Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating and protecting teeth against erosion by use of oral compositions comprising polymeric mineral surface active agents, metal ions such as stannous and zinc and combinations thereof. The present methods provide improved resistance of teeth to erosive demineralization or dissolution and prevention of tooth damage by subsequent exposure of teeth to erosive chemicals such as acidic foods and beverages.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel designer osteogenic proteins having altered affinity for a cognate receptor, nucleic acids encoding the same, and methods of use therefor. More preferably, the novel designer osteogenic proteins are designer BMPs and have altered affinity for a cognate BMP receptor. The designer BMPs demonstrate altered biological characteristics and provide potential useful novel therapeutics.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for facilitating the funding of gaming and preferably the purchase of gaming vouchers with commercial bank cards and/or with casino and/or new credit accounts and/or the prompting of opening of a new credit account, including an automated kiosk located on a gaming floor proximate to gaming machines but separate from particular gaming machines, including reading and printing equipment in communication with a voucher host; also including a prompt to open new a gaming oriented line of credit in response to a refusal of an EFT transaction, including a preferred gaming oriented credit card account and card having cash advance limits commensurate with credit limits for gaming oriented transaction, the approval of the account preferably based on EFT gaming transaction history

Abstract: A system and method for pedestrian alert that derives a pedestrian path representing a projected path for a pedestrian, derives a vehicle path representing a projected path for a motor vehicle, determines an intersection of the pedestrian path and the vehicle path, determines alert characteristics responsive to the determined intersection, and generates an alert that is emitted from the vehicle responsive to the determined alert characteristics. The system and method for pedestrian alert may be built, installed or implemented in a motor vehicles that is operated in environments where the motor vehicle may be in close proximity to pedestrians. The system and method for pedestrian alert mitigates the likelihood of a collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian by emitting an alert that may draw the attention of the pedestrian to the presence of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a mass resiliently connected to a body by a biasing device and adapted to oscillate about an equilibrium point relative to the body with an oscillation amplitude, a transducer configured to convert oscillations of the mass about the equilibrium point relative to the body into electrical energy, and a resilient device disposed between the biasing device and one of the mass and the body, wherein the resilient device is configured to be deformed between the biasing device and the one of the mass and the body only when the oscillation amplitude exceeds a predetermined non-zero threshold amplitude. The resilient device may comprise one of a helical spring, an O-ring and a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer, a curved disc spring, a wave washer, and a split washer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a mass resiliently connected to a body by a biasing device and adapted to oscillate about an equilibrium point relative to the body with an oscillation amplitude, a transducer configured to convert oscillations of the mass about the equilibrium point relative to the body into electrical energy, and a resilient device disposed between the biasing device and one of the mass and the body, wherein the resilient device is configured to be deformed between the biasing device and the one of the mass and the body only when the oscillation amplitude exceeds a predetermined non-zero threshold amplitude. The resilient device may comprise one of a helical spring, an O-ring and a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer, a curved disc spring, a wave washer, and a split washer.

Abstract: A technique comprising: detecting at a first radio node a first signal indicating the number of hops at which a second radio node that transmitted the first signal first detected a second, earlier signal; and deciding whether to transmit said first signal onwards from said first radio node based at least partly on (i) a direction indicator in said first signal, (ii) a comparison of the respective numbers of hops at which said first and second radio nodes first detected said earlier second signal, and (iii) the result of a search at said first radio node for onwards transmission of said first signal by another radio node in the direction indicated by said hop-count number direction indicator.

Abstract: A crystalline form of 6-{2-[1-(6-methyl-3-pyridazinyl)-4-piperidinyl]ethoxy}-3-ethoxy-1,2-benzoxazole is provided which is useful in the treatment of infections caused by Picornaviridae such as human rhinovirus (HRV), and in particular the crystal form is an anhydrous crystalline free base form of 6-{2-[1-(6-methyl-3-pyridazinyl)-4-piperidinyl]ethoxy}-3-ethoxy-1,2-benzoxazole. In addition, a method of manufacturing the free base crystalline form is also provided, including a step of micronizing the compound particles, optionally using a wetting agent, as well as pharmaceutical compositions incorporating the free base crystalline form such as tablets or suspensions, and methods of therapeutic treatments using this form and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for pedestrian alert that derives a pedestrian path representing a projected path for a pedestrian, derives a vehicle path representing a projected path for a motor vehicle, determines an intersection of the pedestrian path and the vehicle path, determines alert characteristics responsive to the determined intersection, and generates an alert that is emitted from the vehicle responsive to the determined alert characteristics. The system and method for pedestrian alert may be built, installed or implemented in a motor vehicles that is operated in environments where the motor vehicle may be in close proximity to pedestrians. The system and method for pedestrian alert mitigates the likelihood of a collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian by emitting an alert that may draw the attention of the pedestrian to the presence of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel designer osteogenic proteins having altered affinity for a cognate receptor, nucleic acids encoding the same, and methods of use therefor. More preferably, the novel designer osteogenic proteins are designer BMPs and have altered affinity for a cognate BMP receptor. The designer BMPs demonstrate altered biological characteristics and provide potential useful novel therapeutics.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a first signal from a host at an air mover system, the air mover system including an air mover and a tachometer, the tachometer having an associated tachometer signal. The method also includes determining whether the first signal is a request for information associated with the air mover, and providing the information from the air mover system to the host on the associated tachometer signal when it is determined that the first signal is the request for information associated with the air mover.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for facilitating the funding of gaming and preferably the purchase of gaming vouchers (slot vouchers) with commercial bank cards and/or with casino and/or new credit accounts (private label) and/or affiliate/Networking permanent or temporary) and/or the prompting of opening of a new credit account, including an automated kiosk located on a gaming floor proximate to gaming machines but separate from particular gaming machines, and including method and apparatus for the purchase and redemption of vouchers at a gaming table, including reading and printing equipment in communication with a voucher host; also including a prompt to open new a gaming oriented line of credit, associated with a refusal of an EFT transaction, preferably a credit/debit card cash advance request, and including a preferred gaming oriented credit card account and card (private label and/or affiliate/Networking permanent or temporary) (including a patron selection coded card) having cash advance limits commensurate with

Abstract: A method of recovering rare earth elements from a rare earth-containing material comprises contacting the rare earth-containing material with a solution formulated and configured to dissolve rare earth elements from the rare earth-containing material and form a solution including a plurality of rare earth elements dissolved therein. The method further includes exposing the solution including the plurality of rare earth elements dissolved therein to one of a liquefied gas or a supercritical fluid to isolate the rare earth elements from each other. Related methods of removing and purifying rare earth elements from materials and phosphor lamps are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a mass resiliently connected to a body by a biasing device and adapted to oscillate about an equilibrium point relative to the body with an oscillation amplitude, a transducer configured to convert oscillations of the mass about the equilibrium point relative to the body into electrical energy, and a resilient device disposed between the biasing device and one of the mass and the body, wherein the resilient device is configured to be deformed between the biasing device and the one of the mass and the body only when the oscillation amplitude exceeds a predetermined non-zero threshold amplitude. The resilient device may comprise one of a helical spring, an O-ring and a spring washer, such as a Belleville washer, a curved disc spring, a wave washer, and a split washer.

Abstract: Antimicrobial metal ion coatings and implants including them. In particular, described herein are coatings including an anodic metal (e.g., silver and/or zinc and/or copper) that is co-deposited with a cathodic metal (e.g., palladium, platinum, gold, molybdenum, titanium, iridium, osmium, rhodium, manganese, niobium or rhenium) on a substrate so that the anodic metal is galvanically released as antimicrobial ions when the apparatus is exposed to a bodily fluid. The anodic metal may be at least about 25 percent by volume of the coating, resulting in a network of anodic metal with less than 20% of the anodic metal in the coating fully encapsulated by cathodic metal. The implant may be configured as an implant such as a bone-screw or intramedullary rod-like body configured to receive a treatment cartridge having a coating as described.

Abstract: A system and method for pedestrian alert that derives a pedestrian path representing a projected path for a pedestrian, derives a vehicle path representing a projected path for a motor vehicle, determines an intersection of the pedestrian path and the vehicle path, determines alert characteristics responsive to the determined intersection, and generates an alert that is emitted from the vehicle responsive to the determined alert characteristics. The system and method for pedestrian alert may be built, installed or implemented in a motor vehicles that is operated in environments where the motor vehicle may be in close proximity to pedestrians. The system and method for pedestrian alert mitigates the likelihood of a collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian by emitting an alert that may draw the attention of the pedestrian to the presence of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Silver and/or zinc ion releasing implants, systems and method of operating, inserting and activating/inactivating them are described. In some variations the implant is configured as a bone implant that includes a bone-screw or intramedullary rod like body configured to receive a treatment cartridge having a plurality of ion-releasing members configured as an anode that can controllably engage with a catheter to turn galvanic release of ions on/off as desired. These devices may be configured to release silver ions (and/or zinc ions) above a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time and may maintain a concentration of ions over a relatively large volume of tissue. The ion-releasing members may be configured to reduce or prevent implant movement.

Abstract: Antimicrobial metal ion coatings. In particular, described herein are coatings including an anodic metal (e.g., silver and/or zinc and/or copper) that is co-deposited with a cathodic metal (e.g., palladium, platinum, gold, molybdenum, titanium, iridium, osmium, niobium or rhenium) on a substrate so that the anodic metal is galvanically released as antimicrobial ions when the apparatus is exposed to a bodily fluid. The anodic metal may be at least about 25 percent by volume of the coating, resulting in a network of anodic metal with less than 20% of the anodic metal in the coating fully encapsulated by cathodic metal.

Abstract: A crystalline form of 6-{2-[1-(6-methyl-3-pyridazinyl)-4-piperidinyl]ethoxy}-3-ethoxy-1,2-benzoxazole is provided which is useful in the treatment of infections caused by Picornaviridae such as human rhinovirus (HRV), and in particular the crystal form is an anhydrous crystalline free base form of 6-{2-[1-(6-methyl-3-pyridazinyl)-4-piperidinyl]ethoxy}-3-ethoxy-1,2-benzoxazole. In addition, a method of manufacturing the free base crystalline form is also provided, including a step of micronizing the compound particles, optionally using a wetting agent, as well as pharmaceutical compositions incorporating the free base crystalline form such as tablets or suspensions, and methods of therapeutic treatments using this form and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: Silver and/or zinc ion releasing implants, systems and method of operating, inserting and activating/inactivating them are described. In some variations the implant is configured as a bone implant that includes a bone-screw or intramedullary rod like body configured to receive a treatment cartridge having a plurality of ion-releasing members configured as an anode that can controllably engage with a catheter to turn galvanic release of ions on/off as desired. These devices may be configured to release silver ions (and/or zinc ions) above a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time and may maintain a concentration of ions over a relatively large volume of tissue. The ion-releasing members may be configured to reduce or prevent implant movement.