Abstract: A system and method are provided for imaging in scattering media such as fog, water and biological tissues. Normally, such images suffer from poor visibility due to backscattering and signal attenuation. At least two images are taken of the scene using active widefield polarized illumination, with different states of a camera-mounted polarizer. The degree of polarization of backscatter is estimated in every point of the scene, leading to an estimation of the backscatter in every point of the scene. A portion or all of the value of backscatter can be deducted in each point of the scene resulting in an enhanced image with improved contrast and brightness range across the field of view.

Abstract: A robotic system for steering a flexible needle during insertion into soft-tissue using imaging to determine the needle position. The control system calculates a needle tip trajectory that hits the desired target while avoiding potentially dangerous obstacles en route. Using an inverse kinematics algorithm, the maneuvers required of the needle base to cause the tip to follow this trajectory are calculated, such that the robot can perform controlled needle insertion. The insertion of a flexible needle into a deformable tissue is modeled as a linear beam supported by virtual springs, where the stiffness coefficients of the springs varies along the needle. The forward and inverse kinematics of the needle are solved analytically, enabling both path planning and correction in real-time. The needle shape is detected by image processing performed on fluoroscopic images. The stiffness properties of the tissue are calculated from the measured shape of the needle.

Abstract: Methods of generating and expanding proliferative, multipotent connective tissue progenitor cells from embryonic stem cells and embryoid bodies are provided. Also provided are methods of generating functional tendon grafts in vitro and bone, cartilage and connective tissues in vivo using the isolated cell preparation of connective tissue progenitor cells.

Abstract: There is provided a new architecture for all-optical logic architecture. In this architecture the gate is partitioned into a linear front-end followed by a nonlinear back-end. The logic calculation is practically performed within the linear stage, easing the requirements placed on the non-linear part and thus reducing the gate complexity. The new structures provide flexibility and improved performance for the all-optical logic. The proposed scheme may be integrated optics/electronics. An important additional attribute of our all-optical logic family is reconfigurability, i.e. the ability of the hardware architecture or devices to rapidly alter the functionalities of its components and the interconnection between them as needed.

Abstract: The present invention provides sets of VOCs for breath analysis. Methods of use thereof in diagnosing, monitoring or prognosing breast cancer, head and neck cancer, prostate cancer or colon cancer are disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna system for estimating the DOA of arriving signals, comprising: a first omnidirectional antenna; and a second omnidirectional antenna, which is located coaxially above the first omnidirectional antenna at a predefined distance D. The first omnidirectional antenna is configured to transform the received arriving signal into output signals, and the second omnidirectional antenna is configured to transform the received signal into a reference signal. The antenna system allows extracting: a first phase difference between the phase of the first output signal and the reference phase and a second phase difference between the phase of the second output signal and the reference phase, where each phase difference includes a first component proportional to the azimuth of said arriving signal and a second component corresponding to the elevation of the arriving signal, from which the azimuth and the elevation of the arriving signal can be extracted.

Abstract: Provided herein are immunoreactive peptides which can selectively bind Ehrlichia-specific anti-p120 or anti-p140 antibodies. Methods and kits utilizing the immunoreactive peptides are also provided. The immunoreactive peptides may be utilized, e.g., for determining whether or not a subject is infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis or Ehrlichia canis. In certain embodiments, the immunoreactive peptides may be utilized in an ELISA or lateral flow assay.

Abstract: The present invention provides HIV-derived lentivectors which are safe, highly efficient, and very potent for expressing transgenes for human gene therapy, especially, in human hematopoietic progenitor cells as well as in all other blood cell derivatives. The lentiviral vectors comprise a self-inactivating configuration for biosaftey and promoters such as the EF1? promoter as one example. Additional promoters are also described. The vectors can also comprise additional transcription enhancing elements such as the wood chuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element. These vectors therefore provide useful tools for genetic treatments such as inherited and acquired lympho-hematological disorders, gene-therapies for cancers especially the hematological cancers, as well as for the study of hematopoiesis via lentivector-mediated modification of human HSCs.

Abstract: A method for distributed computing includes processing multiple sets of data at respective computing nodes (24), and calculating respective local values of one or more statistical parameters characterizing the sets of the data. A global condition is defined, such that the condition is violated when a function defined over a weighted average of the respective local values crosses a predetermined threshold. The global condition is separated into a plurality of local constraints, which include a respective local constraint to be evaluated by each of the nodes based on the respective local values, such that violation of the respective local constraint in at least one of the nodes indicates a violation of the global condition. The local constraint is evaluated independently at each of the nodes. When at least one of the nodes detects that the respective local constraint is violated, an indication that the global condition has been violated is produced.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system, device, kit and method for detecting the presence, or concentration of a target in a sample. An assay set comprising at least two spaced apart electrodes is used, comprising a recognition moiety, capable of specific binding to the target, which is attached to at least one of the electrodes or the substrate therein between. If the recognition moiety binds the target then a conductive bridge can be formed between the electrodes, based on the complex between the recognition moiety and the target. The conductive bridge is formed by using nucleation-center forming entities attached to the complexes or to the targets from which a conductive substance is substantially grown. Alternatively the conducting bridge forms a conductive polymer between the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention provides saponin mixtures and compounds which are isolated from the species Acacia victoriae and methods for their use. These compounds may contain a triterpene moiety, such as acacic or oleanolic acid, to which oligosaccharides and monoterpenoid moieties are attached. The mixtures and compounds have properties related to the regulation of apoptosis and cytotoxicity of cells and exhibit potent anti-tumor effects against a variety of tumor cells.

Abstract: Silicon-oxygen batteries comprising a silicon anode as chemical fuel, an air-cathode for dissociating oxygen and a non-aqueous electrolyte, and applications using the same are provided. The silicon-batteries may utilize air for generating oxygen.

Abstract: A control system is presented for controlling operation of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) for generating energy from an incoming fluid flow. The control system comprises at least one flow affecting arrangement associated with at least one blade of the VAWT and a control unit connected to said flow affecting arrangement, the flow affecting arrangement comprising two flow affecting units located in two opposite sides of the blade respectively at a leading edge thereof, each flow affecting unit being operable for creating a blowing jet at the respective side of the blade thereby inducing an increase in a fluid flow momentum, the control unit being configured and operable for selectively activating the flow affecting units in alternating fashion according to a predetermined time pattern to oscillate the blowing jet at the opposite sides of the blade.

Abstract: A cell culture comprising human foreskin cells, the human foreskin cells being capable of maintaining stem cells in an undifferentiated state when co-cultured therewith.

Abstract: Endoscopic illumination and imaging systems for enabling observation of both the forward and rearward directions in a lumen using only a single imaging device. According to one implementation, the system utilizes the effects of a partially reflective mirror to respectively transmit and reflect light from the different portions of the lumen or cavity, and uses separate groups of illumination sources to illuminate one or the other section of the lumen, such that the illuminated section is preferentially imaged by virtue of its increased light level. In a second implementation, electrically switched mirrors are used, having properties switched between a transmissive and a partially reflective state, such that the mirror can be switched between imaging the regions forward of the camera when in a transmissive state, and imaging the regions rearward of the camera when in a reflective state. A mechanically swiveled mirror is described for the same purpose.

Abstract: A novel process of preparing tridentate ligands containing one or more of a diarylphosphine and/or dialkylphosphine electron donating groups are disclosed. Use of this process for preparing a combinatorial library of such tridentate ligands and of organometallic complexes containing same is also disclosed. Further disclosed are novel diarylphosphine-containing and dialkylphosphine-containing compounds that can serve as tridentate ligands (e.g., pincer ligands), combinatorial libraries of such tridentate ligands, organometallic complexes containing these ligands (e.g., pincer complexes), and combinatorial libraries of such complexes. Methods utilizing these libraries for screening for candidate organometallic catalysts are also disclosed. Novel precursor molecules useful for preparing the tridentate ligands and processes of preparing same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel class of antimicrobial polymeric agents, which include a plurality of amino acid residues, such as positively charged amino acid residues, and at least one hydrophobic residue linking therebetween, such as an omega-amino-fatty acid residue, designed to exert antimicrobial activity while being stable, non-toxic and avoiding development of resistance thereto and a process of preparing same are disclosed. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing same and a method of treating medical conditions associated with pathological microorganisms, a medical device, an imaging probe and a food preservative utilizing same. Further disclosed are conjugates of an amino acid residue and a hydrophobic moiety residue and a process of preparing same.

Abstract: A method for modulating roughness of a surface, comprising: providing a first pre-stressed electrically conductive layer (10) coupled to a dielectric elastic foundation (20) provided over a second conductive layer (30); and subjecting the two conductive layers to a voltage difference, thereby modulating the roughness of the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides protein (or peptide)-polysaccharide (or oligosaccharide) conjugates (PPC) as nanocapsular vehicles for nanoencapsulation of biologically active compounds, particularly nutraceuticals. The PPCs efficiently protect both hydrophobic (i.e., water insoluble) and hydrophilic (i.e., water soluble) nutraceuticals, to provide a composition which, when added to a beverage, disperses so as to provide a clear or transparent solution. In some embodiments, the PPCs are Maillard reaction based PPCs. Advantageously, the conjugates of the present invention protect the nutraceuticals from degradation, both during shelf life and upon gastric digestion.

Abstract: An electronic device is presented, such as a thin film transistor. The device comprises a patterned electrically-conductive layer associated with an active element of the electronic device. The electrically-conductive layer has a pattern defining an array of spaced-apart electrically conductive regions. This technique allows for increasing an electric current through the device.