Abstract: A system and method which provides a complete software implementation of a detection process that is capable of detecting defective Floppy Diskette Controllers ("FDCs") without visual hardware inspection or identification. The approach taken includes a multi-phase strategy incorporating programmatic FDC identification, software DMA shadowing, defect inducement, and use of a software decoding network which allows the implementation of the invention to adjust to a wide range of computer system performance levels.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions are disclosed which are useful for the hydroxylation and the ammination of aromatic hydrocarbons using molecular oxygen as terminal oxidant. The catalysts comprise a support selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, molecular sieves, zeolites and clays; transition metal selected from the group consisting of vanadium, niobium, copper, palladium, nickel and silver, and combinations thereof; and at least one multidentate chelating, binucleating ligand. The catalysts may further comprise additional metal ions. The process is particularly suited, for example, to the one-step conversion of benzene to phenol and of benzene to aniline.

Abstract: A test kit is disclosed for analyzing a patient's saliva to determine the patient's risk of tooth decay, which contains: (a) a support; (b) an absorbent material in contact with said support and capable of removing saliva from the mouth and of absorbing the saliva; (c) a composition coated on said absorbent material, said composition soluble in saliva and capable of reaction inside the mouth of the patient with the saliva to reduce the pH of the saliva; and (d) a color scale for determining outside of the mouth of the patient the pH of the saliva absorbed by the absorbent material in which the composition is dissolved to measure the reaction of the composition with the saliva in the patient's mouth to determine the patient's risk of tooth decay.

Abstract: Tunnel liners are formed from panels of arched sheet material. The panels include a central portion, inclined side portions and wing portions. One of the wing portions has a hook portion and the other of the wing portions has a receptacle portion. The hook portions and receptacle portions are constructed so as to snap-fit with respective receptacle portions and hook portions of adjacent panels. Panels can thus be more easily be assembled together. Panels can also be continuously seamed together from the underside, i.e., from within an arched assembly of panels.

Abstract: Equipment for deinking paper pulp, wherein the batch of pulp to be deinked is made to circulate to move from top to bottom whereas the air bubbles are introduced at least in the lower part and move from bottom to top, characterized in that the pulp descends from top to bottom while being recycled in several consecutive and superposed stages.

Abstract: A teaching apparatus comprises a three-dimensional geometrical object having a surface divided into a plurality of segments, each of which includes a question relating to a particular field of liberal arts study. In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the three-dimensional geometrical object is a sphere, and the plurality of segments are defined by visible lines provided on the sphere's surface. In embodiments of the teaching apparatus of the instant invention, the particular fields of liberal arts study include the fields of music, literature, and art. For each of these embodiments, the particular questions are applicable to approximately any song and artist, story and author, and piece and artist. At least one of the questions used is designed to elicit emotional responses from a user. Alternatively, at least one of the questions is designed to elicit individualized responses from a user.

Abstract: A method of draining oil and a kit adapted to be connected to the oil pan of a vehicle for draining oil therefrom. The kit comprises an adapter that is attachable to the oil pan such that the adapter is generally axially aligned with a drain opening formed in the oil pan. A main body is provided and such is attachable to the adapter. The main body forms a reservoir that includes an outlet port. Contained within the reservoir is a socket and shaft that is operative to unscrew a drain bolt normally secured within the drain opening of the oil pan. In addition, the same socket and shaft is operative to secure the drain plug within the drain opening once oil has been removed from the oil pan.

Abstract: For a call received by an originating switching node in a cellular telephone network that does not support all upgraded calling service features, the call is redirected and transited for further handling to an upgraded service switching node. Alternatively, the call is redirected and transited only when the originating switching node has not been ungraded to support subscripted to calling service features or a certain initiated calling service feature. As another alternative, the call is handled by the originating switching node (i.e., through connected to a service switching node) up until such time as a calling service feature is initiated, and is then redirected and transited if the initiated calling service feature is not supported.

Abstract: An invert emulsion suitable for drilling subterranean wells, in particular oil and gas wells is disclosed which includes an oleaginous phase, and a non-oleaginous phase and a protonated amine surfactant which stabilizes the invert emulsion in the absence of an alkaline reserve material. The protonated amine surfactant has the general formula:[R--N.sup.+ --H.sub.3 ]B.sup.-wherein R is a C.sub.12 to C.sub.22 alkyl group and B.sup.- is a conjugate base of an acid; and the protonated amine surfactant is present in an amount capable of stabilizing the invert emulsion in the absence of an alkali reserve. The practice of the present invention permits the use of a broad range of esters as the oleaginous phase including simple alkyl esters which previously susceptible to hydrolysis due to the presence of an alkaline reserve material.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for converting an inband signal, such as a DTMF signal, into a form to permit transmission thereof to a receive station. An inband signal, such as a DTMF signal generated by a wireline device is applied to a digital transmitter, such as a fixed cellular terminal having a digital transceiver. The inband signal is detected and encoded. The inband signal is encoded in a manner to permit its transmission according to an appropriate air interface standard.

Abstract: An apparatus in a wireless telecommunications network is provided with Short Message Service via a circuit switched channel unless the apparatus is operating in a packet mode. If the apparatus is operating in the packet mode, the apparatus is provided with Short Message Service via a packet channel.

Abstract: An electronic proximity switching device with a proximity indicator and with an electronic switch which can be controlled by the proximity indicator. A plurality of these switching devices can be series connected without an unacceptable voltage drop occurring on the series connection when the switching devices are conductive, by the electronic switch of each switching device being connected to one input (2) of an AND element (3), another input (4) of the AND element (3) representing a control input (5) of the switching device, the output (6) of the AND element (3) representing the output (7) of the switching device, and load current flowing via the AND element (3) in the conductive state of the switching device. In other words there is AND element (3) in addition to an inductive proximity switch (1).

Abstract: Responsive to receipt at an originating switching node of an incoming call, a location request (send routing) message is sent to the home location register for the called mobile station. A routing request (provide roaming) message is then sent from the home location register to the switching node identified by the home location register as currently serving the called mobile station. The serving switching node then sends a routing number request message to the base station controller currently serving the called mobile station. The base station controller then assigns an appropriate one of its routing numbers, and responds back to the originating switching node via the home location register and the visited switching node with the assigned routing number. The assigned routing number is then used to establish a trunk connection between the originating switching node and the base station controller for purposes of effectuating call delivery.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit (10) for a fiber optic sensor (12) includes a d.c. block (14) coupled to the fiber optic sensor (12) for removing d.c. components from the fiber optic sensor output signal, and a low pass filter (16) coupled to the d.c. block (14) for reducing noise in the fiber optic sensor output signal and generate a filtered signal. A comparator (18) is coupled to the low pass filter (16) and generates a squared signal indicative of zero crossings in the filtered signal. A lock-in amplifier or synchronous demodulator (20) is coupled to the comparator (18) and generates an output signal indicative of a phase shift in the two light waves propagating in the fiber optic sensor (12).

Abstract: The registration notification signal sent to the home cellular system when an internationally roaming cellular mobile station registers in a foreign cellular system includes an identification of the currently serving switching node. Upon subsequent receipt of an incoming call dialed to the roaming mobile station home directory number, the home cellular system signals the serving cellular system and a temporary local directory number is assigned and returned to the home cellular system. The switching node identification is then processed to identify the proper international dialing digits for calling the country where the serving switching node is located. The returned temporary local directory number is then appended to the identified international dialing digits to form an international telephone number which is used by the home cellular system to route the received call to the currently serving cellular system for delivery to the called internationally roaming mobile station.