Abstract: A torque sensing system is provided in a coupling connecting a drive and driven shaft by tension members that transmit torque from one shaft to the other through tension in the tension members at least one of which is provided with a sensor to sense the tensile stress in one of the members and to provide a signal indicating the tension (torque) applied through the tension members. If desired, an axially extending column element may be positioned between the two shafts to absorb axial thrust of between the shafts and a second sensor sensing the stress in the column may be used to determine thrust substantially independent of torque. The system may be used to detect off-axis loads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for achieving symbol (frame) synchronization of digital data in an OFDM channel such as an OFDM/FM radio link. The method and apparatus are suitable for use in a pure ALOHA environment because synchronization is achieved on a frame-by-frame basis. The required bandwidth overhead is less than 10%. The bit-error-rate performance achievable with this technique is within 1.5 dB of the performance assuming ideal synchronization. The method and apparatus provide a three-stage synchronization process. First the onset of an ODFM frame is detected. Second, coarse synchronization is achieved by sampling the received signal, and measuring the correlation between the received signal and a reference signal. Coarse synchronization provides synchronization to within .+-.1/2 sample period. The correlation is preferably carried out in the frequency domain after carrying out a Fast Fourier Transform on the sampled signal data.

Abstract: An electrode is used the connecting apparatuses to the skin surface of a living body. It includes a tube having an end and a plurality of hard, resilient wires extending outwardly from the end of the tube. The wires have splayed ends in a brush-tip-like arrangement having an end formed by the spaced-apart wires which is multi-pointed and abrasive.

Abstract: A novel therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, in particular in cystic fibrosis patients, is described. Macrophages provide the first line of defence in protecting the lung against bacterial infections. Nonetheless, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections continue to be problematic in cystic fibrosis patients and are the leading cause of death in these patients. Previously, little was known regarding the factors which regulate the capacity of macrophages to mediate phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The inventors have now shown that phagocytosis of nonopsonized Pseudomonas aeruginosa by macrophages is dependent upon the presence of glucose. They have also shown that the action of glucose is on the macrophage rather than the bacteria. Glucose therapy can therefore be used to prevent or combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Abstract: A new static memory cell based on the bistable operation of a three-terminal four layer semiconductor device working in the forward blocking state is disclosed. The power consumption of the memory cell is low. The switching speed of the memory cell is in the nanosecond range. The memory cell may be integrated into VLSI processes and is of a size suitable for VLSI applications. The memory cell comprises a semiconductor device which comprises: an n-type semiconductor cathode region; a p-type semiconductor gate region; a third semiconductor region adjacent the gate region; a fourth region adjacent the third semiconductor region; and a hole-injecting boundary between the third semiconductor region and the fourth region. The semiconductor device is preferably a p-n-p-n device. The gate current-voltage characteristics of the device comprise a negative resistance region. The device is designed to operate in a forward blocking low current state.

Abstract: A mandible repositioning appliance formed by an upper bite block and a lower bite block interconnected by an adjustable mechanism including a posterior section connected to the rear portion of the upper bite block and an anterior section connected to the front portion of the lower bite block and an adjustable interconnection between the anterior and posterior sections. Preferably the adjustable interconnection will include a double thread element rotation of which changes the relative positions of the posterior and interior sections axially of the appliance and abutments to define each incremental rotation of the element. The comfort of the wearer is further improved by using a heat sensitive material in the tooth retention sections and by permitting limited relative lateral movement between the bite blocks.

Abstract: A group of novel expanded porphyrin-like compounds, porphacyanine (Pc) and porphacyanine-like compounds, having absorption maxima in the range of 400-850 nanometers is useful in detecting and treating targeted tissues, cells and viruses. The use of the Pc of the invention permits the irradiation to comprise wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Pc of the invention may also be conjugated to target-specific moieties such as immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits greater depth of treatment penetration and greater specificity in targeting tissues or cells. Coupled with an appropriate paramagnetic ion or radioisotope, the Pc of the invention is suitable for use in nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and radioimaging.

Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers is useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating virus, cells and tissues generally to destroy unwanted targets. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation for therapy to use wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptor or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: The desired path for each axis is predefined and converted to a first series of coarse position increments at time intervals. The coarse position increments are converted to a second series of spaced, (in time), fine position increments and expected values of velocity v. The latter parameters requiring splining and interpolation of values. The actual position of each axis is measured and compared with that required (by the fine series of position increments) to determine the resulting error E which is then compared with a calculated allowable error, e.sub.allowable calculated as a function of the then current planned velocity value v i.e. the planned value of velocity v corresponding to the current fine position increment and a signal is triggered when the actual error E exceeds the allowable error e.sub.allowable to prevent processing of the next increment in the second series of increments.

Abstract: A robot suitable for micro-surgical application is formed by a robot arm having a position adjustable free end on which are mounted with their respective stators in fixed relationship a master and a slave robot. The position and actuation of the moving element of the master (master floater) and the moving element of the slave (slave floater) are used to couple their moment such that the master floater motion and forces are scaled down and followed by the slave and the slave floater motion and forces are scaled up and followed by the master. The sensed environment forces on the slave floater and sensed hand (environment) forces on the master can be used to improve the coordination between the master and the slave.

Abstract: A platform is mounted by bellows, at least one for each degree of freedom (DOF) of the platform. The bellows may provide either an active or a passive mounting for the platform. By arranging a suitable number of such bellows in supporting relationship a platform or floater for example six degrees freedom can be provided. Using pneumatic bellows in opposed pairs, one pair for each degree of freedom and by controlling the pressure in (and flow to) the bellows selected forces may be applied to the platform to accurately position the platform or to provide feedback for a sensory control e.g. as reflected force applied to the joystick. The position and orientation of the platform, i.e. movement of the platform, may be used to generate signals for example as in a joystick. Sensing the pressure in each of the bellows of each of the pairs permits the forces being applied by or to the platform to be monitored.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the synthesis and use as therapeutic agents of a group of substances with a glycerol backbone or aliphatic chain structure linked to a phosphorus atom and a polar head group. Depending on the polar head group, the substance has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy or anti-cardiovascular disease properties. Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 0 to 14 and R.sub.1 is an alkyl group of C.sub.12 -C.sub.20, R.sub.2 is a methyl group, and wherein R.sub.3 is an inositol analog head group, a (CH.sub.2).sub.m N.sup.+ (CH.sub.3).sub.3 group with m=2 to 10, a serine head group, or an ethanolamine head group, or of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as described above, n=0 or 1, and R.sub.3 is (CH.sub.2).sub.m N.sup.+ (CH.sub.3).sub.3 (m=2-10 ) are claimed.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for selectively removing antimony and bismuth from an impure sulphuric acid solution containing at least 50 g/L of acid and some concentration of ferric ion (for example copper refinery electrolyte), is disclosed. The method involves contacting the impure solution with a sufficient quantity of finely divided metallic copper so as to prereduce all ferric ion present in the solution to the ferrous oxidation state. The prereduced solution is then contacted with a chelating resin. The method avoids the deleterious loading of ferric iron onto the ion exchange resin and prevents the return of excessive amounts of chloride ion with the purified electrolyte.

Abstract: A fusion protein that can function as a removable label is prepared containing a polypetide such as an enzyme and an amino acid sequence having a substrate binding region of a polysaccharidase such as cellulase that has essentially no polysaccharidase activity. By contacting the fusion protein with a .beta.-1,4 glycan matrix such as cellulose, the substrate binding region binds to the matrix to immobilize the polypeptide. The polypetide or fusion protein can be removed from the matrix with a protease capable of cleaving a specific protease cleavage site, or with a solution having a low ionic strength or a high pH. The fusion protein can be prepared by recombinant DNA technology.

Abstract: A hydraulic system incorporating a double acting piston and cylinder and a bi-directional pump/motor derives energy from a drive system when operating in the pump mode and delivers energy to the drive system when in the pump mode and includes a circulation valve for supplementing fluid flow to and from and fluid supply in accordance with the unequal demands of the chambers driving the hydraulic actuator in one direction or the other by circulating fluid between the chambers.

Abstract: A method of determining the noise content of a video signal by digitizing a frame based on the video signal to provide a digitized signal which is then filtered via a high pass filter. The filtered image is then divided into a plurality of subimages and the noise signal in each of the subimages is determined from a selected number of subimages having the lowest noise signal are further processed to determine the average noise in the selected subimages and the signal-to-noise ratio determined. The carrier-to-noise ratio may also be determined if desired.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated in a fluidized bed reactor by reacting gases namely steam and a hydrocarbon gas such as methane or natural gas in a fluidized bed of particulate catalytic material. The catalytic material is fluidized by injecting the mixture of the reacting gases at the bottom of the bed. Hydrogen generated within the bed is removed via a selectively permeable membrane that extends through the bed and through a freeboard area above the bed. The reaction is endothermic and therefore heat to maintain the bed at the desired temperature is added as required. Preferably a separator separates particulate catalytic material entrained in the gases in the freeboard area and delivers the particulate material separated from the gas back into the bed.

Abstract: A method for reducing the effect of a composite triple beat (CTB) of a visual image is obtained by digitizing the signal for the image frame, dividing the digital signal into a plurality of stripes extending perpendicular to the horizontal lines of the image to form subpictures and determining the average intensity of the signal in each of the horizontal lines of each of the subpictures. An average value for each of the lines in each of the subpictures is then obtained and the component of the signal forming the composite triple beat signal for each line of each subpicture is estimated. Then the estimated triple beat signal is subtracted from its corresponding portion of the digitized signal to provide corrected subpictures. The corrected subpictures are then recombined to form a clean signal providing the cleaned visual image.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel device for compressing and injecting gaseous fuel from a variable pressure gaseous fuel supply into a fuel receiving apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to an intensifier-injector which compresses and injects gaseous fuel from a variable pressure source into the cylinder of a positive displacement engine. An intensifier-injector for gaseous fuels in internal combustion engines comprising means which utilizes the compressed gas from the chamber of the internal combustion engine or compressed fluid or gas from an external compressor to drive an intensifier means which raises the pressure of fuel gas supplied to the internal combustion engine for rapid late-cycle injection into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the movement of an end point of an articulated arm in the x, y and z directions using a manually operated resolved motion control by controlling the component of velocity of the end point in each of the x, y and z directions to change by the same amount for a given change in the component of displacement of the manual controller in the respective x, y and z directions provided the total displacement in the selected x, y or z direction is less than a preselected displacement in the respective x, y or z direction and the end point is within a preselected work space.