Abstract: A non-destructive testing equipment comprises a magnetic sensor located within a magnetic shield container. The magnetic sensor includes a SQUID that is a magnetic sensor having a very high sensitivity. A magnetically uniform inspection zone is formed in the magnetic shield container. While a rod-like material to be tested passes through the inspection zone at a uniform velocity, the magnetic sensor can detect an appreciable magnetic field variation that is caused by impurities or minor defects contained in the object to be tested.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a key that is common to two devices that belong to different sets and are intended to implement a common cryptographic procedure. Each device is assigned a mother key (KC, KP) and a daughter key (KP.sub.ck, KC.sub.pi). The daughter key is developed on the basis of the mother key of the other device and of an identification datum specific to the device. When the procedure is performed, the two devices exchange their identification datum (ck, pi), which when processed with the aid of the mother key held by the device will yield the daughter key (KC.sub.pi, KP.sub.ck) of the other device. The pair of keys formed by the daughter key already held and by the daughter key that is calculated constitutes the common key.

Abstract: A shoe having a replaceable sole pad for use by roofers is provided wherein the shoe has a thin lower flexible portion with a sheet or layer of hook fasteners of the hook-and-loop type fastener system disposed on a bottom surface thereof, and wherein a replaceable sole pad is provided having a sheet or layer of the corresponding loop elements provided on an upper surface thereof. The sole pad is constructed of a high density, closed-cell foam that provides greatly improved traction on roofing surfaces, thereby improving worker safety and productivity or efficiency, and provides adequate durability to make the shoe with the replaceable soles cost justifiable, when factoring in the improved productivity. The sole pad is installed and removed from the shoe in the conventional manner in which two object are fastened and unfastened by the use of hook-and-loop fasteners.

Abstract: A package semiconductor device comprises an insulating substrate having an upper surface formed with a plurality of connection pads and an under surface formed with a plurality of external connection members each of which is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the connection pads through a via hole formed through the insulating substrate. An integrated circuit chip is bonded facedown on the upper surface of the insulating substrate so that the integrated circuit chip is electrically connected to the connection pads through solder bumps. An electrically conductive cap is covered on the first surface of the insulating substrate so that the integrated circuit chip is encapsulated in a space defined by the insulating substrate and the conductive cap. A back electrode of the integrated circuit chip is electrically connected to the conductive cap through an electrically conducting element.

Abstract: An apparatus for adaptable performance evaluation of an application including queries by analytical resolution of a data base, and operating on an information processing system having a given architecture, including a library for knowledge of the specific environment of a data base. The knowledge library, in an environment specification language, includes an architecture library for modeling hardware architectures; a system library modeling the operational and transactional systems supported by the hardware architectures; an access and operation method library modeling the algorithms used by the data management system; and a library of data base profiles collecting knowledge on the data base layout and statistics on the user application. A local optimizer uses a performance evaluator to evaluate the application and select an optimal plan for the execution thereof using the information in the knowledge library including information on the given architecture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for surgically securing bone parts, in particular for transsternal bilateral thoracotomy. The apparatus comprises a base piece from which are protruding two posts welded or attached thereto which are internally screwthreaded and adapted to receive screws, and a plate with holes is adapted to be positioned over the posts and secured relative to them by the screws. In the method of securing the bone parts using the apparatus, the posts are inserted into holes drilled in each respective bone part, so that the bone parts are held together with their sawn surfaces mutually opposing, and the plate is positioned above the bone parts and screwed into position into the posts by the screws through the holes and the plate.

Abstract: Transition metal containing composition for use as a bleach catalyst comprising at least one transition metal ion coordinated with at least one chelating ligand to form a complex capable of binding O.sub.2 H.sup.-. The ligand(s) should have at least two strong donor functional groups capable of coordinating with a single one of the transition metal ions in the complexes to form a six-member or larger ring. The complexes are capable of coordinating peroxide groups while the ligand functions to substantially prevent precipitation of hydroxides of the transition metal ions in aqueous alkaline solutions of the transition metal containing composition.

Abstract: A Josephson junction device comprises a single crystalline substrate including a principal surface, an oxide layer formed on the principal surface of the substrate having a step on its surface and an oxide superconductor thin film formed on the surface of the oxide layer. The oxide superconductor thin film includes a first and a second portions respectively positioned above and below the step of the oxide layer, which are constituted of single crystals of the oxide superconductor, and a step-edge junction made up of a grain boundary on the step of the oxide layer, which constitutes a weak link of the Josephson junction.

Abstract: Optical systems use tuning of in-fiber gratings to provide an optical crossbar switch matrix of switch elements. The switch elements have a drop tap and an insert tap. A combination of the switch matrices provides a flexible way of connecting any of a plurality of transmitters with any of a plurality of receivers. A distribution arrangement has a distribution station with a plurality of serially arranged modulators, each modulating a different and corresponding optical carrier supplied by optical fiber thereto. The modulated carriers are supplied by a distribution fiber to a serially arranged plurality of passive taps, each of which drops an optical carrier corresponding to the tap and supplies it to a local transceiver. The distribution arrangement may include an arrangement where a local transceiver reflects back the modulated optical carrier and modulates it with a return signal.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of, e.g., wax, in a liquid admixture with, e.g., crude oil, comprising subjecting the liquid to cavitation such that temperatures, pressures and shear forces are produced in the liquid sufficient to induce cracking of the wax, but insufficient to induce significant decomposition of lower molecular weight components of the crude oil and continuing the method for a time sufficient to lower the concentration of the wax in the crude oil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing concrete in a concrete delivery mixing truck is provided which can yield a mix with an approximate required slump. This is achieved by monitoring the torque loading on hydraulic drive which rotates a mixing barrel and noting an anticipated minimum torque loading which, in turn, approximates to a required slump value. Liquid component is added to a mix until this minimum torque loading is noted. A CPU (17) is used to process information derived from a hydraulic pressure sensor (15) connected in the hydraulic drive motor used to rotate the mixing barrel. A volume/mass input sensor (21) can be used for meaning the amount of particulate ingredients, and a water volume sensor (25) can be used to measure the volume of liquid component added to the mix. When a known maximum volume of liquid component is added a computer can operate to prevent further liquid being added, unless it is purposely overridden.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to optimize the operation of an ink-jet printer provided with a circuit to collect the ink not used for the printing, comprising a gutter connected to an imperviously sealed ink tank by a conduit placed in a state of depression by a constant flow pump checking the flow rate of ink in the conduit by the measurement of the pressure in the ink tank and controlling the operation of the pump either at its minimum suction rate compatible with efficient collection of the ink or at its maximum suction rate during anomalies of collection.

Abstract: A device for communication between at least one client and at least one server who are exchanging messages, characterized in that it includes a router which routes the messages between at least one client and at least one server with the aid of three message queues, including a first queue assigned to the router assuring the storage of the messages from clients or servers; a second queue assigned to the server enabling the reading of messages of requests formulated to the server; a third queue assigned to the client enabling the reading of response messages.

Abstract: A method for modifying an ocular implant polymer surface by the gamma-irradiation induced polymerization thereon of N-vinylpyrrolidone, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate or a mixture thereof while maintaining the following conditions:(a) monomer concentration in the range of from about 0.1% to about 50%, by weight;(b) total gamma dose in the range of from about 0.001 to less than about 0.50 Mrad; and(c) gamma dose rate in the range of from above about 2,500 to about 10.sup.8 rads/minute.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of extracting statistical profiles from a relational data base organized by relation, attribute, and index. The profiles are arranged in tables (210, 220) that are included in the data base (21, 22). A target object is selected from among the possible choices. The choices are one column of a table, all the columns of a table, all the tables, or a particular selection; and a statistical profile is produced or generated.

Abstract: An improved fluid control valve assembly employing a needle valve integrally formed on a non-rotating valve stem includes a metering orifice for engaging and forming a fluid seal with the valve needle, and a generally radially extending end face on the valve stem for engaging an opposing wall surface acting to positively stop the valve stem upon fully closing the valve and forming a seal between the metering orifice and valve needle to thereby avoid excessive loads and wear between the metering orifice and valve needle.

Abstract: In an adder that finds the sum of two binary numbers A and B, it is now conventional to associate one or more parity bits (PA, PB, PS) with each of the two numbers A and B and the result S. Each number A and B and the result S is divided into K groups each of m bits, and one parity bit is associated with each group. In accordance with the invention, the parity PS associated with the result S is obtained at the same time as the result. The input carry bit c.sub.i n intervening in the addition is available before the beginning of operations. Consequently, it is used in a first stage 10' upstream of the device, which calculates intermediate variables p.sub.i,j and g.sub.i,j. The other input carry bits c.sub.i,1 corresponding to the other groups are determined only later by a carry look ahead circuit, and consequently they are used only in a second stage 50' downstream of the device. The use of c.sub.

Abstract: A continuous method for manufacturing an elongated superconducting campsite composed of a superconductor consisting of compound oxided and a metal sheath surrounding the superconductor, including the steps of kneading a material powder of superconducting compound oxide with a binder, continuously shaping the resulting kneaded paste into an elongated pre-form by an extruder or by coating technlque, heating the pre-form continuously to remove said binder, wrapping the pre-form with a metallic sheet, and then subjecting the pre-form from wrapped with the metallic sheet to sintering operation to sinter said material powder.

Abstract: A mosquito insecticidal composition for controlling the growth of mosquitos wherein the active agent is a polyamine having one of the formulae: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.6 may be the same or different and are alkyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or hydrocarbyl aralkyl having up to 12 carbon atoms;R.sub.2 -R.sub.5 may be the same or different and are H, R.sub.1 or R.sub.6 ;R.sub.7 is H, alkyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, hydrocarbyl aryl or hydrocarbyl aralkyl, each having up to 12 carbon atoms;m is an integer from 3 to 6, inclusive;n is an integer from 3 to 6, inclusive; or(IV) a salt thereof with an acid and a carrier therefor.