Abstract: An aspect of the present invention enables users (belonging to a business entity) to validate support for specific activities in a customer relationship management (CRM) system before migration from earlier versions. In one embodiment, the differences between the earlier version and the later version of the CRM system are first identified. An application based on the identified differences is then implemented, with the application designed to demonstrate how activities according to the earlier version would be operative in the later version. The application is provided with an input data representing a first activity (according to the earlier version) and executed to demonstrate how the first activity would be operative in the later version of the CRM system. A user may then inspect an output (e.g., user interfaces related to the first activity) of execution of the application to validate support for the first activity.

Abstract: Customer relationship management (CRM) system for enhanced retention of customers of a business entity. In one embodiment, a historical data corresponding to a customer is maintained in the CRM system, with the historical data including information on prior interactions between the customer and the business entity. On receiving a call from the customer, the historical data is identified and an attrition risk (indicating the probability of retaining the customer) is computed based on the identified data. Different offers based on the computed attrition risk are then determined and communicated to the customer during the call.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to transdermal drug formulations, transdermal patches incorporating such formulations, as well as associated methods. The formulations can include about 0.3 wt % to about 5 wt % of a drug, such as alprazolam, about 4 wt % to about 30 wt % water, about 10 wt % to about 40 wt % glycerol, about 0.5 wt % to about 6 wt % oleyl alcohol. Other co-solvents and/or additives can be present to achieve a 100 wt % formulation.

Abstract: A distributed memory switch system for transmitting packets from source ports to destination ports, comprising: a plurality of ports including a source port and a destination port wherein a packet is transmitted from the source port to the destination port; a memory pool; and an interconnection stage coupled between the plurality of ports and the memory pool such that the interconnection stage permits a packet to be transmitted from the source port to the destination port via the memory pool.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for facial animation is provided. The method first determines an image of a user. Facial feature information for a facial region is then detected in the image. For example, a number of points around the face for a user are determined. The facial region is then normalized based on the content and the facial feature information. The normalized facial region is then animated into a series of animated facial images. These series of animated facial images may be automatically inserted in the content. Accordingly, an image of a user's face may be automatically inserted into the content from the image of the user using the above method. The content may then be played where the animated series of facial images is included in the content being played.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive solidifying formulations containing minoxidil that can be used for treating neuropathies including diabetic neuropathy. The formulation can include an amount of minoxidil, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system including at least one volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system including at least one non-volatile solvent capable of facilitating the delivery of the minoxidil at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: A distributed memory switch system for transmitting packets from source ports to destination ports, comprising: a plurality of ports including a source port and a destination port wherein a packet is transmitted from the source port to the destination port; a memory pool; and an interconnection stage coupled between the plurality of ports and the memory pool such that the interconnection stage permits a packet to be transmitted from the source port to the destination port via the memory pool.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive solid gel-forming formulations, methods of drug delivery, and solidified gel layers for dermal delivery of a drug. The formulation can include a drug, a solvent vehicle, and a gelling agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system having one or more volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system having one or more non-volatile solvent, wherein at least one non-volatile solvent is flux-enabling non-volatile solvent(s) capable of facilitating the delivery of the drug at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified gel layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated. The solidified gel layer is can be removed by either peeling or washing using a designated solvent or solvents.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive solidifying formulations for treating skin disorders, such as dermatitis or psoriasis. The formulation can include a drug, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system including at least one volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system including at least one non-volatile solvent, wherein the non-volatile solvent system is capable of facilitating the delivery of the drug at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive formulations, methods of drug delivery, and solidified layers for dermal delivery of a drug. The formulation can include a drug, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can have a volatile solvent system including at least one volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system including at least two non-volatile solvents. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive solidifying formulations for treating neuropathic pain. The formulation can include a drug suitable for treating neuropathic pain, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system including at least one volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system including at least one non-volatile solvent capable of facilitating the delivery of the drug at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive solidifying formulations, and methods for dermal delivery of a drug. The formulation can include a drug, a solvent vehicle, and a polyvinyl alcohol. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system including water and an alcohol solvent, e.g., ethanol, propanol, and/or isopropanol, and a non-volatile solvent system including at least one non-volatile solvent which is compatible with polyvinyl alcohol. The formulation is formulated such that the water to polyvinyl alcohol weight ratio is in the range of from about 4:1 to about 1:1, and water to alcohol solvent weight ratio in the range of from about 0.33:1 to about 6:1.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to formulations, methods, and solidified layers for topical delivery of an immune modulating agent for treatment of photo damaged skin. The formulation can include an immune modulating agent, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system having one or more volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system having one or more non-volatile solvent, wherein non-volatile solvent system is capable of facilitating the delivery of immune modulating agent at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive solidifying formulations, methods of drug delivery, and solidified layers for dermal delivery of a drug. The formulation can include a drug, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system comprising at least one volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system comprising at least one non-volatile solvent, wherein at least one non-volatile solvent is a flux-enabling non-volatile solvent(s) capable of facilitating the delivery of the drug at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to solidifying adhesive formulations, methods of drug delivery, and solidified layers for dermal delivery of a drug which can treat various skin infections, such as fungal, bacterial, and/or viral skin infections. The formulation can include an anti-infective drug, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system including at least one volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system including at least one non-volatile solvent. The non-volatile solvent system can facilitate the delivery of the drug at therapeutically effective rates for sustained period of time. The non-volatile solvent system can also act as a plasticizer for the solidifying agent. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive formulations and methods of drug delivery. The formulation can include a drug, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system including at least two volatile solvents, and a non-volatile solvent system including at least one non-volatile solvent, wherein at least one non-volatile solvent is capable of facilitating the delivery of the drug at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to solidifying formulations for dermal delivery of a drug for treating musculoskeletal pain, inflammation, joint pain, etc. The formulation can include a drug selected from certain drug classes, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system having one or more volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system having one or more non-volatile solvent, wherein the evaporation of at least some of the volatile solvent converts the formulation on the skin into a solidified layer and the non-volatile solvent system is capable of facilitating the topical delivery of the drug(s) at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive solidifying formulations, methods of drug delivery, and solidified layers for dermal delivery of a drug. The formulation can include a drug, a solvent vehicle, and at least two solidifying agents. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system including at least one volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system including at least one non-volatile solvent, wherein at least one non-volatile solvent is flux-enabling non-volatile solvent(s) capable of facilitating the delivery of the drug at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to adhesive solidifying formulations, methods of drug delivery, and solidified layers for topical delivery of drugs for treating alopecia. The formulation can include a drug for treating alopecia, a solvent vehicle, and a solidifying agent. The solvent vehicle can include a volatile solvent system having one or more volatile solvent, and a non-volatile solvent system having one or more non-volatile solvent which is capable of facilitating the delivery of the drug at therapeutically effective rates over a sustained period of time. The formulation can have a viscosity suitable for application to a skin surface as a layer prior to evaporation of the volatile solvents system. When applied to the skin, the formulation can form a solidified layer after at least a portion of the volatile solvent system is evaporated.

Abstract: A system and a method for performing a cost-utility analysis of pharmaceutical interventions where each pharmaceutical intervention is associated with several potential health states. The system includes a processor and a database. The database contains for each pharmaceutical intervention several utility values associated with each health state and a probability for each potential health state associated with each pharmaceutical intervention. The processor is in communication with the database and determines a mean utility value for each pharmaceutical intervention by correlating each probability associated with each pharmaceutical intervention with the utility value associated with the respective health state. The processor also compares the pharmaceutical interventions the mean utility values of the pharmaceutical interventions by decision analysis.