Abstract: A plug-in program for monitoring an application having a set of threads. A parameter is associated with each thread. The plug-in program causes an individual thread associated with the application to be terminated if a corresponding parameter violates a threshold. The thread is terminated without interfering with the execution of the other threads within the set of threads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical design of a megavoltage x-ray detector with both high quantum efficiency (QE) and high resolution. The x-ray detector disclosed herein has a QE that can be an order of magnitude higher than that of current flat panel systems and yet has a spatial resolution equivalent to that of current flat panel systems used for portal imaging. The x-ray detector includes a large number of micro-structured electrically conducting plates, packed together with thin spacers placed between neighboring plates with the micro-structured plates oriented to be parallel to the incident x-rays in operation. Each plate includes an electrically conductive substrate with a first planar surface, elongate electrically conductive strip electrodes separated from each other with strip spacers placed in between and sitting on an insulating layer interposed between the first planar surface of the electrically conductive substrate and the strip electrodes.

Abstract: A thread monitor identifies and interrupts locked threads. A byte code insertion tool inserts timers around classes that are bound to threads. Timers may also be inserted around particular portions of code. When a portion of code, such as a thread, a loop, or a condition block, for example, to be monitored begins, a call is made to a thread monitor to start a timer. If the portion of code ends normally, the timer is removed. If the timer expires, then the thread monitor may interrupt the thread or send a notification to a user so that appropriate action may be taken.

Abstract: The present invention is an indirect AMFPI wherein a phosphor such as a structured cesium iodide (CsI) is used to convert x-ray energy to optical photons or a charge, which is then detected by a two-dimensional array of either thin-film transistors (TFTs) such as an amorphous a-Se TFTs or a photodiode array. A scanning control circuit generates pulses to turn on the TFTs one row at a time, and thus the charge in the individual arrays is transferred from the TFT to one or more external charge-sensitive amplifiers. The charge-sensitive amplifiers are shared by all the pixels in the same column. The two-dimensional array can be read in real time.

Abstract: Particles, useful as a delivery system for an epitope, are composed of a chimaeric hepadnavirus core antigen protein wherein a foreign amino acid sequence comprising an epitope is inserted in or replaces all or part of the sequence of amino acid residues from 68 to 90 in the case where the core antigen is hepatitis B core antigen or the corresponding amino acid sequence in the case of the core antigen of another hepadnavirus.

Abstract: A flat panel detector for radiation imaging includes an array of transistor switches each of which is associated with a pixel electrode. A radiation transducer including a top electrode and a radiation conversion layer is disposed over the array. Inhibiting mechanisms are positioned over dead zones between adjacent pixel electrodes to inhibit the accumulation of charge in the radiation conversion layer at the dead zones when the top electrode is biased and the flat panel detector is exposed to radiation. In one embodiment, the inhibiting mechanism is constituted by islands formed of semiconductor material between the array and the radiation transducer. Each island is positioned over a dead zone between adjacent pixel electrodes and contacts a pixel electrode to allow charges accumulated on the islands to drift to the pixel electrodes.

Abstract: An assembly for retaining a catch member in a first condition and for releasing the catch member for movement to a second condition, the assembly including a latch member pivotable about a first pivotal axis and having a formation adapted to co-operate with the catch member to retain the catch member when the latch member is in a latched position, and a rocker member pivotable about a second pivotal axis, the latch member and the rocker member interacting to retain the latch member in its latched position, the assembly further including actuating means to move the rocker member about the second pivotal axis to cause the latch member to be pivoted about the first pivotal axis to an unlatched position to release the catch member, and wherein the latch member and the rocker member are interconnected by a resilient biasing means wherein the resilient biasing means includes first and second relatively movable parts with a spring acting between them and there being a stop means which locks the first and second rela

Abstract: An x-ray image intensifier includes a photoconductive x-ray detector having an electro-optic light modulator disposed on a photoconductive detector layer. The photoconductive x-ray detector absorbs x-rays passing through an object to be imaged to form an x-ray exposure of the object. An optical image of the x-ray exposure is generated when light passes through the photoconductive x-ray detector. An imager captures optical images of the x-ray exposures. A processor coupled to the imager digitizes and stores the optical images of the x-ray exposure captured by the imager at selected intervals.

Abstract: A digital detector for radiography and fluoroscopy is disclosed. The detector includes a large area, flat panel that easily fits into a conventional X-ray room bucky tray. The detector utilizes a layer of photoconductor (i.e. a-Se in the preferred embodiment) to detect X-rays and convert the X-ray energy to charge, and an active matrix TFT array in the form of a very large area integrated circuit, for readout of the charge. A dual gate structure is used for the TFT array wherein the top gate is formed as an extension of the pixel electrode, so as to provide high voltage protection of the TFT. An integrated pixel storage capacitor is provided for enhanced absorption of X-ray energy with low pixel voltage, low leakage current and a large charge leakage time constant. In a preferred embodiment, the integrated pixel storage capacitor is created by overlapping the pixel the pixel electrode with an adjacent gate line or a separate ground line of the active matrix readout array.

Abstract: A peptide and veterinarily acceptable salts thereof are disclosed which comprise an amino acid sequence which is derived from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The peptide is independent within the FMDV structure of a B-cell epitode and is capable of eliciting T-cell help in an animal susceptible to FMDV infection for production of antibody against an antigen. Optionally, an amino acid in the sequence may be replaced by another amino acid which does not affect the function of the sequence to elicit T-cell help.

Abstract: An x-ray image intensifier includes a photoconductive x-ray detector having an electro-optic light modulator disposed on a photoconductive detector layer. The photoconductive x-ray detector absorbs x-rays passing through an object to be imaged to form an x-ray exposure of the object. An optical image of the x-ray exposure is generated when light passes through the photoconductive x-ray detector. An imager captures optical images of the x-ray exposure. A processor coupled to the imager digitizes and stores the optical images of the x-ray exposure captured by the imager at selected intervals.

Abstract: An r.f. radiation absorbing material able to hold off a 30 to 40 kV voltage difference is described as formed by a silicon rubber loaded with ferrite particles. The material is used to reduce self-oscillation in amplifiers.

Abstract: A system for measuring the charge distribution on a photoreceptor plate which has been exposed to X-ray radiations to form an image of an object thereon is disclosed. The system comprises a transparent sensor electrode adapted to be positioned over the photoreceptor plate, means for scanning a pulsed laser beam through the transparent sensor electrode to discharge the photoreceptor surface charge pixel-by-pixel and so induce a corresponding voltage on the sensor electrode to be read by a suitable read-out device, such sensor electrode being of sufficient width so as to achieve good capacitive coupling with the region around the area to be discharged by the laser, and means for moving the sensor electrode or the photoreceptor plate step by step or continuously transversely of the laser scanning direction for reading out the image impressed on the photoreceptor surface.

Abstract: According to this invention there is provided a ball and socket joint for use on automobiles and more particularly for use in the steering and suspension systems of automobiles. The ball joint includes a ball pin, the ball of which is rotatable within a housing and is capable of limited universal rotational movement therein. Such constant movement causes wear within the joint and it is desirable to have some means of readily assessing this wear.To enable this wear to be readily estimated by some means external to the housing, the bearing end cap is slidably engaged along one axis with a second member, substantially external to the housing and which is fixed relative to the housing along the one axis and also is rotatable about the said axis. The bearing end cap being displaced by a spring means from either of a rotatable or an interlocked state relative to the second member, to the other of the alternative states, such displacement be accommodated by the wear within the ball joint.

Abstract: Process for the production of drop streams by modulating a liquid jet issuing from a nozzle, characterized in that the jet modulation comprises a wave having the fundamental frequency of drop formation, together with a second wave whose frequency is twice that of the fundamental wave.This simultaneous use of the two waves controls the shape of the devices for the production of such drop streams, and the use of such drop streams in droplet printing, in crop spraying and the production of spray dried products.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a pivot joint having means for indicating wear thereof. The pivot joint comprises a headed pin, a socket in which the head is engaged and from which the pin projects, mating bearing surfaces on the head and the socket such that the pin is movable angularly with respect to the socket, a wear indicator extending through an aperture in the sockets and having its inner end engageable with the head, and a diaphragm which extends between the indicator and the socket to seal the bearing surfaces against ingress of foreign matter through the aperture.

Abstract: A lithium/chalcogen thermal cell having a ceramic electrolyte and a lithium ion-containing salt intermediate the anode and the electrolyte. The chalcogen is preferably selenium or sulphur and the ceramic electrolyte is preferably .beta.alumina, or .beta."alumina, or Li.sub.4 SiO.sub.4, or Li.sub.4 TiO.sub.4. Contact between the anode and the electrolyte is prevented by the intermediate salt and the ceramic electrolyte prevents self discharge of the cell resulting from dissolution of the electrode materials.