Abstract: A knockdown tank-cleaning apparatus that is easily broken down and reassembled is provided. The tank-cleaning apparatus, when knocked down, easily fits through a standard man-way opening in the side of the tank. The tank-cleaning apparatus includes a knockdown frame having wheels releasably attached thereto. A header assembly is releasably attached to the front of the knockdown frame. The header assembly includes a cutter head releasably and rotatably disposed in the header assembly. The header may optionally include a throat portion, in which a cross-chopper assembly is disposed. Bottom-deposited materials are broken up by rotation of the cutter head. The loosened material is fed to the cross-chopper assembly where it is further reduced and formed into a slurry. The slurry is pumped from the tank to the exterior of the tank where reclamation of valuable materials from the slurry is performed.

Abstract: An information processing system includes processors grouped in nodes (1) associated with one another by links (4) in a variable number of nodes up to the maximum configuration, which is divided into subsets (3) having a critical size relative to a rate of messages between nodes, the nodes in one subset being connected to one another by double serial links, and the nodes of two adjacent subsets being connected by single serial links, the nodes preferably being grouped in two supernodes including two subsets (3).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to detect the presence or absence of an object thereon in order to actuate a pneumatic circuit. In particular, the apparatus is directed to detecting the presence or absence of a golf ball on a tee of an automatic golf ball teeing apparatus. The sensing apparatus includes a plunger engaged with a tee on which the golf ball rests. The plunger has a groove formed therein. The groove of the plunger is operatively engaged with a lever of a valve of a pneumatic circuit to be actuated. The plunger rests on a spring such that when a golf ball is present, the spring is compressed and the groove and lever of the valve keep the valve in a closed position. When the object is absent, the spring forces the plunger, and thus the groove, into an operative position in which the lever of the valve causes the valve to vent air. When the valve vents air, the pneumatic circuit is actuated and automatic replacement of the object is initiated.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of metabolic and/or cardiovascular disorders comprising administering to a human in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising dichloroacetic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable mixture of carbonate and bicarbonate ions, the weight ratio of dichloroacetic acid, derivative or salt thereof to the mixture of carbonate and bicarbonate ions being in the range of from about 100:1 to about 0.01:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of rapid switching input-output couplers for high rate data transfer buses. The input-output coupler of an integrated circuit enables signals to be exchanged with identical couplers disposed in other integrated circuits by means of a bus line (51). Such a coupler comprises a transmitter (6) and a receiver (7) connected to a line (51) by a first conductor (5). The transmitter (6) comprises a first switch (63) whose on condition puts the first conductor (5) at a potential Vb. The coupler comprises additionally a second switch (64) or (65) whose on condition switches the first conductor (5) to a potential Vtt and arranged such that the switching on of the second switch is only possible after the switching off of the first switch (63).

Abstract: A system for transmitting data (NCC) between a computer bus (PSB) and a network (RE), including (1) a general purpose unit (GPU) connected to the bus and to a network-connected adapter, and including a first microprocessor and a unit for transferring frames between the bus and the adapter, and vice versa, comprising a dual port memory connected therebetween; and (2) a communication coprocessor (PPA) connected to the general purpose unit (GPU). Said coprocessor (PPA) includes a second microprocessor (CPU.sub.3) implementing, for each communication layer (C.sub.2 -C.sub.4), the corresponding protocol by providing each frame with control data adapted to said protocol, said second microprocessor being connected to the first microprocessor and the memory; and a third microprocessor (CPU.sub.4) providing direct memory access management of data transfer between the second microprocessor (CPU.sub.3) and the memory (VRAM).

Abstract: A method of producing a composite powder by providing particles of (I) tungsten, niobium, zirconium, titanium or mixtures thereof, (II) silicon and (III) carbon in a proportion relative to each other so as to possess an overall chemical composition in that segment of the ternary diagram of FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), 2(c) and 2(d) designated A, and subjecting the particles to a mechanical alloying process under conditions and for a time sufficient to produce the composite powder. Also disclosed is a method of forming a substantially oxygen-free composition of matter comprising a matrix substance of WSi.sub.2, NbSi.sub.2, ZrSi.sub.2, TiSi.sub.2 or alloys thereof having SiC dispersed therein, the method comprising consolidating the above-described composite powder. Also disclosed is a method of forming oxidation- and wear-resistant coatings by subjecting the composite powder whose composition lies in segment A to a metallurgical process such as plasma spraying.

Abstract: A substantially liquid, aqueous, rare earth oxide based composition for preserving the luster of the smooth surfaces of objects needing to have such an appearance. The composition is characterized in that the rare earth oxide in the composition consists of particles with an average diameter of less than two micrometers (2 .mu.m), and in that aqueous solvent includes a polysiloxane oil and a degreasing agent for diluting the polysiloxane oil.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling (C) comprises one or more panels (P) containing water (W) arranged so that the water is in contact with substantially all of the lower surface (10) of the panels (P).

Abstract: An improved method and composition for preventing adhesions during surgery. Tissue surfaces and surgical articles involved in the surgery are coated with a solution of a hydrophilic, polymeric material prior to manipulation of the tissue during surgery. The composition comprises a solution of a polymeric material having a molecular weight of about 500,000 or above having a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 15%, by weight.

Abstract: A table assembly includes a table top and support arm which are stored within an arm rest of a recliner when the table is not in use. When the table is to be used, the support arm pivots up and the table top is connected to the support arm. The table top is rotatable relative to the support arm and any of three holes in the table top can be used to connect the support arm thereto.

Abstract: A wrist watch with interchangeable strap (10) comprises a supporting element (20) with a body (21) and a strap (10) forming a single unit. The strap includes a central slot (11) designed to be fitted about the body (21). A cover (30) can be folded down over the strap (10) by rotation about a hinge (40) formed in the supporting element (20). The cover (30) and supporting element (20) includes a clasp (51, 52) and a button (60) on the supporting element (20) for opening the cover (30).

Abstract: An electronic device for non-invasively communicating with an implanted device, such as, for example, a cardiac pacemaker. The electronic programming device includes a transceiver having an antenna, a transmitter portion and a receiver portion. The antenna portion is arranged to have two coils arranged in series phase opposition to suppress the effects of far-field interference signals on received near-field signals from the implanted device, when the transceiver is receiving data from the implanted device. The electronic device further includes means to isolate the transmit and receive functions thereof to prevent cancellation of the transmitted signal when the transceiver is in the transmit mode.

Abstract: A method for assisting in optimization of a query from a relational data base management system is provided. The method includes constructing a tree on the basis of the search for the execution plan of the query written in the query language of the RDBMS, that is representative of the execution plan of the query, and representing the tree on a screen.

Abstract: A process for depositing successively a plurality of thin films on a bottom superconductor layer made of oxide superconductor deposited on a substrate in a single chamber under a condition, the bottom superconductor layer is heated in ultra-high vacuum at a temperature which is lower than the oxygen-trap temperature (T.sub.trap) at which oxygen enter into the oxide superconductor but higher than a temperature which is lower by 100.degree. C. than the oxygen-trap temperature (T.sub.trap -100.degree. C.) and then the first thin film is deposited thereon.

Abstract: Method for fixation of cut up carcasses of slaughter hogs (3), which are suspended at their hind legs and which have been eviscerated after the cutting, during which fixation in particular the spinal column of the hog is aligned relative to the median plane of the carcass by means of a member (10) clutching the snout of the animal, said member exerting a downwards pull to stretch out the animal during the cutting of the carcass, or for processes requiring a similar fixation.

Abstract: A process for preparing an YBCO oxide thin film which has a crystalline, clean and smooth surface on a substrate. The process is conducted by using an apparatus comprising a vacuum chamber in which an oxidizing gas of O.sub.2 including O.sub.3 can be supplied near the substrate so that pressure around the substrate can be increased while maintaining high vacuum near an evaporation source and K cell evaporation sources arranged in the vacuum chamber wherein the substrate is heated, molecular beam of constituent atoms of the oxide excluding oxygen are supplied from the K cell evaporation sources, and a chilled oxidizing gas is locally supplied to the vicinity of the substrate.

Abstract: A laser treatment device provides an output operating laser beam having a single wavelength which is highly absorbed by tissue of a patient and which beam is non-diverging. The laser treatment device may be a catheter which is inserted into a patient for performing endovascular myocardial revascularization (i.e., creating new channels for blood flow from within the interior of the patient's heart). The use of the highly absorbed wavelength and the non-diverging character of the beam are possible by having a distal laser at a distal end of the catheter. The distal laser is pumped by a source of laser energy supplied by an array of diode lasers and passed along an optical fiber from a proximal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An integrated receiver decoder (IRD), commonly called a set-top box, has a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The GPS receiver checks to see if the IRD is at an authorized location and allows descrambling of video signals only if the location is authorized. A central access control system, remote from the customers/viewers, has a high quality GPS receiver and sends some GPS data in the transmission medium used to send video signals to the customers. This GPS data, referred to herein as indirect GPS data, is used by the IRD such that it requires less complexity than otherwise. The IRD introduces a pseudo-random time delay in generating certain signals such that spoofing (i.e., providing phony signals to the IRD) is much more difficult. Various components of the IRD are in a common sealed container such as an integrated circuit or a smart card such that tampering with the components and spoofing are more difficult.

Abstract: A peeler uses parallel inclined valleys in a cylindrical interior surface to serve as channels. The parallel valleys are between parallel ridges or ribs. A rotary disk having a series of bumps and an abrasive surface is rotated so as to abrasively remove an outer portion of agricultural products. The debris corresponding to removed portions is urged downwardly and out a peripheral debris exit by the ridges as rotation takes place. A wear rim around the disk has an upper surface and the debris exit is between the wear rim and the interior surface. The interior surface is on a liner having a lower surface. The upper surface of the wear rim is no greater than 1/4 inch higher than a lower edge of the liner such that a restricted passage therebetween has a height no greater than 1/4 inch. An expansion zone is just below the restricted passage.