Abstract: A method of distinguishing sleep period states that a person experiences during a sleep period, the method comprising: using a non-contact microphone to acquire a sleep sound signal representing sounds made by a person during sleep; segmenting the sleep sound signals into epochs; generating a sleep sound feature vector for each epoch; providing a first model that gives a probability that a given sleep period state experienced by the person in a given epoch exhibits a given sleep sound feature vector; providing a second model that gives a probability that a first sleep period state associated with a first epoch transitions to a second sleep period state associated with a subsequent second epoch; and processing the feature vectors using the first and second models to determine a sleep period state of the person from a plurality of possible sleep period states for each of the epochs.

Abstract: The caged cell-penetrating peptide (cCPP) conjugates of this invention are ideal for intracellular delivery of a broad variety of cargoes including various nanoparticle pharmaceutical carriers (liposomes, micelles, microparticles, nanoparticles, polymer-conjugates). The conjugates comprise a detectable agent or a therapeutic agent, and the conjugates provide a novel strategy for site-specific delivery of the same to appropriate tissues in the subject. Versatile application of the conjugates in diagnostics and imaging is described.

Abstract: An electroless process for depositing gold (Au0) from a solution, comprising allowing gold (Au0) place from a solution of gold thiocyanate complex dissolved in a mixture of water-miscible organic solvent and water, or the deposition of gold (Au0) takes place on a deposition-directing layer comprising positively charged organic groups, said layer being provided on at least a portion of a surface of a substrate sought to be gold-coated.

Abstract: Nano-sized particles are provided comprising at least one multi-headed amphiphilic compound, in which at least one headgroup of said multi-headed amphiphilic compound is selectively cleavable or contains a selectively cleavable group, and at least one biologically active agent, which is both encapsulated within the nano-particle and non-covalently associated thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides comprising analogues of VDAC1-derived peptides having improved pharmacokinetic characteristics compared to the native parent peptides, which are effective in impairing cell energy production, in inducing apoptosis and cell death, particularly of cancerous cells, in eliminating cancer stem cells and in reducing symptoms associated with fat accumulation in liver cells particularly with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and symptoms associated thereto.

Abstract: An efficiency-enhanced, three-terminal, bi-junction thermoelectric device driven by independently-adjustable parameters of temperature and voltage.

Abstract: Conjugates of drugs suitable for use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and phospholipids, and their use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, are disclosed. The disclosed conjugates serve as targeted prodrugs which are suitable for oral administration, and which are capable of releasing the drug selectively at the diseased tissue upon activation by PLA2.

Abstract: An optical magnetometer comprising: a response frequency measurement unit comprising a vapor cell, a pulsed-mode pump laser and a probe laser; and a computing unit configured to compute a magnetic field change based on a difference between at least two temporally-distinct response frequency values received from the frequency measurement unit. Optionally, the response frequency measurement unit is magnetically non-shielded.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating epilepsy and other neurological disorders. The methods generally involve administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of an agent that blocks a transforming growth factor-beta pathway.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and uses of a series of compounds and compositions comprising the same for treating diseases, disorders and/or conditions related to fertility and preserving same and conditions related to same. In some aspects, the compounds and or compositions as herein described promote, improve, recover or restore fertility in a subject in need thereof, including in male and/or female subjects. Such methods/uses include promoting, enhancing or improving fertility-associated cell or tissue yield as part of an in vitro fertilization protocol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a grasp set of n gripping points for a common end effector of a robot, said end effector being used for grasping a plurality of parts, each part having its own geometry, the method comprises: (a) providing said plurality of parts in a CAD form; (b) meshing each of said parts; (c) determining for each of said parts all the possible grasps that are capable of holding the respective part by any k-contacts points end effector; (d) calculating a quality measure for each of said determined grasps; (e) calculating an allowable range for said calculated quality measures; (f) for each part, parametrizing each of its grasps that are found to be within said allowable range, by a feature vector; (g) performing a cross-part intersection between said grasps that are found to be within said allowable range, and determining those grasps that are intersected between parts; and (h) from among said intersected grasps, selecting a single grasp having a highest quality measure, sa

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of hepatic disorders in a subject in need thereof. More specifically, the methods of the invention are based on the administration, preferably, systemic administration, of a therapeutically effective amount of at least one biocompatible alginate biomaterial, any modification thereof and any combination thereof. The invention further provides methods for sustaining serum albumin levels, and/or reducing serum AST and ALT, in subjects suffering from hepatic disorder. Still further, the invention provides methods for reducing apoptosis and inducing cell proliferation in a damaged liver tissue of a subject suffering of hepatic disorder, using the alginate biomaterial described by the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for switching between flows of water solutions passed in groups of blocks of membrane pressure vessels arranged in parallel in a tapered flow system, wherein the system comprises a system inlet feed line, a system outlet flow line, high pressure booster pumps configured to provide a high pressure feed stream to the system; blocks of membrane pressure vessels arrayed in parallel, and a first and second bypass line each parallel to said blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to regulation of ureide levels for optimal plant survival during nutrient remobilization such as occurs during normal growth, dark stress and senescence. Plants can be genetically engineered or selected using a suitable gene marker to have enhanced ureide accumulation. The present invention further provides methods of protecting plants, or extending the shelf life of fresh plant produce by application of exogenous ureides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to use of a series of compounds and compositions comprising the same for activating telomerase and treating diseases, disorders and/or conditions related thereto.

Abstract: An isolated peptide is disclosed. The peptide comprises a titanium oxide binding amino acid sequence connected to a heterologous biologically active amino acid sequence via a beta sheet breaker linker, wherein: (i) the titanium oxide binding amino acid sequence is selected to bind coordinatively with titanium oxide; (ii) the titanium oxide binding amino acid sequence is selected to induce a beta sheet structure; and (ii) the titanium oxide binding amino acid sequence binds to titanium oxide with a higher affinity than said biologically active amino acid sequence binds to the titanium oxide under physiological conditions. Use of the peptides and titanium devices comprising same are also disclosed.

Abstract: The caged cell-penetrating peptide (cCPP) conjugates of this invention are ideal for intracellular delivery of a broad variety of cargoes including various nanoparticulate pharmaceutical carriers (liposomes, micelles, microparticles, nanoparticles, polymer-conjugates). The conjugates comprise a detectable agent or a therapeutic agent, and the conjugates provide a novel strategy for site-specific delivery of the same to appropriate tissues in the subject. Versatile application of the conjugates in diagnostics and imaging is described.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating a pathology associated with neural damage, the method comprising administering non-antigen specific polyclonal activated T cells and/or genetically modified T cells into the brain in a manner which prevents meningoencephalitis in the subject, thereby treating the pathology associated with neural damage. Also provided are devices for intrabrain and intrathecal administration of T cells, which comprise the brain-specific or non-antigen specific polyclonal activated T cells and/or genetically modified T cells and a catheter for intrabrain administration in a manner which prevents meningoencephalitis in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to use of a series of tri-aryl compounds and compositions comprising the same for the treatment of diabetes and disease conditions arising as a consequence of the same.

Abstract: A power converter, which comprises a resonant Switched Capacitor Converter (SCC) that consists of an input connected to an input voltage source, from which power is delivered to a load; a resonant tank circuit formed by a capacitor connected in series with an inductor and defining a resonant cycle; a first switch connected in series between a first contact of the input voltage source and a first contact of the resonant tank circuit; a second switch connected in series between the first contact of the resonant tank circuit and a first contact of the load; a conducting path connecting between a second contact of the input voltage source, a second contact of the resonant tank circuit and a second contact of the load and a third switch connected in parallel to the resonant tank circuit.