Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus of searching a plurality of queries against at least one database containing a plurality of records. The plurality of queries is partitioned into a set of smaller subsets of queries. The at least one database is portioned into a set of smaller subdatabases. Searching tasks to be performed are designated by associating each of said subsets of queries with one or more of said subdatabases, assigning each searching task to one of a group of computers operating in parallel, wherein each member of the group of computers operating in parallel has at least one searching task assigned thereto, and executing at least some of the assigned searching tasks using the group of computers operating in parallel. Search results are collected from the executed searching tasks and a unified search result is generated in accordance with the collected search results.

Abstract: A method for creating and executing a computer workflow using a graphical user interface. A plurality of executable components is defined wherein the executable components are based on an input, an output, metadata and a sub-interpreter. Each of the executable components represents a computer-implemented computational process that is performed on one or more inputs to the executable component and that generates one or more outputs based on a predefined computational algorithm. A graphical user interface is defined that allows a user to visually create the computer workflow on a user display by selecting from a library of said executable components. The user graphically connects one or more input terminals of selected executable components with one or more output terminals of second selected executable components.

Abstract: A combined nasal anaesthesia breathing mask and oral scavenging hood is provided herein. Such combination includes a nasal anaesthesia breathing mask with inlet means to the nasal anaesthesia mask for connection to a conventional anaesthesia breathing circuit. An oral scavenging hood is operatively associated with or is physically associatable with respect to, the nasal anaesthesia breathing mask for placement over only the mouth of the patient undergoing inhaled sedation. An inlet means is provided to the oral scavenging hood for connection to a conventional scavenging circuit. The inventive concept is that there is no gaseous communication between the nasal anaesthesia breathing mask and the oral scavenging hood. In this way, inhalation of anaesthesia gas can take place simultaneously with the scavenging of exhaled gases.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing Parylene AF dimer powder includes a vaporizer having a housing, a cooling coil surrounding the housing and an isolation valve coupled to an outlet end of the housing. During use, the vaporizer and a valve and manifold assembly coupled to the vaporizer are heated by an oven. The Parylene AF dimer powder inside of the vaporizer is initially maintained below its sublimation temperature by flowing a cooling fluid through the cooling coil while the oven heats up. After the oven and valve and manifold assembly reach the operating temperature, the cooling fluid flow is decreased and correspondingly the vaporizer temperature increased thus producing Parylene AF4 dimer vapor.

Abstract: A wafer cooling device (WCD) for cooling a substrate, such as a wafer, during processing is presented. The substrate is mounted to an WCD heat transfer surface, thereby forming a cavity in between the substrate and the heat transfer surface into which gas is incorporated. An array of protuberances within the cavity provide support for the wafer. Contact heat conduction between the substrate and WCD is reduced by reducing the amount of direct contact between the substrate and WCD. Thus the heat transfer coefficient from the substrate, and hence substrate temperature, is controlled by adjusting the gas pressure in the cavity. In alternative embodiments, gas distribution channels are formed in the WCD heat transfer surface to increase gas pressure uniformity between the wafer and the WCD thus improving temperature uniformity across the substrate.