Abstract: The present invention provides a halo-de-carboxylation process for the preparation of organic chlorides, organic bromides and mixtures thereof, from their corresponding carboxylic acids, using a chlorinating agent selected from trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), dichloroisocyanuric acid (DCCA), or combination thereof, and a brominating agent.

Abstract: A microparticle for cell encapsulation is provided, having a core which comprises continuous fibers of decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) and, optionally, an outer layer. Also provided are methods of encapsulating cells in the microparticle, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the microparticle, and methods of treating disease in animals employing the microparticles of the invention, for example, treating Diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of organic bromides, by a radical bromodecarboxylation of carboxylic acids with a bromoisocyanurate.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides that are analogs of urocortin 2 that have pharmacological activity similar to urocortin 2 but have improved water solubility compared to urocortin 2, and pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides of the present invention. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of treating pathophysiological states employing pharmaceutical compositions of the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention. In addition, disclosed are vectors and host cells that include a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide of the present invention, and kits that include pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions concerning mutant flaviviruses with host range mutations. In some embodiments the invention concerns nucleotide sequences that encode mutant flavivirus proteins. Viruses comprising these sequences that display reduced replication in mammalian cells are provided. In further aspects of the invention, flavivirus vaccine compositions are provided. In another embodiment the invention provides methods for vaccination against flavivirus infection.

Abstract: An interfacing circuit adaptable to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a sample and hold (S/H) circuit; an input switch; an input capacitor with a first end connected to an input end of a comparator of the ADC via the S/H circuit, and with a second end connected to receive an input signal via the input switch; a hold switch connected between the second end of the input capacitor and an original common-mode voltage; a reset switch connected between the input end of the comparator and a target common-mode voltage; and a front switch connected between the first end of the input capacitor and the target common-mode voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the selective removal of nitrates from ground water using a hybrid nanofiltration (NF)—reverse osmosis (RO) filtration system. The process generates product water that is low in nitrate and can be used for drinking, irrigation and other purposes, as well as waste water that is relatively low in salinity and can be safely discarded to sewage systems and recycled, e.g., for irrigation purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: This invention provides (a) nanoparticle made of: sugar-beet pectin; and a bioactive compound (such as a nutraceutical or a drug) bound to sugar-beet pectin. The invention further provides foods, beverages, including clear ones, or pharmaceutical preparations, which are supplemented with the nanoparticles made of: sugar-beet pectin; and a hydrophobic bioactive compound bound to sugar-beet pectin. The process of making the nanoparticles of the invention, and methods for supplementing foods or beverages or pharmaceutical preparations with bioactive compounds via the nanoparticles of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method of processing a set of images of a scene is disclosed. The set is represented by a plurality of picture-elements defining an image plane, and the images are characterized by different light intensity spatial distributions but the same viewpoint relative to the scene. The method comprises: for each of at least some picture-elements, independently selecting a direction parallel to the image plane, constructing a weighted vector field based on the selected direction, and calculating a height of a surface in the scene perpendicular to the image plane based on the constructed weighted vector field. The method further comprises reconstructing a three-dimensional spatial representation of the surface based on the heights; and transmitting the spatial representation to a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A system for converting an input oscillation having an input frequency into an output oscillation having an output frequency is disclosed. The system comprises: a controller configured for receiving the input oscillation and responsively generating a multi-component drive signal. A frequency of at least one component of the drive signal is other than two times the input frequency. In some embodiments, a frequency of another component of the drive signal equals about two times the output frequency. The system also comprises an oscillator for generating pump oscillations responsively to the drive signal and applying parametric excitation to the input oscillation at the pump oscillations.

Abstract: A self cleaning inlet head for use on a shunt. The head has a tube with openings disposed in predetermined positions in its wall, and a cleaning element installed inside the tube. The cleaning element may comprise a central shaft with a number of bristles protruding therefrom, preferably in locations substantially identical to the positions of the openings in the wall of the tube. Mutual vibratory motion between the cleaning element and the tube causes at least some of the bristles to enter the openings, thereby keeping them clear, and preventing tissue growth into them. The vibratory motion may be generated by the action of an external field on a responsive part of the cleaning element, such as an external magnetic field operating on a magnetic or magnetized part of the cleaning element or the bristles. Alternatively, the external field may be an ultrasound field operating on the bristles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids and antibodies against SRPX2 and SRPX2 protein function in angiogenesis. Angiogenesis-related conditions, such as cancer or wound healing, can be treated by the composition comprising the SRPX2 antagonists or agonists, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds based on a quinazoline scaffold, which bind effectively to the mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO), and counteract cell death processes. These compounds can also stimulate neuronal differentiation. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds, and methods of using these compounds for the prevention and treatment of brain damage resulting from brain injury, especially secondary brain damage due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). The compounds of the invention are also useful in preventing, treating, and curing brain damage due to neurodegenerative diseases, including underlying and associated pathological and mental disorders. The compounds can also be used to prevent and treat brain damage due to infection, toxic challenges, and excessive drug use, e.g., recreational, over the counter, or prescription drugs.

Abstract: Isolated peptides and compositions comprising same are provided. Further, methods for targeting mitochondria in a cell, methods for assessing mitochondrial function in a cell and methods for diagnosing mitochondria associated diseases are provided.

Abstract: A method of processing a query to a graph database using processors. The method comprises providing threads to be executed on processors, each the thread is associated with one of a plurality of unique thread identifiers, providing a graph database having a plurality of graph database nodes and a plurality of graph database edges, each the graph database edge represents a relationship between two of the plurality of graph database nodes, receiving a query tree that defines a tree comprising plurality of query nodes connected by a plurality of query tree edges, and searching at least part of the graph database for a match with the query tree, wherein the searching is executed by the processors, and wherein each processor searches one of a plurality of sub-graphs of the graph database, each the sub-graph is defined by one of the plurality of thread identifiers.

Abstract: Cell-targeted serine protease constructs are provided. Such constructs can be used in methods for targeted cell killing such as for treatment cell of proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer). In some aspects, recombinant serine proteases, such as Granzyme B polypeptides, are provided that exhibit improved stability and cell toxicity. Methods and compositions for treating lapatinib or trastuzumab-resistant cancers are also provided.

Abstract: A new class of pseudo-trisaccharide aminoglycosides having an alkyl group at the 5? position, exhibiting efficient stop codon mutation readthrough activity, low cytotoxicity and high selectivity towards eukaryotic translation systems are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and uses thereof in the treatment of genetic disorders, as well as processes of preparing these aminoglycosides. The disclosed aminoglycosides can be represented by the general formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl; and all other variables and features are as described in the specification.

Abstract: A computerized method of creating a circuit logic model of a VLSI device, comprising mapping a plurality of logic function patterns of one or more circuits of a VLSI device through a plurality of probe iterations and generating a circuit logic model of the circuit(s) by reconstructing a logical function of a combinatorial logic of the circuit(s) based on analysis of the logic function patterns. Each of the probe iteration comprises switching between scan shift mode and functional mode of the VLSI device such that while the VLSI device operates in scan shift mode register(s) associated with the circuit(s) is accessed and while the VLSI device operates in functional mode external pin(s) of the VLSI device associated with the circuit(s) is probed and mapping a respective one of the logic function patterns according to a logic state of one or more bits in the register(s) and/or the external pin(s).

Abstract: A clustering method with a two-stage local binary pattern includes generating a gradient direction value according to a center sub-block and neighbor sub-blocks of a patch of an image; quantizing the gradient direction value, thereby generating a quantized gradient direction value; generating a gradient magnitude value according to the gradient direction value; quantizing the gradient magnitude value, thereby generating a quantized gradient magnitude value; concatenating the quantized gradient direction value and the quantized gradient magnitude value to generate a two-stage local binary pattern (2SLBP) value; and performing clustering of super-resolution imaging by using the 2SLBP value as an index.