Abstract: A system for scrambling and descrambling the image associated with a video signal employs the shifting in time of a video image after removal of vertical and horizontal synchronization, and color burst reference signals. Coded data which contains information necessary for unscrambling the video image is transmitted in the video signal itself during the vertical blanking interval. A high level of simplification in the decoding is achieved by merely restoring synchronization and color reference data without the need for returning the video image to its original timing. This system provides the significant advantage of permitting unscrambling by unlocking vertical and horizontal synchronization of the video image using inexpensive circuitry at the decoder end, while affording the operator of the transmitter the ability to select whether the unscrambled signal is recordable by a conventional video tape recorder at the receiving end.

Abstract: A positron microscope utilizes a time-of-flight adjustment and a beam gate to distinguish images produced by respective types of positronium events. If the time-of-flight of secondary electrons is approximately between 30 and 40 ns, then the electron image will represent prompt annihilations and parapositronium distributions in the target. For time-of-flight between 50 and 100 ns longer than the processing time of the electronic gating circuitry, the electron image will be a map of long-lived orthopositronium events.

Abstract: A battery system for use in a battery-operated device, such as a rescue light or radio used in a hostile environment, employs at least one battery element contained within a tubular support member. In embodiments which employ multiple battery elements, the battery elements are in electrical communication with one another, illustratively by welding or soldering their teminals to one another. At one end of the tubular element, a terminal of the battery system is covered entirely by a seal formed of a resilient material. The seal additionally closes the entire end of the tubular member. At the second end of the tubular member, a second seal is provided for closing the second end of the tubular member, but not covering the second battery supply terminal. The battery system operates in conjunction with a housing for the battery-operated device which may have arranged therein a pointed contact which penetrates the first seal so as to achieve electrical communication with the first contact of the battery supply.

Abstract: A liquid scintillation medium contains 1,2-diphenylethane and derivatives thereof of general formula: ##STR1## where the phenyl groups are substituted with hydrogen or lower alkyls (C1-3). In an illustrative embodiment, the liquid scintillation medium comprises at least 1,2 dicumylethane or 1-cumyl-2-phenylethane, the 1,2-diphenylethane compound being liquid at the temperatures of use, i.e., room temperature and below. There is also described a method of detecting beta-ray emissions using the scintillation medium of the present invention.

Abstract: A colorimetric assay for diagnosis of periodontal disease is carried out by using a chromogenic test substance which is hydrolyzed by trypsin-like enzymes produced by periodontopathogenic bacteria in a sample specimen of subgingival plaque to release a chromophore. The presence of periodontal disease is thus indicated by a color change. The results of this assay are reliable provided at least a minimum number of microorganisms, on the order of 1,000,000 to 10,000,000, are present in the specimen. This assay determines whether the specimen includes the requisite number of microorganisms so that false negative results are not occasioned as a result of inadequate specimen size. Enzymatic activity of microorganisms in the specimen, illustratively phosphatase or peptidase enzymes, indicates specimen size sufficiency by the release of a chromophore from a nonspecific chromogenic test substance.

Abstract: Continuous laser action is sustained by a new pumping mechanism which relies exclusively on cooperative electronic transitions of coupled atoms or ions in solids. The present invention is the first of a new class of laser device which depends on energy-sharing interactions between colliding atoms in gases or active dopants in solid laser media to create the population inversion needed for amplification of light. In one specific embodiment, a laser crystal which is formed of calcium fluoride is doped heavily with trivalent erbium, and is provided with reflective coatings on respective first and second surfaces. A pumping energy is supplied whereby a pair of atoms are elevated to an initial excited state. Subsequently, one of the atoms loses energy so as to assume a ground state, the energy released thereby being made available to excite the second atom to a still higher quantum energy state.

Abstract: A closed loop multi-link robotic apparatus is actuated to produce two-dimensional motion with respect to a base member. The base member is coupled to an actuator which, in a practical embodiment of the invention, moves the base member along a part which is rectilinearly orthogonal with the respect to the two-dimensional motion. A correlator, which may be an electronic system, controls the actuator to produce a predetermined composite three-dimensional motion which can be adapted to performed industrial automation tasks. Adjustability of the system is achieved by providing a mechanism for adjusting the length of one or more of the links. Additionally, other elements may be varied, such as an angular relationship between various ones of the rigid links or the angular relationship between an end-effector coupler and the multi-link system. In some embodiments, the changes in link length may be correlated to the position of the actuator.

Abstract: A silicone matrix is employed to form a substance-sensitive membrane which is particularly suited for installation on a solid state sensor. The ionophore may be a potassium ionophore, an ammonium ionophore or any other ionophore. The membrane may be coupled to the molecule of interest through a bioactive agent, such as an enzyme, an immunochemical, bacteria, antibody, virus, or antigen. The resulting substance-sensitive membrane has electrochemical properties which compare favorably to those of conventional PVC membranes, and exhibit significantly greater adhesion to glasses and semiconductor substrate materials. The improved adhesion will prolong the life of the sensors and prevent the formation of electrolyte shunts which have been known to render solid state sensors inoperative.

Abstract: A concentrically multi-shafted apparatus compresses a compressible stopper to effect a seal in a through-hole of a main utility line to permit a substantially leak-free removal and replacement of a service saddle or a service seal. Counter rotation of concentric shafts, depending upon the direction of rotation, increases or decreases an axial load on the compressible stopper. The external concentric shaft is in sealing engagement with a housing which, when coupled to a utility customer's gate valve permits a main line through-hole to be sealed by the compressible stopper without leakage of water or gas. Once the through-hole is sealed, the service saddle can easily be removed and replaced.

Abstract: An interconnection network for a plurality of process nodes, each illustratively comprised of a processor-memory pair, utilizes an hexagonal mesh arrangement of size n which is wrapped in each of the x, y, and z directions. In accordance with the invention, a unique address value is assigned to each processor node in the network, beginning at a central processor node and continuing along the x direction, and via the wrapping links, until each such processor node has a unique sequential address. Each of the rows, having first and last processor nodes therein, is wrapped by coupling each of the last processor nodes in each row to a respective first processor node in a corresponding row which is n-1 rows away. Point-to-point communication is achieved using the unique addresses of only the source and destination processor nodes, without requiring each intermediate processor node to contain global information about the entire network.

Abstract: Bioprosthetic materials, either natural or synthetic, are treated with trivalent aluminum cations to prevent in vivo calcification. Such bioprosthetic materials include porcine aortic valve leaflets, bovine pericardium, aortic homografts, biocompatible elastomers, and the like which are intended for invasive, or in-dwelling use in a human or animal body. Simple incubation of the natural bioprosthetic materials in an aluminum ion-containing solution, such as aqueous AlCl.sub.3, prior to implantation has been found to inhibit calcification of the biomaterial over a prolonged period and to do so without adverse side effects. Incorporation of an aluminum-containing compound into the formulation for polymers, such as polyurethane, has also been found to inhibit calcification with no adverse side effects.

Abstract: Novel iodinated arylaliphatic triglyceride analogs as radiologic agents are liver and hepatocyte site-specific. The triglyceride backbone structure is preferably 1,3-disubstituted or 1,2,3-trisubstituted with, in some embodiments, a 3-substituted-2,4,6-triiodophenyl aliphatic chain wherein the chain has a structure similar to naturally occurring fatty acids. In another embodiment, a monoiodophenyl aliphatic chain is utilized. Any position remaining on the triglyceride backbone is substituted with a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain of the type found in naturally occurring fatty acids. The triglyceride analogs can be radioiodinated. In a preferred embodiment, a lipid emulsion is provided as the carrier vehicle.

Abstract: Novel radioiodinated analogues of naturally-occurring phospholipid ethers are tumor-specific and have a triglycerol backbone structure which is substituted at the 3-position with an alkyl phosphocholine and include a monoiodinated benzoyl side chain substituted at either the 1- or 2-position. In some embodiments of the invention, the monoiodinated aralkyl side chain may be substituted directly onto alkyl phosphocholine in accordance with general Formula: provided that one and only one of X or Y is a monoiodinated aralkyl ##STR1## where Y=NH.sub.2, NR.sub.2, NR.sub.3, NR.sub.2 R'R=alkyl, aralkylR'=a monoiodinated aralkyl, such as ##STR2## Z=.sup.122 I, .sup.123 I, .sup.125 I, and .sup.131 I n=1-15X=a monoiodinated aralkyl, like R', where n=1-15; or an alkyl, such as --CH.sub.2 --(CH).sub.m --CH.sub.3, where m=1-15.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for finishing a surface, such as the surface of a tooth, for improving the strength of an adhesive bond. A plurality of cuts are made into the surface at an angle which is less than 90.degree.. Undercuts are thus formed which enhance the micromechanical engagement between the surface and the solidified adhesive material. The undercuts are dimensioned in response to the viscosity characteristic of the fluid adhesive material so as to promote flow of the fluid adhesive material into the undercuts by capillary action. The undercuts are formed by application of a rotary tool to the surface, the tool having a plurality of spaced-apart edges thereon, which are applied to the surface so that each such cutting edge makes a respective undercut.

Abstract: A system for continuous perfusion culturing of anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent mammalian cell lines, inter alia, wherein in vivo capillary bed conditions are simulated by providing a bioreactor having a growth chamber wherein the cells are grown between a multitubular array comprising at least three functionally separate, inert non-degradable and structurally strong tubes or sets of tubes. A constant nutrient gradient is maintained along the entire length of the tubes by perfusing medium through the tubes at a flow rate which is sufficient to expose all areas of the chamber to fresh medium by convective forces rather than diffusion. Oxygen transfer and removal of toxic wastes is improved by the invention herein. In a preferred embodiment, porous inert expanded Teflon tubes are employed having an inner diameter of approximately between 1 and 2 millimeters.

Abstract: A system for removing the effects of Compton scattering in systems such as tomographic scanning and radioisotope imaging arrangements, which detect gamma rays, utilizes the smoothness of the Compton component over the image to reduce computing time. Data responsive to energy states of the photons which are detected are received and values corresponding thereto are stored in at least one memory location. In some embodiments, where imaging is the ultimate function of the gamma ray detection system, the data correspond to predetermined image grid points. Also, the data which is stored is processed so as to be separated into a first data set corresponding to unscattered ones of the detected photons and a second data set corresponding to scattered ones of the detected photons. The gamma ray detection arrangement is calibrated by acquiring a spectral shape corresponding to unscattered photons. The processing utilizes non-linear least squares fitting analysis.

Abstract: Radioiodinated benzovesamicol analogs which selectively localize in presynaptic cholinergic neurons of the general formula: ##STR1## where X is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, NH.sub.2, NHCO-3-[I]-Ph, and a radioactive isotope of iodine, and Y is selected from the group of H and a radioactive isotope of iodine, Y being H is X contains iodine. Illustrative examples include: (.+-.)-trans-2-hydroxy-5-iodo-3-(4-phenylpiperidino)tetralin; (.+-.)-trans-3-hydroxy-5-iodo-2-(4-phenylpiperidino)tetralin; (.+-.)-trans-5-amino-2-hydroxy-8-iodo-3-(4-phenylpiperidino)tetralin; and (.+-.)-trans-2-hydroxy-5-(3-iodobenzamido)-3-(4-phenylpiperidino)tetralin. The novel radioiodinated benzovesamicol analogs may be used as radiopharmaceuticals to visualize cholinergic neurons with conventional imaging devices which are typically found in most nuclear medicine or radiology clinics.

Abstract: A circuit handler provides a controllable environment for monitoring of an electrical device which is being subjected to a test procedure. The controllable environment may correspond to temperature extreme on the order of -55.degree. C. and +155.degree. C. The circuit handler has a support base with a conditioning input for receiving the conditioning fluid, which may be heated air or super-cooled nitrogen or hydrogen, a control input for receiving pneumatic signals, and a pressurized air input for forming an air curtain which prevents the cold conditioning fluid from forming ice on the transport rails. The mechanical operations within the support base are performed by pneumatic solenoids to avoid the generation of stray magnetic or electrical fields which might interfere with the electrical testing process. Delivery of the conditioning fluid to the test site, and possibly a pre-soak site, is achieved by manifold depressions formed on the underside of a test site portion of the transport rail.

Abstract: Continuous laser action is sustained by a new pumping mechanism which relies exclusively on cooperative electronic transitions of coupled atoms or ions in solids. The laser depends on energy-sharing interactions between a trio of atoms in gases or active dopants in solid laser media to create the population inversion needed for amplification of light. In one specific embodiment, the laser crystal is formed of calcium fluoride doped heavily with trivalent erbium, and is provided with reflective coatings on respective first and second surfaces. A pumping energy is supplied whereby a three atoms are elevated to an initial excited state. Subsequently, two of the atoms lose energy so as to assume a ground state, the energy released thereby being made available to excite the third atom to a still higher quantum energy state. Thus, a cooperative energy interaction between the trio of atoms results in the double excitation of one of the atoms above the initial excitation state.

Abstract: A system for computing multiple integrals employs an algorithm which selects a plurality of predetermined parameters, corresponding to selectable levels of accuracy of an approximation at the solution. The parameter values are selected and stored, along with a smoothing index, which may be zero. An arithmetic logic unit, which can perform a variety of functions under control of an instruction decoder, forms a plurality of functions in the form of unique polynomials, under predetermined conditions, such that a value (SI) can be determined for the multiple integral. The parameters are selected in response to a judgment on the part of the user of a required minimum level of accuracy in the context of the increases in computing time which would be required to achieve higher levels of accuracy.