Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the concentration of a constituent in a fluid by directing a beam of light into the fluid and sensing the intensity of components of the light emerging from the fluid at various wavelengths. The light emerging from the fluid can be light that has been attenuated by absorption or induced by fluorescent radiation. The effect of scattering on the light is minimized by normalizing the component intensities, which are then applied to an algorithm incorporating weighting factors that weighs the influence that the intensity at each wavelength has on the determination of the concentration of the constituent for which the algorithm was developed. The algorithm is developed by a regression analysis based upon a plurality of known mixtures containing various concentrations of the constituent of interest.

Abstract: A discharge device for operation in a gas at a prescribed pressure includes a cathode having a plurality of micro hollows therein, and an anode spaced from the cathode. Each of the micro hollows has dimensions selected to produce a micro hollow discharge at the prescribed pressure. Preferably, each of the micro hollows has a cross-sectional dimension that is on the order of the mean free path of electrons in the gas. Electrical energy is coupled to the cathode and the anode at a voltage and current for producing micro hollow discharges in each of the micro hollows in the cathode. The discharge device may include a discharge chamber for maintaining the prescribed pressure. A dielectric layer may be disposed on the cathode when the spacing between the cathode and the anode is greater than about the mean free path of electrons in the gas. Applications of the discharge device include fluorescent lamps, excimer lamps, flat fluorescent light sources, miniature gas lasers, electron sources and ion sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the concentration of a constituent in a fluid by directing a beam of light into the fluid and sensing the intensity of components of the light emerging from the fluid at various wavelengths. The light emerging from the fluid can be light that has been attenuated by absorption or induced by fluorescent radiation. The effect of scattering on the light is minimized by normalizing the component intensities, which are then applied to an algorithm incorporating weighting factors that weighs the influence that the intensity at each wavelength has on the determination of the concentration of the constituent for which the algorithm was developed. The algorithm is developed by a regression analysis based upon a plurality of known mixtures containing various concentrations of the constituent of interest.

Abstract: This invention improves the stability and control of high-pressure glow discharges by means of a microhllow cathode discharge. The microhollow cathode discharge, which is sustained between two closely spaced electrodes with an opening formed in the electrodes, serves as a plasma cathode for the high-pressure glow. Small variations in the microhollow cathode discharge voltage generate large variations in the microhollow cathode discharge current and consequently in the glow discharge current. In this mode of operation the electrical characteristic of this invention resembles that of a vacuum triode. Using the microhollow cathode discharge as a plasma cathode, stable, dc discharges in argon up to atmospheric pressures can be generated. Additionally, parallel operation of these discharges allows for the generation of large volume plasmas at high gas pressure through superposition of individual glow discharges.

Abstract: A discharge device for operation in a gas at a prescribed pressure includes a cathode having a plurality of micro hollows therein, and an anode spaced from the cathode. Each of the micro hollows has dimensions selected to produce a micro hollow discharge at the prescribed pressure. Preferably, each of the micro hollows has a cross-sectional dimension that is on the order of the mean free path of electrons in the gas. Electrical energy is coupled to the cathode and the anode at a voltage and current for producing micro hollow discharges in each of the micro hollows in the cathode. The discharge device may include a discharge chamber for maintaining the prescribed pressure. A dielectric layer may be disposed on the cathode when the spacing between the cathode and the anode is greater than about the mean free path of electrons in the gas. Applications of the discharge device include fluorescent lamps, excimer lamps, flat fluorescent light sources, miniature gas lasers, electron sources and ion sources.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods useful for tick control. The tick control methods of the subject invention are particularly advantageous because they utilize natural chemical signals (phermones) in combination with an acaricide. The use of environmentally friendly phermones makes it possible to use acaricides in a highly selective and efficient manner thereby reducing exposure of the environment to acaricides.

Abstract: A method for intracellular electro-manipulation is provided. The method includes applying at least one ultrashort electric field pulse to target cells. The ultrashort electric field pulse has sufficient amplitude and duration to modify subcellular structures in the target cells and does not exceed the breakdown field of the medium containing the target cells. The amplitude and duration of the ultrashort electric field pulse are typically insufficient to substantially alter permeability of the surface membranes of the target cells, e.g., by irreversibly disrupting the cell surface membranes. An apparatus for intracellular electro-manipulation is also provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator capable of producing an ultrashort electric pulse output and a delivery system capable of directing the electric pulse output to target cells.

Abstract: A discharge device for operation in a gas at a prescribed pressure includes a cathode having a plurality of micro hollows therein, and an anode spaced from the cathode. Each of the micro hollows has dimensions selected to produce a micro hollow discharge at the prescribed pressure. Preferably, each of the micro hollows has a cross-sectional dimension that is on the order of the mean free path of electrons in the gas. Electrical energy is coupled to the cathode and the anode at a voltage and current for producing micro hollow discharges in each of the micro hollows in the cathode. The discharge device may include a discharge chamber for maintaining the prescribed pressure. A dielectric layer may be disposed on the cathode when the spacing between the cathode and the anode is greater than about the mean free path of electrons in the gas. Applications of the discharge device include fluorescent lamps, excimer lamps, flat fluorescent light sources, miniature gas lasers, electron sources and ion sources.

Abstract: A passive acoustic method of detecting the presence or absence of vesicoureteral reflux in a patient comprises the steps of amplifying sound from the abdomen of the patient from a time just prior to the onset of urination in the patient, and then detecting the presence or absence of an audio signal characteristic of vesicureteral reflux in the amplified sound, the presence of the signal indicating the presence of vesicoureteral reflux in the patient. Apparatus and computer program code products for carrying out the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A modification to a commercial Fourier Transform (FT) Raman spectrometer is presented for the elimination of thermal backgrounds in the FT Raman spectra. The modification involves the use of a mechanical optical chopper to modulate the continuous wave laser, remote collection of the signal via fiber optics, and connection of a dual-phase digital-signal-processor (DSP) lock-in amplifier between the detector and the spectrometer's collection electronics to demodulate and filter the optical signals. The resulting Modulated Fourier Transform Raman Fiber-Optic Spectrometer is capable of completely eliminating thermal backgrounds at temperatures exceeding 300.degree. C.

Abstract: A Fourier-Transform Raman spectrometer was used to collect the Raman spectra of (208) commercial petroleum fuels. The individual motor and research octane numbers (MON and RON, respectively) were determined experimentally using the industry standard ASTM knock engine method. Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression analysis can be used to build regression models which correlate the Raman spectra (175) of the fuels with the experimentally determined values for MON, RON, and pump octane number (the average of MON and RON) of the fuels. Each of the models was validated using leave-one-out validation. The standard errors of validation (SEV) are 0.415, 0.535, and 0.410 octane numbers for MON, RON, and pump octane number, respectively. By comparing the standard error of validation to the standard deviation for the experimentally determined octane numbers, it is evident that the accuracy of the Raman determined values is limited by the accuracy of the training set used in creating the models.

Abstract: A field controlled plasma discharge display element is disclosed for light source use in single element and multiple element plasma discharge electrostatic printers. The display element includes a pair of hollow discharge electric field electrodes, and a third electrode positioned external to and aligned with the discharge electric field electrodes for generating a control electric field proximate to the discharge electric field. The control electric field is used to control the intensity of the plasma discharge by distorting the shape of the generated discharge electric field. The single element plasma discharge device is modulated in accordance with the image to be printed and the modulated output is scanned across the photoconductive surface to produce the latent image.

Abstract: High purity iron-zinc intermetallic calibration standards are produced using a slow diffusion technique. The alloys are pure to greater than 99.5 wt % and are homogenous to greater than 98%. The alloys can be used to calibrate instrumentation used to monitor and measure galvanneal and galvanized coatings. The alloy calibration standards for each of the iron-zinc phases allows instrumentation correction factors to be determined for iron-zinc coating analysis.

Abstract: A field controlled plasma discharge display element is disclosed for use in single element and multiple element plasma displays. The display element includes a pair of hollow discharge electric field electrodes, and a third electrode positioned external to and aligned with the discharge electric field electrodes for generating a control electric field proximate to the discharge electric field. The control electric field is used to control the intensity of the plasma discharge by distorting the shape of the generated discharge electric field. In a multiple element plasma display using a plurality of the individual display elements of the present invention arrayed in a matrix configuration, a control means is used to control activation and intensity of individual display elements. Individual ones of the elements in the matrix are addressed by a switching circuit including orthogonal control lines in order to instigate a plasma discharge.

Abstract: The device is a self-medicating applicator that can be used for the treatment of animals with a pesticide for the control of pests, e.g., ticks and flies. The applicator device includes a feed bin, a reservoir for storage of the pesticide, and a porous column which passes through the pesticide reservoir and bait bin. Pesticide, drawn up the column by capillary action, is applied to the animal contacting the column while the animal is feeding from the bin.

Abstract: A decoy which includes the attraction, aggregation and attachment components of bont tick pheromones is used to attract hungry male, female, and nymph bont ticks to a location where an acaricide can kill the ticks. The decoy can be disk shaped and can be attachable to the hair or fur of an animal. The decoy may also be in the form of a tail band decoy where the decoy is used to dispense the pheromones and acaricide on those portions of the host animal's body not normally protected by grooming mechanisms.

Abstract: A combination of two new access methods for ring and unidirectional bus networks supports high data rate integrated traffic. The first access method provides access for asynchronous traffic. When a node senses the channel idle, it can begin to transmit. When it senses an incoming signal, it must stop transmitting in order to avoid a collision. But unlike other access protocols which abort the transmission when a collision occurs or is imminent, the process truncates the message in a fashion such that it can be resumed later when the channel again is idle. The system is called Carrier Sensed Multiple Access-Ring Network (CSMA/RN). The second access method provides support for synchronous traffic. This method implements one or more circulating reservation packets which permit a node to have reserved space when the special packet returns. The media access system is called Circulating Reservation Packet (CRP) system. Both access protocols operate simultaneously on the network with minimal interference.

Abstract: The dewaterability of alum sludge is improved by treating the alum sludge with low doses of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide enhances filterability and drainability of the alum sludge and also improves the resulting cake quality of the dewatered alum sludge.

Abstract: An image processing system is described in which an image is converted into a plurality of image elements or cells which are arranged in a predetermined pattern. These cells are then simultaneously rearranged into a second predetermined pattern to provide a transformed representation of the original image. In this transformed state, the positions of all of the cells may be simultaneously shifted in a manner which produces modifications of the original image, such as scaling or rotating. The highly parallel manner in which the present system manipulates the image cells allows the desired image modifications to be effected more simply and rapidly than has been previously possible. In a preferred embodiment of the invention these image cell manipulations are performed in a three dimensional shift register of novel design.