Abstract: Method of storing and retrieving information by exposing cells of a storage medium to a first beam of light having a first set of properties affecting the optical properties of said storage medium, and by exposing a plurality of individual cells, forming a page of information, of said storage medium to a second beam of light having a second set of properties. A third light beam from said storage medium forms an image of said page on a detecting means. The detected light image is converted into electric data signals, each bit of said data signals corresponding to a cell of said storage medium. The first beam of light is generated by a first light source and there is provided an electrooptical means having an electric input for receiving data and being arranged for modulating said first light beam in dependance of said data.

Abstract: Aligned Optoelectronic assembly with improved dimensional stability is disclosed. The assembly is carried out with a bonding material, either a solder or an adhesive, which contain insoluble, non-coarsening dispersoid particles. New solder compositions having enhanced mechanical properties are described. Relatively inert particles having a diameter of 5000 nm or less are dispersed in a solder material having an average grain size of approximately 10,000 nm or less to produce such solder compositions. The dispersed particles act as physical barriers in solders substantially impeding the motion of grain boundaries and inhibiting grain growth during thermal and stress cycling which substantially inhibits coarsening. As a consequence, the optoelectronic device assembly according to the invention exhibit substantially improved dimensional stability, with the rate of creep deformation at the joint reduced by a factor of at least two.

Abstract: Cyclic amides are inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor and can be used to combat cachexia, endotoxic shock, and retrovirus replication. A typical embodiment is 3-phenyl-3-(1-oxoisoindolin-2-yl)propionamide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to umbrellas having various canopy shapes which shapes can be altered during use. A multiple position rib formed of a telescoping rib girder in combination with a hub slide assembly with multiple hubs allow the umbrella to be opened to two or more functional positions. An embodiment is an umbrella that can be used as a car shade having two open canopy configurations. In a first open position, all multiple position ribs are in an extended position so that the umbrella serves as a conventional rain umbrella. In a second open position, at least one of the multiple position ribs is folded to allow the umbrella to fit inside a vehicle windshield thereby serving as a sun shade. The multiple position rib can be formed of a rigid inner support assembly and a flexible outer cantilevered assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a multiwavelength light source comprises a length of optical waveguide amplifier, a multiwavelength reflector for reflecting a plurality of different spectrally separated wavelengths optically coupled to one side of the amplifier and a low reflection output coupled to the other side. A broadband source is provided for passing broadband light to the multiwavelength reflector. In the preferred embodiment, the reflector is a plurality of reflective Bragg gratings, the waveguide amplifier is a length of rare-earth doped fiber (e.g. EDF) and the broadband source is the amplifier pumped to generate ASE. In operation, broadband light is transmitted to the gratings. Light of wavelength channels corresponding to the reflection wavelengths of the gratings is reflected back through the amplifier for further amplification before it arrives at the output.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, particle contamination in drawing optical fiber is reduced by coating the glass preform with a particle-digesting coating prior to introducing the preform into the induction furnace. At least the end of the preform should be coated and preferably all of the preform. When the preform enters the hot zone, the coating melts and digests refractory particles. The coating material and digested particles dissolve into the silica glass at a low surface concentration that does not substantially change the performance of the drawn fiber. The preferred particle-digesting coating is lithium tetraborate.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an electrically modifiable optical fiber grating device is made by providing a fiber including a grating and forming a plurality of electrically conductive elements along the grating. In response to an electrical signal, the conductive elements modify the grating. In a preferred embodiment, a fiber grating is provided with a plurality of heating elements spaced to selectively heat different portions of the grating. This chirps the spacing between elements of the grating and thereby increases the bandwidth of the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating cells from a faecal stool, the method comprising the steps of a) cooling the stool to a temperature below its gel freezing point, and b) removing cells from the stool whilst maintaining the stool at a temperature below its gel freezing point such that the stool remains substantially intact. The invention further provides methods of purifying cells comprising use of immunomagnetic beads and/or boric acid. Cells isolated according to the invention may be used in diagnostic tests and assay procedures for monitoring a biological or biochemical property of tissue.

Abstract: Fat-like protein compositions for use in foods and cosmetics comprising a protein of gelatin and a water-soluble albumin, a carbohydrate, and a phospholipid wherein said gelatin, albumin, carbohydrate, and phospholipids are in the form of a water-insoluble complex coacervate, and processes for making the same. Preferred are compositions wherein some or all of the ingredients are optionally crosslinked.

Abstract: An automated system for electroless metallization of optical glass fibers, includes a plurality of spaced apart plating stations having different solutions for electroless metallization of optical fibers. A motor-driven fiber transport and dipping apparatus is used in the system for shuttling optical glass fibers to the plating stations and immersing the optical glass fibers in the solutions. A programmable controller directs the transport and dipping apparatus to the plating stations in a selected order and at selected time intervals, and directs the apparatus at each of the stations to immerse the fibers into the solutions at a selected entry rate, for a selected duration, and at a selected withdrawal rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mitigating the formation of the necklace vortex in junction flows is disclosed. A lifting structure for inducing a positive lift vector and having at least one tip for inducing an outward flow is placed ahead of the windward side of an obstacle at which a necklace vortex would be formed. The structure has a bottom surface and is placed above the boundary floor plane (e.g., a plane from which the obstacle protrudes), by a sufficient distance to allow a flowfield to travel between the bottom surface of the structure and the floor plane. Exemplary applications for the invention include reducing scouring at bridges and bridge-like piers or supports, reducing acoustic signature of submarine operations, protecting architectural structures and reducing wind gusts, mitigating wind hazards for geological structures, and enhancing performance of aircraft.

Abstract: A process for device fabrication is disclosed in which two substrates having different crystal lattices are bound together. In the process the substrate surfaces are placed in physical contact with each other. A flexible membrane is placed in physical contact with a surface of one of the substrates. Pneumatic force is applied to the flexible membrane. The duration of the contact and the pressure of the contact are selected to facilitate a bond between the two substrate surfaces that results from attractive Van der Waals' forces between the two surfaces. The bulk of one of the substrates is then typically removed. Thereafter, the bonded surfaces are heated to a high temperature to effect a permanent bond.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil injection apparatus in which a probe having on insertion tip is inserted into the soil. A pair of probe guide assemblies are positioned adjacent each side of the probe to provide stability of the probe and prevent breaking of the probe. A probe hydraulic system extends and retracts the probe from the soil. A liquid pumping system pumps liquid into an outlet of the probe after insertion of the probe into the soil. A control system activates the probe hydraulic system and liquid pumping system. Preferably, a switch is used to activate the pumping system to pump liquid into the soil after the probe has been inserted a predetermined depth into the soil. The soil injection apparatus can be attached to a self-propelled vehicle. A carrier can be attached to the vehicle for holding debris removed from the soil injection site.

Abstract: An elevating work platform unit is mountable on, and de-mountable from, a vehicle. A counter leverage arm assembly is connectable to the vehicle to provide vertical stability for the mast which supports a boom and platform for luffing and/or slewing movement.

Abstract: A tunable chromatic dispersion compensator for optical communication systems is disclosed. An optical grating, such as a fiber Bragg grating, non-chirped, linearly chirped or non-linearly chirped, is coated on its outer surface with a coating have a variable diameter and strained is applied to the fiber. The fiber may be latchably strained so that the grating characteristics may be changed or tuned while avoiding use of a continuous power supply. Various optical networking applications using such dispersion compensating devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalizable and crosslinkable polyurethanes formed of a polyurethane intermediate including one or more ester groups which react with an amine equivalent to form an amide unit. The polyurethane intermediate comprises the reaction product of alkyl ester of dihydroxypolyacid or dimethylolalkanoic acid, a polyoxyalkylene diol and an organic diisocyanate. The polyurethane is reacted with a solution of an amine equivalent and a solvent or an amine. An article of manufacture can be formed from the polyurethane.

Abstract: A preventive and curative agent for inflammatory bowel diseases is disclosed which has as an active ingredient thereof a chromanol glucoside represented by the following general formula (1) (wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 represent identically or differently either a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a lower acyl group, X represents a monosaccharide residue or an oligosaccharide residue having the hydrogen atom in the hydroxyl group thereof optionally substituted with a lower alkyl group or a lower acyl group, n represents an integer of 0-6, and m represents an integer of 1-6). Owing to the use, as an active ingredient, of the chromanol glucoside excelling in water solubility and possessing an oxidization resisting action and a free radical resisting action, the agent can conspicuously repress the lesion of an inflammatory bowel disease and prominently ameriolate the condition of disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for rehabilitating an ankle in which a mobile platform receives a patient's foot. The mobile platform can be moved in six degrees of freedom. The position and orientation of the mobile platform is measured in relation to the fixed platform in six degrees of freedom. The force exerted by the foot against the mobile platform is measured in six degrees of freedom. The measured position and measured force are forwarded to an electronic interface and fed to a programmable computer. The programmable computer determines desired force feedback to be applied by the controller interface to the mobile platform. The desired feedback signal moves the mobile platform to a desired position or applies a desired force or torque to the mobile platform. The rehabilitation system can include simulation of virtual objects which can be moved by the user to simulate an exercise. For example, the virtual reality simulation can include exercises for balance, flexibility and strength.