Abstract: A portable suction pump for aspirating secretions from a patient's artificial airway includes a peristaltic pump head, a suction tube extending from a patient through the peristaltic pump head, the suction tube having a tee-fitting conduit, and a collection container having a plurality of ports for collecting patient media. A clinician has an ability to increase or decrease vacuum levels without increasing or decreasing flowrate and/or an ability to increase or decrease the flow rate without increasing or decreasing the vacuum levels. The tee-fitting conduit extends to a vacuum sensor port connecting to a vacuum sensor in communication with a processor, the processor controlling a proportional valve employed to regulate the vacuum levels.

Abstract: A method of allocating power among a plurality of signals, at least two of the signals employing different signal formats, located on different channels of the return path of a cable data network, divides a total power available for the signals on the return path in accordance with a minimum value of an average BER for all the signals and allocates power to each of the signals in accordance therewith. Specifically, a number of parameters are obtained including modulation type and symbol rate for each signal format employed on the return path, the AWGN noise floor across the reverse link, the nominal maximum available RF power for transmitting signals on the reverse path. A predetermined BER expression for each of the modulation types employed on the return path is then obtained, each of the expressions requiring a plurality of input values that includes the above-noted parameters.

Abstract: A scalpel shield system for a scalpel that has a handle and a blade with a sharp cutting edge. The system is mountable on the scalpel and provided with a blade guard member having a pivot component engagable with a pivot component on the blade or the handle. The blade guard member is manually pivotable relative to the scalpel between a guard position for preventing injury by the sharp cutting edge and a retracted position for exposing the sharp cutting edge.

Abstract: A high flow therapy system including a microprocessor, a heating element a non-sealing respiratory interface and a sensor is disclosed. The heating element is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is capable of heating a liquid to create a gas. The non-sealing respiratory interface is configured to deliver the gas to a patient. The sensor is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is configured to measure pressure in an upper airway of the patient.

Abstract: A nasal cannula comprising: a base portion defining a gas passageway and one or more nozzles defining a second gas passageway in gaseous communication with the first gas passageway for directing a therapeutic flow of gas to a user's nares. The nasal cannula may include one or more sensors for measuring the properties of gas within a user's nares. The nozzle may be a nasal insert that is inserted into the user's nares; recesses or grooves are provided for preventing sealing of the nasal insert with the nare. The nozzle may be shaped to avoid insertion into the user's nares, thus preventing sealing with the nares. A stop may be positioned between two nozzles to engage a user's columella and prevent the nozzles from inserting into the user's nares. Elongate extensions are provided for inserting into the user's nares and supporting sensors for measuring gas properties therein.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of tasks associated with at least one job position. The method also includes grouping the plurality of tasks into one or more groups. Each group includes at least one of the identified tasks. The method further includes identifying, for each of the one or more groups, at least one additional characteristic associated with the group. In addition, the method includes storing, for each of the one or more groups, information identifying the at least one task associated with the group and the at least one additional characteristic associated with the group in a data object.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of tasks associated with at least one type of work. The method also includes grouping the plurality of tasks into one or more groups. Each group includes at least one of the identified tasks. The method further includes identifying, for each of the one or more groups, at least one additional characteristic associated with the group. In addition, the method includes storing, for each of the one or more groups, information identifying the at least one task associated with the group and the at least one additional characteristic associated with the group in a data object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitizing multiple data streams having different clocks spreads an error due to clock drift is spread across many clock cycles in extremely small amounts. To combine two data streams, the method interpolates one or more samples between existing samples of one of the two data streams and then adjusts a number of samples of said one of the two data streams to maintain balance in a downstream synchronizing buffer. This occurs prior to combining the two data streams. The adjusting may be performed by adding or decimating samples from the interpolated samples. To combine two asynchronous data streams having clocks offset in frequency, first, a first data stream is clocked into and out of a first buffer using a first clock associated with the first data stream. Second, a second data stream is clocked into a second buffer using a second clock associated with the second data stream and clocking the second data stream out of the second buffer using the first clock.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program provide a plurality of questions to a job applicant. The questions represent standardized questions. The method, system, and computer program receive answers to the plurality of questions from the job applicant. The method, system, and computer program determine one or more employability characteristics of the job applicant using the answers to the plurality of questions. The one or more employability characteristics identify how employable the job applicant is based on qualifications of the job applicant.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program receive an identification of one or more skills associated with a job. The method, system, and computer program also receive a selection of one or more questions associated with the one or more skills. In addition, the method, system, and computer program provide an interview form, which includes the selected questions for use during an employment interview.

Abstract: At least one work activity associated with an employee's job is identified. The employee identifies at least one additional work activity. At least one task for each of the identified work activities is identified. The employee identifies at least one additional task for one or more of the identified work activities. The employee assigns a rating to each of the identified tasks. The ratings are associated with the employee's performance of the identified tasks.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a plurality of tasks associated with at least one job position. The method also includes grouping the plurality of tasks into one or more groups. Each group includes at least one of the identified tasks. The method further includes identifying, for each of the one or more groups, at least one additional characteristic associated with the group. In addition, the method includes storing, for each of the one or more groups, information identifying the at least one task associated with the group and the at least one additional characteristic associated with the group in a data object.

Abstract: A method of allocating power among a plurality of signals, at least two of the signals employing different signal formats, located on different channels of the return path of a cable data network, divides a total power available for the signals on the return path in accordance with a minimum value of an average BER for all the signals and allocates power to each of the signals in accordance therewith. Specifically, a number of parameters are obtained including modulation type and symbol rate for each signal format employed on the return path, the AWGN noise floor across the reverse link, the nominal maximum available RF power for transmitting signals on the reverse path. A predetermined BER expression for each of the modulation types employed on the return path is then obtained, each of the expressions requiring a plurality of input values that includes the above-noted parameters.

Abstract: A scalpel shield system for a scalpel that has a handle and a blade with a sharp cutting edge. The system is mountable on the scalpel and provided with a blade guard member having a pivot component engagable with a pivot component on the blade or the handle. The blade guard member is manually pivotable relative to the scalpel between a guard position for preventing injury by the sharp cutting edge and a retracted position for exposing the sharp cutting edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitizing multiple data streams having different clocks spreads an error due to clock drift is spread across many clock cycles in extremely small amounts. To combine two data streams, the method interpolates one or more samples between existing samples of one of the two data streams and then adjusts a number of samples of said one of the two data streams to maintain balance in a downstream synchronizing buffer. This occurs prior to combining the two data streams. The adjusting may be performed by adding or decimating samples from the interpolated samples. To combine two asynchronous data streams having clocks offset in frequency, first, a first data stream is clocked into and out of a first buffer using a first clock associated with the first data stream. Second, a second data stream is clocked into a second buffer using a second clock associated with the second data stream and clocking the second data stream out of the second buffer using the first clock.

Abstract: An HFC return path system uses digital conversion and transport at the fiber optic node, so as to replace analog laser technology with a high-speed baseband digital technology, thereby providing immunity from the troublesome analog laser impairments, enabling longer distances to be covered, potentially avoiding the need for hub repeater hardware required in analog systems, among other benefits.

Abstract: An adhesive system comprising an activatable, non-tacky cohesive material dispersed in a nonadherent material, said nonadherent material reducing the coefficient of friction of said cohesive material and rendering said cohesive material non-coherent; and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed in said nonadherent material and said cohesive material, said microcapsules encapsulating a solvent for said cohesive and being rupturable upon the application of pressure, wherein upon the application of pressure, the microcapsules rupture and release said solvent and said solvent dissolves said cohesive material such that said cohesive material becomes coherent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a developer sheet useful in forming reproductions having a glossy finish, or in forming transparencies comprising:a support having a layer of a finely divided, thermoplastic, developer material on the surface thereof, said developer material being capable of reacting with a color precursor to produce a visible image and being capable of coalescing into a thin film which imparts gloss to said image upon application of heat and/or pressure, and having a surfactant admixed within said layer of developer material to aid in the coalescing of said developer material into a thin film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus glosses a developer sheet which has a resin layer coated on one side thereof which glosses at a predetermined temperature T. The sheet is placed with the resin side thereof in contact with a conductive heating element, preferably a porous belt. Heat is applied to the resin side of the sheet by the heating element to bring the sheet from its ambient temperature to a temperature just below the glossing temperature T.

Abstract: The present invention provides a developer sheet useful in forming reproductions having a controllable gloss finish and reduced photolytic yellowing. The developer sheet comprises a support having a layer of a finely divided, thermoplastic, phenolic developer material and an anti-yellowing agent on the surface thereof. The phenolic developer material is capable of reacting with a color former to produce a visible image and is capable of coalescing into a thin film which imparts gloss to the image upon the application of heat.