Abstract: Data compression efficacy in a data storage system is analyzed, and data compression modified in accordance with the results of such analysis, thereby saving otherwise wasted processor time when data compression is poor. Multiple input data blocks are received for storage in a data storage subsystem, and a predetermined compression process is applied thereto. Application of the predetermined compression process is evaluated according to a predetermined compression criteria. If the compression fails to satisfy the predetermined compression criteria, application of the predetermined compression process ceases.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus is provided which includes a heater, a thermally conductive structure such as a bandage to support the heater against tissue, and chemical, phase-change, or hot water means causing the heater to maintain the temperature of the tissue in a range of about 36° C. to 38° C.

Abstract: An airway device for sealing against the laryngeal opening includes an air tube with proximal and distal ends and a sealing member attached to the distal end. The sealing member has a distal portion with a pair of opposing lateral flanges for engaging the cricoid cartilage to laterally align the sealing member with respect to the laryngeal inlet. The sealing member has a compressible anterior surface that contacts and seals against the laryngeal inlet. A tubular extension of the distal end of the air tube projects through and beyond the compressible anterior surface. The sealing member has a pronounced sigmoid shape having a lower section which, together with the tubular extension, creates a hook that provides an end point for accurate cephalad-caudad depth placement of the sealing member against the rim of the laryngeal inlet.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.

Abstract: An antigenic preparation is provided which contains a 63 Kd outer membrane protein from Leptospira which can be used immunologically as a vaccine for leptospirosis caused by this organism. Also provided in the invention are polynucleotides encoding the protein and antibodies which bind the protein which are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of leptospirosis.

Abstract: Duplex polynucleotides containing damage or errors are detected with hindered intercalating compounds which are capable of intercalating only in the presence of such damage or error. Conditions characterized by the presence of polynucleotide errors or damage are treated with such compounds that are capable of catalyzing polynucleotide cleavage with light.

Abstract: An antigenic preparation is provided containing an outer membrane protein associated with pathogenic strains of Leptospira. The protein has been designated “LipL32” for “lipoprotein from Leptospira” and because the isolated polypeptide migrates to a position corresponding to a molecular weight of 32 kD in a denaturing polyacrylamide gel. The invention provides polynucleotides encoding LipL32 and antibodies that bind the protein which are useful in the diagnosis of leptospirosis. In addition, LipL32 can be used immunologically as a vaccine for spirochete-associated pathologies.

Abstract: A golf club head of the metal wood type has a body formed entirely from one billet of high strength aluminum alloy with a separate sole plate of the same or different material secured in a machined recess on the lower face of the body. The body has an internal, empty cavity machined through a lower wall of the body, and the walls are thicker than in conventional cast stainless steel metalwoods. The front, striking face is machined to any selected bulge and roll, loft and face angle.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the development of a method for cosmetic delivery of L-ascorbic acid-containing compositions to the layer of the skin wherein collagen formation takes place to enhance production of collagen and thereby combat some of the effects of aging and oxy-radical damage on skin. Sufficient electric pulses applied to a region of skin surface temporarily create new pathways through the lipid skin barrier, thereby delivering an L-ascorbic acid-containing composition through the lipid skin barrier and enhancing production of collagen in the region of the skin so treated. A handheld electrical pulser apparatus, optionally table-top adaptable, and methods of use for cosmetic treatment of degenerative skin conditions are provided by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an apparatus, and related method, for detecting and recognizing an object in an image frame. The object may be, for example, a head having particular facial characteristics. The object detection process uses robust and computationally efficient techniques. The object identification and recognition process uses an image processing technique based on model graphs and bunch graphs that efficiently represent image features as jets. The jets are composed of wavelet transforms and are processed at nodes or landmark locations on an image corresponding to readily identifiable features. The system of the invention is particularly advantageous for recognizing a person over a wide variety of pose angles.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating sepsis comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of anti-CD14 antibody molecules. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-CD14 antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleotide coding sequences and polypeptide sequences for synaptic activation binding proteins that are characterized by induction in the central nervous system following neuronal activity in rat hippocampus. Such proteins are identified by (i) substantial homology at the nucleotide or protein sequence level to specifically defined rat, human or mouse coding sequences or proteins, (ii) ability to bind to and affect the activity of effector proteins in the CNS, such as metabotropic glutamate receptors, (iii) binding specificity for a particular binding sequence, and (iv) presence in the sequence of a PDZ-like domain. Nucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful in screening and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A non-contact wound treatment device having a flexible portion to accommodate patient motion without peeling off. A removable heater may be included which is suspended above the wound to define a treatment volume, where the heater heats the treatment volume to help treat the wound.

Abstract: One or more portions of an inflatable thermal blanket that is sized sufficiently to fully cover a patient are gathered and maintained in a non-inflated condition by a closure such that a thermally-controlled inflating medium admitted into the blanket is prevented from being admitted into the gathered portion(s), thereby leaving a primary part of the patient covered and exposing a part of the patient for medical attention. Thereafter the closure can be released to permit the inflating medium to be admitted into the gathered portion such that the gathered portion self-erects and assumes an inflated condition. The released thermal blanket covers the entire patient and bathes the patient in the inflating medium. The closure can be provided as an elongated tape strip with a central perforation that can be separated.

Abstract: A thermal blanket includes an inflatable covering with a head end, a foot end, two edges and an undersurface. The covering is inflated through an inlet at the foot end by a thermally-controlled inflating medium. An aperture array on the undersurface of the covering exhausts the thermally-controlled inflating medium from the covering. Exhaust port openings are provided at the edges of the covering to vent the inflating medium, which enhances circulation of the thermally-controlled medium through the cover. An uninflatable section is provided at the head end, together with an absorbent bib attached to the covering, adjacent the uninflatable section. When inflated, the thermal blanket self-erects and provides a bath of thermally-controlled inflating medium to the interior of the erected structure.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater disposed against the bandage, aligned with a wound treatment area, an adhesive attachment device acting between the heater and the bandage, and a controller that controls the operation of the heater in order to provide a normothermic therapy to a wound. The normothermic therapy includes maintaining the temperature of tissue at the wound and/or near the wound in a range of about 36° C. to 38° C. The controller operates the heater by turning it on and off in a manner that cycles the heater's temperature.

Abstract: A label placement machine used for placing labels on articles, the label placement machine including a label supply having one or more labels, a label shuttle assembly capable of retrieving a label from the label supply and transporting the label from the label supply to a pickup zone and a label placement head retrieving the label from the label shuttle at the pickup zone and transporting the label from the pick up zone to the article to be labeled, the label placement head then attaching the label to the article while the label shuttle returns to the label supply to retrieve another label.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an apparatus, and related method, for sensing a person's facial movements, features and characteristics and the like to generate and animate an avatar image based on facial sensing. The avatar apparatus uses an image processing technique based on model graphs and bunch graphs that efficiently represent image features as jets. The jets are composed of wavelet transforms processed at node or landmark locations on an image corresponding to readily identifiable features. The nodes are acquired and tracked to animate an avatar image in accordance with the person's facial movements. Also, the facial sensing may use jet similarity to determine the person's facial features and characteristic thus allows tracking of a person's natural characteristics without any unnatural elements that may interfere or inhibit the person's natural characteristics.

Abstract: High-speed driver circuits interface with and enhance the performance of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) diodes used within fiber optic communication systems, according to embodiments of the invention. A reference diode is formed from a first transistor, and a first current mirror sets a modulation current through the reference diode for driving a light-emitting device. A second current mirror sets a reference biasing current to maintain a constant bias of the reference diode. A first capacitor, charged by a differential amplifier and coupled to the reference diode, supplies complementary charge to the reference diode during differential input voltage transitions. Components of the driver circuit provide asymmetrical operation of the laser, allowing rapid light-emitting-device turn-on and turn-off.

Abstract: Function representation and selection in a multi-function system that supports user selection of system function by means of a menu-driven graphical user interface includes displaying a rotatable function menu. The rotatable function menu includes a plurality of circumferentially-arrayed facets, each facet representing a respective function of a plurality of functions. The rotatable function menu may be rotated on an axis to place any desired facet at a selection location at which the function represented by the facet may be selected. Selection and configuration of functions and features related to a selected function are provided by display and navigation through one or more submenus.