Abstract: A plethysmograph is described that includes a reference chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall, a barrier wall spaced beneath the bottom wall, a continuous side wall having a lower edge, and a first continuous flange with a lower edge below the bottom wall and above the barrier wall; a test chamber having a bottom wall, a continuous side wall with an upper edge, and a second continuous flange extending upwardly from the upper edge, the interior face of one of the flanges including an annular groove with an O-ring in the groove, and the interior face of the other flange being tapered from vertical by up to about 1°; and a manifold having airflow openings in communication with the reference and test chamber and a common exterior airflow opening through a passageway, and a sampling port in communication with the passageway.

Abstract: A method and system to schedule delivery of items of content selectively to online users are described. Expected values relating to each user being online is determined during a given time period. An ordered list of the items of content to be selectively delivered to the users is generated based on the expected values. The ordered list may be prioritized to meet delivery requirements associated with the items of content.

Abstract: A system and method for a file server to allocate spare disks in a network storage system. The method determines the available spare disks and first selects those disks that satisfy one or more required rules. The method sorts the spare disks by a set of ordered policies to determine a highest-ranked disk that is then selected as the spare to be utilized. If multiple disks are equally ranked, one of the equally ranked disks is randomly chosen to be the spare disk allocated.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described that utilize material-handling systems in which material in the systems has enhanced stability.

Abstract: An ink delivery system for a radiation-curable ink including a first reservoir to store a volume of ink, a second reservoir to receive at least a portion of the volume of ink from the first reservoir, a conveyor to transfer ink between the first reservoir and the second reservoir and an umbilical segment to provide fluid communication between at least one of the first and secondary reservoirs and a printing module.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for scheduling the delivery of multiple items of content selectively to online users. Expected values relating to each user being online during a given time period are determined. An ordered list of the items of content to be selectively delivered to the users is generated based on the expected values. The list is prioritized to meet delivery requirements associated with the items of content.

Abstract: A transducing device having a storage interface surface includes a writer having a pole tip region, a coil having a width positioned around the writer, and a heating element. The heating element extends to near the storage interface surface. A portion of the heating element is at least as wide as the coil. The heating element heats the writer in response to current flow through the heating element.

Abstract: A cough event is differentiated from a sneeze event of a test subject enclosed within a plethysmograph test chamber by measuring air pressure changes during the event, and comparing the pressure changes against criteria indicative of a cough to determine the likelihood that the event is a cough. Air pressure changes are recorded as pressure and/or sound values. A graphical record of a waveform of changes in the air pressure during an event relative to a baseline value is recorded, and a value is calculated that is indicative of the likelihood that the event is a cough based on the sizes of areas between the waveform and baseline during the event, said areas including a first area indicative of the change in air pressure during air inspiration, a second area indicative of the change in air pressure during air compression, and a third area indicative of the change in air pressure during expiration.

Abstract: A transducing device includes a writer having a pole tip region and a heater circuit. The heater circuit has a heating portion and a heater current return path. The heating portion has at least two branches positioned with respect to the writer so that current flowing through the at least two branches heat the writer. The heater current return path is electrically connected to the at least two branches of the heating portion near the pole tip region and includes an electrically conductive portion of the writer.

Abstract: A toilet seat repositioning device which is comprised of a handle flexibly attached to the toilet seat by various means and which extends beyond the periphery of said seat to provide relief from contact with the underside of said seat and/or bowl rim when repositioning of the toilet seat occurs. Restrictive features are utilized to constrain flexibility allowing handle to be load bearing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide compounds which modulate the interaction of ICAM-1 and LFA-1, and in particular, function as inhibitors of the interaction of integrins, more particularly, LFA-1, and one or several distinct intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMS), in particular ICAM-1, pharmaceutical compositions comprising effective amounts of these peptide compounds and methods for the treatment and/or prevention of related disease states and conditions which are mediated through ICAM-1/LFA-1 interactions, for example, the interaction of cellular adhesion molecules with integrins and/or the emigration of leukocytes from blood into tissue.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides inhibit LFA-1 interaction with ICAM-1 and are useful in treatment of hematopoietic neoplasms and in adjunct therapy in prevention of retinoic acid syndrome and diseases involving emigration of leukocytes into organ tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides tertiary structures of cyclic nonapeptide ICAM-1 inhibitors and methods of using the tertiary structures to identify additional ICAM-1 inhibitors, particularly non-peptide modulators. The invention also provides methods of treating ICAM-1/LFA-1 mediated diseases comprising administering a non-peptide ICAM-1 modulator of the invention to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: A cough event is differentiated from a sneeze event of a test subject enclosed within a plethysmograph test chamber by measuring air pressure changes during the event, and comparing the pressure changes against criteria indicative of a cough to determine the likelihood that the event is a cough. Air pressure changes are recorded as pressure and/or sound values. A graphical record of a waveform of changes in the air pressure during an event relative to a baseline value is recorded, and a value is calculated that is indicative of the likelihood that the event is a cough based on the sizes of areas between the waveform and baseline during the event, said areas including a first area indicative of the change in air pressure during air inspiration, a second area indicative of the change in air pressure during air compression, and a third area indicative of the change in air pressure during expiration.

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) for cargo handling systems comprising a frame arranged to be mounted in use for raising and lowering movement relative to a supporting structure, a drive motor carried by the frame and having an output shaft, a drive roller assembly carried by said frame for engagement in use with a unit load device (ULD) or the like to be moved by the PDU, a first gear train transmitting drive from said motor output shaft to a drive roller of said drive roller assembly, a rotatable lifting cam assembly carried by said frame and driven in use relative to said frame to lift and lower the frame on said mounting, a second gear train for transmitting drive from said motor output shaft to said lifting cam assembly to operate said lifting cam assembly, clutch means operable to connect and disconnect said motor output shaft to and from said second gear train, a torque limiting device limiting the torque transmitted through said clutch, when said clutch is engaged, to said lifting cam assembly, and a brake me

Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) for cargo handling systems comprising a frame arranged to be mounted in use for raising and lowering movement relative to a supporting structure, a drive motor carried by the frame and having an output shaft, a drive roller assembly carried by said frame for engagement in use with a unit load device (ULD) or the like to be moved by the PDU, a first gear train transmitting drive from said motor output shaft to a drive roller of said drive roller assembly, a rotatable lifting cam assembly carried by said frame and driven in use relative to said frame to lift and lower the frame on said mounting, a second gear train for transmitting drive from said motor output shaft to said lifting cam assembly to operate said lifting cam assembly, clutch means operable to connect and disconnect said motor output shaft to and from said second gear train, a torque limiting device limiting the torque transmitted through said clutch, when said clutch is engaged, to said lifting cam assembly, and a brake me

Abstract: A method and system are provided for scheduling the delivery of multiple items of content selectively to online users. Expected values relating to each user being online during a given time period are determined. An ordered list of the items of content to be selectively delivered to the users is generated based on the expected values. The list is prioritized to meet delivery requirements associated with the items of content.

Abstract: A canister for launching a missile having a cylindrical outer tube with a hemispherical head releaseably secured to its lower end connected through stiffeners to an inner tubular member to form a passage for the gases generated when the missile is fired. A restraint mechanism secures the missile to a base plate, which is itself mounted on shock absorbers, with a release mechanism responsive to the firing of the missile for disabling the restraint mechanism.

Abstract: Blood heat exchanger apparatus with improved heat exchanged capability and improved bonding of micro-conduit heat exchange fibers. The micro-conduit comprises a plurality of elongated fibers, which may be made of a hydrophobic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The micro-conduit fibers may be provided as a heat exchanger micro-conduit wrapping material, wherein the micro-conduit fibers are attached to a thin flexible interconnect, such as woven netting, to maintain the fibers at predetermined and substantially parallel alignment with each other. The wrapping material is wrapped about an elongated spindle to provide a generally cylindrical heat exchange core. A shell is placed around the core to contain the heat transfer fluid which passes around the exterior of the fibers. Opposing first and second seals are created by applying potting compound between fibers proximate the spindle's first and second ends respectively.

Abstract: A packet switching architecture provides for a switch system comprised of a cellular base station in communication with the PSTN through a switch. Data packets are routed through the switch system as necessary to effect communication between the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and mobile radiotelephones disposed within the cellular coverage area surrounding the base station. A packet interconnection subsystem operates to transfer data packets between a plurality of interface ports, to which are coupled a corresponding plurality of signal lines. Within the interconnection subsystem, one or more distribution/consolidation (DISCO) interface units are mutually coupled together through a central router unit. Each DISCO interface unit is configured to consolidate the data packets received through at least two signal ports onto a consolidation bus, as well as to distribute the addressed data packets from a distribution bus to two or more of ports.