Abstract: A Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller (1) of a 2-bus cycle transfer type executes a read cycle first to fetch data from a data source then internally rearranges or aligns the fetched data in accordance with a bus width and/or a storing address of a data destination unit and thereafter executes a write cycle to write the rearranged data in the data destination unit. The DMA controller includes a data register (106) having first and second fields (106-1 and 106-2). Data from the data source is temporarily stored in one of the first and second fields of the data register during the read cycle, and data in the other of the first and second fields is written to the data destination unit during the write cycle.

Abstract: A technique for observing optical second harmonic generation effect at a surface of a material during processing thereof, particularly in the presence of a plasma, for controlling the processing of the material. A preferred form of the apparatus and method includes a combination of spectral, spatial, polarization and temporal filtering to allow observation of optical second harmonic generation and control of processing of the material with processes such as reactive ion etching to a high degree of resolution.

Abstract: A method for allowing multiple users to simultaneously edit circuit wiring data, such as VLSI circuit data. The circuit data, contained in a computer database, is partitioned into a plurality of "parcels". Two types of wiring networks are identified within each parcel, internal and external. An internal network is completely enclosed within a parcel, whereas an external net spans two or more parcels. Each of the parcels may be simultaneously worked on by an individual user or circuit designer. Changes made to an internal wiring network has no impact on any of the other parcels. Changes made to an external wiring network does impact on other parcels which share the external network. A "design controller" is provided which restricts editing accessibility of an external network to one user at a time and locks out all other users. After changes are made to an external wiring network the database and the other parcels are updated to reflect the changes before the external network can be accessed again.

Abstract: The performance of platelets can be best understood by monitoring both the force development and the elastic modulus of the blood clot during both clotting and dissolution of the blood clot. Intermittent application and removal of a compressive force on a blood sample (8) positioned between a pair of plates (12 and 14) throughout clot formation and dissolution provides a standard for using voltage output from a transducer (22) to determine force and elastic modulus parameters. Force development arises from the internal actions of the platelets during clot retraction. Elastic modulus provides a measure of the stiffness of the clot. Clotting can be measured as an increase in force development and clot elastic modulus. Clot dissolution can be determined by a dramatic decrease in force development and in elastic modulus.

Abstract: A direct write and laser delete system for making engineering changes in which top surface metal C4 pads each has a small satellite pad connected to it by a short connecting line that is deleted if an engineering change is to be made. Vias connect the satellite pads to a "personality" wiring layer in the module. A top surface grid of line segments allows any C4 pad to be connected to a point outside the chip boundary by means of one or more short direct write lines. There is one global X and Y engineering change grid on respective X and Y thin-film layers and another global X and Y engineering change grid on respective X and Y multi-layer ceramic module layers. All of these varied patterns are connected to lines with each chip pitch boundary where direct write connections can be made, and a grid line can be interrupted by a laser deletion of a top surface metal line.

Abstract: A microprocessor includes a barrel shifter, a rewrite section, and a control section. The barrel shifter serves as a shift unit which is controlled by a microprogram and operated by microinstructions for performing extraction, insertion, and comparison of consecutive bit strings in word data. The rewrite section directly rewrites output data from the barrel shifter into its input. The control section controls the rewrite section by using the microprogram.

Abstract: A process in the fabrication of wiring patterns on ceramic or polymeric substrates precisely controls the cross-sectional dimensions of the metallization that constitute the wiring patterns. A single etch process defines thin film conductors on a substrate without loss to the conductor cross-section and provides enhanced thin film design flexibility. The zero undercut etch process uses photoresists defining the metal patterns to completely protect the metal patterns during the subetch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of medicinal aerosol compositions which are made up of a homogenous solution of aerosol propellants, a surfactant and a pharmaceutically active compound, where the process comprises purifying the surfactant, removing the water from the surfactant, and dispersing the surfactant in an aerosol propellant with a hydrophilic pharmaceutical composition and a controlled amount of water. The present invention also provides medicinal aerosol compositions produced by this method which are a homogenous solution of the pharmaceutically active compound contained in reverse micelles made up of the surfactant; and methods of using the medicinal aerosols to provide an effective amount of a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A diaphragm-type sensor is disclosed which comprises a substrate including a cavity, a diaphragm formed on the cavity and supported by the substrate, a heater element arranged on the diaphragm, two sensor elements arranged on both sides of the heater means and slits between the heater means and the respective sensor means. The slits are effective in completely preventing the deformation of the diaphragm due to a heat propagated from the heater element, from influencing the sensor elements, whereby the diaphragm-type sensor exhibits stable output characteristics.

Abstract: A least recently used cache replacement system in which the data cache is logically partitioned into two separate sections, demand and prefetch. A cache directory table and a least recently used table are used to maintain the cache. When a new demand data page is added to the cache, a most recently used (MRU) pointer is updated and points to this new page. When a prefetch page is added to the cache, the least recently used pointer of the demand section is updated with its backward pointer pointing to this new page. A cache hit on a demand of prefetch page moves that page to the top of the least recently used table. When a free page is needed in the cache, it is selected from the demand or prefetch sections of the memory based on a comparison of the demand hit density and the prefetch hit density so to maintain a balance between these two hit densities.

Abstract: A non-specific host defense cell augmentation technique for enhanced microorganism killing utilizes any phagocytosable, biocompatible particle to prime macrophages for enhanced oxidative response and bacterial killing. Patients can have the benefits of primed macrophages in one to four days, and experiments have demonstrated over a 100-fold increase in oxidative potential within this time period. The oxidative response and killing potential is non-immunospecific, meaning not one organism, not a vaccine, and broadly applicable simultaneously to bacteria and viruses as well as tumor cells. The effects have been demonstrated to have a seven day duration indicating non-tissue toxic residual effects and potential for repeated use at monthly intervals.

Abstract: A family of compounds has been found to be useful for right-shifting hemoglobin towards a low oxygen affinity state. The compounds are capable of acting on hemoglobin in whole blood. In addition, the compounds can maintain the oxygen affinity in blood during storage and can restore the oxygen affinity of outdated blood.

Abstract: Microreflectance infrared (IR) spectroscopy is used to determine the degree of cure of Meta-Paete (pyromellitic dianhydride-oxydianiline ethyl ester) films on metallized substrates. In this method, the infrared bands at 1028 and 1015 cm.sup.-1 are used to indirectly monitor ethanol evolution during Meta-Paete cure. The 1015 cm.sup.-1 band serves as internal reference, while the 1028 cm.sup.-1 band, which corresponds to the C--O stretch in the ethoxy group, is used to monitor imidization through loss of the ethoxy group during cure. Quantification of ethanol evolution is possible, since no apparent distortion is observed in the external reflection spectra at these two frequencies. The method can also be applied to measure the cure uniformity of Meta-Paete films, to provide an estimate of film thickness over metallized substrates, and to monitor temperature uniformity in an oven cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and dynamically tuning individual heater segments of a multi-zone furnace which allows simultaneous minimization of temperature gradients within the furnace and prevention of premature aging and failure of the segments by controlling the relative temperatures thereof and equalization of the contributions of the segments to the heating of the furnace. Furnace and heater temperatures are monitored and furnace temperatures are used to develop set point biases for automatic control of heater segment temperatures. Some segments are also controlled as a function of power applied to other segments. Temperatures sensed within the furnace are combined such as by averaging to effectively provide virtual sensors in locations where sensors cannot otherwise be practically provided.

Abstract: A test mode setting arrangement provided in a microcomputer includes an internal memory, a plurality of pins and a central processing unit, the central processing unit being allowed to access the internal memory or an external memory depending on a logic level of a mode signal applied to the microcomputer, the arrangement basically features: a first unit for resetting the central processing unit in response to a reset control signal applied thereto, the reset control signal and the mode signal exhibiting essentially the same maximum voltage; a second unit for changing the output thereof in response to the logic level change of the mode signal, the second unit issuing an output which is applied to the central processing unit as a test mode initiating signal; and a third unit coupled to receive the mode signal and the output of the second unit, the third unit producing two signals which selects the access of the central processing unit to one of the internal and external memories.

Abstract: In an interrupt controller, interrupt processing mode indication circuits are provided for each interrupt request circuit for storing interrupt processing mode information, and priority level indication circuits are provided for each interrupt request circuit, for storing acknowledgement order information. A search information generating circuit is provided each for generating interrupt processing mode search information and priority order search information. A search information comparison circuit detects the state of the interrupt request circuit provided for each interrupt request memory circuit, and compares the processing mode information and the acknowledgement order information with the interrupt processing mode search information and priority order search information.

Abstract: An electronic device has a rack accommodating a mother board and a first and a second printed circuit board (PCB) group mounted on the mother board. The PCBs belonging to one of the first and second groups are mounted on the mother board in an upper half of the rack while having the surfaces thereof positioned substantially parallel to the side walls of the rack. The PCBs belonging to the other group are mounted on the mother board in a lower half of the rack while having the surfaces thereof held substantially horizontal. If necessary, a third group of PCBs are positioned above one of the first and second PCB groups and mounted on the mother board with their surfaces held substantially horizontal. The wiring network between the first and second (and third) PCB groups is formed on the surface of the mother board by printing. Two electric fans may be respectively located between the first and second PCB groups and between the third and first (or second) PCB groups.

Abstract: A line trimmer is converted to a lawn trimmer/mower so that it can be used to mow areas of grass like a conventional mower; however, the line trimmer retains its functionality as a line trimmer and edger. The conversion device is a wheeled platform that holds the cutting assembly at a specified height above a lawn. The platform has an opening in its forward portion for the intake of grass and weeds and the exhaust of clippings. The opening also serves the functions of allowing the user to see the cutting line to determine when more should be advanced, allowing the line trimmer to be moved next to objects in a lawn for trimming weeds and grass, and allowing the line trimmer to be rotated to a horizontal orientation where edging can be performed. The wheels are preferably multidirectional so that the line trimmer can be swept across the lawn in a semi-circular pattern. Locking mechanisms associated with the wheels allow the sweeping motion to be performed more comfortably and quickly.

Abstract: An inspection system in which the surface of a substrate is continuously scanned by a linear CCD. The surface is illuminated in a narrowly focused strip from a broad-band light source that is selectively wavelength filtered to optimize image contrast to the optical characteristics of the surface under inspection. A channel integrator in the light source optical system provides illumination homogeneity at the surface of the substrate.