Abstract: The intelligent data storage manager functions to combine the non-homogeneous physical devices contained in a data storage subsystem to create a logical device with new and unique quality of service characteristics that satisfy the criteria for the policies appropriate for the present data object. In particular, if there is presently no logical device that is appropriate for use in storing the present data object, the intelligent data storage manager defines a new logical device using existing physical and/or logical device definitions as component building blocks to provide the appropriate characteristics to satisfy the policy requirements. The intelligent data storage manager uses weighted values that are assigned to each of the presently defined logical devices to produce a best fit solution to the requested policies in an n-dimensional best fit matching algorithm.

Abstract: A weight-bearing apparatus such as a cushion, prosthetic device, or bed mattress includes a support surface having a shaped or sculpted portion that conforms to the shape of a body portion being supported. The shaped portion fits to the body portion, thereby to position the body portion so as to situate one or more weight-bearing parts of the body portion over specific zones of the support surface that are cooled below normal body temperature. The reduced temperature applied to the zones of the support surface removes heat from the weight-bearing areas, thereby reducing the risk of injury to tissue in those areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. Means are provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.

Abstract: A retractable syringe characterized by a syringe needle which can be retracted into the barrel of the syringe and locked therein after use, to prevent accidental needle sticks or re-use of the syringe. In a preferred embodiment the syringe barrel is terminated by a tapered barrel neck which communicates with the syringe barrel interior and threadibly receives the needle hub of a cannulated syringe needle. A syringe plunger, slidably disposed in the syringe barrel, is terminated by a plunger nipple for threadibly engaging the interior of the needle hub. After the syringe plunger is operated to expel the liquid contents of the syringe barrel through the syringe needle, the plunger is rotated in the barrel to threadibly seat the plunger nipple in the needle hub. Continued rotation of the plunger in the barrel threads the attached needle hub and needle into the syringe barrel. In a preferred embodiment a pair of flexible plunger lock tabs is fitted on the plunger.

Abstract: This invention relates to treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, including enhancement of receptor functioning in synapses in brain networks responsible for higher order behaviors. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for the use of AMPA receptor up-modulators in conjunction with antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia. Kits containing the compositions in appropriate form for administration are also provided.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions are disclosed that generally include an a fuel source including a compound having a fuel portion and a fuel oxidizing portion, a fuel oxidizer, and a borohydride catalyst of the oxidation of said fuel portion by said fuel oxidizing portion and said fuel oxidizer to produce gaseous reaction products. In preferred compositions the fuel source is comprised of the elements nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and water and combusted to produce N.sub.2, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O as the primary reaction products. Preferably, the fuel oxidizer is a metal nitrate, and particularly potassium nitrate, because the potassium will generally be included in solid products and not in the form of a potentially harmful gas. It is also preferred that the combustion reaction be catalyzed using borohydrides. Potassium borohydrides, such as K.sub.2 B.sub.12 H.sub.12 and K.sub.2 B.sub.10 H.sub.10, are particularly preferred.

Abstract: A weight-bearing apparatus such as a cushion, prosthetic device, or bed mattress includes a support surface having a shaped or sculpted portion that conforms to the shape of a body portion being supported. The shaped portion fits to the body portion, thereby to position the body portion so as to situate one or more weight-bearing parts of the body portion over specific zones of the support surface that are cooled below normal body temperature. The reduced temperature applied to the zones of the support surface removes heat from the weight-bearing areas, thereby reducing the risk of injury to tissue in those areas.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a filter element includes discharging a quantity of pressurized air from a blow pipe into a Venturi element in air flow communication with a filter element to provide a positive cleaning pressure differential along greater than 95% of a length of the filter element. In one arrangement, an air filter assembly for accomplishing this method comprises a housing, a first filter construction, a first Venturi element, and a pulse jet cleaning system including a blow pipe. The blow pipe and the Venturi element are constructed and arranged to provide a positive cleaning pressure differential along greater than at least 75% of the length of the filter media within the element. In one embodiment, the Venturi element is described as including a specially formed contoured section in the throat portion of the element.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. Means are provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.

Abstract: A weight-bearing apparatus such as a cushion, prosthetic device or bed mattress includes a support surface having a shaped or sculpted portion that conforms to the shape of a body portion being supported. The shaped portion fits to the body portion, thereby to position the body portion so as to situate one or more weight-bearing parts of the body portion over specific zones of the support surface that are cooled below normal body temperature. The reduced temperature applied to the zones of the support surface removes heat from the weight-bearing areas, thereby reducing, the risk of injury to tissue in those areas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapid real time imaging with wavefield energy using a C.P.U. programmed to process data derived from wavefield energy that has been transmitted and scattered by an object so as to reconstruct a wavefield image of the object. Electronic signals are propagated and are transduced into wavefield energy waves which in turn are propagated toward the object. Detectors detect the wavefield energy waves scattered by the object. The detected wavefield energy waves are then electronically processed and input into a high-speed digital computer which may comprise a C.P.U. and/or a C.P.U. in combination with an array or parallel processor. Data is also prepared and input to the computer representing the incident field and the computer then reconstructs a high-quality image of the object having high spacial resolution and including actual properties of the object.

Abstract: A clamp (200) for clamping stacked lumber (72) to prevent twisting and bending of the lumber or theft is disclosed. A horizontal member (274) goes under the lumber and is attached to a vertical member (214) at the back. A pressure bar (206) hinged to the vertical member goes on top of the lumber. When the front of the pressure bar is lowered to the top of stack, an automatic lock (222) retains the rear of the pressure bar at a fixed position on the vertical member. A brace (204) between the front of the pressure bar and the vertical member holds the pressure bar in position. The effective length of the brace is increased by means of a lever operated cam (202) which places 2000 pounds of pressure on the front of the pressure bar to clamp the stack.

Abstract: A focal cooling apparatus includes a cooling, or heat sinking, layer over which a layer of compressible, thermally insulating material is disposed. The layer of compressible, thermally insulating material has a surface for supporting a portion of a human (or animal) body. The layer of compressible, thermally insulating material responds to pressure exerted against the surface by exhibiting a thermal resistance between the surface and the cooling layer that varies inversely with the pressure. Means are provided for maintaining the cooling layer at a predetermined temperature below normal human temperature.

Abstract: A method for encoding and decoding digital signals, particularly speech signals, by separating the original signal into a linear and nonlinear portions, the nonlinear portion may have linear aspects. The linear portion is encoded by LPC techniques and the nonlinear portion is encoded by use of a fractal transform. The encoded signal consists of LPC filter coefficients and fractal transform coefficients. The encoded signal is decoded by separating the LPC coefficients and fractal coefficients, using the LPC coefficients to generate an LPC filter, decoding the fractal coefficients using a fractal transform decoding method to obtain an error signal, and exciting the LPC filter with the decoded error signal to obtain decoded digital signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body in order to prevent or reduce damage from ischemia includes a cooling layer that is partitioned into a plurality of zones, and a surface disposed over the cooling layer to support the body. Each zone of the cooling layer is disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface. A mechanism is provided to selectively operate one or more zones of the plurality of the zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing surface of the body being supported.

Abstract: A toilet seat defining an inner duct and including a plurality of ventilation apertures in fluid communication with the inner duct. The seat includes first and second generally co-axially aligned pivot members that are integrally formed with the back end of the toilet seat and extend laterally outward from opposite sides of the seat. The pivot members define axial openings in fluid communication with the inner duct. Left and right bracket members define pivot holes through which the first and second pivot members extend to pivotally mount the toilet seat on the toilet bowl. A removable plug is inserted within the axial opening of the first pivot member. A ventilation conduit provides fluid communication between the axial opening of the second pivot member and a source of vacuum. A swivel structure provides a generally fluid tight connection between the ventilation conduit and the second pivot member and is constructed and arranged to allow the toilet seat to pivot with respect to the ventilation conduit.

Abstract: A method of making abrasive articles which includes the steps of sandwiching and adhering abrasive particles between two sheets of fiber where the particles have a major cross-section dimension greater than the thickness of the sheets into resultant second sheets. The resultant second sheets are then adhered together by lamination under pressure so that the abrasive particles of a second sheet enter the interstices between the abrasive particles of adjacent other second sheets to form an interlocking bond and increase the tensile strength. The sheets are preferably cut from a processed strip prior to lamination. Prior to lamination the second sheets may be coated with one or both of a liquid rubber and a thermosetting resin. If resin is used the stack is heated as it is pressure laminated. The application of rubber and resin may be in the alternative. The application of rubber imparts flexibility while the resin upon curing imparts hardness.

Abstract: A clamp (30) for clamping stacked lumber (72) to prevent twisting and bending of the lumber or theft is disclosed. A horizontal member (36) goes under the lumber and is attached to a vertical member (32) at the back. A pressure bar (42) hinged to the vertical member goes on top of the lumber. A brace (52) between the front of the pressure bar and the vertical member exerts pressure to hold the lumber in place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapid real time imaging with wavefield energy by inverse scattering using a C.P.U programmed to process data derived from wavefield energy that has been transmitted and scattered by an object so as to reconstruct a wavefield image of the object. Electronic signals are propagated and are transduced into wavefield energy waves which in turn are propagated toward the object. Detector means detect the wavefield energy waves scattered by the object. The detected wavefield energy waves are then electronically processed and input into a high-speed digital computer which may comprise a C.P.U. and/or a C.P.U in combination with an array or parallel processor.

Abstract: A system and method for generating special effects showers of sparks for use in theme park shows and rides. A flint rod is biased with fluid pressure against a cutting wheel of this system. When a clutch is actuated for a brief predetermined time period, a constant high speed motor is operatively connected to the cutting wheel, rapidly rotating it. The rotating wheel cuts, ignites and discharges small portions of the flint rod biased thereagainst away therefrom in a stream of sparks. An air stream directs the stream of sparks out as a special effects shower of sparks. One embodiment of this system propels the spark stream out through a venturi nozzle. By changing the gas stream fluid pressure and/or the clutch connect time and/or the flint rod biasing pressure and/or the clutch connect/disconnect interval timing, the size and characteristics of the shower of sparks can be accurately controlled and altered as desired.