Abstract: A plethysmograph is described that includes a test chamber having an opening; a sealing member including an annular flexible seal to receive at least a part of the head of the test animal mounted across the opening whereby the animal breathes air outside the test chamber, while the animal's body is within the test chamber; and a restraining member attachable to the sealing member, the restraining member including a clamp positionable behind the test animal's head, to prevent the animal from withdrawing its head from the restraining member. The animal is positioned in the restraining member and the sealing member is attached to the restraining member before insertion of the animal and assembly into the test chamber, avoiding previous difficulties in simultaneously placing an animal into the chamber while inserting the animal's nose into the seal. The plethysmograph also eliminates the necessity for a plunger to prevent rearward movement of the animal.

Abstract: A manipulator joint includes an encoder having a body and shaft. The encoder body may be fixed to a first housing and the encoder shaft may be fixed to a second housing. The second housing is separate from, distal to, and rotatable with respect to the first housing. Rotation of the second housing may be about a common axis shared with the first housing. A hollow driveshaft, rotatably coupled to the second housing, extends across the joint from the second to the first housing. A torque limiter may be fixedly coupled to the second housing and releasably coupled to the driveshaft. The encoder may be configured to output an absolute angular position of the first housing with respect to the second housing. A method of detecting an over-torque condition of the manipulator joint includes transmitting commands from a processor to the drive motor and receiving data from the encoder.

Abstract: A plethysmograph is described that includes a test chamber having an opening; a sealing member including an annular flexible seal to receive at least a part of the head of the test animal mounted across the opening whereby the animal breathes air outside the test chamber, while the animal's body is within the test chamber; and a restraining member attachable to the sealing member, the restraining member including a clamp positionable behind the test animal's head, to prevent the animal from withdrawing its head from the restraining member. The animal is positioned in the restraining member and the sealing member is attached to the restraining member before insertion of the animal and assembly into the test chamber, avoiding previous difficulties in simultaneously placing an animal into the chamber while inserting the animal's nose into the seal. The plethysmograph also eliminates the necessity for a plunger to prevent rearward movement of the animal.

Abstract: A plethysmograph is described that includes a test chamber having an opening; a sealing member including an annular flexible seal to receive at least a part of the head of the test animal mounted across the opening whereby the animal breathes air outside the test chamber, while the animal's body is within the test chamber; and a restraining member attachable to the sealing member, the restraining member including a clamp positionable behind the test animal's head, to prevent the animal from withdrawing its head from the restraining member. The animal is positioned in the restraining member and the sealing member is attached to the restraining member before insertion of the animal and assembly into the test chamber, avoiding previous difficulties in simultaneously placing an animal into the chamber while inserting the animal's nose into the seal. The plethysmograph also eliminates the necessity for a plunger to prevent rearward movement of the animal.

Abstract: A constraint-based framework models and solves the problem of assigning staff to various work-shifts or work-assignments, for example a day shift and a night shift, for a pre-defined scheduling horizon, for example three months. A work-schedule is produced, which is defined as a list of staff-shift or staff-assignment combinations that meet the various criteria set by the staff and the healthcare facility on how the staff need to work. The staff then uses this work-schedule to perform the needed activities for the amount of time specified by the scheduling horizon. The scheduling problem is modeled with the help of constraints and variables to express the physical constraints specified by the staff on their work schedules and the needs of the healthcare facility. By embedding the scheduling model within a software program, a work-schedule is produced quickly that meets the requirements of the staff and the healthcare facility.

Abstract: A manipulator joint includes an encoder having a body and shaft. The encoder body may be fixed to a first housing and the encoder shaft may be fixed to a second housing. The second housing is separate from, distal to, and rotatable with respect to the first housing. Rotation of the second housing may be about a common axis shared with the first housing. A hollow driveshaft, rotatably coupled to the second housing, extends across the joint from the second to the first housing. A torque limiter may be fixedly coupled to the second housing and releasably coupled to the driveshaft. The encoder may be configured to output an absolute angular position of the first housing with respect to the second housing. A method of detecting an over-torque condition of the manipulator joint includes transmitting commands from a processor to the drive motor and receiving data from the encoder.

Abstract: A manual quick-release latching system includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a first component mating surface, a socket recessed into the first component and having an opening on the first component mating surface; and a first component retaining structure. The second component includes a second component mating surface, a second component retaining structure, and a latching mechanism. The mating surfaces are juxtaposed when the first component is slidingly engaged with the second component. The retaining structures slidingly engage one another in a first direction and interlock one another in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The latching mechanism includes a part that can partially extend from the second component and enter the socket of the first component, to latch the first component with the second component by preventing the first component from sliding with respect to the second component in the first direction.

Abstract: A constraint-based framework models and solves the problem of assigning staff, for example a set of cardiologists, to various work-shifts or work-assignments, for example a day shift and a night shift, for a pre-defined scheduling horizon, for example three months. A work-schedule is produced, which is defined as a list of staff-shift or staff-assignment combinations that meet the various criteria set by the staff and the healthcare facility on how the staff need to work. The staff then uses this work-schedule to perform the needed activities for the amount of time specified by the scheduling horizon. The scheduling problem is modeled with the help of constraints and variables to express the physical constraints specified by the staff on their work schedules and the needs of the healthcare facility. By embedding the scheduling model within a software program, a work-schedule is produced quickly that meets the requirements of the staff and the healthcare facility.

Abstract: A plethysmograph is described that includes a test chamber having an opening; a sealing member including an annular flexible seal to receive at least a part of the head of the test animal mounted across the opening whereby the animal breathes air outside the test chamber, while the animal's body is within the test chamber; and a restraining member attachable to the sealing member, the restraining member including a clamp positionable behind the test animal's head, to prevent the animal from withdrawing its head from the restraining member. The animal is positioned in the restraining member and the sealing member is attached to the restraining member before insertion of the animal and assembly into the test chamber, avoiding previous difficulties in simultaneously placing an animal into the chamber while inserting the animal's nose into the seal. The plethysmograph also eliminates the necessity for a plunger to prevent rearward movement of the animal.

Abstract: An articulated manipulator is disclosed, comprising a first arm segment; a second arm segment; an elbow joint disposed intermediate the first arm segment and the second arm segment; and an arm drive sealingly disposed in a drive housing, the arm drive adapted to provide controllable motion of at least one of (i) the first arm segment and the second arm segment. The manipulator may further comprise an azimuth joint rotatably connected to the first arm segment and a dynamic seal disposed intermediate the first arm segment and the azimuth joint. The manipulator may be constructed using lightweight materials and use dynamic seals to afford protection in harsh environments. The manipulator may be constructed to have a total weight of between around twenty pounds to around forty pounds while achieving a reach of around forty inches with a payload capacity of around twenty five pounds.

Abstract: A homogeneous dry mechanical blend of freely flowable pellets, granules or powders comprising plastic resin and/or plastic additive concentrates is vacuum packaged in order to lock the constituents of the blend in place and eliminate their segregation due to differences in specific gravity, size and shape. The vacuum packaged composition remains immobilized until the vacuum package is opened and the vacuum is released. Thus, the homogeneity of the blend is maintained during shipping, handling and storage. Providing a homogeneous customized mechanical blend of plastic compounded additive concentrates is an economical and preferred method of providing an intermediate product to a user for the molding or extruding of a plastic end product.

Abstract: A process for the production of butanediol from the hydrogenation of .gamma.-butyrolactone is provided. The process involves passing vaporized .gamma.-butyrolactone, water and hydrogen over a copper zinc catalyst. The incorporation of water with the .gamma.-butyrolactone and hydrogen results in increased productivity of butanediol.