Abstract: A pneumostoma management system for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management system includes a two-part pneumostoma management device and associated insertion and removal tools. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent and a chest mount for positioning and securing the vent into a pneumostoma. The pneumostoma vent includes a hydrophobic filter and/or a one-way valve.

Abstract: A surgical cannula system. The surgical cannula system includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. A tissue attachment ring, being configured to be coupled to a biological tissue, includes a lumen extending therethrough. A locking mechanism has a first locking state, in which the cannula is configured to move with respect to the tissue attachment ring, and a second locking state, in which movement of the cannula with respect to the tissue attachment ring is resisted.

Abstract: A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter/valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. The device has features to control secretions from the pneumostoma. The secretion management features include, ridges, pores, absorbent materials, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating risks associated with alternative strategies for assessing an entity with respect to a predetermined objective. A system includes an action table that contains a plurality of possible actions that can be taken with respect to the predetermined objective for various entity profiles. One or more statistical data stores are configured to contain risk amounts associated with each entity profile, where the one or more statistical data stores are configured to contain inferred percentage distribution of applicants associated with each entity profile. One or more profile identification data stores contain entity identification information for use in determining an action for the entity. One or more improvement data stores provide an indication in the improvement in risk based upon a change in one or more characteristics for an entity profile.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to processes, which construct an empirically derived and statistically based risk evaluation and policy formulation system. For example, a process can be configured so as to accept as input an information base in computer readable form and produce either a single or multistage system composed of alternative decision making strategies.

Abstract: An electrolyte, and particularly anolyte, may be circulated via an open loop having a pressure regulator, so that the pressure in the plating chamber is maintained at a constant (or substantially constant) value with respect to atmospheric pressure. In these embodiments, a pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the anode chamber.

Abstract: An electrolyte, and particularly anolyte, may be circulated via an open loop having a pressure regulator, so that the pressure in the plating chamber is maintained at a constant (or substantially constant) value with respect to atmospheric pressure. In these embodiments, a pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the anode chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating asset risks using categories of primary loan underwriting factors, which are associated with a pre-selected number of variables. An initial handle-based tree data structure is created in a computer memory based upon the primary loan underwriting factors associated with a loan, where the initial handle-based tree data structure includes a plurality of handle cells that segment a population of loans according to values of the pre-selected variables. The depth of the initial handle-based tree data structure is the number of variables associated with the primary loan underwriting factors, and a branch of the initial handle-based tree data structure is based on a value of one of the pre-selected variables. The initial handle-based tree data structure is modified by combining handle cells which contain least significant splits.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating loan applications. A computer environment can include a loan evaluation system which operates on a processor-based system and which evaluates loan applications. A credit assessment framework is also provided for operating on the processor-based system and has a data connection to the loan evaluation system. The credit assessment framework generates a categorization of credit risk for each of the loan applications to be evaluated.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for model validation of a model for compliance and credit risk. Model input, output, and processing validation areas are contained on a computer system. A handle data structure connects the model validation areas with handles that comprise a unified metric. A handle represents combinations of covariate patterns and describes the joint distribution of risk characteristics.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to processes, which construct an empirically derived and statistically based risk evaluation and policy formulation system. For example, a process can be configured so as to accept as input an information base in computer readable form and produce either a single or multistage system composed of alternative decision making strategies.

Abstract: A pneumostoma management system for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management system includes a two-part pneumostoma management device and associated insertion and removal tools. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent and a chest mount for positioning and securing the vent into a pneumostoma. The pneumostoma vent includes a hydrophobic filter and/or a one-way valve.

Abstract: A pneumostoma management system which includes a pneumostoma management device and a cover. The pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a hydrophobic filter and/or a one-way filter. The cover serves to protect the pneumostoma management device and/or provide a cosmetic skin to make the pneumostoma management device more acceptable to the patient and thereby encourage patient compliance with a pneumostoma treatment regimen.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. A pneumostoma management system includes a two-part pneumostoma management device and associated insertion and removal tools. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent and a chest mount for positioning and securing the vent into a pneumostoma. To use the system, the chest is first cleaned and the chest mount secured to the chest adjacent the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma vent is then inserted into the pneumostoma through an aperture in the chest mount until it is engaged and secured by a coupling of the chest mount. The pneumostoma vent may be replaced periodically such as daily. The chest mount may be changed less frequently such as weekly.

Abstract: A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter/valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. The device has features to control secretions from the pneumostoma. The secretion management features include, ridges, pores, absorbent materials, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The application discloses a system and methods for remote access and analysis of data collected about items under inspection. The system includes a data collection station, that may include an X-ray scanner, that scans the items under inspection to obtain data about the items. The data is transmitted to one or more remote expert stations, where a remote expert analyzes the data to determine whether the item contains a potential threat, such as, for example, explosives or other contraband.

Abstract: Embodiments of ladders (22, 106) are disclosed which utilize a wheel (112) to allow users to transport these ladders easily by rolling along a surface without carrying the entire weight of the ladder. The wheel (112) are located in positions which do not interfere with the use of these ladders.

Abstract: A peptide with an amino acid composition such that the peptide is amphipathic, cationic and forms a stable &agr;-helix and has the following structure comprising at least 12 amino acids

Abstract: A peptide with an amino acid composition such that the peptide is amphipathic, cationic and forms a stable &agr;-helix and has the following structure comprising at least 12 amino acids R1-R2-A1-B1-(A2-B2-C1-A3)m-(C2)n-R3, wherein A=an amino acid selected from the basic amino acids Lys,Arg or His B=an amino acid selected from the aromatic amino acids Phe, Trp or Tyr C=an amino acid selected from the group comprising the hydrophobic amino acids Leu, Ile, Val or Ala, and said peptide has either the orientation according to the formula or the retro orientation thereof, wherein at least 0-m of the repetitive sequence motifs (A2-B2-C1-A3) have the retro orientation and the remaining repetitive motifs (A2-B2-C1-A3) have the orientation as presented in the formula and wherein, R1-R2- and R3 are a number of amino acids, and wherein m=1-10, preferably 2-8, more preferably 2-5 and n=1-3, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a peptide application thereof in treatment or

Abstract: A suitcase has first rollers mounted thereon to at least partially support the suitcase when in an upright position and to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface. The first end of an arm is pivotally mounted to a rigid body portion of the suitcase. Second rollers are mounted about adjacent to the second end of the arm to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across the surface. A first link is pivotally mounted to the rigid body portion, and a second link is pivotally mounted to the first link and the arm. The arm is alternately retractable to a retracted position about adjacent to a rear panel of the suitcase, and deployable to a deployed position spaced outwardly from the rear panel. The first and second rollers cooperate to fully support the suitcase when the second rollers are deployed and the suitcase is in a rolling position. A push/pull handle is mounted on the suitcase to enable a user to roll the suitcase across the surface.