrophone group center. Individual hydrophone elements within the group may therefore be moved within the module without disturbing the actual hydrophone group center.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pointing device for a computer system having a chassis. The pointing device comprises a sensor carrier slidably coupled to the chassis to allow substantially linear reciprocating movement with respect to the chassis. A first sensor, which may be a potentiometer, is coupled to the sensor carrier and is adapted to generate a first signal as a function of an angular displacement of a rotatable shaft associated with the first sensor. The pointing device further comprises a second sensor coupled to the chassis that is adapted to generate a second signal as a function of the linear reciprocating movement of the sensor carrier. The first and second signals cooperate to provide input data representing a unique point on a computer screen of the computer system. The second sensor may also be a potentiometer, an optical encoder or alternatively includes first and second electrical terminals coupled to the sensor carrier and the chassis, respectively.

Abstract: The system includes (1) a sensor for detecting a separation of the portable computer from an object, the sensor transitioning from an inactivated state to an activated state when the portable computer is separated and (2) an alarm circuit coupled to the sensor and having a disarmed state and an armed state, the alarm circuit detecting when the sensor is in the activated state and issuing a notification when the alarm circuit is in the armed state and the sensor is in the activated state.

Abstract: A flow meter apparatus for measuring attributes of a fluid using the Coriolis principle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises (1) a body capable of being inserted into and surrounded by the fluid, (2) an actuator, disposed within the body, for vibrating a surface of the body in a radial mode of vibration, the vibrating surface developing Coriolis forces within the fluid, (3) a detector, coupled to the surface, for measuring motion of the surface, the motion being a function of Coriolis forces developed in the fluid and (4) a circuit, coupled to the measuring detector, for determining an attribute of the fluid as a function of the motion of the surface. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a conduit surrounds the apparatus and is coupled to the detector. The apparatus allows precise detection of mass flow rate, pressure, density and viscosity of the fluid surrounding the apparatus.

Abstract: A class of predominantly hydrophobic non-azo N-substituted 1,8-naphthalimide compounds, each bearing, at its 3-position, a nucleofuge and, at its 4-position, a heteroatomic electron-releasing group. The heteroatomic electron-releasing group is being characterized as having a heteroatom directly linked to the 4-position of the ring, and having at least one hydrogen directly attached to the heteroatom. Upon activation by an activating agent in an environment independent of the presence or absence of oxygen, these compounds generate activated species. The activated species initiate chemical changes in lipid bilayer membranes of viruses and other target cells. These changes can eradicate viruses and other target cells. The activated species can also cause structural changes in lipid and any associated proteins and polypeptides at a level beneath the surface of the membrane, leading to polymerization and crosslinking.

Abstract: A chiral smectic liquid crystalline polymer having the following formula is disclosed: ##STR1## wherein m is an integer of about 40-80; n is an integer of about 1-12;R is ethylene or trimethylene;R' is methylene or oxyethylene;Ar is phenylene, chlorophenylene or ##STR2## wherein x is chlorine or hydrogen; and Ar' is phenylene or phenylenecarbonyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluoroborate solder electroplating solution containing lead (Pb) and tin (Sn) ions, in which the total Pb and Sn ion content is 35.5 to 150 g/l, and 70 wt % of them is Sn. The fluoroborate solder electroplating solution further contains 0.05-5 g gelatin per liter of the solder electroplating solution as an additive for increasing the deposition of Sn ions and enhancing the microstructural fineness of the solder plating. A suitable current density is 1 to 3 A/dm.sup.2 in electroplating the present solder electroplating solution.