Abstract: An artifact rejector for repetitive physiologic-event-signal data generated from electronically-controlled physiologic-event-measuring equipment includes a physiologic-event-signal averager in communication with such physiologic-event-measuring equipment. The artifact rejector is constructed to generate and store repetitive averaged physiologic-event-signal data based upon a substantially stable time relationship between corresponding physiologic-event-signal data and heart-beat-related-signal data. The repetitive averaged physiologic-event-signal data includes less noise than the repetitive physiologic-event-signal data. The artifact rejector generates and continuously updates an averaged-data template by storing such repetitive averaged physiologic-event-signal data for a preselected number of measured physiologic events.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism in a folding knife that urges the blade to move to an open and alternatively to a closed position. The knife generally consists of a blade having a tang extending outwardly from the blade; a handle having at least one recessed portion; a bar pivotally connecting the tang and the handle; and a bias element engaging the blade wherein the bias element is housed within the recessed portion of the handle. Generally, in the present invention, the blade must be moved manually a certain distance whereupon the mechanism serves to complete the movement of the blade without the application of further outside force by the user.

Abstract: An adjustable face rest for use with massage equipment such as tables and chairs includes at least one handle for locking or unlocking adjustability of the face rest. A cross support member is bent or curved to avoid encroaching a person's chin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and reagent kits for the quantitative in vitro determination of the functional determination of multi-drug resistance in cells, as well as for the clinical screening of potential modulators of multi-drug resistant transport activity in cells. The method of the invention is based on the measurement of the accumulation rate of free calcein within the cells of the specimen (advantageously by fluorescence measurement), after exposing the cells in vitro to a cell permeable form of calcein that is a good substrate for MDR proteins present in the sample. The cell permeable form of calcein is converted within the cell by intracellular enzymes to free calcein. Comparison of free calcein accumulation in the presence and absence of a potential inhibitor of transport activity permits the rapid screening of such inhibitors.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier has a frame mountable to a vehicle and defining a pair of spaced apart support arms for supporting one or more bicycles. The support arms are provided with positioning guides, which may take the form of spaced circumferential ridges and troughs extending along the support arms. The ridges and troughs may be formed by a ribbed sleeve mounted on the support arms. At least one cradle is mounted on each support arm for receiving and releasable holding a selected tube or tubes of a bicycle frame. Each cradle has an opening through which the support arm extends and a tab projects partially into the opening. The tabs are configured to be received and to ride within selected ones of the troughs of the support arms for rotatably positioning the cradles at desired positions along their support arms. A channel extends along the support arms interrupting the ridges.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing articles to a vehicle-mounted rack. The apparatus includes at least one flexible strap associated with the rack. The strap is positionable around an article supported by the rack. A clamping buckle is adapted to receive and clamp onto the strap. A protective housing is adapted to receive and at least partially cover the buckle to protect the article and the vehicle from damage. In one embodiment, the strap may be attached to the housing to prevent the housing from being separated from the strap. In another embodiment, the housing may include one or more apertures to allow a user to operate the buckle when it is covered by the housing.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a needleless injection apparatus includes a cartridge having a plunger disposed at a rearward end. The cartridge includes an inner portion with a throat at a forward portion and a displaceable outlet valve initially disposed within the cartridge throat. The cartridge further includes a generally outwardly facing surface and a system for selectively providing driving force to drive the plunger in a forward direction. The apparatus also includes a nozzle for receiving the cartridge, the nozzle defining a rearward, cartridge-receiving portion, and having a forward portion terminating in and defining a valve abutment surface with a plurality of channels and an injection orifice.

Abstract: A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.

Abstract: A solid-phase crystallization process for producing a semiconductor film of polycrystalline material such as silicon from a film containing the material in an amorphous state includes depositing on a substrate a substantially amorphous film of the material. Next, the amorphous material is partially crystallized to form in the film microcrystallite material particles adjacent noncrystallized regions. The process also includes implanting in the film ions of a preselected type, and at a preselected energy, dose and species, selectively to eliminate preselected ones of the microcrystallite material particles, and further to amorphize the non-crystallized regions. Ultimately, an annealing of the film is performed to at least substantially form polycrystalline material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system of battery health. One or more cells of a float charged battery are shunted periodically through a current generator; or through a switch and a resistor. The system measures impedance and/or state of charge by sampling the change in cell voltage during a shunt period or between sequel shunt periods.

Abstract: A variably-weighted exercise hoop includes a plurality of large hollow balls, a plurality of plugs corresponding to and received in the balls, and a cable extending through and securing together the combined balls and plugs. A fixed quantity of pellets is enclosed in each combined ball and plug, and that quantity is varied by the manufacturer to achieve hoops of different weights using only one mold, whereby users of different abilities can have suitable hoops. The pellets provide both audible and physical rhythms for a user as the hoop rotates.

Abstract: A folding knife having a blade with a tang, and a handle with an end to which the tang is pivotally connected. The blade is rotatable relative to the handle about a pivot axis between an open position in which the blade is extended away from the handle and a closed position in which the blade is at least partially received within the handle. The folding knife may also include a post slidably held by the blade to slide along at least a portion of the blade between a retracted position and a locking position. When the blade is open and the post is in the locking position, the handle and post block pivoting of the blade from the open position toward the closed position. Additionally, the folding knife may be provided with an oversized tang portion and a spring mechanism that allow the knife blade to be easily pivoted into the open position.

Abstract: A fiberglass railcar roof that includes a fiberglass surface with a central portion and a peripheral portion adapted to be joined to the upper edge region of a railcar. In some embodiments, the roof includes plural elongate fiberglass ribs extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fiberglass surface. In some embodiments, the roof is adapted for use on refrigerated, high cube and cryogenic railcars. Methods for forming the invented roofs and roof panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved battery for children's ride-on vehicles. The battery includes a sealed housing that contains an internal circuit breaker that disconnects the flow of energy from the battery to the vehicle's one or more motors upon actuation. Upon removal of the actuating event, the circuit breaker automatically resets to reestablish the electrical circuit connecting the battery and the vehicle's one or more motors. The battery may alternatively include a manual reset that is accessible external the housing. Additionally, the battery may also include an internal one-shot fuse to protect against catastrophic failure of the battery.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a ferric sulfate solution is provided, characterized in that, iron ore containing 30% by weight or more FeOOH as a trivalent iron (Fe3+) is calcined at 200-600° C., and then dissolved in sulfuric acid. A water treatment agent consisting of a basic ferric sulfate solution manufactured by the above mentioned manufacturing method is used as a coagulating agent for water treatment.