Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for neuromodulation are described herein. For example, a method for modulating inflammatory processes of a subject is described. The method can include stimulating the subject's vagus nerve to activate an efferent pathway, and stimulating the subject's vagus nerve to inhibit neural activity. Pairing activation of the efferent pathway and inhibition of neural activity can enhance an anti-inflammatory response of the subject.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for neuromodulation are described herein. For example, a method for modulating inflammatory processes of a subject is described. The method can include stimulating the subject's vagus nerve to activate an efferent pathway, and stimulating the subject's vagus nerve to inhibit neural activity. Pairing activation of the efferent pathway and inhibition of neural activity can enhance an anti-inflammatory response of the subject.

Abstract: An example method for causing a perturbation of blood glucose level in a subject is described herein. The method can include selectively inhibiting neural activity of at least one of a hepatic branch of the subject's vagus nerve or the subject's greater splanchnic nerve using electrical stimulation having a frequency greater than about 5 kHz. The selective inhibition of neural activity causes the subject's blood glucose level to increase or decrease as compared to a baseline level.

Abstract: An example method for causing a perturbation of blood glucose level in a subject is described herein. The method can include selectively inhibiting neural activity of at least one of a hepatic branch of the subject's vagus nerve or the subject's greater splanchnic nerve using electrical stimulation having a frequency greater than about 5 kHz. The selective inhibition of neural activity causes the subject's blood glucose level to increase or decrease as compared to a baseline level.

Abstract: A method of selectively blocking a portion of a nerve signal is disclosed. The method may include the step of providing an electrode around a subject's peripheral nerve and connecting the electrode to a stimulator. The stimulator may then energize the electrode with a continuous periodic waveform of at least 50 kHz. This energization of the electrode can result in the selective block of one of: 1) a fast portion of a nerve signal having a conduction velocity greater than 2 m/s, and 2) a slow portion of the nerve signal having a conduction velocity less than 2 m/s. A method according to the present disclosure may allow the non-blocked portion of the nerve signal to be conducted substantially unimpeded.

Abstract: Fire-suppression devices to protect structures from fire damage comprising a fibrous matrix and a fire-retardant composition applied to that matrix. The fire suppression device may be applied to a wooden structure to render at least a portion of that wooden structure resistant to fire.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rheology control agent for coating compositions. The rheology control agent includes a compound having the Formula (II) including isomers or mixtures of isomers thereof: wherein R, R9, R10, m and n are described in the specification. The coating compositions containing the rheology control agent have improved rheology control on application and are useful for OEM, refinishing or repainting the exterior of automobile and truck bodies and parts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a coating composition containing a rheology control agent having improved rheology control particularly in low VOC solvent-borne coating compositions and water-borne coating compositions useful for OEM refinishing or repainting the exterior of automobile and truck bodies and parts thereof; the rheology control agent used in the coating composition comprises the following compound represented by the following formula wherein A, B, C and D equal CH2, CHR, NH, or O, and A, B, C and D may be the same or different and at least one of A and B equals NH and at least one of C and D equals NH; and wherein R1, R2, and R3 are described in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rheology control agent for coating compositions. The rheology control agent includes a compound having the Formula (I) including isomers or mixtures of isomers thereof: wherein p is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and R2, R3, R4, X and Y groups are described in the specification. The solvent-borne coating compositions containing the rheology control agent have improved rheology control on application and are useful for OEM, refinishing or repainting the exterior of automobile and truck bodies and parts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a rheology control agent that includes a following compound represented by the following formula: wherein A, B, C and D equal CH2, CHR, NH, or O, and A, B, C and D may be the same or different and at least one of A and B equals NH and at least one of C and D equals NH; and wherein R1, R2, and R3 may be the same or different and represent a linear, branched, hyper-branched, or dendritic ether, polyether or hydrocarbon based chain, optionally forming at least one carbon-based ring, being saturated or unsaturated and R2 represents linear or branched alkylenes, ethers, polyethers, or polyester linkages and at least one of R1, R2, and R3 comprises an ester group or an amide group which is branched off from the main chain; excluded from Formula (1) is a compound wherein R2 is CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH(C(O)OCH3), A, B, C, and D are equal to NH and R1 and R3 are both equal to a linear octyl hydrocarbon chain; the rheology control agent is suitable for solvent-borne and water-borne coa

Abstract: This invention relates to rapid drying lacquers that are particularly useful for automotive OEM refinish applications. The lacquer includes a novel graft copolymer with segmented (or block) arms as a replacement material for all or part of the cellulose acetate butyrate binder component. This invention is also directed to a process for producing coatings from the rapid drying lacquers. These lacquers are especially useful in providing chip and humidity resistant coatings, especially metallic effect coatings, having excellent adhesion and down flop or metallic effect.