Abstract: A polymeric network comprises a plurality of monomers that include a cage compound with at least three arms, wherein at least one of the arms has two or more branches, and wherein each of the branches further comprises a reactive group. Monomers in contemplated polymeric networks are covalently coupled to each other via the reactive groups. Particularly contemplated cage compounds include adamantane and diamantane, and especially contemplated branched arms comprise ortho-bis(phenylethynyl)phenyl. Especially contemplated polymeric networks have a dielectric constant of no more than 3.0, and are formed on the surface of a substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing borohydride by causing current to flow in an electrolytic cell between an anode and a cathode, wherein a solution of trialkoxyborohydride is in contact with the cathode.

Abstract: The present invention provides adamantane or diamantane compositions that are useful as a dielectric material in microelectronic applications such as microchips.

Abstract: An inflatable full scale model of a printing device, or the like. This full scale model includes a readily inflatable body having a predetermined shape, when inflated, corresponding to a selected printing device. The body includes features representing utility hook-up locations for the selected printing device. When the body is inflated, it can be used to facilitate site planning and utility connection needs at a particular site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising (a) thermosetting component comprising: (1) optionally monomer of Formula I as set forth below and (2) at least one oligomer or polymer of Formula II as set forth below where E, Q, G, h, I, j, and w are as set forth below and (b) porogen that bonds to thermosetting component (a). Preferably, the porogen is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted polynorbornene, substituted polynorbornene, polycaprolactone, unsubstituted polystyrene, substituted polystyrene, polyacenaphthylene homopolymer, and polyacenaphthylene copolymer. Preferably, the present compositions may be used as dielectric substrate in microchips, multichip modules, laminated circuit boards, or printed wiring boards.

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.

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 implantable, 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 continuous process for preparing granular detergent composition including a first step of dry neutralizing an acid precursor of an anionic surfactant with a particulate water-soluble alkaline material in a high speed mixer for a mean residence time of about 0.2 to about 50 seconds, thereby partly or totally neutralizing the acid precursor and producing a dry neutralized material containing the anionic surfactant, in the form of a free-flowing powder; and a second stop of agglomerating the free-flowing powder into a detergent agglomerate using an agglomeration binder. The agglomeration binder is preferably a viscous surfactant paste binder. The resulting agglomerates are dry, free-flowing, and have a substantially more narrow particle size distribution, compared to the free-flowing powder, with reduced fine particles and over-sized particles that generally are recycled.

Abstract: An arrowhead with pivotal blades has a body with a mounting location adjacent a first end of the body. An elongated blade has a first end of the blade pivotably mounted to the mounting location of the body about an axis of rotation such that the blade is pivotably movable between first and second positions. The blade lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body when in the first position with the second end of the blade adjacent the second end of the body, and the second end of the blade extends outward and closer to the first end of the body when the blade is in the second position. A bearing surface is formed at the second end of the blade so as to be contacted by a target surface to pivot the blade from the first position to the second position when the bearing surface strikes a target. The blade has a cam portion formed thereon adjacent the axis of rotation.

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: Patients may operate a CPAP system to deliver appropriate airway pressure at their home. A patient's apnea problem ca 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: A method and apparatus for merging log data for recovering one or more database data sets to any point-in-time in a single pass of log data sets. Using disaster recovery technology, the invention may be implemented to provide a method to reduce the time that a broken database is unavailable by processing recovery input data in parallel and recovering multiple database data sets, including areas, simultaneously. The invention reduces operational complexity and resource constraints experienced by IMS customers trying to recover database data sets especially in a data sharing environment. The invention simplifies the recovery process by eliminating both the need for change accumulation and the need to run separate recovery jobs for each database data set requiring recovery, thereby reducing the impact of recovery on system resources.

Abstract: A biophysical sensor including a sound vibration sensing element (12) to produce a sensed output, and two or more separate signal processing paths to process the sensed outputs to produce output signals. The output signals may reflect specific frequency bands within the raw biological signal. In a further aspect the invention concerns an electronic stethoscope in which the sound vibration sensing element (12) is a PVDF membrane, the signal processing involves an operational amplifier (OP amp) (10) connected to the PVDF membrane, and a unity gain buffer amplifier is connected to the output of the OP amp to allow the connection of headphones directly to the sensor output.

Abstract: Patients may operate a CPAP 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: A polymeric network comprises a plurality of monomers that include a cage compound with at least three arms, wherein at least one of the arms has two or more branches, and wherein each of the branches further comprises a reactive group. Monomers in contemplated polymeric networks are covalently coupled to each other via the reactive groups. Particularly contemplated cage compounds include adamantane and diamantane, and especially contemplated branched arms comprise ortho-bis-(phenylethynyl)phenyl. Especially contemplated polymeric networks have a dielectric constant of no more than 3.0, and are formed on the surface of a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses both a method of operating CPAP apparatus, and the apparatus itself in which a breathable gas delivery device, or mask (1), is connected to a gas supply pump (14) via a conduit which includes a restriction to gas flow such as a small bore portion (3). A pressure transducer (11) is used to sense the gas pressure at the patient's nose and the transducer output is used to servo-control the pump (14) to maintian the sensed pressure substantially constant.

Abstract: A communications device and method for effectively managing bandwidth within a telecommunications network carrying both time division multiplexed signals as well as data signals. The communications device having dialable TDM/cell and/or packet-based bandwidth management capability so that a network operator can select to manage bandwidth for any particular signal on in STS, VT, or cell or packet basis.

Abstract: A clothing protective device which is particularly adapted to be worn by a man, woman or child, and which in particular will assist in the protection of clothing while dining or engaging in other activities which may stain clothes. In essence, the device is essentially in the form of a so-called napkin holder which can be readily transported in a clothing pocket or a purse.

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