Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for positioning a dual element magnetoresistive (MR) head relative to a storage medium in a storage device. The MR head has first and second MR elements. The storage medium is mounted in the storage device to allow relative movement between the MR head and the storage medium. The storage medium includes servo information provided to induce first and second thermal responses in the MR elements. A controller is coupled to the MR head and controls the relative movement between the MR head and the storage medium using the first and second thermal responses in the MR elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting cytotoxic poisoning of normal cells in a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a Transforming Growth Factor Beta effective to slow the growth of normal cells and thereby inhibit the cytotoxic poisoning of the normal cells in the subject. Typically, administration is topical and initiated prior to anti-neoplastic therapy such as radiation treatment or chemotherapy. The invention is particularly suited for pediatric patients.

Abstract: A telephone transaction processing system is disclosed, Processing of telephone transactions, such as credit card transactions, financial account debiting, or information collection, is facilitated by an agent that may be integrated into the transport of the carrier as an enhanced service, the telephone network of a local or long distance company, or a private branch exchange or computer or separate processor supporting said telephone call. The agent may be invoked through touch tones or voice commands by any party on a completed telephone call and may be invoked multiple times during a conversation.

Abstract: Novel oxy- and thio-substituted fatty acid analog substrates of myristoylating enzymes are provided which contain an oxygen or sulfur in place of a methylene group in a carbon position from 4 to 13 in the fatty acid chain of a C.sub.13 -C.sub.14 fatty acid or alkyl ester thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ambient light electrophoretic display comprising a plurality of cells containing a suspension of charged pigment particles in a light-transmissive fluid. Each cell comprises a light-transmissive front window, a nonobstructing collecting electrode and counter electrode disposed in the cell, and a panel having a reflective or absorbing surface.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer (10) comprises a flexible transmitter (18), a flexible receiver array (22), and flexible electrodes (14), (16), (20), for the transmitter and receiver. The elements of the transducer are arranged such that the transducer may be flexed for conformity with surfaces of test specimens of a variety of non-planar configurations.

Abstract: An electronic weighing device includes a lower electrically conductive plate, an upper electrically conductive plate, a load cell coupled to central portions of the upper and lower plates such that the load cell responds to weight on the upper plate, and a flexible, conductive band coupling the periphery of the upper plate to the periphery of the lower plate. An electronic circuit is coupled to the load cell. The circuit is provided on a board which is mounted on the lower plate close to its center. A pair of bores are provided in the lower plate extending from the circuit board to an edge of the lower plate. A pair of non-conductive rods are coupled to potentiometer on the circuit board. The non-conductive rods extend through the bores from the circuit board to the peripheral edge of the lower plate. The lower plate is provided with a shielded electrical socket which is coupled by shielded cable to the circuit board. A conductive cover is provided over the upper plate, the load cell, and the band.

Abstract: A wedging device locatable between two components and consisting of a plurality of parts connected together such that the device remains as a single cohesive assembly during all phases of operation. The wedging device comprises a spool having two inclined surfaces and a pair of wedges arranged such that each wedge is able to be moved up one of the inclined surfaces, respectively. The device also comprises a rotatable threaded member which extends through an aperture formed in the spool and is received by the wedges. Rotation of the threaded member when the device is located between the two components causes the wedges to move toward each other up the respective inclined surfaces of the spool and be pressed against one of the components to thereby force the spool against the other said component.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are provided for mapping aperities or protruding disk defects in a data storage disk file. A protruding disk defect is identified and a head and disk interference value is measured. The measured head and disk interference value is compared with a predetermined threshold value. A severity value is determined responsive to the compared values and stored with a location of the identified protruding disk defect. A no-idle zone is defined relative to the location of the identified protruding disk defect based upon the severity value and a geometry of an airbearing slider. Evasive maneuvering is performed to avoid slider and transducer head contact with the identified protruding disk defect.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel antiviral naphthoquinone compounds, which may be isolated from plants of the genus Conospermum or synthesized chemically, in accordance with the present inventive methods. The antiviral naphthoquionone compounds, derivatives thereof, and prodrugs thereof, may be used alone or in combination with other antiviral agents in compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, to inhibit the growth or replication of a virus, such as a retrovirus, in particular a human immunodeficiency virus, specifically HIV-1 or HIV-2, in the treatment or prevention of viral infection.

Abstract: A cast iron hydrocyclone (1,21) made of separate parts joined together, wherein at least two of the parts (2,3; 22,23) are held together by a pair of separate collars (7,8; 26,28) connected to one another, each collar being anchored to one or the other of the parts. The parts may be so anchored by bearing against an anchor provided on the parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to multiplex ligase chain reaction (LCR). Two or more purative target sequences are selected. For each one, a set of four probes is used simultaneously to amplify the putative sequence if it is present in the sample. Preferably, all the amplicons are labeled with a common label/hapten and, for each different target, with a unique label/hapten. The invention also relates to an immunochromatographic strip device and method employing a diagonal array of capture spots.

Abstract: Method for synthesizing L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate and its acid, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid. The present invention involves the separation of phenol from a reaction mixture containing L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate and phenol. In the present method a reaction mixture containing phenol, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate, and chloride salt, is contacted with a phenol adsorbing adsorption resin, the adsorption resin comprising a polymer having a polyethylene backbone. The adsorption resin is capable of adsorbing substantially all of the phenol while not adsorbing substantial amounts of the L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method of etching of indium phosphide (InP) semiconductor materials using methyl chloride CH.sub.3 Cl and phosphine PH.sub.3 in a low pressure MOCVD reactor is provided. Etching of InP using CH.sub.3 Cl as an etchant and PH.sub.3 to prevent thermal decomposition of the etched surface gives excellent etching morphology, and a maximum etching rate of 0.75 mm/hr for the CH.sub.3 Cl flow rates studied. A PH.sub.3 flow rate.ltoreq.40 SCCM and etching temperature.gtoreq.610.degree. C. provided excellent etch morphology, without formation of pits, independent of the CH.sub.3 Cl flow rate. A controllable etching rate was obtained for a coated susceptor when deposits are primarily InP. Thus this method of CH.sub.3 Cl etching is suitable for multiple growth and etching steps using an MOCVD reactor. By controlling the PH.sub.

Abstract: Tissue plasminogen activators (t-PAs) and derivatives thereof are produced in useful quantities using recombinant DNA techniques. Specific derivatives include amino acid deletion derivatives and amino acid substitution derivatives. A deletion derivative lacking the N-terminal first 68 amino acids is specifically exemplified having requisite t-PA characteristics. The invention disclosed thus enables the production of t-PAs and derivatives thereof via recombinant means. Methods, expression vehicles and various host cells useful in the production of said t-PAs and derivatives thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The electromagnetic induction suspension and horizontal switching system for a vehicle on a substantially planar guideway provides vertical lift and stability and lateral stability for a vehicle. The system provides inherent vertical lift, as well as vertical and lateral stability, including pitch, yaw and roll stability. Moreover, the suspension and stabilization system of the present invention allows electronic, horizontal switching between multiple substantially planar guideways such as a mainline guideway and a secondary guideway, which may be accomplished at speeds over 300 m.p.h. Proximal to and within a switching area at the intersection of the mainline guideway and the secondary guideway, the respective lift and stability systems for each guideway coexist and may be switched on or off, depending on the path chosen for the vehicle.

Abstract: Compound of formula (I): ##STR1## in which: m, n, which are identical or different, represent 0, 1 or 2,R.sub.1, R.sub.2, which are identical or different, represent hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, or form with the carbon atom carrying them carbonyl or (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)cycloalkyl,R.sub.3 represents hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyl or aryl,R.sub.4 represents any of the groups as defined in the description,X represents --SO.sub.2 --, --CO-- or --SO.sub.2 NH--,R.sub.5 represents optionally substituted alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)cycloalkyl, aryl or heterocyclic,A represents an aryl ring or a heterocycle,its isomers as well as its addition salts with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base and medicinal products containing the same are useful as metalloprotease inhibitors.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of classifying a pattern including performing a wavelet transform. The invention finds particular application in the field of automatic target recognition, in which the pattern appears in a return radar signal, and the classification is used to classify a target.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and display for controlling defining and automatically executing a sequence of commands of a tool shelf. The user places (drags and drops) desktop icons from a tool box into a sequence tool shelf in an order in which the commands are to be executed. A directed list of the commands created during the placement of the icons in the sequence shelf, along with a current command pointer, is used to automatically control the execution of the commands in the order specified by the user. The execution can be performed without user input to indicate that the next command in the sequence should be executed or the user can control next command execution using a selection tool such as a marking menu. The icons of the commands are highlighted as the commands are executed to provide the user visual feed back concerning which command is currently being executed.