Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to prosthetic valves having a frame, a frame cover, and a leaflet construct. Some aspects are directed to a diametric taper for the prosthetic valve for achieving enhanced performance of the prosthetic valve under operational conditions, enhanced compressibility and delivery characteristics, and other additional or alternative advantages. Other aspects are directed toward unique assembly and attachment methods for securing leaflet constructs to support structures. Other aspects are directed toward features for interacting with transcatheter delivery systems. Still other aspects are directed to such apparatuses, systems, and methods for valve replacement, such as cardiac valve replacement.

Abstract: A genetic algorithm is described to determine a near-optimal schedule for assigning heterogeneous computations to resources in a heterogeneous computational environment. The genetic algorithm evolves a computation-to-compute resource mapping optimized with respect to a set of inter-dependent, and possibly conflicting objectives including cost of computation, data transfer cost, time to complete computation, profitability, etc. A set of scheduling plans are randomly created and then evaluated and assigned a fitness value based on the ability to meet a set of weighted objectives. Scheduling plans having desirable fitness values are selected as parents to procreate one or more new scheduling plans, each new plan inheriting resource mappings from at least two parents. This evolutionary process is repeated until the fitness values across scheduling plans converge or a time threshold is exceeded. At the end of evolution, a scheduling plan with the best assigned value is chosen for scheduling.

Abstract: A genetic algorithm is described to determine a near-optimal schedule for assigning heterogeneous computations to resources in a heterogeneous computational environment. The genetic algorithm evolves a computation-to-compute resource mapping optimized with respect to a set of inter-dependent, and possibly conflicting objectives including cost of computation, data transfer cost, time to complete computation, profitability, etc. A set of scheduling plans are randomly created and then evaluated and assigned a fitness value based on the ability to meet a set of weighted objectives. Scheduling plans having desirable fitness values are selected as parents to procreate one or more new scheduling plans, each new plan inheriting resource mappings from at least two parents. This evolutionary process is repeated until the fitness values across scheduling plans converge or a time threshold is exceeded. At the end of evolution, a scheduling plan with the best assigned value is chosen for scheduling.

Abstract: A genetic algorithm is described to determine a near-optimal schedule for assigning heterogeneous computations to resources in a heterogeneous computational environment. The genetic algorithm evolves a computation-to-compute resource mapping optimized with respect to a set of inter-dependent, and possibly conflicting objectives including cost of computation, data transfer cost, time to complete computation, profitability, etc. A set of scheduling plans are randomly created and then evaluated and assigned a fitness value based on the ability to meet a set of weighted objectives. Scheduling plans having desirable fitness values are selected as parents to procreate one or more new scheduling plans, each new plan inheriting resource mappings from at least two parents. This evolutionary process is repeated until the fitness values across scheduling plans converge or a time threshold is exceeded. At the end of evolution, a scheduling plan with the best assigned value is chosen for scheduling.

Abstract: A genetic algorithm determines a plan for payment of payment obligations in accounts payable of a finance account. The genetic algorithm operates to satisfy certain objectives, including maximizing or minimizing the total amount of payments of the payment obligations on a given day within the amount of cash available for the given day. A genome population including a number of vectors is generated. The genome population is modified using a genetic algorithm, until at least one vector represents an optimal bill payment plan for the payment obligations such that payment of each payment obligation in accordance with the vector most nearly satisfies one or more objectives.

Abstract: A plan for disposing of assets in a given asset portfolio is determined using a genetic algorithm, which operates to satisfy certain objectives, including the generation of a cash amount. A genome population including a number of vectors is generated. The genome population is modified using a genetic algorithm, until at least one vector represents a change in the percentage of each asset such that the disposition of each asset in accordance with the vector most nearly satisfies one or more objectives.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for use in a motorized vehicle including a pressure source, a valve fluidly coupled to the pressure source, and an actuator fluidly coupled to the valve. The actuator includes an outer casing and a piston slidably received in the outer casing such that the piston defines a piston chamber and a rod chamber in the outer casing. The actuator includes a rod coupled to the piston on a side of the piston facing the rod chamber. The valve is configured such that when the valve is in an open position the valve provides fluid communication to the rod chamber and provides fluid communication to the piston chamber. Fluid flowing through the valve to the rod chamber passes through a restricted orifice having cross sectional area that is smaller than the cross sectional area of any orifice that would be passed through by fluid flowing through the valve to the piston chamber.

Abstract: A genetic algorithm determines a plan for payment of payment obligations in accounts payable of a finance account. The genetic algorithm operates to satisfy certain objectives, including maximizing the minimum daily cash on hand in the finance account. A genome population including a number of vectors is generated. The genome population is modified using a genetic algorithm, until at least one vector represents a plan for the payment obligations such that payment of each payment obligation in accordance with the vector most nearly satisfies one or more objectives.

Abstract: A linear actuator system including a cylinder, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and defining a piston chamber and a rod chamber in the cylinder, wherein the piston includes a plurality of orifices therethrough that place the piston chamber and the rod chamber in fluid communication, and a sealing member movable between a closed position, wherein the sealing member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the plurality of orifices, and an open position, wherein the sealing member is less restrictive of fluid flow through the orifices. The plurality of orifices may include an always-open orifice that is not blocked by the sealing member when the sealing member is in the closed position.

Abstract: A system for providing position-related information to a mobile user includes a mobile unit and a central site server. The mobile unit includes circuitry for determining present position information from position signals which may emanate from, for example, GPS satellites. The mobile unit further includes circuitry for establishing a wireless bidirectional communications link with the central site server via a terrestrial network, which may be accessed via a cellular telephone network. The central site server includes circuitry for receiving the present position information from the mobile unit. A table stored at the central site server includes different response information in correspondence with possible positions of the mobile unit. The response information may further be in correspondence with user preferences.

Abstract: A genetic algorithm determines a plan for payment of payment obligations in accounts payable of a finance account. The genetic algorithm operates to satisfy certain objectives, including maximizing the minimum daily cash on hand in the finance account. A genome population including a number of vectors is generated. The genome population is modified using a genetic algorithm, until at least one vector represents a plan for the payment obligations such that payment of each payment obligation in accordance with the vector most nearly satisfies one or more objectives.

Abstract: A plan for disposing of assets in a given asset portfolio is determined using a genetic algorithm, which operates to satisfy certain objectives, including the generation of a cash amount. A genome population including a number of vectors is generated. The genome population is modified using a genetic algorithm, until at least one vector represents a change in the percentage of each asset such that the disposition of each asset in accordance with the vector most nearly satisfies one or more objectives.

Abstract: A retrieval mechanism for extending an arm from a fallen elongated walking appliance, such as a walking cane or crutch, to enable the appliance to be retrieved without requiring any bending over by the person retrieving the appliance. An elongated arm is spring biased to an actuator mechanism and the actuator mechanism includes structure for retaining the arm in non-extended relation parallel to the axis of the elongated walking appliance and for extending the arm therefrom responsive to impact of a transverse member on the extendible arm with the surface upon which the walking appliance has fallen.

Abstract: An arm extending assembly for attachment to a walking appliance such as a walking cane, to enable the appliance to be retrieved without requiring the user to bend over. The device extends an extendible arm upwardly in a direction normal to the surface upon which the walking appliance has fallen. The arm is extended responsive to impact of the assembly on the surface, such as the ground. The arm extending assembly includes a base member for attachment to a cane, an actuating mechanism including a spring biased rotatable arm for imparting rotation to the extendible arm, a spring biased locking mechanism for releasably locking the actuating mechanism to the housing and ground engaging means operatively connected to the spring biased locking mechanism for release of the locking mechanism to permit rotation of the rotatable arm of the actuating mechanism and, thus, rotation of the extendible arm responsive to impact of said ground engaging means with the ground or surface.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for extending an arm from a fallen elongated walking appliance, such as a walking cane or crutch, to enable the appliance to be retrieved without requiring any bending over by the person retrieving the appliance. At least one elongated arm is spring biased to the actuator mechanism and the actuator mechanism includes means for extending the arm therefrom responsive to impact of the actuator mechanism with the surface upon which the object or cane has fallen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the format of a table. The table comprises a column with a first, second, third, and fourth edges. The method comprises selecting a first edge of the column, the first edge residing in a first position on a page. Then, the first edge is moved to a second position on a page. Text of the column is reflowed to fit within the first, second, third, and fourth edges. The means for selecting comprises a mouse, in a preferred embodiment, and a means for selecting comprises a selection button on the mouse.

Abstract: An automated system for organizing, presenting, and manipulating medical images includes a database in which the medical images are structured into groups, each group including one or more image series, each image series including an ordered sequence of images which illustrate incrementally registered aspects of an anatomical target. Image series are presented in their sequential order either in a monitor presentation format which displays each sequence in its entirety in a single monitor display container or which presents two or more image series, image-by-image, in adjacent presentation areas of a series display container. The system includes a plurality of monitors in which all monitors, save one, produce display containers for image series presentation. One monitor is reserved for displaying a working palette to which images of the image series displayed on the other monitors may be moved. The system activates a monitor in a plurality of monitors in response to movement of a cursor between monitors.

Abstract: The heater includes a jacket unit connectable to the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the jacket unit forming a central cavity in which a catalytic burner unit is suspended by means of a bolt that extends upwardly through an upper opening in the jacket unit. Overlying the jacket unit is a perforated dome-shaped cap having a hole through which the bolt extends so that a nut applied to the upper end of the bolt clamps the perforated cap against the upper end of the jacket unit, at the same time suspending the burner unit within the jacket unit's cavity. Within the cavity is a fixedly positioned ring through which the bolt extends, the bolt having a collar that abutts the underside of the ring when the nut is fully tightened. The catalytic burner unit also includes a feed tube extending downwardly therefrom. A second perforated dome-shaped cap underlies the jacket unit having a hole through which the feed tube extends. A sleeve of catalytic material is included in the burner unit.

Abstract: A modulated vehicle cruise control system includes a source of vacuum, a servo transducer or control unit connected to the source of vacuum, an engine throttle position servo connected to the servo, a speed sensor and a logic circuit or command module. A modulator is disposed in series with and between the control unit and the source of vacuum. The modulator limits opening movement of the engine throttle by modulating communication of vacuum to the servo to prevent inefficient engine operation.

Abstract: A modulated vehicle cruise control system includes a source of vacuum, a servo transducer or control unit connected to the source of vacuum, an engine throttle position servo connected to the servo, a speed sensor and a logic circuit or command module. A modulator is disposed in series with and between the control unit and the source of vacuum. The modulator limits opening movement of the engine throttle by modulating communication of vacuum to the servo to prevent inefficient engine operation.