Abstract: A catheter for measuring a fluid in a patient, such as end-tidal CO.sub.2, having a proximal end, a proximal portion adjacent the proximal end, a distal end, a distal portion adjacent the distal end and a lumen therethrough. The distal end is adapted to terminate in the pharynx of the patient when the catheter is inserted through the patient's nasal passage. The proximal end is attached to a device for measuring the fluid. Fluid is measured as it passes from the pharynx, through the catheter and then into the measuring means.

Abstract: The device comprises a first input (E1) and a first output (S1) which are capable respectively of receiving and delivering a plurality of analog signals and corresponding digital signals having different predetermined types of transmission specifications and associated with substantially homothetic predetermined elementary frequency attenuation templates. A second input (E2) and a second output (S2) are also provided, capable respectively of receiving and delivering a plurality of digital signals and corresponding analog signals having different predetermined types of transmission specifications, associated with different, substantially homothetic predetermined elementary frequency attenuation templates, as well as first and second signal conversion means arranged respectively between the first input and output and between the second input and output and including a single digital filter (6) in common, having a single frequency attenuation template which is compatible with all the elementary templates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a direct drive servovalve having a molded plastic housing. A metal sleeve having a spool valve slidably disposed therein is placed within opposed cavities formed within opposite housing halves. The housing halves are brought together under pressure and an ultrasonic horn is activated. Energy directing beads formed on the housing halves as well as interfering surfaces about the periphery melt under a pressure and ultrasonic energy allowing the two housing halves to move toward each other and mate. Upon deactivation of the ultrasonic horn, the molten plastic material cools and forms a seal about flow ports in the metallic sleeve as well as a fusion bond about the periphery of the housing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a direct drive servovalve including the steps of providing a completely packaged drive motor and a hydraulic stage positioning the drive motor upon the hydraulic stage and in engagement with a valve contained within the hydraulic stage applying a signal to the motor which is proportional to a desired output signal from the hydraulic stage moving the motor while measuring the output from the hydraulic stage and when the predetermined desired output is obtained from the hydraulic stage, then securing the motor to the hydraulic stage.

Abstract: There are provided variant family B DNA polymerases having no 3'.fwdarw.5' exonuclease activity. These variant polymerases have utility as DNA sequencing polymerases. Methods for DNA sequencing with family B DNA polymerases and chain-terminating nucleotides not previously used for sequencing have been developed. The methods disclosed involve the use of family B DNA polymerases not known heretofore to have utility in DNA sequencing, such as variant or wild type forms of phage T4 DNA polymerase or Escherichia coli DNA polymerase II, with novel combinations of deoxynucleotides and chain-terminating nucleotides.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump of the kind including a pumping plunger movable inwardly in a bore to displace fuel to an outlet. A spill valve member coupled to a piston slidable in a cylinder is moved to the open position to spill fuel from the bore when a control valve is opened to supply a pulse of fuel under pressure to one end of the cylinder. The fuel spilled from the bore also flows into the one end of the cylinder. A restricted flow path is provided to allow fuel to escape from said one end of the cylinder and a further restricted flow path may be provided to allow fuel from a low pressure source to flow into said one end of the cylinder.

Abstract: An interactive communications system for facilitating the management of purchases performed by individuals or certain businesses in repetitive manner, characterized in that the apparatuses making up the system comprise input means (10, 16), confirmation means (17), suggestion/selection means (18), memory means (13), and display means (11) for displaying the articles to be purchased, which articles may be selected from preceding lists and/or files without omission or repetition. The list of articles to be purchased is then printed on paper by means of a printer (14) or is transferred to other apparatuses of the system by interface means (15).

Abstract: The invention concerns a bag to accommodate solid or fluid concentrate which is used to prepare dialysis fluid using a dialysis machine. The bag consists of a bag body and at least one opening, whereby the opening is sealingly surrounded by a plug component (220). In the coupled state with a second plug component (210), the plug component (220) forms a flow connection with the interior of the bag. The plug component also has coupling means (276, 278) which are suitable to be connected with a second complementary plug component (210), which is disposed on the dialysis machine. By means of the plug connector, in the coupled state, a first flow path is formed from the dialysis machine to the interior of the bag and a second flow path is formed back from the interior of the bag to the dialysis machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and formulations for site-specific immune suppression of immune/inflammatory responses with localized or topical application of immunosuppressants including cyclosporines, rapamycins (RPM), or combinations of immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Methods for the use of said formulations to effect site-specific immune suppression of local inflammatory/immune responses in mammalian tissue and for treatment of autoimmune, T-cell mediated immune disease, inflammatory conditions, inhibition of contact hypersensitivity, and for producing prolonged skin allograft survival, and wound healing are presented. In addition, methods for use of said formulations--in tandem with systemic applications of immunosuppressant such as cyclosporine or without same--are presented. The present invention also relates to alternative formulations and delivery systems for the efficacious treatment of the aforementioned conditions.

Abstract: A solvent-leak-proof container for rectangular microscope slides includes a thermoplastic vial formed with a threaded cylindrical end and a removable threaded mating cap. The cap includes a centrally disposed cylindrical sealing member for leak proof sealing against the threaded end of the vial. The vial interior includes opposing pairs of longitudinal ribs for supporting and positioning rectangular microscope slides within the vial. The body of the vial is circular at least at the threaded end mating with the cap, but is generally rectangular thereafter to form opposing pairs of flat gripping surfaces which are also suitable for marking the vial for identification.

Abstract: A disposable abrasive wheel for mounting on a rotatable threaded spindle of a power tool. The abrasive wheel contains a retaining nut on one side and a backing member on the other side non-removably secured together on the abrasive wheel without the aid of adhesives in such a manner that the abrasive wheel is placed in compression when it is operably secured upon the spindle of the power tool under operative loads. A metal pressure cap extends outwardly from the backing member and has an upper flat surface for engaging a should formed on the spindle of the power tool during operation of the finishing article. The metal pressure cap includes an inner surface defining a plurality of grooves. A peripheral wall extends upwardly from the retaining nut into the pressure cap and includes portions thereof disposed within said grooves.

Abstract: Fourier transform processing is applied to digital signals obtained by analog-to-digital conversion of signals supplied by two microphones spaced by a fixed distance to produce two series of discrete data each datum of which represents the energy and phase of a spectral frequency band of the received sound. A dominant angle of incidence representing the angle of incidence of a speech signal component of the received sound signal relative to the two microphones is determined from phase differences between the discrete data in the same frequency bands of the two series and is used to combined the two series of discrete data into a single instantaneous spectrum in which any speech signal component is amplified relative to the noise.

Abstract: A method for improving the sound producing ability of musical instruments by securing at least some components of the instrument to a supporting surface and then vibrating the surface at various frequencies across a broad bandwidth for an optimal time. This method may be applied to partially assembled instruments during the manufacturing process, to completed instruments with strings and/or hardware removed, and to fully assembled new and old instruments.

Abstract: A hydromechanical differentiating system for actuator dynamic stiffness enhancement and dynamic load damping. A free floating spool valve receives a pressure signal and moves in opposite directions away from a null position. When the valve moves in response to an increase in the pressure signal it compresses fluid in a chamber connected at the opposite end of the cylinder in which the spool moves and simultaneously connects a source of fluid under pressure to the chamber causing the valve to return to its null position. Conversely, if the pressure signal decreases, the spool valve allows the fluid in the chamber to expand moving the valve away from the chamber and simultaneously connecting system return to the chamber to decrease the fluid pressure in the chamber and cause the valve to return to its null position.

Abstract: Methods and compositions provided for enhancing the transport of drugs (including peptides, oligonucleotides, proteins and conventional drugs) across epithelial cells at mucosal sites. The methods and compositions include the use of a peptide comprising at least two amino acids, such as Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-Arg or Pro-Leu, and a protective group such as phenylazo-benzyloxycarbonyl, N-methyl, t-butyloxycarbonyl, fluoroenylmethyloxycarbonyl or carbobenzoxy, at the N-terminus, or in a mixture of such peptides in a sufficient amount to enhance the drug transport across epithelial cells at mucosal sites. Preferably, the peptide comprises 2 to 5 amino acids; the N-terminal amino acids are preferably Pro-Leu. The peptide with the drug are introduced to the mucosal site in a physical mixture, a conjugated form or by a microcapsule, microsphere, liposome, cell, bacteria, virus or food vesicle carrier by an oral, nasal, pulmonary, buccal, rectal, transdermal, vaginal or ocular route.

Abstract: A buffer or other communications resource in, e.g., an ATM switch element receives random data which is then used by different data sinks. After the data has been outputted to the data sinks, the communications resource (e.g., the memory locations of the buffer) are released, i.e., labeled as free again. However, a resource which is not marked as free as a result of an error (whether erroneously the data is not retrieved or whether the release procedure is erroneous) remains blocked. To avoid permanent blockage of those memory locations whose contents have been in the buffer so long that they definitely (or at least very likely) should have been called for, information on the time of entry is stored together with the data. All memory locations are checked at regular intervals for the age of their contents. Upon attainment of a predetermined age, the location is labeled as free.

Abstract: A valve assembly which is suitable for backflow prevention in a stop cock having an inlet, a seat and an outlet. The valve assembly may be attachable to the stop cock and includes a valve body having at least one opening and also including a valve chamber and a valve seat. There is provided a balance tube in the valve body which communicates with the valve chamber which has one end engaged with the stop cock seat for sealing against the seat for prevention of flow of fluid from inlet to outlet, a piston located within the valve body and engageable with the valve seat, and biasing means operable to unseat the piston from the valve seat to enable the outlet to communicate with the valve body opening. In a further embodiment the valve assembly also includes a third seat in the handle and a valve member biased open by a spring against inlet pressure to allow atmosphere air to break a vacuum at the inlet.

Abstract: The state of charge of an electrochemical storage unit is measured by applying to the electrochemical storage unit (32), a voltage pulse which is less than its nominal voltage, so as to make the storage unit deliver a high discharge current for a short period of time. The level of the voltage pulse is chosen to cause a discharge current that varies monotonically and preferably approximately linearly as a function of the state of charge of the storage unit, so that the state of charge can be unambiguously estimated by measuring the discharge current.

Abstract: A changeable signboard, in which each turning pole is operated by a stepping motor, has three advertisement faces and turns clockwise and counterclockwise at a predetermined degree, thus displaying a certain pattern according to the electronic circuit. As many turning poles as needed can be arranged and one can show linear or curved images and diversify the patterns of advertisements.