Abstract: A virtual multi-port RAM (VMPRAM) structure has automatic port sequencing and single-port array density and speed. VMPRAM employs input-triggered, self-resetting macros in a pipelined architecture to provide multiple self-timed on-chip cycles during one machine cycle. The VMPRAM incorporates an SRAM segmented into many input triggered, self-resetting, fast cycling blocks. A timing signal is derived from a selected SRAM block for releasing the next select signals and data to the SRAM blocks. The SRAM block inputs are only the data input bus and the decoded signals needed to select a wordline and a bitline pair, and the SRAM block cycle is only the time needed to provide adequate pulse width for word lines and bitlines. Each SRAM block, and all the circuit blocks in the path to access the SRAM blocks, are input-triggered and self-resetting. The multiple address and data input latches are multiplexed at the driver to the true and complement buses to the SRAM segments, and those buses are self-resetting.

Abstract: Beclomethasone diproprionate (BDP) forms a clathrate with HCFC-123, dimethyl ether (DME) and HCFC-141b which are less harmful propellants than the CFC propellants currently used in metered dose inhalers (MDIs). The clathrate can be remicronized and suspended for use in an MDI. BDP also is completely dissolved by DME based propellant blends and certain HCFC 123 propellant blends. Using propellant blends which completely dissolve BDP will assure more efficient dosing with an MDI.

Abstract: A data processor (1) includes a wait state control unit (6) for generating a ready signal for instructing a bus control unit (3) to insert a wait state into a bus cycle being performed. The bus control unit performs a bus cycle with first and second states (T1 and T2). The wait state control unit includes a bus cycle judgement circuit, a register, a wait cycle selector/decoder, a wait cycle presence/absence detector for detecting whether or not a wait state is to be inserted into the bus cycle, and a ready signal generator for generating a ready signal in response to the detection signal from the wait cycle presence/absence detector for generating the ready signal in response to the detection signal irrespective of the absence of the decoded wait cycle number from the wait cycle selector/decoder.

Abstract: Ionizable congeners of aromatic and aliphatic alcohols provide potent cytoprotective properties in vivo and in vitro. Alpha-tocopherol succinate, cholesteryl succinate, cholesteryl sulfate, dihydrocholesterol succinate, dihydrocholesterol sulfate, and ergosterol analogs are particularly good cytoprotective agents. In addition, the tris salts of these compounds have superior cytoprotective properties.

Abstract: A store through cache environment managed exclusively grants exclusivity on a large granularity basis. A cross-invalidate is realized for all changed lines via a single transmission when exclusivity is released. A dynamic table that operates in conjunction with a directory look-aside table (DLAT) determines a number of pages that can be held exclusive simultaneously. For adequate operating speed, the special table must be either fully associative or at least set associative. Alternatively, the table can be incorporated into the DLAT. Each DLAT entry is also extended to include a set of "resident" bits and a "valid nonresident" bit. When exclusively is released, the set of local change bits is broadcast to all processors. Upon receipt of such broadcast, the appropriate action is to change the "valid nonresident" indication to read-only and to clear residence bits whose corresponding local change bit is set.

Abstract: An external synchronism control circuit is triggered in synchronism with an external synchronous signal so as to successively generate addresses to an image memory storing image information. The external synchronism control circuit comprises a synchronism register receiving the external synchronous signal and capable for holding a plurality of set values. When the external synchronous signal is applied, the synchronism register is initialized to be set with an initial value of the plurality of set values. The content of the synchronism register is updated from one set value to another set value when a predetermined period of time has elapsed. When the content of the synchronism register is updated to a final value of the plurality of set values, the synchronism register operates to maintain the final value until a next external synchronous signal is applied.

Abstract: A pupil function analyzer has three major subsystem; an electro-optical system, an electronic interface system and a computer/software system. The electro-optical system can, in turn, be described in terms of three subsystems; one that delivers controlled lights to the patient's eyes, another that forms images of the two pupils on a video camera, and a third that moves the optics to maintain alignment with the patient's eyes. The electronic interface system converts signals from the video camera into digital signals to be read by the computer and also responds to the computer to move motors for the maintenance of optical alignment and also operates the light stimuli. The computer/software saves and analyzes the signals sent by the electronic interface, controls the alignment motors, and provides an operator interface, so that the operator can select tests and examine the results.

Abstract: A pair of lenses for an ion beam deposition device permit the formation of an ion beam with good beam characteristics and the variation of ion energy over an extremely wide range and at high perveance. An ion extractor is provided with a shield with a shape closely corresponding to the extraction electrode aperture to avoid sputtering and the introduction of contaminants into the material deposition process at low beam energies at the extractor. A three electrode deceleration lens allows high current beams to be decelerated to an energy of 25 eV for deposition, under some conditions. The combination of lenses allows the ion energy in the beam to be changed at particular regions along the beam so that optimal energies for focussing, mass analysis and deposition can be obtained.

Abstract: A hardware arrangement for executing floating-point execution of addition and subtraction is supplied with two floating-point numbers each of which includes an exponential, a fraction represented by an absolute value and a sign bit indicating a sign of the fraction. The arrangement implements rounding on an execution result. In parallel operations, a floating-point execution is performed wherein no bit shifting is needed for normalization on an execution result of the two floating-point numbers. In parallel operations, a floating-point execution is performed wherein bit shifting to the right or the left by one bit is required for normalization on an execution result of the two floating-point numbers, and a floating-point execution wherein bit shifting to the left by more than two bits is required for normalization on an execution result of the two floating-point numbers.

Abstract: A mortar applying device (10) includes a motor (12) and hopper (14) mounted on a wheeled (18 and 50) frame (32). The wheels (18) can be driven at variable speeds using the throttle of the engine (12) to accommodate faster and slower rates of block laying. At the forward end of the frame (32) is an arm (34) and wheel (36) assembly which senses the end of the wall under construction and which activates motor cut off switch (44). The hopper (14) is lined with a low coefficient of friction, low adhesion material (70) to prevent mortar from clinging inside the hopper (14). The discharge element (66) located under the open bottom (64) of the hopper (14) includes an angled guide (72) which directs mortar out two exit ports (74 and 76). The height of the ribbons of mortar exiting under gates (80 and 82) is controllable and is smoothed over by a bevelled edge (88).

Abstract: A wafer basket in which the recesses provided for the engagement with the basket lifter are each formed with a dent at the upper and innermost corner of the recess, and a pair of stays are provided at the lower bent portions of the side walls in a manner such that the upper edges of the stays are of the same height and elevated to the extent that the downward movement of the wafers is checked by the stays rather than by the ribs.

Abstract: A timer for measuring time spent productively in an activity, with a minimum of interference with the activity, which includes a sensor and a delay circuit. The delay circuit compensates for productive time spent in an intermittent activity which may not result in the production of energy to which the sensor is responsive, as often occurs, for instance, during the practice of performing arts. Sensors preferably are responsive to energy which can be conducted through the atmosphere, such as sound and visible light. The timer may be fabricated as a free-standing unit, included within an electronic metronome or functionally combined with a variety of equipment.

Abstract: A microcomputer includes a plurality of external terminals, an internal bus, a central processing unit coupled to the internal bus, an input/output interface connected to the external terminals and the internal bus for controlling data transfer between the microcomputer and an external device under control of the central processing unit, an interrupt request source connected to the internal bus, and an interrupt controller coupled to the internal bus and receiving an interrupt request signal from the interrupt request source so as to generate an interrupt processing request signal to the central processing unit. The interrupt controller includes a switch circuit connected to receive a vector code output enable signal and an interrupt enable signal from the central processing unit and corresponding signals from the internal bus.

Abstract: A probe mechanism detects failed software components in a running software system. The probe mechanism is based on requesting service, or a certain level of service, from a set of functions, modules and/or subsystems and checking the response to the request. The probe is directed towards a service rendered by a collection of software modules and functions which is termed a target. The probe will then label a target as either healthy or failed. The objective is to localize the failure only up to the level of a target, however, and achieve a high degree of efficiency and confidence in the process. Targets are chosen such that they represent a collection of functions that can be defined by a service level input/output (I/O) specification. Targets can be identified at different levels or layers in the software. The choice of a level is based on the granularity of fault detection that is desired, taken in consideration with the level at which recovery can be implemented.

Abstract: A wait depth limited concurrency control method for use in a multi-user data processing environment restricts the depth of the waiting tree to a predetermined depth, taking into account the progress made by transactions in conflict resolution. In the preferred embodiment for a centralized transaction processing system, the waiting depth is limited to one. Transaction specific information represented by a real-valued function L, where for each transaction T in the system at any instant in time L(T) provides a measure of the current "length" of the transaction, is used to determine which transaction is to be restarted in case of a conflict between transactions resulting in a wait depth exceeding the predetermined depth. L(T) may be the number of locks currently held by a transaction T, the maximum of the number of locks held by any incarnation of transaction T, including the current one, or the sum of the number of locks held by each incarnation of transaction T up to the current one.

Abstract: Aerosol formulations for use in metered dose inhalers are disclosed which include 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane alone and in combination with other compounds as well as various hydrocarbon blends. The density, vapor pressure, flame extension characteristics, dispersability of medicant, dissolvability of surfactant, respirable fraction, and compatibility elastomer seals for the aerosol formulations have been examined. The aerosol formulations are attractive alternatives to chlorofluorocarbon based aerosols since they do not deplete the ozone layer.

Abstract: In order to increase performances of an iron oxide-potassium oxide system catalyst to be used for an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon dehydrogenation reaction in the presence of steam, there is provided an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon dehydrogenation catalyst wherein a little amount of titanium oxide is added by the mixing and kneading method or by the preceding addition to iron oxide in the production of the iron oxide-potassium oxide system catalyst to be used for the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon dehydrogenation reaction in the presence of steam. The iron oxide-potassium oxide system catalyst is allowed to contain a little amount of titanium oxide, whereby an activity can be remarkably increased, as well as a selectivity in the same conversion ratio can also be improved in the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon dehydrogenation reaction, and further the obtained catalyst exhibits stable performances with time on stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collapsible divider for insertion in a rectangular shipping box for dividing said shipping box into four compartments. A blank of foldable sheet material is zoned into rectangular sections by score lines and folded along the score lines to form a series of hingedly connected panels. The panels form two rectangles, being collapsible and biasing diagonally opposed edges, thereby urging the edges into transversal corners of a rectangular shipping box.

Abstract: A golf club includes an extremely flexible shaft (22) which is cylindrical and has a high flex point relative to the head (24). Twisting of the flexible shaft (22) under the influence of an incorrect "twist" swing as well as flexing of the shaft (22) under the influence of a hitting motion rather than a swinging motion can easily be sensed by the golfer. The golf club also includes a flexible handle (26) connected to the end of the shaft (22) which provides a second flex point on the handle and allows sensing the incorrect application of hand effort during a golf swing. A shock absorber (36) located in the neck (34) of the club head (24) allows the shaft (22) to take a tremendous impact without breaking. Providing the shaft (22) with suitable connectors (38) allows the club to be broken down to a compact transportable form.

Abstract: A trench capacitor structure suitable for inclusion in integrated circuit devices and method for forming the same provides increased electrode surface area and capacitance by means of a textured surface of one of the capacitor electrodes. The textured surface is achieved by differentially etching grain boundaries of a doped polysilicon layer or by direct deposition of hemispherical grain polysilicon to form the electrode. Additional capacitance and contact area can be obtained by additional etching of the trench bottom prior to electrode deposition and dielectric growth.