Abstract: A process for the preparation of higher alkyl acrylic acid esters which comprises the addition reaction of olefins to alkyl acrylic acid esters catalyzed by tantalum pentachloride.

Abstract: A rotary travel limit stop apparatus having a first rotary member (10) and second and third independently rotatable members (14 and 20) having slightly different numbers of gear teeth which engage the gear teeth on a first member (10) carry a movable stop pin (30) which is adapted to engage a fixed stop member (40) only during a revolution near the limit stop position of a controlled element such as an aileron. A stop plate (54) carrying a fixed stop member (40) is angularly adjusted by rotation of a screw (70) which is received by a barrel nut (64) that is coupled to the stop plate (54) by a protuberance (66).

Abstract: An improved bulb mounting arrangement for an electrodeless lamp to prevent the bulb from rotating during lamp operation. The shape of the bulb mounting projection ends and the shape of the cavity side wall openings are arranged so as to cooperate with each other to preclude substantial rotation of the bulb.

Abstract: It has been discovered that tilted optical fiber endfaces useful in low-reflection optical fiber joints can be produced by cleaving, provided the fiber is twisted through an appropriate twist angle. By way of example, for a particular, commercially available single mode fiber, the normalized twist angle typically is in the range of 5-15 degrees/cm, resulting in a nominal tilt angle of the fiber endface in the approximate range 5-20 degrees.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a gravel pack completion which does not require the circulation of fluids during installation. The gravel is first placed or preset within the completion zone and then a well completion tool (e.g. a fluid-permeable liner) having an auger blade thereon is lowered and rotated into the present gravel without circulating fluid through the tool. Since the auger blade mechanically displaces the gravel upward as the tool is moved into the preset gravel, there is no need to flow fluid under pressure to "fluidize" the gravel as is required in prior completions of this type.

Abstract: An inflatable exercise device for cushioning and supporting the body when used by an exerciser doing sit-up type exercises to stress the exerciser's abdominal muscles. The one-piece device is comprised of at least one hollow inflatable chamber containing a pressurized fluid medium and is formed from a thin flexible resilient plastic material. One portion of said chamber when inflated is generally T-shaped and supports the buttocks, tailbone and lumbar spine areas of the exerciser. The other portion of said chamber when inflated is generally U-shaped and supports the upper and lower back muscles of the exerciser to provide a pelvic tilt effect when the exerciser moves reciprocatably and pivotally between essentially prone and sit-up positions to assist in such pivotal movement. The pressurized hollow chamber of the device maintains the exerciser in longitudinal alignment and out of contact with the device supporting surface, with the user's weight comfortably supported.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying characteristic phonocardiographic heart sounds using a novel, recording, digital stethoscope. The stethoscope comprises in combination the features of a standard air column stethoscope together with the features of a recording, digital stethoscope. Further, the stethoscope includes features permitting the detection and recording of at least a portion of the electrocardiographic wave pattern to aid in analysis of the phonocardiographic sounds. The system for identifying phonocardiographic sounds includes the described recording, digital stethoscope together with a computer and display device for storing, analyzing and displaying the detected sounds together with comparative sounds selected from a reference library.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to improve the expression of a poorly expressed recombinant protein, such as platelet factor 4, by constructing a gene fusion such that unfavorable secondary structure formed between the region of the messenger RNA specifying the recombinant protein and the region of the messenger RNA containing the ribosome binding site is disrupted. The gene fusion is constructed by inserting a DNA segment of sufficient length to disrupt unfavorable long-range folding interactions which render the ribosome binding site inaccesible to ribosomes thereby interfering with the translation of mRNA. The invention further provides for the expression of recombinant platelet factor 4 and provides recombinant DNA vectors and methods for the bacterial production and recovery of said platelet factor 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pistol grip fishing pole stand. The pistol grip fishing pole stand includes a frame means which is designed to be inserted into the ground and provide support for the pistol grip fishing pole stand. The stand also includes a receptacle therewith which is adapted to receive and engage the pistol grip shaped handle of a fishing pole. The pistol grip fishing pole stand permits a fisherman to fish without having to hold a fishing pole.

Abstract: A compartmented container that is especially suitable for containing food is provided. The container or package in one embodiment comprises a first or bottom compartment and a second or top compartment that is hinged to the first compartment. The container further includes a latch mechanism composed of a locking latch extending from one compartment and a locking aperture in the other compartment into which the latch can be inserted when the container is in the closed position. A removable platform forms part of the container and is positionable over the open portion of one of the compartments. The platform includes a support tab dimensioned to allow insertion into the locking aperture when the platform is positioned over the open portion of one of the compartments. An elongated slot extends adjacent the hinge to permit the platform to be removed from the container through the slot.

Abstract: A package for an opto-electronic component and associated pigtail is characterized by a notch formed in the sidewall of an open topped lower housing portion which interrupts the edge of the housing such that the component can be laid into the housing with the pigtail extending through the notch.

Abstract: A method of recognizing a selected object during a fly-over including periodically making range measurements to the ground at a predetermined angle, noting range rate of change from adjacent range measurements, determining the presence of an object, its height and width from the range rate changes and comparing the measured figures to stored figures to recognize a selected object.

Abstract: Desulfurization of combustion gases is maximized by calcining a calcinable compound within the combustion chamber under optimal conditions for calcination, processing the calcined product with flyash produced by combustion to form a highly reactive absorbent, and treating the combustion gases with the absorbent to remove sulfur-containing gaseous products of combustion therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 -R.sup.5 and X have the significance given in the description, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The compounds of formula I inhibit the enzyme collagenase and can be used in the form of medicaments for the control or prevention of degenerative joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Recording in which a recording double layer which has an absorbing dye is exposed to laser light of a higher and a lower energy level, in which by exposure to laser light of the lower energy level, a bump is formed in the recording layer and in which by exposure to laser light of the higher energy level a bulge is formed which at the surface comprises a groove, as well as a recording element obtained by using the method and a method of manufacturing a metal copy from the recording element.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein A is a group of the formula HN(OH)--CO-- or HCO--N(OH)--; R.sup.1 is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 -alkyl; R.sup.2 is the characterizing group of a natural .alpha.-amino acid in which any functional group present may be protected, any amino group present may be acylated and any carboxyl group present may be amidated, with the proviso that R.sup.2 is not hydrogen or methyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, amino, hydroxy, mercapto, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkylamino, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkylthio or aryl-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl), or amino-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl), hydroxy-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl), mercapto-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl) or carboxy-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl) in which the amino, hydroxy, mercapto or carboxyl group may be protected, the amino group may be acylated or the carboxyl group may be amidated; R.sup.4 is hydrogen or methyl; R.sup.5 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkoxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, di(C.

Abstract: An air pressure control system for the passenger compartment of a vehicle including an open-loop for generating an open-loop valve position command, a closed-loop for generating a closed-loop correction signal, and a valve control for positioning a valve as a combined function of the open-loop position command and the closed-loop correction command, thereby regulating the flow of air from the passenger compartment and the compartment pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for calibrating a temperature feedback value in a water processing chamber to automatically compensate for variations in infrared emissions from a heated semiconductor wafer due to variations in composition and coatings from wafer to wafer. A calibration wafer with an imbedded thermocouple is used to generate a table relating actual wafer temperatures to power supplied to the heating chamber and infrared emissions detected by a pyrometer. A sample wafer of a batch to be processed is subsequently placed in the chamber at a known power level, and any difference between the detected infrared emission value and the value in the table is used to adjust the entire table according to a first predetermined formula or table. Before each wafer is processed, a known source of infrared light is reflected off the wafer and detected. The reflected light value is compared to a reflection measurement for the sample wafer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating dogs and cats having topically disposed fleas. More particularly, the invention relates to such a method of treatment wherein the dog or cat is dosed with a larvicidally or ovicidally effective amount of flea growth inhibiting substance capable of reaching the flea via the hosts blood.