Abstract: A system is presented by which a consumer such as an insurance applicant may procure a testing process in a comparative manner to facilitate comprehension of their health state relative to others in their community. Physical heath measurements and blood and urine samples are taken from an applicant through, for example, a visit by a phlebotomist or other medical practitioner. Physical readings are then sent to a third party laboratory that produces a risk assessment score for the applicant and notes other data potentially affecting lifespan longevity of the applicant. That information is then transmitted to a life expectancy processor to calculate various life expectancy values and establish a comparative life expectancy ranking for the applicant. A life expectancy ranking is then produced relative to others in the applicant's community, and that ranking is displayed in a graphical format to facilitate understanding by the applicant as to their relative health.

Abstract: A range of motion machine having two or four cranks driven directly by motors without exposed gears or chains. The speed and direction of crank rotation and the length of the crank arms may be varied with electronic controls. Crank arm length may be varied whether the crank is stationary or rotating. The cranks and motors are mounted at the top of pedestals which are adjustable in height.

Abstract: A range of motion machine having two or four cranks driven directly by motors without exposed gears or chains. The speed and direction of crank rotation and the length of the crank arms may be varied with electronic controls. Crank arm length may be varied whether the crank is stationary or rotating. The cranks and motors are mounted at the top of pedestals which are adjustable in height.

Abstract: A range of motion machine having two or four cranks driven directly by motors without exposed gears or chains. The speed and direction of crank rotation and the length of the crank arms may be varied with electronic controls. Crank arm length may be varied whether the crank is stationary or rotating. The cranks and motors are mounted at the top of pedestals which are adjustable in height.

Abstract: A range of motion machine having two or four cranks driven directly by motors without exposed gears or chains. The speed and direction of crank rotation and the length of the crank arms may be varied with electronic controls. Crank arm length may be varied whether the crank is stationary or rotating. The cranks and motors are mounted at the top of pedestals which are adjustable in height.

Abstract: A liquid fabric treatment composition comprising from 50 to 92% by weight of water, from 1 to 15% by weight of one or more alkylated sugars, from 1 to 15% by weight of one or more fatty acids, from 5 to 25% by weight of one or more fatty acid esters, and from 1 to 15% by weight of fatty acid soap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder for drum sticks, drum brushes, mallets and other such percussion implements for playing percussion instruments. The drum stick holder (1), comprising a plurality of substantially parallel tubular sleeves (2), each sleeve being joined to at least one adjacent sleeve and having an entrance (7, 9) with dimensions suitable for receiving just one drum stick, wherein each sleeve (2) is formed from an elastomeric material so that each sleeve may grip a drum stick inserted into the sleeve (2).

Abstract: An exhaust cooling system of an amphibious vehicle operable in land and marine modes comprises an exhaust system to be cooled, at least one air-liquid heat exchanger, and coolant liquid in thermal communication with the exhaust system to be cooled and the air-liquid heat exchanger(s) and heated by the exhaust system. When the amphibious vehicle is operated, the coolant liquid is cooled by the air-liquid heat exchanger(s). Optionally, at least one liquid-liquid heat exchanger may be provided and the coolant liquid cooled by the liquid-liquid heat exchanger(s). The vehicle may plane, and have retractable road wheels. The air-liquid heat exchanger(s) may be mounted at the front or rear of the vehicle, or elsewhere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the best cluster of computing resources to handle each of a plurality of workloads by optimally grouping multiple workloads and determining the best resource cluster to handle each group.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided by which the wheels of an amphibious vehicle are simultaneously retracted or protracted for switching between a land mode and a marine mode of operation. Each of a transversely spaced pair of wheels is supported by a horizontally arranged spring and damper combination acting on at least one suspension link. Each spring and damper combination is in turn supported by a movable anchor point, the position of which determines the extent of protraction or retraction of the associated wheel. The anchor points for the two wheels may be located at opposite ends of a rotatable rocker member, the rotational orientation of which is determined by an actuator taking the form of for example a hydraulic ram or electric motor.

Abstract: A sit-stride amphibious vehicle configuration which supports a high performance envelope both on land as well as in water. The vehicle has a planing hull and four retractable wheels. Handlebars provide for directional control in both modes of operation. Each road wheel is retractable by pivoting through at least 45° so as to maximize ground clearance when in the land mode of operation and to minimize drag at substantial lean angles when in the marine mode of operation. While a jet drive may remain directly connected to the engine at all times, the drive wheels are only connected during land mode via a speed-change transmission. The entire power train is supported by a frame that is separable from the hull which in turn has a detachable top deck portion, whereby such configuration simplifies the construction, repair and servicing of the vehicle.

Abstract: Amphibious vehicle having road wheels which are retractable to allow planing. Each wheel suspension is protractable through a gap in the planing surface of the hull. To reduce hydrodynamics drag and improve marine handling, covers are provided which cover such gaps when the wheels are retracted. These covers may be hinged parallel to a longitudinal, or to a transverse, axis of the vehicle or may be otherwise connected to the hull.

Abstract: A retractable suspension for an amphibious vehicle, the configuration of which allows the size of an opening in the hull necessary for accommodating the protraction of each wheel to be kept to a minimum. The suspension is configured such that the only component that comes to extend beyond the hull upon protraction is a generally tube shaped lower link that is pivotally attached to the hull at it is inboard end, that pivotally supports a hub carrier at its outboard end and that may simultaneously accommodate a drive shaft therein. The weight of the vehicle is supported by a spring arrangement bearing on the inboard end of the lower link.

Abstract: A vehicle steering arrangement for an amphibious vehicle having retractable steered wheels with which the steering input to such wheels is automatically substantially curtailed upon retraction of the wheels. Retraction of the wheels causes a steering link to swing toward its steering axis to thereby reduce its effective radius while steering input to a marine propulsion remains unchanged. The reduced steering input to the wheels reduces space needed to accommodate the wheels in their retracted position.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has retractable road wheels to allow planing over water. Power to the road wheels is disconnected automatically as the wheels are retracted. This may be achieved through a cable attached to a suspension rocker arm to disconnect a dog clutch attached to the input shaft of a differential as the wheels are retracted; and vice versa. The system may be fitted to a steered axle or to any suitable retractable suspension system.

Abstract: A power train configuration for an amphibious vehicle especially well suited for sit-astride applications. A prime mover drives a marine propulsion unit and/or at least one road wheel wherein the such road wheel is driven through a speed-change transmission. The speed-transmission is positioned above or below the axis of the prime mover's output shaft and preferably such that its input and output shafts are aligned at an angle of up to 90 degrees relative to the vehicle's longitudinal and lateral axes and/or the axis of the prime mover's output shaft.

Abstract: A unit dose fabric treatment system comprises (a) a water soluble container and (b) a liquid fabric treatment composition disposed in the water soluble container, the fabric treatment composition comprising two or more alkali metal fatty acid soaps derived from unsaturated fatty acid soaps formed from fatty acids having a iodine value greater than 20; and saturated fatty acid soaps formed from saturated fatty acids having an iodine value less than 5.

Abstract: A retainer is provided comprising a ring configured to fit over a readily available tracheostomy tube and be securable thereto, and further having cooperating straps configured to extend around and secure an auxiliary device coupled to the tracheostomy tube, such as a ventilator tube. The retainer is configured to be selectively and easily attachable to existing tracheostomy tubes to provide a platform for securing an auxiliary device.