Abstract: A master Ethernet bridge for use in an Ethernet network that includes a master central processing unit and associated master Ethernet switch, and one or more slave central processing units, each having an associated slave Ethernet switch, each of the associated slave Ethernet switches connected to a plurality of input/output ports, and wherein each of the plurality of ports is assigned a respective port number, each of the ports being connected to one of the one or more of the cascaded Ethernet devices, and wherein each of the master CPU and slave CPUs includes memory that contains a program that embodies a plurality of Ethernet functions adapted to substantially prevent re-routing of Ethernet commands by providing a mapping function that correlates the plurality of ports to respective ones of the one or more slave CPU and slave Ethernet switch.

Abstract: A master Ethernet bridge for use in an Ethernet network that includes a master central processing unit and associated master Ethernet switch, and one or more slave central processing units, each having an associated slave Ethernet switch, each of the associated slave Ethernet switches connected to a plurality of input/output ports, and wherein each of the plurality of ports is assigned a respective port number, each of the ports being connected to one of the one or more of the cascaded Ethernet devices, and wherein each of the master CPU and slave CPUs includes memory that contains a program that embodies a plurality of Ethernet functions adapted to substantially prevent re-routing of Ethernet commands by providing a mapping function that correlates the plurality of ports to respective ones of the one or more slave CPU and slave Ethernet switch.

Abstract: A blower unit for use as part of an integrated blower/humidification system is described. The blower unit has an outer casing, which encloses and forms part of the blower unit, the casing including an air inlet vent. The blower unit further includes a humidifier compartment for receiving a humidifier unit with a separate gases inlet and outlet, the compartment having a heater base for heating the contents of the humidifier unit. The compartment also has a blower inlet port which aligns with the humidifier unit inlet in use, the blower providing a gases path through the casing between the inlet vent and the inlet port. The blower unit also includes a fan for providing a pressurized gases stream along the gases path, and a power supply unit for powering the fan. The gases path is routed over the power supply unit in order to provide a cooling air flow.

Abstract: Electrical medical equipment that includes a user operable primary adjustment mechanism containing two or fewer user-adjustable elements, and a controller adapted to control and alter at least one output parameter of the equipment, the controller connected and responding to input from said primary adjustment mechanism to alter said output parameter, the primary adjustment mechanism having at least four conditions; a first condition which the mechanism returns to without user input, a second condition, following manipulation of one of the elements from a first condition, a third condition, following manipulation of one of the elements from a first condition, and a fourth condition following manipulation of the same element manipulated to achieve the third condition to another position, wherein in each condition, the mechanism provides a distinct output as input to the controller, which responds to the input by: maintaining the output parameter at a previous level while the input indicates the mechanism is in t

Abstract: The invention provides VEGFxxxb, or an agent which selectively promotes the expression of VEGFxxxb in preference to VEGFxxx in cells of a subject or in vitro, or an expression vector system which causes the expression of the VEGFxxxb in a host organism, for use in treating or preventing microvascular hyperpermeability disorders, or in regulating the pro-angiogenic pro-permeability properties of VEGFxxx isoforms, or in supporting epithelial cell survival without increased permeability, or in reducing the nature (for example the number density and/or size) of fenestrations of epithelial filtration membranes in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: A blower unit for use as part of an integrated blower/humidification system is described. The blower unit has an outer casing, which encloses and forms part of the blower unit, the casing including an air inlet vent. The blower unit further includes a humidifier compartment for receiving a humidifier unit with a separate gases inlet and outlet, the compartment having a heater base for heating the contents of the humidifier unit. The compartment also has a blower inlet port which aligns with the humidifier unit inlet in use, the blower providing a gases path through the casing between the inlet vent and the inlet port. The blower unit also includes a fan for providing a pressurised gases stream along the gases path, and a power supply unit for powering the fan. The gases path is routed over the power supply unit in order to provide a cooling air flow.

Abstract: Electrical medical equipment that includes a user operable primary adjustment mechanism containing two or fewer user-adjustable elements, and a controller adapted to control and alter at least one output parameter of the equipment, the controller connected and responding to input from said primary adjustment mechanism to alter said output parameter, the primary adjustment mechanism having at least four conditions; a first condition which the mechanism returns to without user input, a second condition, following manipulation of one of the elements from a first condition, a third condition, following manipulation of one of the elements from a first condition, and a fourth condition following manipulation of the same element manipulated to achieve the third condition to another position, wherein in each condition, the mechanism provides a distinct output as input to the controller, which responds to the input by: maintaining the output parameter at a previous level while the input indicates the mechanism is in t