Abstract: A metal-in-gap type magnetic head apparatus in which a pair of magnetic core half bodies, comprising a metallic magnetic film containing Fe as a main component on at least one magnetic core half body, are joined. In the above mentioned structure, at least a part of the surface of a supporting base of the magnetic head comprises a material having a lower standard electrode potential than the metallic magnetic film and thereby the metallic magnetic film has a high saturation flux density. Moreover, a magnetic head apparatus and magnetic recording apparatus of the present invention can have a high reliability even in the strong corrosive environment.

Abstract: An improved exercise bag that freely allows a person to throw all variations of punches and kicks in combination. The flexibility is made possible by the internal structure of the bag and allows for a reaction of the directed punch or kick. Therefore, the bag has the ability to provide a person with a follow through, if so desired. Furthermore, the bags design allows for the placement of a variation of punches and kicks. Unique to this bag, it incorporates multiple uses of equipment into one bag. The bag is free standing enabling a person to exercise 360 degrees around the bag. Furthermore, the bag may also be made adjustable in height.

Abstract: A novel type of formulation for the topical administration of antigens and/or vaccines to mammals via mucosal membranes comprising one or more adjuvants/vehicles selected from (a) polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoesters, (b) polyoxyethylene castor oil, (c) caprylic/capric acid glycerides and (d) gangliosides in an amount of 0.01 to 15% (v/v) calculated on the total volume of the preparation. This formulation enhances the immunological response n a mammal following mucosal administration, e.g. nasal, oral, rectal or vaginal application.

Abstract: A safety system for early lighting of stop lights in vehicles comprises the step of measuring the negative rate of change in the fuel supply to the engine, and converting same to an electronic analog or digital value; the step of comparing the value corresponding to the negative rate of change in the fuel supply to the engine to a preassigned threshold level; and the step of lighting the stop lights if the value is larger than the threshold value.

Abstract: Device for collection of liquid samples has a pump (16) for pumping sampling liquid (24), a tube (7) for delivering the sampling liquid, sample container (23) for collection of the sampling liquid, and a transport device for moving the tube in succession from one sample container to the next sample container in at least one row of sample containers. An elastic cloth (22) is sealingly applied over the openings of the sample containers, and a slit (21), in which the tube (7) runs, is arranged in the cloth. The transport device is arranged to stop the tube when it is in a position over the sample container.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for use in determining the location of a tip of a catheter inside biological tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes a catheter, a detector positioned within the catheter, and a polyimide sheath containing the detector and forming a detector assembly. The sheath is comprised of a first member, a polyimide layer, and a second member having an undulating outer surface sandwiched therebetween. The detector assembly may be removed from the catheter without damage thereto once the tip of the catheter is in its desired location inside biological tissue.

Abstract: A flexible capacitor is used in a switch circuit arrangement for activating a vehicle horn. The switch circuit arrangement includes an astable circuit having a flexible capacitor. The astable circuit generates a signal having a frequency that varies in response to force applied to the capacitor. A programmed frequency sensor activates a horn activation signal if the frequency of the signal falls below a programmed threshold.

Abstract: An underground directional boring machine includes a frame and a drive mechanism slidably mounted on the frame. A drill string is coupled to the drive mechanism for rotation and longitudinal advancement and retraction. A drive assembly moves the drive mechanism along the frame. The drive assembly includes two hydraulic cylinders coupled to the drive mechanism and extending in opposite directions. Free ends of the hydraulic cylinders are releasably secured to the frame at any one of a plurality of positions along the length of the frame. Selective pressurization of the cylinders results in sequential movement of the drive mechanism along the frame by alternative extension and retraction of the cylinders.

Abstract: A multiple pen-like cosmetics applying device comprising a central holder having a first end with a brush for applying wet or dry powder cosmetic and a second end with a lining pencil removably mounted in the second end, whereby the pencil is capable of being moved between an operative position with a marking tip of the pencil being exposed for use and an inoperative position with the tip being housed in a cavity of the holder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a synergistic cleaning and disinfecting composition for use in decontaminating biofilm-coated surfaces like fresh water lines providing water supply to dental instruments, these lines being susceptible to contamination by microorganisms and being susceptible to the formation of biofilm coatings on their inner walls, the composition comprising an effective amount of a detergent, an effective amount of a denaturing agent attacking the extracellular matrix formed between microorganisms and between microorganisms and the inner walls of these water lines and an effective amount of a bactericide for destroying the microorganisms.

Abstract: A beverage-brewing apparatus is provided which includes an outer cup member and an inner cup member. The outer cup member includes an open top, a sidewall and a bottom. The inner cup member has a sidewall, a first seal and a basket portion, with the sidewall of the inner cup member dimensioned to fit within the sidewall of the outer cup member. The first seal is disposed along an outer surface of the inner cup member for engaging the inner sidewall of the outer cup member to form a seal while still permitting the inner cup member to move within the outer cup member. The basket portion of the inner cup member is disposed at the bottom of the inner cup member. The basket portion includes a base with at least one aperture and a first filter medium, a sidewall, and a cap member having at least one aperture and a second filter medium. The cap member is releasably connected to the sidewall of the basket portion so that brewing material can be securely retained within the basket portion between the filter medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns a closing-edge-type fuse with a safety strip (1) which comprises an electric switch device and consists of a plurality of contact elements (2, 2a) which are disposed in a row in a resilient tube (3). In the rest position, under the effect of resilient prestress, the contact elements (2, 2a) abut one another at contact points provided at the end face. Under the effect of an external force when the tube (3) is deformed, the contact elements (2, 2a) are moved apart breaking the contact. A resilient contact element bed (4, 4a), which is adapted to the shape of the contact elements (2, 2a) and accommodates each of the contact elements individually, is provided in the resilient tube (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides a channel housing comprising curving channels whereby complex and varied channels can be compactly contained.Plural curving channels that must be connected to plural valves, for example, are formed by partitioning walls forming curving channels inside a pair of symmetrical housing halves, which are then bonded together to form the complex channel system.The housing halves may be joined by welding or adhesive bonding. To improve the bonding strength, a pair of opposing channel members is provided along the length of the contacting members that are welded or bonded. The cavity formed by the opposing channel members D, D is then filled with an adhesive resin M to integrate the two halves.

Abstract: A universal docking station for coupling a portable computer to a plurality of peripheral devices via a PCMCIA interface is provided, wherein at least one of the peripheral devices is a user input device. The docking station comprises a PCMCIA interface adapted to be coupled to the portable computer, peripheral control units adapted to be coupled to the plurality of peripheral devices, and a docking station control unit coupled to the PCMCIA interface and the peripheral control units, wherein the docking station control unit selectively transfers data between the PCMCIA interface and one of the peripheral control units, and wherein the docking station control unit extends the period of time data written by the computer remains stable on the PCMCIA interface. A computer system including the universal docking station is also provided. A method for interfacing a standard peripheral device to a computer via a PCMCIA bus is also provided.

Abstract: In a cardiac assist device, a housing has an inlet and outlet connectable to a patient's cardiovascular system. A pump is located within the housing to force blood that has entered through the inlet out through the outlet. The pump is connectable between the patient's left atrium and the aorta so as to assist the function of the left ventricle. A motor unit is also disposed within the housing, hermetically sealed from the pump. The whole unit is wholly implantable in a patient's chest. Permanently sealable valves, disposed in the inlet and outlet, may be closed without any invasive procedure to isolate the device from the heart once cardiac function assist is no longer required. The device may remain implanted within the patient indefinitely after the valves have been closed, and there is no requirement for a surgical procedure to remove the device once it is de-activated.

Abstract: This invention provides a pointing device which gives a feeling of operation closer to the feel of people without requiring an operation space. While a writing instrument having a pen grip (2) fitted thereto is held by a hand, a gripping force is applied by fingers as if a line were drawn in a moving direction of a cursor (the line need not be drawn in practice). The pressures of the fingers are measured by strain gauges (28a, 28b, and 28c), which send their corresponding voltage values to a CPU (40). The CPU (40) calculates the moving direction and distance of the cursor on the basis of the voltage values. Then, receiving the data, the cursor is moved to a designated position. When a microswitch (110) is pushed, the cursor position is made definite.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for using a relational database management system to support on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems. A multi-dimensional database is represented as a relational schema in the relational database. The multi-dimensional database has one or more dimensions having one or more members. Each value in the multi-dimensional database is identified by the intersection of one member from each dimension. The relational schema includes a fact table and related dimension tables. The fact table has a dimension column for all but one of the dimensions of the multi-dimensional database and a value column for each member of the remaining dimension. The fact table has at least one row that contains the values corresponding to the intersection of the members identified by the dimension columns and the members associated with the value columns. Each dimension table has a row for each member of a dimension.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for simulating a multi-tiered environment on a single computer. An application file is generated comprising second tier instructions invoking first tier instructions and third tier instructions. The application file is provided to the second and third tier runtime engines. The second tier instructions are executed in the second tier runtime engine. The third tier instructions are executed in the third tier runtime engine. A debugger on the first tier debugs the executed instructions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a high performance gate electrode structure and a process of fabricating such a device. A semiconductor device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is formed by forming a gate insulating layer is over a substrate. A diffusion barrier layer is formed over the gate insulating layer and a trench is formed in the diffusion barrier layer. In the trench, a metal gate electrode is formed. The diffusion barrier layer impedes diffusion of the metal gate electrode into the gate insulating layer during, for example, subsequent processing. The gate insulating layer, the barrier layer, and the gate electrode may, for example, be formed from cobalt niobate, tantalum silicon nitride, and copper, respectively. The copper gate electrode and cobalt gate insulating layer can, for example, increase the speed of the semiconductor device as compared to conventional transistors.

Abstract: A tracking error detector employing a phase difference detection method, comprising a photo detector for generating four divided signals, a first adder for adding two of the four divided signals from the photo detector, a second adder for adding the remaining two signals from the photo detector, first and second comparators for comparing output voltages from the first and second adders with a reference voltage, respectively, a first D flip-flop for providing first and second output signals synchronously with first and second output signals from the first comparator, a first OR gate for ORing the first and second output signals from the first D flip-flop, a second D flip-flop for providing first and second output signals synchronously with first and second output signals from the second comparator, a second OR gate for ORing the first and second output signals from the second D flip-flop, a third OR gate for ORing output signals from the first and second OR gates, a buffer for transferring the output signal fr