Abstract: The present invention describes new cholinergic/serotoninergic chimeric receptors and provides methods and compositions suitable for screening for ligands such as agonists, antagonists and allosteric modulators of ?7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Abstract: A patient interface of the present invention includes a faceplate including a plurality of headgear attachment elements, a seal member operatively coupled to the faceplate; and an adjustment mechanism coupling the seal member to the faceplate. The adjustment mechanism controls the position of the seal member relative to the faceplate such that the seal member is moveable from a first position to a second position and is maintained in the second position during use of the patient interface after being moved to the second position.

Abstract: The techniques introduced here include storage systems including a storage controller configured to access data and a storage subsystem including a storage device having n ports, where n is an integer greater than one, and where the storage device is configured to store the data and to make the data available to the storage controller via each of the n ports. The storage systems also include a communication fabric configured to couple the storage controller to each of the n ports of the storage device via m paths, where m is an integer greater than n, so that the storage system is configured to tolerate failure in up to m?1 paths through the communication fabric, such that the data in the storage device remains accessible to the storage controller even in the presence of failure in up to m?1 paths of the m paths.

Abstract: An apparatus for lancing skin and collecting a liquid sample. The apparatus having a housing with an outer periphery and a rotatable arm having a lance to puncture the skin. A sample collection area is attached to the arm. The arm of the apparatus rotates from a first position to a second position. As the arm rotates, the lance extends beyond the housing allowing the lance to contact the user's skin and create a lance site. As the arm continues to move to the second position, the lance is brought out of contact with the user's skin and back within the housing while the collection area is brought into position. When the arm is located in the second position, the collection area is in substantially the same location as the lance site on the user's skin.

Abstract: The system and method provided modify a conventional seafloor long-wire electromagnetic (LEM) receiver by increasing the number of discrete antennae placed on the long wire. Two dipoles of electric field data are positioned exactly adjacent to each other, providing input to the same data logger system located within a seafloor survey unit to which the long wire is connected. Highly precise electric field gradients can be obtained by taking the difference of the measurements of the two electrodes, both for amplitude and phase. Any common-mode source of noise, such as magnetotelluric signals and receiver instrument noise will be rejected when the signals from the two electrodes are differenced. An acoustic navigation system utilizes a plurality of transponders to permit triangulation for accurate source-receiver ranging.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a vehicle driver involves monitoring any of an eye or facial position of the vehicle driver via a tracking device operatively disposed in a vehicle that is then-currently in operation. Based on the monitoring, via a processor operatively associated with the tracking device, the method further involves determining that the eye or facial position of the vehicle driver is such that the vehicle driver's eyes are, or the vehicle driver's face is focused on an object disposed inside an interior of the vehicle. In response to the determining, a functionality of the object is automatically altered.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more processor-readable media storing code representing instructions that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to receive a set of parameter values defining a boundary within a data space associated with a dataset. The dataset can represent signaling related to a test substance. A first metric can be defined based on a first portion of the dataset associated with a first region defined by the boundary. A second metric can be defined based on a second portion of the dataset associated with a second region defined by the boundary after the boundary is modified. The second region can be different than the first region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for filtering particulate matter from a liquid are provided. The apparatus comprise: a housing defining an internal volume; a liquid inlet port; a liquid outlet port disposed above the liquid inlet port; a filter medium support membrane housed within the housing and disposed between the liquid inlet port and the liquid outlet port; and a particulate filter medium loaded onto the filter medium support membrane. The apparatus are designed such that a flow of liquid introduced into the internal volume of the housing through the liquid inlet port and exiting the internal volume of the housing through the liquid outlet port will pass upward through the filter medium support membrane.

Abstract: A patient interface of the present invention includes a faceplate including a plurality of headgear attachment elements, a seal member operatively coupled to the faceplate; and an adjustment mechanism coupling the seal member to the faceplate. The adjustment mechanism controls the position of the seal member relative to the faceplate such that the seal member is moveable from a first position to a second position and is maintained in the second position during use of the patient interface after being moved to the second position.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an asymmetrical nozzle housing within a nozzle base of a sprinkler which, when rotated, changes its angular orientation relative to the nozzle base. Since the nozzle is disposed within the nozzle housing, it similarly changes angular orientation relative to the nozzle base, thereby modifying the trajectory of ejected water during irrigation. In this respect, a user can change the trajectory of a watering stream by simply rotating the nozzle housing.

Abstract: A bandgap reference circuit includes an amplifier configured to provide an output voltage dependent upon voltages appearing at an inverting input and a non-inverting input. The bandgap reference circuit also includes a first transistor coupled between the non-inverting input and a circuit ground reference, and a first resistor coupled to the inverting input. The bandgap reference circuit also includes a number of second transistors coupled in parallel between the circuit ground reference and the first resistor. At least a portion of the second transistors are connected to the first resistor through a plurality of programmably selectable switches.

Abstract: An enhanced computer rack having sides is provided. The rack is used for housing electronic components and comprises in one embodiment of a lift rail having a plurality of multipurpose frame members capable of being engageably connected to at least one of the rack sides such that the frame members can be retracted into or extended out from the rack. In an alternate embodiment, a lift tool is provided for hoisting object into the rack. The lift tool is connected to at least one side of the rack and is capable of being retracted inside or being extended out from the rack. The two embodiments can also be combined to provide an enhanced rack with an integrated lift rails and lift tool design.

Abstract: Vibration dampening devices for arrows are installed in the arrow point end of the arrow shaft or in the nock end of the shaft or in both of those ends. These devices: (a) are fabricated from elastomeric materials; (b) have an elongated core surrounded by one or more annular, vibration dampening elements; and (c) employ decay time modification to attenuate shock and vibration. The devices are assembled in axially aligned relationship to an arrow point insert or arrow nock, and coupling features insure a positive connection between the dampening device and the arrow point insert or nock to which a device is assembled.

Abstract: A bottle includes a product stored therein. It is configured to be removably engaged with a docking station in an inverted arrangement to be activated by the docking station and heat the product. The bottle may include a pump structure (e.g. in the form of a bellows), or be a squeezable bottle, or be a bowable bottle, or have other pumping features. Structures are provided to prevent drool after use, to help apply the heated product to the skin, and to insure proper heating and dispensing. There are combined docking stations and bottles where the bottle is positioned in an inverted manner, and methods for using these devices.

Abstract: An integrated radiation therapy process comprises acquiring first objective target data related to a parameter of a target within a patient by periodically locating a marker positioned within the patient using a localization modality. This method continues with obtaining second objective target data related to the parameter of the target by periodically locating the marker. The first objective target data can be acquired in a first area that is apart from a second area which contains a radiation delivery device for producing an ionizing radiation beam for treating the patient. The localization modality can be the same in both the first and second areas. In other embodiments, the first objective target data can be acquired using a first localization modality that uses a first energy type to identify the marker and the second objective target data can be obtained using a second localization modality that uses a second energy type to identify the marker that is different than the first energy type.

Abstract: An outer joint portion (42) for an articulating joint (26) is provided, the outer joint portion (42 including a first outer joint diameter section (DO1), a second outer joint diameter section (DO2), a main portion (86), and an inner bore (76). The first outer joint diameter section (DO1) is defined by a first portion of an outer surface (88) of the outer joint portion (42). The second outer joint diameter section (D02) is defined by a second portion of the outer surface (88) of the outer joint portion (42). The main portion (86) is configured for housing inner components (44, 46) of an articulating joint (26). The inner bore (76) is located at the second portion of the outer surface (88). The outer joint portion (42) is selectively compressible at the second portion of the outer surface (88), and the inner bore (76) configured for selectively receiving and securing to a shaft (30) when the outer joint portion (42) is compressed.

Abstract: Photobioreactor systems including a supply material processing sub-system, a reactor sub-system, a product material processing sub-system, and a solar energy supply sub-system are provided. The reactor sub-system includes a photobioreactor configured for containing a reaction mixture that is operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation. The supply material processing sub-system is configured for supplying the reactor with supply material. The product material processing sub-system is configured for receiving reaction zone product discharged from the reactor and effecting separation of a liquid component from the received reaction zone product.

Abstract: A system for producing phototrophic biomass is provided. The system includes a green power generator and a carbon sequestering system. The green power generator is provided for generating power, wherein operation of the green power generator is controlled by an environmentally friendly business organization. The carbon sequestering system is electrically coupled to the green power generator for receiving at least a fraction of the power generated by the green power generator for powering a phototrophic biomass production process that is operational within the carbon sequestering system. Operation of the carbon sequestering system is controlled by the same environmentally friendly business organization. A method of producing phototrophic biomass is also provided. The method includes generating power with a green power generator, wherein operation of the green power generator is controlled by an environmentally friendly business organization.