Abstract: The load balancer incorporates link coil circuits that inductively couple to induction heating coils, which are connected in parallel across a power source. A capacitor is electrically connected in the link coil circuit. By varying degree to which the link coil is inductively coupled to the heating coil or by changing the capacitance, either using a variable capacitor or switching among different capacitors, changes in the amount of reactance coupled into the heating coil are effected. Thus, the current in the corresponding heating coil can be varied, enabling adjustment of the heating of the workpiece. Accordingly, the resulting system is efficient since only a single coil rather than multiple series coils are used. This aspect can be enhanced when litz cable is used in coil construction. Further, the system is compatible with active control.

Abstract: A device and a method for interrupting the continuity of a conductor and linking a pair of conductors are disclosed. The device is a three-terminal fuse having first and second terminals initially connected by a conductor and a third terminal separated from the conductor at a breakpoint of the conductor by an insulator. By applying a voltage across the third terminal or control terminal and the conductor, a transient conductive link is formed between the conductor and the control terminal. If sufficient current is provided through the transient link, heating of the link causes the metal of the conductor to melt and boil away, thus interrupting the continuity of the conductor.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus provides remote communication of images with low communication bandwidth requirements. Workstations are remotely coupled to each other across a communication channel (e.g., telephone line or Internet line) and employ the invention method and apparatus. Parameter values of desired images are input at one workstation and transmitted across the communication channel to a remote workstation. In response to the input parameter values, the remote workstation generates and displays the desired images. Video e-mail messages is one application of such remote generation of desired images. Further parameter values may be input at the remote workstation for generation and display of corresponding further images at the initial workstation. Interactive video conferencing results as the workstations remotely communicate images in real-time to each other.

Abstract: Optical components fabricated from diblock, triblock, or multiblock copolymers, and particularly a waveguide wherein the optical field intensity (OFI) of a guided wave is tailored by selecting block copolymers, or block copolymers in combination with homopolymers, with components having different molecular weights and refractive indices, and treating the block copolymer by processing to produce phase separations which form unique morphologies controlling the shape, size, and spacing of the layers, to achieve concentration of the OFI in selected portions of the waveguide.

Abstract: The invention is a method for generating a still image, comprising the steps of producing a plurality of images, each of the plurality having been produced at a distinct focal length, scaling each of the images to a common focal length and combining each of the scaled images to a final image of a single focal length, portions of which are of a relatively high resolution, as compared to the images of the original sequence. The invention also includes combining a sequence of still images of varying fields of view into a panoramic image of an overall field of view, which overall field of view includes all of the fields of view of the sequence. In addition to combining images generated at different fields of view, the method of the invention can be used to combine images generated with respect to different fields of view of an overall scene, such as a panoramic scene into a combined panoramic field of view. This aspect of the invention may also be combined with the varying focal length aspect.

Abstract: Synthetic, functionalized, graft copolymers of polyesters and amino acids are provided. The copolymers are formed in one embodiment by providing a linear polyester-poly(amino acid) copolymer, and reacting the amino acid groups in the linear polymer with an amino acid derivative in a polymerization reaction to form a comb-like, graft copolymer including a polyester-amino acid backbone and polyamino acid side chains extending from the amino acid groups in the backbone. The poly(amino acid) includes functional groups which permit the covalent or ionic attachment of a biological molecule to the graft copolymer. The functionalized graft copolymers can be used in a wide range of biomedical applications including tissue engineering and drug delivery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance using a monolithic array of test sites formed on a substrate upon which the sample substance is applied. Each test site includes probes formed therein to bond with a predetermined target molecular structure or structures. A signal is applied to the test sites and certain electrical, mechanical and/or optical properties of the test sites are detected to determine which probes have bonded to an associated target molecular structure.

Abstract: Nucleozymes containing ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides or nucleic acid analogues are described herein. The nucleozymes have catalytic activity and are significantly more resistant to degradation than their all-RNA ribozyme counterparts. Also described are methods for preparing the nucleozymes along with methods of using nucleozymes, e.g., as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A method and devices for localized delivery of a chemotherapeutic agent to solid tumors, wherein the agent does not cross the blood-brain barrier and is characterized by poor bioavailability and/or short half-lives in vivo, are described. The devices consist of reservoirs which release drug over an extended time period while at the same time preserving the bioactivity and bioavailability of the agent. In the most preferred embodiment, the device consists of biodegradable polymeric matrixes, although reservoirs can also be formulated from non-biodegradable polymers or reservoirs connected to implanted infusion pumps. The devices are implanted within or immediately adjacent the tumors to be treated or the site where they have been surgically removed. The examples demonstrate the efficacy of paclitaxel and camptothecin delivered in polymeric implants prepared by compression molding of biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers, respectively. The results are highly statistically significant.

Abstract: The invention provides an elastic actuator consisting of a motor and a motor drive transmission connected at an output of the motor. An elastic element is connected in series with the motor drive transmission, and this elastic element is positioned to alone support the full weight of any load connected at an output of the actuator. A single force transducer is positioned at a point between a mount for the motor and an output of the actuator. This force transducer generates a force signal, based on deflection of the elastic element, that indicates force applied by the elastic element to an output of the actuator. An active feedback force control loop is connected between the force transducer and the motor for controlling the motor. This motor control is based on the force signal to deflect the elastic element an amount that produces a desired actuator output force. The produced output force is substantially independent of load motion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming an article of advanced composites on a tool forming surface from a preform are disclosed. Apparatus includes, according a preferred embodiment, a tool forming surface, a first diaphragm for urging a preform into conforming contact with the tool forming surface, and a second diaphragm for supporting a side of the preform opposite the side engaged by the first diaphragm during forming. The second diaphragm does not extend completely between the preform and the tool forming surface. The apparatus is arranged with a first diaphragm mountable on the apparatus and conformable to a preform to be formed and a second diaphragm mounted on the apparatus and conformable to a portion of the preform simultaneously with the first diaphragm. A forming tool is provided, including a tool forming surface positionable for receiving the preform between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm when the first and second diaphragms are mounted on the apparatus.

Abstract: An image restoration apparatus for reconstructing an actual image from a measurement field image containing noise, the apparatus including means for storing image data for a restoration field; means for storing the measurement field image; means for solving a dynamical system equation for the image data, wherein the dynamical system equation is based on an energy function for a system made up of a restoration field variable and the measurement field image, wherein the energy function contains a surround term E.sub.s which represents local interactions within the restoration field, and wherein the local interactions are characterized by sigmoid-like functions.

Abstract: Methods of designing or modifying protein structure at the protein or genetic level to produce specified amino-termini in vivo or in vitro are described. The methods can be used to alter the metabolic stability and other properties of the protein or, alternatively, to artificially generate authentic amino-termini in proteins produced through artificial means. The methods are based upon the introduction of the use of artificial ubiquitin-protein fusions, and the discovery that the in vivo half-life of a protein is a function of the amino-terminal amino acid of the protein.

Abstract: A self contained sensor apparatus generates a signal that corresponds to at least two of the three orientational aspects of yaw, pitch and roll of a human-scale body, relative to an external reference frame. A sensor generates first sensor signals that correspond to rotational accelerations or rates of the body about certain body axes. The sensor may be mounted to the body. Coupled to the sensor is a signal processor for generating orientation signals relative to the external reference frame that correspond to the angular rate or acceleration signals. The first sensor signals are impervious to interference from electromagnetic, acoustic, optical and mechanical sources. The sensors may be rate sensors. An integrator may integrate the rate signal over time. A drift compensator is coupled to the rate sensors and the integrator. The drift compensator may include a gravitational tilt sensor or a magnetic field sensor or both.

Abstract: A method, and related apparatus, for recognizing alphanumeric characters within a sample includes applying ideal alphanumeric character templates to the sample to identify each template which is included substantially within the sample. A template will be considered to be included substantially within the sample even if the sample has portions thereof with which the template does not substantially correspond or substantially match. That is, a template can be considered to be included substantially within the sample even if the template and the sample do not have a substantially one-to-one symmetrical correspondence. Of all of the templates which are identified as included substantially within the sample, the template having the most information (e.g., the template which requires the largest number of data points to define its shape) is selected as a recognized version of the sample.

Abstract: A method of preparing a superconducting oxide by combining the metallic elements of the oxide to form an alloy, followed by oxidation of the alloy to form the oxide. Superconducting oxide-metal composites are prepared in which a noble metal phase intimately mixed with the oxide phase results in improved mechanical properties. The superconducting oxides and oxide-metal composites are provided in a variety of useful forms.

Abstract: A face detection system (100) includes an imaging device, a computer having a pattern prototype synthesizer and an image classifier, and an output display device. Face and non-face pattern prototypes are synthesized by a network training process using a number of example images. A new applied image is analyzed by taking a distance from the applied image to each of the prototypes, and a decision is made as to whether the applied image contains a face based on the distances thus obtained. The system and method may be applied to various other detection tasks.

Abstract: A data sampling circuit and method is provided for a burst mode communication system. The circuit is an entirely digital circuit for reliably sampling an incoming stream of data for automatically adjusting to variations in data stream clock rates and phase variations in the incoming data. The circuit includes a delay line, with a plurality of serially coupled taps, each tap having a variable delay. A first aspect of the invention includes increasing the delay time until the delay line captures at least one full data cell, but preferably two, of the incoming data stream (i.e., signal levels over at least one full clock period, defined by two transitions of the data stream), thereby aligning the receiving circuit with the frequency of the data stream clock. A second aspect of the invention includes outputting data from a tap that is selected to be midway between two regions of transitions of the incoming data stream, thereby aligning the receiving circuit with the phase of the data stream clock.

Abstract: Methods of inducing sleepiness and sleep in an individual by administering to that individual a single dose of melatonin sufficient to induce sleepiness and sleep in the individual.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the isolation and characterization of C. glutamicum genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis, specifically, encoding hom, thrB, and thrC, and sequences regulating their expression. Techniques for modifying or replacing these sequences and means for facilitating further isolations and characterizations, including promoter probe vectors which are useful in screening for high efficiency and regulatable promoters and repressors, are also disclosed.A C. glutamicum genomic library was constructed by cleaving chromosomal DNA with restriction enzymes, inserting the DNA fragments into an appropriate vector, and transforming the resulting recombinant molecules (rDNA) into C. glutamicum. Amino acid biosynthetic genes hom, thrB, and thrC, encoding homoserine dehydrogenase, homoserine kinase, and threonine synthetase, respectively, were isolated by complementation of C. glutamicum auxotrophs. The hom-thrB genes were subcloned on a 3.