Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for treating dysphagia related to neurological disease, and promoting deglutition. The apparatus includes a tube with inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of a standard nasogastric/enteric tube, and can be advanced over the standard nasogastric/enteric tube platform through the oropharynx and esophagus into the stomach. The apparatus sequentially stimulates muscles involved in deglutition (swallowing) to monitor and promote recovery from dysphagia. Another iteration uses a long sleeve placed circumferentially around the standard nasogastric/enteric tube. The sleeve can be inflated in the proximal portion using a bolus of air or another solution and the bolus can move down the sleeve propelled by contraction of oropharyngeal and esophageal muscles with segmentation ensured by valves or adhesions at regular intervals.

Abstract: Amino acid-containing carbonated composites of silicate-containing cementitious materials and methods of making the same, are disclosed. The carbonated composites contain polymorphs of CaCO3, that are controlled in terms of type (i.e., relative proportion) and size when compared to the same composites formed without amino acids and show improved mechanical properties. Methods of making carbonated silicate-containing cementitious materials with improved properties include supplementing a silicate-containing cementitious material with one or more amino acids prior to carbonation, in effective amounts to confer to the resulting carbonated composite material has one of the following properties when compared to composite materials cured under the same conditions in the absence of the one or more amino acids.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling microbial growth on and in medical devices and implants, especially biofilm infections, involves using pulsed electric fields (PEF). To eradicate at least a portion of a biofilm on a medical implant, for example, 1500 volts can be applied through an electrode system, with pulse duration of 50 ?s and pulse delivery frequency of 2 Hz. In the clinical setting, systemic microbial therapy can be combined with PEF to achieve a synergistic effect leading to improved eradication of infections.

Abstract: Method and system for detecting drug and/or drug metabolites in a liquid sample, such as a wastewater sample. According to one embodiment, the method involves providing a device that includes a graphene field effect transistor and a first aptamer coupled to the graphene field effect transistor in a first well, the first aptamer being selective for a first drug or drug metabolite. Next, a liquid sample is introduced to the first aptamer of the device. Next, a sweeping liquid gate voltage is applied to the device to obtain a resistance versus liquid gate voltage plot for the device. Next, the Dirac voltage shift, if any, in the liquid gate voltage plot for the device is used to determine the presence and/or quantity of the drug or drug metabolite. Additional aptamers selective for different drugs or drug metabolites of interest may also be included in other wells of the device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling microbial growth on and in medical devices and implants, especially biofilm infections, involves using pulsed electric fields (PEF). To eradicate at least a portion of a biofilm on a medical implant, for example, 1500 volts can be applied through an electrode system, with pulse duration of 50 ?s and pulse delivery frequency of 2 Hz. In the clinical setting, systemic microbial therapy can be combined with PEF to achieve a synergistic effect leading to improved eradication of infections.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and device that include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a through-hole pin-field. The pin-field includes a plurality of ground through-holes arranged along a centerline; a plurality of ground pins, each of the plurality of ground pins coupled to a corresponding ground through-hole; a first signal though-hole arranged on a first side of the centerline; a second signal through-hole arrange on a second side of the centerline, the first side oppose the second side; a first signal pin electrically connected to the PCB through the first signal through-hole, the first signal pin comprising a bend in a first direction and disposed proximate the first through-hole; and a second signal pin electrically connected to the PCB through the second signal through-hole, the second signal pin comprising a bend in a second direction opposite the first direction and disposed proximate the second through-hole.

Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment assembly for an engine system is provided. The exhaust after-treatment assembly includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a catalyst disposed within a cavity defined by the housing, and a muffler assembly disposed within the cavity downstream of the catalyst. The muffler assembly includes one or more baffle plates disposed longitudinally spaced from one another within the housing to define at least a first resonator chamber and a second resonator chamber. Each of the baffle plates defines an openings aligned to one another about a longitudinal axis of the housing. Further, a resonator tube extends through the openings of the baffle plates and includes an inlet, a perforated portion and one or more outlet ports formed in a wall of the resonator tube. The perforated portion and the outlet ports, respectively in fluid communication with the second resonator chamber and the first resonator chamber.

Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment assembly for an engine system is provided. The exhaust after-treatment assembly includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a catalyst disposed within a cavity defined by the housing, and a muffler assembly disposed within the cavity downstream of the catalyst. The muffler assembly includes one or more baffle plates disposed longitudinally spaced from one another within the housing to define at least a first resonator chamber and a second resonator chamber. Each of the baffle plates defines an openings aligned to one another about a longitudinal axis of the housing. Further, a resonator tube extends through the openings of the baffle plates and includes an inlet, a perforated portion and one or more outlet ports formed in a wall of the resonator tube. The perforated portion and the outlet ports, respectively in fluid communication with the second resonator chamber and the first resonator chamber.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a cementitious additive that contains electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and a precursor as a replacement for up to about 30% of the cement in concrete. The additive includes about 50% by weight EAFD and about 50 wgt. % of precursor. The precursor includes about 55 wgt. % silica, about 10 to 20 wgt. % lime, about 2 to 5 wgt. % soda, about 5 to 15 wgt. % potash, about 2 to 6 wgt. % alumina and about 1 to 3 wgt. % magnesia. The method also contemplates the step of homogenizing the electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and precursor to produce engineered dust (ED) and then replacing up to 30% of the cement with a mixture referred to as ED i.e. homogenized EAFD and precursor.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a cementitious additive that contains electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and a precursor as a replacement for up to about 30% of the cement in concrete. The additive includes about 50% by weight EAFD and about 50 wgt. % of precursor. The precursor includes about 55 wgt. % silica, about 10 to 20 wgt. % lime, about 2 to 5 wgt. % soda, about 5 to 15 wgt. % potash, about 2 to 6 wgt. % alumina and about 1 to 3 wgt. % magnesia. The method also contemplates the step of homogenizing the electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and precursor to produce engineered dust (ED) and then replacing up to 30% of the cement with a mixture referred to as ED i.e. homogenized EAFD and precursor.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a cementitious additive that contains electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and a precursor as a replacement for up to about 30% of the cement in concrete. The additive includes about 50% by weight EAFD and about 50 wgt. % of precursor. The precursor includes about 55 wgt. % silica, about 10 to 20 wgt. % lime, about 2 to 5 wgt. % soda, about 5 to 15 wgt. % potash, about 2 to 6 wgt. % alumina and about 1 to 3 wgt. % magnesia. The method also contemplates the step of homogenizing the electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and precursor to produce engineered dust (ED) and then replacing up to 30% of the cement with a mixture referred to as ED i.e. homogenized EAFD and precursor.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a cementitious additive that contains electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and a precursor as a replacement for up to about 30% of the cement in concrete. The additive includes about 50% by weight EAFD and about 50 wgt. % of precursor. The precursor includes about 55 wgt. % silica, about 10 to 20 wgt. % lime, about 2 to 5 wgt. % soda, about 5 to 15 wgt. % potash, about 2 to 6 wgt. % alumina and about 1 to 3 wgt. % magnesia. The method also contemplates the step of homogenizing the electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) and precursor to produce engineered dust (ED) and then replacing up to 30% of the cement with a mixture referred to as ED i.e. homogenized EAFD and precursor.

Abstract: In a call forwarding system, a call from a calling party for a called party is received at a switching device and in response to the received call the switching device issues a request for call processing instructions to a control device. The call processing instructions request is received at the control device and in response to the received request the control device checks with the destination station to determine the availability thereof. The control device returns call processing instructions to the switching device including a telephone number of the destination station if the destination station is available. Similarly, the control device returns alternative call processing instructions to the switching device if the destination station is not available.

Abstract: A method of treating mucosal inflammation associated with a pathological condition in a mammal is provided. The method comprises the step of inhibiting 5-HT signaling at a target site in order to block 5-HT7 receptor function.

Abstract: Method and System for Enabling Teller Presentation of Pre-Approved Credit Offers. Simultaneously with a teller transaction flow, pertinent customer information can be parsed and forwarded to a credit opportunity system such as may be operated by a credit bureau. If the customer qualifies, the appropriate details of the pre-approved credit offer can then returned to the teller system. The teller then has both a cue and the necessary information to sell a pre-approved product to the customer. Provisions can be made to dispose of the transaction in various ways, based on input by the teller as to the outcome of the offer to the customer. A server and other functionality disposed in a channel technology mid-tier can control the formatting and sending of offer inquiries.

Abstract: Product lifecycle management techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a request is received from a user for information relating to product lifecycle management of a product associated with an enterprise and a job function of the user within the enterprise is determined. Information that relates to the product is collected and displayed in a user interface using a format and terminology that corresponds to the determined job function.

Abstract: A method for increasing load capacity of a foundation pile installed in a ground material is described. At least one electrode is embedded in the ground material at a predetermined distance from the installed pile. A direct current power source is provided, with the power source including at least one cathode connection and at least one anode connection. One of the at least one cathode connection is secured to the foundation pile. One of the at least one anode connections is secured to each of the at least one electrodes. The direct current power source is activated to generate an electric gradient between the foundation pile and the at least one electrode, with the electric gradient being selected to direct charged soil particles in the ground material toward the foundation pile.

Abstract: A messaging system includes a messaging platform for storing a message from a calling party or transferring the calling party to a transfer station, a switching mechanism for receiving a call from the calling party to a subscriber, and a routing application at a server. The call from the calling party is connected to the messaging platform and the calling party signals to be transferred to the transfer station. In response, the messaging platform sends a transfer message to the routing application and the routing application directs the switching mechanism to disconnect the calling party from the messaging platform and connect the calling party to the transfer station.

Abstract: A messaging system includes a messaging platform for storing a message from a calling party or transferring the calling party to a transfer station, a switching mechanism for receiving a call from the calling party to a subscriber, and a routing application at a server. The call from the calling party is connected to the messaging platform and the calling party signals to be transferred to the transfer station. In response, the messaging platform sends a transfer message to the routing application and the routing application directs the switching mechanism to disconnect the calling party from the messaging platform and connect the calling party to the transfer station.

Abstract: Nucleotide analogs that can sustain the enzymatic synthesis of double-stranded nucleic acid from a nucleic template are described. The nucleotide analogs include: (i) a base selected from the group consisting of adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, uracil and their analogs; (ii) a label attached to the base or analog of the base via a cleavable linker; (iii) a deoxyribose; and (iv) one or more phosphate groups. The linker and/or the label inhibits template directed polymerase incorporation of a further nucleotide substrate onto an extended primer strand. In addition, cleavage of the linker leaves a residue attached to the base which is not present in the natural nucleotide and which does not inhibit extension of the primer strand. The nucleotide analogs can therefore be used as reversible terminators in sequencing by synthesis methods without blocking the 3? hydroxyl group. Methods of sequencing DNA using the substrates are also described.