Abstract: Provided herein is a biodegradable polymeric nanoparticle formed of hybrid block copolymers comprising a di-block copolymer methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) (m-PEG-PLA) and/or a penta-block copolymer poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(propylene glycol)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) (PLA-PEG-PPG-PEG-PLA). Also provided herein are methods of preparing biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material. The cartridge has a housing defining a chamber and a pouch containing smokable material. The pouch is located within the chamber. At least part of the pouch is made of porous material for permitting aerosol or volatilized material generated within the pouch to pass out of the pouch from within the pouch. There is also provided a pouch having a first wall and a second wall. The pouch contains smokable material between the first wall and the second wall. A method of manufacturing a pouch is also disclosed in which the first wall is attached to the second wall with smokable material between the first wall and second wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric nanoparticles comprising a cytokine or a nucleic acid encoding for a cytokine, pharma-ceutical compositions comprising the same, and methods for treating certain diseases comprising administering these polymeric nanoparticles to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric nanoparticles comprising a cytokine or a nucleic acid encoding for a cytokine, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and methods for treating certain diseases comprising administering these polymeric nanoparticles to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: An article is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article has a carrier and smokable material arranged on the carrier. The smokable material has a first layer of smokable material and a second layer of smokable material. The first layer of smokable material is located between the carrier and the second layer of smokable material. The smokable material of the first layer of smokable material has a form or chemical composition that differs from the form or chemical composition, respectively, of the smokable material of the second layer of smokable material.

Abstract: Described herein is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises an electrical power source having positive and negative terminals, a voltage regulator, and a controller for controlling the supply of electrical power to a heating element in use. One of the positive and negative terminals is electrically connected to the controller via the voltage regulator. The other of the positive and negative terminals is electrically connected to the controller by an electrically-conductive path that bypasses the voltage regulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of nanotechnology, in particular, to the production of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles. The present invention provides a biodegradable polymeric nanoparticle made up of a block copolymer and a process for producing the same. The nanoparticles are produced without the use of any emulsifiers and have a size ranging from 30-120 nm. The methods of controlling the drug loading capacity are disclosed along with the process of producing entity-loaded nanoparticles. Compositions comprising the nanoparticles and their use in therapeutics, diagnostics and theranostics are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric nanoparticles comprising a pharmaceutical combination, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and methods for treating certain diseases comprising administering these polymeric nanoparticles to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the device for a urinary catheter employing electromagnetic radiation and/or vibration transducer. The device comprises a clip-on (4) including a source of electromagnetic radiation (5) and/or a vibration transducer and a coupler (3) that allows electromagnetic radiation access from clip-on to the inside of the coupler. The combination of electromagnetic radiation and photo catalyst material may increase effectiveness for antimicrobial activity. The device aims at preventing the catheter-associated urinary tract infection caused by both intraluminal and extraluminal routes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of nanotechnology, in particular, to the production of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles. The present invention provides a biodegradable polymeric nanoparticle made up of a block copolymer and a process for producing the same. The nanoparticles are produced without the use of any emulsifiers and have a size ranging from 30-120 nm. The methods of controlling the drug loading capacity are disclosed along with the process of producing entity-loaded nanoparticles. Compositions comprising the nanoparticles and their use in therapeutics, diagnostics and theranostics are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein is a heating device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating device includes a heating element, and smokable material bonded to the heating element. The heating element includes a layer of electrically-conductive material, a first layer of polyimide, and a second layer of polyimide. The layer of electrically-conductive material is located between the first and second layers of polyimide. Also described are cartridges including the heating device, apparatus including the heating device, and methods of manufacturing the heating device.

Abstract: Described herein is a heating device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating device includes a heating element, and smokable material bonded to the heating element. The heating element includes a layer of electrically-conductive material, a first layer of polyimide, and a second layer of polyimide. The layer of electrically-conductive material is located between the first and second layers of polyimide. Also described are cartridges including the heating device, apparatus including the heating device, and methods of manufacturing the heating device.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are provided for segmenting one or more frames. For example, image segmentation can be performed on a first frame of a plurality of frames. The image segmentation results in generation of a segmentation mask. Pixels of the first frame can be modified using the segmentation mask. An amount of movement of one or more pixels of a second frame can be determined. The amount of movement can be determined based on one or more motion characteristics of the second frame. It can be determined whether to perform image segmentation using the second frame or a third frame of the plurality of frames based on the amount of movement of the one or more pixels of the second frame.

Abstract: A hydrogenated diamond-like coating (“H-DLC”) for metallic substrates provides improved reliability. The H-DLC is relatively soft and elastic. Unlike hard and/or inelastic coatings in the prior art, the present coatings do not exhibit a loss of adhesion (delamination). A bonding layer may be used between the metallic substrate and the H-DLC. H-DLC coatings can, for example, be used in bearings and gears to reduce the occurrence of micropits and, ultimately, product failure.

Abstract: An article is provided for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material. The article has a body of porous aerosol containment material. An annular first body of smokable material is located around the body of porous aerosol containment material. There is also provided apparatus for heating smokable material having a first heater extending along an axis and a second heater spaced from and at least partially surrounding the first heater. A method of manufacturing an article for use with an apparatus is also disclosed in which an assembly having porous aerosol containment material on a first layer of smokable material is provided and rolled so the first layer of smokable material becomes an annular body of smokable material located around the porous aerosol containment material.

Abstract: Described herein is a heating device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating device includes a heating element, and smokable material bonded to the heating element. The heating element includes a layer of electrically-conductive material, a first layer of polyimide, and a second layer of polyimide. The layer of electrically-conductive material is located between the first and second layers of polyimide. Also described are cartridges including the heating device, apparatus including the heating device, and methods of manufacturing the heating device.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are provided for segmenting one or more frames. For example, image segmentation can be performed on a first frame of a plurality of frames. The image segmentation results in generation of a segmentation mask. Pixels of the first frame can be modified using the segmentation mask. An amount of movement of one or more pixels of a second frame can be determined. The amount of movement can be determined based on one or more motion characteristics of the second frame. It can be determined whether to perform image segmentation using the second frame or a third frame of the plurality of frames based on the amount of movement of the one or more pixels of the second frame.

Abstract: Described herein is a heating device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The heating device comprises a heating element, and smokable material bonded to the heating element. The heating element comprises a layer of electrically-conductive material, a first layer of polyimide, and a second layer of polyimide. The layer of electrically-conductive material is located between the first and second layers of polyimide. Also described are cartridges comprising the heating device, apparatus comprising the heating device, and methods of manufacturing the heating device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric nanoparticles comprising salinomycin and methods for treating certain diseases comprising administering these polymeric nanoparticles to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric nanoparticles comprising a cytokine or a nucleic acid encoding for a cytokine, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and methods for treating certain diseases comprising administering these polymeric nanoparticles to a subject in need thereof.