Abstract: Disclosed is a curved surface element (e.g., light bulb, ornament, light pipe, etc.) which has at least a portion thereof (inner or outer surface) covered with a holographic diffraction grating which was constructed to be essentially distortion free on said curved surface, whereby such diffraction grating diffracts light to emit color to the observer. The diffraction grating can take for form of a holographic optical element (HOE) attached to the curved surface or a diffractive holographic optical pattern (HOP) embossed into the curved surface.

Abstract: System, method and apparatus for carrying out the recovery of an intact volume of tissue wherein a delivery cannula distal end is positioned in confronting adjacency with the volume of tissue to be recovered. An expandable metal capture component is expressed from the distal end of the cannula to expand while being electrically excited to electrosurgically cut around and circumscribe the tissue volume. Pursing cables are tensioned to complete the envelopment of the tissue volume, whereupon the volume is recovered by withdrawal of the instrument.

Abstract: A scanning system for a hand-held probe employs a 50 ms scanning interval in conjunction with circular memory. Combinations of segment bins from the circular memory are acquired following each short scanning interval. A threshold is computed for each combination initially based upon a threshold factor which is statistically significant and has a value of three. Audible cueing is developed if any three of six of these combinations of segment bin scan counts exceeds a correspondingly computed threshold value. Thereafter, the threshold factor is diminished to a value of one and the same thresholding tests are carried out to maintain audible cueing. Running count rates are computed as the average of the entire circular buffer memory divided by its corresponding total collection time. This computation is provided on a one half second updated basis.

Abstract: A microwavable food packaging system includes a tray formed from a base and a sidewall extending from the base which sidewall terminates in a free edge. The base and sidewall define an interior cavity. The free edge defines a tray opening. The base has a raised button extending into the cavity. A sleeve surrounds the tray. The sleeve includes a front panel having a display surface and is disposed adjacent to the tray opening and a rear panel disposed adjacent to the base. The sleeve adjacent to the base extends outwardly to form a leg upon which the sleeve and tray can be upstandingly placed. The tray is adapted to receive food pouches within the cavity. The raised button stabilizes the center of gravity of the food packaging system when the food packaging system is placed in an upstanding position on the leg. Advantageously, at least one food pouch disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: A system for hanging implements on a wall which employs a hanging component formed of thin steel wire having two wire legs integrally joined to and spaced apart at a limiter portion. In a shelf supporting embodiment, bores or paired channels are provided within a shelf standard at a downwardly depending acute angle. The standard then is used with an elemental drill to form corresponding paired channels through a drywall surface. The wire bifurcate hanging components then are inserted through these channels at the noted acute angle to support a standard against a wall. The acute angle evokes an inwardly directed vector component providing a very stable and relatively high load bearing capacity. Removal of the shelf system from the wall is simply accomplished by lifting upwardly to reveal only small paired channel openings which are easily covered or resurfaced. A continuous strap based self supporting arrangement simplifies the mounting to and supporting of shelves from spaced apart standards.

Abstract: An abrasive compact cutting element includes an axisymmetric superhard abrasive element having a proximal cutting end, an inwardly tapered distal attachment end, and an outer surface; and an axisymmetric cemented carbide support element configured to receive the abrasive element tapered attachment end. The outer surface of the proximal cutting end of the abrasive element is spaced-apart from the outer surface of the carbide support element. The abrasive compact cutting element can be manufactured by forming an axisymmetric annular cemented carbide support element having an upper proximal end, a lower inwardly tapered distal end, and an outer surface. Abrasive particles are disposed in the annular cemented carbide support element. HP/HT processing forms an polycrystalline abrasive particle compact having a proximal cutting end and a tapered distal attachment end which compact is disposed within the annular cemented carbide support element.

Abstract: The multistage process for the chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) of Cu commences with forming a primary aqueous or non-aqueous (e.g., using alcohols and ketones as non-aqueous carriers) slurry from (i) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of an oxidizer, (ii) between 0 and 7 wt-% of a chelating agent, (iii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant, (iv) between about 0.001 and 5 wt-% diamond particles having an average particle size not substantially above about 0.4 &mgr;, and (v) an amount of a pH adjustment agent so that the aqueous slurry has a pH of between about 3 and 10, and advantageously about 5). The Cu of the semiconductor wafer then is subjected to CMP using the primary aqueous slurry and then is subjected to a cleaning operation. Next, a secondary aqueous slurry from (i) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of an a hydroxyl amine compound, (ii) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of a chelating agent, (iii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant, (iv) between about 0.

Abstract: System and apparatus for locating sources of radiation emanating from predetermined radionuclides. The apparatus incorporates a large window display utilizing icon imagery to identify counting functions such as target count and background. A variety of radionuclide modes of operation can be selected by the operator and the system automatically defaults to detector bias selection and window reference voltage selection in correspondence with the elected radionuclide. A bar graph readout apprises the user of the amount of time or count level remaining in a target or background procedure and the flashing of icon identifiers occurs during such procedures. Pulse validation is improved by the utilization of a discriminator which evaluates pulse width.

Abstract: A nutraceutical composition, for the inhibition of photochemical damage to the skin and eyes induced by sunlight, particularly by exposure to ultraviolet radiation is disclosed. The blend is multifunctional and comprises a blend of chemopreventive natural products, which exert anti-radical mechanisms of prevention and intervention, anti-inflammatory effects, enhance the endogenous defense mechanisms, and also have the potential to reduce the radiation induced pigmentation. The active ingredients in the blend include green tea extract, lutein (zeaxanthin), lipoic acid, and selenomethionine.

Abstract: A self-supporting, solid surface (SS) work surface adapted to be installed atop a support structure is manufactured from one or multiple modules that are joined together to form a visually single SS work surface. Each module includes a centrally-disposed molded work surface have a bottom face and a top face, has a given thickness, and has at least a first edge and a second edge. A first molded edge portion is joined to the first edge and extends downwardly from the centrally-disposed molded work surface. A molded second edge portion is joined to the second edge and extends upwardly from the centrally-disposed molded work surface. At least one molded brace portion is joined to the bottom brace of the centrally-disposed molded work surface to make the module self-supporting at the centrally-disposed molded work surface. The centrally-disposed molded work surface, the molded first edge portion, and the second molded edge portion all are integrally molded together.

Abstract: The multistage process for the chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) of Cu commences with forming a primary aqueous or non-aqueous (e.g., using alcohols and ketones as non-aqueous carriers) slurry from (i) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of an oxidizer, (ii) between 0 and 7 wt-% of one or more of a complexing agent or a passivating agent, (iii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant, (iv) between about 0.001 and 5 wt-% diamond particles having an average particle size not substantially above about 0.4 &mgr;m, and (v) an amount of a pH adjustment agent so that the aqueous slurry has a pH of between about 3 and 10, and advantageously about 5). The Cu of the semiconductor wafer then is subjected to CMP using the primary aqueous slurry and then is subjected to a cleaning operation. Next, a secondary aqueous slurry from (i) between about 0 and 7 wt-% of one or more a complexing agent or a passivating agent, (ii) between about 0 and 5 wt-% of a surfactant, (iii) between about 0.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical probe is provided with a crystal detector mount architecture wherein a rigid mounting of key components is achieved. In one embodiment, the crystal detector mount is supported and suspended by a vibration damping suspension externally located with respect to the crystal detector mount. The crystal detector mount architecture and vibration damping suspension act to reduce a variety of noise phenomena.

Abstract: A surgical probe apparatus incorporates a probe structure with a handle component and forward crystal mount wherein a cadmium-telluride crystal is rigidly mounted against movement. A cup-shaped window assembly is provided having an internal cylindrical tungsten shield which extends forwardly from the front face of the crystal to define an air gap as well as to support an aluminum window. The window assembly is threadably mounted upon the handle at a transition region forming an outwardly extending ramp. This ramp is used in conjunction with a polymeric retainer component with legs containing dog structures which hold a cylindrical tungsten collimator in biased position against the window when attached.

Abstract: A surgical system wherein a two component hand-held probe is provided. The probe includes a sterilizable and reusable detector portion formed principally of metal in combination with a disposable handle and cable combination. Formed principally of metal components, the detector assembly includes a crystal receiver within which a detector crystal is retained in compression by an annular metal ring assembly having thin inwardly depending tines which contact the crystal forward surface and additionally apply the electrical ground thereto. An access channel rigidly supports bias and signal carrying electrical leads through a crystal mount to a rearward face thereof. The rearward face rigidly supports the forward stage of a preamplifier. In one embodiment a rigid polymeric crystal mount is employed. Particularly for this embodiment, a cup-shaped, shield containing window assembly is utilized.

Abstract: A program controlled integrated circuit having an input path for receiving an analog signal with given attributes and using a program controlled sequence of treatment stages to generate a bit-defined information vector. That vector is introduced to a distributed memory matching array where it is compared with conveyed instruction set having bit-defned codewords corresponding with an analog signal attribute. A match process under the control of a central control unit then develops a digital result. The digital result may be utilized or converted to analog form in an analog return path. Both the input path and the return path incorporate a reduced instruction set computing arithmetic unit under the control of the central control unit.

Abstract: A hand-held radiation probe is configured having a crystal thickness as well as a bias generated electrical field which have values to cause the semiconductor crystal to operate in a trapping-dependent operational mode wherein a trapping of substantially all carriers generated by radiation impinging upon the crystal forward face are trapped. The bias level voltage is selected to achieve adequate photopeak heights and to permit the windowing out of lower energy Compton scattering and other noise phenomena.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a steering system for an articulated tracked combine composed of (i) a forward unit having a pair of differentially-connected powered non-steering wheels or tracks and (ii) a tracked rearward unit having powered steerable tracks. This steering system includes a pivoting articulation joint interconnecting the forward unit and the rearward unit. The rearward unit is fitted with a differential tracked steering system in steering connection with an operator steering wheel for steering of the articulated tracked combine. Optionally, such novel steering system includes a pair of steering articulation cylinder assemblies connected between the forward unit and the rearward unit. An angle sensor is mounted at the joint for sensing the relative position of the forward unit and the rearward unit. Another sensor is mounted at the steering wheel to sense its position.

Abstract: Count rate outputs of a probe-based radiation detection system are stabilized through the utilization of a dynamic window-based count analysis. Circular memory is utilized to record a sequence of segment count values. These values then are accessed and updated with respect to short scan intervals. The memory segments then are employed to develop a count sum over a count collection interval. That count sum is employed with algorithms adjusting the upper and lower edges of the dynamic window. A reported mean value, computed from the window upper edge or window lower edge, is utilized for creating a variable pitch output or for driving a bar graph. Background count and target count intervals are adjusted utilizing a data point predictive technique in combination with upper and lower time bounds.