Abstract: A low-pressure neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, for example, neural tissue of the retina within which are ganglion cells to be electrically stimulated. The contact structure comprises a first portion for attachment to a first bodily location, such as the inner surface of the retina, and a second portion interconnected with the first portion via an interconnection and being held in contact with the neural tissue. The interconnection exhibits a weak restoring force which in conjunction with the geometry of said second portion provides a preselected desired pressure of contact against the neural tissue. As adapted for the retina, the interconnection exhibits a weak restoring force developed in response to curvature of the interconnection along the inner radius of the retina.

Abstract: In a parallel data processing system, very long instruction words (VLIW) define operations able to be executed in parallel. The VLIWs corresponding to plural threads of computation are made available to the processing system simultaneously. Each processing unit pipeline includes a synchronizer stage for selecting one of the plural threads of computation for execution in that unit. The synchronizers allow the plural units to select operations from different thread instruction words such that execution of VLIWs is interleaved across the plural units. The processors are grouped in clusters of processors which share register files. Cluster outputs may be stored directly in register files of other clusters through a cluster switch.

Abstract: Radiometer with a probe beam superimposed on its field-of-view for furnace temperature measurements. The radiometer includes a heterodyne millimeter/submillimeter-wave receiver including a millimeter/submillimeter-wave source for probing. The receiver is adapted to receive radiation from a surface whose temperature is to be measured. The radiation includes a surface emission portion and a surface reflection portion which includes the probe beam energy reflected from the surface. The surface emission portion is related to the surface temperature and the surface reflection portion is related to the emissivity of the surface. The simultaneous measurement of surface emissivity serves as a real time calibration of the temperature measurement.

Abstract: A power absorbing dynamometer includes a stator having an inside stator surface and a rotor having an inside rotor surface. The rotor is rotatable by a mechanical power source. The inside rotor and stator surfaces generally face and oppose each other. Together, the rotor and stator define a passage bounded substantially by the inside surfaces thereof. The passage preferably is a torus-shaped passage within the dynamometer. Liquid is introduced into the passage via a port of the dynamometer. The dynamometer also includes means for developing and maintaining within the passage a unique liquid flow which is a substantially helical recirculating flow of the liquid on the inside rotor and stator surfaces as the rotor is rotated by the mechanical power source. The liquid is thereby heated or vaporized as the rotor is rotated by the mechanical power source, and power absorbed from the mechanical power source is related to a rate at which the liquid is heated or vaporized.

Abstract: A programmable integrated circuit for forming conductive links includes a heat-generating programming structure through which current flows upon application of a programming voltage to heat the region around the programming structure. A programmable link structure including two conductors separated by a transformable insulator is in thermal communication with the programming circuit. When current flows through the programming circuit, the programmable link structure is heated. The heat causes the transformable insulator to break down such that a permanent conductive link is formed between the two conductors of the programmable link structure. During programming, a programming conductor is cut symmetrically about the programming structure.

Abstract: New therapies for treating blood platelet disorders based on the megapoietin gene and protein are described. Additional utilities for megapoietin such as increasing the storage life of platelet and whole blood preparations, a means for selectively targeting therapeutic or imaging agents to arterial clots, and a means for selectively stimulating platelet production from megakaryocytes in vivo and in vitro (e.g., as a source of platelets for transplantation) and to stimulate stem cell growth are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a microcellular foam of a curable material by replicating a dissolvable particle preform and leaching away the dissolvable particle preform to yield the microcellular foam. The foam can be a preceramic polymer microcellular foam which can be pyrolyzed to form a ceramic microcellular foam. A method for making a composite including steps of producing a ceramic microcellular foam which is subsequently infiltrated to form the composite is also provided as are microcellular foams, ceramic microcellular foams and composites prepared according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: An automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) system for tracking aircraft includes a GPS navigation receiver for determining the position of an aircraft, a Mode S transponder for transmitting the position of the aircraft, and a Mode S receiving station for receiving the aircraft's position and for determining the position of the transmitting aircraft relative to other aircraft and the ground. The Mode S position information is broadcast as a squitter on a random time basis having a present average transmission rate, or in response to an interrogation signal from a Mode S receiving station. The Mode S receiver can be another aircraft, an en route ground station, and/or a terminal ground station. The en route ground station can include a multi-sector receiving antenna with each sector connected to a separate Mode S receiver. The terminal ground station can include an omni-directional antenna connected to a Mode S receiver.

Abstract: A single, reproducible scheme to simultaneously purify all three of the heparin lyases from F. heparinum to apparent homogeneity is disclosed herein. The kinetic properties of the heparin lyases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability. Monoclonal antibodies to the three heparinases are also described and are useful for detection, isolation and characterization of the heparinases.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for controlling wound scar production by administering a calcium antagonist, alone or in a combination with or followed by a steroid, to the wound site. The method can be used to minimize wound scars, such as hypertrophic wound healing disorders, keloids and burn scar contractures in humans or other mammals, particularly those individually prone to excesssive scarring.

Abstract: Methods and artificial matrices for the growth and implantation of urological structures and surfaces are disclosed in which urothelial cells are grown in culture on biodegradable, biocompatible, fibrous matrices formed of polymers, such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, or other polymers which degrade over time. The cells can be cultured in vitro until an adequate cell volume and density has developed for the cells to survive and proliferate in vivo. Alternatively, when adequate cell numbers for implantation are available, the cells can be attached to the matrix and implanted directly, without proliferation in vitro. The implants approximate the desired urological structure to be replaced or repaired, such as the kidney, urether, bladder, urethra, and the like. Implantation is followed by remodeling through cell growth and proliferation in vivo.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for delivering an effective dose to a desired site of a heparinase. These compositions are based on the discovery that heparinase alone can inhibit angiogenesis. The effective dosage is dependent not only on the heparinase, but also on the method and means of delivery, which can be localized or systemic. For example, in some applications, as in the treatment of psoriasis or diabetic retinopathy, the inhibitor is delivered in a topical ophthalmic carrier. In other applications, as in the treatment of solid tumors, the inhibitor is delivered by means of a biodegradable, polymeric implant.

Abstract: A lens system for use with a linearly arrayed light beam including a first optical element for receiving and redirecting different portions of the linearly arrayed light beam to different locations on an imaginary plane so as to generate a two-dimensional pattern of light beams on the imaginary plane; and a second optical element located at the imaginary plane and aligned with the two-dimensional pattern of light beams for redirecting each of the light beams of the two-dimensional pattern of light beams to any arbitrary direction.

Abstract: A hybrid filter bank analog-to-digital converter includes continuous-time analysis filters and discrete-time synthesis filters. The continuous-time analysis filters partition a continuous-time wideband input signal into continuous-time subband signals. An analog-to-digital converter bank quantizes the subband signals at a low data rate. A bank of upsamplers increases the data rate of the quantized subband signals. A bank of discrete-time synthesis filters processes the upsampled subband signals, generating signals which are the discrete-time approximation of the continuous-time subband signals. The subband signals may be recombined into a discrete-time wideband signal which is the discrete-time approximation of the continuous-time wideband input signal. The linearity errors, analog-to-digital converter mismatches and quantization noise are not compounded between the frequency bands, thereby increasing resolution.

Abstract: Circuit supporting modules form a three-dimensional communication interconnect mesh. Each module has fewer than six sets of connectors, preferably four. The preferred three-dimensional communication interconnect is a tetrahedral lattice having a regular, isotropic, three-dimensional topology in which each module connects to its four physically closest neighbors. The structure of the tetrahedral interconnect is isomorphic with a diamond lattice structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrochemical refining of a low carbon steel melt is provided.

Abstract: An optical memory and an optical random and pseudo-random pattern generator for ultra-high-speed time-domain multiplexing multi-access networks are described. The optical memory and pattern generators include an optical ring resonator, an optical amplifier, a bistability generator, an optically-controlled stabilizing element, and a coupling element. Such devices are capable of storing high data rates for long periods of time.

Abstract: A immunoadjuvant soluble phosphazene polyelectrolyte is disclosed. In one embodiment, the polymeric adjuvant is an poly(organophosphazene) with (i) ionized or ionizable pendant groups that contain, for example, carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, or hydroxyl moieties, and (ii) pendant groups that are susceptible to hydrolysis under the conditions of use, to impart biodegradability to the polymer.

Abstract: An electronic system for integrating a user's moving image into a computer-generated pictorial environment, and allowing the user to interact with the environment and objects therein. The environment is rendered on a screen display in a manner that simulates three dimensions, including respect for occlusion relationships among the user and objects in the environment. The resulting image, which changes as the user gestures and interacts with the environment, is projected onto a large screen that the user faces. The environment includes a series of mobile entities, or "agents," which respond to one or more of the user's changing position, gestures and voice, exhibiting context-dependent behavior that appears semi-intelligent.

Abstract: Compositions, methods for preparing and methods of using contrast agent-filled polymeric microparticles for imaging are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, air-encapsulating microparticles are formed by ionotropically gelling synthetic polyelectrolytes such as poly(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene, poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid) and methacrylic acid copolymers (Eudragit's) by contact with multivalent ions such as calcium ions. In the preferred embodiment, the average size of the microparticles is less than seven .mu.m so that they are suitable for injection intravenously. The polymeric microparticles are stable to imaging and display high echogenicity, both in vitro and in vivo. Due to their in vivo stability their potential application is extended beyond vascular imaging to liver and renal diseases, fallopian tube diseases, detecting and characterizing tumor masses and tissues, and measuring peripheral blood velocity.