Abstract: A rollover sensing system (12) that may be used in the determination of when to deploy restraints in the vehicle. The rollover sensing system (12) may include lateral acceleration sensors (32), a roll rate sensor (18) and a roll angle detector (20). A control circuit (16) determines a predetermined rollover threshold in response to the roll rate and roll angle detector (20) and calculates an adjusted threshold as a function of the predetermined rollover threshold and the lateral acceleration. The control circuit (16) generates a control signal in response to the adjusted threshold.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for stretching an optical pulse and shaping its spectrum. The method includes the step of: providing a an optical fiber element having a first long length fiber Bragg grating having a refractive index perturbation of varying periodicity. The optical pulse is launched into the fiber Bragg grating, wherein the Bragg grating reflects the pulse in a chromatically dispersed output. The reflected output is coupled with an optical modulator programmed to temporally modify the amplitude of the chromatically dispersed output to attenuate selected optical frequencies in a desired pattern. The apparatus for stretching and arbitrarily shaping the spectrum of an optical pulse with a desired wavelength resolution &Dgr;&lgr;res includes a routing optical device and an optical fiber element having a Bragg grating. The routing optical device routs energy between different waveguides, and has an input port to receive the optical pulse.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for managing fixed size memory blocks in a graphic imaging system. A system memory includes at least one queue containing a linked list of fixed size memory blocks and a page pool of variable size memory blocks. A system memory manager allocates memory blocks from the system memory in response to requests. Upon a request for a memory block of a particular fixed size, the system memory manager allocates a memory block of the fixed size from a queue containing memory blocks of the fixed size if the queue has memory blocks available. If the queue does not have memory blocks available, the system memory manager creates an extension to the queue containing memory blocks of the fixed size. The extension is created from a page pool. The extension is linked to the queue, and a memory block of the fixed size is then allocated from the queue.

Abstract: A catalyst composition containing one or more binary oxides of palladium and rare earth metal such as Ce, La, Nd, Pr and/or Sm. The catalyst composition is used for the catalytic combustion of gaseous combustion mixtures of oxygen and carbonaceous fuels such as methane, e.g., a natural gas/air combustion mixture. Specific preferred binary oxides may be, for example, M.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO (e.g., La.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO) or 2M.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO, wherein in each case M is La, Nd or Sm. A process of combusting gaseous carbonaceous fuels includes contacting a catalyst as described above under combustion conditions, e.g., 925.degree. C. to 1650.degree. C. and 1 to 20 atmospheres pressure, to carry out sustained combustion of the combustion mixture, including catalytically supported thermal combustion. Regeneration of over-temperatured M.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO catalyst is also provided for.

Abstract: A catalyst composition containing one or more binary oxides of palladium and rare earth metal such as Ce, La, Nd, Pr and/or Sm. The catalyst composition is used for the catalytic combustion of gaseous combustion mixtures of oxygen and carbonaceous fuels such as methane, e.g., a natural gas/air combustion mixture. Specific preferred binary oxides may be, for example, M.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO (e.g., La.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO) or 2M.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO, wherein in each case M is La, Nd or Sm. A process of combusting gaseous carbonaceous fuels includes contacting a catalyst as described above under combustion conditions, e.g., 925.degree. C. to 1650.degree. C. and 1 to 20 atmospheres pressure, to carry out sustained combustion of the combustion mixture, including catalytically supported thermal combustion. Regeneration of over-temperatured M.sub.2 O.sub.3.PdO catalyst is also provided for.

Abstract: A polarization compensated waveguide grating router is formed by reducing the thickness of the cladding material deposited over segments of waveguide cores to be on the order of the height of the vertical extension of the optical field of the waveguide. The resulting "air-patch" segments increase the birefringence in the patch segments of the waveguides. By using an air-patch length which is inversely proportional to the length of each waveguide, the correct phase relationship can be maintained between the different waveguides to produce an InP-based router which is polarization independent.

Abstract: A quinone imine enediyne possessing cytotoxic activity towards cancer cells having the general structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently the same or different and are H, Br, Cl, F, NH.sub.2, CO.sub.2 H, or OH or a linear or branched alkyl, etc.; wherein R.sub.4 is H, OH or a linear or branched alkoxy, linear or branched alkoxycarbonyl, etc.; wherein R.sub.5 is H, Br, Cl, F, O.dbd., OH or S--SR, or a linear or branched alkyl, etc.; wherein R.sub.6 is H, Br, Cl, F, CO.sub.2 H, OH or S--SR', or a linear or branched alkyl, etc; wherein R.sub.7 is H, OH or S--SR", or a linear or branched alkyl, linear or branched alkoxycarbonyl, linear or branched alkoxy or linear or branched hydroxyalkyl group; and wherein R, R' and R" are independently the same or different and are a linear or branched alkyl, linear or branched acyl or linear or branched alkoxyalkyl group.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for implementing a controller in a system having a plurality of sensors and a plurality of actuators. In one embodiment, the inventive method includes the steps of measuring a transfer function P, the measured transfer function P representing a neutralization path in a Q-parameterized version of the controller, and designing a transfer function Q, the designed transfer function Q representing the feed forward path in the Q-parameterized version of the controller. The invention further includes the step of sparsifying both the transfer functions P and Q for a given accuracy threshold using wavelet transforms, thereby forming transfer functions Ps and Qs respectively for implementing the controller.

Abstract: An improved structure is provided for supporting pillars of automotive vehicles which provides energy absorption through provision of three stamped metallic panels (24,26,28) defining first and second energy absorbing chambers (56,58) therebetween and an interior trim cover (30) joined to all the panels and defining a third chamber (62) between it and the interior of the three panels and selected energy absorbing media carried between the trim cover and the interior of the panels. Generally C-shaped spring structures (74) and plastic honeycomb structures (68) are preferred for the energy absorbing media.

Abstract: An integrated needle for use with a permanent pigment applicator device having a fixed needle coupler that is coupled to a needle drive mechanism includes an elongated needle shaft with a fastening head and an attachment piece having an elongated coupling member that is detachably coupled to the needle coupler. The needle is received in a needle chamber of the attachment piece and is securely held in place around the needle fastening head. The integrated needle can be attached to the drive mechanism simply by grasping the attachment piece and coupling it to the needle coupler of the drive mechanism. After each use, the integrated needle can be disposed of and a fresh integrated needle can be attached. In this way, the needle does not have to be handled when it is attached to the applicator device and the needle coupler can be easily removed and thoroughly cleaned in an autoclave.

Abstract: An energy absorbing structural member disposed within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and including an outer cell and an inner cell. The outer cell of the structural member provides conventional torsional, bending and compressive rigidity necessary for such structural member. Additionally, the inner cell is adapted to plastically deform under a predetermined generally transversely imposed load, the load being substantially insufficient to deform the outer cell.

Abstract: An end connector for use with oil containment booms, wherein the connector design utilizes a stress distribution technique which avoids the need for proximal end flanges, internal cavity traction surfaces, and further avoids bolts, rivets, or other fasteners through the boom fin end. The end connector design has a smaller size than conventional end connector designs with comparable tensile strength capabilities. Further, the end connector may be fabricated faster than conventional end connectors, reduces connector cost, and reduces final boom assembly time.

Abstract: A device for applying permanent pigment, such as in a tattooing procedure, which has a disposable needle coupler which couples the needle to the device. The device has a housing which is structured to allow easy user access to the internal parts that are likely to be exposed to contamination from the tattooing procedure. The needle coupler is structured to allow easy manipulation to detach it from or attach it to the device without require the use or tools. The pigment applicator device may be a manual device or an electro-mechanically driven device. In the latter, the needle coupler is detachably coupled to a drive mechanism for actuating reciprocal axial movement of the needle via the needle coupler. The drive mechanism may include a cam for translating a rotational motion into a reciprocal axial motion of the needle coupler.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-based electronic checklist system (10) that is interfaced with a crew alert system (12). The system provides both normal checklists (i.e., checklists for use during routine operation of the airplane) and non-normal checklists for use with crew alert messages that are supplied by the crew alert system. Non-normal checklists that are not associated crew alert messages are also provided. Status indicators are provided to indicate the completion state of non-normal checklists; the completion state of normal checklists, and, when applicable, the existence of a normal checklist that has not yet been used during that particular flight program. Checklist line items of each checklist are displayed in a manner that distinguishes between closed-loop items (i.e., checklist items for which the system operator need not respond); and open-loop line items (i.e., items requiring an operator response).

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing processing efficiency in a data processing system which includes multiple scalar instruction processors and a vector instruction processor. An ordered sequence of intermixed scalar and vector instructions is processed in a nonsequential order by coupling those instructions to selected processors. As each instruction is finished an indication of that state is stored within a finish instruction array. The first vector instruction within the ordered sequence is initiated within the vector instruction processor only after an indication that each scalar instruction preceding the first vector instruction is finished. A vector advance signal is generated by the vector instruction processor each time processing of a vector instruction is initiated.

Abstract: A process for removing Total Reduced Sulfur compounds from a gaseous stream such as those containing natural gas, industrial gas, and digester gas by oxidation with a fine flocculent acidic catalyst slurry which is regenerable during the process by pH adjustment in the absence of added heat. The catalyst slurry comprises MnO.sub.2, Mn.sub.2 O.sub.3, and Mn.sub.3 O.sub.4 having pH in the range from about 0.5 to about 6.5 and is prepared by oxidizing a divalent manganous salt in an aqueous solution having a pH in the range from about 8.0 to about 13.5 with an oxygen-containing gaseous stream.

Abstract: A complementary bipolar CMOS fabrication method uses a common deposition for both the CMOS gate contacts, and as a sacrificial layer for patterning bipolar devices. The deposition is removed from the bipolar devices and, after implanting base and emitter regions, is replaced with a separate emitter contact. Prior to its removal the sacrificial layer is coated with an oxidation resistant layer that imparts a desirable rounded shape to the edge of a thermal oxide layer that is grown around the bipolar emitter area. Common mask and implant steps are also used to fabricate lightly doped CMOS drains together with bipolar base-link regions, and CMOS source/drain regions together with bipolar external base regions. The fabrication technique also facilitates the fabrication of capacitors with no additional steps required, and includes an improved NiCr resistor contact method.

Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicle door includes an inner panel, an outer panel joined to the inner panel, a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel, and energy absorbing bolsters protracting through the door trim panel for movement independently into an occupant compartment of the vehicle during a side collision type impact of the vehicle door.