Abstract: In a process for preparing an optically active .beta.-hydroxyester derivative by enantioselective aldol addition reaction between an aldehyde and a ketene silylacetal, the enantioselective aldol addition reaction is performed in the presence of an organic base and a platinum-containing catalyst composed of an optically active bisphosphine-platinum complex having two P--Pt bondings which are equivalent to each other, showing in its .sup.31 P NMR spectrum a single peak assigned to P--Pt bonding.

Abstract: A rolling door drive and mounting assembly including: a chassis; a final drive unit mounted to the chassis for rotation about an axis of rotation for driven connection to a door for rolling the door about a door mounting axle; a motor and drive, together attached to the chassis for synchronous pivotal movement, the drive interconnecting the motor and final drive unit; and a remotely operated actuator to move the drive into a first position engaging the final drive unit and to move the drive into a second position disengaged with the final drive unit.

Abstract: In a reduced-size keyboard in a keyboard instrument, at least one apex of an angle in at least one key or bracing member is disposed at a different longitudinal position than any other apex in any key or bracing member.

Abstract: An MPEG-2 transport stream packet detection device includes a controller for generating a detection start control signal and a series/parallel output control signal, and a sync detector for detecting an MPEG-2 transport stream packet sync from MPEG-2 transport stream data transmitted from the network according to the detection start signal from the controller, and a packet counter for counting a predetermined number of bytes according to a sync detection signal from the sync detector and sending a packet reception completion signal to the sync detector when finishing counting the predetermined number of bytes during a declaration of the detection signal, and a bit counter for counting a predetermined number of bits according to the sync detection signal from the sync detector and generating a signal for converting series data to parallel data when finishing counting the bits during the declaration of the detection signal, and a buffer for converting the series data and clock from the sync detector into parall

Abstract: A random number generator is disclosed for selecting a limited number quantity from a predetermined number quantity, having a casing with a space for receiving the number bodies and a display or indication area adjacent thereto and connected to the space, said space being at least partly constructed with rounded marginal areas and the display area is connected to one side of the space. The number bodies have a peak-to-valley height of approximately 0.002 mm to 0.009 mm.

Abstract: A length measurement system for measuring the relative position of two objects in a given measuring direction comprises a scale carrier which carries a measurement scale and which is fastened to a first of the two objects and a scanning head which scans the measurement scale at a scanning location and is fastened to the second of the two objects. The scale carrier is constructed so as to be stiff in the longitudinal direction but can deflect in a springing manner vertical to the measuring direction and is fastened by only one of its ends to the first object, while its other end projects freely. The scale carrier is positively guided in the region of the scanning head.

Abstract: A binding assembly includes a boot having a plate, and a binding plate secured to a snowboard. The boot plate includes at least one set of opposing, horizontally-projecting, binding tabs positioned along the sides of the boot. The binding plate includes at least one set of binding elements that correspond, respectively, to the binding tabs. The assembly further including a mechanism operatively associated with at least one binding element and the binding plate to maintain at least one binding element in a closed position after engagement of the binding tabs with the binding elements unless manually released by the user. In operation, the binding tabs on the boot are maneuvered to engage the binding elements on the binding plate to mount the boot to the snowboard.

Abstract: A thin porous piezoelectric Pb(Zr,Ti)O.sub.3 ceramic sheet having a thickness of 0.05 to 2 mm which is favorably employable for manufacturing a piezoelectric transducer has small pores essentially all of which have a size of less than 25 .mu.m in which pores having a size of 5 to 25 .mu.m have a mean pore size of 1/10 to 1/1,000 based on the thickness of the ceramic sheet, and which shows a ratio of apparent density to true density in the range of 5/10 to 9/10.

Abstract: A device for closing an end of a well casing includes a gasket, a base and a cap. The gasket has an inner diameter that fits around the well casing. The base has an upwardly facing groove for receiving a lower portion of the gasket, a circular opening slightly larger than the exterior diameter of the well casing thereby permitting the base to be positioned about the well casing, and a plurality of lugs positioned about the periphery of the base. The base also includes an annular flange that projects downward from the lower surface of the base, the annular flange has an inwardly facing surface extending axially downward from the groove in the base. The groove in the base has an inwardly facing wall parallel with the flange inner surface and an upwardly facing shoulder perpendicular to the flange inwardly facing wall that connects the flange inwardly facing wall with the groove annular surface. The base has an upwardly facing surface adjoining the groove annular surface.

Abstract: The root shape of a flash formed in the friction-welded joint is controlled by introducing an upset delay time interposed between termination of the friction step and commencement of the upset step and by controlling the upset displacement speed. This provides a friction-welded joint having a tensile strength and a fatigue strength which are comparable with those of TIG- or MIG- welded joints and enables aluminum alloy hollow members to be produced by friction welding instead of TIG or MIG welding. Typically, the upset delay time is 0.4 to 0.8 sec and the upset displacement speed is 5.0 to 70.0 mn/sec to form a flash having a flash root radius of 0.5 mm or more and a flash root angle of 75.degree. or less.

Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system involves applying separate and independent gains to flow rates of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure (bi-level PAP) equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.

Abstract: An arrangement in or for a boom lift or other type of lift or load-bearing apparatus, in which a stabilizing moment is imparted based on at least one state of at least a portion of the boom or other portion of the lift or load-bearing apparatus. Also contemplated is an arrangement for redistributing mass responsively, based on at least one state of at least a portion of a load-bearing apparatus.

Abstract: A device for providing angular displacement of an axis in a direction selected from the X or Y direction or rotational movement about the Z direction with respect to the axis. The device comprises a magnetic core element which produces a magnetic field and defines a Z axis. The core element is capable of displacement in the X and Y directions respectively, and also rotational movement about the Z axis. A coil device proximate the core element introduces a distortion force in the core element in at least one of the X and Y directions or about the Z axis as desired a mounting device suspends the core element with respect to the coil means to permit relative movement therebetween in response to the distortion force.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring two frequencies of electromagnetic energy to and from a portion of a living body for the purpose of blood oxygen saturation measurements. The two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are transferred to the portion of the living body through a single optical fiber cable (which could be a bundle) to a coupler and then through a short section of optical cable to an optical element adjacent to the portion of the living body. After the two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are transmitted through the portion of the living body they are received by another optical element and transported away from the portion of the living body to a coupler through a short section of optical cable where they may be converted to electrical signals. Alternatively, the two frequencies of electromagnetic energy are carried away from the coupler.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication method for forming a transistor structure upon a semiconductor substrate, a nitride layer is also formed over the semiconductor substrate. A gate oxide layer is formed over a region of the semiconductor substrate. The gate oxide layer has a relatively thinner oxide region over the nitride layer and a relatively thicker oxide region over the substrate adjacent the nitride layer. A transistor gate is formed extending over the relatively thinner oxide region and over the relatively thicker oxide region. The transistor thus formed is therefore asymmetric. A first transistor active region is formed in the vicinity of the relatively thicker oxide region and a second transistor active region is formed in the vicinity of the relatively thinner oxide region. The nitride layer can be formed by rapid thermal nitridization of the semiconductor substrate. The relatively thinner oxide region can be one-half as thick as the relatively thinner oxide region.

Abstract: A knitted surgical mesh formed from a yarn. The knitted mesh has from 11 to 13 courses per inch and from 8 to 10 wales per inch, a flexibility of from 10 to 16 gfcm/cm, a burst strength greater than 175 pounds per square inch, and a pore size percentage greater than 37%.

Abstract: A system for inspecting at least one edge of metal strip after the at least one edge has been trimmed by at least one cutting device. Included is an inspection station that has at least one image producer for forming at least one image of the at least one edge passing the inspection station. The at least one image is analyzed to determine at least one quality characteristic of the at least one trimmed edge.

Abstract: Transgenically modified animals which replicate hepatitis viruses are provided for use in evaluating virus-chemical and virus-drug interactions in chronic hepatitis infections.

Abstract: A polymer-bonded granular adsorptive, absorptive, chemisorptive, or catalytically active material and a process for producing molded bodies from this material. An objective was to develop a polymer-bonded granular adsorptive, absorptive, chemisorptive, or catalytically active material which is capable of forming an open-pore and sorptive foamed body at increased temperatures while not reducing the specific surface of the active material and with a binding effect only during the mixing and processing phases, as well as a process for producing molded bodies from this material. This objective was met by mixing and processing an adsorptive, absorptive, chemisorptive, or catalytically active fine-grained material together with a finely particulate, meltable polyethylene with the addition of a binding agent having an oligocondensate basis.