Abstract: A telephone system for travel card users where the users may program a switch processor so that it completes, re-routes, or refuses to complete calls as predetermined by the customer. Data is captured as it is transferred from the switching module to an internal buffer and is fed through a digital communications path and an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter to a switching station computer. The switching station computer is in communication with a data storage server computer and the data storage server computer is in communication with remote telephones and with computers and facsimile machines in remote customers' offices. The switching station computer is thus programmable by the customer and incoming calls are handled as predetermined by the customer. A voice response device provides verbal communication between the system and its users.

Abstract: A compact beam scanning information readout device and method for reading bar code or other information requires little or no orientation of the information to be scanned by virtue of its raster or omni directional scan capabilities. Only a single mirror is needed to generate two dimensional scans. A wide range of scan speeds are also possible for simple or complex one or two dimensional patterns. Scanning in two dimensions may be done with independent and continuous control of the scan in each dimension. The scan patterns may be electronically controlled to instantly achieve various orientations ranging from a straight line rotated about a point to continuously rotating complex patterns. A light collector, light detector, processor, and means of signal transmission are also included. In one embodiment the device is packaged in a housing resembling a wand or a thin flashlight and in another embodiment the device is packaged in a ceiling mountable housing which will not interfere with counter top work space.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the survival of neuronal cells in a mammal, the cells being at risk of dying, the method comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of one of the following substances: IGF-I; a functional derivative of IGF-I; IGF-II; a functional derivative of IGF-II; IGF-III; or a functional derivative of IGF-III.

Abstract: A high reliability instrument system includes means for applying a test condition to the instrument and for determining whether the instrument properly responds to the test condition, and means for inhibiting the generation of an instrument output in response to such testing. This provides verification that most of the instrument system components, but not the system output, are properly functioning. The system further includes means for overriding the output-inhibiting function when it is desired to test the entire instrument system including the system output. The instrument system may include a gap-type ultrasonic instrument, with the test condition comprising a pulse applied to one crystal, the effects of which are detected at the other crystal to determine sensor integrity. The system is preferably configured as a two-wire on-off instrument system, in which application of the test condition at a transmitter is controlled by signals applied to the two-wire signal loop at a remote receiver.

Abstract: An electrochemical heat exchanger including a housing, at least one electrochemical cell within the housing with a first electrode and a hydrogen electrode at least partially immersed in a liquid electrolyte, and positive and negative terminals of the electrochemical cell connected through the housing to respective positive and negative ends of a power supply. The housing includes a gas space which is in communication with a heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber can be a flexible chamber capable of expanding in response to an increase in pressure in the electrochemical cell and contracting in response to a decrease in pressure in the electrochemical cell or it can be a conduit whereby an element to be cooled is placed in thermal contact with either hydrogen gas or a liquid coolant.

Abstract: A therapeutic in vitro or in vivo mixture comprising L-arginine and an agonist of nitric oxide synthase, namely nitroglycerin is disclosed for the treatment of diseases related to vasoconstriction, wherein the vasoconstriction is relieved by stimulating the constitutive form of nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) to produce native nitric oxide (NO). The native NO having superior beneficial effect when compared to exogenous NO produced by a L-arginine independent pathway in terms of the ability to reduce clinical endpoints and mortality.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a dimension of strip stock formed by a cutting device includes: providing an image producer that is movable between a home position and at least one subsequent position associated with the strip stock; moving the image producer to the at least one subsequent position where the field of view of the image producer substantially frames the strip stock dimension to be monitored; forming a first image of the strip stock dimension; and analyzing the first image of the strip stock dimension to determine the length thereof.

Abstract: A system for controlling laboratories having fume hoods comprising a network along which information is carried. The system is also comprised of a controller in contact with the network for receiving information from and providing information to the network. Additionally, the system is comprised of means for sensing a laboratory's state. The sensing means is disposed in each laboratory. There is additionally a microprocessor disposed in each laboratory for receiving information concerning the laboratory from the respective sensing means and the controller in order to maintain the laboratory in a predetermined state, and to provide information about the laboratory to the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively blocking optical light signals provided from a plurality of input fiber optical strands with an optical switch. An input fiber termination port is provided for coupling the plurality of input fiber optical strands to the optical switch. The input fiber termination port has a center and a plurality of rows of openings. Each of the rows of openings is aligned radially with respect to the center and has a plurality openings for receiving ends of the input fiber optical strands. An output fiber termination port is provided for coupling a plurality of output fiber optical strands to the optical switch. An interior optical path transmission region is bounded on a first end by the input fiber termination port and on a second end by the output fiber termination port.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement method in an ultrasonic measurement system having an ultrasonic transducer includes emitting an ultrasonic pulse from the ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic pulse is received in accordance with a pulse travel time wherein the amplitude of the received ultrasonic pulse varies according to the pulse travel time. A first electrical signal is provided representative of the received ultrasonic pulse wherein the amplitude of the first electrical signal varies in accordance with the pulse travel time. A second electrical signal is provided in accordance with the first electrical signal wherein the amplitude of the second electrical signal is substantially independent of the pulse travel time. In order to determine the second electrical signal variable amplification is applied to the first electrical signal in accordance with the travel time.

Abstract: A product display board for display of a plurality of product lines of memorial products having a plurality of design features. The product display board includes samples of memorial products of each product line arranged in rows with related design features arranged in columns.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a nitride layer of the semiconductor integrated circuit on a semiconductor substrate in a processing chamber. Source gases are applied to the processing chamber and a first nitride layer is deposited over the semiconductor substrate according to the source gases. The source gases are discontinued and the processing chamber is pumped out. Source gases are again applied to the processing chamber and a second nitride layer is deposited upon the first nitride layer according to the applied source gases. The first and second nitride layers form a combined nitride layer. Four alternate embodiments are set forth. In the first embodiment a predetermined amount of time is waited between the pumpout of the processing chamber and the deposition of the second nitride layer. The amount of time can be approximately ten minutes. In the second embodiment, the processing chamber is purged with nitrogen gas prior to depositing the second nitride layer.

Abstract: A press feed capable of being driven in synchronization with a press. The press feed includes a sensor for sensing a selected phase of a press cycle of the press, structure for engaging stock material adapted to be fed by the press feed to the press, and an infinitely variable release device connected to the stock material engaging structure and communicating with the sensor. The infinitely variable release device operates to move the stock material engaging structure in a first direction relative to the stock material responsive to detection by the sensor at the onset of the selected press cycle phase, and to move the stock material engaging structure in a direction generally opposite the first direction responsive to detection by the sensor at the termination of the selected press cycle phase. The infinitely variable release device may be a servo controlled drive screw.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining unmodified recombinant human normal adult hemoglobin involve a novel expression plasmid that coexpresses human .alpha.- and .beta.-globin genes and E. coli methionine aminopeptidase genes under the control of separate tac promoters. Methods are also provided for correcting an abnormal conformation of some of the heme groups incorporated in the proteins expressed by the expression plasmid.

Abstract: A building panel particularly adapted for horizontal application. The panel presents inner and outer male connectors at the upper edge of the panel, and complimentary inner and outer female connectors at the lower edge of the panel. Gutter means is provided along the upper edge of the panel intermediate of the male connectors. At the opposite ends of the panel, the outer facing sheet presents inturned end portions. Beyond the inturned end portions the foam core and edges of the inner facing sheets are exposed. In a wall structure assembled from a plurality of the panels, horizontal joints between panels and vertical joints between the panel ends are presented. Gasket means is presented in the vertical joint and is configured so as to provide vertically extending discharge channels communicating with the gutter means. Liquids bypassing the outer seals at the joints collects in the gutter means and is directed to the vertical channels for discharge.

Abstract: An electrochemical heat exchanger including a housing, at least one electrochemical cell within the housing with a first electrode and a hydrogen electrode at least partially immersed in a liquid electrolyte, and positive and negative terminals of the electrochemical cell connected through the housing to respective positive and negative ends of a power supply. The housing includes a gas space which is in communication with a heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber can be a flexible chamber capable of expanding in response to an increase in pressure in the electrochemical cell and contracting in response to a decrease in pressure in the electrochemical cell or it can be a conduit whereby an element to be cooled is placed in thermal contact with either hydrogen gas or a liquid coolant.