Abstract: Flexible treatment catheters are configured to be inserted into a body lumen or cavity to deliver heated fluid through at least one fluid lumen therein to thermally treat or ablate a targeted site in a biological subject. The flexible treatment catheters can include improved thermally insulated regions comprising a mixture formed of liquid elastomeric (such as a polyurethane) mixture (which transitions to a solid state) and miniaturized hollow plastic bodies positioned between the outer wall of the treatment catheter and the fluid lumen. The thermally insulated region is configured such that, measured ex vivo, the treatment catheter can present a maximum temperature of below about 45° C. on the external surface of the outer wall of the treatment catheter when the treatment catheter circulates fluid having an inlet temperature of above or between about 60°-62° C.

Abstract: A computational method for the discovery and design of therapeutically valuable bioactive compounds is presented. The method employed has successfully analyzed enzymatic inhibitors for their chemical properties through the use of a neural network and associated algorithms. This method is an improvement over the current methods of drug discovery which often employs a random search through a large library of synthesized chemical compounds or biological samples for bioactivity related to a specific therapeutic use. This time-consuming process is the most expensive portion of current drug discovery methods. The development of computational methods for the prediction of specific molecular activity will facilitate the design of novel chemotherapeutics or other chemically useful compounds. The novel neural network provided in the current invention is “trained” with the bioactivity of known compounds and then used to predict the bioactivity of unknown compounds.

Abstract: A system and method for data collection, evaluation, information generation and/or presentation. More particularly the system is for collecting, evaluating, generating and presenting data and/or information relating to electronic commerce. The system and methods include predictor modules that use recent historical data along with an estimated and/or available population function as the basis for a differential equation that defines the growth of the population to a saturation or maximum attainable level.

Abstract: A new and distinctive New Guinea Impatiens plant characterized by flowers with two or more colors distributed in irregular randomly distributed patterns on some or all petals and flower. The patterns are defined by multiple irregularly shaped regions of color. Generally, each region consists of an elongate streak or patch of color typically radiating in a direction from the base of a petal to the edge of the petal. The irregularly shaped regions, while not necessarily exclusive of other colors, generally are dominated by a single color. The streaks or patches forming regions may vary in color intensity, shape, length, and width. They may also vary in terms of their position relative to the base and edge of a petal. The novel features of the invention also include a method of producing multiple sports from crosses of the present invention with other novel plants of the present invention or with conventional New Guinea Impatiens plants.

Abstract: A deflection cover for a medical endoscope comprises a tubular covering that protects the articulation system of an endoscope during sterilization procedures where pressure differentials are generated. The deflection cover is of a single layer of a selected material whose properties provide the deflection cover with adequate flexibility, thinness, and strength for use on a medical endoscope. The deflection cover may include a reinforcement structure, such as a helically oriented thread, to increase the tube's pressure resistance without impeding the tube's longitudinal flexibility, which is needed to allow the articulation system in the endoscope to deflect through its intended range of motion.

Abstract: A database evaluation system provides for intuitive end user analysis and exploration of large databases of information through real time fuzzy logic evaluation of utility preferences and nearest neighbor exploration. The system provides for domain modeling of various types of information domains using attribute mappings to database fields, and utility value weightings, allowing multiple different domain models to be coupled with a same database of information. User interaction with the evaluation system is through an interactive key generator interface providing immediate, iterative visual feedback as to which candidate items in database match the user's partial query. A proximity searcher user interface provides for nearest neighbor navigation and allows the user to determine which items in the database are closest to a given item along each independent attribute of the items, and selectively navigate through such nearest neighbors.

Abstract: A system and method for the optimal allocation of investment funds among a portfolio of investments, and the optimal selection of candidate investments for the portfolio to optimize the financial risk of the investor relative to the financial returns. The system and method create risk tolerance functions for the investor which describe the investor's monetary utility through probability preferences with respect to specific currency amounts relative to the investor's overall assets restricted to the investors monetary range of interest. The risk tolerance function is then used in conjunction with a computed probability density function of the investment portfolio to create a probability density function of the investor's probability preferences with respect to the investor's risk tolerance function. The probability density function expresses the dispersion of risk preferences that the investor would experience as a result of the investment allocation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing selected surfaces in a semiconductor process chamber by creating a temperature differential between the selected surfaces and contacting the surfaces with a reactant that preferentially react with a surface at one end of the temperature differential relative to the other selected surface(s). More particularly, the invention relates to the use of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) gas for in situ cleaning of cold wall process chambers such as Rapid thermal Chemical Vaporization (“RTCVD”) systems.

Abstract: A new and distinctive New Guinea Impatiens plant characterized by flowers with two or more colors distributed in irregular randomly distributed patterns on some or all petals and flower. The patterns are defined by multiple irregularly shaped regions of color. Generally, each region consists of an elongate streak or patch of color typically radiating in a direction from the base of a petal to the edge of the petal. The irregularly shaped regions, while not necessarily exclusive of other colors, generally are dominated by a single color. The streaks or patches forming regions may vary in color intensity, shape, length, and width. They may also vary in terms of their position relative to the base and edge of a petal. The novel features of the invention also include a method of producing multiple sports from crosses of the present invention with other novel plants of the present invention or with conventional New Guinea Impatiens plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamic-flow system that uses a vacuum to pull an etchant or other processing agent through a nozzle onto the surface of the work object. The processing agent can only communicate with the vacuum and be pulled onto the wafer surface when the nozzle is sealed against the work object. Therefore, the processing agent is dispensed onto the surface of the wafer or other work object under a negative rather than a positive pressure. Accordingly, the dispensation of the processing agent is self-stopping in the event that seal of the nozzle against the work object fails. The present invention also provides a novel nozzle for dispensing a processing agent onto a selected area of a work object. The nozzle of the present invention provides a substantially unidirectional flow of processing agent along the surface of a work object and maximizes the contact time of the processing agent at the surface of the work object.

Abstract: A new an distinct cultivar of Impatiens walleriana plant as illustrated named ‘TiTag’, characterized by moderately strong peduncles and pedicels, large flowers, fully double and symmetrical, very bright orange colored flowers, strong stems, flowers that are positioned above or beyond the foliage, good heat tolerance, dark green foliage and mounded, freely branching and dense plant habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens walleriana plant named ‘TiCher’, characterized by its large cherry red fully double flowers, flowers that are positioned above or beyond the foliage, good heat tolerance, dark green foliage and mounded, freely branching and dense plant habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens walleriana plant named ‘TiRow’ characterized by large pink bi-colored fully double flowers, flowers that are positioned above or beyond the foliage, good heat tolerance, dark green foliage and mounded, freely branching and dense plant habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens walleriana plant named ‘TiRe’, characterized by large red fully double flowers, flowers that are positioned above or beyond the foliage, good heat tolerance, dark green foliage and mounded, freely branching and dense plant habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens walleriana plant named ‘TiPec’ characterized by large peach-colored fully double flowers, flowers that are positioned above or beyond the foliage, dark green foliage and mounded, freely branching and dense plant habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of ‘Impatiens walleriana’ plant named ‘TiLip,’ characterized by large light pink fully double flowers, flowers that are positioned above or beyond the foliage, good heat tolerance, dark green foliage and mounded, freely branching and dense plant habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of ‘Lobelia erinus’ having pendulous stems, freely branching plant habit, light blue flowers with a white eye that are produced continuously throughout the growing season, dark green to bronzish green foliage, and good heat tolerance.