Abstract: The pump has a number of cylinders arranged with their respective axes at a predetermined angular distance about a drive shaft; and a number of piss, each sliding inside a respective cylinder. The inner radial end of each piston is fitted with a pad engaging a respective flat portion of a cam rotating on an eccentric portion of the drive shaft; and, to ensure against seizure, each pad has a cavity inside which is fitted a shoe having at least one layer of self-lubricating material engaging the respective flat portion of the cam.

Abstract: Improved methodology and apparatus for the clinical study and treatment of sleep apnea which incorporates one or more of the following features: (1) application of mono-level, alternating high and low level, or variable positive airway pressure generally within the airway of the patient with the mono-level, high and low level, or variable airway pressure generally being coordinated with and/or responsive to the spontaneous respiration of the patient, (2) usage of adjustably programmable pressure ramp circuitry capable of producing multiple pressure ramp cycles of predetermined duration and pattern whereby the ramp cycles may be customized to accommodate the specific needs of an individual sleep apnea patient so as to ease the patient's transition from wakefulness to sleep, (3) remote control or patient-sensed operation of the apparatus, (4) employment of safety circuitry, reset circuitry and minimum system leak assurance circuitry, controls and methods, and (5) utilization of clinical control circuitry whereb

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an image plate comprised of a stiffening layer formed from a first photocured polymeric material and a print contact layer formed from a second photocured polymeric material wherein the first photocured polymeric material is a hard photocured polymeric material and the second photocured polymeric material is formed from a soft photocured polymeric material. The image plate is assembled as a photocured pre-cut sheet of relief images comprising a first layer formed from a releasable substrate, a second layer formed from a first photocured polymer, and a third layer formed from a second photocured polymer, wherein the first photocured polymer is formed from a hard photopolymer resin and the second photocured polymer is formed from a soft photopolymer resin.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence is provided for a novel death regulatory gene. In particular the present invention relates to a DNA segment encoding a giig15b gene; polypeptides encoded by that DNA segment; recombinant DNA molecules containing the DNA segment; cells containing the recombinant DNA molecule; a method of producing a giig15b peptide; and antibodies specific to giig15b protein.

Abstract: A therapeutic mixture comprised of L-arginine and inhibitors of Hmg--CoA-Reductase is disclosed for the treatment of diseases related to endothelial dysfunction, wherein the endothelial dysfunction is relieved by stimulating the constitutive form of nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) to produce native nitric oxide (NO).

Abstract: A disease or disorder associated with myelin injury, such as multiple sclerosis, is treated by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The method reduces blood brain and blood nerve barrier permeability defects. It also decreases the size and number of perivascular lesions (often associated with myelin breakdown) and reduces the formation of sclerotic plaques in the central nervous system. IGF-I administration also reverses the clinical deficits associated with myelin injury, including visual defects, unsteadiness, poor coordination, muscular weakness and paralysis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle having at least one tire mounted on a support member. The tire has a centerline that substantially defines a first tipline of the vehicle. A device, which has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the tire, is attached to the support member. The device includes a contact surface having a centerline that substantially defines a second tipline of the vehicle. When the tire is loaded and deflects such that the device interacts with a support surface, the tipline of the vehicle is moved from the first tipline to the second tipline to improve the stability of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for providing angular displacement of an axis in a direction selected from the X or Y direction or rotational movement about the Z direction with respect to the axis. The device comprises a magnetic core element which produces a magnetic field and defines a Z axis. The core element is capable of displacement in the X and Y directions respectively, and also rotational movement about the Z axis. A coil device proximate the core element introduces a distortion force in the core element in at least one of the X and Y directions or about the Z axis as desired a mounting device suspends the core element with respect to the coil means to permit relative movement therebetween in response to the distortion force.

Abstract: A binding assembly includes a boot having a plate, and a binding plate secured to a snowboard. The boot plate includes at least one set of opposing, horizontally-projecting, binding tabs positioned along the sides of the boot. The binding plate includes at least one set of binding elements that correspond, respectively, to the binding tabs. In operation, the binding tabs on the boot are maneuvered to engage the binding elements on the binding plate to mount the boot to the snowboard.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selective alteration and control of door movement modes utilizing an apparatus that is primarily non-hydraulic and incorporated with a known mechanism which is functional independently from the apparatus in one mode of operation and which includes a piston for controlling door closing characteristics by selected fluid flow within the mechanism. The apparatus includes a motor driven lead screw having a linearly movable shuttle unit mounted thereon, the shuttle unit being positioned relative to the piston of the mechanism to accommodate nonattached contact with the piston to urge the piston, when the shuttle unit is moved, in a direction that will at least provide selective assistance with door opening in another mode of operation. Operation of the apparatus is controlled by programming of a related controller including non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A multi-layer label for a dry-cell battery having at least one layer of plastic, at least one layer of adhesive and at least one layer of primer, wherein the primer layer and adhesive layer both lie either between a plastic layer and the battery body or between two plastic layers, and wherein no reaction harmful to said label's function or appearance takes place between the chemicals of said primer layer and those of said adhesive layer.

Abstract: A security enhanced computer system arrangement includes a coprocessor and a multiprocessor logic controller inserted into the architecture of a conventional computer system. The coprocessor and multiprocessor logic controller is interposed between the CPU of the conventional computer system to intercept and replace control signals that are passed over certain of the critical control signal lines associated with the CPU. The multiprocessor logic controller arrangement thereby isolates the CPU of the conventional computer system from the remainder of the conventional computer system, permitting separate control over the CPU and separate control over the remainder of the computer system. By controlling the control signals that are normally passed between the CPU and the remainder of the computer system, the multiprocessor logic controller permits the coprocessor to perform highly secure operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering pressurized gas to the airway of a patient including: a gas flow generator for providing a flow of gas, a breathing appliance for sealingly communicating with the airway of the patient, and a conduit for delivery of the gas flow to the airway of the patient, the conduit having a first end connected to the gas flow generator and a second end connected to the breathing appliance. The apparatus further includes at least one sensor in fluid communication with the conduit and located substantially at the gas flow generator for detecting conditions corresponding to breathing patterns of the patient and generating signals corresponding to the conditions, and an information processor for receiving the signals and for controlling the output of the gas flow generator responsive to the signals.

Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication method for forming a transistor structure upon a semiconductor substrate, a nitride layer is also formed over the semiconductor substrate. A gate oxide layer is formed over a region of the semiconductor substrate. The gate oxide layer has a relatively thinner oxide region over the nitride layer and a relatively thicker oxide region over the substrate adjacent the nitride layer. A transistor gate is formed extending over the relatively thinner oxide region and over the relatively thicker oxide region. The transistor thus formed is therefore asymmetric. A first transistor active region is formed in the vicinity of the relatively thicker oxide region and a second transistor active region is formed in the vicinity of the relatively thinner oxide region. The nitride layer can be formed by rapid thermal nitridization of the semiconductor substrate. The relatively thinner oxide region can be one-half as thick as the relatively thinner oxide region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-inked thermoplastic foam which is utilized to form a relief image wherein the image bearing thermoplastic foam has open cells in the area that is designed to transfer ink and closed or sealed cells in the area which is designed to be impermeable to ink or other print medium.

Abstract: A drilling fluid system that combines a carbon black/asphaltite/lignite mixture with a fish oil/glycol mixture; and a method for manufacturing a drilling fluid system that could be utilized with pre-existing water based muds during drilling and excavating applications.

Abstract: A swivel exhaust conduit for rotatably connecting a patient mask to the delivery conduit of a positive pressure air supply. The swivel exhaust conduit design provides an exhaust port that utilizes the rotating bearing of the swivel conduit's rotating two-piece design for permitting and directing exhaust of CO.sub.2 laden air. A baffle chamber formed in the clearance of the two pieces provides an area where noise is reduced. As CO.sub.2 laden exhaust exits the swivel exhaust conduit, it is directed away from the patient mask and down the outside of the delivery conduit via a slit pattern on the swivel conduit.

Abstract: A method of forming a polysilicon electrode having at least one roughened surface is performed by roughening a template layer to form a roughened template layer. A layer of polysilicon is next deposited on top of the roughened template layer. The polysilicon electrode is then formed by etching away the roughened template layer, and thereby exposing a roughened surface on the polysilicon electrode.

Abstract: An externally operable electronic switch which is entirely located within a housing but which is in no way mechanically or physically attached to the inside or the outside of the housing, has no moving parts, nothing to wear out, requires no holes or special treatments to the housings of equipment into which it may be incorporated and has no optical parts to fog or become dirty which could lead to unreliable operation is disclosed. The switch is operated without mechanical force. It is unnecessary to touch anything to operate it and it consumes extremely low stand by power. It is suited for sealed and portable battery operated equipment.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and inspecting one or more operational characteristics of a knife includes providing at least one image producer having a field of view that substantially frames the knife, using the at least one image producer to form a first series of images of the knife while the knife is in use, and analyzing the first series of images to determine whether the one or more operational characteristics of the knife are within one or more preliminary operating parameters.