Abstract: A laser scanning imaging system and method for obtaining an extended-depth-of-field image of a volume of a sample are provided. The system includes a laser module generating an input laser beam, a beam shaping module including an axicon and a Fourier-transform lens, and an imaging module including an objective lens and a detecting assembly. The axicon, Fourier-transform lens and objective lens are formed and disposed to successively convert the input laser beam into an intermediate non-diffracting beam, an intermediate annular beam, and an excitation non-diffracting beam. The excitation beam is projected onto the sample and has a depth of field and transverse resolution together defining a three-dimensional excitation region. The detecting assembly collects electromagnetic radiation from the excitation region to obtain one pixel of the extended-depth-of-field image.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a redundant control system includes first and second control systems, having first and second clutches, and a shared clutch system. The shared clutch system may include a shared shaft configured to receive mechanical energy from a shared power source, a first shared clutch corresponding to the first clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft, and a second shared clutch corresponding to the second clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft. A first linkage provides mechanical communication between an output of the first clutch, an output of the first shared clutch, and a first output device in mechanical communication with the rotor system. A second linkage provides mechanical communication between an output of the second clutch, an output of the second shared clutch, and a second output device in mechanical communication with the rotor system.

Abstract: This application relates to a serum-free culture medium that enables the proliferation of cell of the myogenic lineage while maintaining their ability to differentiate into functional muscle cells. Also contemplated herewith are method of culturing cells of the myogenic lineages and uses of the cultured cells for the treatment or the alleviation of symptoms of a muscular deficiencies.

Abstract: Intensity standardization of MRI data sets aims at correcting scanner-dependent intensity variations. An automatic technique, called STI, which shares the simplicity and robustness of histogram-matching techniques, but also incorporates tissue spatial intensity information, has been discovered. The method comprises registering a medical image to a standard image; applying one or more masks to the medical and standard images for isolating certain specific image components; determining the most common intensity data pair between the medical and standard images for each isolated image component; calculating a formula that joins the most common intensity data pair of each image component; and interpolating an intensity data adjustment using the formula and applying it to the medical image data to generate a standardized version of the medical image.

Abstract: A movement system includes a rail, a trolley, and a braking system. The trolley is movably attached to the rail and configured to support the payload. The braking system is operatively attached to the rail. The braking system includes a braking module having a base, operatively attached to the trolley, and a wheel assembly, operatively attached to the base. The wheel assembly has a shaft, a clutch, and a braking wheel. The clutch is rigidly attached to the shaft and configured for rotation with the shaft about the rolling axis. The braking wheel axially surrounds the clutch and is in continuous rolling contact with a surface of the rail. The clutch is configured to selectively allow rotation of the braking wheel relative to the shaft in only one direction of rotation to decelerate movement of the trolley along the rail.

Abstract: The present invention features compounds having the Formula (Ia) and (Ib) (e.g., a compound of any of Formulas ((Ia-2)-(Ia-21)), including other tautomers, stereoisomers, E/Z stereoisomers, prodrugs, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and compositions thereof. The invention also features methods for treating or preventing pain (e.g., neuropathic pain), inflammation, or epilepsy in a patient by administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula (Ia) or (Ib). The invention also features a method for treating or preventing pain (e.g., neuropathic pain), inflammation, or epilepsy in a patient that includes administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of Formula (IIa) or (IIb) (e.g., a compound of any of Formulas ((IIa-2)-(IIa-6)). The compounds described herein (e.g., a compound of Formulas (Ia), (Ib), (IIa), or (IIb)) can also be used as anticonvulsants.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R7, R6, R7, R8, R9, A, X and Y as defined herein are provided as useful for the treatment of cancer or for the manufacture of anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound, composition and method for reducing or inhibiting the differentiation or development of progenitor blood cells into malignant cells, leukemia cells or physiologically pathological cells. Particularly, the invention describes the use of inhibitors of S100 proteins, including myeloid related proteins. Inhibition of the activity or synthesis of S100 proteins results into reduction or inhibition of the production or proliferation of aberrant and cancer blood cells.

Abstract: The method includes receiving a value of a quantity of heat applied to at least a portion of a structure, said structure having a sensor surface exposed to the environment, receiving a temperature measurement of the sensor surface, receiving a wind speed measurement of the environment, receiving an ambient temperature measurement of the environment, determining a heat transfer projection of the sensor area using at least the wind speed measurement, the ambient temperature measurement, and one of the value of a quantity of heat and a target temperature of the sensor surface; comparing the heat transfer projection to an associated heat transfer value, and generating a signal indicating the icing condition status based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel formulations suitable for the intravaginal delivery of tinidazole, as well as methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the use of Protease-Activated Receptor-1 (PAR1) inhibitors for preventing or treating a Paramyxoviridae infection in a subject. Described herein are methods, compounds and pharmaceutical compositions useful in addressing such infections, and more particularly infections from human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV).

Abstract: A method for preparing polymers by direct heteroarylation or arylation polycondensation is described herein. The method includes preparing a reaction mixture including at least a monomer to be polymerized, a catalyst and a ligand; heating the reaction mixture, and, optionally, end-capping the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of differentiating stem cells into muscle cells by growing the cells in a myogenic culture medium. The differentiated cells can be used as a source of cells for transplantation in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Catalysts for the reduction of CO2 are described herein. More specifically, catalysts of Formula I and Formula II: wherein LB is a Lewis base; LA is a Lewis acid; R1 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, phenyl and substituted phenyl; and R9 and R10 are independently selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, phenyl and substituted phenyl; are described. A process for the production of methanol from CO2 using such catalysts is also described.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an antibody which specifically binds to an abnormal superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and which neutralizes its pathologic effect when administered to an animal such as a human. The antibody of the invention is a monoclonal antibody produced by hybridoma cell lines deposited with the International Depositary Authority of Canada on Aug. 29, 2006 under accession numbers ADI-290806-01, ADI-290806-02 and ADS-290806-03. The present invention also concerns the use of the antibody of the invention in the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson and Alzheimer in an animal such as a human.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R4, R8, X and Y as defined herein are provided as useful for the inhibition of certain types of cancer cells, amongst others, breast cancer cells, or for the manufacture of anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a radiation dosimetry apparatus and associated methods for measuring radiation dose. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes multiple scintillating elements for detecting amounts of radiation dose at multiple points within a detection region. Each of the scintillating elements generates light in response to radiation interacting within their volume. A light guide combines the light generated by all of the scintillating elements as well as radiation-induced contaminated optical energy and transmits the combined light to a spectral analysis setup. Multi or hyper-spectral calibration technique allows calculating the dose or dose rate at the positions of the different scintillating elements. The calibration technique isolates the light produced by a given scintillating element from the other scintillating elements as well as any other source of radiation-induced contaminating light.

Abstract: Photoactive polymers comprising first and second co-monomer repeat units, the first co-monomer repeat unit comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of an alkylthieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione moiety and a 1,3-dithiophene-5-alkylthieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione moiety, and the second co-monomer repeat unit comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of a 4,4?-dialkyl-dithieno[3,2-b:2?3?-d]silole moiety, an ethylene moiety, a thiophene moiety, an N-alkylcarbazole moiety, an N-(1-alkyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2?3?-d]pyrrole moiety and a 4,8-dialkyloxylbenzo[1,2-b:3,4-b]dithiophene moiety are described herein. These polymers are suitable for use in photovoltaic cells and field effect transistors.

Abstract: A cross tube for a helicopter skid landing gear, including a monolithic metallic tube having a central portion extending transversely between two end portions with longitudinal central axes of the central portion and of the end portions being located in a plane, where the central portion has inner and outer heights, the end portions each have inner and outer heights, and the inner and outer heights of one of the central portion and the end portion are respectively greater than the inner and outer heights of the other of the central portion and the end portion. A skid tube with two portions with cross-sections having one or both of different orientations with respect to one another and different dimensions with respect to one another, and a method of forming a structural tube for a helicopter skid landing gear are also provided.