Abstract: A method of making a rechargeable battery electrode material containing manganese oxide is provided. The method includes preparing an aqueous solution of manganese nitrate and dissolving bismuth nitrate into the solution. The mixture is heated to evaporate the water contained in the mixture and is further heated to facilitate decomposition of the nitrates in the mixture to form a compound containing manganese oxide and bismuth oxide. The compound is maintained at a temperature of between about 200 to 300 degrees Celsius for an additional 12 hours. Thereafter, the compound is cooled and ground to a desired particle size for use as a rechargeable battery electrode material. The compound may alto be mixed with commercially prepared electrolytic or chemical manganese dioxide to obtain a highly rechargeable battery electrode material. A related battery cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a rechargeable modified manganese-containing material is disclosed. The method includes mixing manganese nitrate with a doping material which may be a nitrate of a second metal and placing this mixture in an aqueous solution. Electrodes are then submerged in the solution and a current is passed through the electrodes to electrolyze the solution. This results in an electrolytic deposition of a first material on the cathode and a second material on the anode. The material deposited on the cathode is a rechargeable modified manganese-containing material in the discharge state. The material deposited on the anode is a modified manganese-dioxide material in the charged state. A battery employing the modified manganese-containing material is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for the amperometric determination of a analyte, and in particular, to an apparatus for amperometric analysis utilizing a novel disposable electroanalytical cell for the quantitative determination of biologically important compounds from body fluids.

Abstract: A charge-based multiplier circuit is provided which generates a charge packet proportional to the product of an input signal and a weight voltage. An exponential pulse is formed which is representative of the input signal. The circuit generates an output charge proportional to the product of the peak magntiude of the exponential pulse and the exponential decay time constant, which is represented by the weight voltage. The output charge can be generated as a charge onto an output bus for positive results, or the amount can be depleted from the bus for negative results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for the amperometric determination of an analyte, and in particular, to an apparatus for amperometric analysis utilizing a novel disposable electroanalytical cell for the quantitative determination of biologically important compounds from body fluids.

Abstract: An improved method and related apparatus is provided for magnetic resonance imaging with distortions due to magnetic field inhomogeneities and subject susceptibility corrected. The method includes providing a subject positioned within a main magnetic field, a source of RF signals, a receiver for receiving signals emitted from the subject responsive to the RF pulses and emitting responsive output signals, a computer for receiving the output signals from the receiver and establishing image information related thereto and a visual display for displaying images obtained from the image information. The improved method includes performing a first image generating sequence including generating a 90.degree. RF pulse while simultaneously applying a first slice selection gradient, a phase-encoding gradient and subsequently applying a first preparation gradient after which a 180.degree. refocussing pulse is generated. Subsequently a first read-out gradient is generated while the echo signal is read by the receiver.

Abstract: A filtering assembly is provided for removal of certain substances from a solution. More particularly, apparatus are provided for removal of hazardous or environmentally unacceptable chemicals from a first solution before it is discharged. The device includes a cylindrical housing having a spaced apart inlet and outlet. Adjacent the inlet, a metal precipitate chamber is provided to collect precipitates which includes rolled fiberglass for capturing precipitates. A filter subassembly is provided on the downstream side of the inlet. The solution is then directed through an adsorption chamber containing activated carbon. In this chamber, certain chemicals are absorbed onto the carbon. A second embodiment of the invention provides multiple inlets for chemicals being introduced into the chamber as well as a water inlet. The chemical inlets are provided with distribution manifolds to evenly disburse the incoming solution within the chamber.

Abstract: A method of reversibly occluding a biological tube is provided as well as a related apparatus. The method includes providing an occluding member to be introduced into or around a biological tube thereby blocking flow through the tube. When it is desired to eliminate such blockage, shock wave lithotripsy or other energy is employed to fragment the occluding member and thus eliminate its blockage of the biological tube. The related occluding device comprises an occluding member having an inner core of a first rigid material encapsulated in an outer shell comprised of a flexible second material. The first will fragment when struck by shock waves. The device may be either a plug-type device or a C-shaped clamp. Alternatively, the device may be comprised of a single material which is introduced in flowable form into the tube by means of a catheter. The material then hardens to form a substantially rigid plug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly analyzing ac waveforms containing dc offset by generating digitized samples of the waveform to be analyzed with alternate samples separated by ninety electrical degrees. Alternate samples are paired for calculation of the magnitude and phase of the waveform. A suitable microcomputer performs a calculation using pairs of the most recently generated samples. Using the pairs of samples, the microcomputer calculates the dc offset, and the peak magnitude of the waveform which may be voltage or current. The phase angle of the waveform can also be calculated if required. The method and apparatus are particularly useful with protective systems where the calculation is necessary to determine whether there is a fault on an electric power transmission line. In addition, the effects of dc offset are eliminated and thereby false trips are avoided. A reliable system having a fast response time at relatively modest cost is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining material properties such as composition and structure of the surfaces of bulk materials and thin film sample members using time-of-flight medium energy particle scattering is provided. The method and apparatus are based upon scattering particles from a sample material or ejecting particles from the sample material. The particles may include both uncharged particles and charged particles. Particles are scattered into a chamber from a sample surface using known methods. The particles pass through the first of two grids which grid is held at ground potential and which limits the electrostatic field. The particles then pass through a very thin carbon foil which is held at a potential of -3kV. On passing through the carbon foil the particles emit secondary electrons. An electric field is created between the carbon foil and the second grid, which accelerates the secondary electrons. The electrons strike a first microchannel plate detector and this generates a start pulse.

Abstract: A method of reversibly occluding a biological tube is provided as well as a related apparatus. The method includes providing an occluding member to be introduced into or around a biological tube thereby blocking flow through the tube. When it is desired to eliminate such blockage, shock wave lithotripsy or other energy is employed to fragment the occluding member and thus eliminate its blockage of the biological tube. The related occluding device comprises an occluding member having an inner core of a first rigid material encapsulated in an outer shell comprised of a flexible second material. The first will fragment when struck by shock waves. The device may be either a plug-type device or a C-shaped clamp.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) inces administering to the individual patient intravenously a therapeutically effective dosage of oxyphenarshine (3 amino-4 hydroxyphenyl-arsineoxide hydrochloride). The dose emplyed may be up to about 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight administered 1 to 2 times weekly. The oxyphenarsine is preferably administered in such an amount as to achieve in said patient a blood serum concentration of about 0.12 to 6.0 micrograms per milliliter.

Abstract: An improved highway grade crossing for railroad tracks. The crossing is comprised of a plurality of wood panels which are capped with an expanded polymer. The polymer provides a wear surface for the crossing which can be replaced without having to take up the entire crossing structure. In one embodiment the polymer cap is a rubber and steel composite. The steel keeps the rubber stretched to substantially avoid temperature induced expansion and buckling of the rubber. Deterioration resulting from vehicular traffic over a buckled surface is thus avoided.