Abstract: Porous microcomposites comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer (PFIEP) containing pendant sulfonic acid and/or carboxylic acid groups entrapped within and highly dispersed throughout a network of metal oxide, a network of silica, or a network of metal oxide and silica are prepared from PFIEP and one or more precursors selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide precursor, a silica precursor, and a metal oxide and silica precursor using an in situ process. Such microcomposites have a first set of pores having a pore size diameter ranging from about 0.5 nm to about 75 nm and may further comprise a second set of pores having a diameter ranging from about 75 nm to about 1000 nm. These microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit high catalytic activity for a variety of reactions including, but not limited to, nitrations, esterifications, dimerizations, alkylations, polymerizations, acylations, and isomerizations.

Abstract: A single chip sensor processor includes an integrated analog to digital converter (A/D) and digital filter. Analog acceleration signals from a sensor is converted and digitally filtered on-chip in parallel with other processor software executions to effectively increases the bandwidth of the system. The results of the sensor processor calculations may be communicated to a remote microcontroller for deploying a vehicle air bag.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support which includes an elongate flexible band arranged to extend between and be connected to opposite sides of a seat back rest. The connection with the seat back rest and least one end of the band is such that the end of the band is movable in the longitudinal direction of the band relative to the seat back rest so as to vary the degree to which the band curves rearwardly. Control of that movement is effected through a flexible cable connected to the band at one end and connected to an actuator at its opposite end. The cable has a tubular cover and a wire core slidable longitudinally within the cover, and the cable connections are such that the wire core forms a static part of a drive connection between the band and the actuator, and the cable cover forms a dynamic part of that connection. It is preferred that a respective cable is connected to each end of the band, and that each of those cables is connected to a common actuator.

Abstract: Sales activity of a product at sales outlets including sales outlets at which sales activity data is sampled and unsampled sales outlets is estimated by determining the distances between each of the sampled sales outlets and each of the unsampled sales outlets and correlating sales activity data from the sampled sales outlets according to the determined distances. The sales activity volume of the product at the plurality of sampled outlets and the estimated sales activity volume of the product at the unsampled outlets are combined to obtain an estimate of sales activity for all the sales outlets. Sales activity of products prescribed by a physician at both the sampled and unsampled outlets can be estimated by correlating sales activity data for the prescribing physician at the sampled outlets according to the distances between the sampled outlets and the unsampled outlets.

Abstract: An ice protection device for an airfoil comprises a plurality of discrete mat sections which are individually secured to the structural member by an adhesive.

Abstract: A hybrid, erbium doped fiber amplifier device has a dynamic gain tilt that is less than the gain tilt of any of the constituent fibers. The hybrid amplifying device has at most one less pumping source than the number of constituent waveguides of the device. The hybrid device automatically provides an effective change in the pump distribution among the constituent doped waveguide sections so as to achieve a readjustment of the relative gains of the constituent sections. As such, a change in the aggregate gain of the hybrid device will be as nearly spectrally uniform as possible over a range of gain values compared to the constituent doped waveguides. A method for constructing a hybrid optical amplifying device having improved dynamic gain tilt is also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a method of depositing substituted fluorocarbon polymeric layers exhibiting a high degree of cross-linking is presented. The substituted fluorocarbon polymeric layers are formed of substituted fluorocarbon polymers in which the carbon functionality in standard fluorocarbon polymers is selectively replaced with a substitute functionality, typically silicon, oxygen or nitrogen. Formation of a substituted fluorocarbon polymeric layer includes placing a substrate into a reactor and, while maintaining the reactor pressure below 100 torr, introducing a process gas into the reactor. Optionally, the substrate is biased. The process gas is then ionized thereby depositing the substituted fluorocarbon polymeric layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A computer system comprises at least one genetic optimization agent holding a pool of genotypes, representing possible solutions to a problem. The genetic optimization agent generates new genotypes from the pool, evaluates the new genotypes according to predetermined fitness criteria, and selects the fittest of the genotypes to form a new generation of genotypes in the pool. The system also includes a number of further agents, for generating further solutions to the problem, using different techniques, such as simulated annealing, constraint logic, and neural networks. These further solutions are also represented by genotypes. The genetic optimization agent imports genotypes from the further agents and adds them to its pool of genotypes for breeding and selection. The genetic optimization agent thus provides a way of integrating a number of different problem-solving agents, in such a way as to achieve synergy between them.

Abstract: A method of manipulating one of a plurality of branches of a menu structure within a window of a menu editor in a graphical user interface is described. A handle associated with a first branch of the plurality of branches is provided. The first branch is associated with a first menu item of the menu structure. The handle is selected. The first branch is moved in response to a cursor control device to associate the first branch with a second menu item of the menu structure. The first branch is disassociated with the first menu item. The first branch is associated with the second menu item of the menu structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of the formula Ar.sup.1 --Q--Ar.sup.2 --Y--R--Z and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 are optionally substituted aryl moieties, Z is an optionally substituted nitrogen-containing moiety which may be an acyclic, cyclic or bicyclic amine or an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic moiety; Q is a linking group capable of linking two aryl groups; R is an alkylene moiety; Y is a linking moiety capable of linking an aryl group to an alkylene moiety and wherein Z is bonded to R through a nitrogen atom. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases which are mediated by LTB.sub.4 production, such as psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, IBD and asthma.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of the formula Ar.sup.1 --Q--Ar.sup.2 --Y--R--Z and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 are optionally substituted aryl moieties, Z is an optionally substituted nitrogen-containing moiety which may be an acyclic, cyclic or bicyclic amine or an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic moiety; Q is a linking group capable of linking two aryl groups; R is an alkylene moiety; Y is a linking moiety capable of linking an aryl group to an alkylene moiety and wherein Z is bonded to R through a nitrogen atom. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases which are mediated by LTB.sub.4 production, such as psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, IBD and asthma.

Abstract: A method of processing an image including the steps of: locating within the image the position of at least one predetermined feature; extracting from the image data representing each feature; and calculating for each feature a feature vector representing the position of the image data of the feature in an N-dimensional space, such space being defined by a plurality of reference vectors each of which is an eigenvector of a training set of like features in which the image data of each feature is modified to normalize the shape of each feature thereby to reduce its deviation from a predetermined standard shape of the feature, which step is carried out before calculating the corresponding feature vector.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support (1) for the back rest (3) of a seat is disclosed which is formed from a band which extends longitudinally across the back rest, and which supports a plurality of convex shaped support elements (10). The band incorporates regions (4, 5) which extend in the longitudinal direction of the band and there are actuators (7) for varying the effective length of at least one of the regions. Adjustment of the support (1) is effected by changing the relationship between the effective lengths of the regions causing the support elements (10) to tilt.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a vehicle sensor and integrated circuit chip includes a ceramic substrate having an opening formed therein. A sensor is secured within the opening. An integrated circuit chip is secured within the opening in electrical communication with the sensor. A pair of electrical connectors are secured on the ceramic substrate in electrical communication with the integrated circuit chip. A metal lid is secured over the opening on the ceramic housing to enclose the integrated circuit chip and sensor. A molded plastic coating encloses the ceramic housing and metal lid, and the electrical connectors extend from the plastic coating. The sensor may be a pressure sensor or acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A peak detector having several novel detection modes including detecting a pair of peaks with opposite polarity and selecting whether or not the peaks must cross programmed thresholds to be detected. The novel detection modes together with several known detection modes are provided in one unit and can be selected by the user. A power down feature is also provided.

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 1 , there is described a support apparatus (1) for supporting a patient at an adjustable position. A handle (5) is provided by which an operator may apply an adjusting force to the support apparatus (2). A locking mechanism (12) retains the support apparatus at a required position. A release mechanism is also provided to release the locking mechanism (12) to allow adjustment. This release mechanism comprises a cable (19), a portion of which extends in proximity to part of the handle (5) so that in use the operator may clasp the cable (19) to the handle (5) thereby to pull the cable (19) and activate the release mechanism.