Abstract: The present invention includes processes and resulting structures for producing moisture absorbing desiccant entrained polymers. A polymer is caused to assume a molten state, typically by applying heat and melting the polymer. To achieve certain results in the hardened end product, such as rigidity and durability, the polymer normally acts as a moisture barrier in a solidified state, both before and after melting. A desiccating agent is blended into the polymer so that the desiccating agent is distributed within the polymer. A channeling agent is also blended into the polymer so that it is distributed within the polymer. Together, the polymer, desiccating agent and channeling agent create a blended mixture. The mixture is solidified so that the channeling agent forms passages in the mixture through which moisture is communicable to desiccating agent that is entrained within the mixture.

Abstract: Methods are provided for increased and controlled production of choline and inositol, choline and inositol metabolites, and choline- and inositol-containing phospholipids in yeast, comprising the step of increasing phosphatidylcholine (PC) turnover in yeast. Methods are also provided for detecting phospholipase D-mediated turnover of phosphatidylcholine in vivo in yeast, comprising an assay for choline excretion.

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: A method of determining the functionality of a software system includes inputting a test plan to the software system via a software testing interface program, and logging an indication of one or more resulting outputs of the software system compared to expected output(s). The test plan invokes a sequence of test scripts and includes associated parameter inputs for the test scripts, and an expected output of the function or transaction of each test script. The test scripts are selected from a set of test scripts each able, when input to the software system via a software testing interface program, to prompt performance of a transaction or function for which the software system is designed.

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: A battery charger and method of charging a rechargeable battery which comprises charging the battery with an initial charging current and measuring and comparing the charging temperature to an initial temperature to identify a temperature factor which either identifies a need to lower the current or terminate the charging current. The temperature factor may be a temperature gradient .DELTA.T. The open circuit voltage may be monitored from the beginning or may begin when .DELTA.T is identified. V.sub.OCV is plotted with respect to time t elapsed to identify a point or points on the V.sub.OCV (t) curve, such as an inflection point in the dV.sub.OCV /dt data or a transition point in the d.sup.2 V.sub.OCV /dt.sup.2 which indicate the onset of overcharge. If the open circuit voltage V.sub.OCV of the battery is sampled from the beginning of charging the second order differential information should be ignored until a predetermined temperature gradient is realized.

Abstract: A radio frequency automatic identification system detects targets which include solid resonators resonating at several frequencies, attributing information to the frequencies at which the target resonates. Preferred resonators are quartz crystals, which may be made by a process of heating quartz to soften it and cutting crystals to approximate size and resonant frequency. Resonators produced by such a process are measured to determine their actual resonant frequency, and preferably the crystals are sorted into predetermined frequency windows in accordance with their measured resonant frequency. A set of resonators having frequencies corresponding to predetermined data is selected from the sorted groups of resonators and incorporated into a target. The preferred target is an ink-like material having a plurality of resonators disposed in a matrix which is radio frequency transparent at the frequency of interest.

Abstract: A rotatably adjustable binding assembly provides for quick and easy rotational adjustment of the binding assembly from a preset first rotational position to a preset second rotational position while a person's foot remains engaged in the binding assembly. The binding assembly includes a detent mechanism mounted under a foot base that engages at least one plate element whereby engagement of the detent mechanism with the plate element secures the binding assembly at a first or second rotational position. Operation of a foot tab actuates the detent mechanism, thereby permitting a "hands free" method of adjusting the rotational position of the binding assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating and sensing optical signals from a plurality of adjacent fiber optical strands. Ends of the adjacent optical fiber strands are aligned with a plurality of light reception areas on a pixel array. Each of the light reception areas is associated with one or more of the optical strands and is formed from one or more pixels from the pixel array. Adjacent light reception areas on the pixel array are separated by a pixel mask which is also formed from pixels on the pixel array. A signal processor is coupled to an output of the pixel array. The signal processor determines a total intensity value corresponding to each light reception area on the pixel array. In determining the total intensity value for a light reception area, the signal processor combines pixel intensity values only from unmasked pixels within the light reception area to determine the total intensity value for that light reception area.

Abstract: An improved flexible respiratory mask facial seal, as well a respiratory mask incorporating such seal. The facial seal comprises an annular member including a peripheral sidewall bounded by an inner end and an outer end generally opposite the inner end. The inner end is adapted for attachment to the shell or body portion of a respiratory mask and the outer end defines a contoured sealing surface adapted for confronting sealing engagement with a user's face. The annular member is formed of a gel substance possessing resilience characteristics corresponding to those of human fat tissue. Preferably, the annular member is encapsulated in a thin, pliable, membranous covering to enhance the durability and washability of the facial seal. Because the facial seal simulates the resiliency of human fat tissue, the user experiences the sensation of a natural substance against his skin when the mask is donned.

Abstract: Polymers capable of reversibly complexing carbon dioxide and other acid gases and a method of producing such polymers are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the present polymers incorporate amine groups capable of reversibly complexing carbon dioxide to produce an environmentally safe foamed polymer product. Because the reaction of an amine and CO.sub.2 is a reversible reaction, and because the amines are incorporated into the polymer backbone, the foamed polymers can be reverted to foamable polymers simply by collection, washing, granulating, and re-exposure to CO.sub.2. The polymers are environmentally desirable as carbon dioxide is non-toxic and is easily isolated from the atmosphere. Moreover, the process recycles the gas continually, rather than generating new gases.

Abstract: An electrode structure for use on an integrated circuit, and a method for forming the same. The electrode structure is formed by depositing a polysilicon layer on a dielectric layer. The polysilicon layer is then annealed until a plurality of non-contiguous polysilicon clusters are formed. Each of the non-contiguous polysilicon clusters has a base end and a top end. The base ends of the non-contiguous clusters are preferably separated by a spacing (S). Following the annealing step, the non-contiguous polysilicon clusters are connected electrically by depositing a conductive layer having a thickness (T) over the annealed polysilicon layer. The spacing (S) is preferably greater than twice the thickness (T).

Abstract: A system for focusing a light beam includes a housing having a sealed cavity filled with a pliable gel for receiving and focusing light rays from a light source. A housing having a hollow cavity is provided. The hollow cavity is filled with a pliable gel for receiving and focusing light rays from a light source. Thereafter, the pliable gel is sealed within the hollow cavity.

Abstract: A product display board for display of a plurality of product lines of memorial products having a plurality of design features. The product display board includes samples of memorial products of each product line arranged in rows with related design features arranged in columns.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive valve for a positive pressure airway system which allows bi-directional flow with low resistance. When positive pressure from the air generator of the positive pressure airway system is lost, a spring actuated disc moves away from its compressed position to block the outlet of the air generator. By blocking the outlet of the air generator, the path of entry for contaminants is significantly restricted in so doing, an alternate, low resistance path to atmosphere is exposed to allow contaminants to escape.

Abstract: A high speed non-contact beam scanning data acquisition memory card is disclosed. The device possesses the ergonomic benefits of a a card, yet can scan a wide angle moving beam across an information-bearing target in one or two dimensional scan patterns such as lines, rasters or other patterns in order to read information therefrom. The device is well suited for reading one or two dimensional bar-code or other printed matter where great portability as in medical records acquisition is desired. In order to achieve the high density electro-optical packaging necessary for its high performance to size ratio the present device employs a low profile scan module which is turned on by novel methods. Collected information is processed by signal processing electronics and stored in solid state low power memory devices. Novel triggering and scan actuating methods are also disclosed as are novel integrated scanning applications. In one embodiment components are integrated into a thin PCMCIA card or pen type scan device.

Abstract: A marine control arm formed from an elongated arm member having a hollow shell with first, second, third and fourth internal guides. Each of the internal guides extends from an outer surface of the hollow shell to an inner surface of the hollow shell. The first and second internal guides are separated by a first distance, and the third and fourth internal guides are separated by a second distance. The control arm includes an insert having a plurality of knurls for mating with grooves in a throttle assembly. The insert has first and second wings for positioning the insert within the hollow shell. The first wing has a first width corresponding to the first distance, and the second wing has a second width corresponding to the second distance.

Abstract: A novel medical device, SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper.TM. anti-snoring mouth device, is inserted into the mouth. The device comprises a denture-like(10) apparatus for supporting electrodes(12) in such a manner that the electrodes make contact with the roof of the mouth. Electrical stimulation induces contraction of relaxed muscles, thereby preventing or stopping snoring. Electrical energy is provided to the device via wires for connection to an external stimulator(16) or via a self-contained, battery-powered, microminiaturized electronic stimulator(20). Stimulation can be constant or intermittent. Wave shape, .?.amplitutde.!. .Iadd.amplitude.Iaddend., length, and frequency is controlled by the individual for comfort and is automatically induced via a feedback mechanism.