Abstract: A constant force perpendicular to the fiber axis is applied to the fiber so as to cause a power coupling from the fundamental mode, which is guided, to a secondary mode which is irradiated, and the intensity of the scattered radiation associated with that secondary mode is measured. Such intensity depends on the local state of polarization. By dispacing the force application point step by step along the fiber axis and by measuring for each point the intensity of the scattered radiation, beat length is obtained as the distance between two consecutive points where the scattered radiation has the same intensity.

Abstract: An apparatus or attachment to a wheelchair to allow a patient to move the chair in a forward, reverse, right or left direction. The apparatus comprises a push rod, spring mounted, actuating at a first end a pawl capable of engaging a ratchet axially mounted on a mounting plate attached to the side of the chair. A hand operated shift element activates a cam roller to move the push rod at a second end in a vertical direction. A bicycle type multi linked gear and chain connects the ratchet to the rear driving wheels of the chair. Movement of the push rod in its vertical position changes gears and a handle attached to the top of the push rod assembly permits movement of the chair by direct drive to the bicycle chain. A linkage connecting the push rod housing to the front mounted caster wheel allows the patient to move the caster wheels by turning the push rod handle connected to its housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved process for preparing a superconducting composition having the formula MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; x is from about 6.5 to about 7.0; said composition having a superconducting transition temperature of about 90 K; said process consisting essentially of preparing a precursor solution, drying the solution of obtain a solid material, and heating and cooling the solid material under specified conditions to obtain the desired product. In another embodiment, a shaped superconducting MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x article is prepared by impregnating an article of cellulose material with the precursor solution, drying the impregnated article, and heating and cooling the impregnated article under prescribed conditions to obtain the desired product.

Abstract: Admixing an aluminum alkyl, and optionally a boron compound, with a hydride of nitrogen in the gas phase and maintaining a gas phase temperature, optionally in the presence of a carrier gas, and producing aluminum nitride alone or in admixture with a precursor thereof or boron nitride or both.

Abstract: Group Transfer Polymerization wherein the catalyst consists essentially of:(a) about 10 to 100 mol % of a silane of specific formula; and(b) 0 to about 90 mol % of at least one of a suitable Lewis acid or mercury compound.

Abstract: A regulating system for regulating a double-shaft gas turbine, wherein simultaneously: the fuel feed electrovalve is governed by a signal proportional to the difference between the number of revolutions per minute of the power turbine and a reference value; the movable nozzles of the power turbine are governed by a signal either proportional to the difference between the number of revolutions per minute of the compressor and a reference value, or proportional to the difference between the temperature of the exhaust gases and a relevant reference value; and the movable stator-blades of the compressor are governed by a signal proportional to the ratio between the revolutions per minute of the compressor to the square root of the ratio of the absolute ambient temperature to an absolute reference or design temperature.

Abstract: A layered yarn package is formed of continuous filament yarn wads wherein the yarn alternates between compacted and extended lengths by axially compacting the yarn into a length, segmenting the length into alternating extended and compacted lengths then arranging the compacted lengths in a common axial direction one next to the other to form a layer. The layer may be compressed. One or more layers may form the package.

Abstract: An analysis instrument is characterized by a rotatable mold ring onto which is drawn superimposed sheets of plastic material. The inner sheet is softened and formed into an indented mold cavity and the outer sheet sealed thereover to define a partially closed sample chamber, or cuvette. A sample to be analyzed is introduced into the chamber. Any of the chambers may have selectively introduced thereinto a suitable reagent and the reaction occurring in any chamber may be selectively monitored at any predetermined circumferential location of the mold ring.

Abstract: This relates to a thermodynamic electronic actuator for intermittently controlling the operation of a heating and/or air conditioning system for any temperature controlled area when a door or window is left open or ajar. The actuator circuit comprises a normally-closed switch (or switches if used for more than one opening), which initiates operation of a count-up timer to interrupt the thermostat line after a predetermined period whenever a door or window is left open. To restore power, all that is required is to shut the window or door. This actuates a count-down timer that will restore the thermostat line after a predetermined period, assuming the window or door is not reopened, interrupting the countdown.

Abstract: A new process for preparing 2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile is described. 2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile is used in the preparation of Tc-99m hexakis (2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile). This cationic complex is useful as a myocardial perfusion agent.

Abstract: A system for testing the conditions of at least one pair of contacts to determine if the contacts are opened or closed comprising a transmit circuit and a receive circuit. The transmit circuit generates and outputs a test signal having a known frequency and the test signal is optically coupled to the contacts. The receiving circuit receives the test signal from the contacts and outputs one output indication indicating the contacts are closed in response to receiving the test signal and outputs one other indication indicating the contacts are opened in resposne to not receiving the test signal. The receiving circuit also optically couples the test signal from the contacts to the indicating means.

Abstract: A method for cultivating plantable soils, more particularly forest soils, by breaking-up and working-in plants and parts of plants lying upon the soil, for example leaves, needles, twigs and branches. To this end, a plurality of elements, flexible in all directions, tautened by centrifugal force, and secured to a shaft, are caused to rotate by the said shaft, the radius of rotation of the ends of the said elements being greater than the selected distance between the axis of rotation of the shaft and the surface of the ground. In order to be able to mechanically cultivate larger areas of substantially uneven and non-homogeneous forest soils, the horizontal axis of rotation of the shaft is also subjected to an oscillating pivoting motion about a vertical axis, the axis of rotation of the shaft being kept substantially radial to the pivot-axis and being moved in a circle which is parallel to the surface of the ground.

Abstract: A method for establishing and maintaining a nodal network in a communication system is described using a network connectivity matrix at each node of the network. The network connectivity matrix has a plurality of channels each corresponding to a node of the network and storing nodal information about the connectivity status of the node in the network. Each channel (row) of the network connectivity matrix at each node includes a first field for storing data indicating whether a usable line-of-sight (LOS) transmission path exists between the node and each other node of the network, a second field for storing data indicating when the row was last revised, a third field for storing the identification of the most recent transmission received by the node and a fourth field for storing data indicating a quality of the transmission path between the node and each node within LOS of the node.

Abstract: A vinyl covered fiberglass shell preformed to fit the roof of an automobile. The vinyl covered fiberglass shell simulates the appearance of a padded vinyl fiberglass roof cover without the use of padding. The fiberglass shell includes a series of recesses which are molded into the outer surface of the shell when the shell is first formed. The vinyl covering is then placed over the entire outer surface of the fiberglass shell including the recessed portions. Decorative pieces such as molding strips, decorative letters, and an emblem are placed over the vinyl covering in the location of the recesses.

Abstract: A process for applying and polymerizing a monomeric material to a gas separation membrane to improve the permselectivity of the membrane with respect to at least one pair of gases is disclosed.

Abstract: Electrically conductive adhesive material possessing good adhesive, cohesive, elastomeric and conductive properties is disclosed. The present adhesive material also has improved electrical stability since it is less susceptible to drying out in most ambients. The material comprises a plasticizer, a high molecular weight water-soluble polymer, uncrosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone as the tackifier, and an electrolyte dopant.

Abstract: A tubular textile of filamentary poly (tetrafluoroethylene) useful to prolong the mechanical life of a filter material. An assembly for filtering comprising a cage, the tubular filamentary PTFE, and a superjacent filter.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved process for preparing a superconducting composition having the formula MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x wherein M is selected from the group consisiting of Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; x is from about 6.5 to about 7.0; said composition having a superconducting transition temperature of about 90 K.; said process consisiting essentially of mixing ba(NO.sub.3).sub.2, M.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CuO in an atomic ratio of M:Ba:Cu of about 1:2:3 to form a precursor powder and heating the precursor powder in an oxygen-containing atmoshpere at a temperature from about 875.degree. C. to about 950.degree. C. for a time sufficient to form MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.y, where y is from about 6.0 to about 6.4; and maintaining the Mba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.y in an oxygen-containing atmosphere while cooling for a time sufficient to obtain the desired product.

Abstract: An indexing and transporting mechanism having a plurality of work-holding spindles spaced around a carousel, the carousel being journaled on a machine frame provided with work-performing stations and being indexable to carry the spindles sequentially from station to station, the work-holding spindles being arranged to be indexed through one complete revolution at some stations and not at others by a work-holding spindle orienting and indexing mechanism which consists of a track carried by the machine frame concentric with the carousel journals, projections extending from the work-holding spindles which engage the track to prevent rotation of the work-holding spindles relative to the carousel over part of a revolution of the carousel, the track being interrupted at the stations where indexing occurs, each interrupted portion of the track being mounted on indexable spindles carried by the machine frame, each interrupted portion of the track being arranged to be indexed through one complete revolution while the

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an antifungal capsule formulation providing enhanced stability for antifungal agents subject to oxidative degradation, e.g. nystatin, is disclosed. The new formulation comprises an antifungal agent, in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 50 percent by weight of the total formulation; and a nonaqueous carrier, throughout which said agent is uniformly dispersed.Additionally, an antifungal capsule formulation is disclosed wherein thixotropic properties are imparted to the drug carrier system by addition of a gelling agent, such as silicon dioxide. Such thixotropic properties are desired to promote and prolong adhesion of the drug system to the vaginal mucosa in the treatment of vaginal fungal invections.