Abstract: A method and system for automatically allocating space within a data storage system for multiple data sets which may include units of data, databases, files or objects. Each data set preferably includes a group of associated preference/requirement parameters which are arranged in a hierarchical order and then compared to corresponding data storage system characteristics for available devices. The data set preference/requirement parameters may include performance, size, availability, location, portability, share status and other attributes which affect data storage system selection. Data storage systems may include solid-state memory, disk drives, tape drives, and other peripheral storage systems. Data storage system characteristics may thus represent available space, cache, performance, portability, volatility, location, cost, fragmentation, and other characteristics which address user needs.

Abstract: A combination rejuvenator and trickle charger for lead acid batteries powered by a multi-solar cell unit and/or a rectified a.c. source, the output of which is applied to a capacitor. The output of the capacitor is in turn connected across the primary of an auto transformer. A switching circuit, including a transistor, connects and disconnects the primary coil to and from the capacitor to produce in the secondary coil of the transformer a fast rise time current pulse for application to a battery. A positive temperature coefficient resistor is connected in series with an output terminal of the rejuvenator to protect the rejuvenator components in the event the out, put terminals, through accident or mistake, are connected to battery terminals of opposite polarity.

Abstract: Managed Object Instances (MOIs) in a network of OSI computing systems are created, or deleted, without disrupting their interaction with other managed object instances. This is accomplished by a multi-phase commit process operation where in the first phase, a create or delete request is verified, and the CMIP platform places the created or deleted MOI on a pending list in the CMIP platform, along with information identifying the location of the MOI in a hierarchy of MOIs. In the second phase, the object being created or deleted is asked to accept, or reject, the request. The object responds saying that it accepts or rejects the request. If the request is acceptable, the CMIP platform finishes the object's connection to the tree hierarchy, or disconnects the object from the tree. Then the CMIP platform sends back a message to the object to acknowledge the creation of the object, or to tell the object to delete itself. Finally, the CMIP platform sends a request completion message to the manager.

Abstract: An imaging contrast medium comprising a physiologically tolerable multinuclear complex (as defined in claim 1) is disclosed. The multinuclear complex contains at least two, but preferably three or more contrast enhancing atoms. For X-ray or ultrasound imaging techniques heavy metal atoms are used to enhance contrast, whereas in Magnetic Resonance Imaging paramagnetic metal atoms are contrast enhancing. Molybdenum and tungsten are preferred contrast enhancing atoms. The medium may also be used therapeutically.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening in soft tissue inside the body includes the step of making an incision in the body for permitting access to the interior of the body generally adjacent to the location of the opening in the soft tissue inside the body. An instrument is inserted through the incision to the vicinity of the opening in the soft tissue, and passes through the soft tissue and across the opening in the tissue generally from the first side of the opening to a second side of the opening opposite the first side. At least a part of the instrument lies in a passage in the soft tissue. A first leg of a generally H-shaped suture is pushed generally lengthwise in the instrument into the passage with the first leg and a cross member connecting the first leg to a second leg being resiliently deflected from their relaxed positions relative to one another.

Abstract: A burner for combusting fuel gas and air in an enclosure includes a block member of non-combustible material, such as ceramic material, having a central opening therethrough. The block member has a plurality of spaced apart recirculation gas passageways paralleled to and spaced from the central opening, each of the recirculation gas passageways having an injection passageway communicating with the block member central opening. A fuel gas jet is positioned within each of the recirculation gas passageways for injecting fuel gas into the injection passageways to cause the injected fuel gas by Venturi action, to draw furnace gas from the cool fringes of the combustion zone through the recirculation gas passageways for passage back into the central opening after local combustion wherein modified air and fuel gas are thoroughly mixed and cooled for combustion within the enclosure. This recirculation system serves to reduce the temperature and oxygen content of the local combustion process to thereby reduce NO.sub.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for killing or inhibiting the growth of yeast or sporular microorganisms by contacting the microorganisms, in the presence of a peroxide and chloride or bromide, with a haloperoxidase and at least one antimicrobial activity enhancing agent. Suitable antimicrobial activity enhancing agents include certain .alpha.-amino acids, and are preferably compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, an unsubstituted, or hydroxy or amino substituted, straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an unsubstituted, or hydroxy or amino substituted arylalky group having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A probabilistic method of detecting viral intrusion into an original computer file is disclosed. In the method, a protection file is first created. In the preferred embodiment, the protection files is created by generating a test string. The test string is compared to the original computer file and is discarded in the event of a match. The test string is kept in the event of a non-match. The protection file is created by storing a plurality of non-matching test strings. In the detection stage, the file to be screened for possible viral infection is compared to each of the test strings of the protection file. The computer file being screened is determined to be probabilistically free of a viral infection if all of the test strings in the protection file do not match the file being screened. However, in the event of a match between a test string and the file being screened, then a change in the file being screened is detected.

Abstract: An anodic vacuum arc deposition system for rapidly depositing a high quality, small grain size, coating on a workpiece. The anodic vacuum arc deposition system includes an arc initiator and an anodic electrode having a continuous feed. The anodic vacuum arc deposition system may be configured with a coaxial anode and cathode. A plurality of coaxial electrodes may used to deposition-coat a large area and/or to sequentially deposit a series of layers each of a different material. In one embodiment, a low current triggered anodic vacuum arc with a continuous wire feed mechanism provides the user with a self-contained high differential metal plasma spray. This apparatus provides coatings with properties similar to coatings from a basic anodic arc deposition source but can be self-ignited, continuously run, and made highly mobile for greater coverage control.

Abstract: An anodic vacuum arc deposition system for rapidly depositing a high quality, small grain size, coating on a workpiece. The anodic vacuum arc deposition system includes an arc initiator and an anodic electrode having a continuous feed. The anodic vacuum arc deposition system may be configured with a coaxial anode and cathode. A plurality of coaxial electrodes may used to coat a large area and/or to simultaneously deposit two or more different materials for multi-layer or alloy coating. Several material recovery systems including both methods and devices for recovery of the undeposited anodic arc coating material minimize the anode source waste such that selective coatings may be applied with virtually all excess coating material recovered for reuse. In one embodiment, an anode shield is made of the same material as the anode source material. After the deposition process is complete, captured material is recovered for future reuse by removing the anode shield and reprocessing it into anode source material.

Abstract: A tear resistant film comprises more than five layers situated one on the other in a parallel array. The layers are individually selected from a stiff polyester or copolyester, a ductile polymeric material, and optionally, an intermediate material. The stiff polyester or copolyester is oriented in at least one direction. Tear resistance may be measured in a Graves area test and reflects the ability of the film to absorb energy. The films of the invention are useful in many articles including security control laminates for glazing members.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for immediately measuring the amount of fasteners remaining in a fastening device's magazine by inspection without disassembly of the fastening device. A band fastened to the fastening device's magazine follower moves responsive to the motion of the magazine follower. Markings on the band indicate the amount of fasteners remaining in the fastening device.

Abstract: Animal trap which provides an electrically conductive base plate, an animal attractant substance supported above the base plate and an electrically conductive ladder or similar means arranged between the animal attractant and the base plate, but not electrically connected to the base plate; a power source capable of generating electric current is connected to the ladder and is arranged to release an electric current of sufficient strength to kill the animal when the animal is touching both the base plate and the ladder.

Abstract: A multi-piece, pipe joint seal has a slidable interface between seal pieces. The slidable interface allows for slippage between pieces during pipe joint assembly and disassembly, minimizing rotational and other stresses on the seal pieces and pipe sealing surfaces which may damage or endanger the deformable seal. The slidable interface seal is especially useful for joining brittle-lined pipe sections handling harsh fluids.

Abstract: A new event forwarding discriminator (EFD) EFD named the persistent/impervious event forwarding discriminator (PI EFD) is described herein. The PI EFD is monitored by the agent infrastructure in such a way that if the agent goes down, and thus the PI EFD goes down, the agent rebuilds or restores the PI EFD with all its attributes. The PI EFD immediately creates an event notification indicating a create PI EFD event has occurred. This event notification is of the type passed by the PI EFD to the manager. The manager then knows the poll its other EFDs at the agent and recreate them as necessary.To foil rogue managers, the PI EFD can not be deleted by other managers. Also, the PI EFD has limited attributes that can be changed. A rogue manager can only add himself to the destination list; it can not otherwise change the attributes of the PI EFD.

Abstract: A surgical suturing needle has a tapered needle head with a multi-faceted cross-section. The cross-section is formed by three circumferentially-spaced cutting edges formed at a primary angle and a plurality of extended legs, each extending from one of the primary angles and formed at a secondary angle. In addition, a plurality of connecting surfaces adjoin adjacent extended legs.

Abstract: A surface pit and mound detection and discrimination system including a device for scanning a beam of radiation over a surface, and a mechanism for detecting a local slope on the surface for differentiating between whether the beam of radiation is scanning a pit or a mound on the surface.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for killing or inhibiting the growth of yeast or sporular microorganisms by contacting the microorganisms, in the presence of a peroxide and chloride or bromide, with a haloperoxidase and at least one antimicrobial activity enhancing agent. Suitable antimicrobial activity enhancing agents include certain .alpha.-amino acids, and are preferably compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, an unsubstituted, or hydroxy or amino substituted, straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an unsubstituted, or hydroxy or amino substituted arylalky group having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or a straight or branched chain alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An improved laser pattern generation apparatus. The improved pattern generation apparatus of the present invention uses a laser beam to expose a radiant sensitive film on the workpiece to print circuit patterns on a substrate. The laser beam is aligned using a beam steering means. The laser beam is split into 32 beams to create a brush. The brush scans the workpiece through use of a rotating polygonal mirror. Each beam of the brush may have one of seventeen intensity values. The beams are modulated by an Acousto-Optical Modulator. Signals provided to the Acousto-Optical Modulator define the pattern to be generated. These signals are created by a rasterizer. Increased print speed is accomplished through the use of a wider brush and a print strategy that eliminates physical stage passes.

Abstract: A diffuse infrared communication link provides for communication directly between nodes each having a transceiver. A repeater may be present to facilitate communication. Each node is automatically reconfigurable between operation with or without a repeater. When a repeater is present each node automatically ignores any transmission by another node.