Abstract: Provided is an abatement device that reduces an amount of drainage of circulating water. The abatement device lowers an average drainage flow of circulating water to a low flow, when a ratio of a concentration of silicon dioxide within the circulating water and a concentration of hydrogen fluoride within the circulating water is greater than or equal to a predetermined value at which hydrofluorosilicic acid can be produced, and raises the average drainage flow of the circulating water to a high flow higher than the low flow, when the ratio of the concentration of silicon dioxide within the circulating water and the concentration of hydrogen fluoride within the circulating water is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: Provided is an abatement device that reduces an amount of drainage of circulating water. The abatement device lowers an average drainage flow of circulating water to a low flow, when a ratio of a concentration of silicon dioxide within the circulating water and a concentration of hydrogen fluoride within the circulating water is greater than or equal to a predetermined value at which hydrofluorosilicic acid can be produced, and raises the average drainage flow of the circulating water to a high flow higher than the low flow, when the ratio of the concentration of silicon dioxide within the circulating water and the concentration of hydrogen fluoride within the circulating water is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A portable level sensor for a flexible bag for collecting a fluid and/or a solid, and a system and method for sensing the content level of a flexible bag using the portable level sensor. The sensor comprises a flexible resistor element with an electrical resistance that changes in dependence upon its degree of flexing, means for attaching the resistor element to an outside surface of the flexible bag and means for periodically polling the electrical resistance of the resistor element and transmitting to a receiver a signal which varies in dependence on the said electrical resistance.

Abstract: A device for measuring orofacial stiffness in a subject can include: two lip saddle attachment components configured for attachment to the lip saddles of a patients mouth; two elongate members, each being coupled with one of the lip saddle attachment components; a pivot member that couples the two elongate members at a pivot point opposite from the two lip saddle attachment components; an electronic sensor configured to sense the stiffness of the lips by sensing movement of the elongate members with respect to the pivot point, where the electronic sensor is operably coupled to each of the elongate members; and a pressure component configured move with respect to the pivot point so as to provide pressure to and/or receive pressure from the lip saddle attachment components.

Abstract: A portable level sensor for a flexible bag for collecting a fluid and/or a solid, and a system and method for sensing the content level of a flexible bag using the portable level sensor. The sensor comprises a flexible resistor element with an electrical resistance that changes in dependence upon its degree of flexing, means for attaching the resistor element to an outside surface of the flexible bag and means for periodically polling the electrical resistance of the resistor element and transmitting to a receiver a signal which varies in dependence on the said electrical resistance.

Abstract: A device for measuring orofacial stiffness in a subject can include: two lip saddle attachment components configured for attachment to the lip saddles of a patients mouth; two elongate members, each being coupled with one of the lip saddle attachment components; a pivot member that couples the two elongate members at a pivot point opposite from the two lip saddle attachment components; an electronic sensor configured to sense the stiffness of the lips by sensing movement of the elongate members with respect to the pivot point, where the electronic sensor is operably coupled to each of the elongate members; and a pressure component configured move with respect to the pivot point so as to provide pressure to and/or receive pressure from the lip saddle attachment components.

Abstract: This application discusses systems and method for entraining oromotor pattern development, such as the suck, in the orofacial system of an infant having neurological impairments or developmental disabilities. The system includes a baglet, an entrainment device, and a processor. In varying examples, the system additionally includes one or a combination of: a baglet pressure sensor, a memory, a timing circuit, a valve, a receiver assembly, a display device, and one or more data acquisition, data analysis, and stimulus-control software. Options and variations for each feature of the system are various. The present systems provide patterned, rhythmic stimulation to the infant's orofacial system to stimulate and entrain brain development, such as oromotor pattern development.

Abstract: The present subject matter is suited for evaluating biomechanics and electrophysiology of an infant's orofacial system during sucking. The present subject matter includes at least one orofacial sensor and a processor. In various examples, the present subject matter additionally includes one or a combination of: a pacifier having a baglet, a receiver assembly, a stimulation device, a memory, a display, and data acquisition and analysis software. Advantageously, the present subject may non-invasively sample and analyze suck and may stimulate nerve endings in the face of an infant.

Abstract: An object locking system for preventing unauthorized modification of interactive objects having one or more object states. An object designer interactively assigns one or more object behaviors to each object state. An end user of the object displays the object behavior associated with an object state, typically by invoking the object state with an input device. A lock behavior provides a way of locking an object behavior or aspect of an object. The object designer sets which aspects of an object are to be locked, and a lock controller prevents active access to those aspects accordingly. In addition, an object can be locked based on a password or based on the location of display of the object.

Abstract: A conversion system for converting one or more components of a time-based component media (TBCM) to one or more interactive objects. In one embodiment, a conversion controller converts components in selected frames in the TBCM to bitmaps stored in an object data structure of an interactive object. The components can then be viewed and modified as separate animated graphic objects independently of the original TBCM.