Abstract: Methods for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a patient are disclosed. In the methods, a patient having COPD is selected for treatment based on the patient's peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) and percent predicted force expiratory volume in one second (FEV1); and a bronchodilator is administered to the selected patient using a nebulizer. Administration of a bronchodilator to patients having low PIFR and a percent predicted FEV1 less than 50 percent using a nebulizer as the inhalation delivery device provides significantly greater improvements in trough FEV1 and trough forced vital capacity (FVC) compared to administration of a bronchodilator to such patients using a dry powder inhaler.

Abstract: Methods for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a patient are disclosed. In the methods, a patient having COPD is selected for treatment based on the patient's peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) and percent predicted force expiratory volume in one second (FEV1); and a bronchodilator is administered to the selected patient using a nebulizer. Administration of a bronchodilator to patients having low PIFR and a percent predicted FEV1 less than 50 percent using a nebulizer as the inhalation delivery device provides significantly greater improvements in trough FEV1 and trough forced vital capacity (FVC) compared to administration of a bronchodilator to such patients using a dry powder inhaler.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an economic development system, which enables individuals within a community to efficiently identify and express their interests in one or more economic propositions. The economic development system comprises an application which allows users to uniquely interface with the one or more economic propositions. Users of the economic development system are able to efficiently identify and express support or disapprove for one or more economic propositions. A plurality of engagement mechanisms is provided by the economic development system to assist users in democratizing their interests. The economic development system also allows for crowdfunding of economic propositions and further provides valuable statistical data which can be utilized by developers, business owners, and local municipalities to implement one or more economic propositions.

Abstract: A neutral pressure split-septum luer access device is described for receiving a luer lock connector. The septum has a plurality of elastomeric columns projecting laterally within a chamber. Each elastomeric column is under sufficient compression so that the columns are bowed and the column strength is reduced by bowing, but the slit sealing force is high. This configuration places the lower portion of the slit in a tightly sealed configuration which is never-the-less receptive to penetration by the male luer which causes the columns to bow further and collapse precipitously with the elastomeric force of the collapsing mass of the columns being carried distally to displace and pop open the central slit distal the tip of the male luer. The septum further provides a transverse separation between the columns and a distal sealing portion so the force of the displacement force to the sealing portion is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of all symptoms of gastroparesis in a human patient, the method comprising administering to the human patient between about 0.5 mg/day to about 30 mg/day, about 0.5 mg/day to about 15 mg/day, about 0.5 mg/day to about 5 mg/day, or about 5 mg/day, of velusetrag or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Methods for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a patient are disclosed. In the methods, a patient having COPD is selected for treatment based on the patient's peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) and percent predicted force expiratory volume in one second (FEV1); and a bronchodilator is administered to the selected patient using a nebulizer. Administration of a bronchodilator to patients having low PIFR and a percent predicted FEV1 less than 50 percent using a nebulizer as the inhalation delivery device provides significantly greater improvements in trough FEV1 and trough forced vital capacity (FVC) compared to administration of a bronchodilator to such patients using a dry powder inhaler.

Abstract: A neutral pressure split-septum luer access device is described for receiving a luer lock connector. The septum has a plurality of elastomeric columns projecting laterally within a chamber. Each elastomeric column is under sufficient compression so that the columns are bowed and the column strength is reduced by bowing, but the slit sealing force is high. This configuration places the lower portion of the slit in a tightly sealed configuration which is never-the-less receptive to penetration by the male luer which causes the columns to bow further and collapse precipitously with the elastomeric force of the collapsing mass of the columns being carried distally to displace and pop open the central slit distal the tip of the male luer. The septum further provides a transverse separation between the columns and a distal sealing portion so the force of the displacement force to the sealing portion is reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for an adaptive audio system that renders reflected sound for adaptive audio systems in different ways depending on the orientation of at least one speaker in a set of speakers. A speaker of the system may comprise an integrated speaker having front-firing and upward-firing drivers, a sensor to determine the orientation of the speaker (e.g., horizontal or vertical) and a transceiver and control unit that transmits the orientation to a decoder and receives updated speaker feeds from the renderer based on the orientation.

Abstract: A method for collecting and collaborating business wishes. The collaboration website will be a tool used to provide a forum wherein users can state their wishes or desires for a business or businesses (existing or non-existing) to be built, modified or enhanced. Additionally, this website will provide users the ability to provide feedback regarding agreement or disagreement of entries by voting and entering comments on submitted business wishes. The purpose is to gain a consensus from interested parties for any given business idea to be developed or change. The votes and comments will then be analyzed and communicated to businesses owners, developers and city/county management to erect, modify or enhance businesses.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis deployment device and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments the deployment device may provide audible, tactile, or visual feedback to a practitioner as to the degree of deployment of a prosthesis. The deployment device may also provide mechanical advantage when deploying a prosthesis. The deployment device may be configured to incrementally deploy a prosthesis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for an adaptive audio system that renders reflected sound for adaptive audio systems in different ways depending on the orientation of at least one speaker in a set of speakers. A speaker of the system may comprise an integrated speaker having front-firing and upward-firing drivers, a sensor to determine the orientation of the speaker (e.g., horizontal or vertical) and a transceiver and control unit that transmits the orientation to a decoder and receives updated speaker feeds from the renderer based on the orientation.

Abstract: A urinary catheter generally includes a core lumen, a bladder retention mechanism, and a stent. The core lumen is insertable into a urethra, and defines an inlet end and an outlet end opposite the inlet end. The bladder retention mechanism is coupled to the inlet end of the core lumen for hingedly moving between a release position and a retention position. The stent is coaxially mounted on the core lumen adjacent the bladder retention mechanism, and defines a stent inlet configured to receive a fluid from the bladder, and a stent outlet configured to discharge the fluid around the core lumen and into the urethra.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed processing adaptive audio content by determining an audio type as one of channel-based audio and object-based audio for each audio segment of an adaptive audio bitstream, tagging the each audio segment with a metadata definition indicating the audio type of the corresponding audio segment, processing audio segments tagged as channel-based audio in a channel audio renderer component, and processing audio segments tagged as object-based audio in an object audio renderer component that is distinct from the channel audio renderer component. Object-based audio is rendered through an object audio renderer interface that dynamically adjusts processing block sizes of the object audio segments based on timing and alignment of metadata updates and maximum/minimum block size parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed processing adaptive audio content by determining an audio type as one of channel-based audio and object-based audio for each audio segment of an adaptive audio bitstream, tagging the each audio segment with a metadata definition indicating the audio type of the corresponding audio segment, processing audio segments tagged as channel-based audio in a channel audio renderer component, and processing audio segments tagged as object-based audio in an object audio renderer component that is distinct from the channel audio renderer component. Object-based audio is rendered through an object audio renderer interface that dynamically adjusts processing block sizes of the object audio segments based on timing and alignment of metadata updates and maximum/minimum block size parameters.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for processing low-frequency audio data are provided. A bass extraction process may involve applying low-pass filters to received audio object signals, to produce extracted low-frequency audio signals. The bass extraction process may be performed prior to a process of rendering audio objects into speaker feed signals. A bass management process may involve routing the extracted low-frequency audio signals to the one or more speakers capable of reproducing low-frequency audio signals.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis deployment device and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments the deployment device may provide audible, tactile, or visual feedback to a practitioner as to the degree of deployment of a prosthesis. The deployment device may also provide mechanical advantage when deploying a prosthesis. The deployment device may be configured to incrementally deploy a prosthesis.

Abstract: A capo for use with a guitar includes a clamp arm, a contact element and an opposing element to provide a clamping force via the contact element over the strings. A flowable material such as a fluid, gel or paste is retained in a cavity behind the contact element so that it can adjust to the curvature of the guitar and strings which otherwise vary between instruments and dependent on string gauge.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for processing low-frequency audio data are provided. A bass extraction process may involve applying low-pass filters to received audio object signals, to produce extracted low-frequency audio signals. The bass extraction process may be performed prior to a process of rendering audio objects into speaker feed signals. A bass management process may involve routing the extracted low-frequency audio signals to the one or more speakers capable of reproducing low-frequency audio signals.

Abstract: A urinary catheter generally includes a core lumen, a bladder retention mechanism, and a stent. The core lumen is insertable into a urethra, and defines an inlet end and an outlet end opposite the inlet end. The bladder retention mechanism is coupled to the inlet end of the core lumen for hingedly moving between a release position and a retention position. The stent is coaxially mounted on the core lumen adjacent the bladder retention mechanism, and defines a stent inlet configured to receive a fluid from the bladder, and a stent outlet configured to discharge the fluid around the core lumen and into the urethra.