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: 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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: An electrochemical lateral flow biosensor (ELFB) includes an ELFB strip and electronic detector unit coupled to the strip. The strip includes a polymeric hydrophobic membrane, conjugation pad, sampling pad, screen-printed electrode (SPE), and wick pad. The membrane provides a solid support and enables capillary flow along the strip. The conjugation pad is placed on the membrane at one end of the strip and contains adsorbed dehydrated labelled conjugate particles that are coated with the biorecognition element and coated or filled with the electrochemically active component. The sampling pad is placed on the conjugation pad and provides adsorption of the liquid sample. The SPE is coated with immobilized capture antibodies. The wick pad is placed on the SPE and provides absorption of excess reagents maintaining a lateral flow along the strip. The ELFB can be used for rapid and early detection and quantity analysis of biological liquids and wastewater.

Abstract: A method for encrypting a database, according to which a dedicated encryption module is placed inside a Database Management Software above a database cache. Each value of the database is encrypted together with the coordinates of said value using a dedicated encryption method, which assumes the existence of an internal cell identifier that can be queried but not tampered.

Abstract: A method for increasing the power extraction capability out of Differential Power Processor (DPP) system, which consists of a chain of N serially connected PV elements and an array of N?1 gyrator-type converters which are current sourcing resonant Switched Capacitor Converters (SCCs), each of which being connected in parallel with two adjacent PV elements. Accordingly, local MPPT is continuously performed, by each gyrator-type converter, to one of its two connected PV elements by sinking or sourcing current to/from the neighboring PV element. Whenever a mismatch in the MPPs is detected, the gyrator-type converters are used to provide the difference in current that is required for each of the PV elements to operate at its MPP, such that the amount of power processed by each gyrator-type converter in the chain is linearly proportional to its location in the chain, with respect to the mismatched PV element.

Abstract: The site-specific expression of selectins on endothelial cells of blood vessels during angiogenesis provides an opportunity to target anti-cancer drugs to the vascular endothelium to extend the range of the therapeutic effect. This invention describes an innovative drug targeting strategy for the selective delivery of the anticancer drugs to endothelial cells by means of polymer-drug conjugates modified with a carbohydrate ligand for the vascular selectins. A model chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin, and the E-selectin ligand, sLex, are attached to a biocompatible polymer (HPMA). The selective binding, cellular uptake, intracellular fate, and cell cytotoxicity of the polymer-bound drug are investigated in human endothelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating, delaying the onset, delaying progression of, reducing the incidence of or reducing the severity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a subject, the method comprising administering to a subject an agent, which interferes with IgG-A2BG2 expression, IgG-A2BG2 function or IgG-A2BG2 interaction with CD16 in said subject.