Abstract: A release coating of thermally stable essentially non-fluorocarbon polymer and low molecular weight fluorocarbon polymer is made non-chalking; i.e., not cause waxy buildup on fabrication equipment producing articles having the coating thereon, by a special polymerization process for making the fluorocarbon polymer, viz., aqueous dispersion polymerization using conventional initiator, dispersing agent, and chain transfer agent, but also having carboxylic acid, salt, ester or peroxide thereof, or alkanol or ester thereof or ketone present during the polymerization. Alternatively, the additive can be fluorosurfactant which contains carbon-hydrogen bonding and which also serves as the dispersing agent in the polymerization medium.

Abstract: Multi-layer puncture-resistant biaxially oriented coextruded films or tubings are disclosed for use in dilatation balloon catheters. The catheter balloons so formed comprise a first, inner layer of an orientable thermoplastic resin; a second layer of a thermoplastic inomeric olefin copolymer secured to the outside surface of the first layer; and an optional third layer of an orientable thermoplastic resin secured to the outside surface of the second layer. Processes for forming the dilatation catheter balloons herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Silica deposits formed during a continuous process for preparing polysilicate microgel are removed and purged form the process by elastically deforming the vessel walls, reducing plugging.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmission system comprises an optical signal source operable to generate an optical signal at a predetermined bit rate and at a signal wavelength; an optical fiber transmission link connected at a first end to the signal source, the link having dispersion characteristics at the signal wavelength; an optical amplifier serially disposed in the link; and a signal receiver connected at the second end of the Lank; in which a grating is connected in the link, the grating being chirped by an amount providing at least partial compensation of the dispersion characteristics of the link, the compensation such as to provide a signal, at the second of the link, compatible with the sensitivity requirements of the receiver at the second end of the link.

Abstract: The present application describes novel lactams and derivatives thereof of formula I: ##STR1## or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, wherein rings ring B is a 4-8 membered cyclic amide containing from 0-3 additional heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S, which are useful as metalloprotease inhibitors.

Abstract: In an Internet-based client/server application, a system is provided which detects demographics of a client including CPU power, hard disk space, applications installed, network connectivity and log-in history so as to provide this infrastructure related information detailing client usage of the Internet to the service provider. In one embodiment, each user is provided with software having a unique serial number. Having the serial number, infrastructure data is checked at the client side and reported to the server periodically, with the server updating a database with the infrastructure data from each PC. In one embodiment, the database is filtered by factors such as location of the client and an indication of which providers delivered software to a client. After filtering, the service provider can obtain various demographics such as the demography of hard disk space, CPU power and viewers.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I), ##STR1## and their N-oxides and agriculturally suitable salts are disclosed which are useful as fungicides, wherein E is 1,2-phenylene optionally substituted with one of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, or both R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 ; A is O; S; N; NR.sup.5 ; or CR.sup.14 ; G is C or N; provided that when G is C, then A is O, S or NR.sup.5 and the floating double bond is attached to G; and when G is N, then A is N or CR.sup.14 and the floating double bond is attached to A; W is O; S; NH; N(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl); or NO(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl); X is OR.sup.1 ; S(O).sub.m R.sup.1 ; or halogen; R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl; C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl; C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl; C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 haloalkenyl; C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkynyl; C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 haloalkynyl; C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl; C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylcarbonyl; or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkoxycarbonyl; R.sup.2 is H; C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl; C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 haloalkyl; C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl: C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 haloalkenyl; C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: A process for lowering the amount of epichlorohydrin and related hydrolysis compounds contained in paper strength enhancing resins by treating an aqueous solution of the resin with an adsorbent.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for suppressing flame/pressure pulsations in a furnace, in which a flame is surrounded by a gas shroud stream having a higher flow speed, whereby a ring vortex formation is stopped. In order for this gas shroud stream to be able to achieve smaller gas volumes, a screen is provided that surrounds the gas outlet openings and runs at a spacing around the burner, so that a flue gas recirculation area associated with the combustion chamber is separated from the outlet location of the gas shroud stream and thus the gas shroud stream itself.

Abstract: When identifying an object in an image, very often redundant identifications of the object may occur. The present invention relates to methods of image analysis for resolving such redundant identifications of an object. More specifically, the present invention relates to object identification schemes which obtain multiple representations of the same object. In addition, such identification schemes may identify void, or donut-shaped objects when a single search, or multiples searches, of the image are performed. Further, the present invention is useful in resolving several distinct objects where other identification schemes employing either single or multiple searching have identified these distinct objects as a single clumped object. The present invention may be used, for instance, to determine whether a smaller object is contained within another, larger object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inhibiting scaling in an electrodeionization system or in a combined reverse osmosis/electrodeionization system for water treatment and, more particularly, for increasing tolerance to hardness in the feed water to an electrodeionization unit to inhibit precipitation of metal cations contained in the feed water and for increasing efficiency of the electrodeionization system. Water to be purified is passed through a electrodeionization unit in which a concentrate stream recycling through concentrating compartments and anode and cathode compartments contains effective amounts of an antiscalant to inhibit precipitation of scale. One or more preliminary reverse osmosis units in series with the electrodeionization unit preferably receives a portion of the antiscalants in the concentrate stream. The antiscalant in the water fed to the reverse osmosis unit can be supplemented and adjusted.

Abstract: A method of protecting from corrosion the junction between adjoining plastics coated, metal pipes, in a pipeline installation or the like, comprising roughening the exposed surface of the plastics coating on either side of the junction region, applying a primer over the abraded region of the plastics coating, allowing or causing the primer to cure or dry, and subsequently applying over the said junction region and over the regions primed with said primer, a protective top coat.

Abstract: A cable support (100) for installing or retrofitting a telecommunications system cable (C). The cable support comprises an elongate hollow tube formed of two identical pieces (102A, 102B) which are fitted together by hand. The inner diameter of the tube is greater than the outer diameter of the cable so the cable fits through the tube. Each cable support piece has an outwardly flaring end section which has a radius of curvature corresponding to a defined radius of curvature for bending the cable from a vertical-to-horizontal direction, or vice versa. Each piece also includes a helical cable channel (104A, 104B) extending from an outer to an inner end of the piece. When assembled, the inner ends of the cable channel are coterminous so a cable channel extending throughout the length of the completed support is formed. This allows a length of cable to be readily inserted into the support. The inner ends of the pieces fit together by a friction fit to complete the support.

Abstract: A process for lowering the amount of epichlorohydrin and related hydrolysis compounds contained in paper strength enhancing resins by treating an aqueous solution of the resin with an adsorbent.

Abstract: A laser source with an extremely stable output is provided. A laser diode has an output intensity centered at a peak wavelength which is responsive to a control signal. First and second fiber Bragg gratings are coupled to the laser diode. The first fiber Bragg grating having a reflectivity centered about a first wavelength and the second fiber Bragg grating having a reflectivity centered about a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. Each of the first and second fiber Bragg gratings generates a feedback signal responsive to the reflectivity of the fiber Bragg grating and the output intensity of the laser diode. A controller connected to the laser diode generates the control signal responsive to the feedback signals from the first and second fiber Bragg gratings so that the peak wavelength of the laser diode is maintained at a fixed wavelength between the first and second wavelengths.

Abstract: Adhesion promoting compositions comprising mixtures of carboxylated unsaturated polymers and a) amines; b) amine derivatives; or c) mixtures of hydroxy compounds and quaternary phosphonium salt accelerators or quaternary ammonium salt accelerators are useful as components of curable elastomer compositions. The curable compositions exhibit excellent adhesion to fluoropolymers.

Abstract: An illuminated teardrop shaped sign mounted on the roof of a taxicab carries at least one transparency backlighted by an electroluminescent panel. Two separately backlighted transparencies may be employed, one for displaying an advertising message and the other carrying an emergency message to enable the cab driver to alert police if a criminal act is taking place in the cab.

Abstract: An exhaust control mechanism is provided for use in a model engine system having a source of engine exhaust. The exhaust control mechanism includes first and second tubes and a valve movable in one of the first and second tubes. The first tube includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a first passage extending through the upper portion and lower portion. The upper portion of the first tube is adapted to couple to a source of engine exhaust. The second tube is coupled to the first tube and the second tube is formed to include a second passage that intersects the first passage formed in the first tube at an intersection region. The valve is movable in one of the first and second tubes to extend into the intersection region.

Abstract: A process of preparing new down-like clusters employs a method of point-bonding thermoplastic cut fibers in a stack of webs of carded fibers or continuous filaments in a tow, and then cutting and separating the resulting clusters which have an entirely different structure that is refluffable. Ultrasonic bonding has worked well as the bonding method, but other methods may prove useful.