Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling glass flow in, for example, a downdraw glass manufacturing process (e.g., the fusion downdraw process) are provided. In certain aspects, the mass, thickness, and/or the temperature distribution of molten glass (40) on the surface of forming apparatus (60) is managed by: (A) constructing a stream-tube mapping between (i) regions (510; FIG. 5A) of a cross-section of a conduit (400) that supplies molten glass (40) to the forming apparatus (60) and (ii) regions (510; FIG. 5B) on the exterior surface of the forming apparatus (60); (B) using the stream-tube mapping to select a temperature distribution for the cross-section that results in a desired mass, thickness, and/or temperature distribution of molten glass (40) on the surface of the forming apparatus (60); and (C) heating and/or insulating the conduit (400) so as to produce a temperature distribution for the cross-section which equals or at least approximates the distribution selected in step (B).

Abstract: A system and method for locating broadcast towers in an electronic device including a television signal receiver are provided. The system allows a user to have an easy access to information on local television transmission towers while assisting the adjustment of an antenna. One embodiment of the system includes a database; a data communications network; an antenna; and an electronic device having access to the database over the network. The device includes a tuner configured to receive a television transmission signal; a display unit; and a processor configured to provide the display unit with information on local television transmission towers based at least partly on data received over the network. The information further includes the signal strength levels of channels provided by the television transmission towers. The processor is further configured to determine the signal strength level of the channel from the quality of the reception of the television transmission signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a milk-based beverage comprising a milk component and a catechin-containing component. The milk component includes milk fat in an amount of at least about 0.2% by weight of the milk-based beverage. The catechin-containing component, wherein the catechin-containing component prevents off-flavors in the milk-based beverage. A method for preventing off-flavors in a milk-based beverage comprising a milk component including milk fat in an amount of at least about 0.2% by weight of the milk-based beverage is also provided.

Abstract: A method of measuring dimensional changes in a transparent substrate includes forming an array of reference markers on a reference plate, forming an array of substrate markers on the transparent substrate, stacking the reference plate and transparent substrate such that the reference markers and substrate markers overlap, measuring coordinates of the substrate markers relative to coordinates of the reference markers before and after processing the transparent substrate, and determining dimensional changes in the transparent substrate from the difference between the measured relative coordinates of the substrate markers before and after processing the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A multi-function controller in a computer graphics system performs the functions of a graphics processor, a video processor, a system memory controller, a cache controller, and a PCI bridge. The multi-function controller is connected to the host bus of the computer graphics display system to maximize performance. A graphics frame buffer and a system memory are combined into a unified system memory, which is controlled by and coupled to the multi-function controller.

Abstract: An odor removing toilet seat system 10 includes a toilet seat with an airflow chamber. The airflow chamber has a plurality of apertures. The blower assembly is connected to the airflow chamber by an intake tube. The blower assembly withdraws air from the airflow chamber. The withdrawal of air from the airflow chamber creates a vacuum within the airflow chamber. The vacuum draws exterior air from a toilet bowl into the airflow chamber. The plurality of apertures travel from the airflow chamber to the exterior air in the toilet bowl. The exterior air is drawn from the toilet bowl through the plurality of apertures and into the airflow chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a bi-directional spout apparatus for attachment to the spout of a conventional faucet that allows for either the upward or downward discharge of water. The first bore receives water flow from the spout. The second bore extends from the central cavity to the bottom surface. Water flows from the spout into the first bore and into the central cavity where it can be diverted into either the second bore or the third bore. A sliding regulator member can be used within the central cavity to regulate water flow.

Abstract: A method of measuring the height of a foot arch precisely and easily using two essential heights of the foot arch is disclosed. In the method, a foot cast is primarily cast by pouring plaster into a foot mold. Thereafter, a first intersecting point and a second intersecting point are determined. The first intersecting point is determined by making a first line and a third line intersect. The second intersecting point is determined by making a second line and the third line intersect. The first line is a straight line extending from the center of the second toe to the center of the heel end. The second line is a straight line extending from the center of the big toe to a point spaced apart inwardly from the center of the heel end by ⅛ of the total distance of the heel end. The third line is a center line of the transverse arch of the foot. Finally, a first height and a second height are measured while the foot pattern is set in an upright position.

Abstract: A multi-function controller in a computer graphics system performs the functions of a graphics processor, a video processor, a system memory controller, a cache controller, and a PCI bridge. The multi-function controller is connected to the host bus of the computer graphics display system to maximize performance. A graphics frame buffer and a system memory are combined into a unified system memory, which is controlled by and coupled to the multi-function controller.

Abstract: A multi-function controller in a computer graphics system performs the functions of a graphics processor, a video processor, a system memory controller, a cache controller, and a PCI bridge. The multi-function controller is connected to the host bus of the computer graphics display system to maximize performance. A graphics frame buffer and a system memory are combined into a unified system memory, which is controlled by and coupled to the multi-function controller.

Abstract: A system for printing background and foreground colors in response to mask data and printing instructions. Page description language data is separated onto three lines, two for Contone and solid colors, and one for control (mask data and instructions). The mask and instruction data is transformed into a series of multi-bit command words, each describing a pixel in terms of 1) control tag bits to specify color, 2) object optimized rendering tag bits to describe the type of color (solid, text, sampled or line art), 3) color space transformation bits to control conversion from other spaces to CYMK and 4) format tags to specify the number of bits per pixel. This series of command words combines information on one line that required at least two lines in the prior art, and the data is in easily compressable form, resulting in simplified hardware.

Abstract: This invention relates to derivatives of dipyrrometheneboron difluoride fluorescent dyes that have an absorption maximum at wavelengths longer than about 525 nm, and are chemically reactive with nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and other biologically derived or synthetic chemical materials to form dye-conjugates. The dye-conjugates generally have the structure: ##STR1## wherein at least one of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7, covalently bonds to a specific binding pair member, and further where at least one of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7 contains a bathochromic moiety that is heteroaryl or alkenyl. The remaining substituents, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl (containing 1-5 carbon atoms), aryl, arylalkyl, or sulfo.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for extending a pulling range of automatic fine tuning of a television receiver. An initial tuning voltage is applied to a tuner when a channel switching operation is performed or the television receiver is powered on. The tuning voltage to the tuner is controlled by bands as a result of comparison of an automatic fine tuning voltage of a specified channel with a first predetermined reference voltage. If the automatic fine tuning voltage is higher than the first predetermined reference voltage, it is checked whether the automatic fine tuning voltage is within a desired range. The tuning voltage to the tuner is controlled by the bands if the automatic fine tuning voltage is not within the desired range, to maintain the automatic fine tuning voltage within the desired range. Presence of a synchronous signal of the specified channel is checked if the automatic fine tuning voltage is within the desired range.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluorescent dyes that are substituted or unsubstituted derivatives of 1-[isoindolyl]methylene-isoindole that are bound through both isoindole nitrogens to a boron difluoride moiety, forming a fluorescent dibenzopyrrometheneboron difluoride compound ##STR1## whose fluorescence properties are modified by the selection of appropriate chemical substituents.The dibenzopyrrometheneboron difluoride compound is optionally substituted by hydrogen, halogen cyano, sulfo, alkali or ammonium salts of sulfo, carboxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, perfluoroalkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, nitro, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, substituted or unsubstituted aryl substituents, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl substituents, or additional substituted or unsubstituted fused benzo rings or substituted or unsubstituted fused heteroaromatic rings.

Abstract: Fluorescent compounds useful in the determination of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) enzyme activity are described. The compounds are "fluorescent derivatives related in structure to chloramphenicol and are acylated in the presence of CAT to produce fluorescent mono- and diacylated products, which are then physically separated from the reaction mixture and quantitated by means of their fluorescence and/or absorbance. Fluorescent molecules conjugated to chloramphenicol include derivatives of fluorescein, rhodamine, coumarin, dimethylaminonaph-thalene sulfonic acid (dansyl), pyrene, anthracene, nitrobenz-oxadiazole (NBD), acridine and dipyrrometheneboron difluoride.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved fluorescent fatty acid analogs derived from dipyrrometheneboron difluoride ("BDY") dyes that absorb light at wavelengths longer than 480 nm. The BDY fluorophore or a derivative thereof is incorporated at various locations along the alkyl portion of the fatty acid ("BDY fatty acid"). The general formula of a BDY fatty acid is as follows: ##STR1## wherein at least one of the substituents R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 is a carboxylic acid terminated alkyl residue containing 5 to 22 carbon atoms. The remaining substituents, singly or in any combination, are: additional alkyl or arylalkyl residues containing 1 to 16 aliphatic carbon atoms, or aryl or heteroaryl residues, or hydrogen. Symmetrically substituted BDY fluorophores are conveniently synthesized from a single pyrrole precursor in a "one-pot" reaction. Alternatively, BDY fatty acids are synthesized from two different pyrrole precursors.

Abstract: This invention relates to derivatives of dipyrrometheneboron difluoride fluorescent dyes that have an absorption maximum at wavelengths longer than about 525 nm, and are chemically reactive with nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and other biologically derived or synthetic chemical materials. The dyes generally have the structure: ##STR1## wherein at least one of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7, is a reactive functional group, and at least one of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7 contains a bathochromic moiety. The bathochromic moiety is an unsaturated organic group, preferably heteroaryl or alkenyl. The remaining substituents, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl (containing 1-5 carbon atoms), aryl, arylalkyl, or sulfo. The dyes are used to make novel conjugates with members of specific binding pairs that are ligands or receptors.

Abstract: Fluorescent compounds useful in the determination of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) enzyme activity are described. The compounds are fluorescent derivatives related in structure to chloramphenicol comprising a base, ##STR1## substituted at one to five aromatic ring positions by substituents, which may be the same or different, that are alkyl-, hydroxy-, alkoxy-, aryl-, halo-, nitro-, amino-, alkylamido-, or arylamido-; and a fluorescent moiety linked to the base at --NH-- by an aliphatic chain of 1-12 atoms other than hydrogen, where such atoms are carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or combinations thereof. The substrate compounds are acylated in the presence of CAT to produce fluorescent mono- and diacylated products, which are then physically separated from the reaction mixture and quantitated by means of their fluorescence and/or absorbance.

Abstract: This invention describes novel 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacenes containing heteroaryl substituents conjugated to the fluorophore and methods for their synthesis. The heteroaryl substituted compounds (heteroaryl dyes) generally have the structure: ##STR1## wherein any or all of the substituents R.sub.1 -R.sub.7, but at least one of such substituents, is a heteroaryl group, including 5- or 6-member rings, singly or fused, containing one or more heteroatoms. The new dyes that have spectral properties that are significantly shifted from those of the parent alkyl-substituted dyes, usually accompanied by an increase in photostability and in some cases by an increase in the extinction coefficient relative to the alkyl-substituted dyes. The general method of synthesis includes formation of pyrromethene salt intermediates followed by cyclization with boron trifluoride in the presence of a base to give heteroaryl-substituted dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dyes.

Abstract: A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus for a refrigerator comprises an air intake section for introducing air thereinto, a sterilizing/deodorizing section including a discharge lamp to remove floating bacteria, odors, and the like contained in the air which passes through the intake section, a discharge section for discharging purified air. The apparatus is operated automatically by a temperature sensor or by an odor detector.