Abstract: A mask for supplying gas under pressure to the nasal airway of an infant human includes a manifold for supplying air to an aperture in the mask. A shaped membrane structure formed from a thin walled membrane defines an enclosure for receiving at least the nares of an infant human nose and a generally trapezoidal aperture adapted to fit around the nasal area of the infant human. Part of the membrane around the aperture is sufficiently flexible to mould to the shape of the infant human's nasal area or is contoured to generally match the contours around that nasal area whilst the membrane structure itself has sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the backing plate without collapsing. The provision of a generally trapezoidal rather than the generally triangular apertures for fitting around the nares provides a substantially improved fit when the mask is used with infants.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a weakly-ordered processing system and method of executing memory barriers in weakly-ordered processing system. The processing system includes memory and a master device configured to issue memory access requests, including memory barriers, to the memory. The processing system also includes a slave device configured to provide the master device access to the memory, the slave device being further configured to produce a signal indicating that an ordering constraint imposed by a memory barrier issued by the master device will be enforced, the signal being produced before the execution of all memory access requests issued by the master device to the memory before the memory barrier.

Abstract: In one embodiment taught herein, a memory module selectively uses its write data mask input as a status output on which it provides status signaling to an associated memory controller. The memory module configures its data mask input as a status output at one or more times not conflicting with write operations. Correspondingly, the memory controller configures its write data mask output as a status input at such times, for receipt of status signaling from the memory module. In one embodiment, the memory module maintains a status register related to one or more operating conditions of the module, such as temperature, and signals status information changes to the memory controller by driving the module's data mask input. In response to such signaling, the memory controller initiates a read of the module's status register to obtain updated status information, and takes appropriate action, such as by changing the module's refresh rate.

Abstract: Status information comprising data not stored in a memory array is efficiently read from a plurality of parallel memory devices sharing an N-bit data bus by configuring each memory device to drive the status information on a different subset M of the N bits, and tri-state the remaining N-M bits. Each memory device is additionally configured to drive zero, one or more data strobes associated with the subset M, and tri-state the remaining data strobes. A memory controller may simultaneously read status information from two or more memory devices in parallel, with each memory device driving a separate subset M of the N-bit bus. Each memory device may serialize the status information, and drive it on the subset M of the bus in burst form. Each memory device may include a configuration register initialized by a memory controller to define its subset M.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrospray emitters that have a rigid substrate layer, a second layer, a channel formed in one of the rigid substrate layer and an exit orifice in flow communication with the channel. The second layer is attached to the first layer. The exit orifice is capable of holding an electric charge. The electrospray emitter may be used with such devices as a mass spectrometer, a colloidal thruster or an ion mobility device. Additionally, it may be used to coat a surface.

Abstract: An arrowhead includes a threaded stud at the front end of the body for accepting an arrowhead tip. A longitudinal finger is disposed coaxial with the stud and projects forward therefrom. Engagement means are operatively associated with the tip for engaging the finger when an arrowhead tip is screwed onto the body to inhibit the tip from becoming unintentionally loosened with respect to the body. In another aspect of the invention, a blade is pivotably mounted to an arrowhead body such that the blade is pivotably movable between first and second positions. The blade lies adjacent the body when in the first position. A slot is formed in the body adjacent the mounting position so as to receive a portion of the blade therewithin when the blade is in the first position, and a recess is formed around the slot to provide a means of escape for mud.

Abstract: A bollard mounting system mounts a bollard body to a stationary post mounted in the floor or ground. The bollard mounting system includes a plurality of locking protrusions and a key protrusion coupled with or otherwise integral with the post. The bollard mounting system also includes a keyed collar disposed on the bollard body. When the bollard body and the keyed collar are positioned on the post, the locking protrusions and the key protrusion engage the keyed collar locking the bollard body onto the stationary post. Installation of the bollard body only requires sliding the bollard body with the keyed collar into place over the stationary post. The locking protrusions are not externally accessible and not externally visible after the bollard body is locked in position, which reduces the likelihood of theft or damage to the locking mechanism in an aesthetically desirable manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implanatable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the patient's heart. In addition, the device is adapted to be wholly positioned within the right chest cavity of the patient. The aortic compression means of the device may be curved along its length so as to substantially replicate the curve of the ascending aorta.

Abstract: Status information comprising data not stored in a memory array is efficiently read from a plurality of parallel memory devices sharing an N-bit data bus by configuring each memory device to drive the status information on a different subset M of the N bits, and tri-state the remaining N-M bits. Each memory device is additionally configured to drive zero, one or more data strobes associated with the subset M, and tri-state the remaining data strobes. A memory controller may simultaneously read status information from two or more memory devices in parallel, with each memory device driving a separate subset M of the N-bit bus. Each memory device may serialize the status information, and drive it on the subset M of the bus in burst form. Each memory device may include a configuration register initialized by a memory controller to define its subset M.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implanatable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the patient's heart. In addition, the device is adapted to be wholly positioned within the right chest cavity of the patient. The aortic compression means of the device may be curved along its length so as to substantially replicate the curve of the ascending aorta.

Abstract: A weakly-ordered processing system implements an execution synchronization bus transaction, or “memory barrier” bus transaction, to enforce strongly-ordered data transfer bus transactions. A slave device that ensures global observability may “opt out” of the memory barrier protocol. In various embodiments, the opt-out decision may be made dynamically by each slave device asserting a signal, may be set system-wide during a Power-On Self Test (POST) by polling the slave devices and setting corresponding bits in a global observability register, or it may be hardwired by system designers so that only slave devices capable of performing out-of-order data transfer operations participate in the memory barrier protocol.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR2 or CCR9 receptor. Animal testing demonstrates that these compounds are useful for treating inflammation, a hallmark disease for CCR2 and CCR9. The compounds are generally aryl sulfonamide derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR2-mediated diseases, CCR9-mediated diseases, as controls in assays for the identification of CCR2 antagonists and as controls in assays for the identification of CCR9 antagonists.

Abstract: A memory system is disclosed. The memory system includes first and second memory devices, and a memory controller configured to selectively enable one of the memory devices, the memory controller having a first line coupled to the first and second memory devices and a second line coupled to the first and second memory devices. The first memory device is configured to provide a notification to the memory controller on the first line and the second memory device is configured to provide a notification to the memory controller on the second line. The first memory device is further configured not to load the first line and the second memory device is further configured not to load the second line when the memory controller is writing to the enabled memory device.

Abstract: An arrowhead comprises an elongated body having front and rear ends, means at the front end of the body for accepting an arrowhead tip, and means at the rear end of the body for coupling the body to an arrow shaft. At least one blade or barb member is pivotably mounted to the body such that the blade member is movable between a first position, in which the free end of the blade is disposed rearward of the mounting location and a major portion of the blade is positioned adjacent the body, and a second position, in which the free end of the blade is disposed radially outward of the mounting location. A flexible ring is disposed around the circumference of the body, and a notch formed in the blade member is configured to engage the flexible ring to releasably retain the blade member in the first position.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly adapted to be connected to a gas supply pump to deliver breathable gas to the inlet of a patient's respiratory system comprises a supply conduit, a patient interface, a branch swivel connector including a Y-piece and an elbow that swivels relative to the Y-piece, the branch swivel connector being adapted to be located to the rear of a patient's head in use and being connected to the supply conduit. A pair of inlet tubes each have a first end positioned in use near a mouth of a patient and are connected to the nose mask, a middle portion arranged to pass across a cheek of a patient and an end portion being joined to the Y-piece of the branch connector. The inlet tubes have a flat configuration and are provided with a plurality of internal ribs which prevent the tubes being crushed. A strap is secured to the patient interface and adapted to pass around the sides and rear of the head to hold the patient interface in position on the head.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds are generally monocyclic and bicyclic compounds and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR1-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of competitive CCR1 antagonists.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds are generally monocyclic and bicyclic compounds and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR1-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of competitive CCR1 antagonists.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds are generally monocyclic and bicyclic compounds and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR1-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of competitive CCR1 antagonists.

Abstract: Patients may operate a CAP system to deliver appropriate airway pressure at their home. A patient's apnea problem can be diagnosed at home without supervision with a CPAP device which delivers a continuously minimum appropriate pressure for substantially the entire period of therapy.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method and system for automatically determining heart rate. The invention can be applied to determining the heart of any animal including humans. The method involves sensing body sounds and transducing them to electrical signals. Digitizing the electrical signals. Emphasizing the heart sound maxima (S1 and S2 signals) relative to noise by filtering, decompression and squaring. Detecting local maxima in the signals as likely S1 signals and generating a threshold amplitude. Selecting maxima that exceed the threshold as surviving likely candidate S1 signals. Screening the surviving candidate S1 against physiologically derived criteria. And, calculating the heart rate from the screened S1.