Abstract: In magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a resistive electromagnet with a bore 6, r.f. excitation pulse substantially simultaneously excites a number of slices A to D which are phase encoded and frequency encoded in the usual way, the direction of the main field being along the bore of the electromagnet in the direction z. The receive coil consists of an array of coils 5a to 5d which view different spatial regions of the imaging volume and the outputs of which are combined in different ways in order to reduce the number of slice encoding steps in the z-direction needed to distinguish between the slices A to D. Each coil of the array 5a etc. can form part of a two dimensional array in order to reduce the number of phase encoding steps in the phase encode direction.

Abstract: Compositions of 1,1,1,3,3 -pentafluoropropane and 1,1 -dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane are provided. The compositions of the invention are environmentally desirable for use as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, blowing agents for polymer foam, heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics and solvents.

Abstract: A plurality of metallic telephone lines carrying both baseband POTS (plain old telephone service) and DSL (digital subscriber line) or ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) signals originate at customer premises and pass through a common field cabinet enroute to a telephone central office. Baseband POTS signals flow in an undisturbed manner through the field cabinet and maintain the normal, highly reliable, communication between the subscriber premises and the central office telephone switch. At the field cabinet, DSL/ADSL signals are removed from the metallic telephone line and are then communicated between the field cabinet and the central office using fiber optic broadband transmission. Fiber optic transmission increases the allowed distance between the ADSL transceiver located at the customer location and the respective ADSL transceiver located in the telephone central office.

Abstract: The present invention provides refrigerant blends which are replacements for chlorodifluoromethane(HCFC-22). The present blends have refrigeration characteristics which are similar to HCFC-22. The blends comprise from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of a first component selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, difluoromethane, propane, and mixtures thereof; from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of a second component selected from the group consisting of hydrofluorocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, fluorocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inorganic compound, and mixtures thereof having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure in the range from about −90 degrees C. to less than −50 degrees C.; and from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of a third component which is hydrofluorocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, other than 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure in the range from about −50 degrees C. to about −10 degrees C.

Abstract: A method of converting a plastics material into a yarn in which the plastics material comprises one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyesters, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyphenylene sulphide, polystyrene. The method comprises heating the material to melt it, pumping the melted material through an extruder to form an extruded filament, and cooling the extruded filament. The cooled filament is passed through a first draw roller assembly while elevating the temperature of the filament. The filament is then heated in a heating zone as it exits the first draw roller assembly and, thereafter, the filament is passed through a second draw roller assembly operating at a different linear speed to the first draw roller assembly. The filament is spooled after exiting the second draw roller assembly.

Abstract: Anti-microbial compositions for use on the outer surface of the human body or on apparel worn in close proximity thereto comprising a carrier material and a salt of a transition metal chelator comprising a transition metal chelator anion and particular organic cations. The chelator salts possess great formulation flexibility, being compatible with a wide range of other materials, and are believed to function by inhibiting the up-take of essential transition metal nutrients by microbes. Preferred chelators have high affinity for iron (III).

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 there is a region of good i.e. uniform field between A and B but, where the field falls off, say, at D, the r.f. excitation pulse can produce an alias image of D which overlies the desired image of say, B. To reduce this effect, the r.f. excitation coil 4 comprises an array of small coils, the amplitude and phase of the excitation of which is controlled so that the r.f. field collapses rapidly outside the region of good field.

Abstract: A method of converting a plastics material into a yarn includes heating the material to melt it and pumping the melted material through an extrusion die (114) to form an extruded filament (116). The extruded filament is cooled and passed through a first draw roller assembly (122) while elevating the temperature of the filament. The filament (116) is heated in a heating zone (126) as it exits the first draw roller assembly. Thereafter the filament is passed through a second draw roller assembly (134) operating at a different linear speed to the first draw roller assembly (122). The filament (116) is spooled after exiting the second draw roller assembly (134).

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus uses magnetic field gradients X, Y, Z to spatially encode the magnetic signals arising from a patient on a couch 2 in bore 1 of a main magnet. Thermal stresses arising from aggressive gradients during multiple acquisitions result in imperfectly repeated gradients and resulting image artefacts. The invention uses a probe 4 provided with a gradient coil set similar to that for imaging, and fed by currents derived from the imaging gradient coils, connected so as to produce an opposing gradient surrounding an MR active substance in the probe. This enables a probe with a sufficiently large amount of MR active substance to produce a useful signal to be used to monitor the gradient, while overcoming the de-phasing problem. which would otherwise occur. Closed loop control of gradients thereby becomes possible.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTSC) 5 is magnetized between drive coils 1,2 forming poles of a magnet connected by an iron yoke 9 by relative movement of a vacuum insulated cryostat 4 containing the HTSC and the magnetizing magnet, in order to magnetize a large area of HTSC using a magnet with a small region 3 of magnetizing flux. Alternatively, the HTSC 5 may be contained in an evacuated region of a cryostat containing the magnetizing magnet. An interconnecting chamber allows the HTSC to be moved between an operative region and a magnetizing region without substantial loss of vacuum.

Abstract: A wireless local area network comprising a plurality of computing entities communicating over a common communications frequency within a local area network operates a transmission deferral method whereby each computing entity defers its own transmissions if it receives a signal at said communications frequency which is above a threshold value set within said computing entity, and which is decodable. Each computing entity is capable of varying dynamically the value of its threshold level above which receipt of signals results in the computing entity deferring its own transmission. Received signals on the communications frequency which are less than the threshold value do not result in the computing entity deferring its transmissions, but are ignored by the computing entity. The threshold value is varied according to whether traffic from more remote signal sources are sufficiently intense that the local traffic cannot be decoded.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTSC) 5 is magnetized between drive coils 1,2 forming poles of a magnet connected by an iron yoke 9 by relative movement of a vacuum insulated cryostat 4 containing the HTSC and the magnetizing magnet, in order to magnetize a large area of HTSC using a magnet with a small region 3 of magnetizing flux. Alternatively, the HTSC 5 may be contained in an evacuated region of a cryostat containing the magnetizing magnet. An interconnecting chamber allows the HTSC to be moved between an operative region and a magnetizing region without substantial loss of vacuum.

Abstract: Interventional MRI imaging leads to the development of open magnets such as for example C-magnet 1, in which it is correspondingly more difficult to generate a large field in order to obtain a good signal-to-noise ratio. To overcome this, a pre-polarizing unit 7 is provided which utilizes a HTSC magnet, for example of YBCO, which is brought adjacent to the patient to assist in generating the main field, and then rapidly withdrawn to position 8, in order to enable the r.f. signals to be detected in the presence of the field of the C-magnet 1.

Abstract: An inductive component includes a substrate on the surface of which is a lower insulation layer having a shallow concavity or trench, a first plurality of conductive elements formed in the trench, a magnetic core formed over the first plurality of conductive elements, and a second plurality of conductive elements formed over the core. The first and second pluralities of conductive elements are connected to each other so as to form an inductive coil around the core. First and second core insulation layers are disposed between the core and the first and second pluralities of conductive elements, respectively. The component is fabricated by a method in which it is built up in the trench using thin film techniques. A first array of conductors is patterned over the lower insulation layer, and a first core insulation layer is applied over the first conductor array. A magnetic core is formed on top of the first core insulation layer, and a second core insulation layer is applied over the core.

Abstract: A system for dislodging by-product agglomerations from a polishing pad of a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) machine. The present invention is used in conjunction with a CMP machine that polishes semiconductor wafers. Specifically, an embodiment of the dislodging system in accordance with the present invention includes a megasonic nozzle which is adapted to effectively dislodge polishing by-product agglomerations and particles from the grooves and micro-pits of the surface of a polishing pad through the application of an output stream of extremely agitated fluid (e.g., deionized water). One embodiment of the megasonic nozzle in accordance with the present invention includes two piezoelectric transducers which operate at a resonant frequency to produce the extremely agitated stream of fluid. A fluid line is connected to the megasonic nozzle and a fluid source in order to convey fluid to the megasonic nozzle.

Abstract: When imaging a region of a patient using a contrast agent, for example in magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a superconducting magnet 2, it is usual to take an image before and after injection of a contrast agent from an injector 5 into the patient. The invention provides a second injector 8 which contains a sample of the patient's blood or saline or other injectable medium which leads directly to the region of interest being imaged in the patient via a catheter 9, which has an expandible tip which can be expanded to block off the vessel in question. The injector can then be used to inject a bolus of injectable medium into the region of interest, whereupon a further image can be taken, and the catheter can be collapsed to unblock the vein whereupon an image in the presence of the contrast agent can be taken.

Abstract: In order to reduce the effects of impact on liquid crystal devices a polymer network is introduced into ferroelectric liquid crystal cells. A liquid crystal device comprises two spaced cell walls each bearing electrode structures and treated on at least one facing surface with an alignment layer, a layer of a smectic liquid crystal material enclosed between the cell walls, characterised in that the liquid crystal material contains a small amount of monomer. The liquid crystal material may also contain a photoinitiator. The monomer material may be cured to produce the polymer networks the curing many be carried out in the presence of an electric or magnetic field. Further, the monomer may be cured in an isotropic or liquid crystal phase.

Abstract: A test device and method for determining parameters of a plurality of vias formed into a dielectric material making contact to a buried conductive layer. The present invention is comprised of a sample structure disposed within the material through which a plurality of vias are to be formed. The sample structure is adapted to enhance secondary electron yield from the via bottom during a scanning electron microscope examination of the vias. Additionally, the plurality of vias to be formed are disposed intentionally offset with respect to the sample structure. As a result, the enhanced secondary electron yield from the sample structure characterizes the degree of misalignment present in the via formation process. In so doing, the present invention simultaneously quantifies the critical dimension of the vias, the alignment/registration of the via formation process, and determines whether or not the vias are etched to a minimum desired depth.

Abstract: Peptides can be produced in and purified from the milk of transgenic animals. The peptides are made as fusion proteins with a suitable fusion partner such as &agr;-lactalbumin, which is a natural milk protein. The fusion partner protein acts to promote secretion of the peptides and, at least in the case of &agr;-lactalbumin, allows a single-step purification based on specific affinity. The peptide is released from the purified fusion protein by a simple cleavage step and purified away from the now liberated &agr;-lactalbumin by repeating the same affinity purification method. A particular advantage of producing peptides via this route, in addition to the obvious advantages of high yield and biocompatibility, is that specific post-translational modifications, such as carboxy terminal amidation, can be performed in the mammary gland.

Abstract: A process for making an integrated circuit is disclosed. This technique includes electrically interconnecting a pair of adjacent transistors positioned along a semiconductor substrate by coating with an oxide layer, planarizing the layer, then forming a trench exposing a contact region for each transistor. This trench is filled with a metal, such as tungsten to provide an electrical interconnection of the contact regions. The metal is then planarized to be approximately coplanar with the planarized oxide layer. Metal gate electrodes are formed at the same time as the interconnection. Additional processing includes depositing an IMO layer over the planarized metal and oxide and defining additional interconnections through the IMO layer.