Abstract: A modular carrier assembly is disclosed which is adapted for use in playing the sport of paintball. The assembly includes a belt portion and a pack portion that are readily attachable and detachable to each other. The belt portion has a pack fastener adapted to mate with a belt fastener disposed on the pack; flaps on either the belt or the pack are inserted through straps on the other of the belt or the pack and secured to the belt. This configuration provides lumbar support to the user, enables the carrying of heavy weight, and allows for adjustments in the packs that can be carried.

Abstract: An improved waveguide optical amplifier having an optically transparent first cladding layer, an optically transparent film doped with an optically active material, disposed over the first cladding layer, at least one undoped optically transparent film disposed over the doped film and coating etched walls of the doped film, and an optically transparent second cladding layer disposed over the undoped film. At least a portion of the undoped film disposed immediately adjacent the doped film has an index of refraction which is closer to the index of refraction of the doped film, than to the index of refraction of the second cladding layer and preferably equal thereto. The undoped film covers surface imperfections in the etched walls of the doped film, effectively moving them from the doped film/undoped film interface to the undoped film/cladding layer interface thereby reducing scattering of the high-intensity mode field.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a tunable optical grating device comprises a grating, which is fixed at both ends to a support frame and is flexed so that a tensile strain induced in the grating reconfigures the resonant wavelength. Typical embodiments include mechanical or magnetic latching arrangements capable of inducing a latchable change in grating periodicity. In typical embodiments programmable and latchable magnets accurately produce a predetermined amount of fiber deflection and tensile strain, thereby producing a latchable wavelength shift with minimal power. The device is especially useful in WDM communication systems for adding or dropping channels, for dynamically gain-equalizing optical amplifiers, for tuning lasers, and for dispersion compensation.

Abstract: A method for examination of heart/arteries to obtain information in form of measurement results as a basis for exact diagnosis, where electrodes are placed on suitable areas of the body to provide signals, and where, by signal processing, a three-dimensional ECG vector cardiogram is obtained, which is illustrated by a three-dimensional picture of the heart. According to the invention, sound from--say--three places over a period of time is registered, as the signal fluctuations which are synchronized with the heartbeats are calculated, so that sounds from other sources i.e. intestines, lungs are eliminated. The heart's arteries electromagnetic movements are illustrated in order to visualize its pathology.

Abstract: Improved pharmaceutical compositions useful in targeting biological agents to particular tissue and compositions useful for administering biological agents to the brain.

Abstract: A device for changing the power levels of signals transmitted by an optical fiber, along with signal modulation and wavelength routing, comprises a length of optical fiber in which for a predetermined section of the length of the fiber, the fiber core is surrounded by a cladding having one or more variable refractive index (VRI) regions disposed therein in close proximity to the core. The VRI regions are fabricated with a material having an index of refraction higher than that of the cladding and may comprise a variable attenuator.

Abstract: A method for making toys and toy figures from pliant rods such as pipe cleaners comprises providing an elongated member having a plurality of openings passing therethrough, the openings being arranged substantially linearly across the length of the member and configured to receive pliant rods. When one pliant rod (e.g., pipe cleaner) is thread through each one of the plurality of openings, a warp weave is defined. Pliant rods are weaved through the warp weave to create a woof weave and ultimately, a weaved piece. Once the weaved piece is formed, it can be removed from the device and then bent, twisted, and otherwise flexed to create a multiplicity of different toys drawing on the user's creativity.

Abstract: A design system associated with prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) using a graphic user interface (GUI), which is capable of carrying out, in an integrated fashion, a variety of operations such as operations for the design of embedded-cylinder pipe (ECP), lined-cylinder pipes (LCP), and fittings, computer-aided drawing (CAD) interfaces, operations for quantity calculation, operations for inquiry to a Database, and operations for a demo presentation, in a GUI environment allowing for the easy use of the design system by the user. In accordance with this operating method, it is possible to not only reduce the time taken to design ECP, LCP, and fittings, but also to allow the user to achieve such a design even when he has no theoretical knowledge of that design while only having knowledge of data inputting and outputting.

Abstract: A tunable chromatic dispersion compensator for optical communication systems is disclosed. An optical grating, such as a fiber Bragg grating, nonchirped, linearly chirped or non-linearly chirped, is strained to alter the dispersion compensator characteristics, preferably with a gradient-generating body bonded onto the length of the fiber grating. The body 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: A method and system for forming walls includes a dual-wall cavity. A stud is formed of an outer flange, middle flange and inner flange arranged in an "E" shape configuration. An outer panel attaches to the outer flange, a middle panel attaches to the middle flange and an inner panel attaches to the inner flange. An outer cavity is formed between the outer panel and the middle panel. The outer cavity can be filled with a filler material for providing structural and insulation features. Thereafter, an inner panel attaches to the inner flange for providing an inner cavity. The inner cavity can be used to house utility materials such as plumbing, air ducts, heating and electrical.

Abstract: This invention is predicated on applicant's discovery that near the gate dielectric/semiconductor interface, surface roughness of a particular spectral range plays a disproportionately larger role in scattering electrons and impeding their transport. Moving electrons will not enter the nooks and crannies of roughness having wavelength shorter than about 100 .ANG. and therefore are not affected by them, and electrons are less affected by roughness having wavelengths longer than about 1000 .ANG.. Accordingly, it is desirable to reduce the surface roughness of gate dielectrics at the interface. This can be accomplished prior to dielectric formation by inspection of semiconductor wafers for surface roughness and rejection of those wafers with high surface roughness content in the range 100 .ANG. to 1000 .ANG.. Such inspection also provides a valuable criterion for selecting optimum semiconductor processing steps.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a passively temperature-compensated tunable optical grating device comprises a grating, which is fixed at both ends to a support frame, and is mechanically or magnetically flexed so that a tensile strain induced in the grating reconfigures the resonant wavelength of the grating. Preferred embodiments include at least one waveguide grating, a flexing mechanism capable of inducing a latchable change in grating periodicity and at least one negative thermal expansion component which, upon heating, reduces the strain in the grating so that the temperature-induced wavelength shift is substantially cancelled out. The device can reduce the temperature-dependent wavelength change to less than 0.5 nm/100 deg. C, and preferably less than 0.05 nm/100 deg. C. In a preferred embodiment, the packaging assembly also includes a fine-wavelength adjusting mechanism for post-assembly corrective tuning.

Abstract: A monolithically-integrated SRAM cell is described for reducing the cell size, i.e., at least two of a plurality of transistors comprising the SRAM cell are monolithically integrated to define a first transistor and a second transistor, wherein the drain of the first transistor functions as the gate of the second transistor and the drain of the second transistor functions as the gate of the first transistor. This integration eliminates the need for gate-to-drain connections of previous devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for mechanically imaging the prostate with a prostate examination device. In the method, position data and pressure response data are acquired along predetermined trajectories overlaying the prostate by periodic pressing or sliding of a pressure sensor assembly attached to a probe against the prostate. In a preferred embodiment, the prostate examination device comprises a probe sized to fit within the rectum and having a head connected by a shaft to a handle. A support is connected to the probe for providing a point of rest for the shaft during the prostate examination. As the pressure sensor assembly is pressed against and moved over the prostate, it generates signals in response to forces imposed on the pressure sensor assembly. A positioning system is coupled to the support and probe for determining position data of the pressure sensor assembly during prostate examination.

Abstract: A corrugated board packaging box including an opening portion which is formed on a front surface portion of a box body, through which goods are taken in and out. On both sides of the front surface portion, a cut-off portion is formed to cut off by a cutting line, defined by a vertical supporting member disposed on the intermediate portion of the front surface, and on an edge of the one side of the cut-off portion, a cut-off protrusion is disposed by forming an inclined cutting line.

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 thoroughly cleaned and placed in physical contact with each other. 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 bonded substrates are heated to a moderate temperature to effect escape of gases which may be entrapped by the substrates. The bulk of one of the substrates is then typically removed. The substrates can be heated again to a moderate temperature to effect removal of any gases remaining entrapped on the substrates. Thereafter, the bonded surfaces are heated to a high temperature to effect a permanent bond.

Abstract: 2-Aminopropane is used as the amine donor in the stereoselective synthesis of a chiral amine from a ketone with a transaminase. In a typical embodiment, (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane is prepared by bringing methoxyacetone into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor until a substantial amount of methoxyacetone is converted to (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane and 2-aminopropane is converted to acetone. In a second embodiment, L-alanine is prepared by bringing pyruvic acid into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor.

Abstract: A multilayer industrial stretch film is provided with at least one cling layer and is formed by coextruding a film-formable polymer with a tackifier. The invention provides a multilayer film having at least two skin layers and at least one core layer in which at least one of the skin layers is derived from a mixture of the tackifier and the film-formable polymer. At least one of the core layers can include a vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI). Beneficial results are obtained by also including a lubricating composition in at least one, if not both, skin layers when at least one of the core layers contains a VCI. The lubricant in the skin layer effectively reduces the extrusion temperature (for blown and cast films), and tends to avoid degrading or igniting the VCI.