Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a diagnostic catheter having an improved irrigation system for reducing thrombus formation. The catheter may have an irrigated electrode assembly with a plurality of spines, each with a plurality of irrigation ports to flush the device and reduce the risk of thrombus formation.

Abstract: Offline social facilitation systems, interactions, interfaces, and methods are disclosed for identifying and generating conversation topics, social behaviors, or other interpersonal interactions. An interpersonal network manager determines a set of social suggestions, such as conversation topics, based on current events and user interests. The interpersonal network manager maintains a set of matching values corresponding to each social suggestion, and further maintains information on characteristics of users in an interpersonal networking system. At an offline social activity, the interpersonal network manager scores the set of social suggestions against a group of guests based on the matching values and characteristics. Guests in the group are provided social suggestions based on the score.

Abstract: Offline social recommendation systems, interactions, interfaces, and methods are disclosed for utilizing user interests and characteristics in the generation and selection of recommendations for offline social networking. An interpersonal network manager maintains data on user characteristics and interests, and updates this data based on direct feedback and inferences drawn from various kinds of user-associated information. The interpersonal network manager generates characteristics or other matching scores associated with a set of interpersonal interactions, such as offline networking activities, and selects interpersonal interactions to recommend to a user based on relationships between the matching scores associated with each interpersonal interaction and any characteristics and interests associated with the user.

Abstract: Offline activity management systems, interactions, interfaces, and methods are disclosed for generating sets of offline social activities that may form the basis of social recommendations for users. An interpersonal network manager selects venues based on requirements such as a geographic area and generates potential offline social activities based on these venues. The interpersonal network manager tests the predicted fitness of the potential offline social activities against semi-random sets of users in the network, and selects potential offline social activities that are predicted to be the most enjoyable to the test users. The selected potential offline social activities are presented to users as offline social recommendations.

Abstract: Offline activity management systems, interactions, interfaces, and methods are disclosed for facilitating user creation of successful offline social activities. An interpersonal network manager provides interfaces for entering or selecting the details of a potential offline social activity. A user selects a target size for the activity, which may correspond to an activity size limit maximum or minimum based on the venue or size of the location. The user selects a list of potential guests to invite to the potential offline social activity, and indicates an invitation preference. The interpersonal network manager selects sets of potential guests to invite to the potential offline social activity on the basis of the invitation preference and information on the potential guests. The interpersonal network manager stops inviting guests when the target size is reached.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body, and an electrode assembly distal of the catheter body, the assembly comprising a plurality of spines, wherein each spine has a distal end that is connected to the distal end of at least one other spine, wherein each spine has an electrode-carrying portion, the electrode-carrying portions of all spines of the assembly being in a single common plane, and wherein all spines of the assembly have a uniform exposed total length.

Abstract: A catheter adapted or high density mapping and/or ablation of tissue surface has a distal electrode array with offset spine loops, each spine loop having at least a pair of linear portions and a distal portion connecting the pair of linear portions, and one or more electrodes on each linear portion. The linear portions of the plurality of offset spine loops are arranged in-plane a single common plane, and the distal portions of the plurality of offset spine loops are arranged off-plane from the single common plane.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body, an electrode array distal of the catheter body, the array having a mounting member and at least first and second spine supports. Each spine support includes a base having a planar configuration, and a plurality of spines extending from the base, wherein the first base extends in a first plane and the second base extends in a second plane different from the first plane in the mounting member.

Abstract: A white-balance color temperature measuring device for image pick-up device includes a white or gray light transmitting sheet and a color temperature sensing element and installed in a camera body of a camera, camera phone, video camera or any other image pick-up device such that when focusing or pressing the shutter, incident light is changed by white or gray light transmitting sheet into a neutral light that falls upon the color temperature sensing element, causing the color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU for processing, and thus, the color of the captured photos or images can be close to the natural colors of the shooting scene.

Abstract: An electric thermos having a manual timer switch installed in a control panel at the top side of the electric thermos body thereof and electrically connected to the heating circuit and operable to set the time to turn on/off the electric heating circuit and the duration of the heating time of the electric heating circuit, saving electric energy consumption.

Abstract: A white-balance color temperature measuring device for image pick-up device includes a white or gray light transmitting sheet and a color temperature sensing element and installed in a camera body of a camera, camera phone, video camera or any other image pick-up device such that when focusing or pressing the shutter, incident light is changed by white or gray light transmitting sheet into a neutral light that falls upon the color temperature sensing element, causing the color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU for processing, and thus, the color of the captured photos or images can be close to the natural colors of the shooting scene.

Abstract: Network access control systems and methods are provided herein. A method includes receiving at a network device a SYN packet from a client device over a network, determining if the client device is a trusted source for the network using the SYN packet, if the client device is a trusted resource, receiving an acknowledgement (ACK) packet from the client device that includes identifying information for the client device plus an additional value, and identifying information for the network device, and establishing a connection with the network for the client device.

Abstract: A medical apparatus generally includes a housing that translatably supports a grasping member and a motion control mechanism that is disengagable to permit motion of the grasping member relative to the housing. The housing is configured to support a flow inhibiting instrument when the grasping member is disposed in a retracted position. As such, the medical apparatus facilitates effective blockage of venous outflow from a hemodialysis access structure. In addition, the grasping member translates to a receiving position in which various vascular instruments may be inserted into the grasping member and to a holding position in which the grasping member firmly grasps the instrument. By holding the end of the apparatus opposite the instrument, a practitioner may position his or her hands outside of a medical imaging field and thereby reduce radiation exposure to the hands.

Abstract: A catheter sheath introducer comprises a hub and a tubular sheath having an inner lining with one or more dampers to improve retention of medical devices received or passed through the sheath without significantly increasing the force required to advance the medical device through the sheath. The dampers are made of a friction inducing material, for example, rubber-based materials, and configured as fingers, bumps or flaps that are unidirectional by means of an asymmetrical shape relative to a longitudinal axis of the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a lavatory dispensing device useful for the delivery of at least one treatment composition, preferably a cleaning composition and/or a sanitizing composition to a sanitary appliance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cageless lavatory dispensing device comprising a hanger (10) and a compressed solid block (50). The hanger (10) has a hook end (20) for suspending the dispensing device to a sanitary-appliance, and the compressed solid block (50) comprises at least one chemical agent. A process for delivering a treatment composition to a sanitary appliance is also disclosed. Said process comprises the steps of: providing and suspending a cageless lavatory dispensing device within the sanitary appliance; periodically flushing water about the exterior of the compressed block to elute at least one chemical constituent to form a treatment composition with said water, which treatment composition provides cleaning and/or sanitizing and/or disinfecting benefit to the sanitary appliance.

Abstract: A method for dynamically updating a model is described. The method includes accessing a model that specifies expected characteristics for a transaction. The model includes variables associated with fraud. The method also includes receiving at least one value for each of the variables while monitoring transactions, and updating a distribution of values for each variable based on the received value. The received value is compared with the updated distribution to determine a deviation from a threshold value associated with a percentile of the updated distribution that is indicative of fraud.

Abstract: Improved treatment blocks useful in the treatment of lavatory appliances, particularly toilets are provided. The improved treatment blocks are solid block compositions which comprise at least one detersive surfactant, a film forming constituent, optionally a bleach constituent and one or more further optional constituents. The improved treatment blocks provide good detersive characteristics and further provide a film forming material which contacts the surfaces of the lavatory appliance, e.g., toilet, in which the block compositions are used. Methods of producing the solid block composition and treatment blocks therefrom, as well as methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a lavatory dispensing device useful for the delivery of at least one treatment composition, preferably a cleaning composition and/or a sanitizing composition to a sanitary appliance.

Abstract: A high-performance labyrinth type air treatment apparatus includes a positively (negatively) charged dust collector mounted in an air passage inside a shell, the positively (negatively) charged dust collector having positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels arranged in such a manner that a labyrinth-like detoured air path is defined through the positively (negatively) charged dust collector, an air ionization control means having discharge/emitting terminals arranged in the labyrinth-like detoured air path, and an electric fan for causing flowing of air through the positively (negatively) charged dust collector so that negatively (positively) charged heteroparticles carried in currents of air flowing through the labyrinth-like detoured air path are forced, to strike repeatedly against the positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels and then effectively adhered to the positively (negatively) charged dust collecting panels, achieving extremely high air purification.