Abstract: A system is provided including: a monitor for monitoring a user's sleep cycles; a processor which counts the sleep cycles to provide a sleep cycle count and which selects an awakening time according to a decision algorithm including the sleep cycle count as an input; and an alarm for awakening the user at the awakening time. Use of the sleep cycle count as an input to the decision algorithm advantageously enables a user to more fully control and optimize his or her personal sleeping behavior.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring (for use as a heart valve prosthesis) has a non-planar shape and different lateral flexibilities at different points as one proceeds annularly around the ring. These different lateral flexibilities may be achieved in different ways such as by changing the material and/or cross-sectional size, shape, or other stiffness-imparting characteristics of the cross section.

Abstract: A prosthesis for a heart valve (e.g., the mitral valve) is generally C-shaped in plan view. Points at the top and bottom of the C lie in a plan view plane. The back of the C rises above the plan view plane between the top and bottom points. Free end portions of the C may also rise above the plan view plane. The prosthesis is accordingly saddle-shaped. The back of the C may have an indentation that extends toward the open side of the C. In use as a mitral valve prosthesis the top and bottom of the C are respectively adjacent the commissures of the valve, and the back of the C is adjacent the posterior section of the valve. The prosthesis may be rigid or semi-rigid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of dissolving a gaseous hydrocarbon into a liquid hydrocarbon to re-circulate gaseous components, which have separated from the liquid fuel mixture, back into the liquid fuel mixture, as well as, a method for making batch or continuous process amounts of mixed hydrocarbon fuels. The mixed hydrocarbon fuel is produced by introducing a volume of a liquid hydrocarbon into a vessel, and introducing a volume of a gaseous hydrocarbon into the vessel by bubbling the gaseous hydrocarbon into the liquid hydrocarbon at a gravitational low point of the vessel such that the bubbled gaseous hydrocarbon is dissolved into the liquid hydrocarbon to produce a liquid fuel solution. The vessel may be a mixing tank from which the liquid fuel is pumped into a vehicle fuel tank, or the vessel may be the vehicle fuel tank.

Abstract: A system is provided including: a monitor for monitoring a user's sleep cycles; a processor which counts the sleep cycles to provide a sleep cycle count and which selects an awakening time according to a decision algorithm including the sleep cycle count as an input; and an alarm for awakening the user at the awakening time. Use of the sleep cycle count as an input to the decision algorithm advantageously enables a user to more fully control and optimize his or her personal sleeping behavior.