Abstract: A battery charger (100) with an improved wide band, constant current source (10) with improved dynamic range is provided. The wide band constant current source (10) with improved dynamic range may include a current source (22), a voltage reference amplifier (50), a current control network (70) and overcurrent control circuit (80).

Abstract: A rechargeable battery (208) is charged using a charger (202). The charge current provided by charger (202) is a stepped-down pulse where the battery charge current rate change is determined by the rise time of the battery voltage. The charge pulse sequence is repeated after the polarization recovery period is completed. The polarization recovery time of the previous period will determine if the stepped-down pulse has to be modified.

Abstract: A battery unit charger system is provided which includes a charger (110) for supplying charge current and a battery (120) having a memory (122) for storing battery-related information. The charger (110) includes a controller which exchanges the battery-related information with the memory (122) and in response thereto, controls overall operation of the charger (120). The battery (120) includes a common battery port (126) for selectively receiving charge current and for exchanging data with the charger (120). The controller cuts off the supply of charge current when data is being exchanged with the memory through the common port (126).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a card ornamented with a plant or another material. The card comprises a flexible sheet covered on both surfaces with sheets of plastic material that are thermowelded and a plant or other material is applied to the flexible sheet. The plant or other material is first subject to pressure, then dried at an ambient temperature, then subject to a disinfectant wash. The plant is adhered to the flexible sheet. The plastic sheets are placed over the flexible sheet and are thermowelded at an elevated temperature and pressure for sterilization, completing the card. Thermowelding the plastic sheets to the flexible sheet under pressure and temperature is effective for sterilizing the plant or other material.

Abstract: A battery charging system (10) includes a charging path (50) for charging batteries (14) which have a variety of different charging parameters requiring different optimum charging algorithms (58). The battery charging system (10) comprises a charging algorithm sensing circuit (30). At least one battery cell (14A, 14B) having a positive (23) and a negative terminal (27) and an optimum charging algorithm is to be charged. An impedance (R18) having two terminals and a value related to a predetermined charging algorithm of the cell approximating the optimum charging algorithm is coupled to one of the positive or negative terminals of the battery cell (14B). A capacitor (C72) combines with the impedance (R18) to form a characteristic related to the predetermined charging algorithm.

Abstract: Procedure for the visual and microscopic study of the characteristics of a vegetable plant; characterized because it includes the stages of: collection and selection of specific leaves from the plant; submission of a leaf to a pressing operation at approximately 6 kg/cm.sup.2 and later drying at ambient temperature of approximately 30.degree. ; under these conditions the leaf undergoes soaking in a disinfectant solution; thereafter the leaf is placed between two plastic sheets or films and these are closed with sterilization at 125.degree. C. which temperature is appropriate to carry out the thermowelding which takes place at a pressure of 6 kg/cm.sup.2 to remove any possible air bubbles.

Abstract: Briefly, according to the invention, a tilt switch 30 comprises a body 20 including a substantially conical cavity. The substantially conical cavity has at least a portion 24 which is electrically conductive. The tilt switch further has an electrical contact 32 spaced from the conductive portion 24 of the cavity. Finally, a conductive ball 34 located within the cavity selectively interconnects the electrical contact 32 and the conductive portion 24 of the cavity when the tilt switch 30 is tilted.In another aspect of the invention, a jitter switch 40 comprises a body 50 including a substantially concave shaped cavity. The substantially concave cavity has a curved bottom surface having a conductive portion (48) thereon and a sidewall having a separate conductive portion (44) thereon. A conductive ball 46 within the cavity intermittently interconnects the conductive portion of the bottom surface 48 with the conductive portion on the sidewall 44 when the jitter switch 40 is in motion.

Abstract: The provision of Cephalosporium acremonium resistant to the aminoglycoside G418 allows the use of this aminoglycoside as a marker to select aminogylcoside-resistant cells of Cephalosporium acremonium from non-resistant cells of Cephalosporium acremonium. Aminoglycoside resistance can be imparted by transformation of Cephalosporium acremonium with a suitable vector.

Abstract: An apparatus and operating system to be used by a paraplegic or other crippled person has a patient-supporting walker of stable construction, braces extending entirely along the user's legs, a body-supported pneumatic system for alternately moving the legs in a pre-determined manner, and user-operated control means for operating the system.

Abstract: A process and pressurized, gasification reactor apparatus for converting combustible carbon containing materials such as coal char and other carbonaceous solids or carbonaceous solids/heavy oil combinations to an intermediate heating value fuel gas. The gasification reactor includes an insulated fluidized bed reactor chamber, an upper reactor housing for a freely suspended bayonet bundle type heat exchanger for (a) superheating incoming saturated steam and (b) cooling outgoing high temperature product gas, and a lower reactor housing structure which includes a free-floating, conically-shaped perforated plenum chamber. The superheated steam and oxygen are premixed with the plenum chamber before being pressure directed into the fluidized bed reactor chamber for mixture and combustion with the incoming combustible carbon containing materials such as coal char. After reaction of the superheated steam, oxygen and coal char in the fluidized bed reactor at temperatures ranging from 900.degree. F. to 1750.degree. F.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing glucose-isomerase in high yield by culturing under aerobic conditions, the strain Streptomyces griseoflavus (NCIB 11542).

Abstract: Novel dye-forming couplers have the structure: ##STR1## wherein: Z represents the atoms to complete, with the attached oxygen atom, the same or different 5-pyrazolone dye-forming coupler moiety, phenol dye-forming coupler moiety or naphthol dye-forming coupler moiety, the * in the ring completed by Z representing the coupling position;R is hydrogen or a coupling-off group;Bl is a blocking group removable, during development, from the coupler moiety completed by Z to which it is directly attached; andn is an integer of 2 to 4.

Abstract: A device for drawing parallel lines both in vertical and horizontal directions, and for drawing circumferences without a compass, includes two pieces, one of which is a set square and the other of which is a plate. Two adjacent edges of the plate are provided with markings, such as a millimetric scale, and groups of holes are distributed in relation to the markings of the indicated scale.

Abstract: Fluorinated 1-hydroxy-2-naphthamide couplers which are N-substituted with a lower alkylphenoxybutyl ballasting group are disclosed as well as compositions and photographic elements containing these couplers in coupler solvent particles. The coupler solvent particles are comprised of a combination of a coupler solvent and the coupler capable of permitting the formation of a microcrystalline dye. Surprisingly these microcrystalline dyes exhibit a broadened absorption characteristic in the 750 to 850 nm region of the spectrum. Dye images having such absorption characteristics are particularly suited to forming integral infrared absorbing sound tracks in photographic elements, such as motion picture projection films.

Abstract: A novel class of redox releasing compounds contains an N,N-disubstituted carbamoyl ballast group. These compounds can be used in photographic elements and processes to release a dye or other photographically useful group as a function of silver halide development.

Abstract: 5,6,7,8 Tetrafluoro 1-hydroxy-2-naphthamide couplers which are N-substituted with a lower alkylphenoxybutyl ballasting group are disclosed as well as compositions and photographic elements containing these couplers in coupler solvent particles. The coupler solvent particles are comprised of a combination of a coupler solvent and the coupler capable of permitting the formation of a microcrystalline dye. Surprisingly these microcrystalline dyes exhibit a broadened absorption characteristic in the 750 to 850 nm region of the spectrum. Dye images having such absorption characteristics are particularly suited to forming integral infrared absorbing sound tracks in photographic elements, such as motion picture projection films.