Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the general formula: wherein A is a aromatic hydrocarbon ring system and R1 is a carbon bound directly to an oxygen and is also bound to a nitrogen through a saturated carbon and wherein at least one of R2, R3 and R4 is an electron-rich substituent. The active agents are useful for treating patients suffering from infections including gram positive organisms, such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, anthracis, gram negative bacteria such as neisseria species, yeasts and mycobacterium. They are effective against strains which have shown resistance to other antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: A vehicle designed to survive mines exploding underneath it has an impact absorbing seat assembly for holding a human occupant of the vehicle. The assembly includes a seat having lower and upper seat members and includes a mechanism connected to the floor and the seat for absorbing the impact of the vehicle floor's buckling upward due to a mine blast. A plate is connected to the lower seat member just behind the legs of the occupant, and the plate swings on a hinge mounted to the lower seat member. In its normal position, the plate forms an acute angle with the floor and a lip of the plate contacts the floor such that the lip curves away from the seat. When the floor buckles upward, the plate swings outward relative to the seat, carrying the occupant's legs with it, thereby avoiding a vertical load transferring from the floor up the occupant's legs to the occupant's knees.

Abstract: Compositions and methods employing the compositions for attracting arthropods. The compositions comprise at least one compound of formula I and at least one compound from group II.

Abstract: An electrode for electrochemical uses is made of a conductive metal mesh coated with boron-doped diamond. The electrode may be used in electrochemical reactions either as a cathode or as an anode, or can be used with an alternating current.

Abstract: Methods of genetic transformation of plants utilizing the cyanamide hydratase gene as a selectable marker are disclosed. Methods of producing fertile plants which have the ability to convert cyanamide into a nitrogen source are described.

Abstract: An aircraft missile vulnerability reduction system based on missile hit acceptance whereby a targeted aircraft's most critical components are protected by a preprogrammed, missile-attracting infrared decoy strategically positioned on a sacrificial portion of the aircraft's structure. The decoy is optimally located based on vulnerability analyses and includes multiple modes of operation that configure to instantaneous survivability needs. The system is capable of providing aircraft survivability against shoulder launched man-portable air defense systems missiles during low-level mission flight scenarios.

Abstract: A method for converting methane hydrates to methanol, as well as hydrogen, through exposure to light. The process includes conversion of methane hydrates by light where a radical initiator has been added, and may be modified to include the conversion of methane hydrates with light where a photocatalyst doped by a suitable metal and an electron transfer agent to produce methanol and hydrogen. The present invention operates at temperatures below 0° C., and allows for the direct conversion of methane contained within the hydrate in situ.

Abstract: A rotating machine (e.g., a turbine, motor or generator) is provided wherein a fixed solenoid or other coil configuration is disposed adjacent to one or both ends of the active portion of the machine rotor for producing an axially directed flux in the active portion so as to provide planar axial control at single or multiple locations for rotor balance, levitation, centering, torque and thrust action. Permanent magnets can be used to produce an axial bias magnetic field. The rotor can include magnetic disks disposed in opposed, facing relation to the coil configuration.

Abstract: A monitor is disclosed that presents a negligible load to a hardwired interface, provides electrical isolation between all of the interconnected equipment, adds no significant delay to the interface data, provides for maximum reliability of interface operation, provides for remote operation of the monitoring function, provides for noise immune reception of interface data, maintains interface controlled impedance, provides for ease of installation, and does not perturb system operation in any significant way.

Abstract: A bicone antenna that facilitates the passage of cables for at least one other radiating antenna. The bicone antenna has a plurality of inductive shorts spaced approximately one-quarter wavelength (at the cut-in frequency) from the antenna axis. Each inductive short provides a pathway for a cable for another antenna. Consequently, an antenna cable from each of one or more other antennas can be led to a center point on the bicone antenna, directed radially along a cone to an inductive short, led through the inductive short and directed along the surface of the other cone to the center line. The outer conductor of each antenna cable attaches to an antenna surface.

Abstract: Tensile loading is applied to a notched specimen bar through the base of a fixture grip having a pair of interfitting pieces releasably held assembled in a fixture position in axial abutment with the base and in engagement with the specimen bar by means of a pair of fastener bolts, one of which is loosened so as to act as a hinge accommodating pivotal displacement of the interfitting pieces from the fixture position upon removal of the other fastener bolts.

Abstract: A fungal Ldh protein and a gene have been isolated from Rhizopus oryzae. Host organisms transformed with expression vectors containing this gene produce optically pure, or enhanced levels of L-(+)-lactic acid not characteristic of the wild type organisms. These transformants will be useful for providing an increased supply of lactic acid for use in food and industrial applications.

Abstract: A spatial RAM system uses the position of a data sensor to generate a clock pulse that is used to trigger data acquisition. As a consequence, the errors associated with time-based clock sampling are avoided. This enables more accurate sampling of data at locations desired in space and more easily allows for non-uniform sampling.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to identify chafing of a conduit, thereby reducing the failure of any system which would be damaged or whose function would be impaired by abrasion of the conduit. Such a system may carry electrical power, fuel, other fluid, hydraulics, pneumatics, optical, or electromagnetic signals. Wear caused by rubbing against external structures is detected by wrapping the conduit with a sensing element, which may be a conductive wire, waveguide, fiber optic cable, or a tube (wound around the conduit or enclosing it) that holds a fluid under pressure. The sensing element is positioned so that chafing on the conduit electrically contacts, breaks, or punctures the sensing element well before the conduit fails.

Abstract: The general purpose of the invention is to develop a high specific energy nickel electrode for a nickel based battery system. The invention discloses a method of producing a lightweight nickel electrode which can be cycled to deep depths of discharge (i.e., 40% or greater of electrode capacity). These deep depths of discharge can be accomplished by depositing the required amount of nickel hydroxide active material into a lightweight nickel fiber substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new class of novel inorganic-organic hybrid ceramics that are formed from novel linear polymers of varying molecular weight and varying carborane content.

Abstract: A system and method to tenderize and sterilize meat provides for uninterrupted processing of batches of meat and avoids delays and possibility of contamination of the meat. A conveyer belt carries batches of meat through liquid in a container. First and second arrays of electro-mechanical transducers are disposed in the liquid. The first array of electro-mechanical transducers is arranged facing one side of the conveyer belt and batch of meat, and the second array of electromechanical transducers is arranged facing the other side of the conveyer belt and meat. The first and second arrays of electro-mechanical transducers are oriented and controlled to simultaneously project converging shock waves of energy to and into the batch of meat. Other batches of meat are placed on and picked up from the conveyer belt by feeder and pick-up conveyers to provide for continuous tenderizing and/or sterilizing without introducing contaminations.

Abstract: An electronic device characterized by a 10-300 micron thick sapphire crystal substrate having a polished off a-plane growth surface, a 10-1000 angstrom thick nucleating layer disposed on the substrate for promoting film growth thereon, and a 0.1-10 micron thick semiconducting film disposed on the nucleating layer.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine utilizing hydrogen, natural gas or other alternate fuel is described which includes a pressure vessel for containing liquid fuel in a first compartment and gaseous fuel in a second compartment, the compartments separated by a movable piston configured to maintain the fuel in liquid and gaseous phases by maintaining constant, but different pressures, respectively, in the two compartments regardless of fuel quantity in either compartment. A thermal expansion system interconnecting the two compartments draws fuel from the first compartment and expands the fuel to a superheated gas into the second compartment for transfer to the engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capture and containment canister which reduces the risk of radiation and other biohazard exposure to workers, the need for a costly containment hut and the need for the extra manpower associated with the hut. The present invention includes the design of a canister having a specially designed magnetic ring that attracts and holds the top of the canister in place during modifications to gloveboxes and other types of radiological and biochemical hoods. The present invention also provides an improved hole saw that eliminates the need for a pilot bit.