Abstract: An input device receives sets of input data to be stored in a correlation matrix memory. A sampler derives, from each set of input data, a respective set of tuples, and a coder codes each of the tuples, which are then combined for the respective set of input data. A separator generator generates for each set of input data a respective, associated, unique separator, which is stored with its respective set of input data. For each set of input data, the respective combined coded tuples and the respective unique separator are applied to the correlation matrix memory as a row address and as a column address, or vice-versa.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for measuring an acyl coenzyme A (acyl CoA) ester or esters in a sample, comprising the steps of: a) forming a reaction mixture comprising the sample to be tested and a derivatizing agent; b) allowing the sample and said derivatizing agent to react, so as to form a fluorescent derivative(s) of any acyl CoA ester(s) present in the sample; and c) determining a level of said fluorescent derivative(s).

Abstract: A cathode lens is formed between a gun electrode (8) and a specimen (9). An electron probe (11), produced as part of an electron column and suitably focused by lenses (1, 2 and 3) and scanned by suitable deflector/stigmator electrodes (2), is decelerated within the cathode lens field and its final landing energy is finely adjustable by the specimen negative bias. Emitted secondary electrons are re-accelerated within the same field and due to uniformity of this field, they increase their axial velocity only so that they are collimated into a narrow signal beam. The collimated signal beam passes mostly through an aperture (18) of electrode (8), where it enters the gun and a final lens consisting of a central earthed electrode (6) surrounded by two earthed electrodes (7) and (8). The signal beam approaches a special mirror electrode (4), the field of which decelerates and deflects the electrons further off the axis and returns them back towards the specimen (9).

Abstract: An optical position and orientation determining system determines yaw, pitch, roll, lateral translation and longitudinal translation of a body with respect to a direction and intensity sensing receiver. The system comprises two energy beam emitters, mechanically mounted on a body, which illuminate the position sensing receiver. The energy beams are intermittently energized in a predefined fashion to enable the receiver and its associated signal porcessing means to determine the position and orientation of the body with respect to the receiver. The system can also be used to determine velocities and accelerations of the body relative to the receiver.

Abstract: A sample (2) is mounted in a sample holder (13) with a surface (3) of the sample (2) normal to the axis (4) of a pair of truncated electrically conductive frusto-cones (5, 6) which are coaxial and whose apexes meet at the sample surface (3). An exciting source (7) is mounted within the inner cone (5), which is solid and is maintained at ground potential to serve as a first electrode. The outer cone (6) is made of high transparency metallic mesh and is maintained at a positive potential +V (e.g. 1000 v) with respect to the sample surface (3), to serve as a second electrode. These components of the spectrometer (1) are contained within a vacuum system (15), and the potentials are applied to the cones (5, 6) by a biassing means (14). Electrons generated where the beam from the exciting source (7) strikes the sample are emitted into 2.pi. steradians towards an entrance annulus (8).