Abstract: Described herein are phenolic compositions derived from apple skins. In particular, described herein are flavonoid-rich fractions derived from apple skin extract. The compositions are useful in the prevention and treatment of conditions associated with oxidative stress and/or inflammation, including certain neurodegenerative diseases. Methods of producing the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing an immune response to a selected antigen are described. The methods are useful for the treatment and prevention of microbial infections, such as infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The methods and compositions include host defense peptides, polyphosphazenes and immunostimulatory sequences to enhance the immune response to a coadministered antigen.

Abstract: High-frequency ultrasound imaging can be performed with greater quality and suppressed grating lobes by using methods and systems for effectively reducing the temporal length of transmit grating lobe signals in received ultrasound echoes. Systems and methods are provided for improved high-frequency ultrasound imaging. In various aspects, the method of shortening the time domain of grating lobe signals comprises splitting an array of N transmit elements into K sub-apertures. In further aspects, the grating lobes are suppressed by performing signal processing of the shortened grating lobe signals. In certain aspects, the signal processing method comprises weighting the samples by a calculated phase coherence factor.

Abstract: An implantable bone-conduction hearing actuator based on a piezoelectric element, such as a unimorph or bimorph cantilever bender, is described. Unlike other implantable bone conduction hearing actuators, the device is subcutaneous and once implanted is entirely invisible. The device excites bending in bone through a local bending moment rather than the application of a point force as with conventional bone-anchored hearing aids.

Abstract: Among other things, in general, a two-stage filtration and extraction assembly is described, as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: An implantable bone-conduction hearing actuator based on a piezoelectric element, such as a unimorph or bimorph cantilever bender, is described. Unlike other implantable bone conduction hearing actuators, the device is subcutaneous and once implanted is entirely invisible. The device excites bending in bone through a local bending moment rather than the application of a point force as with conventional bone-anchored hearing aids.

Abstract: A toroidal engine that can be powered by a fuel/air mixture or by a compressed gas source. The toroidal engine uses one-way bearings to transfer torque generated in a toroidal chamber directly to a drive shaft. Pairs of pistons are mounted on two crank assemblies, which are concentric with the drive shaft. One-way bearings allow the crank assemblies to turn, one at a time, in one direction only. The crank assemblies are directly coupled to the drive shaft, which eliminates the need for complex gear and linkage arrangements. A system can be used with the toroidal engine to alternately stop the crank assemblies at a pre-determined position and to time the ignition of the engine.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing an immune response to a selected antigen are described. The methods are useful for the treatment and prevention of microbial infections, such as infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The methods and compositions include host defense peptides, polyphosphazenes and immunostimulatory sequences to enhance the immune response to a coadministered antigen.

Abstract: A method for quantifying, during pacemapping, a comparison of a BSPM of interest to a pace site BSPM. The method may include receiving at a computing device a plurality of ECG signals from an acquisition system. The pace site BSPM may be calculated using the plurality of ECG signals. The BSPM of interest may be compared to the pace site BSPM, by: retrieving the BSPM of interest from memory accessible by the computing device; and, calculating one or more comparison metrics for the BSPM of interest as compared to the pace site BSPM. An indication of similarity between the BSPM of interest and the pace site BSPM based on the comparison metric calculated may be displayed on a user interface in communication with the computing device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for planning imaging include planning imaging in conjunction with planning a radiation treatment. A radiation dose due to planned imaging may be calculated and used in optimizing a plan for delivering therapeutic radiation. Imaging and treatment may be performed using radiation beams having different characteristics. In some embodiments an imaging beam is generated using a low-Z target and a therapy beam is generated using a high-Z target. A radiation treatment planning system may include data characterizing both the imaging beam and the treatment beam.

Abstract: A toroidal engine that can be powered by a fuel/air mixture or by a compressed gas source. The toroidal engine uses one-way bearings to transfer torque generated in a toroidal chamber directly to a drive shaft. Pairs of pistons are mounted on two crank assemblies, which are concentric with the drive shaft. One-way bearings allow the crank assemblies to turn, one at a time, in one direction only. The crank assemblies are directly coupled to the drive shaft, which eliminates the need for complex gear and linkage arrangements. A system can be used with the toroidal engine to alternately stop the crank assemblies at a pre-determined position and to time the ignition of the engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for planning imaging include planning imaging in conjunction with planning a radiation treatment. A radiation dose due to planned imaging may be calculated and used in optimizing a plan for delivering therapeutic radiation. Imaging and treatment may be performed using radiation beams having different characteristics. In some embodiments an imaging beam is generated using a low-Z target and a therapy beam is generated using a high-Z target. A radiation treatment planning system may include data characterizing both the imaging beam and the treatment beam.

Abstract: A radiopaque particulate material one or more of SiO2, TiO2, La2O3, Na2O and MgO and useful for embolization which optionally includes therapeutic components that are released in vivo.

Abstract: Imaging may be performed using a megavoltage (MV) radiotherapy treatment system. An electron beam directed at a low-Z target generates an imaging cone beam. The cone beam may be shaped to conform to projections of volumes of interest in a subject. Image filling may be performed to reduce artifacts in the volumes of interest. Image data for filling may be derived from digitally reconstructed radiographs.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds and ligands that are useful in transition metal catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. For example, the compounds and ligands of the present invention are useful in palladium or gold catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compositions and methods for treating cardiovascular disease, comprising apple skin extracts which can reduce cholesterol levels and inhibit low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in a subject, are provided.

Abstract: A respiratory device filter (10) comprises a housing (12) having a mouthpiece (16) and a body (18). The housing (12) defines an inner sidewall (34) and a conical filter (14) is disposed within the housing (12). The conical filter (14) includes a first end that defines an apex (42) and a second end that defines an opening (44). An apex retention member (46) extends from the inner sidewall (34) and is secured to the apex (42) of the conical filter (14).

Abstract: Described herein are phenolic compositions derived from apple skins. In particular, described herein are flavonoid-rich fractions derived from apple skin extract. The compositions are useful in the prevention and treatment of conditions associated with oxidative stress and/or inflammation, including certain neurodegenerative diseases. Methods of producing the compositions are also described.