Abstract: An in-torch vaporization sample introduction system for introducing a sample to be analyzed into a spectrometer, comprising sample holder means for carrying the sample to be analyzed, a modified Fassel-type torch having a plasma fed by inert gas through outer and intermediate feed channels in an enlarged gas tube, an inner axial tube having one end open adjacent the plasma and an opposite end open for receiving the sample holder means for feeding the sample to the plasma, the inner axial tube tapering to a reduced diameter adjacent the one end to form a well defined channel for feeding the sample to the plasma means for positioning the sample holder means in the inner axial tube a predetermined distance below the plasma, and means for sealing the opposite end of the inner axial tube and means for vaporizing the sample.

Abstract: The hydrosilylation of terminal double bonds in polypropylene (PP) or other polymers is effected in the melt phase. The double bonds were created by peroxide initiated degradation of PP in an extruder or a batch mixer. A hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane is employed as a model substance to investigate the feasibility of hydrosilylating the terminal double bonds of the degraded polypropylene. The reaction may be carried out in three different reactors, namely a hot press, a batch mixer and a screw extruder. Two different reaction mechanisms may be used to effect the hydrosilylation reaction, namely a radical chain addition mechanism and a platinum catalysed mechanism with a colloid forming catalyst, platinum divinyltetramethyldisiloxane (Karstedt's catalyst). Catalytic amounts of a peroxide initiator are able to initiate the addition of silanes to the double bonds of the degraded polypropylene. Both reactions, namely degradation and hydrosilylation, may be performed simultanously.

Abstract: A low power passive .SIGMA..DELTA. converter for baseband applications and with a built in mixer for direct conversion. For direct conversion, low power consumption is achieved by adopting a passive loop filter for the .SIGMA..DELTA. converter together with merging the sampling and mixing functions together utilizing a specially designed mixer. With a passive loop filter, the only gain element in the loop is a high gain, high speed, low noise comparator. The mixer can be located outside of the feedback loop, although according to one aspect of the present invention, the mixer is incorporated inside the feedback loop. For baseband applications, the same design is utilized with a simple sampling switch instead of a mixer for processing baseband signals with low power consumption.

Abstract: A dynamic current mode circuit for low-voltage and high performance VLSI applications, comprising a MOS current mode logic block and dynamic circuitry for precharging the outputs of the MOS current mode logic block, cross-coupled latches for enhancing performance of the MOS current mode logic block during an evaluation phase thereof, and a dynamic current source for enhanced speed and low power consumption.

Abstract: A direct digital frequency synthesizer for generating a digital sine or cosine function waveform receive digital input. Memory stores digital samples along portions of sine and cosine function waveforms. The memory outputs the digital samples in response to a first portion of the digital input. Control logic is responsive to the digital input and controls the output of the digital samples from the memory to allow digital samples along a complete cycle of the sine or cosine function waveform to be output even though only portions of the sine and cosine function waveforms are stored in the memory. A linear interpolator receives a second portion of the digital input and modifies digital samples output by the memory to generate intermediate digital samples between the digital samples stored in the memory to improve accuracy.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is set forth including a plurality of circuit elements interconnected by conductors and at least one resistive element operably connected to a location within the circuit. Upon an event occurring at the location, such as the activation of a circuit element, current is passed through the resistive element thereby elevating the temperature of the resistive element to cause incandescence so as to permit optical detection of the event.

Abstract: A plurality of polypeptides derived from intercellular spaces of plant cells having frost tolerance. Some of the polypeptides are ice nucleators for developing ice crystals in extracellular spaces of plant tissue, some of the polypeptides are antifreeze components which control ice crystal growth in extracellular spaces and some of the polypeptides are enzymes which adapt plant cell walls to function differently during formation of ice crystals in plant intercellular spaces.

Abstract: The barrier is waterproof, and is used to contain contaminated groundwater within an enclosure. Steel elements are pile driven, the elements having rolled-over edge forms (5,6) which interengage. Upon interengagement, an enclosed hole (90) is created which extends from top to bottom of the piled elements. A scraper (19) on the junior element (8) cleans dirt out of the hole as the junior is driven down alongside the adjacent senior element (7). The hole may be cleaned out by inserting a hose pipe to the bottom of the hole (90) and flushing through with water. Then, a sealant is injected into the hole, using an injection tube in the hole. The interengagement of the edge forms (5,6) of the elements is such that the hole formed by the interengagement is constrained to its nominal size and shape throughout the whole height of the barrier.

Abstract: The barrier is waterproof, and is used to contain contaminated groundwater within an enclosure. Steel elements, are pile driven, the elements having rolled-over edge forms (5,6) which interengage. Upon interengagement, an enclosed hole (90) is created which extends from top to bottom of the piled elements. A scraper (19) on the junior element (8) cleans dirt out of the hole as the junior is driven down alongside the adjacent senior element (7). The hole may be cleaned out by inserting a hose pipe to the bottom of the hole (90) and flushing through with water. Then, a sealant is injected into the hole, using an injection tube in the hole. The interengagement of the edge forms (5,8) of the elements is such that the hole formed by the interengagement is constrained to its nominal size and shape throughout the whole height of the barrier.

Abstract: The metal oxide media includes oxides and hydroxides of iron, and other metals. The material is derived from basic-oxygen steel-making process, and includes a high calcium content. The oxide surfaces facilitate the adsorption of phosphorus, and the increased pH facilitates the precipitation of calcium and other phosphates. The oxides are a catalyst for converting organic phosphorus to inorganic form. Limestone may be added to the oxides, to ensure a long-term source of calcium, and to maintain high pH for long periods.

Abstract: Treatment of halogenated hydrocarbon contaminants in groundwater is accomplished by passing the water through a bed of granular iron (43). An electrical circuit (47) is promoted for providing electrons for reducing the contaminant. The circuit may be made using a DC supply, by configuring an electrolytic circuit, or by providing a layer of a second metal such as zinc placed next to the iron bed, thereby creating a galvenic circuit.

Abstract: A plurality of polypeptides derived from intercellular spaces of plant cells having frost tolerance. Some of the polypeptides are ice nucleators for developing ice crystals in extracellular spaces of plant tissue, some of the polypeptides are antifreeze components which control ice crystal growth in extracellular spaces and some of the polypeptides are enzymes which adapt plant cell walls to function differently during formation of ice crystals in plant intercellular spaces.

Abstract: A switched-capacitor gain-boost network includes a bank of N-substantially identical sampling capacitors connectable to an output node. An integrating capacitor has one node connected to a low potential node and a second node connected to the output node. The integrating capacitor is connected to the bank of sampling capacitors in parallel when the bank of sampling capacitors is connected to the output node. Sampling period switches are actuable during a sampling period to connect the sampling capacitors of the bank in parallel and to connect the bank between an analog signal input node and a low potential node to charge the sampling capacitors. Integrating period switches are actuable during an integrating period to connect the sampling capacitors of the bank in series and to connect the bank between a low potential node and the output node to dump the charge stored by the sampling capacitors onto the integrating capacitor. A method of providing dc gain to an analog input signal is also provided.

Abstract: The barrier is waterproof, and is used to contain contaminated groundwater within an enclosure. Steel elements are pile driven, the elements having rolled-over forms (5,6) which inter-engage. Upon inter-engagement, an enclosed cavity (90) is created which extends from top to bottom of the piled elements. A scraper (19) on the junior element (8) cleans dirt out of the cavity as the junior is driven down alongside the adjacent senior element (7). The cavity may be cleaned out by inserting a hose pipe to the bottom of the cavity (90) and flushing through with water. Then, a sealant is injected into the cavity, using an injection tube. The inter-engagement of the edge forms (5,6) of the elements is such that the cavity formed by the inter-engagement is constrained to its nominal size and shape throughout the whole height of the barrier.

Abstract: A cDNA for apt from a plant, particularly A. thaliana has been isolated, purified and characterized. The cDNA is useful for the generation of APRT-deficient mutants and as a probe for APRT cDNAs in other plants.

Abstract: A low power high performance adder using a conditional sum adder (CSA) architecture and complementary pass logic (CPL) implementation. The adder comprises a plurality of blocks, each block including a conditional sum cell and an output multiplexer. Each block except the first, also comprises a block of 2:1 multiplexers intermediate the conditional sum cell and the output multiplexer. The adder according to the present invention operates with lower power consumption and at greater speed than prior art adder architectures.

Abstract: An in-torch vaporization sample introduction system for introducing a sample to be analyzed into a spectrometer, comprising a sample holder means for carrying the sample to be analyzed, a modified Fassel-type torch having a plasma fed by inert gas through outer and intermediate feed channels in an enlarged gas tube, an inner axial tube having one end open adjacent the plasma and an opposite end open for receiving the sample holder for feeding the sample to the plasma, the inner axial tube tapering to a reduced diameter adjacent the one end to form a well defined channel for feeding the sample to the plasma. The sample holder is positioned in the inner axial tube a predetermined distance below the plasma, and the opposite end of the inner axial tube is sealed for vaporizing the sample.

Abstract: A novel shoe structure, particularly a ballet shoe, is provided in which an elongate flat leaf spring element is provided associated with the sole of the shoe structure. The elongate leaf spring extends from the toe region of the shoe structure beyond the location of the metatarsal-phalangeal (m-p) joints of the wearer, so as to provide a mechanical power assist to the wearer at the m-p joints.

Abstract: The treatment system involves the use of hydrofracturing in drilled boreholes over the treatment area. The hydrofracturing fluid contains treatment material, of the kind that causes chemical breakdown of the contaminant. The breakdown leads to a contaminant concentration of zero in the hydrofracks, and therefore the contaminant diffuses towards the hydrofracks, where it is in turn broken down. Calculations and measurements indicate whether natural cracks in the ground are far enough apart to make hydrofracturing worthwhile. A formula indicates, from an assessment of diffusion coefficients, etc, whether the contaminant will be rendered safe within a given time period.

Abstract: In the conventional incineration of solid waste materials, flyash present in the combustion products gas stream catalyzes the formation of toxic dioxins from chlorinated organic materials. By providing a catalyst poison, such as carbon disulphide, in association with the flyash, typically by spraying onto the solid wastes prior to incineration, the catalytic effect is decreased, resulting in decreased dioxin formation.