Abstract: A method of delivering an oligonucleotide or a plasmid expressing an oligonucleotide into a target cell comprises introducing an oligonucleotide into a donor cell, particularly a stem cell, and contacting the target cell with the donor cell under conditions permitting the donor cell to form a gap junction with the target cell, whereby the oligonucleotide or a product of the oligonucleotide is delivered into the target cell from the donor cell.

Abstract: A method of increasing the velocity of AV conduction in a mammal that may be in heart block or at risk of heart block by causing, in an AV node and/or His bundle having less than normal conduction speed, the expression of a sodium channel or gap junction protein, such as the SkM-1 channel, Cx43 or Cx32, so as to increase the velocity of conduction by the AV node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated detection of mobile phone usage by drivers of vehicles includes at least one mobile phone signal receiving device, at least one image capturing device, at least one infrared illuminator and at least one computer. The mobile phone signal receiving device is operative to detect a mobile phone signal transmitted from a vehicle. The at least one image capturing device is operative to capture infrared light reflected off of the driver of the vehicle. The at least one computer is operative to store, in a storage device, information associated with at least one of the mobile phone signals transmitted from the vehicle and the at least one image of the vehicle. The information stored in the storage device may be used to determine if a person associated with the vehicle should be prosecuted for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated detection of mobile telephone usage by drivers of vehicles is provided. The apparatus may include a detection system comprising at least one mobile phone signal receiving device, at least one image capturing device, and at least one computer. The mobile phone signal receiving device is operative to detect a mobile phone signal transmitted from a vehicle. The at least one image capturing device is operative to capture at least one image of the vehicle. The at least one computer is operative to store in a storage device, information associated with at least one of the mobile phone signal transmitted from the vehicle; and the at least one image of the vehicle. The information stored in the storage device may be used to determine if a person associated with the vehicle should be prosecuted for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving the vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile phone detection and interruption system and method are provided. The system is operative to transmit different blocking signals capable of degrading or blocking mobile phone communication in a vehicle responsive to a velocity of the vehicle reaching different pre-configured velocity levels.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing baffle vibration includes a baffle that is subject to vibration. A first transducer that is seated in the baffle includes a first diaphragm that is acoustically coupled to a listening area in a vehicle and also acoustically coupled to a cavity in the vehicle. A first input signal applied to the first transducer causes the first diaphragm to move in a first direction, thereby generating an acoustic output. A second transducer is mechanically coupled to the first transducer. The second transducer includes a second diaphragm that is acoustically coupled to the first diaphragm and also acoustically coupled to the listening area. A second input signal applied to the second transducer causes the second diaphragm to move in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction to reduce a vibration imparted to the baffle while substantially maintaining the acoustic output.

Abstract: Control devices and kits of components of control devices are provided. The subject invention also provides systems for designing control devices and/or kits of components of control devices. A system user can provide data about an end user to an expert system via a user interface, and the expert system can use the data and a method for selecting appropriate components to design a control device and/or kit. The control device can be a self-referenced control device and can include a controller and a wearable interface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices and methods for assisting individuals with poor extremity function (i.e., upper extremity function) to control devices. In one embodiment, a powered device is provided that comprises a controller and an orthosis communicably connected to the controller. An orthosis includes a harness worn by a user on a body part and a force sensing transducer positioned between the harness and the body part, wherein force applied to the transducer by the body part is communicated to the controller for controlling movement of the powered device. A method for controlling a device having a controller includes attaching a harness to a user's body part and applying a force by the body part onto a force sensing transducer positioned between the harness and the body part, wherein the force is communicated to the controller for controlling the device.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for controlling a surround sound system having multiple input signals and multiple spatially diverse transducers may include defining a first control region and a second control region. When operating in the first control region, a first set of functions is performed. For example, for each of the spatially diverse transducers, an input signal may be selected, a relative strength of the selected input signal may be adjusted, and the adjusted input signal may be applied to the transducer. When operating in the second control region, a second set of functions is performed. For example, for each of the spatially diverse transducers, two or more input signals may be selected, a relative strength of the selected input signals may be adjusted, the adjusted input signals may be mixed, and the mixed input signals may be applied to the transducer.

Abstract: A VOIP service and method is provided which comprises an redirecting dialer device (RDD), which connects a telephone to a POTS circuit. Responsive to DTMF signals from the telephone representative of a long telephone distance number, the RDD intercept the DTMF signals and transits alternative DTMF signals representative of an alternative telephone number of a PSTN/VOIP gateway server. Once connected to the PSTN/VOIP gateway server, the RDD then transmits the DTMF signals associated with the original long distance number. The VOIP gateway server is operative to convert the analog signals from the telephone into digital and packetized VOIP data which is transmitted through a public or private IP-based network to a remote telecommunication device associated with the original long distance telephone number. If the DTMF signals from the telephone are representative of a local telephone number, the RDD is operative to forgo transmitting the alternative DTMF signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated detection of mobile telephone usage by drivers of vehicles is provided. The apparatus may include a detection system comprising at least one mobile phone signal receiving device, at least one image capturing device, and at least one computer. The mobile phone signal receiving device is operative to detect a mobile phone signal transmitted from a vehicle. The at least one image capturing device is operative to capture at least one image of the vehicle. The at least one computer is operative to store in a storage device, information associated with at least one of the mobile phone signal transmitted from the vehicle; and the at least one image of the vehicle. The information stored in the storage device may be used to determine if a person associated with the vehicle should be prosecuted for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving the vehicle.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for a vehicle is described. The transducer assembly includes an enclosure formed from an interior component of the vehicle. The enclosure includes a front section defining an aperture and a rear section defining a volume. The assembly also includes a baffle that is located within a periphery of the aperture so as to form a port between the baffle and the enclosure. A transducer is mechanically coupled to the baffle.

Abstract: A method of delivering an oligonucleotide or a plasmid expressing an oligonucleotide into a target cell comprises introducing an oligonucleotide into a donor cell, particularly a stem cell, and contacting the target cell with the donor cell under conditions permitting the donor cell to form a gap junction with the target cell, whereby the oligonucleotide or a product of the oligonucleotide is delivered into the target cell from the donor cell.

Abstract: This invention provides a chimeric hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) polypeptide comprising portions of more than one type of HCN channel. The invention also provides methods of treating a subject afflicted with a cardiac rhythm disorder comprising expression of the chimeric HCN polypeptide in a selected region of the heart so as to induce a pacemaker current in the heart and thereby treat the subject.

Abstract: An audio system including a first audio source, including a surround channel signal, coupled to an electroacoustical transducer mounted in the back of a seat of, for example, an automobile, so that the surround channel is radiated from the electroacoustical transducer. In one embodiment, the electroacoustical transducer is oriented to radiate substantially upwardly.

Abstract: An audio system including a first audio source, including a surround channel signal, coupled to an electroacoustical transducer mounted in the back of a seat of, for example, an automobile, so that the surround channel is radiated from the electroacoustical transducer. In one embodiment, the electroacoustical transducer is oriented to radiate substantially upwardly.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject afflicted with a cardiac disorder, in vivo, comprising (i) producing a solution comprising media conditioned from the culture of cells, in vitro, and (ii) administering the solution of step (i) to the subject, thereby treating the cardiac disorder in the subject. Methods for determining whether an agent stimulates or inhibits myocyte proliferation.

Abstract: This invention provides a bypass bridge comprising a tract of gap junction-coupled cells having a first end and a second end, both ends capable of being attached to two selected sites in a heart so as to allow the conduction of a pacemaker and/or electrical signal/current across the tract between the two sites, wherein the cells functionally express a sodium channel. The invention also provides related methods of making the bypass bridge, methods of implanting same in a heart, and methods of treating a disorder associated with an impaired conduction in a subject's heart.

Abstract: This invention provides for a chamber and system designed for use in assaying drug effects on heart rate. The chamber consists of a series of wells, each 3 mm by 3 mm in inner diameter. Cardiac myocytes disaggregated from neonatal animals are plated onto the bottom of each well and grown under standard tissue culture conditions. The chamber holds from 24-96 such wells. When drugs are to be assayed, the cells in each well are loaded with a calcium sensitive dye and the beating rate in each is monitored with a photodiode. Drug is added in graded concentrations to each well, and equilibrated and effects on rate are observed. This construct permits use of a cell based bioassay for the study of drugs or agents that may alter cardiac rate. This invention can be used in high throughput screening of drugs to evaluate/predict their effects on cardiac rate and rhythm. Further provided for by this invention is a A vector which comprises a compound which encode an ion channel.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject afflicted with a cardiac disorder, in vivo, comprising (i) producing a solution comprising media conditioned from the culture of cells, in vitro, and (ii) administering the solution of step (i) to the subject, thereby treating the cardiac disorder in the subject. Methods for determining whether an agent stimulates or inhibits myocyte proliferation.