Abstract: A virtual assistant/chatbot to improve clinical workflow for home renal replacement therapies is disclosed herein. A virtual assistant/chatbot includes a patient-facing user interface configured to enable a patient to engage in a virtual chat session by typing, speaking, or otherwise providing information regarding a patient request or issue related to their renal replacement therapy. The virtual assistant/chatbot also includes a backend server-based system configured to provide logic to respond to a patient's requests. The logic defines a sequence of questions and answers for resolving patient queries. The sequence of assistant/chatbot questions and patient answers may be configured in a node arrangement such that certain patient answers/requests lead to additional questions for additional information from a patient.

Abstract: A virtual assistant/chatbot to improve clinical workflow for home renal replacement therapies is disclosed herein. A virtual assistant/chatbot includes a patient-facing user interface configured to enable a patient to engage in a virtual chat session by typing, speaking, or otherwise providing information regarding a patient request or issue related to their renal replacement therapy. The virtual assistant/chatbot also includes a backend server-based system configured to provide logic to respond to a patient's requests. The logic defines a sequence of questions and answers for resolving patient queries. The sequence of assistant/chatbot questions and patient answers may be configured in a node arrangement such that certain patient answers/requests lead to additional questions for additional information from a patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for peritoneal catheter placement are disclosed herein. An example method includes using a puncture device to create an access hole to a patient's peritoneal cavity. The puncture device includes a lumen that enables a guidewire to be inserted into the peritoneal cavity. The puncture device is then replaced with a catheter, which is inserted along the guidewire. A surgical seal is next applied to connect the catheter to adjacent patient muscle tissue. After the guidewire is removed, a tunneling device creates a pathway through fat tissue to anchor the catheter. An end of the tunneling device is aligned with an external piercing device to pierce the patient's skin from the outside, creating a catheter exit hole. An end of the catheter is connected to the tunneling device and pulled through the exit hole, thereby enabling the catheter to be connected to peritoneal dialysis tubing for a treatment.

Abstract: An onboard electronic system and associated method enables a player of an acoustic stringed instrument to control an electronic signal for modifying and amplifying sound while playing an instrument is described. The onboard electronic system is embedded in the tailpiece and/or the chinrest portions of the stringed instrument, and includes at least one pickup, a battery-powered amplification unit and at least one controller. The method includes steps for controlling sound amplification and tonal modification onboard an acoustic stringed instrument. The steps include sensing vibration from strings with a pickup, generating an electrical signal and transmitting the electrical signal to an amplification unit via an input cable, and modifying the electrical signal in response to one or more controllers located onboard the instrument.

Abstract: An onboard electronic system and associated method enables a player of an acoustic stringed instrument to control an electronic signal for modifying and amplifying sound while playing an instrument. The onboard electronic system is embedded in the tailpiece and/or the chinrest portions and/or shoulder-rest portion of the stringed instrument, and includes at least one pickup, a battery-powered amplification unit and at least one controller. The method includes steps for controlling sound amplification and tonal modification onboard an acoustic stringed instrument. The steps include sensing vibration from strings with a pickup, generating an electrical signal and transmitting the electrical signal to an amplification unit via an input cable, and modifying the electrical signal in response to one or more controllers located onboard the instrument.

Abstract: An onboard electronic system and associated method enables a player of an acoustic stringed instrument to control an electronic signal for modifying and amplifying sound while playing an instrument. The onboard electronic system is embedded in the tailpiece and/or the chinrest portions and/or shoulder-rest portion of the stringed instrument, and includes at least one pickup, a battery-powered amplification unit and at least one controller. The method includes steps for controlling sound amplification and tonal modification onboard an acoustic stringed instrument. The steps include sensing vibration from strings with a pickup, generating an electrical signal and transmitting the electrical signal to an amplification unit via an input cable, and modifying the electrical signal in response to one or more controllers located onboard the instrument.

Abstract: An onboard electronic system and associated method enables a player of an acoustic stringed instrument to control an electronic signal for modifying and amplifying sound while playing an instrument is described. The onboard electronic system is embedded in the tailpiece and/or the chinrest portions of the stringed instrument, and includes at least one pickup, a battery-powered amplification unit and at least one controller. The method includes steps for controlling sound amplification and tonal modification onboard an acoustic stringed instrument. The steps include sensing vibration from strings with a pickup, generating an electrical signal and transmitting the electrical signal to an amplification unit via an input cable, and modifying the electrical signal in response to one or more controllers located onboard the instrument.

Abstract: A method of predicting food items consumed by a user of a food-logging application is disclosed. Loggings of consumptions of food items are received. A predictive model is generated based on the received loggings. The predictive model generates a prediction of one or more additional food items that a target user will consume or is likely to have consumed (e.g., at a particular time). The prediction is generated based on an application of the predictive model to one or more data items (e.g., data items streaming into the system in real time from the target user or other users that are relevant to food consumptions by the target user). The prediction of the consumption of the one or more additional food items by the user may then be communicated for presentation to the target user in a user interface.

Abstract: A well system comprising at least one gas well extending from a ground surface into the ground, a water production well extending from a surface into the ground and a water drainage well fluidly connecting the at least one gas well to the water production well.

Abstract: A method of predicting food items consumed by a user of a food-logging application is disclosed. Loggings of consumptions of food items are received. A predictive model is generated based on the received loggings. The predictive model generates a prediction of one or more additional food items that a target user will consume or is likely to have consumed (e.g., at a particular time). The prediction is generated based on an application of the predictive model to one or more data items (e.g., data items streaming into the system in real time from the target user or other users that are relevant to food consumptions by the target user). The prediction of the consumption of the one or more additional food items by the user may then be communicated for presentation to the target user in a user interface.

Abstract: An animal stroke model is provided. The model is useful in the study of brain ischemia and/or reperfusion injury and in identification and testing of compounds and interventions useful in the treatment of stroke. The method is carried out in a non-human mammal, such as rat. The method of inducing ischemia and/or reperfusion injury involves exposing a portion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and temporarily occluding it at one or more distinct locations, preferably three distinct locations. The model results in highly reproducible and focal infarct sizes, with low rate of mortality during the experimental procedure.

Abstract: The present application relates to novel apocynin-lipoic acid covalent conjugates, compositions comprising these compounds and their use, in particular for the treatment of diseases, disorders or conditions that are mediated by oxidative stress. In particular, the present application includes compounds of Formula (I), and compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.

Abstract: The present application relates to novel apocynin-lipoic acid covalent conjugates, compositions comprising these compounds and their use, in particular for the treatment of diseases, disorders or conditions that are mediated by oxidative stress. In particular, the present application includes compounds of Formula (I), and compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.

Abstract: An animal stroke model is provided. The model is useful in the study of brain ischemia and/or reperfusron injury and in identification and testing of compounds and interventions useful in the treatment of stroke. The method is carried out in a non-human mammal, such as rat. The method of inducing ischemia and/or reperfusion injury involves exposing a portion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and temporarily occluding it at one or more distinct locations, preferably three distinct locations. The model results in highly reproducible and focal infarct sizes with low rate of mortality during the experimental procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of dusting coal mine surfaces, the method comprising applying stone dust particles treated with a cationic and/or zwitterionic surfactant to surfaces in the coal mine. The invention also relates to liquid formulations, coal mine dusting agents and apparatus for use in such a method.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for implementing electronic commerce transactions via a data network. A regulated item selected by a customer is identified. The regulated item may correspond to an item which satisfies predetermined criteria, indicating that the regulated item is prohibited from being purchased by the customer. Action is then taken to prohibit the purchase of the selected item, via the data network, by the customer. According to one embodiment, the action taken to prohibit the purchase of the regulated item is automatically implemented at a server system configured to implement electronic commerce transactions between an on-line merchant and the customer. According to a specific implementation, the predetermined criteria correspond to regulations which restrict sales of the regulated items to persons in a particular jurisdiction based upon certain criteria such as, for example, time of day, day of week, age of the customer, type of product being sold, etc.