Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.

Abstract: One variation of a method for communicating state, intent, and context of an autonomous vehicle includes: at a first time, displaying a first icon representing a current state of a vehicle on a rear-facing visual display arranged on the vehicle; navigating toward an intersection; at a second time, detecting a state of the intersection ahead of the vehicle; rendering a second icon representing the state of the intersection at the second time on the rear-facing visual display; detecting a change in the state of the intersection at a third time succeeding the second time; selecting a next navigation action for the vehicle responsive to the change in the state of the intersection at the third time; prior to executing the next navigation action, rendering a third icon representing the next navigation action on the rear-facing visual display; and autonomously executing the next navigation action.

Abstract: A composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one alkaloid combined with one or more non-alkaloid components, wherein the composition is configured to be administered to a subject.

Abstract: A dialogue management system applies hierarchical classifiers and other natural language processing to dialogue input, and determines whether performance of an action is likely to occur. The dialogue management system may process dialogue input to assess a dialogue participant's current position in various hierarchies or other classification schemes associated with performance of a desired action. The system may then present results of the assessment to another dialogue participant or provide the results to another system. In some embodiments, the dialogue management system may automatically generate responses or questions designed to engage a dialogue participant and cause the participant to progress through the levels of a hierarchy toward performance of a desired action.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides certain amino acid derivatives that inhibit NF-kB activation and are therefore useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and processes for preparing such compounds.

Abstract: A dialogue management system applies hierarchical classifiers and other natural language processing to dialogue input, and determines whether performance of an action is likely to occur. The dialogue management system may process dialogue input to assess a dialogue participant's current position in various hierarchies or other classification schemes associated with performance of a desired action. The system may then present results of the assessment to another dialogue participant or provide the results to another system. In some embodiments, the dialogue management system may automatically generate responses or questions designed to engage a dialogue participant and cause the participant to progress through the levels of a hierarchy toward performance of a desired action.

Abstract: A dialogue management system applies hierarchical classifiers and other natural language processing to dialogue input, and determines whether performance of an action is likely to occur. The dialogue management system may process dialogue input to assess a dialogue participant's current position in various hierarchies or other classification schemes associated with performance of a desired action. The system may then present results of the assessment to another dialogue participant or provide the results to another system. In some embodiments, the dialogue management system may automatically generate responses or questions designed to engage a dialogue participant and cause the participant to progress through the levels of a hierarchy toward performance of a desired action.

Abstract: A composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one alkaloid combined with one or more non-alkaloid components, wherein the composition is configured to be administered to a subject.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an isolated form of a compound of Formula I or IA (e.g., anatabine or S-(?)-anatabine) or a salt thereof can be used to treat disorders comprising an inflammatory component, including chronic, low-level inflammation. Compounds of Formula I also can be provided, for example, in other vehicles such as beverage products and consumer products such as lotions and creams.

Abstract: A device for removing moisture from a gas includes an elongated vessel having a gas outlet at a first end, a moisture outlet at a second end and a gas inlet located between the gas outlet and the moisture outlet. The elongated vessel has a first gas flow modifier and a second gas flow modifier each for causing deviation of the flow of gas within the elongated vessel from a flow path extending directly between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The first gas flow modifier is an angled baffle plate extending partly across the elongated vessel for directing the gas flow from the elongated vessel in a direction towards the moisture outlet. The second gas flow modifier has plates extending across the elongated vessel with each plate having elongated slots extending in the same orientation as the elongated slots of one plate extending in a direction rotated 90° from at least one other plate of the second gas flow modifier.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is disclosed which is a combination of a non-elastomeric polyolefin and two different non-crosslinked elastomers and optional softening oil. The TPE can be used as an outer layer on at least a portion of the outer surface of a co-extruded, blow-molded polyolefin plastic article to provide a “soft touch” gripping surface on the article.

Abstract: A device for removing moisture from a gas includes an elongated vessel having a gas outlet at a first end, a moisture outlet at a second end and a gas inlet located between the gas outlet and the moisture outlet. The elongated vessel includes first and second gas flow modifying elements for causing deviation of the flow of gas within the vessel from a flow path extending directly between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The first gas flow modifying element is in the form of a plate extending partly across the vessel and arranged to direct the gas flow from the vessel in a direction towards the moisture outlet.

Abstract: A valve having a fluid block and bleed functions, includes an inlet part, an outlet part, a blocking part and a bleed part with at least one of the blocking and bleed parts being able to be removably connected to a remainder portion of the valve. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, at least one of the inlet and outlet parts includes a removable flange portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing A? deposition, A? neurotoxicity and microgliosis in an animal or human afflicted with a cerebral amyloidogenic disease, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), by administering therapeutically effective amounts of the (R)-enantiomer of the dihydropyridine compound nilvadipine, also known as (?)-nilvadipine, to the animal or human. Further provided are methods for reducing the risk of A? deposition, A? neurotoxicity and microgliosis in animals or humans suffering from traumatic brain injury by administering (?)-nilvadipine after the traumatic brain injury and continuing treatment for a prescribed period of time thereafter.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing A? deposition, A? neurotoxicity and microgliosis in an animal or human afflicted with a cerebral amyloidogenic disease, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), by administering therapeutically effective amounts of the (R)-enantiomer of the dihydropyridine compound nilvadipine, also known as (?)-nilvadipine, to the animal or human. Further provided are methods for reducing the risk of A? deposition, A? neurotoxicity and microgliosis in animals or humans suffering from traumatic brain injury by administering (?)-nilvadipine after the traumatic brain injury and continuing treatment for a prescribed period of time thereafter.

Abstract: Provided are A? peptide fragments that are useful in inhibiting angiogenesis. Also provided are methods for the treatment of pathological or unwanted angiogenesis and conditions and diseases associated therewith by administering an effective amount of an A? fragment. In a particular embodiment, the peptide fragment includes the sequence HHQKLVFF.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is disclosed which is a combination of a non-elastomeric polyolefin and two different non-crosslinked elastomers and optional softening oil. The TPE can be used as an outer layer on at least a portion of the outer surface of a co-extruded, blow-molded polyolefin plastic article to provide a “soft touch” gripping surface on the article.

Abstract: Provided are compounds useful for treating diseases associated with a cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid, such as Alzheimer's disease. Also provided are methods for screening for such compounds, by measuring capacitative calcium entry in cells which optionally overexpress APP or a fragment thereof. Also provided are methods of treating or reducing the risk of developing ?-amyloid production, ?-amyloid deposition, ?-amyloid neurotoxicity (including abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau) and microgliosis associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid by administering therapeutically effective amounts of compounds which decrease ?-amyloid production and capacitative calcium entry in cells. Further provided are methods for diagnosing diseases associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid in animals or humans by administering diagnostically effective amounts of compounds which inhibit capacitative calcium entry in cells.

Abstract: Provided are compounds useful for treating diseases associated with a cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid, such as Alzheimer's disease. Also provided are methods for screening for such compounds, by measuring capacitative calcium entry in cells which optionally overexpress APP or a fragment thereof. Also provided are methods of treating or reducing the risk of developing ?-amyloid production, ?-amyloid deposition, ?-amyloid neurotoxicity (including abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau) and microgliosis associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid by administering therapeutically effective amounts of compounds which decrease ?-amyloid production and capacitative calcium entry in cells. Further provided are methods for diagnosing diseases associated with cerebral accumulation of Alzheimer's amyloid in animals or humans by administering diagnostically effective amounts of compounds which inhibit capacitative calcium entry in cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing A? deposition, A? neurotoxicity and microgliosis in an animal or human afflicted with a cerebral amyloidogenic disease, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), by administering therapeutically effective amounts of the (R)-enantiomer of the dihydropyridine compound nilvadipine, also known as (?)-nilvadipine, to the animal or human. Further provided are methods for reducing the risk of A? deposition, A? neurotoxicity and microgliosis in animals or humans suffering from traumatic brain injury by administering (?)-nilvadipine after the traumatic brain injury and continuing treatment for a prescribed period of time thereafter.