Abstract: A system for assisting in the performance of passive stretches includes a stretching device and a control mechanism. The stretching device includes an inflatable component. The control mechanism enables a user to control the degree of inflation of the inflatable component. The stretching device may optionally include one or more user contact surfaces attached to an outer layer or formed within an outer layer. The system may also include a support for supporting the stretching device at a particular height. The support may compressively hold the stretching device at the particular height when the inflatable component is inflated.

Abstract: A method, a kit, and an apparatus provide a coating on an implantable medical device. The apparatus includes housing, a sealed reservoir chamber disposed in the housing, a reducing template, and a reservoir access port. The sealed reservoir contains the coating material. The reducing template is sized to receive a medical device therethrough for application of the coating material. A seal breaching mechanism can be provided and adapted to breach the sealed reservoir upon activation of the apparatus. The reservoir access port, which is disposed in the housing, is adapted to fluidly couple the reducing template with the reservoir chamber upon activation of the apparatus for coating the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein: A is a radical selected from the group comprising aromatic heterocyclic 5-membered ring systems; Ar is a radical selected from the group comprising optionally substituted 5- and 6-membered aromatic ring systems, whereby the ring system contains 0, 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from the group comprising N, O and S; Z is a linker and ? is a radical of formula (II) and their use for the inhibition of integrin.

Abstract: A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to a radially expandable interventional medical device in a collapsed, wrapped, or folded configuration, the coating applied within at least one fold. Properties of the coating material applied to the medical device are adjusted or varied to result in a desired combination of coverage of the surface of the medical device, drug loading, and coating thickness. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dietary supplement comprising palatinose or a derivative thereof. The dietary supplement may be a nutritional product, a sports performance product, a weight loss product or a meal replacement product. The present invention is also directed to a method of increasing the absorption of a compound into the bloodstream, cells and tissue comprising administering palatinose, or a derivative thereof, in combination with the compound. The present invention also relates to a diluent for parenteral compounds. The diluent comprises palatinose or a derivative thereof. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of decreasing the recovery time to pre-performance levels of total adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in a mammal comprising administering palatinose, or a derivative thereof, to the mammal. The present invention is further directed to a method of supplying a compound to a diabetic patient, burn victim patient or trauma victim patient.

Abstract: A cargo shipment security system includes a flexible body configured to completely enclose and contain cargo within an internal environment having a predetermined pressure. The system includes a sealable vacuum port disposed on and through the body and configured to couple with a vacuum source for creating a vacuum within the internal environment. The system includes one or more sealable ports disposed on and through the body, positioned to cause a turbulent flow through a predetermined volume of the internal environment of the body when the vacuum source is applied at the vacuum port and fluid is caused to enter the internal environment. The system includes one or more detectors positioned to intercept fluid flowing from the internal environment to an external environment outside the body, in such a way as to enable detection of the presence of a substance exiting from the internal environment.

Abstract: A novel system, method and computer program product for accessing digital media files stored in a media storage device via a server device in communication with the media storage device. There is provided a tool for allowing multiple non-linear editing systems to safely open up and work from and collaborate on the same “Project”. The tool manages ownership and permissions over different editors' contributions to shared Projects and implements “symbolic links” to create a virtual file and folder structure that creates an “optimized view” of the Project for each editor, that keeps work organized so that it is clear which editor is editing what and that allows each editor to maintain his/her own settings for the Project.

Abstract: A coated medical device an a method of providing a coating on an implantable medical device result in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the therapeutic agent, to the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a splint for splinting a digit, preferably a finger, thumb or toe, rings for use in a splint, dorsal bars for use in the splint, a method for splinting a digit using the splint described herein, and a kit comprising components of the splint and, optionally, related items such as one or more ring sizers, cutting tools, adhesive, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method that allow sellers to offer goods and services at prices that vary depending on what transpires during the event or service. The final price is determined after the event or service based on the occurrence of certain pre-selected attributes. Candidate attributes are potentially associated with the event or service but the outcome or occurrence of the attribute is not knowable by the buyer and seller with certainty at the time of the original purchase. Using the outcome-based pricing (OBP) and settlement system the seller is able to set prices so as to minimize significant deviation from a pre-determined revenue plan, or alternatively build-in an increase or even decrease in gross revenues. The present invention allows for the order, payment and final settlement of the purchase transaction, automatically. The preferred embodiment for the OBP pricing and settlement system is via a computer network that includes the Internet.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using halogenated volatile compounds, e.g., halogenated ether, for treating a neurological disorder, e.g., Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: Microneedle devices for transport of molecules, including drugs and biological molecules, across tissue, are provided. The microneedle devices permit drug delivery or removal of body fluids at clinically relevant rates across skin or other tissue barriers, with minimal or no damage, pain, or irritation to the tissue. Microneedles can be formed of biodegradable or non-biodegradable polymeric materials or metals. In a preferred embodiment, a microneedle device includes a plugging element comprising a platform including a plurality of microneedle plugs for preventing skin or other tissue barriers from entering the hollow microneedles. In another preferred embodiment, a microneedle device includes a plurality of bioerodible elements for temporarily plugging the hollow microneedles, thereby preventing skin or other tissue barriers from entering the hollow microneedles.

Abstract: Coatings for medical devices, methods of making the coatings, and methods of using them are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interactive evolutionary computing may include generating a set of candidate molecules based on an evolutionary scheme in which an objective function is a priori mathematically unexpressed, presenting data based on the set of candidate molecules to one or more users, receiving at least one input from the user(s), the input(s) based on the user(s)'s evaluation of the presented set of candidate molecules, and, based on the input(s), using at least the evolutionary scheme and the input(s) to generate an updated set of candidate molecules, and repeating the presenting and receiving.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and/or processor program products that include generating a population of genotypes, the genotypes based on at least one stimulus to a system, measuring at least one response of the system upon providing the population of genotypes to at least one model of the system, and, based on the measured at least one response of the system, performing at least one of: (a) applying at least one genetic operator to at least some of the population of genotypes, and iteratively returning to generating a population of genotypes, and (b) associating a condition of the system with at least one of the population of genotypes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for text data analysis and visualization enable a user to specify a set of text data sources and visualize the content of the text data sources in an overview of salient features in the form of a network of words. A user may focus on one or more words to provide a visualization of connections specific to the focused word(s). The visualization may include clustering of relevant concepts within the network of words. Upon selection of a word, the context thereof, e.g., links to articles where the word appears, may be provided to the user. Analyzing may include textual statistical correlation models for assigning weights to words and links between words. Displaying the network of words may include a force-based network layout algorithm. Extracting clusters for display may include identifying “communities of words” as if the network of words was a social network.

Abstract: A method, system, and device readable medium for running a predictive wiki optimization application is disclosed. The optimization application provides an improved decision-making or valuation method for formalizing and systematizing the decision-making or valuation process. The application leverages collective knowledge about a field of endeavor in order to yield better decisions or more accurate valuations. In some embodiments, the application represents an application of predictive markets within a wiki-style wrapper.