Abstract: An inflatable device for patient positioning is provided. The inflatable device may include a first inflation chamber subsystem, a second inflation chamber subsystem, a third inflation chamber subsystem. At least a portion of the first inflation chamber subsystem may be conspicuously marked with a first color. At least a portion of the second inflation chamber subsystem may be conspicuously marked with a second color. At least a portion of the third inflation chamber subsystem may conspicuously marked with a third color. The first, second, and third colors may be visually distinct.

Abstract: Apparatus for air cooling includes an acoustic transducer secured to a body. The body has a first wall including a first opening and the acoustic transducer forms a second wall facing the first wall. A chamber within the body is defined between the acoustic transducer and the first wall and is in fluid communication with the chamber. The first wall is interposed between a third wall and the chamber. The third wall includes a second opening facing the first opening. An inflow path is disposed between the first wall and the third wall. The inflow path includes outer ends communicating with the outside air and inner ends connected to the first and second openings. The acoustic transducer includes a diaphragm that vibrates in response to a drive system causing outside air incoming through the inflow path into the chamber to flow from the chamber through the first and second openings.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the cleavage of a polymer wherein the polymer is differentially labeled with an isotope and the cleaved fragments of the polymer are analysed by mass spectrometry is disclosed. The method is particularly useful for analyzing the cleavage of proteins and more particularly for determining substrate specificity for enzymes such as proteases.

Abstract: An apparatus to substantially minimize low-cycle fatigue of at least one electrical connection between a first component and a second component includes at least one thermoelectric device to thermally contact at least the first component and includes at least one sensor that is coupled to at least one of the first component or the second component. A controller is provided and coupled to the at least one thermoelectric device and to the at least one sensor. The controller controls operation of the thermoelectric device to substantially minimize low-cycle fatigue by transferring heat from at least the first component in response to signals from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus to substantially minimize low-cycle fatigue of at least one electrical connection between a first component and a second component includes at least one thermoelectric device to thermally contact at least the first component and includes at least one sensor that is coupled to at least one of the first component or the second component. A controller is provided and coupled to the at least one thermoelectric device and to the at least one sensor. The controller controls operation of the thermoelectric device to substantially minimize low-cycle fatigue by transferring heat from at least the first component in response to signals from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: The heat sinking substrate herein disclosed is comprised of a core consisting of a rigid graphitic solid in which hexagonal graphite crystallites are bond together by coal tar pitch, the core being enclosed by two metallic face sheets having a coefficient of thermal expansion suited to the electronic packages it supports. The substrate is designed to be installed into a module with a printed wiring board on either side, the module being installed in parallel with other like modules into a chassis. The heat generated by the electronics is input over the face of the substrate and withdrawn by cooling in the walls of the chassis with which the substrates are in good thermal contact. The grain of the core is aligned for maximum thermal conduction along the path to the chassis walls. The substrate is of low weight, has a CTE matched to the supported electronic packages, high thermal conductance, and uses low cost materials.

Abstract: A one-piece molded unitary plastic member (10) having a planar portion (15) with a plurality of apertures (16) that is integrally hinged (17) to a base (11) having a plurality of passages (14) for receiving contacts (50). When contacts (50) are placed in the passages (14) in the base (11) with the terminal portion (52) of each contact (50) extending through a respective aperture (16) in the planar portion (15), and the planar portion (15) is moved to a position perpendicular to the base (11), the terminal portions (52) of all the contacts (50) are bent in one operation at a 90 degree angle.