Abstract: A method of optical imaging through a scattering medium is provided in which a fit is made to an inhomogeneous diffusion model. The method facilitates good differentiation between scattering and absorption. The variation of the diffusion curve associated with the presence of an inclusion is considered rather than the diffusion curve itself. An empirical model is provided which describes the variation of the diffusion curve. A linear curve fitting process is performed to provide two parameters, one parameter associated with the scattering property of the inclusion and the other parameter associated with the absorption property of the inclusion.

Abstract: Non-template 3' nucleotide addition to a transcript is reduced by transcribing a transcript from a template comprising an ultimate and/or penultimate 5' ribose having a C'2 substituent such as methoxy, which reduces non-template 3' nucleotide addition to the transcript. The methods are shown to be applicable to a wide variety of polymerases, including Taq, T7 RNA polymerase, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a room temperature wet chemical growth (RTWCG) process of SiO-based insulator coatings on silicon substrates for electronic and photonic (optoelectronic) device applications. The process includes soaking the Si substrates into the growth solution. The process utilizes a mixture of H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6, N-n-butylpyridinium chloride, redox Fe.sup.2+ /Fe.sup.3+ aqueous solutions, and a homogeneous catalyst.

Abstract: In general, the spatial resolution and repeatability of results using infrared detectors for examining printed circuit cards has been so poor that the devices have failed to achieve commercial success. These problems are overcome by a system including an isothermal enclosure for receiving a card to be tested, an infrared camera in the chamber defined by the enclosure, sensors for monitoring the temperature of the card and ambient temperature conditions in the chamber to derive signals indicative of the temperatures, and a computer connected to the camera and to the sensors for examining all signals to produce a three dimensional image of the sample, variations in the image from sample to sample being indicative of an anomaly in a sample.

Abstract: The most common method of determining whether a breast contains cancerous tissue utilizes ionizing radiation, i.e. x-rays, which possible have tissue damaging properties. It has been found that lasers can be used as a light source in a breast tissue transillumination process. However, due to the high scattering coefficient (or diffusing properties) of breast tissue, it is not possible to obtain images having good resolution using classical transillumination techniques, even when a laser is used as the light source. When passing through a diffusing medium, a laser pulse decomposes into three classes of photons, namely ballistic, snake-like and diffuse photons. In most practical situations, the ballistic photon portion of a laser pulse, which travels in a straight line, does not pass through the tissue, i.e. only snake-like and diffuse photons pass through the tissue.

Abstract: Reduction or cancellation of acoustic noise is achieved by providing an amplified, oppositely phased version of the noise by means of an acousto-fluidic amplifier. The amplified acoustic output noise is delivered through an impedance matching horn in destructively interfering relation with the original noise. Depending on the acoustic noise source and its spatial distribution, the acousto-fluidic amplifier may be a single stage amplifier or multiple stages connected in parallel and/or cascade, with output horns spatially distributed to have the maximum cancellation effect. Sensed noise, prior to fluidic amplification, may be processed in a manner to effect feedback or feedforward control of the amplified acoustic output signals.

Abstract: A placement apparatus for placing and mounting circuit components or devices in aligned combination with circuit boards. The apparatus includes an imaging system, a first stage moveable in first and second opposite directions between first and second predetermined positions, for positioning the circuit board onto which the component is to be placed within a field of view of the imaging system. A second stage, for holding the circuit component, is movably coupled to the first stage. The apparatus further includes a component pick-up system disposed about the first stage for picking up the circuit component from the second stage and placing the circuit component in a predetermined position on the first stage. The imaging system is coupled to a graphical user interface system for providing a position indicator on a monitor screen, wherein the position indicator identifies the location of a particular feature of the circuit board or the circuit component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the acquisition and analysis of electrocardiogram signals, to non-invasively detect and quantify presence of abnormal cardiac conduction patterns in patients at risk of heart disease, e.g. ventricular tachycardia; atrial fibrillation and flutter. Signals from the orthogonal X, Y and Z surface leads are amplified, digitized and either stored for later processing, or processed immediately. The incoming beats can either be R wave-triggered, aligned and ensemble-averaged for studies of patients at risk for ventricular pathologies such as ventricular tachycardia, or P wave-triggered, aligned and ensemble-averaged for studies of patients at risk for atrial pathologies, e.g. atrial fibrillation and flutter. QRS onset and offset, and P wave onset and offset, are calculated for ventricular and atrial post-analysis applications, respectively.

Abstract: A continuous oxygen content monitor has a reference electrode embedded in a powdered chrome-chrome-oxide mixture and a counter electrode embedded in an elongate alumina-graphite sleeve which acts as the probe support body. Two hallow and spacer ablative steel domes encase the reference electrode and an intermediate air gap spacing and provide insulation to prevent thermal shock from damaging the monitor during insertion into the metal melt. A circuit provides counter emf across the sensing electrodes to prevent ion depletion of the reference material.

Abstract: A computer power system comprises an AC-to-DC power supply for providing DC power to the computer during the presence of AC line power and a backup power supply for providing DC power from batteries directly to the DC operated components of the computer system, completely bypassing the AC to DC power supply, when AC line voltage is absent or low.

Abstract: A stable, non-aqueous liquid suspension of delayed boron cross-linkers comprises an anhydrous boron compound or a sparingly soluble borate suspended in a mixture of mineral spirits (commonly termed as naphtha) and a resin. Anhydrous boron compounds suitable for suspension include, but are not limited to, anhydrous borax, anhydrous boric acid, or a mixture of both the anhydrous borax and anhydrous boric acid. Sparingly soluble borates suitable for suspension include, but are not limited to, alkaline earth metal borates, alkali metal borates, or a mixture thereof. The mixture between the mineral spirits and resin produces a mineral spirits-resin solution. Alternatively, the mineral spirits may be replaced with a suitable oil which forms an oil-resin solution when mixed with the resin. The oil-resin solution suspends the anhydrous boron compound or the sparingly soluble borate to produce a stable, non-aqueous liquid suspension of delayed boron cross-linkers.

Abstract: A fluidic sound amplification system couples successive laminar proportional amplifiers through acoustic radiation between output and input horns to avoid the propagation of null offset signals. A second approach to obviating DC null bias in a fluidic sound amplification system comprises splitting the input signal, effecting a selected time delay on a portion of the signal such that the bandpass frequencies and dead zones or cancellation frequencies respectively of the amplified signals are 180.degree. out of phase and combine to produce a near uniform frequency response. A third approach is to use multiple parallel elements in each stage of amplification in such a manner that mechanical errors cancel each other out.

Abstract: A method of gelling a guar or derivatized guar polymer solution utilized to perform a hydraulic fracturing operation includes the step of adjusting the pH of the guar or derivatized guar polymer solution to between about 8.5 and 12.5. After adjusting the pH, an anhydrous boron compound or a sparingly soluble borate suspended in a mineral spirits-resin solution or an oil-resin solution is added to the guar or derivatized guar polymer solution. The guar or derivatized guar polymer solution and the anhydrous boron compound or the sparingly soluble borate solution suspended in the mineral spirits-resin solution or the oil-resin solution is then pumped into a subterranean formation under sufficient pressure to cause a fracture in the formation rock.

Abstract: A guidance type placement apparatus for placing and mounting integrated circuit (IC) components or devices, especially fine pitch integrated circuit devices (FPD), in aligned combination with printed circuit boards. The apparatus includes an image acquisition processing subsystem. The image acquisition subsystem is operative to generate images of at least one pair of diagonally opposed corners of the placement site and IC device from the same optical perspective.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of zirconium chelates are prepared by combining an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt with a solution of a zirconium compound. That preparation first involves formulating an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt through a stoichiometric reaction between an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids and a base. The stoichiometric reaction product consists of an approximately neutral solution of a corresponding alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt. The alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt is then added to a solution of a zirconium compound to produce a mildly acidic or basic solution of the corresponding zirconium alpha-hydroxycarboxylic chelate. Alternatively, the alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt may be pre-prepared and added in solid or liquid form to the zirconium compound before the zirconium compound is placed in solution so that the corresponding zirconium alpha-hydroxycarboxylic chelate is produced.

Abstract: A vortex chamber fluid pulser selectively produces pressure pulses in fluid flowing therethrough by the alternating insertion and retraction of a flow-disrupting tab into and out of an annular vortex chamber having an inlet and a pair of opposed axial outlets. Insertion of the tab disrupts the normally radial flow of fluid through the chamber and outlets causing the flow to become vortical; retraction of the tab causes a second pressure pulse as the flow returns to radial, sending a sequence of pressure pulses capable of carrying encoded signals to a transducer remotely located in the fluid.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device support tool which includes a device for providing a vacuum for holding an integrated circuit device to be soldered to a printed circuit board. The tool also includes a plurality of thin, pressure transferring members for pressing the leads of the integrated circuit device against a printed circuit board during soldering. The pressure transferring members are of a thin material so as not to provide a heat sink during the soldering operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resin coated particulates, the process of forming the particulates, and the particulates, utilization in petroleum well completions. More particularly, the present invention comprises the resin coated particulates and the process whereby the high strength particulate substrates are coated with a heat curable resin which is reacted with a formaldehyde source-metal compound (FS-MC) complex. The resultant resin coated particulates are less reactive or interactive with the fluids employed to convey those particulates during petroleum well completion operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resin coated particulates, the process of forming the particulates, and the particulates' utilization in petroleum well completions. More particularly, the present invention comprises the resin coated particulates and the process whereby the high strength particulate substrates are coated with a heat curable resin which is reacted with a formaldehyde source-metal compound (FS-MC) complex. The resultant resin coated particulates are less reactive or interactive with the fluids employed to convey those particulates during petroleum well completion operations.

Abstract: A combined radiative and convective rework system is provided for repair, replacement, removal and rework of an electronic component on a printed circuit board. The system includes a guide for guiding heat-inducing radiation and heated gas towards at least one lead of the electronic component, and for preventing the heat-inducing radiation from damaging the body of the component. A heater, including a source of infrared radiation, provides the heat-inducing radiation and the heated gas. In one embodiment, the guide includes a single funnel cooperative with apparatus for reducing component body heating. In second and third embodiments, the guide includes two concentric funnels which form a volume which is traversed by the heat-inducing radiation and heated gas, and which provide at least one narrow region of heat energy to at least one of the leads, but not directly to the component body.