Abstract: An antenna assembly (200) for use in a portable radio (100). The antenna assembly (200) includes first and second housings (113 and 203), a helical antenna (301) and a terminal (205). The first housing (113) is telescopically moveable with respect to the second housing (203) between a retracted and an extended position. The helical antenna (301) has a first dimension when the first housing (113) is moved to the first position and a second dimension when the first housing (113) is moved to the second position. The terminal (205) is coupled to the helical antenna (301) for replaceably coupling to the portable radio (100) by a user. Additionally, a pin (303), covered with a thickened solution (304), is disposed within the helical antenna (301)to dampen mechanical vibrations of the helical antenna (301) and a detenting mechanism retains the first housing (113) in the first and the second positions.

Abstract: A signal processing system and computer-implemented method for processing a igital data sequence representing an input signal to generate a fractal dimension value. The system includes a correlation integral value generation module, correlation plot generation module, a segmentation module, correlation dimension generation module, and a control module. The correlation integral value generation module generates a series of correlation integral values for points w.sub.n (k) in "N"-dimensional space corresponding to vectors of said digital data sequence, and in particular generates inter-point distance values within each of a plurality of volume elements of said "N"-dimensional space. The correlation plot generation module generates a correlation integral plot comprising a plot of the correlation integral values as a function of said "N"-dimensional space volume elements. The segmentation module generates, from the plot, a series of correlation integral plot segments.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly includes a magnetoresistive (MR) read sensor dielectrically disposed between a magnetic shield layer and a first pole layer. A write transducer comprises an inductive coil having a plurality of windings dielectrically disposed between the first pole layer and a second pole layer. The magnetic shield layer partially overlaps portions of the coil windings. A nonmagnetic layer is coplanar with the magnetic shield layer. A reduced coupling area between the magnetic shield layer and the coil decreases the mutual inductance applied to the magnetic coil by the magnetic layer, resulting in the coil having better response to write current and being capable of operating at wider frequency ranges. The first pole layer includes a unique shape having a narrow mid-section integrally formed between the wider end sections.

Abstract: c-axis oriented high temperature superconductors are deposited onto new compositions of garnets using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) with conditions of 85 mTorr of oxygen partial pressure; a block temperature of 730.degree. C., a substrate surface temperature of 790.degree. C. and a laser fluence of 1 to 2 Joules/cm.sup.2 at the target, a laser repetition rate of 10 Hz and a target to substrate distance of 7 cm and in which the a and b lattice parameters of the new compositions of garnets exhibit a mismatch of less than 7 percent with the a and b lattice parameters of the HTSC.

Abstract: A prefetch unit includes flow control for controlling the transfer of instruction bytes from a prefetch buffer to a decoder where the prefetch buffer includes predicted change of flow instructions. Instruction bytes in the prefetch buffer are arranged in prefetch blocks--associated with each prefetch block is a flow control bit. When the transfer of instruction bytes from a current prefetch block is complete, the flow control bit is checked--if the flow control bit is set to indicate that the prefetch clock includes a predicted COF instruction, instruction bytes will not be transferred from the next prefetch block unless the predicted COF instruction is confirmed as having been decoded. This flow control avoids the complexity of maintaining information to repair the prefetcher and decoder if the predicted COF instruction is not decoded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the different roles inorganic ion receptors have in cellular and body processes. The present invention features: (1) molecules which can modulate one or more inorganic ion receptor activities, preferably the molecule can mimic or block an effect of an extracellular ion on a cell having an inorganic ion receptor, more preferably the extracellular ion is Ca.sup.2+ and the effect is on a cell having a calcium receptor; (2) inorganic ion receptor proteins and fragments thereof, preferably calcium receptor proteins and fragments thereof; (3) nucleic acids encoding inorganic ion receptor proteins and fragments thereof, preferably calcium receptor proteins and fragments thereof; (4) antibodies and fragments thereof, targeted to inorganic ion receptor proteins, preferably calcium receptor protein; and (5) uses of such molecules, proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system includes a number of sub-processor systems, each substantially identically constructed, and each comprising a central processing unit (CPU), and at least one I/O device, interconnected by routing apparatus that also interconnects the sub-processor systems. A CPU of any one of the sub-processor systems may communicate, through the routing elements, with any I/O device of the system, or with any CPU of the system.Communications between I/O devices and CPUs is by packetized messages. Interrupts from I/O devices are communicated from the I/O devices to the CPUs (or from one CPU to another CPU) as message packets.CPUs and I/O devices may write to, or read from, memory of a CPU of the system. Memory protection is provided by an access validation method maintained by each CPU in which CPUs and/or I/O devices are provided with a validation to read/write memory of that CPU, without which memory access is denied.

Abstract: A well packer has a metal seal which seals between the packer mandrel and the casing. The metal seal includes a seal sleeve located on the exterior of the mandrel. The sleeve has an inner wall and an outer wall radially separated by a channel. The inner channel is initially separated from the exterior of the mandrel by a clearance. An energizing ring is sizably mounted to the mandrel for axial movement relative to the mandrel. Initially, the energizing ring will be located at the entrance of the channel. An actuating device moves the energizing ring into the channel, wedging the walls of the seal sleeve apart. The inner wall seals against the mandrel. The outer wall seals against the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a clutch or brake in an application with variable torque requirements. Control logic momentarily sets the control signal to an initial level to allow adequate time to engage the clutch or brake, and then changes the control signal at an acceptable rate until reaching the required torque level. The initial level is varied based upon the required torque, such that at low levels of required torque, a signal with low initial torque (although possibly higher than the required torque), is used to achieve smoother engagement at some sacrifice in response, and at higher levels of required torque, a signal with higher initial torque is used to improve response.

Abstract: A pizza sauce composite preform and a method for making the same are provided. The pizza sauce composite preform comprises a pizza sauce which includes a heat-reversible gelling agent. When activated, the gelling agent causes the pizza sauce to at least partially congeal at room temperature or below so that it may be retained in place on a non-edible support surface. Upon further cooling, the pizza sauce forms a more complete gel structure which, even after warming to room temperature, allows the preform to be handled as a cohesive mass and placed and repositioned on a pizza crust without tearing, breaking or smearing of the disk. The pizza sauce composite preform may optionally include cheese and assorted pizza toppings. To form a pizza with the present preform, the preform is removed from the support surface and is combined with a pizza crust shell. The pizza may then be cooked and served.

Abstract: An expander for a concentric pulse tube cooler. The inventive expander includes a central pulse tube; a concentric insulation tube disposed around the central pulse tube, the insulation tube having a concentric chamber therein and the chamber being filled with an insulator and the insulator being atmospheric; and a regenerator disposed around the concentric insulation tube. In a particular implementation, the insulator tube includes a vent which allows the insulation chamber to communicate with the surrounding atmosphere. When used in space, the chamber is filled with a void and the insulator becomes a vacuum and provides effective insulation at cryogenic temperatures.

Abstract: A composite shingle which comprises a hip, ridge or rake overlappable shingle of standard dimension bonded to a relatively rigid, randomly aligned fibrous, air permeable mat as an underlayer having a shorter length such that upon overlapping said shingles, the forward edge of the first shingle mat abuts the rear edge of the next shingle mat and provides a self-aligning, continuous vent area below the exposed surface of the installed shingles.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for filling in missing data intels in a quantized time-dependent data signal that is generated by, e.g., an underwater acoustic sensing device. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, this quantized time-dependent data signal is analyzed to determine the number and location of any intervals of missing data, i.e., gaps in the time series data signal caused by noise in the sensing equipment or the local environment. The quantized time-dependent data signal is also modified by a low pass filter to remove any undesirable high frequency noise components within the signal. A plurality of mathematical models are then individually tested to derive an optimum regression curve for that model, relative to a selected portion of the signal data immediately preceding each previously identified data gap.

Abstract: The present conveyor system includes a single loading or supply conveyor, plural feed conveyors, an alignment conveyor, a tray conveyor, and a return conveyor loop. The downwardly angled supply conveyor delivers randomly distributed articles to the feed conveyors, which carry the articles to the alignment conveyor. The feed conveyors are angled diagonally to the alignment conveyor and pass beneath the alignment conveyor, so that articles which do not enter the compartments at the first portion of the alignment conveyor are carried along with the movement of the diagonal feed conveyors along the path of the alignment conveyor and thereagainst, to enter the alignment conveyor at a later point. The articles aligned in the alignment conveyor compartments are then placed in registry with regularly positioned compartments in product trays carried on a tray conveyor, which passes beneath the alignment conveyor.

Abstract: A simultaneous dual excitation/single emission ratiometric method using fiber optic sensors is provided for detecting or measuring a parameter of interest in a sample, including pH, concentration of gases such as CO.sub.2, and the like. The method involves simultaneously providing modulated optical light corresponding to first and second regions of an indicator species' absorption or excitation spectrum, detecting modulated emission signals from the indicator species, demodulating the emission signals, calculating the apparent quantity of analyte present in the sample from the indicator emission signals and correcting the apparent quantity of analyte present for variations resulting from external factors, by determining the ratio of the demodulated indicator emission signals. An apparatus is provided for performing the method as well.

Abstract: A bag type device (2) for extracting water from oil includes a bag (3) with an outer layer of felt (20) lined by at least one layer (22) of water absorbing laminate. The interior of the bag is composed of a plurality of slit sheets of water absorbing laminate forming a plurality of finger-like strips (35) depending from adjacent the top of the bag. The strips are preferably longer than the length of the bag. The bag and the water-absorbing layers within the bag are supported by a wire ring (30) stitched into a hem around the open upper end of the bag. As oil is passed through the bag, the finger-like strips provide an increased surface area for absorption of water from the oil. The strips can expand inwardly and toward the oil flow to prevent back-pressure build up within the bag.

Abstract: Connection of a communication initiated by a user over a telephone, computer or cable network to a projector in arena or other event facility during an event. A user terminal is connected to the network and operative to initiate the communication from the user. Routing circuitry directs information in the user communication to the arena. A controller receives and processes the information in the user communication, and projectors in the arena project during the event a signal corresponding to information in the user communication. The signal may be an audio signal corresponding to voice information from the user and the projectors may be a set of loudspeakers. The voice information from the user may thus be projected within the arena as it is received. Alternatively, the number of incoming calls may be counted to determine a volume level for a set of loudspeakers which projects random applause through the arena, such that the user can influence the noise level in the arena at a particular time.