Abstract: A porous glass optical fiber sensor, a method for its use, and a method for its manufacture. The sensor includes a glass optical fiber for conveying light, the fiber having a surface of interconnected and permeable chambers within the fiber, for optically sensing within the chambers. An indicator can be applied to the surface for sensing. The sensor is made by: first, drawing the fiber; second, heat treating the fiber to induce phase separation; and third, leaching a phase from the fiber. Thereafter, an indicator, such as a pH or moisture indicator, can be applied to the fiber for sensing. The sensor is used in conjunction with a light source, a light detector, and means for measuring change in the light caused by an agent within the porosity of the sensor.

Abstract: Treatment with solutions of alkali metal bicarbonates extends the shelf life of seafood by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause spoilage and odors, and improve the texture and moisture retention of the seafood.

Abstract: The construction and manufacturing technique for a functional biocompatible intervertebral disc spacer is described. This device is useful for a replacement for a degenerated disc in certain treatments of back pain and spinal disease. The disc spacer possesses mechanical properties skin to those of the normal disc and will preserve normal functions of the spinal motion segment. The device achieves the desired properties by varying the hardness of the elastomeric material in its nucleus and annulus.

Abstract: A pressure waveform monitor noninvasively monitors the pressure waveform in an underlying vessel such as an artery. The apparatus comprises at least one/continuous, relatively thin and narrow diaphragm mounted in a housing to be placed on the tissue overlying the vessel of interest. The diaphragm is longer than the diameter of the vessel for purposely monitoring pressure in the tissue adjacent the vessel of interest. The tonometer also comprises deformation sensor means for measuring deformation of the diaphragm both over the vessel and adjacent the vessel, and signal processing means for combining the waveform of the vessel as monitored by the part of the diaphragm over the vessel with the waveforms of adjacent tissue to accurately determine the actual pressure waveform in the vessel.

Abstract: An actuator system provides force feedback to a dextrous master glove. A first, second and third digit support are connectable by hook and loop fasteners to the thumb, index and middle digits of the glove, respectively. First, second and third actuators comprising pneumatic cylinders extend between the first, second and third digit supports and an "L" shaped palm support mountable on the palm of the glove. Sensors mounted on the back of the glove provide electrical signals that are interpreted by a glove interface and forwarded to a host computer. The host computer computes the movement of the glove and provides feedback through a digital-to-analog circuit, and an actuator interface to the first, second and third actuators. Sphere joints connect the first, second and third actuators to the palm support. Each sphere joint includes an air passageway that communicates with the pneumatic force feedback cylinders in the actuators.

Abstract: An injection assembly for short path thermal desorption apparatus used in a gas chromatography-detector unit (GC-DET) for systems, methods and techniques such as a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. The short path thermal desorption apparatus has a housing defining an upper compartment, and a desorption compartment. The injection assembly is disposed exterior of the housing and is actuated from a disengaged position to an engaged position with the gas chromatography unit by a suitable gas powered cylinder assembly mounted in the upper compartment and includes a desorption tube for collecting and storing the sample compound to be analyzed, means for passing a carrier gas therethrough to desorb the sample component when the desorption unit is heated, and a needle injector for passing the desorbed sample component to the GC-DET system for identification and quantification of the sample component.

Abstract: Apparatus for taking dental x-rays used in performing subtraction radiography, includes an appliance for holding a dental x-ray film at a fixed position with respect to the teeth of a person, the appliance including a dental mold for holding the appliance in a fixed position on the teeth of the person, and a connecting member for holding the x-ray film in a fixed position relative to the teeth of the person and being mounted to the mold such that the x-ray film is positioned in the mouth at a set position; a magnetic source mounted at a fixed position in a room for producing a time-varying low frequency magnetic field; a magnetic sensor for sensing the magnetic field and for producing an output signal in response thereto, the magnetic sensor being mounted to the connecting member so as to be fixed in position relative to the x-ray film; an x-ray source for exposing the x-ray film; a robot manipulator having at least five degrees of freedom for moving the x-ray source in relation to the x-ray film, and having

Abstract: A method of coating ceramic powders, e.g. Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, with a sintering aid and of utilizing such coated powders to form green and sintered ceramic bodies comprises treating a dispersion of the powder with a solution of a sintering aid forming compound at a pH such that the zeta potential of the ceramic powder is of opposite charge with respect to the sintering aid in solution such that the sintering aid forming material is chemisorbed as a uniform monomolecular layer on the surface of the ceramic powder.

Abstract: A short path thermal desorption apparatus for use in a gas chromatoagraphy-detector unit (GC-DET) such as a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system has a housing defining an upper compartment, and a desorption compartment. An upper front panel on the housing has an elongated longitudinally disposed opening which provides communication between the upper compartment and the exterior of the housing. An injection assembly is disposed at the exterior of the housing adjacent the upper front panel and is actuated from a disengaged position to an engaged position with the gas chromatography unit by a suitable gas powered cylinder mounted in the upper compartment.

Abstract: A novel Type II restriction endonuclease isolated from Frankia species DDB13250120 is provided. The enzyme, designated FseI, recognizes the octanucleotide sequence ##STR1## and cleaves Adenovirus 2 DNA at the sites indicated by the arrows.

Abstract: A DNA fragment containing a gene encoding a fatty acid desaturase enzyme is isolated. The gene is then employed by introducing it into other cells to alter or enhance the production of oils in such cells, alternatively the gene or nucleic acid sequences of the gene can be employed to isolate other genes encoding for related, but different desaturase enzymes.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus has at least two elongated piercing elements which slide in elongated collars or sleeves between open retracted positions and closed gripping positions. The piercing elements define an angle and they move toward the vertex of the defined angle when they move from the open position to the closed position. The orientation of the piercing elements and their path of travel are such that objects are reliably and securely held when the piercing elements are in their closed positions and positively released when the piercing elements are in their open positions. A sensor may be provided with the gripping apparatus to sense the presence or condition of the gripped object. The gripping apparatus is especially useful in grasping the root masses of plants for transplanting purposes.

Abstract: Vapor deposition of a thin film is accomplished by employing a pulsed laser to irradiate at least a region of a homogeneous stoichiometric complex material pellet with sufficient energy density to accomplish congruent evaporation of constituents of the material. The energy density is further at least sufficient to cause at least a predetermined portion, a central forward lobe, of the evaporant to have approximately the same stoichiometry as the irradiated material. A substrate is positioned to allow deposit thereon of that lobe portion of the evaporant as a thin film.

Abstract: An electronic position sensor and a pneumatic microactuator form a portable robot master that may be operated by the fingers of a user's hand in the same, natural manner that the user would normally grasp an object to be finger manipulated. The master requires only two contact points to secure its ends to the user's fingers and to be manipulated by the user. The master includes a compact, hand-held unit that fits within the space defined by the user's palm and fingers, and functions as a position controller for a robot having a dextrous hand. The position sensor includes a linear variable differential transformer having an output signal that is proportional to the distance between the user's fingers, i.e. the two contact points, that are used to manipulate the master. A force feedback system, including the pneumatic micro-actuator, senses forces exerted by end effectors on the robot hand and causes a corresponding force to be exerted by the user.

Abstract: A seedling discovered growing in a cultivated area in a row of seedlings resulting from a cross between Robinia hispida, and Robinia pseudoacacia, and noticed because of its more vigorous, narrow upright crown of branches, and particularly at the time of blooming for its abundant purple pea-shaped flowers.

Abstract: An F.sub.1 hybrid of Cornus kousa Hance and C. florida L. providing a new large-bracted dogwood, which is an exceptionally vigorous, highly floriferous, small, flowering tree, more nearly like C. florida, being full and spreading in habit rather than vase-shaped as in C. kousa, yet considerably larger as compared with C. florida, and having a period of floral display that is intermediate to that of the parental species.

Abstract: The outstanding characteristics of the cultivar hereof comprise the white bracted display over a period of time typical of most plants of C. florida, an important distinguishing element of this new hybrid comprising the fruit which are bright red and much larger than the fruit typical for C. florida being nearly tubular or almost uniformly cylindrical in shape, the volume of the fruit being substantially greater than the volume of fruit of other cultivars, the vegetative and floral parts being winter-hardy in the region of New Brunswick, N.J.

Abstract: The plant hereof is notable for its dark red floral bracts and rather small compact form of tree characterized by branching of a densely profuse form being more dense than other clones of C. florida.

Abstract: An F.sub.1 male asparagus hybrid which is moderately resistant to asparagus rust (puccinia asparagi), tolerant to root and crown rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi) as well as stem and crown rot (F. moniliforme), capable of producing high yields of high quality asparagus in many locations.

Abstract: A male asparagus plant developed from a persistent green male parent and because when crossed with a normal female plant, produces only male progeny and is thus homogametic for maleness, and is a hybrid that is superior in specific asparagus growing regions which may have long, dry growing seasons.