Abstract: A laryngeal nerve exciting system includes a collar holding a bridge, or a neckband, pressing soft tissue nerve exciters against a patient's neck providing a source of vibrations to stimulate the laryngeal nerve through the larynx. At least one exciter, and preferably two exciters, provide vibrations at preferably 70 Hz to 110 Hz and sufficiently strong to penetrate to the laryngeal nerve. The exciters may be held by the collar circling the neck, or by the neck band partially circling the neck. The therapy system includes a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and software which wirelessly connects, monitors, and triggers the device. The system may be used to treat dysphagia, chronic cough, and spasmodic dysphonia.

Abstract: A laryngeal nerve exciting system includes a collar holding a bridge, or a neckband, pressing soft tissue nerve exciters against a patient's neck providing a source of vibrations to stimulate the laryngeal nerve through the larynx. At least one exciter, and preferably two exciters, provide vibrations at preferably 70 Hz to 110 Hz and sufficiently strong to penetrate to the laryngeal nerve. The exciters may be held by the collar circling the neck, or by the neck band partially circling the neck. The therapy system includes a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and software which wirelessly connects, monitors, and triggers the device. The system may be used to treat dysphagia, chronic cough, and spasmodic dysphonia.

Abstract: A method of treating obesity and obesity-related disorders in a mammal is provided. The method comprises the step of administering to the mammal a compound or entity that inhibits the HTR2a receptor.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve hot spots. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A system for monitoring stress cycles includes memory storing a base value and an inflection value of a stress cycle and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors are configured to receive a series of stress values from a stress sensor. For each stress value in the series of stress values, the one or more processors are configured to perform operations including performing a first comparison between the stress value and a previous stress value in the series of stress values, detecting an inflection in the series of stress values based on the first comparison, updating the base value and the inflection value in response to detecting the inflection, performing a second comparison between the stress value and the base value, determining whether the stress cycle is complete based on the second comparison, and recording the stress cycle in response to determining that the stress cycle is complete.

Abstract: A system for monitoring stress cycles includes memory storing a base value and an inflection value of a stress cycle and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors are configured to receive a series of stress values from a stress sensor. For each stress value in the series of stress values, the one or more processors are configured to perform operations including performing a first comparison between the stress value and a previous stress value in the series of stress values, detecting an inflection in the series of stress values based on the first comparison, updating the base value and the inflection value in response to detecting the inflection, performing a second comparison between the stress value and the base value, determining whether the stress cycle is complete based on the second comparison, and recording the stress cycle in response to determining that the stress cycle is complete.

Abstract: A method of treating obesity and obesity-related disorders in a mammal is provided. The method comprises the step of administering to the mammal a compound or entity that inhibits the HTR2a receptor.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve hot spots. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: A plant or refinery may include equipment such as condensers, regenerators, distillation columns, pumps, slide valves, or the like. Different operating methods may impact deterioration in equipment condition, thereby prolonging equipment life, extending production operating time, or providing other benefits. Mechanical or digital sensors may be used for monitoring equipment to determine whether problems are developing. Specifically, sensors may be used in conjunction with one or more system components to predict and detect slide valve sticking. A shielded, tube skin thermocouple assembly may provide a temperature profile for a slide valve. Tomography may be used to image a slide valve. An operating condition of the plant or refinery may be adjusted to prolong equipment life or avoid equipment failure.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically mapping light elements in light structures arranged in an assembly includes: defining a sequence of test frames—each specifying activation of a unique subset of light elements in the assembly—executable by the set of light structures; serving the sequence of test frames to the assembly for execution; receiving photographic test images of the assembly, each photographic test image recorded during execution of one test frame by the assembly; for each photographic test image, identifying a location of a particular light element based on a local change in light level represented in the photographic test image, the particular light element activated by the set of light structures according to a test frame during recordation of the photographic test image; and aggregating locations of light elements identified in photographic test images into a virtual map representing positions of light elements within the assembly.

Abstract: One variation of a method for automatically mapping light elements in light structures arranged in an assembly includes: defining a sequence of test frames—each specifying activation of a unique subset of light elements in the assembly—executable by the set of light structures; serving the sequence of test frames to the assembly for execution; receiving photographic test images of the assembly, each photographic test image recorded during execution of one test frame by the assembly; for each photographic test image, identifying a location of a particular light element based on a local change in light level represented in the photographic test image, the particular light element activated by the set of light structures according to a test frame during recordation of the photographic test image; and aggregating locations of light elements identified in photographic test images into a virtual map representing positions of light elements within the assembly.

Abstract: The present application discloses endoscopy systems and devices for use therewith, wherein such systems and devices are designed for use in foreign body retrieval procedures. Moreover, the present application discloses methods of retrieving foreign bodies using the provided systems and devices. In one exemplary embodiment, a foreign body retrieval device capable for use with an endoscope is provided. The retrieval device comprises a housing and a capture tool disposed within and movable relative to the housing. The housing has a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one cavity. The proximal end of the housing is configured for attachment to the distal end of an endoscope and the distal end comprises an opening for at least partially receiving a foreign body in the at least one cavity. The capture tool defines an at least partially closeable aperture.

Abstract: The present application discloses endoscopy systems and devices for use therewith, wherein such systems and devices are designed for use in foreign body retrieval procedures. Moreover, the present application discloses methods of retrieving foreign bodies using the provided systems and devices. In one exemplary embodiment, a foreign body retrieval device capable for use with an endoscope is provided. The retrieval device comprises a housing and a capture tool disposed within and movable relative to the housing. The housing has a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one cavity. The proximal end of the housing is configured for attachment to the distal end of an endoscope and the distal end comprises an opening for at least partially receiving a foreign body in the at least one cavity. The capture tool defines an at least partially closeable aperture.