Abstract: A femtosecond dye laser comprises a dye amplifier assembly (30) pumped by a mode-locked neodymium YAG laser (35) operating with frequency doubling. The main dye laser cavity as defined on one side of the amplifier assembly (30) by a linear prism structure (11 and 14) leading to an outlet mirror (15), and on the other side of the amplifier assembly by an assembly (20) constituting an anti-resonant mirror disposed about a saturable absorption device (40). An error signal is tapped by leakage from one of the mirrors (22) and is spectrally analyzed and compared with a reference wavelength (at 50) enabling a high tension amplifier (60) to be controlled to act on a piezo-electric stack (19) in order to fix the position of the outlet mirror (15) so as to adjust the optical length of the cavity as a function of the spectral characteristics of the pulses it produces.

Abstract: A connector terminal is disclosed which comprises a base plate having an electrical contact portion at one side and an electrical wire connecting portion at the other side, and a pair of wire barrel members extending upwardly from both edges of the base plate so that a conductor of an electrical wire is crimped by the pair of wire barrel members. A CH CW ratio in the electrical wire pressure contact portion is in the range of 31 to 35%, the CH CW ratio being defined by the following equation: ##EQU1## where CH is the crimp height and CW is the crimp width.

Abstract: A plant growth regulating composition comprising chitosan and a non-phytotoxic acid in the form of an aqueous solution or a blend of dry powders. The composition may be applied to the soil in which seeds are to be planted, the seeds themselves, or the foilage of an emerging plant.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the secondary recovery of oil from an oil-bearing stratum having a zone of high fluid permeability, in which this zone is plugged by introducing into the stratum a gelable solution comprising an alkaline material, a polyphenolic vegetable material such as mimosa tannin extract and formaldehyde, the last compound being present as free formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, a phenol-formaldehyde resole, hexamethylenetetramine or urea-formaldehyde concentrate. The gelable solution has a pH of at least 9.5 and may optionally include a viscosifier. The gelable solutions are relatively insensitive to brines or temperature and gel to produce mechanically strong gels, even in the presence of oil-wet minerals. If desired, the alkaline material can be an alkali metal carbonate, and the use of such carbonates permits the permeability of the plugged high permeability zone to be adjusted after formation of the gel by treating the gel with acid.

Abstract: Sport shoe having a central cut of material in the vamp section, from the vicinity of the toe to the top of the vamp which has a series of strips that remain connected to each other in a standard section of elastic material connected to these by means of a sewing, while being able to separate from each other when required to do so upon putting on or taking off the shoe.

Abstract: An offset electrostatic printer is disclosed which comprises (a) an ion modulated electrostatic print head for forming latent electrostatic images, (b) a dielectric imaging member comprising a layer of dielectric material, (c) means for developing a latent electrostatic image on the dielectric imaging member, (d) means for transferring a developed electrostatic image from the dielectric imaging member to an image receiving surface, (e) means for supplying a flow of heated air having a temperature in the range of from about 120.degree. F. (49.degree. C.) to about 200.degree. F. (93.degree. C.), and (f) means for directing the flow of heated air at, near or through the print head and at or near the dielectric imaging member. The flow of heated air reduces the accumulation of chemical deposits in the print head.

Abstract: An electrostatic print head system is disclosed which comprises an ion modulated electrostatic print head, means for supplying a flow of heated air having a temperature in the range of from about 120.degree. F. (49.degree. C.) to about 200.degree. F. (93.degree. C.), and means for directing the heated air at, near or through the print head to reduce chemical deposit accumulation at the print head. The print head may comprise a modulated aperture board having a plurality of selectively controlled apertures therein and an ion generator for providing ions for electrostatic projection through the apertures. The electrostatic print head system may be used for forming latent electrostatic images and employed in an electrostatic printer which further comprises a means for developing the latent electrostatic images.

Abstract: An ink jet printing head has a chamber for pressurized ink and a substantially linear array of outlet nozzles (5) leading from the chamber. A plurality of closure elements are selectively displaceable by respective actuators (13) to open and close respective ones of the nozzles. The closure elements are provided on respective flexible strips (7), each of which is fixed at one end and has the closure element at the other end and is displaceable by a respective actuator acting on the strip between its ends. At least some of the strips interdigitate with one another at their closure element-carrying ends from opposite sides of the substantially linear array of nozzles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for regenerating plants from mature corn embryos. The process comprises the steps of culturing the mature embryo on a callus induction medium to induce callus, subculturing the callus on a maintenance medium to maintain the callus, and subculturing the maintained callus on a regeneration medium to produce plants.

Abstract: A magnetometer comprises a transparent spherical photocell (1) filled with natural helium 4He. A laser (2) of the LNA (lanthanum-neodymium aluminate) type excites the photocell. An oscillator (3) generates a soft discharge inside the photocell (1). The electronic magnetic resonance frequency of helium atoms in the excited metastable state is determined on the basis of the light (FT) transmitted by the photocell, under excitation by a radio electric field, and the magnetic induction is thereby found.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for synchronizing reproduction using a plurality of video information reproducing systems are arranged such that synchronization pulses contained in video signals are integrated for each recording medium using as a starting point a required video position identifying signal recorded on each recording medium, and integrated values are made to coincide with each other, thereby allowing the video information of all the recording media to be reproduced synchronously. Thus, since synchronization of reproduction is effected while the reproducing systems are operating, there is no need to temporarily stop the reproducing systems as has been done conventionally. Consequently, if it is possible to effect synchronous reproduction even in the case of a CLV-type disk which cannot be temporarily stopped. In addition, the time duration required for synchronization can be reduced.

Abstract: Fried snack food product in ribbon-like form, preferably spiral, of a masa dough that has been ground and then further comminuted by cutting to have a maximum particle size of 0.05 inch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for debugging computer programs without recompiling them is disclosed. Marcos which may be called on to expand into operable code are inserted in the program at various locations. The programmer may select or deselect the macros from the command line and run the program repeatedly without recompiling the program for different tests. Marcos may also be deselected permanently and reversibly by recompiling with the marcos undefined so that they expand to empty code. Argument processing code and symbol table code are provided to control and track the debugging procedure.

Abstract: For a multi-feed knitting machine or hosiery machine, the system of selection of the needles is equipped, per each thread feed, with at least a stationary electromagnetic actuator, suitable for acting by magnetic attraction on wire springs incorporated inside selection sinkers inserted inside the slots under the needles and the needle pushers. An extraction cam extracts the selection sinkers and the needle pushers coupled with them from the slots, in order to bring the heels of the needle pushers to interfere with a lifting cam. A loading cam brings the springs of the sinkers into contact with the face of the actuator, wherein they are retained by magnetic force. A narrow area of the face of the actuator can be de-magnetized by impulses emitted by an electronic control system. If this area is demagnetized, the springs of the sinkers are taken by a blanking-out cam, which pushes the sinkers into their relevant slots and the heels of the needle pushers out from the field of action of the lifting cam.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for feeding a cylindrical piece of fabric to a sewing portion of a sewing machine whereby a hem is set at the edge portion of the fabric as a twice-folded, three-layered band. The apparatus has parallel supports for the cylindrical fabric both secured to the sewing portion, and a plurality of pairs of clamp plates disposed to the left and right of the supports at forward and backward positions and movable to the left and right and back and forth. The cylindrical piece of fabric is supported around the supports and four pairs of clamp plates are moved in such a manner that the fabric portions are appropriately stretched and the fabric has a twice folded portion.

Abstract: A steerable sled equipped with runner members such as one or more pairs of skis for sliding on snow or the like comprising a chassis associated with the runner members, characterized in that the sled comprises a suspension system interposed between the chassis and the runner members, a direction-control apparatus having a steering wheel mounted to a steering column, and at least a pair of triple-hinge members, each defining three mutually perpendicular rotational axes, with one of the rotational axes being perpendicular to the support plane of the runner members, at least one pair of hinge members being interposed between the chassis and at least one of the pair of runner members, and being associated with apparatus for the remote-control, through the steering column, of the rotation of the runner members.

Abstract: In the process of preparing a soybean extract exhibiting inhibition of malignant transformation of cells which comprises defatting soybeans and extracting the inhibitor from the defatted soybeans, the step of defatting the soybeans by bringing them into contact with acetone provides an edible extract of increased effectiveness.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air-cooled absorption-type water cooling and heating apparatus, wherein, during a heating operation, the absorption heat generated when a condensed solution absorbs refrigerant vapor is imparted to circulated cold or hot water flowing through a first cold/hot water heat exchanger so as to convert the water into hot water, and condensation heat necessary for condensation of refrigerant vapor by a water heating device is supplied to circulated cold or hot water flowing through a second cold/hot water heat exchanger so as to convert said water into hot water for heating. At this time, since the refrigerant solution evaporates on an inner wall surface of a cylinder by absorbing the heat of the air, the heat obtained from the air is added to the heat obtained from the high-temperature regenerator, with the result that a heat pump effect can be obtained.

Abstract: A piece of luggage is disclosed which consists of a case in the shape of a flat parallelepiped comprising two greater rigid lateral walls and a rigid quadrangular frame with an upper side provided with a curved handle, a base side and end sides. At least one of its lateral walls is movable, being provided with a rigid perimetral edge which slides telescopically within the frame. Displacement of this lateral wall occurs in a direction perpendicular to its plane between a retracted position in which it is located in the plane of the corresponding edge of the frame and a projecting position. The result is that the internal volume of the case is increased.

Abstract: A fluid jet marking apparatus comprises a housing (5) defining a chamber (6) for marking fluid. A plurality of outlet nozzles (8) allow ink to be ejected from the chamber and a corresponding plurality of closure elements (9) are selectively displaceable to open and close the nozzles. Springs (11) bias the elements to close the nozzles. A plurality of solenoids (14) are each connected to a respective closure element by means of a pulling element (12) slidable, under the action of the solenoid, in a respective tube (13,13') connecting the solenoid to the housing. A fluid supply (23) supplies fluid to the chamber and at least one liquid constituent part of the fluid is supplied to the chamber through the respective tubes (13') on which the solenoids are mounted.