Abstract: This document describes methods and materials for the treatment of pathological conditions, including arrhythmias and trauma, using temperature modulation via implantable devices. For example, this document relates to methods and devices for treating atrial and/or ventricular fibrillation by cooling the epicardium.

Abstract: This document describes methods and devices for securing epicardial devices. For example, this document describes methods and devices for securing epicardial devices by passing a sheath into a pericardial space of a patient through a first percutaneous access site, passing a guidewire through the sheath into the pericardial space of the patient, passing the guidewire through a transverse sinus of the patient, passing a snare device into the pericardial space through a second percutaneous access site, and capturing a free end portion of the guidewire using the snare device.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the treatment of pathological conditions including arrhythmias and trauma using temperature modulation via implantable or worn devices. For example, in one example embodiment this document relates to devices and methods for treating atrial or ventricular fibrillation by cooling the epicardium. The devices and methods can also be used to treat other disorders by applying heating and/or cooling to a patient in a number of different manners.

Abstract: A facility creates a dynamic gauge for indicating the status of equipment. The facility causes a gauge to be displayed with an initial satisfactory range and an initial unsatisfactory range. The facility accesses historical data describing the status of a sensor attached to equipment. The facility determines a new satisfactory range and a new unsatisfactory range, and alters the gauge to visually indicate the new satisfactory range and the new unsatisfactory range.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system, comprising: an interface configured to at least communicate with a controller area network bus; a remote data telecommunication interface; a database; at least one automated processor, configured to: extract information from the controller area network bus; store records in the database representing the extracted information; process the database to determine operating statistics; selectively communicate at least a portion of the database over the remote data telecommunication interface; and determine at least one of an operating parameter for the vehicle and a predicted net fuel cost based on at least the operating statistics and a fuel unit cost.

Abstract: A method of predicting, in real-time, a relationship between a vehicle's engine speed, trip time, cost, and fuel consumption, comprising: monitoring vehicle operation over time to acquiring data representing at least a vehicle location, a fuel consumption rate, and operating conditions; generating a predictive model relating the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption; and receiving at least one constraint on the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption, and automatically producing from at least one automated processor, based on the predictive model, a constrained output.

Abstract: A facility creates a dynamic gauge for indicating the status of equipment. The facility causes a gauge to be displayed with an initial satisfactory range and an initial unsatisfactory range. The facility accesses historical data describing the status of a sensor attached to equipment. The facility determines a new satisfactory range and a new unsatisfactory range, and alters the gauge to visually indicate the new satisfactory range and the new unsatisfactory range.

Abstract: A facility creates a dynamic gauge for indicating the status of equipment. The facility causes a gauge to be displayed with an initial satisfactory range and an initial unsatisfactory range. The facility accesses historical data describing the status of a sensor attached to equipment. The facility determines a new satisfactory range and a new unsatisfactory range, and alters the gauge to visually indicate the new satisfactory range and the new unsatisfactory range.

Abstract: Cables having a conductor with a polymeric covering layer and a non-extruded coating layer made of a material based on a liquid composition including a polymer resin and a fatty acid amide. Methods of making cables are also provided.

Abstract: A method of predicting, in real-time, a relationship between a vehicle's engine speed, trip time, cost, and fuel consumption, comprising: monitoring vehicle operation over time to acquiring data representing at least a vehicle location, a fuel consumption rate, and operating conditions; generating a predictive model relating the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption; and receiving at least one constraint on the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption, and automatically producing from at least one automated processor, based on the predictive model, a constrained output.

Abstract: A method of predicting, in real-time, a relationship between a vehicle's engine speed, trip time, cost, and fuel consumption, comprising: monitoring vehicle operation over time to acquiring data representing at least a vehicle location, a fuel consumption rate, and operating conditions; generating a predictive model relating the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption; and receiving at least one constraint on the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption, and automatically producing from at least one automated processor, based on the predictive model, a constrained output.

Abstract: A method of determining anomalous operation of a system includes: capturing a stream of data representing sensed (or determined) operating parameters of the system over a range of operating states, with a stability indicator representing whether the system was operating in a stable state when the operating parameters were sensed; determining statistical properties of the stream of data, including an amplitude-dependent parameter and a variance thereof over time parameter for an operating regime representing stable operation; determining a statistical norm for the statistical properties that distinguish between normal operation and anomalous operation of the system; responsive to detecting that normal and anomalous operation of the system can no longer be reliably distinguished, determining new statistical properties to distinguish between normal and anomalous system operation; and outputting a signal based on whether a concurrent stream of data representing sensed operating parameters of the system represent

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system, comprising: an interface configured to at least communicate with a controller area network bus; a remote data telecommunication interface; a database; at least one automated processor, configured to: extract information from the controller area network bus; store records in the database representing the extracted information; process the database to determine operating statistics; selectively communicate at least a portion of the database over the remote data telecommunication interface; and determine at least one of an operating parameter for the vehicle and a predicted net fuel cost based on at least the operating statistics and a fuel unit cost.

Abstract: A method of predicting, in real-time, a relationship between a vehicle's engine speed, trip time, cost, and fuel consumption, comprising: monitoring vehicle operation over time to acquiring data representing at least a vehicle location, a fuel consumption rate, and operating conditions; generating a predictive model relating the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption; and receiving at least one constraint on the vehicle's engine speed, trip time, and fuel consumption, and automatically producing from at least one automated processor, based on the predictive model, a constrained output.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system, comprising: an interface configured to at least communicate with a controller area network bus; a remote data telecommunication interface; a database; at least one automated processor, configured to: extract information from the controller area network bus; store records in the database representing the extracted information; process the database to determine operating statistics; selectively communicate at least a portion of the database over the remote data telecommunication interface; and determine at least one of an operating parameter for the vehicle and a predicted net fuel cost based on at least the operating statistics and a fuel unit cost.

Abstract: Cables having a conductor with a polymeric covering layer and a non-extruded coating layer made of a material based on a liquid composition including a polymer resin and a fatty acid amide. Methods of making cables are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating payments are described. In a registration and activation step, an issuer issues to a user one or more patterns of digit substitution associated with a permanent account number. The patterns of digit substitution can then be used to generate derivative account numbers based on the permanent account number. During a commerce transaction, the user interacts with a merchant and specifies a derivative account number. The merchant transmits the derivative account number and other transaction information to the issuer for approval. Based on the derivative account number, the issuer retrieves the permanent account number and processes an approval. By using this method, a user's actual permanent account number is not revealed or transmitted via an unsecure network, which protects it from being stolen. The method may be used in various transactions to protect other personal identification information such as social security numbers, driver license numbers, etc.