Abstract: An adjustable golf practice tee is presented. The adjustable golf practice tee is used at a driving range for practicing a wide variety of golf shots. The adjustable golf practice tee includes a base portion and a base portion extension which has a tee pivotally attached thereto. The adjustable golf practice tee is adjustable in height, such that the user can select a personal preference for the height of the shot being practiced. Additionally, since the adjustable golf practice tee incorporates a tee which closely resembles a regulation golf tee used during a round of golf, the look and feel experienced by the user when using the adjustable golf practice tee is more like the actual shots the user will be employing during a round of golf.

Abstract: In a method for producing helically wound lock-seam tubing, a metal strip is fed to a forming head in which the tubing is formed. In order to prevent lock-seam slip, a clinching roller device form interlocking spaced deformations on the lock-seam. An apparatus for such production comprises a clinching roller provided with a recess for forming the deformations against a counter roller.

Abstract: A head lamp device has a connector guide which enables a feeder connector to be insertable into a bulb, only rotating the bulb to a fixed position specified. In this manner, a feeder connector is not insertable in a socket when the bulb is not in the fixed position so that even inexperienced operators can surely enforce the replacement of the bulb, therefore, a specified light distribution can be surely obtained.

Abstract: Methods for detecting schizophrenia or depression based on modifications of the contribution of the D.sub.4 receptor to phospholipid methylation levels are described herein. Individuals with schizophrenia or depression have a deficiency in phospholipid methylation activity compared with normal individuals. Methods for screening therapeutic processes or agents for use in treatment of schizophrenia or related neuropsychiatric disorders are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a movable fuel cell apparatus comprising a movable housing, a power supply, and a fuel gas cylinder. The housing is divided into a front portion and a rear portion by a partition, and composed of a main housing body, a housing cover and a door. The main housing body has a front opening. The housing cover covers the upper portion of the front opening and the door is openably connected with the main housing body. The power supply included in the rear portion comprises a fuel cell for generating electric power by electrochemical reaction using fuel gas and air supplied. The fuel gas cylinder is placed removably in the front portion of the housing.

Abstract: A method of creating a diamond-like carbon film on a substrate, including the steps of exposing the substrate to a hydrocarbon gas environment and generating plasma in the environment of an electron density greater than approximately 5.times.10.sup.10 per cm.sup.3 and a sheath thickness less than about 2 mm under conditions of high ion flux and controlled, low energy ion bombardment.

Abstract: An electronic module or package is disclosed for providing high reliability and high performance operation. The package comprises a hermetically sealed enclosure having a metallic baseplate and a ceramic cover, and containing one or more circuits or devices therein which typically are power rectifiers, bridges or power control circuitry. One or more power terminals are disposed on a terminal block compliantly supported on or above the baseplate, the terminals extending through the cover in hermetically sealed manner. Signal or control terminals may also be disposed on a terminal block compliantly supported on or above the baseplate, these terminals also extending through the cover in hermetically sealed manner. An adapter plate may be mounted on the cover and containing a plurality of terminals connected to the module terminals. The terminals of the adapter plate can be in any configuration to suit user requirements without requiring a change in the terminal configuration of the module itself.

Abstract: An edge clip is disclosed for electrically connecting a conductive pad on the surface of a printed circuit board or its edge to an external connector. The edge clip is substantially U-shaped, with first and second opposing, non-parallel sides defining a space therebetween. For connection, the printed circuit board edge is fitted into the space such that the opposing sides provide spring-like deflective force against the pad and the printed circuit board, thereby providing a more reliable connection. The edge clip may include an alignment feature for facilitating alignment prior to soldering. The alignment feature may include small projections formed on the edge clip to align with, and fit into, holes on the print circuit board. Scored sections may be disposed on one edge of the clip to facilitate removal of the edge clip from a carrier during assembly.

Abstract: A data communications switch and method of operation are presently disclosed enabling flexible, selectable provision of a common timing signal for synchronized external communication through physical layer interfaces with other network devices, synchronized internal communications within the switch, and for uninterrupted synchronization of such communications. Synchronization of external communications is enabled by programmable selection from among plural potential timing references at redundant timing modules (TMs). An active TM provides a primary external synchronization clock; a standby TM provides a redundant timing function. Both TMs access the same references. A state signal indicates which synchronization clock is active. External interfaces derive timing from this distributed clock. Synchronized internal timing is provided by an internal clock and phase-locked loop (PLL) on each TM. The clock/PLL timing signal output is routed to other switch elements, enabling synchronized internal data transfer.

Abstract: In a link-level flow controlled system, a method and apparatus providing the ability to partition a buffer resource among multiple prioritized buffer subsets through definition of at least one threshold, the buffer resource being shared by a plurality of connections. Different category of service levels, in terms of delay bounds, are thus enabled. The presently disclosed link-level flow controlled system provides for zero cell loss. The shared buffer resource is divided among N priority pools, defined by N-1 threshold levels, each priority pool attributable to a respective category of service. Link-level counters and registers, disposed in a transmit element, as well as an indication of priority level associated with each connection, are employed in realizing the shared buffer resource.

Abstract: A device for coupling two pipe sections comprises a clamping band of U-shaped cross-section with two inwardly directed flanges for encompassing end beads of the pipe sections which are to be coupled. The ends of the clamping band have cylindrical pockets each accommodating a cylindrical element which is rotatable about its own axis in the pocket. The clamping band is clamped by means of a threaded screw which is passed through an unthreaded hole in one cylindrical element and unthreaded holes in the ends of the clamping band, whereupon the screw is in threaded engagement with the other cylindrical element.

Abstract: A bioerodible polymeric semi-IPN alloy which comprises a first bioerodible polymer capable of producing acidic products upon hydrolytic degradation; a second bioerodible polymer, which provides a biopolymeric scaffolding or internal reinforcement; and optionally a buffering compound that buffers the acidic products within a desired pH range. In a preferred embodiment, the second bioerodible polymer comprises polypropylene fumarate (PPF), which is cross-linked, desirably by a vinyl monomer such as vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) to form the biopolymeric scaffolding which provides the semi-IPN with dimensional and geometric stability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which reduces flame emissions from an electronics enclosure in the event of a fire within the enclosure. At least one fan is utilized to provide air flow along an air flow path between an air intake port and an air exhaust port of the enclosure. At least one heat sensor, such as a linear heat detector cable, detects an over-temperature condition within air flow path when the temperature in the air flow path exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature. The sensors are coupled to a fan controller. In response to the detection by the controller of the over-temperature condition indicated by one or multiple sensors disposed within the air flow path, the fans are disabled to avoid the fanning of flames within the enclosure and the exhaust of flames from the enclosure.

Abstract: A flat panel display housing includes a minimal border about the periphery of the front surface of the housing. The border has a relatively small thickness and only extends a minimal distance from the edge of the display housing. The housing also includes a mount centrally located on the rear surface of the housing thereby allowing the housing to be tiled. The housing may also be configured as an array or wall of glass without interstices between adjacent displays. The display housing also includes a recess in the rear portion of the housing which facilitates tactile location of display controls which are not visible to a user.

Abstract: HB15-related lymphocyte activation antigens, and nucleic acid sequences encoding HB15-related antigens are disclosed. Also disclosed are antibodies reactive with HB15.

Abstract: A subatmospheric, variable pressure sample delivery chamber, useful as an electrospray ionization device for introducing a sample into a mass spectrometer or as a sample delivery device for delivery of a sample to a collection device at subatmospheric pressures, is disclosed. The sample delivery chamber is configured to maintain an operating pressure between 1 and 750 Torr, preferably between 50 and 700 Torr. The chamber has an inlet port for introduction of a gas and an exit port capable of being coupled either to a sampling orifice for an analytical device, usually a mass spectrometer, or directly to a pump for removal of gas. A sample delivery device extends from outside the chamber into the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: The matrix of the composite material is made in sequenced manner by chemical vapor infiltration within fiber reinforcement. Each elementary sequence of the matrix comprises a relatively flexible layer and a relatively rigid ceramic layer, and the sequences are of thicknesses that increase going away from the reinforcing fibers, with the thickness at least of the first-deposited sequence being selected to be sufficiently small for the fibers to be coated in essentially individual manner. The flexible layers are made of an anisotropic material having sufficient capacity for elastic deformation in shear and transversely, and although a mainly ceramic character is conserved for the matrix, the thickness of the flexible layers is nevertheless selected to be sufficiently large to be capable of absorbing differential expansion of the components of the composite material while it is being made without inducing the existence of an initial network of cracks.

Abstract: A method for forming an inner thread of a preform is provided, in which an injection core can be removed after molding the inner thread on an inner surface of a neck portion with the base portion of the injection core by enlarging the diameter of the neck portion by blowing air. An inner wall 42b with a transferred inner thread is molded by using a barrel spacer 16 inserted removably into a neck mold 6 from an injection mold 1 side and a base portion 10a of the injection core 10 that has a thread pattern 12 on the outer surface and is inserted into the injection mold 1 through the neck mold 6. While the temperature of the inner wall 42b is high enough for deforming, the spacer 16 is removed to form an expansion space in the neck mold.