Abstract: A method of packaging a plastic balloon preferably includes steps of sealing the plastic balloon within a substantially airtight package and maintaining the environment within the package in such a condition as to maintain the plastic balloon in a hydrated state that will optimize the performance characteristics of the plastic balloon when it is inflated. Antifungal and antibacterial agents are preferably also provided within the package to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria.

Abstract: An improved system and technique for processing a communications session in a data communications system suitably includes the steps of receiving the communications session at a line interface card, embedding the communications session into an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) virtual circuit at the line interface card, transporting the virtual circuit from the line interface card to a processor card via a backplane. The processor card suitably extracts the communications session from the virtual circuit, and processes the communications session as appropriate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition for inhibiting microbial growth, which includes a biocide (other than a triamine) and a triamine. The biocide is an oxidizing biocide, a non-oxidizing biocide, or a combination thereof. This composition is particularly effective at preventing the growth of various microorganisms in aqueous solutions, such as industrial waters. The present invention also relates to a method of controlling the growth of microorganisms in an aqueous composition by adding the composition of the present invention to the solution.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for controlling (e.g. inhibiting) the growth of microorganisms or killing microorganisms in an aqueous solution, such as that found in a water treatment facility or papermaking facility. The method includes adding an effective amount of (a) a free halogen-generating biocide, (b) a halogen stabilizer, and (c) a quaternary ammonium compound, a biocidal amine or salt thereof, or mixture thereof to the aqueous solution. The aqueous solution may be water in a recreational facility, an industrial cooling system, a water treatment facility or a water slurry, such as a circulating water slurry, in a papermaking facility. The mixture of the present invention is useful as a slimicide. The quaternary ammonium biocide and/or biocidal amine increase the efficacy of the free halogen-generating biocidal system.

Abstract: In a method for switching between multiple system hosts (154,164,174,184) on a CompactPCI bus (110,120), a hot swap controller (166,186) provides to a special arbiter (820) a high priority request signal and the special arbiter (820) provides to the hot swap controller a grant signal only when the CompactPCI bus is idle. The hot swap controller (166,186) provides to the special arbiter (820) a float signal causing the special arbiter (820) to disable the system host signals, which include one or more grant signals for granting bus access to devices on the CompactPCI bus (110,120), one or more reset signals for resetting the devices, one or more interrupts and one or more clock signals provided to devices. The hot swap controller (166,186) transfers control of the CompactPCI bus (110,120) to a standby system host 154,164,174,184).

Abstract: In a method for swapping a system host board (150,160,170,180), when a failure is detected on a first system processor board (150), control of a first CompactPCI bus (110) is transferred from a first system processor board system host (154) to a first bridge board system host(164). In an active/standby configuration, control of a second CompactPCI bus (120) is transferred from a second bridge board system host (184) to a second system processor board system host (174), and control of the devices on the first CompactPCI bus (110) and second CompactPCI bus (120) is transferred from the first system processor (152) to the second system processor (172) without resetting any devices on the system.

Abstract: A waveguide laser (10) incorporates a guide (12) and two concave resonator mirrors (14, 16). The guide (12) is of square section with side (2a), and of length L equal to 4a.sup.2 /.lambda., where .lambda. is a laser operating wavelength. The mirrors (14, 16) are phase matched to respective Gaussian intensity profile radiation beams with beam waists at respective waveguide end apertures (20, 22). Each beam waist has a radius w.sub.0 in the range 0.1a to 0.65a to avoid waveguide edge effects and excitation of unwanted high order waveguide modes. The laser (10) has good transverse spatial mode characteristics.

Abstract: A comingling jet having a body or housing through which a right cylindrical yarn chamber extends and an air entry orifice which intersects and communicates with the yarn chamber so that their axis are perpendicular to one another. An adjustable pin assembly is provided at the entry opening of the yarn chamber to modify the air flow characteristics of the yarn chamber.

Abstract: A board game for two or more players simulating the popular conception of espionage. A set of pieces is allotted to each player who must play on an outer part of the board to collect them in order to play on an inner part of the board. The game is played with advantages and forfeits, the object of the game being for each player to capture a selected piece of an opposing player. The board is set out in sectors divided symbolically by barriers which can be bridged to move in an opposing player's sector.