Abstract: A compression member for use in a showerhead electrode assembly of a capacitively coupled plasma chamber. The member applies a compression force to a portion of a film heater adjacent a power supply boot on an upper surface of a thermal control plate and is located between the thermal control plate and a temperature-controlled top plate. The member is composed of an electrically insulating elastomeric material which can work over a large range of compressions and temperatures.

Abstract: An upper chamber section of a plasma reaction chamber includes a ceramic window with blind bores in an upper surface for receipt of a thermal couple and a resistance temperature detector, a top chamber interface which comprises an upper surface which vacuum seals against the bottom of the window and a gas injection system comprising 8 side injectors mounted in the sidewall of the top chamber interface and a gas delivery system comprising tubing which provides symmetric gas flow to the 8 injectors from a single gas feed connection.

Abstract: A compression member for use in a showerhead electrode assembly of a capacitively coupled plasma chamber. The member applies a compression force to a portion of a film heater adjacent a power supply boot on an upper surface of a thermal control plate and is located between the thermal control plate and a temperature-controlled top plate. The member is composed of an electrically insulating elastomeric material which can work over a large range of compressions and temperatures.

Abstract: A pointer arm for a gauge of a motor vehicle is provided. The pointer arm includes first and second light reflecting surfaces and an an arm portion extending from the first and second light reflecting surfaces. The pointer arm may be supported for rotation about an axis of rotation relative to a scale, and a shroud may be used to support the pointer arm. A cap may be supported on the pointer arm. The cap may include a pin extending into an opening within the pointer arm. The light reflecting surfaces are configured to propagate light around the opening and through the pointer arm.

Abstract: A cable mounting assembly that may include a ball fitting having a hole that receives a cable assembly. The ball fitting may be disposed in an abutment and may be received in a bracket that may be disposed on the abutment.

Abstract: A method of treating a pathophysiological condition caused by the production of growth-inhibiting proteoglycans is provided. It is based on the finding that down-regulation of SOX9 results in decreased production of growth-inhibiting factors such as proteoglycans, and increased production of growth-promoting factors such as a laminin and fibronectin. The method of the present invention comprises the inhibition of SOX9 expression and function with an inhibitor such as an antisense oligonucleotide or a siRNA.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling, and reminding people receiving care (PRC) about upcoming events uses a remote computer-based interface that allows a Caregiver at a remote location to schedule the events for the PRC. The PRC has in their residence (or other location) a device that prompts the PRC, by an audio and/or video prompt, so as to “nudge” the PRC, asking whether they intend to participate in a pre-scheduled event. A man-machine interface, such as a two input keypad containing one button labeled “yes” and another button labeled “no”, the remote Caregiver is able to monitor the responses of the electronic “nudges” offered by the system to the PRC. In turn, the device used by the remote Caregiver accumulates the responses and creates a history of the level of activity the person has indicated in which they wish to participate.

Abstract: A compression member for use in a showerhead electrode assembly of a capacitively coupled plasma chamber. The member applies a compression force to a portion of a film heater adjacent a power supply boot on an upper surface of a thermal control plate and is located between the thermal control plate and a temperature-controlled top plate. The member is composed of an electrically insulating elastomeric material which can work over a large range of compressions and temperatures.

Abstract: Methods for treating a condition associated with proteoglycan production in a mammal are provided. The methods comprise the administration of at least one of a calmodulin antagonist, a transient receptor potential (TRP) channel inhibitor and a calmodulin-binding peptide to the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and agents for diagnosing the presence or risk of development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in mammals, which are based on the detection of polymorphisms within any one or more of the ARTS-1 gene, the IL-23R gene, the TNFR1 gene locus, the TRADD gene locus, the IL-1R1 gene locus, the IL-1R2 gene locus, the CD74 gene locus and the chromosome loci 2P15, 2Q31.3 and 4Q13.1. The present invention also features methods for the treatment or prevention of AS based on the diagnostic methods.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling, and reminding people receiving care (PRC) about upcoming events uses a remote computer-based interface that allows a Caregiver at a remote location to schedule the events for the PRC. The PRC has in their residence (or other location) a device that prompts the PRC, by an audio and/or video prompt, so as to “nudge” the PRC, asking whether they intend to participate in a pre-scheduled event. A man-machine interface, such as a two input keypad containing one button labeled “yes” and another button labeled “no”, the remote Caregiver is able to monitor the responses of the electronic “nudges” offered by the system to the PRC. In turn, the device used by the remote Caregiver accumulates the responses and creates a history of the level of activity the person has indicated in which they wish to participate.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling, and reminding people receiving care (PRC) about upcoming events uses a remote computer-based interface that allows a Caregiver at a remote location to schedule the events for the PRC. The PRC has in their residence (or other location) a device that prompts the PRC, by an audio and/or video prompt, so as to “nudge” the PRC, asking whether they intend to participate in a pre-scheduled event. A man-machine interface, such as a two input keypad containing one button labeled “yes” and another button labeled “no”, the remote Caregiver is able to monitor the responses of the electronic “nudges” offered by the system to the PRC. In turn, the device used by the remote Caregiver accumulates the responses and creates a history of the level of activity the person has indicated in which they wish to participate.

Abstract: An upper chamber section of a plasma reaction chamber includes a ceramic window with blind bores in an upper surface for receipt of a thermal couple and a resistance temperature detector, a top chamber interface which comprises an upper surface which vacuum seals against the bottom of the window and a gas injection system comprising 8 side injectors mounted in the sidewall of the top chamber interface and a gas delivery system comprising tubing which provides symmetric gas flow to the 8 injectors from a single gas feed connection.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and agents for detecting the presence or diagnosing the risk of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in mammals. These methods are based on the detection of polymorphisms within any one or more of the ARTS-1 gene, the IL-23R gene, the TNFR1 gene locus, the TRADD gene locus and the chromosome loci 2P15 and 21Q22. The present invention also features methods for the treatment or prevention of AS based on the diagnosis.

Abstract: A method of treating a pathophysiological condition caused by the production of growth-inhibiting proteoglycans is provided. It is based on the finding that down-regulation of SOX9 results in decreased production of growth-inhibiting factors such as proteoglycans, and increased production of growth-promoting factors such as a laminin and fibronectin. The method of the present invention comprises the inhibition of SOX9 expression and function with an inhibitor such as an antisense oligonucleotide or a siRNA.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling, and reminding people receiving care (PRC) about upcoming events uses a remote computer-based interface that allows a Caregiver at a remote location to schedule the events for the PRC. The PRC has in their residence (or other location) a device that prompts the PRC, by an audio and/or video prompt, so as to “nudge” the PRC, asking whether they intend to participate in a pre-scheduled event. A man-machine interface, such as a two input keypad containing one button labeled “yes” and another button labeled “no”, the remote Caregiver is able to monitor the responses of the electronic “nudges” offered by the system to the PRC. In turn, the device used by the remote Caregiver accumulates the responses and creates a history of the level of activity the person has indicated in which they wish to participate.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling, and reminding people receiving care (PRC) about upcoming events uses a remote computer-based interface that allows a Caregiver at a remote location to schedule the events for the PRC. The PRC has in their residence (or other location) a device that prompts the PRC, by an audio and/or video prompt, so as to “nudge” the PRC, asking whether they intend to participate in a pre-scheduled event. A man-machine interface, such as a two input keypad containing one button labeled “yes” and another button labeled “no”, the remote Caregiver is able to monitor the responses of the electronic “nudges” offered by the system to the PRC. In turn, the device used by the remote Caregiver accumulates the responses and creates a history of the level of activity the person has indicated in which they wish to participate.

Abstract: A portable medication dispensing system is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a portable medication tote comprising a securable compartment configured to hold medication, and a controller, responsive to access information, configured to assign a patient to the securable compartment such that medications for the patient are authorized for placement into the securable compartment. The controller is also configured to selectively permit a user access to the medications for the patient in the securable compartment when the access information indicates the user has access to the securable compartment, and restrict access to retrieval of the medications for the patient in the securable compartment when the access information indicates the user does not have access to the securable compartment. The system also includes an information output module configured to output usage information regarding access to the securable compartment.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a medication station and a controller responsive to patient admittance status information. The medication station includes at least one securable compartment configured to hold medication. The controller is configured to assign a patient to the at least one securable compartment such that medications for the patient are able to be placed into the at least one securable compartment. The controller is also configured to selectively permit access to the medications for the patient in the at least one securable compartment when the patient admittance status information indicates the patient is currently admitted, and restrict access to retrieval of the medications for the patient in the at least one securable compartment when the patient admittance status information indicates the patient is not currently admitted.

Abstract: There is provided a portable fiber optic cable based intrusion detection system in which support posts are driven into the earth to define a perimeter. A portably mountable fiber optic cable attenuator is installed to each support post. The fiber optic cable is wrapped around a first compressible member of the attenuator and then looped through a second compressible member. A retractable rod having a cross arm there through is elevated through the second compressible member to form an upper loop in fiber optic cable. The retractable rod is then retracted leaving the remaining upper loop. An external force on the fiber optic cable diminishes the upper loop about the cross arm thereby creating a microbend in the fiber optic cable. A light detector senses a reduced light intensity, caused by the microbend, at the end of the fiber optic cable which triggers an alarm.