Abstract: A modular robotic surgical system comprising: a base; a plurality of tool-receivers arranged as separate units, each tool-receiver unit operable to move an elongate surgical tool received therein; a plurality of interface coupling pairs, each coupling pair comprising a first coupler as part of the base and a second coupler as part of each of the tool-receiver units; wherein each of the tool-receiver units is independently and interchangeably attachable to the base via the coupling pair.

Abstract: A method for detecting or monitoring respiratory or cardiac health of a patient includes measuring any intravascular or intracardiac pressure (IVP) of a patient over a period of time, said IVP including a measured respiratory wave, defining respiratory effort of the patient as a peak-to-peak amplitude of said respiratory wave, and using the respiratory effort to detect or monitor respiratory and cardiac health of the patient by comparing the respiratory effort with a known value of respiratory effort or by monitoring changes in the respiratory effort of the patient over another period of time.

Abstract: There may be provided a radiation sensing device that includes a first TMOS with temperature dependent electrical parameters; wherein the first TMOS is exposed to radiation, and a second TMOS transistor that is sheltered from radiation. The radiation sensing device performs a differential measurement, and applied various measures for noise reduction, and maintaining the stability of the radiation sensing device.

Abstract: A spectrally encoded flow cytometry (SEFC) technique for imaging blood in the microcirculation. Since the dependency of one of the axes of the image on time prevents effective quantification of essential clinical parameters, the optical path in an SEFC system is split into two parallel imaging lines, followed by data analysis for recovering the flow speed from the multiplexed data. The data analysis may be auto-correlation of a pair of images obtained from a sequence of images of the imaged blood vessel.

Abstract: A compositions-of-matter in the form of HIPE-templated hydrogels, comprising a crosslinked polymer of zwitterionic monomers, which exhibit unusual antipolyelectrolyte characteristics, dual pH-, and temperature-responsiveness, as well as processes of obtaining the same and using the same.

Abstract: Protein based highly stretchable compositions with ionic conductivity are disclosed herein. Methods for preparing such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for a suicide gene approach comprising an expression vector comprising a cell cycle-dependent promoter driving the expression of a suicide gene. Also provided herein are methods to render proliferative cells sensitive to a prodrug after transplantation but avoids expression of the suicide gene in post-mitotic cells, such as neurons.

Abstract: There is provided a method of representing a three dimensional (3D) object using univariate curves, comprising: receiving an initial definition of a 3D object representation, calculate a covering set of univariate curves, the covering set comprising at least one non-planar univariate curve, wherein the covering set of univariate curves represent the volume of the 3D object within a tolerance requirement, and generating a representation of the 3D object based on the set of univariate curves, wherein the set of univariate curves represent the volume of the 3D object.

Abstract: In some aspects, methods and probiotic compositions are provided for the treatment of bone diseases such as, e.g., ostetoporosis. In some embodiments, one or more bacteria from the warm microbiota such as, e.g., Clostridialeace-assimilate, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteriaceae, Akkermansia, and/or Parabacteroides may be administered to a subject, such as a human subject, to treat the bone disease. In some embodiments, heat may be applied to the subject to promote the development of warm microbiota to treat the bone disease.

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 narrow channel Hall thruster comprising a thruster body with a magnetic circuit, an annular thruster channel having a channel width of less than 3 mm formed within the magnetic circuit, an annular anode, a cathode positioned externally to the thruster, and configured for electron emission, a power supply applying a positive potential to the anode, such that a plasma discharge can be generated in the annular thruster channel, and another power supply applying a negative potential to the cathode, relative to the thruster body and the anode. The second power supply reduces its negative voltage output to the cathode when the current supplied by the anode power supply exceeds a predetermined level, indicating that the discharge has reached a stable initiated condition. The reduction of the voltage output of the second power supply can be achieved either by self-regulation, or by use of a current limit circuit.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a plurality of pairs of queries associated with a database, wherein the queries in each pair in the plurality of pairs of queries have an identical FROM clause; at a training stage, training a machine learning model on a training set comprising: (i) the plurality of pairs of queries, and (ii) labels associated with containment rates between each of the pairs of queries over the database; and at an inference stage, applying the trained machine learning model to a pair of target queries, to estimate containment rates between the target pair of queries over the database.

Abstract: A polyHIPE-based substance-releasing system capable of releasably encapsulating a highly concentrated solution and/or a room temperature solid while minimizing or avoiding burst release from the closed-cell microstructure of an elastic polyHIPE.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and kits for determining the presence of a mutated SLC30A2 polynucleotide. The invention is further directed to methods of determining a subject's genetic-susceptibility to zinc deficiency and evaluating zinc levels in a composition comprising breast milk.

Abstract: A system for extracting water from the atmosphere is disclosed. The system has a vapor absorber vessel, an absorption cycle pump, a flash drum vapor desorber, a vapor condenser, an output conduit, and a heat exchanger. The vessel has an atmospheric air inlet and outlet ports, at least one liquid desiccant inlet port, at least two liquid desiccant outlet ports, and a surface on which the liquid desiccant flows between the at least one liquid desiccant inlet port and the at least two liquid desiccant outlet ports. The pump is adapted to circulate a first portion of the liquid desiccant from a first of the outlet ports to the at least one inlet port. The desorber is adapted to receive a second portion of the liquid desiccant from a second of the outlet ports, after passage through an expansion valve, the desorber incorporates a heat exchanger for supplying heat to liquid desiccant therein.

Abstract: A method for controlling a controlled system by a control device, the method may include transmitting multiple actuation signals to multiple degree of freedom (DOF) points of the controlled system; wherein the multiple actuation signals comprise multiple alternating current (AC) components that are mutually orthogonal, measuring at least one feedback signal from at least one probe point of the controlled system; wherein a number of DOF points exceeds a number of the at least one probe point; determining, based upon the at least one feedback signal, values of line search pulses to be sent to the multiple DOF points during at least one line search iteration; and performing the at least one line search iteration.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method are presented for use in monitoring a target. The monitoring system comprises: an input utility for receiving input data comprising measured data indicative of optical response of the target measured under predetermined conditions and comprising phase data indicative of a two-dimensional profile of full phase of the optical response of the target in a predetermined two-dimensional parametric space including a two-dimensional range in which said target exhibits phase singularity; an analyzer module for processing said measured data and extracting at least one phase singularity signature of the target characterizing the target status, the phase singularity signature being formed by a number N of phase singularity points, each corresponding to a condition that the physical phase continuously accumulates a nonzero integer multiple m of 2? around said point.

Abstract: A high-efficiency, motorless purge system for closed-cycle absorption heat pumps, adapted for both absorption heat transformers and absorption chillers, using a series of valves to control the entry and exit of absorbent solution into a low-pressure, secondary absorption vessel. A small percentage of the total circulating solution is forced under pressure into the secondary absorption vessel via a spray nozzle, causing adiabatic absorption of absorbate vapor by the solution. Non-condensable gases accumulate in the secondary absorber until a certain vapor pressure is reached, upon which, gas, and possibly liquid, are transferred to an exhaust vessel having an exit vent for non-condensable gases. In an absorption chiller system, the secondary absorber has an internal heat exchanger to lower the temperature of the solution within, to facilitate the absorption process.

Abstract: Provided are methods for the identification of mutant kinases that are resistant to inhibition by a kinase inhibitor. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to assess a test compound or kinase inhibitor for the risk of the development of resistance in vivo, e.g., during clinical administration to treat a disease such as a cancer.

Abstract: Well-defined, xeno-free culture media which comprise a TGF-beta isoform or the chimera formed between IL6 and the soluble IL6 receptor (IL6RIL6), which are capable of maintaining stem cells, and particularly, human embryonic stem cells, in an undifferentiated state are provided. Also provided are cell cultures comprising the culture media and the stem cells and methods of expanding and deriving embryonic stem cells in such well-defined, xeno-free culture media. In addition, the present invention provides methods of differentiating ESCs or EBs formed therefrom for the generation of lineage specific cells.