Award Data

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We have recently demonstrated that alpha-hemolysin produced by S. aureus plays a key role in the pathogenesis of staphylococcal pneumonia, and identified beta-cyclodextrin derivatives that potently inhibit the cytotoxic effects of this secreted bacterial toxin. The overall goal of this feasibility study is to examine the ability of these inhibitors to provide i ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The results from our SBIR Phase II project demonstrated that ?-cyclodextrin derivatives designed to block the transmembrane channel formed by B. anthracis protective antigen can inhibit the cytotoxic effects of anthrax toxin at low- and sub-micromolar concentrations. Several compounds were tested in vivo and showed effective protection in rats challenged with l ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Cells and Surveys report (National Research Council 2000) reports that collecting biological information dramatically improves the value of household surveys by adding a rich dataset of information to longitudinal databases that is not collected today. In fact, since the Cells and Surveys report the collection of biological data and performance measures (in ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term objective of the work proposed here is to develop and demonstrate Random Hand Hygiene Prompts (RHHP). RHHP is a device that 1) plays computer generated voice messages over loudspeakers at a hospital nursing station and 2) records hand hygiene events with soap and with sanitizer there. RHHP's voice messages play at random times and encourage health ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall goal of this multi-phase SBIR research effort is to develop a handheld fall risk assessment instrument for use by health and elder care providers. Falls occur in up to 30% of those over the age of 65 and up to 40% for people over the age of 80. Falls place each individual at risk for dangerous closed head injury and long bone fractures. The mortalit ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recent advances in the size and performance of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)-based inertial instruments enable the development of a balance prosthesis to provide feedback regarding head orientation to patients with chronic balance dysfunction. There is a need for balance prostheses to assist patients with such chronic balance disorders, as well for dev ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This SBIR Phase I application addresses the development of an integrated, multi-purpose Sleep and Physical Activity Recording and Technical Analysis (SPARTA) system that can be used to independently assess both sleep (duration, quality, and timing) and physical activity (duration, frequency, intensity, and timing). As an objective monitor for the study of sleep ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB) is common in children and is now recognized as having substantial neurocognitive, neurobehavioral, and cardiovascular consequences. There are major limitations in diagnosing OSDB in children, who often do not have discrete apneas or hypopneas that can be diagnosed by measurement of airflow. Instead, children often h ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The majority of elders prefer to lead an independent lifestyle, with a minimum of caregiver intervention. Many seniors, however, are frail and suffer from imbalance as a result of their health status; they are at risk for falls and would benefit from having some type of safety net in place. Studies have shown that half of elderly fallers have problems getting ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary long-term goal of this project is to develop a useful, practical, valid, and reliable tool to improve the quality of life (QOL) of people in dementia care settings. Specific objectives of the Phase II project include developing and evaluating user-friendly software and procedures on the iPod Touch Platform to collect and manage QOL data and produce ...