Abstract: A hand and animal leash cover includes a reversibly attachable, flexible, shape-retaining cover configured to surround an individual's hand while holding a leash retracting device. The cover includes a first opening for a human hand, dimensioned so that a user can grip the handle of a retractable leash and operate its features. The cover is at least semi-rigid so that it maintains its shape, which facilitates easy engagement and disengagement of a person's hand when grasping the retractable leash device. A strap is configured to wrap around a distal portion of a retractable leash to hold the cover to the leash. Preferred covers have an insulation layer encircling the interior of each cover end, leaving an interior portion free of insulation to facilitate the operation of the leash.

Abstract: A driving assistance system and method is provided that includes a plurality of magnetic markers having a magnet component configured to generate a magnetic field on a road surface, together with a pavement marking material that includes a RFID tag that is readable by a RFID tag reader. The pavement marking material includes encoded information that is conveyed to a vehicle's on-board sensing system that is adapted to obtain data through wireless communications. The magnetic markers are conformable, polymeric materials having viscoelastic properties such that vehicles having magnetic sensors can detect magnetic fields from the magnetic markers when positioned on a road surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for cleaning the light scattering film (LSF) from the surface of a windshield in a vehicle, and more particularly, is directed to a magnetically associated cleaning element that is moved across the interior surface of a windshield by an interactive magnetic force transmitted through the windshield, with magnets associated with the wiper assembly on the other side of the glass.

Abstract: A method and system to prevent sore throat infections in humans includes the administration of an active ingredient to a site on the mucus membranes of the throat of a human that inhibits adherence and promotes desorption of S. pyogenes to soft tissue surfaces, such as the pharyngeal and oral mucosa of a human. A mucoadhesive strip having a surface topography that resists bioadhesion of undesired bacteria that are typically present in a human's mouth is preferably employed and that has one or more encapsulated agents selected from the group consisting of an antibiotic; lactic acid bacteria; S. pyogenes modified by a CRISPR-Cas system to reduce one or more virulence factors; and a breath mint solution.

Abstract: A driving assistance system and method is provided that includes a plurality of magnetic markers having a magnet component configured to generate a magnetic field on a road surface, together with a pavement marking material that includes a RFID tag that is readable by a RFID tag reader. The pavement marking material includes encoded information that is conveyed to a vehicle's on-board sensing system that is adapted to obtain data through wireless communications. The magnetic markers are conformable, polymeric materials having viscoelastic properties such that vehicles having magnetic sensors can detect magnetic fields from the magnetic markers when positioned on a road surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a layer of sediment which has settled on the bottom of a large water body includes using a structural frame configured to contain a bottom water flow and for containing liquid and suspended particles dispersed during removal of bottom sediment in a suctioning area that is at least about 3 square feet, up to and including 8 square feet, that has support elements and/or silt containing elements, with a plurality of supporting wheels. A sediment removing vacuum unit is operably associated with the structural frame to conduct suctioned bottom water flow through suction lines to a filtering station outside of the water body, such that the water can then be returned to the large water body.

Abstract: A hand and animal leash cover includes a reversibly attachable, flexible, shape-retaining cover configured to surround an individual's hand while holding a leash retracting device. The cover includes a first opening for a human hand, dimensioned so that a user can grip the handle of a retractable leash and operate its features. The cover is at least semi-rigid so that it maintains its shape, which facilitates easy engagement and disengagement of a person's hand when grasping the retractable leash device. A strap is configured to wrap around a distal portion of a retractable leash to hold the cover to the leash. Preferred covers have an insulation layer encircling the interior of each cover end, leaving an interior portion free of insulation to facilitate the operation of the leash.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure having a shaft with a flexible portion that extends distally from a handle portion and an actuatable tool head assembly that includes a sharp cutting implement at its other end. The handle portion includes an actuatable trigger operatively connected to a pull member such that actuation of the trigger moves the pull member and selectively positions the actuatable tool head assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a layer of sediment which has settled on the bottom of a large water body includes using a structural frame configured to contain a bottom water flow and for containing liquid and suspended particles dispersed during removal of bottom sediment in a suctioning area that is at least about 3 square feet, up to and including 8 square feet, that has support elements and/or silt containing elements, with a plurality of supporting wheels. A sediment removing vacuum unit is operably associated with the structural frame to conduct suctioned bottom water flow through suction lines to a filtering station outside of the water body, such that the water can then be returned to the large water body.

Abstract: A hand and animal leash cover includes a reversibly attachable, flexible, shape-retaining shell configured to surround an individual's hand while holding a leash retracting device. The shell includes a first opening for a human hand, dimensioned so that a user can grip the handle of a retractable leash and operate its features. The shell is at least semi-rigid so that it maintains its shape, which facilitates easy engagement and disengagement of a person's hand when grasping the retractable leash device. A strap is configured to wrap around a distal portion of a retractable to hold the cover to the leash. Preferred covers have fur encircling the interior of each cover end, leaving an interior portion free of fur to facilitate the operation of the leash.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to the field of treating and preventing osteoporosis, with particular embodiments directed to a method of ameliorating, treating, or preventing osteoporosis in a human subject employing tomatidine, xylitol, rapamycin, etc., as well as modifying an individual's microbiome to reduce the likelihood of osteoporosis.

Abstract: A driving assistance system and method is provided that includes a plurality of magnetic markers having a magnet component configured to generate a magnetic field on a road surface, together with a pavement marking material that includes a RFID tag that is readable by a RFID tag reader. The pavement marking material includes encoded information that is conveyed to a vehicle's on-board sensing system that is adapted to obtain data through wireless communications. The magnetic markers are conformable, polymeric materials having viscoelastic properties such that vehicles having magnetic sensors can detect magnetic fields from the magnetic markers when positioned on a road surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure having a shaft with a flexible portion that extends distally from a handle portion and an actuatable tool head assembly that includes a sharp cutting implement at its other end. The handle portion includes an actuatable trigger operatively connected to a pull member such that actuation of the trigger moves the pull member and selectively positions the actuatable tool head assembly.

Abstract: An improved design for a helmet to reduce injuries caused by helmet-to-helmet collisions. Certain embodiments include novel quick release features that permit the detachment of a facemask from a helmet in 30 seconds or less so as to attend to an injured player in a rapid fashion. Other aspects relate to impact energy absorbing constructions employing an inner layer, an outer layer spaced apart from the inner padding layer, at least one layer that includes an array of polygonal structures, and at least one layer having a shock-absorbing elastomer, a visco-elastic polymer, an impact dispersing gel, or shape memory material. Still other embodiments include a wireless device with a sensor module coupled to the football helmet generating sensor data in response to an impact to the football helmet.

Abstract: Compositions, systems and methods of improving the health of the microbiome of an individual's skin relate to the provision of skin contacting formulations containing beneficial bacteria and other microbe components to foster the growth and maintenance of a healthy skin microbiome. Certain embodiments include methods of treatment for acne and other skin disorders involving the use of probiotics, as well as the use of bacteria engineered via CRISPR systems for the treatment of specific skin disorders.

Abstract: A method to reduce the likelihood of a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome in an individual employing a probiotic method and composition for maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome, with particular embodiments including a bacterial formulation of three distinct species of Lactobacillus crispatus bacteria. In certain embodiments, the bacterial formulation is administered to an individual's vagina in an amount sufficient for the bacterial formulation to generate an amount of tryptophan metabolites sufficient to act as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonists, thereby reducing inflammation in the individual's vagina.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to beneficially directing the bidirectional communication that exists between the brain and the gut so as to influence brain physiology, psychological responses and ultimately behavior in a positive manner by regulating an individual's mood, psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression and stress-related changes in brain function, by modifying the gut microbiome of an individual. In various embodiments, an individual's microbiome is modified in a manner to reduce the likelihood of stress, to reduce or treat symptoms affecting mental health and to promote the mental health of the individual. In certain embodiments, administration to an individual of at least three different bacteria species are combined to modify an individual's microbiome, selected from the group of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Coprococcus, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, L.

Abstract: A method and system of reducing the likelihood of a Porphyrmonas gingivalis infection in a human being includes the use of an anti-biofilm agent, compounds that facilitate the growth of desired bacteria beneficial to a person's health, and compositions that reduce the growth of Porphyrmonas gingivalis bacteria, thereby reducing the virulence factor gingipain. In other embodiments, the likelihood that a subject will suffer from neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease, is reduced by administering, via local gingival application to a subject that has been diagnosed with periodontitis, an effective amount of a composition to reduce Porphyrmonas gingivalis bacteria residing on the subgingival tooth area of the subject. Methods involve the targeting of the microbiome of an individual to promote health and to treat inflammatory diseases, including specifically neurodegenerative diseases, by the modification of an individual's oral microbiome and effective management of oral health care.

Abstract: A hand and animal leash cover includes a reversibly attachable, flexible, shape-retaining shell configured to surround an individual's hand while holding a leash retracting device. The shell includes a first opening for a human hand, dimensioned so that a user can grip the handle of a retractable leash and operate its features. The shell is at least semi-rigid so that it maintains its shape, which facilitates easy engagement and disengagement of a person's hand when grasping the retractable leash device. A strap is configured to wrap around a distal portion of a retractable to hold the cover to the leash. Preferred covers have fur encircling the interior of each cover end, leaving an interior portion free of fur to facilitate the operation of the leash.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing beneficial bacteria populations in a subject's oral cavity and decreasing pathogenic bacteria to address a variety of diseases and conditions, thereby enhancing a person's oral and overall health, including through the use of oral strips that adhere to surfaces in the oral cavity and that include at least one of xylitol, Lachnospira, Veillonella, Faecalibacterium and/or Rothia bacteria, including bacteria transformed via a CRISPR system. Certain embodiments employ light to modify oral cavity bacterial populations, including the use of bioluminescent oral strips that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and decrease pathogenic bacteria populations.