Abstract: A takedown artificial tree includes a plurality of flexible branches, each of the branches including a substantially straight, hollow main stem and a plurality of fronds extending from the main stem; a plurality of fixing brackets made of rigid material, each of the fixing brackets including a hollow cylinder and a hollow branching member obliquely upward extending from the cylinder; and a trunk made of metal, the trunk being frictionally inserted through the fixing brackets to serve as a support of the finished artificial tree. Base of the main stem of each branch can be inserted into the branching member for fastening. No assembly by a buyer is required. There is no worry of the branches falling onto the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of determining the pressure-volume (P/V) curve of the respiratory system as well as a ventilator containing a pertinent tool for recording the pressure/volume curve.

Abstract: A new eyeglass frame, eyeglass frame component and method for making eyeglass frames or parts thereof of a nickel-free titanium based SMA. A pseudoelastic &bgr; titanium alloy is used which has superior fabricating characteristics combined with weldability with pseudoelastic properties over the temperature range of −25° C. to 50° C. making this alloy ideally suited for the manufacture of various eyeglass components. The disclosed eyeglass component alloy is a &bgr; titanium alloy contains alloying elements of molybdenum between 10.0 and 12.0 weight percent, aluminum between 2.8 and 4.0 weight percent, chromium and vanadium between 0.0 and 2.0 weight percent, and niobium between 0.0 and 4.0 weight percent. The eyeglass components fabricated from this alloy exhibit a strain recovery of up to 3.5% deformation, a lower stiffness than conventional binary nickel titanium alloys yielding superior wearer comfort.