Abstract: Agents for enhancing the contrast in a diagnostic ultrasound procedure comprise colloidal dispersions of the liquid-in-liquid type, i.e., emulsions or microemulsions, in which the dispersed liquid phase is a high vapor pressure chemical which undergoes a phase change from a dispersed liquid to a highly echogenic dispersed gaseous foam or kugelschaum following administration to an organism. The liquid state of the dispersed phase allows one to manufacture extremely stable, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions with particle sizes typically below 1000 nm. The gaseous state at body temperature yields highly echogenic microbubbles, typically below 10,000 nm in diameter, which are effective as ultrasound contrast agents. Intravenous, intraarterial, oral, intraperitoneal, and intrauterine dosage forms, methods of administration, and imaging techniques are described.

Abstract: An ablation process by which fused deposits of silicon particles are accuated on a substrate of selected material in accordance with whether microclusters of spherical configurations or microfilaments of cylindrical configurations are to be fabricated. Silicon ablation is accomplished in an inert gas atmosphere with an excimer laser that generates light pulses of which the wavelength and frequency are controlled to fix the energy level thereof. The pressure of the inert gas atmosphere is also controlled in accordance with whether microclusters or microfilaments are to be fabricated.

Abstract: A transducer is described especially for use in providing acoustic transmission in a borehole. The transducer includes a multiple number of magnetic circuit gaps and electrical windings that have been found to provide the power necessary for acoustic operation in a borehole while still meeting the stringent dimensional criteria necessitated by boreholes. Various embodiments conforming to the design are described. Moreover, the invention includes transition and reflector sections, as well as a directional coupler and resonator arrangement particularly adapted for borehole acoustic communication.An acoustic communication system is described especially designed for use in providing acoustic transmission of information in a borehole. The communication system comprises a surface transceiver and at least one downhole transceiver. The surface transceiver operates in conjunction with a host computer that sends commands to the downhole transceiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of dropping a pumpdown plug or ball is revealed. The release mechanism is actuated by remote control, employing intrinsically safe circuitry. The circuitry, along with its self-contained power source, actuates a primary control member responsive to an input signal so as to allow component shifting for release of the pumpdown plug or ball. Multiple plug-dropping heads can be stacked, each responsive to a discrete release signal. Actuation to drop the pumpdown ball or plug is accomplished even while the components are rotating or are moving longitudinally.

Abstract: A donor roll for transporting marking particles to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a surface is provided. The donor roll includes a rotatably mounted body and an electrode member mounted on the body. The donor roll further includes a magnetically permeable core external to the body. The core rotates with the body. The donor roll further includes an electrically conductive material positioned on the core. The material is electrically connected to the electrode member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a data signal read from a magneto-optic (MO) storage medium. First and second detected signals are generated from first and second portions, respectively, of a radiation beam reflected from the medium. First and second gain control circuits are coupled to the first and second detectors, respectively. Each of the gain control circuits is operative to alter the gain of a signal path of the corresponding detected signal in response to a control signal which varies in accordance with a difference between the corresponding detected signal and a reference signal. The reference signals in each gain control circuit may be a common reference voltage level. A signal difference circuit produces a data signal corresponding to the difference between the detected signals.

Abstract: A leg stretching apparatus is disclosed. The leg stretching apparatus includes a pair of leg assemblies, a handle assembly, and attachment means for securing each leg assembly to the handle assembly. Each leg assembly includes a first leg including a pivot end and an opposite end, and a second leg including a first end slidingly received within the opposite end of the first leg and an opposite end for engaging a user's legs. First means for securing the second leg within the first leg are included so that movement of the second leg is prohibited. The handle assembly includes a first handle having a first and second side and a first and second end, and a second handle having a first and second end. The first end of the second handle is slidingly received within the second end of the first handle. The second end of the second handle may be grasped by a user when the leg stretching apparatus is in use.

Abstract: This invention relates to inorganic no-bake foundry binder systems and their uses. The binder systems comprise as separate components: (A) mono-aluminum phosphate in an aqueous solution containing specified phosphoric acids, and (B) magnesium oxide; and certain specified zinc compounds in either the Component A, Component B or both. The components of the binder system react when they are mixed with a foundry aggregate to prepare foundry mixes which are used to prepare foundry molds and cores. The foundry molds and cores are used to cast metals.

Abstract: A scroll machine has a multi-functional device which is attached to either or both of the scroll members that serves the purpose of optimizing or altering the discharge port geometry to a specific compression ratio or for modulation of compression ratios for performance optimization.

Abstract: A solid state, multi-use electrochemical sensor having an electrically nonconductive substrate, a working electrode, and a semi-permeable membrane covering the working electrode. The working electrode includes an electrically conductive material adhered to a portion of the substrate. A first portion of the conductive material is covered with an electrically insulating dielectric coating, and a second portion of the conductive material is covered with an active layer. The active layer includes a catalytically active quantity of an enzyme carried by platinized carbon powder particles, which are distributed throughout the active layer. A sensor package for incorporating a sensor is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a tubular composite member which has a plurality of plies and a generally elongate and selectively curved axis. The plies can include helically oriented fiber components, a matrix material, and thermoplastic tubes. An intermediate layer preferably has two tri-axially braided plies arranged at selective angles relative to the member's axis and as a function of the curvature of the member. Interior and exterior plies of circumferential windings can be part of the member such that the intermediate ply is contiguous and between the interior and exterior ply. In one practice, the member can be formed into a selective shape and then cured. Alternatively, the member is formed between a thermoplastic core and a thermoplastic sheath to facilitate a secondary process of heating and bending the member into a selective axially-curved shape.

Abstract: The invention involves DNA molecules which encode a human protein of 144 amino acids, referred to as interleukin-9, or IL-9. The protein is an erythropoietic growth factor. Also disclosed are processes for producing the IL-9 protein via genetic engineering techniques.

Abstract: A clamp structure for holding a workpiece in a vertical position, and which is reconfigurable to enable manufacture of an opposite hand version of the workpiece, includes a plurality of pillars mounted on a fixed solid base and a clamp post on each of the pillars having a top end on which is mounted a clamp. An air cylinder has one end connected to the pillar and an opposite end connected to the clamp post. The air cylinder is connected to a source of air pressure for pressurizing the air cylinder to a pressure sufficient to substantially counterbalance the weight of the clamp post and clamp. A pair of holes in structure mounted on the pillar, and a pair of holes in structure mounted on the clamp post are alignable in pairs for two heights of the clamp for two different configurations of the workpiece, so the clamp structure can be used to clamp two different configurations of the workpiece.

Abstract: This invention relates to binary blends of cellulose esters and aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, cellulose esters and aliphatic polyesters as well as ternary blends of cellulose esters and/or aliphatic polyesters and/or aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters and/or polymeric compounds as well as fibers, molded objects, and films prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A pressure balanced cable junction or termination box is provided for subsea use. A fluid tight hollow body member is filled with insulating fluid. A-cable to be terminated enters one side of the cable termination device and is coupled to the box. A compressible fluid reservoir in contact with the external water pressure on one side transmits the pressure to the filling insulating fluid on the other side to provide pressure balancing.

Abstract: A modular rail car unloading pit which supports railroad tracks and facilitates the removal and transfer of aggregate, particulate, or other material from rail cars. The modular unloading pit is comprised of a set of precast concrete panels enabling the unloading pit to be environmentally friendly, reusable, and reducing installation time and cost. The set of panels includes one or more floor panels, four equally spaced vertical lateral walls oriented perpendicular to the railroad tracks, and a vertical longitudinal wall oriented parallel to the railroad tracks. Each lateral wall includes rail support plates at the top and anchors protruding from the bottom. The anchors are inserted into corresponding anchor receiving orifices in the floor for connecting the lateral walls to the floor. The lower end of the lateral walls are capped by metal channel members which are welded to metal plates on the top surface of the floor.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing instrument is adapted to receive a generally circular sensor pack containing a plurality of blood glucose sensors. Each of the sensors are disposed in sensor cavities, each of which is in fluid communication with a corresponding desiccant cavity and has a support wall that assists in directing the sensor as its being ejected from the cavity. The sensor pack is loaded on an indexing disk in the instrument such that when a slide actuator on the instrument is moved toward a testing position, a feed mechanism engaged by the slide actuator moves a knife blade thereon toward one of the sensor cavities. The knife blade pierces a portion of a foil covering the sensor cavity and engages the sensor disposed in the cavity to thereby eject the sensor from the sensor cavity.

Abstract: A development apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on an imaging substrate in a liquid electrographic imaging system includes a cleaning roller for removing back-plated developer from a development device such as a development roller, and a squeegee apparatus for removing both "drip-line" developer liquid and "wrap-around" developer liquid from the imaging substrate. The squeegee apparatus may include a squeegee roller having a crowned profile and a loading mechanism configured to achieve a uniform loading force across a pressure nip formed between the squeegee roller and the imaging substrate. The cleaning roller may include a fiber cleaning media and fluid delivery means for flushing back-plated developer from the cleaning media. The development apparatus also may include means for spacing the development apparatus relative to the imaging substrate without contacting the imaging substrate, thereby avoiding disruption of the motion quality of the imaging substrate.

Abstract: A power tool having shock absorbing material secured along the threads of threaded components. The shock absorbing material is nylon and is applied in either nib or patch arrangements.

Abstract: A novel high speed unidirectional bus system is provided for receiving a plurality of novel circuit card assemblies in receptacles on the bus. Adjacent receptacles are connected by lines on the bus which interconnect output pins to input pins. The circuit between output pins and input pins are formed by connecting the plugs on circuit card assemblies into the receptacles on said bus. The system comprises a plurality of function circuit card assemblies connected in a daisy chain when inserted into adjacent receptacles on said bus between a source circuit card assembly and a destination circuit card assembly and the address portion of the information supplied by the source circuit card assembly is programmed to identify the function circuit card assembly to first receive the source data whereby the unidirectional bus system may be operated in a time division random access mode at data rates in excess of the data rates of individual functional circuit card assemblies.