Abstract: The extraction of phase information for radio frequency (RF) direction of rival is attained by pre-detect sensing and quantization of differential phase of a RF wave impinging on two or more antenna apertures, based on sensing and encoding differential phase without the use of conventional detection, and quantizing phase at or near the leading edge of a pulse signal. This is accomplished by detection of an intermediate frequency (IF) carrier, and encoding leading-edge phase (for each channel) in terms of near-phase-difference between two reference-oscillator readings containing the differential phase information--encoded as differential reference-oscillator phase. Precision angle-of-arrival is then derived from the measured differential reference-oscillator phase.

Abstract: A polarity change box for selectively reversing the polarity of balanced nals and for simultaneously monitoring control and data signals while injecting a test signal. The box includes an input connector and an output connector for receiving and transmitting signals, respectively, and a plurality of circuits for transmitting balanced signals. Each circuit includes a pair of input leads from the input connector and a pair of output leads from the output connector which are electrically connected to a double pole double throw switch. Test points are electrically connected to each output lead. The switch may be selectively positioned in a "normal", "inject", or "reverse" position. In the "normal" position, the first and second input leads are electrically connected to the first and second output leads, respectively, and the output signal has the same polarity as the input signal. In the "inject" position, the switch opens the circuit allowing a test signal to be injected.

Abstract: New lithium ion conducting materials comprise porphyrin rings. These materials function as sites through which the lithium ion passes. In one aspect of the invention, an electrolyte composition consists essentially of a major amount of a lithium porphyrin complex and a minor amount of a polymer binder. In another aspect, an electrolyte composition consists essentially of aligned and spaced lithium porphyrin complex rings, wherein alignment and spacing of the porphyrin rings is achieved through the use of ladder type polymers, comb-like polymers, or crystalline polymers.

Abstract: A method of predicting steady, incompressible fluid flow over a given geory is provided. The given geometry is modeled with a plurality of overlapping blocks. Pseudocompressibility equations are solved in an iterative process according to a finite differencing method. The solutions at each overlapped portion are used to update solutions of adjoining blocks. By linking the blocks through overlapping, the solution converges at a faster rate than if each block were solved for independently.

Abstract: The shape memory effect is displayed by near-equiatomic ruthenium alloys of Ta or Nb with compositions of Ta.sub.x Ru.sub.1-x where x can be as low as 0.38 and preferably x=0.44 to 0.63 and Nb.sub.x Ru.sub.1-x where x can be as low as 0.25 and preferably x=0.45 to 0.59 which exhibit a transition from the high-temperature cubic phase to a tetragonal phase. These alloys are prepared by melting together tantalum and ruthenium, or niobium and ruthenium, in the above mentioned ratios. A further embodiment of this invention is to alloy NiTi alloys with, one of these two ruthenium-based high-temperature alloys (i.e. either Ta--Ru or Nb--Ru) so as to obtain a similar behavior which will result in an increase in the transition temperature relative to unalloyed Ni--Ti.

Abstract: A video display with integrated control circuitry formed on a single dielectric substrate, includes a dielectric substrate; emitter cathodes formed on the dielectric substrate for emitting electrons; a window plate mounted a fixed distance from the substrate to define a vacuum chamber therebetween; phosphors mounted to the window plate which generate light when irradiated with the electrons; and field effect transistors mounted to the substrate which are electrically interconnected to the emitter cathodes for selectively controlling light emissions from the phosphors.

Abstract: A preparation of Saccharomyces strains is used for reducing colonization by human enteropathogenic bacteria in poultry. This is referred to as a defined competitive exclusion preparation. It is especially effective for both Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Abstract: A plasticizer-free propellant for inflating passenger airbags in vehicles mprising from about 78 to about 90 weight percent of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) and from about 10 to about 22 weight percent of a plasticizer-free polymer binder formed by curing a mixture of a polyoctenamer and a polymer comprising an acrylate polymer or a methacrylate polymer having a glass transition temperature of -30.degree. C. or lower and 0.01 to 5 weight percent based on the total amount of the monomers, of a crosslinking monomer having two or more double bonds of substantially the same reactivity in the molecule or one double bond and a crosslinking functional group such as an epoxide ring, a hydroxyl group, or a carbonyl group. This propellant is useful in hybrid inflators for air/safety bags in vehicles.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing layouts of building units on a quadrieral facility site, and layouts of personnel workstations and items of equipment (collectively "workplace elements") in quadrilateral subarea in the building units. There are inter-building-unit, and inter-workplace-element, operational criteria associated with the activity being performed in the facility. Multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) methodology is employed in optimizing building unit and workplace element configurations to suit the operational criteria. Measurement of population density index (PDI) is employed to judge whether candidate configurations of building units and workplace elements result in adverse crowdedness conditions. The PDI employed for this purpose is novel. The novelty of the PDI is its use of a "convex hull" (in the mathematical sense of the term) circumscribed about the perimetrical objects in a candidate configuration.

Abstract: A new portable apparatus and method for sequentially pumping blood headward to assist cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other medical procedures is disclosed. A pair of autocycling retrograde inflation trousers comprise calf and thigh encircling air bladders and abdomen covering air bladders connected in pneumatic series so that as the air bladders are filled starting with the furthermost (from the heart) calf encircling air bladders, the bladders sequentially fill to force, or milk, blood headward. The trousers are filled from an adjustable autocycling air pressure regulator connected to a standard fire department self-contained breathing apparatus air bottle. The air pressure regulator adjusts the air pressure between a higher pressure sufficient to force blood flow headward and a lower pressure sufficient to maintain peripheral vascular resistance. The autocycling inflation and deflation controlled by the air pressure regulator aids a heath care provider in timing CPR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of increasing the antigen presenting ability of monocytes by contacting them with an agent which increases the intracellular calcium level. Methods of obtaining the monocytes are also disclosed. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of inducing bone marrow progenitor cells and endothelial cells to express molecules involved in generating immune responses. Methods of modulating the expression of molecules involved in generating immune responses are also disclosed, as are methods of treating cancer and leukemia.

Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves: forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes an activatable adhesive layer which provides chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated. During separation the zone of cells of interest remains adhered to the transfer surface and is thus separated from the tissue sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides for circularly permuted ligands which possess specificity and binding affinity comparable to or greater than the specificity and binding affinity of the original (unpermuted) ligand. The invention further provides for novel chimeric molecules comprising a circularly permuted ligand joined to one or more molecules of interest.

Abstract: Compounds of the of the general formula La.sub.3-z Me.sub.z Ba.sub.3 Ca.sub.1-v Nc.sub.v Cu.sub.7 O.sub.16+x, wherein Me can be a rare earth metal or an alkaline metal ion selected from the group consisting of yttrium (Y), ytterbium (Yb), sodium (Na) and Nc can be a 2+ion selected from the group consisting of magnesium (Mg) and cadmium (Cd) have been prepared as the HTSC in thin film superconductors.

Abstract: Presented herein is an improved method to collect and recover microorganisms from environmental samples. The method of this invention comprises the steps of (a) obtaining a sample for testing and, optionally, suspending the sample in a suitable liquid, (b) amending the sample with sodium hexametaphosphate and, optionally, centrifuging the sample to remove solid sediments, insoluble salts, inert materials, and the like, (c) centrifuging the sample through a separation column amended with sodium hexametaphosphate, and (d) recovering the microorganism-containing material remaining above the column for analysis.

Abstract: Inventive electrical-computational method and system for aligning a magnetic gradiometer, and for determining magnetic gradients using a magnetic gradiometer which is inventively aligned. For each correlation of a correction magnetometer's vector with a reference magnetometer's vector, three correction coefficients and an offset coefficient are evaluated, using a mathematical approximation technique (such as least-squares) upon voltage outputs for various relative orientations of magnetic fields in relation to a magnetic gradiometer. An inventive matrix formula is used for determining magnetic gradients. A correction magnetometer matrix (matrix of voltages generated by each correction vector of the correction magnetometer) is multiplied by a coefficient matrix (matrix of correction and offset coefficients).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing the surface characteristics of a sample by Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) and Mass Spectroscopy of Recoiled Ions (MSRI) is provided. The method includes detecting back scattered primary ions, low energy ejected species, and high energy ejected species by ion beam surface analysis techniques comprising positioning a ToF SIMS/MSRI mass analyzer at a predetermined angle .theta., where .theta. is the angle between the horizontal axis of the mass analyzer and the undeflected primary ion beam line, and applying a specific voltage to the back ring of the analyzer. Preferably, .theta. is less than or equal to about 120.degree. and, more preferably, equal to 74.degree.. For positive ion analysis, the extractor, lens, and front ring of the reflectron are set at negative high voltages (-HV). The back ring of the reflectron is set at greater than about +700V for MSRI measurements and between the range of about +15 V and about +50V for SIMS measurements.

Abstract: A process for making a liposome preparation comprised of liposomes that contain an encapsulated material is disclosed. The process comprises (A) providing a plurality of portions of a lipid or liposome formulation; (B) hydrating each of the plurality of portions with a solution comprising a material to be encapsulated; and (C) combining each of the plurality of portions to form a single liposome preparation. The liposome preparations can be used for drug delivery or as vaccines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of purifying cholera toxin using a matrix with at least one ion chosen from among matrix with Ni.sup.+2, Co.sup.+2, Cd.sup.2 or Zn.sup.+2 immobilized thereon. It is possible thereby to selectively elute the B subunit for cholera toxin from the matrix.