Abstract: A computer network processes data packets in the event of a network link failure. The network includes a plurality of routers that deliver data packets to the network via a plurality of links. At least one router includes a protection cycle manager. The protection cycle manager has a protection cycle packet identifier and a protection cycle packet processor. The protection cycle packet identifier identifies, as protection cycle packets, data packets having a specific protection cycle format. The protection cycle packet processor processes protection cycle packets to determine whether the packet destination corresponds to the routing node, and if the packet destination corresponds to the routing node, the protection cycle packet is treated by the routing node as a data packet received from the packet source via the failed link. Otherwise, if the packet destination does not correspond to the routing node, the protection cycle packet is sent to a protection cycle node for the routing node.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating compression waves in a conductive liquid comprises a vessel containing a conductive liquid and ac electromagnetic force applying means provided around the vessels for generating the compression waves to achieve improvement after solidification of the liquid by enchancing strength of the compression waves by setting the ac frequency “f” of ac electromagnetic force applying means only within the range defined by the expression 2/(L2&pgr;&mgr;&sgr;)≦f≦(c2&mgr;&sgr;)/2&pgr;, wherein f is a major frequency when a waveform of an electromagnetic force is developed by the Fourier transform, for a non-sine waveform, L is a characteristic length of the system, such as a depth or a radius of the vessel, &mgr; is the permeability of the conductive liquid, &sgr; is the electric conductivity of the conductive liquid, and c is the propagation velocity of the compression waves in the conductive liquid.

Abstract: Copolymer structures are formed by exposing a substrate with an imaging layer thereon to two or more beams of selected wavelengths to form interference patterns at the imaging layer to change the wettability of the imaging layer in accordance with the interference patterns. A layer of a selected block copolymer is deposited onto the exposed imaging layer and annealed to separate the components of the copolymer in accordance with the pattern of wettability and to replicate the pattern of the imaging layer in the copolymer layer. Stripes or isolated regions of the separated components may be formed with periodic dimensions in the range of 100 nm or less.

Abstract: A computer network processes data packets in the event of a network link failure. The network includes a plurality of routers that deliver data packets to the network via a plurality of links. At least one router includes a protection cycle manager. The protection cycle manager has a protection cycle packet identifier and a protection cycle packet processor. The protection cycle packet identifier identifies, as protection cycle packets, data packets having a specific protection cycle format. The protection cycle packet processor processes protection cycle packets to determine whether the packet destination corresponds to the routing node, and if the packet destination corresponds to the routing node, the protection cycle packet is treated by the routing node as a data packet received from the packet source via the failed link. Otherwise, if the packet destination does not correspond to the routing node, the protection cycle packet is sent to a protection cycle node for the routing node.

Abstract: A method of establishing a data connection between terminal switching nodes in a network and switching nodes for implementing the method. The method involves switching nodes participating in a network layer wavelength routing (WR) protocol to determine the next hop switching node for every possible combination of terminal nodes based on the network topology. The method also involves the switching nodes participating in a network layer wavelength distribution (WD) once the data connection is to be established. The WR protocol determines the path used through the network, while the WD protocol assigns wavelengths on each link between switching nodes. The wavelengths may be different on different optical links. The switching nodes include wavelength converters with an optical switch or optoelectronic converters with a digital electronic switch. A digital electronic switch can also provide signal reformatting.

Abstract: A transmission shifter for controlling a transmission of a motor vehicle by a cable has a base, a shift lever mounted on the base and pivotable along a shift path, the shift lever having a guidance opening, and a cable attachment bracket having a tail and adapted to receive a transmission cable. The cable attachment bracket is adjustably attached to the shift lever so that the cable attachment bracket may be adjusted with respect to the shift lever over an adjustment distance. To reduce vibrational noise, the tail is laterally captivated within the guidance opening. For ease of assembly, preferably the cable attachment bracket is attached to the shift lever free of the pivot pin.

Abstract: A shifter system includes an automatic transmission shifter lever movable along a first shift path in forward and rearward directions and a transfer case shifter lever movable along a second shift path in the forward and rearward directions. The automatic transmission shifter lever is movable in lateral directions to provide an auto stick option. The second shift path is laterally adjacent the first shift path a short distance to reduce space. An interlock mechanism is provided to prevent contact between the shifter levers. The interlock mechanism includes a blocker pivotable between a locking position wherein the blocker prevents movement of the transfer case shifter lever to a first portion of the second shift path from a second portion of the second shift path and an unlocking position wherein the blocker permits movement of the transfer case shifter lever to the first portion from the second shift path from the second portion of the second shift path.

Abstract: Manufacturing all-silicon force sensors, such as capacitive pressure sensors (100, 200) that have long term stability and good linear sensitivity, and can be built into of a pneumatic tire. The sensors include buried electrical feedthrough (112b) to provide an electrical connection into a sealed silicon cavity (108). The buried feedthrough consists of a conductor (112b) in a shallow groove (106) in a substrate (102), communicating between the sensing cavity (108) and an external contact area (110). The sensor designs also feature a method for forming a silicon-to-silicon fusion bond (SFB) wherein at least one of the two surfaces (152, 252) to be has a tough silicon surface unsuitable for good SFB joints because it was bonded heavily boron-doped by means of diffusion. The method of this invention includes preparing each doped surface (152, 252) for SFB by polishing the surface with a Chemical-Mechanical Polishing (CMP) process.

Abstract: A dual output capacitance interface circuit (100) based on switched capacitor circuits and charge subtraction technique provides both voltage output (104) and frequency output (106). The circuit is programmable independently with sensitivity and offset adjustment, and is insensitive to fixed stray capacitance. Temperature compensation methods are described.

Abstract: A technique for optically converting wavelengths in a multi-wavelength system is disclosed. In one embodiment, wherein the multi-wavelength system has W wavelength channels, wherein W=2N, the technique is realized by selectively directing a received frequency channel corresponding to a respective wavelength channel based upon a predetermined frequency mapping. Then, the frequency of the selectively directed frequency channel is shifted at least once by an amount defined by ±21&Dgr;f, wherein &Dgr;f is the frequency spacing between adjacent frequency channels, and i=0, 1, . . . N−1.

Abstract: An upper and lower lever type shift assembly is disclosed, suitable for use as a shifter for a motor vehicle. The shift assembly has a housing with a top opening and a side opening, an upper lever adapted to be connected to a shifter knob, a lower lever and a pivot block connecting the upper lever and the lower lever, wherein the pivot block is pivotably mounted in the housing, and a pivot cover cooperating with the housing to form a bearing surface for the pivot block proximate the side opening, wherein the pivot cover is connected to the housing by snap fit. The bearing surfaces cooperate with a pocket in the housing to support the pivot block. Such upper and lower type shift assemblies can be used to control, for example, transfer cases or transmissions of motor vehicles.

Abstract: A transmission shifter is disclosed for controlling a transmission of a motor vehicle by a cable in some instances and an electronic control in other instances. The transmission shifter has a base, a cable attachment bracket mounted on the base and pivotable about a first axis, and a shift lever pivotably mounted on the base. In a first segment of the first shift path the shift lever is movable in a cable-actuation mode and the shift lever urges the cable attachment bracket to pivot about the first axis, and in a second segment of the first shift path the shift lever is movable in an electronic-actuation mode and the shift lever does not urge the cable attachment bracket to pivot bout the first axis.

Abstract: Novel sulfur-containing analogs of 1&agr;,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 are provided. These analogs are synthesized in a convergent manner by joining A-ring and C,D ring fragments. Each analog with 1&agr;,3&bgr;-substituent stereochemistry shows a pharmacologically desirable combination of high antiproliferative and high transcriptional activities in vitro and also low calcemic activity in vivo.

Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a connector member, a bracket and a pair of board locks. The connector member includes an insulative housing having a front face and a rear face. The bracket is unitarily molded to include a spacer and a standing wall perpendicular to the spacer. A pair of strengthening walls is disposed perpendicularly extend from opposite edges of the spacer. The strengthening walls also perpendicularly extend from the same side of the standing wall. A pair of supporting plates for supporting the rear face of the connector member upwardly extends from an edge of the standing wall proximate opposite ends thereof. An angle between the supporting plates and the spacer is substantially 45°.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprises a frame, first and second electrical connectors mounted on the frame, a pair of board locks and a pair of nuts. Each board lock is symmetrical about a central line thereof, and comprises a mounting portion defining a pair of cutouts in opposite side edges thereof. The cutouts are offset a predetermined distance from the central line. Each nut comprises an expanded portion laterally abutting against one of the side edges of the mounting portion of the board lock thereby mounting the board lock to a side of the frame.

Abstract: Fluorinated analogs of 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3. These analogs are synthesized in a convergent manner by joining A-ring and C,D-ring fragments. Each hybrid analog, having a calcemia-lowering 1-hydroxymethyl group and a potentiating 16-ene-24,24-difluorinated C,D-ring and side chain, is designed to be lipophilic and inert toward 24-hydroxylase enzyme catabolism. Each hybrid analog with 1.beta.,3.alpha.-substituent stereochemistry shows a pharmacologically desirable combination of high antiproliferative and high transcriptional activities in vitro and also low calcemic activity in vivo.