Abstract: A crawler-belt vehicle is a half crawler vehicle having front wheels furnished with tires, and crawlers on a rear wheel side composed of crawler belts extending between intermediate wheels and rear wheels. The front wheels are larger in diameter than the intermediate wheels and the rear wheels and, hence, have a large ground-contact surface area. Thus, while the vehicle is running on snow, the front wheels are not apt to sink in the snow to a greater extent with the result that the turning characteristic and breakthrough characteristic of the vehicle can be improved. The intermediate wheels may be set to toe in so as to prevent detachment of the crawler belts which would otherwise occur when the sub-beams are slightly flexed or deformed in a lateral outward direction under loads applied thereto while the vehicle is traveling at high speeds on the snow.

Abstract: For forming bores for insertion of optical fibers, etc., on one side surface of a micro lens with high accuracy and easy work, a laser processing method that includes the steps of: irradiating a laser beam onto the one side surface of the micro lens; then focusing the laser beam in a layer having superiority in absorbency with respect to the laser beam; and forming the bores because the laser beam exceeds the threshold value of causing fusion, evaporation or ablation in the superior laser beam absorption layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer-implemented method and system for selectively scoring and outputting the scores of a plurality of golf participants playing golf on a golf course using a computer system including a main computer. In accordance with the invention, a main computer, one or more remote computers and a communications network are provided. Each remote computer is associated with a hole on the golf course and coupled to the main computer via the communications network. Each remote computer receives a raw score for each golf participant playing the associated hole, calculates a local competition score for the associated hole for each golf participant based on the raw score for the golf participant, and communicates the raw scores to the host computer. Based on the raw scores communicated by each remote computer, the main computer calculates a competition score for each golf participant and communicates the competition scores to each remote computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a thermoplastic resin and a glass fabric that can be used in the form of a linear extrudate as a structural member or as a repair unit. The resin glass fiber composite structural member can be manufactured in an extrusion process. The linear extrudate can have a cross-section of any arbitrary shape or can be a regular geometric shape. The profile is made by first preforming the glass fabric into a useful shape, combining the preform fabric with melt resin and extruding the resin and glass fiber in a useful shape. When contacted with melt resin, the glass fiber becomes intimately contacted with and substantially coated with the melt resin.

Abstract: An inductive-write magnetoresistive-read horizontal head for magnetic recording having two polarization conductors. The two polarization conductors are used to simultaneously activate a MR sensor and to disable the write head during the read back process to eliminate the secondary read back signal from the inductive-write head. During the read process, the current through a first conductor biases the MR stripe while current through the second conductor generates an applied field to switch the magnetization of the Permalloy (NiFe) in the write head pole and reduce the permeability. The head incorporates write-wide read-narrow head attributes and has the reliability advantages associated with yoke or recessed MR or GMR structures. The magnetoresistive stripe may be disposed directly in the gap of the heads or it may be recessed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing coronary artery bypass surgery establishes a channel leading directly from a chamber of a heart into a coronary artery with said channel retained open during both diastole and systole. The coronary artery bypass procedure may be performed with or without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a probe consisting of at least about 15 nucleotides from the spacer region between rRNA genes of a non-viral organism, particularly prokaryotic organism and more particularly bacteria, and preferably from about 15 nucleotides to about the maximum number of nucleotides of the spacer region and more preferably from about 15 to about 100 nucleotides to be used for the detection of non-viral microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention provides customized proteases (i.e., mutant enzymes), methods of making customized proteases, as well as methods of using customized proteases. The customized proteases of the invention are derived from the known proteases. Altered transacylation reactions include the capability to perform transacylation reactions not substantially catalyzed by the known protease or the capability to perform transacylation reactions with improved yields, or both. The methods of the invention provide for customized proteases through site specific or random mutagenesis of the active site amino acids of the known proteases. The invention also provides for methods of using the customized proteases to prepare a preselected transacylation products. The preselected transacylation products produced can be modified by substitution at the N- or C-terminal with nucleophiles such as L-amino acids, D-amino acids, amino acid amides, and radioactive amino acids.

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: 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: A portable dispenser including a concentrate reservoir configured within the dispenser; a use-solution reservoir configured within the dispenser and positioned adjacent the concentrate reservoir; means connecting the concentrate reservoir and the use-solution reservoir, the connecting means providing for fluid flow between the concentrate reservoir and the use-solution reservoir; an inlet for introducing diluent into the dispenser; and means for generating a use-solution by drawing concentrate from the concentrate reservoir, whereby when a diluent is introduced into the dispenser inlet, the use-solution generating means is activated drawing concentrate from the concentrate reservoir and mixing the concentrate with the diluent to form a use-solution.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 method for selecting data storage media for demount in an automated storage library, and an automated storage library and program product therefor are disclosed. Preemptive demount of storage media is permitted when all peripheral storage devices in the library are occupied and one or more of such devices remains inactive for a predetermined time. Storage media may be demounted to service existing mount requests, provided the peripheral storage devices in which the media are mounted are inactive. There is also a need, however, to ensure the availability of an empty device to service future mount requests, particularly in libraries having only a single gripper mechanism. Thus, even when no mount requests are pending, the status of the peripheral storage devices is continually monitored.