Abstract: A scanning probe microscope is combined with a laser induced breakdown spectrometer to provide spatially resolved chemical analysis of the surface correlated with the surface topography. Topographical analysis is achieved by scanning a sharp probe across the sample at constant distance from the surface. Chemical analysis is achieved by the means of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy by delivering pulsed laser radiation to the sample surface through the same sharp probe, and consequent collection and analysis of emission spectra from plasma generated on the sample by the laser radiation. The method comprises performing microtopographical analysis of the sample with a scanning probe, selecting a scanned topological site on the sample, generating a plasma plume at the selected scanned topological site, and measuring a spectrum of optical emission from the plasma at the selected scanned topological site.

Abstract: Lateral pores in a thin metal film as well as fabricating branching and expanding ore arrays can be fabricated by a method of growing long pores laterally underneath a ask by use of stress compliant masks or varying the anodization voltage. Applications range from use with scanning electron microscope (SEM-compatible single molecule probe stations), to nanowire fixtures and to the use with a “pixelating, nonscanning” near field optical microscope (NOM). Pores are defined by conventional anodization vertically into the underlying membrane of preporous material through any overlying masking layers. The general solution is to utilize mechanically stable masks that withstand the stress during anodization and counteract the pore formation stress to lead to good pore ordering and directed growth. Multilayer masks are well suited for this. With a composition of materials having different elastic properties, tensile stress can be matched to counteract compressive stress caused by porous material growth.

Abstract: A cleaning dispenser assembly to be used in connection with a toilet tank is coupled to a fill valve and an overflow tube of the tank. The dispenser assembly includes a container with a removable lid. A refill tube is coupled to a fill valve of the tank and the container. Tall and short discharge tubes are coupled to the container at different heights to facilitate the withdrawal of fluid from the container while preventing a vacuum from developing within the closed container. U-traps are formed in the refill tube and the discharge tubes to retain a portion of liquid in a steady state so as to seal the passageways in order to prevent gases from escaping into the tank.

Abstract: External cavity semiconductor lasers using a saturable Bragg reflector as an external reflector are mode locked and produce output pulses of 1.9 ps from a semiconductor lasers without dispersion compensation. By coupling the output to a standard single mode fiber with a length of 35 m to compensate the linear chirp, the mode-locked pulse duration as short as 880 fs is achieved.

Abstract: A system and method for signal peak reduction in a spread spectrum communication system of the type including a filter for limiting signal bandwidth of symbols transmitted from the system. A signal peak reduction unit is provided before the filter that includes a filter predictor that predicts the effect of the filter on input symbols by using filter coefficient values corresponding to the filter impulse response function. Input symbols that are predicted to cause the output signal to exceed a predetermined peak limit value are adjusted. Several examples of suitable algorithms for calculating the necessary peak reduction to be applied to the input symbols are disclosed. The peak reduction unit provides adjusted symbols to the filter for processing and communication system output.

Abstract: A system and method for signal peak reduction in a multiple carrier communication system where the individual carriers are produced from input symbols that are filtered to reduce individual carrier bandwidths, offset in frequency, and combined into an output signal. A multiple carrier peak reduction unit is provided which modifies the input carrier symbols so that the combined output signal does not exceed a predetermined peak limit value. The multiple carrier peak reduction unit includes filter predictors that predict the effect of each channel filter on that carriers input symbols by using filter coefficient values corresponding to the impulse response function of each filter. The filter predictor outputs are then phase shifted, in correspondence to frequency offsets provided for in multiple carrier signal generation, and combined to produce a prediction of the combined signal output which is then processed to determine the corrections required to the individual channel symbol inputs.

Abstract: An improved load bearing pallet includes an upper deck formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material with a load engaging surface and an opposing, substantially parallel lift engaging surface. Ridges, channels, depressions, and legs, are formed in the sheet with corresponding features being necessarily defined by the sheet on the opposite side. The pallet preferably includes a peripheral channel formed around a periphery of the upper deck and nine legs positioned in three rows of three creating two gaps on each side of the pallet for the tines of a fork lift to enter to lift the pallet. A plurality of strengthening ridges and channels are formed in the load bearing surface of the upper deck, with corresponding channels and ridges necessarily formed in the lifting surface of the upper deck, to resist bending and folding of the pallet.

Abstract: A flush valve is adapted to be mounted in the tank of a toilet and includes a selector assembly and a flush valve. The selector assembly is accessible from outside the toilet and provides for initiation of the flushing operation and an alternative choice between a larger flush water volume and a smaller flush water volume. A support structure provides for both axial and radial movement of the selector assembly relative to the flush valve in order to facilitate mounting and aligning of the flush valve assembly. A slide mechanism provides for variation of at least the smaller flush water volume.

Abstract: A wireless digital transmission and receiving method combines phase reversal keying with pulse position modulation. Modulation of a transmitted signal implements pulses that are of extremely short duration to indicate ones and zeros. These pulses can be as narrow as one cycle of the carrier frequency. As such, they often appear as missing cycles or pulses in a sequence of carrier cycles. The method synthesizes a sideband with no carrier or other sidebands from the carrier of an input signal. This synthesized sideband is represented by a broad sinx/x spectrum with a principal power peak at the modulated frequency and numerous weaker peaks of varying frequencies and peak levels. The time duration of these smaller peaks is such that they have negligible mean power levels. Thus, the synthesized signal can withstand the degradation caused by multipath interference and fading. The weaker peaks also do not cause measurable interference with other communications devices.

Abstract: A apparatus and a method of isolating two cavities within an electrical equipment by using a S-shaped plate having fingers on opposite sides such that the S-shaped plate may be installed between two open ended inner walls.

Abstract: A micromachined coupler for coupling a capillary having a first size to an orifice having a shape and a second size, has a body which has a shape conforming the shape of the cavity into which the body must fit. A through hole is defined through the body. The through hole has a size conforming to the first size of the capillary. The capillary is disposable into the through hole so that the capillary is communicated to the orifice without the first and second sizes necessarily being the same. The cavity and the body have conforming slanting surfaces, and in particular the cavity and the body define truncated pyramidal shapes. The cavity and the body each have a truncated pyramidal shape. The pyramidal shape may be square, triangular, or conical. A method of fabricating the micromachined coupler is achieved either by micromaching or micromolding.

Abstract: This is an implant for placement in the human body and a wire coupled to the implant for placing that implant. In the illustrated embodiment, it is an implant for use in the vasculature of the human body and is used to occlude a cavity in that vasculature as a portion of a treatment regimen. The implant itself is a component of a deployment device in which the implant is detached from the wire using electrolytic disintegration when a current is applied to the wire. The implant is electrically isolated from active participation in the electrolytic disintegration which occurs when a current is applied to the wire. Such isolation and minimization of the conductive pathway from the placement apparatus to the body's fluids appears to enhance the susceptibility of a selected portion of the wire to electrolysis to provide for quick erosion and detachment of the implant from the wire.

Abstract: An endovascular cellular manipulation and inflammatory response are elicited from implantation in a vascular compartment or any intraluminal location of a separable coil comprised at least in part of at least one biocompatible and absorbable polymer or protein and growth factors. Typically a catheter associated with the separable coil is used to dispose the coil into a selected body lumen. The biocompatible and absorbable polymer or protein is thrombogenic. The coil further is comprised at least in part of a growth factor or more particularly a vascular endothelial growth factor, a basic fibroblast growth factor or other growth factors. The biocompatible and absorbable polymer is in the illustrated embodiment at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid, poly˜glycolic acid poly-L-lactic acid copolymers, polycaprolactive, polyhydroxybutyrate/hydroxyvalerate copolymers, poly-L-lactide. Polydioxanone, polycarbonates, and polyanhydrides.

Abstract: A delamination resistant electronics module assembly includes a printed circuit board layer coupled to a pallet via a cured epoxy preform. The preform may include conductive epoxy, or non-conductive epoxy with conductive traces. Component wells are collectively formed by the preform and PCB layer for placement of heat generating components, such as RF components. Methods of manufacturing module assemblies include curing the epoxy preform by applying a predetermined elevated pressure and heat to a sub-assembly of the pallet, preform layer, and PCB layer.

Abstract: A system and a method for computerized automated acquisition of the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) for quantifying level of consciousness following traumatic brain injury performs the assessment of the GCS of critically ill patients on a periodic basis. Based on measurement of stimulus-induced standard physiological and verbal responses of the patient such as EMG, EOG and simple utterances, the system produces a coma score, which corresponds one-to-one with the score obtained by human assessors. The apparatus used for automated assessment of a degree of consciousness in a patient comprises a computer having a program stored therein to assess consciousness of the patient, at least one electrode coupled to the computer for sensing a physical response, a speaker coupled to the computer for producing an audio signal, a microphone coupled to the computer configured to sense an audio response from the patient, and a pain stimulator coupled to the computer to generate a pain stimulus in the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for in vivo detection of the direction of Langer's lines in the skin. Light is irradiated into the skin as primary light at one defined site (7) identified through the epidermis (6) in such a way that it is transported in the skin (5) by scattering or absorption, while part of said irradiated light emerges from the skin as secondary light in the region surrounding the irradiated site. An amplitude-dependent property of secondary light emerging from the skin (5) around the irradiated site is measured in order to determine the preferential direction of the diffuse light transport in the skin (5) and, consequently, determine the orientation of Langer's lines thereof.

Abstract: A bacteria killing oral bactericide is applied to a user's teeth. All surfaces of the teeth are covered with the oral bactericide. The oral bactericide is left disposed on the teeth during the sleeping hours during which the oral bactericide both destroys harmful bacteria, plaque-building bacteria, and protects the teeth from any damage which may be caused by harmful bacteria. The oral bactericide is removed by brushing the teeth.

Abstract: An electronics assembly incorporating an interconnect includes a conductive gasket disposed between a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board. The gasket surrounds, and thereby shields, the interconnect while providing an RF ground connection between the two boards with a controlled RF impedance. The second printed circuit board may serve as a connector board for a plurality of modules, or other printed circuit boards, to be coupled thereto. Each module is individually covered with a separate lid. Methods for manufacturing and assembling structures according to the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A circuit attenuates echo caused by line variations and a transformerless, high DC impedance, two-wire line interface. To reduce echo, a test tone is introduced on the communication line with all station units connected to the line. The resultant receive signal is conditioned through a peak detector, digitized and read by a processor. The resistive and capacitive characteristics of a network are iterated by the processor and the results remeasured. The network is set to the best combination for least echo by the processor. An interfacing system capacitively couples a plurality of sources to a two-wire communication pair by means of a plurality of differential voltage-to-current amplifiers. Each source uses a differential receiving amplifier to receive signals from the line and is resistively coupled in parallel to all the sourcing entities coupled to the communication line at that particular interface. There is an echo balance network associated with each source.