Abstract: A patient interface for delivery of a supply of pressurised air or breathable gas to an entrance of a patient's airways comprising: a cushion member that includes a retaining structure and a seal-forming structure permanently connected to the retaining structure; a frame member attachable to the retaining structure; and a positioning and stabilising structure attachable to the frame member.

Abstract: A beverage cartridge and method for forming a beverage is provided. The cartridge may include a container having an internal volume with a substantially soluble beverage precursor disposed within the container. The beverage precursor may be formed of a plurality of particulates where at least 60% of the plurality of particulates has a largest dimension that is greater than about 200 microns and less than about 700 microns. The cartridge may be water tight, and may be filterless. A liquid can be introduced into the container at a volumetric flow rate of at least 0.03 ounces/second to dissolve the beverage precursor to form a beverage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lifting a plurality of reinforcing bars (rebars) all at one time, and holding them in vertical position while they are connected one at a time to the upper ends of steel elements such as bolts or reinforcing bars protruding from concrete. The apparatus has an elongate lower element with a row of blind holes or recesses in its upper end to receive the lower ends of the bars. An elongate upper element has a row of through holes in registry with the blind holes. The two elements are held apart by cables. A cover on the side of the upper element opens so that the sides of the through holes are exposed so that the bars can be loaded on the sides of the through holes and into the blind holes. The cover is then closed and the apparatus lifted by a crane from the upper element to a position close to the steel elements. Each bar is then lifted from the blind hole, while sliding in the through hole. It is then connected to a steel element.

Abstract: The present invention provides N-aryl piperidine compounds having antiinfective activity (i.e., antibacterial, antiviral), their compositions and methods of use. The compounds of the invention prevent the entry of HIV into host cells. More particularly, the compounds are effective at in inhibiting the binding interaction of HIV glycoprotein gp120 and the cell surface receptor CD4. The compounds can be used alone or in combination with other antivirals, antiinfectives, immunomodulators, or HIV entry inhibitors. More particularly, the invention relates to the prevention and treatment of HIV infectivity and AIDS.

Abstract: A process used to coat particles in an upward flowing fluidized bed dryer includes an insert disposal within the dryer. The insert includes a vertically adjustable cylindrical partition and a vertically adjustable spray nozzle wherein the cylindrical partition has a diameter-to-length ratio greater than 1. The particles are fluidized using a gas and are processed through a coating zone containing the cylindrical partition and become coated with the liquid spray. The particles exit the coating zone and enter the reconditioning zone wherein the liquid is allowed to dry onto the particles. The particles fall into the fluidized bed and are reprocessed through the coating zone by a draft effect created by the atomizing gas in the spray nozzle. The insert provides liquid coating flexibility allowing for the coating of liquid fat onto the particles. Additionally, since less fluidizing gas is required and not all of the particle bed needs to be fluidized, the coating process is more efficient and gentle.

Abstract: A process used to coat particles in an upward flowing fluidized bed dryer includes an insert disposal within the dryer. The insert includes a vertically adjustable cylindrical partition and a vertically adjustable spray nozzle wherein the cylindrical partition has a diameter-to-length ratio greater than 1. The particles are fluidized using a gas and are processed through a coating zone containing the cylindrical partition and become coated with the liquid spray. The particles exit the coating zone and enter the reconditioning zone wherein the liquid is allowed to dry onto the particles. The particles fall into the fluidized bed and are reprocessed through the coating zone by a draft effect created by the atomizing gas in the spray nozzle. The insert provides liquid coating flexibility allowing for the coating of liquid fat onto the particles. Additionally, since less fluidizing gas is required and not all of the particle bed needs to be fluidized, the coating process is more efficient and gentle.

Abstract: The externally threaded surface of a clutch adjusting ring is provided with circumferentially spaced friction-enhancing plugs, preferably formed of nylon. The plugs are friction fit into bores located between the first and last threads of the externally threaded surface. The nylon plugs are slightly longer than their bores and, therefore, the top surfaces of the plugs extend slightly beyond the externally threaded surface. As the externally threaded surface of the ring is threaded into the cover, the corresponding internally threaded surface of the cover cuts through the radially extending plugs located in the threads of the ring. The plugs frictionally grip the cover thereby preventing, or greatly reducing, the amount of play in the adjusting ring, yet allowing the ring to be readily turned manually.

Abstract: A system suitable to transfer a bubble domain from one field to a second field where the field is the largest area formed by exposing a pattern and which all of the dimensions are critical is disclosed. A magnetic domain is propagated out of the first field through an outlet into an inlet of the second field. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the outlet is one to ten bubble diameters and the width of the inlet opening is two to ten bubble diameters, the inlet opening being always at least as wide as the outlet opening. Associated with the inlet opening is a contracting means, for example, a Chevron pattern of decreasing height, which reduces the size of the domain to a size suitable for use in the bubble system in the second magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of providing an initial lattice containing magnetic bubble domains in a film is disclosed. The method includes a first step of providing a confinement area in a film to contain magnetic domains, a second step of applying an AC in-plane magnetic field to form a plurality of rows of substantially perfect parallel stripe domains, and a third step of cutting the stripe domains into bubbles to form a substantially perfect lattice containing bubble domains.