Abstract: A method of determining providing analytical services, particularly trace element analysis is disclosed. The method includes supplying a sample container to a customer, having the customer return the sample container with the sample inside the container, and analyzing the sample by neutron activation analysis without opening the sample container.

Abstract: A contained water ultrasonic densitometer employs pre-inflated bladders holding coupling fluid about ultrasonic transducers. The bladders in a relaxed state define a cavity smaller than the human heel so that when the heel is inserted, the bladders conform to the heel in a wiping action removing entrapped air.

Abstract: In a DSM-CC receiver (12), a signal comprising a periodically repeated plurality of data sections is received. Storage means (14) are provided for catching the data sections included in the signal (13) where the act of accessing a data section results in a reference being created, this reference being removed when no longer being accessed. A reference count is kept for each data section such that a data section is marked for deletion if its reference count falls to zero. There is a further aspect where the storage means (14) are defragmented by noting the data sections that are being referenced and then, in any order, compacting these referenced data sections by relocating them together in one part of the storage means (14) and updating the values of pointers that referred to the moved cells.

Abstract: In a DSM-CC receiver (12), a signal comprising a periodically repeated plurality of data sections is received. Storage means (14) is provided for caching the data sections included in the signal, and said storage means incorporates a file management mechanism based on file names. Each data section is received (100) under a corresponding file name, and the received file names are modified (140) within the receiver to distinguish between previous or subsequent versions of the same data sections of the signal that are stored in said storage means. Files currently in use are not overwritten, but are marked (135) for later deletion (155). Individual files can be extracted from DSM-CC modules and cache. In this case, individual file names are modified by reference to version information received for the module as a whole.

Abstract: A data processing method and apparatus are described for mark-sweep garbage collection through stored data structures defined by data objects in a multi threading environment supporting the handling of finalizers. The sweeping stage consists of a linear sweep across the heap in which any objects with a mark-state of Deletable are deleted, while objects with finalizers and mark-state of pending are placed on a finalizers queue and marked. The number of objects with finalizers is tracked and compared with the known total allocated to the heap. If not all finalizable objects are found, a further marking operation is required to identify all objects reachable by finalizers. However, if all finalizable objects are found by the first marking operation, as indicated by a match between the found and stored totals, the marked unreachable objects may all be deleted in a single pass.

Abstract: A data processing method and apparatus are described for mark-sweep garbage collection through stored data structures defined by data objects in a multi threading environment supporting the handling of finalisers. Pipelining of the marking (MA) and sweeping (GC) states is enabled by increasing the number of mark states M to four, namely Marked, Unmarked, Pending or Deletable. The sweeping stage GC consists of a linear sweep across the heap in which any objects with M=Deletable (detected non-reachables) are deleted at point D1, whilst objects with finalisers and M=Pending are placed on a finaliser queue and marked. The finalising stage executes finalisers for objects on the finaliser queue (D2). The method includes a synchronisation point (SP) where the results of the mark phase are passed onto the sweeping phase.

Abstract: A contained water ultrasonic densitometer employs pre-inflated bladders holding coupling fluid about ultrasonic transducers. The bladders in a relaxed state define a cavity smaller than the human heel so that when the heel is inserted, the bladders conform to the heel in a wiping action removing entrapped air.

Abstract: A contained water ultrasonic densitometer employs pre-inflated bladders holding coupling fluid about ultrasonic transducers. The bladders in a relaxed state define a cavity smaller than the human heel so that when the heel is inserted, the bladders conform to the heel in a wiping action removing entrapped air.

Abstract: A jigsaw with at least some pieces being adapted to be placed alongside a plurality of other pieces by having an upper surface feature extending substantially completely along any one or more of the mating edges so that any other piece with a corresponding upper surface feature extending substantially completely along any one of the corresponding mating edges can be placed along side the or any one of the corresponding upper surface feature edges of the former piece. Preferably, the upper surface features extend completely along a whole number of mating edges and further surface features are provided along further mating edges of at least some of the pieces. Thereafter the surface feature remote from the mating edge may form a common border with one or more other surface feature remote borders. The invention allows the interchange of pieces to create new surface features.

Abstract: An improved lavatory sink assembly having an overflow duct preferably made of plastic. In a preferred manufacturing process, surface coatings are first applied to the bowl and thereafter adhesives such as a hot-melt glue and a room temperature vulcanizing material are applied to the sink bowl. The overflow duct is then applied to the sink bowl. This assembly process eliminates problems associated with spot welding of metal overflow ducts and enables a uniform layer of coating to be applied to the sink bowl surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a signal generated by a borehole scanning system of the type in which periodic electrical firing pulses initiate a plurality of corresponding acoustic energy pulses which are transmitted from the central portion of the borehole toward the borehole wall in a plurality of radial directions and at a plurality of different depths, thereby generating reflected acoustic pulses which are detected and converted to electrical pulses. The electrical pulse is periodically sampled with each sample level being converted to a digital number. A counter initiates counting in response to the firing pulse preceding the sample electrical pulse. Upon detection of the peak of the electrical pulse, the counter count is stored. Upon detection of the electrical pulse again falling below a preselected level, the count is again stored. Then the time midway between the two stored counts is determined.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for logging a borehole of the type in which an acoustic energy signal scans the borehole wall at a plurality of different depths thereby generating signals reflected from a reflecting boundary which are indicitative of the condition of the reflecting boundary. A downhole microcomputer generates a sync signal for firing a transducer thereby directing an acoustic pulse toward the borehole wall. The transducer is rotated by a stepper motor. The computer synchronizes the number of transducer pulses with the number of stepper motor pulses thereby generating a constant number of transducer pulses per motor revolution. Reflected acoustic energy generates an electrical pulse which is amplified and summed with a signal relating to the rotational orientation of the transducer and the occurrence of the transducer firing pulse. The summed signal provides information relating to the condition of the reflecting boundary and may be used to generate a video image thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for canceling acoustic reverberations caused when acoustic energy impinges a medium. In one method, a series of positive pulses of acoustic energy are transmitted and the amplitudes of the resulting acoustic reverberations are measured. Negative pulses of acoustic energy are then transmitted having amplitudes equal to the immediately preceding received acoustic reverberation and at a time later than the positive pulses so that the acoustic reverberations are driven to a null.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a signal generated by a borehole scanning system of the type in which periodic electrical firing pulses initiate a plurality of corresponding acoustic energy pulses which are transmitted from the central portion of the borehole toward the borehole wall in a plurality of radial directions and at a plurality of different depths, thereby generating reflected acoustic pulses which are detected and converted to electrical pulses. The electrical pulse is periodically sampled with each sample level being converted to a digital number. Each new digital sample number is compared to the maximum of the preceding digital sample numbers and stored if the new digital sample number exceeds that maximum. A counter initiates counting in response to the firing pulse preceding the sample electrical pulse.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating a video display from information generated by acoustically scanning a reflecting boundary circumferential of a borehole. A downhole tool generates a first signal each time a rotating transducer therein passes through magnetic north. Acoustic pulses emitted from the transducer are radially transmitted toward a borehole reflecting boundary. At least a portion of each pulse is reflected back to the transducer where the same is detected and converted to an electrical pulse representative of the reflected acoustic pulse. The peak of each electrical pulse is detected and the value digitized. A series of different addresses is associated with each digital value from a single 360.degree. borehole scan and the same are accumulated in a RAM with each digital value being stored therein at its associated address. A central processing unit selects a block of video memory locations in a video memory responsive to the magnetic north signal.