Abstract: An improved method is provided for extracting the edge boundary of an object presented as an ultrasound video image, in particular the edge boundary of the LV of the heart, which includes preprocessing algorithms, contour extraction algorithms and knowledge based contour following algorithms.

Abstract: A heating element assembly for a radiant heating device with a metallic heating element in series with non-metallic heating elements, with a plurality of ceramic or metal-ceramic coolers which are used to connect the heating elements to each other. The heating elements and the coolers are formed by micropyretic synthesis.

Abstract: A portable, gravity-type peritoneal dialysis cycler for controlling during each dialysis cycle the volumetric flows of an exchange fluid into and out of the peritoneal space of a patient, and the dwell time of the exchange fluid therein. The cycler comprises an easily assembled vertical stand supporting a load cell from which a pair of exchange fluid filled bags are suspended above the level of the patient's peritoneal space and a pair of drain bags are suspended therebelow. The single load cell is connected to an electronic scale circuit. A single tube is connected at one end to a surgically implanted catheter leading to the patient's peritoneal space, and at its other end to a "Y" fitting connected to a tube assembly from the exchange fluid bags and to a tube assembly leading to the drain bags. The fluid exchange bag and the drain bag tube assemblies are easily inserted into and controlled by zero loading force, normally closed, solenoid control valves.

Abstract: A method for joining a ceramic or metal ceramic electrical heating element to a electrical terminal is disclosed, the heating element having been manufactured using micropyretic synthesis, the method for joining comprising the steps of preparing the electrical terminal by blending a combustible mixture and fashioning the mixture into a desired wet and uncombusted shape for the terminal, attaching the terminal to the element, drying the terminal portion of the terminal-element attachment and combusting the terminal portion of said terminal-element attachment by ignition at a temperature between about 150.degree. C. and 1800.degree. C. An electrical terminal is disclosed, the terminal having been formed by micropyretic synthesis of a specific combustible composition.

Abstract: Electrical heating elements and related articles having oxidation resistance at high temperatures, produced by a method involving micropyretic synthesis. A composition subjected to micropyretic synthesis includes a filler material, a reactive system capable of undergoing micropyretic synthesis, and (optionally) a plasticizer or extrusion agent. The method of preparation of articles includes slurry techniques, plastic extrusion, slip casting, or coating.

Abstract: An optical waveguide H-tree design is provided for global clock distribution on multichip modules (MCM) which has nearly zero clock skew and is useful for a distributed computer system environment. The optical waveguide H-tree design utilizes channel waveguides, curved sections and directional couplers formed using silica glass and silicon oxynitride (SiON) channel waveguide technologies. A hybrid combination of both SiON and silica glass is disclosed which has the advantages of each. The achievable clock speed is limited by the laser diode source and photodiode receiver at each chip module, and not by the optical waveguide distribution network. The high-speed optical waveguide can be configured to transmit clock signals, or for use as a multi-wavelength communication network that communicates signals to various integrated circuits (ICs) mounted on the multichip module. This is achieved using multiple laser diodes having different output wavelengths and directing their outputs into an optical multiplexer.

Abstract: A method to aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in a living patient is disclosed which tests cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from the patient. The CSF is tested using a Western blot analysis to determine the presence of an antigen present in soluble paired helical filaments which specifically binds to the monoclonal antibody produced by hybridoma ATCC HD11079.

Abstract: A slurry for joining metallic or ceramic surfaces or for coating metallic or ceramic and refractory surfaces, comprising a liquid suspending medium and at least two constituents in particulate form suspended in the medium, the constituents being so selected and proportioned as to undergo combustion synthesis when ignited. A method for coating or joining metallic or ceramic surfaces comprises applying such a slurry to a surface to be coated or to surfaces to be joined, and igniting the slurry to cause combustion synthesis.

Abstract: A slurry for joining metallic or ceramic surfaces or for coating metallic or ceramic and refractory surfaces, comprising a liquid suspending medium and at least two constituents in particulate form suspended in the medium, the constituents being so selected and proportioned as to undergo combustion synthesis when ignited. A method for coating or joining metallic or ceramic surfaces comprises applying such a slurry to a surface to be coated or to surfaces to be joined, and igniting the slurry to cause combustion synthesis.

Abstract: An improved vibration-free mounting system for sample cooling and low temperature and precision spectroscopy in which a closed-cycle helium refrigerator mechanism is to be mounted adjacent to a cold test chamber to enable efficient sample cooling. The system includes a first rigid support structure which receives and supports the refrigerator mechanism, and a second rigid support structure independently receiving and supporting a shroud having a cold test chamber for housing test samples on a sample holder. The second support structure is physically isolated from the first structure to prevent the transfer of vibrations therebetween, and the first and second structures are rigidly aligned with one another along a vertical axis. A gas envelope vibration isolating connection is provided between the refrigerator mechanism and the shroud for providing thermal communication for efficient sample cooling.

Abstract: A method and composition for stabilizing and isolating hazardous, radioactive or mixed waste materials of particulate and solid types, which comprises providing a non-toxic one component aqueous mixture of an acrylic polymer containing a thixotropic agent, a vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer containing a thixotropic agent, or a vinyl chloride copolymer latex containing a thixotropic agent, and applying the mixture over surfaces of hazardous material in an amount sufficient to form a flexible impermeable coating or foam. The mixture may be applied by spraying to form a coating having a thickness of about 0.5 to about 5.0 centimeters when dry. The coated waste material may then be disposed of in conventional manner.

Abstract: A solid state microanemometer is micromachined from a crystal to a shape with four thick external sides that define an outer rectangle, four thin sections that define an inner rectangle and four diagonally directed branches interconnecting the corners of the outer rectangle to the inner rectangle. Four semiconductor resistors located on the four inner sections form a sensing bridge. Each external side has a pair of electrical contacts that are electrically interconnected, via conductive leads that extend along the diagonal branches and partially along the inner sections, to one of the semiconductor resistors. The physically connected semiconductor resistors and external sides form a rugged solid state device, while thermal and electrical isolation of the resistors from each other permits higher operating temperatures and improved fluid flow sensing capability.

Abstract: A multi-well diode is disclosed which can be used with other electronic components as an electronic neuron circuit. The multi-well diode has an S-shaped current-voltage characteristic curve at forward bias whereby it remains in a low conductance state until its threshold voltage is exceeded, then switches through an unstable region of its characteristic curve into a high conductance state. The multi-well diode remains in the high conductance state until its bias voltage and current drops below its holding condition, at which time it switches into a low conductance state. The multi-well diode can be used in a pulse-mode input circuit, thereby generating a pulse-mode output signal which can have a different amplitude and frequency than the input signal. Such pulse-mode input circuits can be either excitatory or inhibitory in operation.

Abstract: A process for producing a porous ceramic, ceramic composite or metal-ceramic composite structure by combustion synthesis wherein a foamed polymer shape is impregnated with a slurry of ceramic precursors and ignited to initiate combustion synthesis, thereby obtaining a ceramic, ceramic composite or metal-ceramic composite article having interconnected porosity. Ceramic composite filters having improved strength, toughness and thermal shock resistance are provided, with the ceramic composite being an oxide and a nonoxide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing image data elements used to form a gray scale image are disclosed. The apparatus includes an adaptive neighborhood mask that is applied to a group of data image elements centered about a selected pixel to segregate the elements into center and surround regions about the selected element or pixel. The mask further modifies the elements with weighting factors to derive a contrast vector for the selected data elements in the adaptive neighborhood. This vector is compared to a smoothing window and a pair of edge enhancement windows to determine whether the selected element requires smoothing or enhancement to more clearly define a surface or an edge, respectively. If the element requires smoothing or enhancing, its gray scale value is modified, otherwise it is not modified. The device performs this task for each data element.

Abstract: An iodide-doped, polythienylene coated electrode suitable for a potentiometric iodide ion sensor and a method for its manufacture are disclosed. The electrode is prepared by polymerizing the polythienylene on a working surface thereof. To this end, the working surface is contacted with a monomer solution of thiophene monomer and an electrolyte dissolved in organic solvent. Thereafter the solution is subjected to either a substantially constant potential of about 1.6 volts to about 1.8 volts vs. Ag/AgCl or to a cycling potential between -0.1 volts and +1.8 volts vs. Ag/AgCl for a time period sufficient to polymerize a polythienylene film of the desired thickness onto the working surface of the electrode.The polythienylene film on the working surface is then doped with I.sub.2 by placing the coated electrode in an aqueous solution of iodide salt under applied potential conditions of about +0.6 volts to about +1 volt vs. Ag/AgCl for a period of time sufficient to dope the polymer.

Abstract: The concentration of NADH or NADPH in a test solution is determined by adding a redox coupling agent, preferably 2,6 dichloroindophenol DCIP, to the test solution. The coupling agent reacts with the NADH or NADPH to form an electroactive coupling agent (DCIPH.sub.2) which is then detected electrochemically at a lower voltage than would be required to detect the NADH or NADPH. This can be used to detect NADH or NADPH formed by any well known enzymatic or immunoassay method which produces NADH as a detectable product. This has particular application to biological fluids such as whole blood which does not require any treatment of the test sample prior to electrochemical analysis. In particular, red blood cells do not have to be removed from whole blood samples to provide reliable data.

Abstract: A solid state microanemometer is micromachined from a crystal to a shape with four thick external sides that define an outer rectangle, four thin sections that define an inner rectangle and four diagonally directed branches interconnecting the corners of the outer rectangle to the inner rectangle. Four semiconductor resistors located on the four inner sections form a sensing bridge. Each external side has a pair of electrical contacts that are electrically interconnected, via conductive leads that extend along the diagonal branches and partially along the inner sections, to one of the semiconductor resistors. The physically connected semiconductor resistors and external sides form a rugged solid state device, while thermal and electrical isolation of the resistors from each other permits higher operating temperatures and improved fluid flow sensing capability.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable combustion synthesis product of a composition containing at least 20% by weight of a particulate combustible material; at least 15% by weight of a particulate filler material capable of providing desired mechanical and electrical properties; and up to 35% by weight of a particulate inorganic binder having a melting point lower than the combustion synthesis temperature. Electrodes suitable for electrochemical processing are a preferred product form, particularly electrodes for use in the electrowinning of aluminum from its oxide.

Abstract: A coverslip holder assembly for a front face fluorimetry flow cell has a holder body and a hingedly attached clamp for releasably maintaining a coverslip adjacent the front face of the holder body and flow cell. The assembly is preferably a unitary arrangement wherein the clamp is hingedly mounted adjacent the bottom end of the front face of the holder body, and has a convenient snap lock release mechanism at its top end to selectively lock the coverslip in flush arrangement with the front face. The holder assembly can provide a biased snug fit with a variety of cuvettes or similar sample vessels, and enables the use of highly colored or fluorescent compounds for perfusion in front face fluorimetry operations.