Abstract: An apparatus for detecting volatile compounds derived from explosive materials with very high sensitivity. The apparatus is composed of field effect transistors of non-oxidized silicon nanowires modified with specific functional groups including, in particular, amine, imine and/or carboxyl moieties. Further a system is provided comprising the apparatus in conjunction with learning and pattern recognition algorithms and methods of use thereof for detecting and quantifying specific explosive compounds.

Abstract: A method for managing distributed computing. The method comprises estimating, for each of a plurality of local computing nodes, a distribution of multidimensional values in a space. Each multidimensional value is calculated according to a plurality of locally monitored parameters. The method further includes calculating safe zones in the space where each safe zone is defined according to a respective estimated distribution under a global geometric constraint in the space and setting local geometric constraints for the local computing nodes according to the respective safe zones. Each local geometric constraint is defined such that a detection of at least one monitored multidimensional value violating it by a respective local computing node induces a communication event between the respective local computing node and one or more central computing nodes.

Abstract: A computerized method of image processing to form a collage within a predetermined outline from a plurality of images, the method comprising: processing each image to assign a saliency measure to each pixel, said processing utilizing a dissimilarity measure which combines an appearance component and a distance component; finding a first patch of said image and comparing with other patches at different distances from said first patch using said dissimilarity measure, thereby to obtain a score; applying to each pixel of said first patch said obtained score; continuing said comparing and scoring with additional patches of said image until each pixel obtains a score; from said scored pixels providing for each image a region of interest, by setting an initial boundary that encloses a predetermined set of highest scored pixels, and propagating a curve around said initial boundary in such a way as to minimize length and maximize included saliency; and combining said regions of interest into said collage by: ordering

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods useful for modulating angiogenesis and for inhibiting metastasis, tumors, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and fibrosis in a mammalian tissue. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods include inhibitors of LOXL2 expression and activity, such as shRNA targeting LOXL2.

Abstract: A method of imaging at least a part of an object. The method comprises splitting electro-magnetic radiation to first and second portions, propagating the first and second portions, spectrally dispersing the first portion toward the part and the second portion toward a reference element, combining between reflections of the spectrally dispersed first and second portions to produce an interference signal, capturing an image of the part from the interference, and adjusting at least one of a tilt of said image plane and a curvature of the image by changing a deviation between the phase of at least one spectral component of the first portion and the phase of at least one spectral component of the second portion.

Abstract: A spectrally encoded imaging device having a light transmission path arrangement which propagates light to illuminate a target object, a light collection path arrangement having a light collection waveguide which propagates a spectrally encoded portion of the light from the target object to a detector which forms an image of the target object accordingly, and a diffractive element which spectrally disperses at least one of the light and the spectrally encoded portion. The light transmission path arrangement and the light collection path arrangement are optically isolated from one another.

Abstract: A specified proton concentration in a volume (80) is produced by passing a controlled electrophoresis current through an adjacent electrophoresis volume (28) between a working electrode (26) and a counter electrode (24). An array of such volumes with specified proton concentration is used to provide the pH gradient for isoelectric focusing.

Abstract: A light detecting system is disclosed. The system comprises an arrangement of quantum dots forming an optically active region, a channel region and a charge carrier extractor between the active region and the channel region. The charge carrier extractor is characterized by a set of gradually decreasing energy levels between a characteristic excited energy level of the active region and a characteristic conductance energy level of the channel region.

Abstract: Methods of generating embryoid bodies (EBs) by culturing embryonic stem cells (ESCs) under static conditions followed by culturing the cells under dynamic conditions using e.g., a Glass Bulb-shaped Impeller (GBI) or shaking a culture vessel are provided. Also provided are methods of generating expanded and/or differentiated cells from the EBs of the invention and methods of using same for treating disorders requiring cell replacement therapy.

Abstract: Processes for forming quantum well structures which are characterized by controllable nitride content are provided, as well as superlattice structures, optical devices and optical communication systems based thereon.

Abstract: In recent years piezoelectric actuation has been identified as a promising means of driving miniature Stirling devices. It supports miniaturization, has a high power to volume ratio, can operate at almost any frequency, good electrical to mechanical efficiencies, and potentially has a very long operating life. This invention uses a valve-less hydraulic amplification, creating an oscillating pressure wave sufficiently large to drive a high frequency miniature pulse tube cryocooler. The actuator may be separated from the main body of the cryocooler. The system lack of rubbing parts in the power conversion processes.

Abstract: An H2S04-based calcite dissolution post-treatment process and apparatii for desalinated water are provided. The process comprises separating cations from seawater by ion exchange resin (s) (12) onto which the ions are loaded, contacting the ion exchange resin (s) (12) loaded with the cations with an effluent (1) of a calcite dissolution reactor (10) wherein the cations are exchanged with Ca2+ from this effluent. The Ca2+ concentration of the resulting desalinated water (6) decreases while the cations concentration increases to comply with required quality criteria. Batch type and continuous apparatii by which the process can be carried out are described.

Abstract: The subject matter discloses a method of determining whether a point in a computerized image is visible from a viewpoint; said image is represented as a point cloud, the method comprising: performing inversion on a the vicinity of the point thus creating a computerized inversed objects each point in the vicinity of the point is related to a parallel point in the computerized inversed object and obtaining a convex hull of the inversed object; the point is likely to be visible from the viewpoint in case it belongs to the point set composing the convex hull.

Abstract: Apparatus for isolation of a media stream of a first modality from a complex media source having at least two media modality, and multiple objects, and events, comprises: recording devices for the different modalities; an associator for associating between events recorded in said first modality and events recorded in said second modality, and providing an association output; and an isolator that uses the association output for isolating those events in the first mode correlating with events in the second mode associated with a predetermined object, thereby to isolate a isolated media stream associated with said predetermined object. Thus it is possible to identify events such as hand or mouth movements, and associate these with sounds, and then produce a filtered track of only those sounds associated with the events. In this way a particular speaker or musical instrument can be isolated from a complex scene.

Abstract: A novel process of preparing tridentate ligands containing a diarylphosphine electron donating group 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 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.

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: The instant invention concerns chroman ring derivative compounds such as vitamin E derivatives and methods for their use. In certain aspects, methods for treating subjects comprising Arg, JNK, p73, NOXA or FOXO1 positive cancers are provided. In still further aspects, methods for treating cell proliferative disease such as cancer by administration of a chroman ring compound in conjunction with a P13 or Akt kinase inhibitor are described.

Abstract: A calcite dissolution post-treatment process and apparatii for desalinated water are provided. The process comprises separating cations from seawater or brackish/seawater desalination brines by ion exchange resin(s) onto which the ions are loaded, contacting the ion exchange resin(s) loaded with the cations with an effluent of a calcite dissolution reactor wherein the cations are exchanged with Ca2+ from this effluent. The Ca2+ concentration of the resulting desalinated water decreases while the cations concentration increases to comply with required quality criteria. Batch type and continuous apparatii by which the process can be carried out are described.

Abstract: The new invention relates to a novel high-performance Passive Optical Network (PON) upgrade architecture, based on adapting Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) beamforming techniques to polarization multiplexing.

Abstract: A method and computing program for providing a user computing platform with a response to a query, the response comprising indications to one or more Universal Resource Identifier optionally with instructions on how to get the relevant information from there, and how to format the response. Thus a user computing platform receives information directly from a content provider, whose rights are not infringed by the query engine. If payment or other limitations are imposed by the content provider or by the user, they are handled between the user and the content provider, without intervention by the query engine.