Abstract: Phenyloxazolidinone compound of formula (I)or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof characterized by a bicyclic thiazine or oxazine substituent. The compounds are useful antimicrobial agents, effective against a number of human and veterinary pathogens, including gram-positive aerobic bacteria such as multiply-resistant staphylococci, streptococci and enterococci as well as anaerobic organisms such as Bacteroides spp. and Clostridia spp. species, and acid-fast organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium spp.

Abstract: Focus and exposure parameters may be controlled in a lithographic process for manufacturing microelectronics by creating a complementary tone pattern of shapes and spaces in a resist film on a substrate. Corresponding dimensions of the resist shape and space are measured and the adequacy of focus or exposure dose are determined as a function of the measured dimensions. Etching parameters may also be controlled by creating a complementary tone pattern of etched shapes and spaces on a substrate. Corresponding dimensions of the etched shape and space are measured and the adequacy of etching parameters are determined as a function of the measured dimensions.

Abstract: A seed monitor includes a planter master unit having one or more planter counting units connected to the planter master unit, with each planter counting unit associated with a different seed tube. Each planter counting unit includes a light source, a means for forming a light beam that traverses a sensing area of a seed tube, a detector and a processor. The circuit board connects the detector and light source with a processor. The processor adjusts the intensity of the light source and selects an output amplifier gain that is appropriate for the counting of seeds. In this manner, the planter monitoring system adjusts for long-term dust and dirt accumulation and aging of components. The processor processes the selected stage of amplified output from the detector and determines the number of seeds that have traversed the sensing area of the associated seed tube. The planter master unit receives binary data of the counted seed, and from this data, provides an output to the operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of rapidly cooling a sintered coherent film formed from PTFE, by quenching or other suitable cooling technique, which results in a PTFE film, that has improved dielectric properties, such as, increased breakdown voltage and lower current leakage, and the resulting article.

Abstract: This invention provides novel oxazolidinone derivatives represented by chemical Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: ##STR1## wherein X is NR.sub.1, CR.sub.2 R.sub.3, O, S, SO, or SO.sub.2 ; and Z is NR.sub.4, S, SO, SO.sub.2 or O. The compounds are useful antimicrobial agents, effective against a number of human and veterinary pathogens, including gram-positive aerobic bacteria such as multiply-resistant staphylococci and streptococci, as well as anaerobic organisms such as bacteroides and clostridia species, and acid-fast organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is shown which incorporates a valve body design and leaflet pivot arrangements that minimize turbulence and shear stresses having a tendency to generate thrombosis. A valve body having an axially curved entrance that is smoothly joined to a generally cylindrical body of extended axial length provides excellent fluid flow characteristics when combined with leaflets that can assume orientations perfectly aligned with the downstream flow of blood. By constructing such a pyrocarbon valve body which receives a metal ring at an appropriate location, suture rings that permit the tissue annulus to directly contact the exterior surface of the cylindrical valve body are accommodated.

Abstract: An air vent device for a window comprising a first end section having a first end connector and a second end section having a second end connector. The second end section is a mirror image of the first end section. A central section has a plurality of louvered openings with a first end of the central section connecting with one of the first and second end connector. A second end of the central section has a central connector for connection with the other of the first and second end connector. The sections are affixed to the exterior surface of the structure to overlay a portion of the window for providing ventilation through the plurality of louvered openings for the structure when the window is partially opened and with the plurality of louvered openings providing protection from precipitation entering the structure through the partially opened window.

Abstract: A low dielectric constant material is provided for use as an insulation element in an electronic device, such as but not limited to an integrated circuit structure for example. Such a low dielectric constant material may be formed from an aqueous fluoropolymer microemulsion or microdispersion. The low dielectric constant material may be made porous, further lowering its dielectric constant. The low dielectric constant material may be deposited by a spin-coating process and patterned using reactive ion etching or other suitable techniques.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system continually adjusts the speed of an implanted cardiac assist blood pump to an optimum level for the varying physiological needs of the patient. It does this by periodically iteratively incrementing the speed setpoint of the pump. When the system detects the imminence of a ventricular collapse at diastole, it decrements the speed setpoint by a predetermined safety margin. An alarm condition is provided if the setpoint decrease results in an insufficient blood flow rate through the pump. The flow rate and imminence of ventricular collapse are computed in real time as functions of only the pump's motor current and speed setpoint.

Abstract: A thermoelectric water chiller system for cooling fluids, and including a cold sink which defines quiescent areas where convection currents are minimized to facilitate ice formation around the cold sink is provided. The cold sink cooperates with water held in a sealed tank. A cover member which covers the cold sink can be employed which would cooperate with the tank to form a fluid-tight seal therewith. Components needing periodic cleaning are preferably removable from the system, but the tank could be permanently installed. A fan-cooled thermoelectric module assembly is used to form the ice block adjacent the bottom of the tank which chills the water. A variable-speed fan and current to the thermoelectric module are controlled by a control circuit with inputs from various temperature sensors positioned on and within various portions of the chiller system, including sensors to monitor ambient air temperature about the chiller system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a filter cartridge which includes the steps of providing a cylindrical filter element having a plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats, engaging an outer periphery of the cylindrical filter element along a substantial portion of the length thereof, and simultaneously moving the plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats into a laid-over spiraled configuration along the entire length of the cylindrical filter element to form a spiral pleated filter element. An apparatus is also disclosed for effectuating the disclosed method.

Abstract: Anti-AIDS compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, and R.sub.7 are as defined in the specification and R.sub.8 is alkyl of substituted alkyl.

Abstract: A thermoelectric water chiller system for cooling fluids, and including a cold sink which defines quiescent areas where convection currents are minimized to facilitate ice formation around the cold sink is provided. The cold sink cooperates with water held in a sealed tank. A cover member which covers the cold sink can be employed which would cooperate with the tank to form a fluid-tight seal therewith. Components needing periodic cleaning are preferably removable from the system, but the tank could be permanently installed. A fan-cooled thermoelectric module assembly is used to form the ice block adjacent the bottom of the tank which chills the water. A variable-speed fan and current to the thermoelectric module are controlled by a control circuit with inputs from various temperature sensors positioned on and within various portions of the chiller system, including sensors to monitor ambient air temperature about the chiller system.

Abstract: A method and system of producing a 3D perspective representation of a hiking trail or the like in two dimensions. Manually-obtained first data indicative of a heading and distance of each approximately linear segment of the course of travel are correlated with second data indicative of a topography of an underlying geographical region. A representation of the course of travel as viewed from perspective may then be selectively produced utilizing the correlated data. Linear segments of the course of travel are shown in this view situated at a relative angle with respect to adjacent linear segments, the angle representative of a direction and slope thereof. As a result, changes in elevation of the course of travel are continuously shown on the perspective two-dimensional representation to facilitate visual appreciation of the difficulty thereof by the traveller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removably attaching one or more optical fibers so as to be in alignment with a respective electro-optic component on a circuit board within an enclosure. In a first embodiment, the header attaches to an aperture of an enclosure, thereby protecting the circuit board from dust and liquids. In a second embodiment, the header and protective enclosure are one integral unit. The invention enables one or more optical fibers to be detachably attached to a first side of a header or header/enclosure, and for a circuit board having one or more electro-optic components precisely positioned thereon to be attached to the other side thereof and accessed by the attached fiber by a through-hole in the header. A ferrule surrounds at least one optical fiber near an end thereof and includes a seating surface which seats on the exterior side of the header or header/enclosure.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining whether a sensor 2 is attached to a connection point 5 of a sensor interface circuit 1 of a seed monitoring system. When it is desired to determine whether a sensor is attached to a connection point, the method applies a time varying detection signal at terminal 3 to the connection point 5 via a reactive element, such as capacitor 4. The connection point 5 is connected to a first input of a comparator 9 having its other input set at a first reference voltage which maintains the comparator in a first state in the absence of a detection signal being applied. Even when a detection signal is applied, the comparator is not driven into a second state if an operable sensor is connected to the connection point 5. When the sensor is not connected to the connection point, or is inoperable, the voltage produced by the detection signal at the first input of the comparator is high enough to trip the comparator into a second state, which may be latched.

Abstract: A seed blockage monitoring system employs a flexible, generally flat piezoelectric seed sensor element inserted at an acute angle of about 13 degrees into a seed flow path so that a portion of seeds traveling in the seed flow path strike the seed sensor element, preventing damage to the seeds and maintaining forward momentum of all seeds in the seed flow path. In order to provide flexibility in monitoring seeds of different types and to increase the data rate that information can be obtained from numerous multiple seed sensor elements, the use of a one-shot to temporarily store a seed detection signal and serial sampling of the temporarily stored signals from the sensors as in the prior art is avoided. Instead, a comparator that includes a diode in a feedback loop so as to function as a latch is used in conjunction with a serial shift register that has parallel data input lines.

Abstract: A particle blockage monitoring system employs a flexible piezoelectric particle sensor element in a portion of a particle flow path so that a number of particles traveling in the particle flow path strike the flexible particle sensor element while preventing damage to the particles and maintaining the forward momentum of all the particles in the particle flow path. In order to provide flexibility in monitoring particles of different types and to increase the information rate, the use of a one-shot multivibrator to temporarily store a particle detection signal as in the prior art is avoided. Also, serial sampling of the particle sensor data is avoided to increase the information rate. Instead, a comparator that includes a diode in a feedback loop so as to function as a latch is used in conjunction with a serial shift register that has parallel data input lines.