Abstract: An interferometric procedure, such as electronic speckle pattern interferometry, involves generating two signals representing the point-by-point variations in intensity of respective patterns of electromagnetic radiation resulting from the interference of first and second beams of such radiation derived from a coherent source, with at least the first beam from each pattern being scattered, before interference with its respective second beam, from a common object surface, and with a corresponding pair of the beams, one for each pattern, having a predetermined relative phase difference of other than a multiple of .pi.; and determining from the two signals values for a datum phase of the radiation at the object surface. Preferably, as a preliminary to this last determination. DC components are removed from the two signals. Conveniently, to simplify the determination, the phase difference is an odd multiple of .pi./4 or .pi./2.

Abstract: A dental implant comprising a core material and a porous layer formed on the core material, wherein at least a part of the core material coated by the porous layer has a non-circular cross-sectional shape so as not to rotate relative to the porous layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous aerosol droplets containing liposome or interacted liposome-drug or medication combination particles in a continuous phase of air or oxygen-enriched air advantageous for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. The drug or medication is interacted with the liposome membrane so that on its rupture the drug or medication is not lost from the liposome. Different methods of preparation of the aerosol particles containing the liposome and interacted liposome-drug combination particles are described which can be used in small particle aerosol treatment. The majority of the aerosol droplets containing the liposome particles alone or with drugs has a diameter less than 5 microns and has an aerodynamic mass median diameter ranging from about 1 to 3 microns, and the liposome and interacted-liposome drug particles are substantially uniform in size and less than 1 micron in diameter.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance signal of a volume of interest within an object is acquired by placing the object in a magnetic field and the application of three successive steps. The first step comprises an rf selective 90.degree. pulse of frequency f.sub.x applied in the presence of an x-gradient magnetic field to select a slice. The magnetization of the slice is then inverted. In the second step an rf selective 90.degree. pulse of frequency f.sub.y is applied in the presence of a y-gradient magnetic field to excite a strip of the slice, in the third step an rf selective 180.degree. pulse of frequency f.sub.z is applied in the presence of a y-gradient magnetic field to refocus the magnetization of a region of said strip. The resulting free induction signal is derived solely from said region.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting crop including a rotor (11) mounting on a movable frame (12) and carrying a succession of transverse combs (14) each formed of an array of outwardly projectint teetch (15) traverse to the direction of movement of the apparatus through the crop. Each tooth (15) is pointed with side edges diverging away from the distal tip of the tooth. The rotor rotates in the overshot mode and the combs intrude into the crop and gather crop stems between adjacent pairs of teeth and detach grain and grain heads, or other required crop parts, by rubbing or breaking the parts free from the stems. The junction of adjacent teeth (15) preferably has an enlarged aperture (21) to assist striping and to allow withdrawal of striped stems. In other embodiments, the teeth may be replaced by a brush-like structure or by rods or other crop engaging elements, backed by plain transverse ribs for collecting and conveying detached crop parts.

Abstract: Disclosed are a distributed Bragg reflector type semiconductor laser and a method of manufacturing such a laser a high yields, in which the upper surface of an active waveguide is covered by an external waveguide, the external waveguide at side portions thereof, the external waveguide is coupled with the edge surfaces of the active waveguide without any gap remaining, and the coupling ratio of the active waveguide and external waveguide is high.

Abstract: An electroacoustic diaphragm is provided, which diaphragm comprising a pyrolytic graphite film obtained from a polymer selected from polyoxadiazole, an aromatic polyimide obtained by polycondensation of pyromellitic acid and an aromatic diamine, polybenzthiazole, polybenzbisthiazole, polybenzoxazole, polybenzbisoxazole, poly(pyromellitimide), poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide), poly(m-phenylenebenzoimidazole), poly(m-phenylenebenzobisimidazole), polythiazole and poly(m-phenylenevinylene. The graphite film has a discontinuous layer of a polymeric material formed on and in the film whereby not only good electroacoustic characteristics, but also good mechanical strength and good adhesion of an adhesive applied thereof are obtained. A method for fabricating such diaphragm is also described.

Abstract: Light obtained from the reaction between a dihydrophthalazinedione such as luminol or isoluminol, an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide, and a peroxidase enzyme is enhanced by addition of an ortho- or para- imidazolyl- or benzimidazolylphenol.The effect has particular application to diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A pressure regulator suitable for an aerosol dispenser package having a compressed non-liquified gas propellant comprising a chamber (22) forming a successive pair of first and second compartments (23,24) with the first compartment (23) having an inlet opening (26,27) and the second compartment (24) partly defining a restricted passageway (47) leading to an outlet opening (25), a diaphragm (41) closing the first compartment remotely from the second compartment, a spring (60) operable to urge the diaphragm to move into the second compartment towards the outlet, and a piston (44) connected for movement with the diaphragm and located in the second compartment to define the restricted passageway, the second compartment and piston cooperating progressively to increase the effective size of the passageway as the diaphragm moves towards the outlet. Preferably a probe (45) is moved with or by the piston to close the chamber outlet when the diaphragm is subject only to action by the spring.

Abstract: Optical elements for radiation comprising a graphite film obtained from a film of a polymer such as polyphenylene oxadiazole, polybenzothiazole, polybenzobisthiazole, polybenzooxazole, polybenzobisoxazole, polypyromellitimide, polyphenylene isophthalamide, polyphenylene benzoimidazole, polyphenylene benzobisimidazole, polythiazole or poly-p-phenylene-vinylene. The graphite film is obtained by pyrolysis of the polymer film at 2800.degree. C. or higher at a pressure of not lower than 4 kg/cm.sup.2 in vacuum or in an inert gas. Alternatively, the element may be made of a graphite film obtained from the polymers mentioned above and intercalated with a metal halide. The intercalated films are readily bonded by pressing in the form of a thick sheet or block. Still alternatively, the graphite films and the intercalated films may be superposed alternately and bonded by pressing, or the intercalated films may be sandwiched between the graphite films and bonded together to form a thick sheet or block.

Abstract: A prophy angle having a single snap-in retention mechanism that is integral with the housing for retaining the prophy cup rotating member in permanent field position and providing good smooth rotation performance and a detent drive shaft snap-in retention mechanism that locks in position when the dental handpiece is connected.

Abstract: A root crop harvester including two endless web sections, with the first section overhanging the second section to form a step portion, and drive mechanism to vibrate the two web sections in their own planes by amounts that are unequal or can be made unequal (or equal) to suit the prevailing conditions.

Abstract: A wholly implantable continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis system comprises a first part (20) including tubing (21) for location as an access catheter affording a flowpath for dialysing solution from a subcutaneous portal, accessible by percutaneous needle, to the peritoneal cavity (11), and a second part (30) including a pump (33) and a further tubing (31, 32) serially interconnectable for location as a shunt affording a flowpath for the solution, following dialysis, from the cavity to the bladder (12), the pump being operable under control by the patient (10) to effect the shunt flow.

Abstract: A safety enhanced pivoting door operator is disclosed which includes an apparatus for selective restraint of the swing door to resist movement of the door in a first direction beyond the fully closed position during routine use while yet allowing movement of the door in the first direction beyond the fully closed position when sufficient force is applied to the door in non-routine situations, for example to allow emergency exit or the like. The operator includes a motor and a drive train connected with a rotatable pivot upon which the door is movable. The apparatus includes a mounting member having a deflectable bar connected therewith.

Abstract: A dispensing container for a viscous substance comprising a sleeve defining an axis of rotation and having a pair of ends arranged at first and second locations along the axis, the sleeve further defining a helical travel path on an inward facing surface thereof. A dispensing member mounted in association with one of the pair of ends of the sleeve, and, a piston head mounted within the sleeve and defining an outward facing peripheral surface operative to cooperate with the helical travel path and further defining with the dispensing member and a portion of the sleeve extending therebetween a storage volume for the viscous substance. The piston head travels along the axis of rotation when undergoing rotation thereabout relative to the sleeve, a linkage apparatus is integrally formed with the piston head and defining an end portion associated with a predetermined portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: An adaptive H.infin. industrial control system has a controller 21 controlling an industrial process 20 (ship, rolling mill, etc.), the state of which is measured (y). The controller and process outputs are fed to a parameter estimator 34 which estimates the operating polynomials (transfer functions or delay operator functions) A, B, and C of the process. A controller design unit 35 processes the output of estimator 34 to produce coefficients for the controller 21, which implements a polynomial ratio C.sub.n /C.sub.d. The H.infin. algorithm is based on minimizing a "square of sum" form of function (P.sub.c .multidot.u(t)+F.sub.c .multidot.e(t)).sup.2, which results in equations which are easier to solve than those arising from the usual "sum of squares" form of function. A polynomialL=P.sub.cn F.sub.cd B-F.sub.cn P.sub.cd Ais calculated, the unstable zeros L.sub.-- are calculated, the matrix equationsFAP.sub.cd .lambda.+L.sub.-- G=P.sub.cn CF*z.sup. -nFBF.sub.cd .lambda.-L.sub.-- H=F.sub.cn CF*z.sup.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a reduced gaseous phase growing method for compound semiconductor monocrystal formed from a plurality of elements such as GaAs.A gas of compound containing each of constitutional elements is introduced into a reduced reaction pipe of which temperature distribution is controlled, without use of H.sub.2 or He as a carrier gas. Thereby it is possible to control the amount of introduction of each of the elements of the compound semiconductor subjected to epitaxial growth.In addition, the temperature distribution within the reaction pipe is controlled and the temperature of the crystal substrate is maintained at a relatively low temperature to improve the quality of the growing crystal.

Abstract: A light absorption analyzer can work in either a reflection or a transmission mode, according to which probe head is fitted to it.Light is caused to be of a desired wavelength for the analysis by passing non-monochromatic light from a high-intensity flash tube source (which is not a point source) to an interference filter. Only parallel light emanating from the filter is focused by a concave parabolic mirror on a point where at least one fibre-optic collector is positioned. This light can then be passed directly to the probe for passage through the sample, since it is only light of a specified wavelength which will have travelled parallel from the filter and will therefore be focused at the point. Some of the light is taken off a reference detector to provide a reference signal for comparison with that derived from a test detetor fed by a return fibre-optic from the probe. A comparator is programmed to give a quantitiative readout of the absorption by the test sample.

Abstract: Laser light is irradiated on a multilayered magnetic thin film having a spin-glass characteristic consisting of a rare-earth metal and a conductive material, the film being heated to a predetermined temperature below the spin-glass transition temperature when recording information and heated to a temperature above the spin-glass transition temperature when erasing the information.

Abstract: A Spathiphyllum plant named Princess characterized by its relatively short growth habit, narrow and oblong thick dark green leaves, and relatively small and rounded white spathes which are carried above the leaves on straight, wiry pedicels.