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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a fusion protein attached to the outer surface of a substrate is disclosed. The fusion protein comprises a light-generating protein and a light-transducing protein. Uses of the composition of matter are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are a computing system and a computer-implemented method for distributed training of a machine learning model over a plurality of computing nodes, in a plurality of iterations, characterized by gradient gap based mitigation of the gradient staleness problem. The disclosed method evaluates the staleness of the gradient based on the difference in gradients between a central point, for example an iteration's common starting point, and the points reached by the respective computing node during one or more iterations, and aggregates the update steps from the plurality of computing nodes, while giving more weight to computing nodes having a lesser change in the gradient.

Abstract: A methodology is provided for generating hydrophobic superhydrophobic, oleophobic and/or superoleophobic surfaces. Compositions of matter made of a substrate having deposited on a surface thereof (e.g., by thermal evaporation) hydrocarbon waxes, including fluorinated waxes, are disclosed. Process of preparing such compositions of matter and articles of manufacturing incorporating such compositions are also disclosed. Further disclosed are articles of manufacturing and methods which are useful in inhibiting, reducing and/or retarding biofilm formation, and which include applying waxes (e.g., by thermal evaporation) on a surface of the articles.

Abstract: Provided are novel serum-free culture media which comprise basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta-3 and ascorbic acid at a concentration of at least about 50 microgram/ml; ascorbic acid at a concentration range of about 400-600 microgram/ml, bFGF at a concentration range of about 50-200 ng/ml, xeno-free serum replacement and a lipid mixture; the IL6RIL6 chimera at a concentration range of about 50-200 picogram per milliliter (pg/ml); or leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) at a concentration of at least 2000 units/ml; cell cultures comprising same with pluripotent stem cells such as human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and methods of using same for expanding pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state using two-dimensional or three-dimensional culture systems; and methods of expanding iPS cells in a suspension culture devoid of substrate adherence and cell encapsulation.

Abstract: Provided are methods of determining prognosis of a subject diagnosed with sepsis, by determining the baseline levels of T-cell senescence in the subject. Also provided are methods of treating a subject diagnosed with sepsis, by monitoring the subject diagnosed with sepsis and treating the subject which exhibits high baseline levels of T-cell senescence.

Abstract: A compact robotic device for driving movement of two or more elongate surgical tools configured for a telescopic arrangement when said two or more elongate surgical tools are at least partially received within said device, the device comprising: a housing comprising walls which define an inner volume including at least two inner pathways for accommodating the two or more elongate surgical tools; the housing encasing: a plurality of motors, and two or more tool actuation assemblies configured at a position of each of the two or more inner pathways; the actuation assemblies driven by the plurality of motors and configured to operably contact an elongate surgical tool at least partially received in the inner pathway to at least one of advance, retract and/or roll said elongate surgical tool.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a speculative execution processor, from side channel attacks, are disclosed. The system comprises a processing circuitry, adapted to: in a first time period performing an execution of a code segment by storing speculative instructions in an internal cache memory which is inaccessible to read actions of an external processing unit; in a second time period copying only a committed portion of the executed code segment into another memory component which is accessible to read actions of the external processing unit. The first and second time periods are different and independent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conducting material comprising a carbon-based material selected from a diamond or an insulating diamond-like carbon, having a hydrogen-terminated surface and a layer of tungsten trioxide, rhenium trioxide, or chromium oxide coating said hydrogen-terminated surface. Such conducting materials are useful in the fabrication of electronic components, electrodes, sensors, diodes, field effect transistors, and field emission electron sources.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention relates to methods and implants comprising acoustic-sensitive material and at least one additional component within said acoustic-sensitive material. In some embodiments, the at least one additional component is one or more of at least one releasable drug within said acoustic-sensitive material and/or a plurality of cells within said acoustic-sensitive material. In some embodiments, the implant comprises a dedicated form, which is provided inside the body of the patient.

Abstract: A method for training a computerized mechanical device, comprising: receiving data documenting actions of an actuator performing a task in a plurality of iterations; calculating using the data a neural network dataset and used for performing the task; gathering in a plurality of reward iterations a plurality of scores given by an instructor to a plurality of states, each comprising at least one sensor value, while a robotic actuator performs the task according to the neural network; calculating using the plurality of scores a reward dataset used for computing a reward function; updating at least some of the neural network's plurality of parameters by receiving in each of a plurality of policy iterations a reward value computed by applying the reward function to another state comprising at least one sensor value, while the robotic actuator performs the task according to the neural network; and outputting the updated neural network.

Abstract: A system for directional detection of radiation, comprises a plurality of scintillating crystals, responsive to the radiation and being arranged three-dimensionally, with voids between adjacent crystals, such that there are crystals that are inner and crystals that are outer within the arrangement. The system also comprises a plurality of light sensors coupled to the crystals for receiving optical signals from the crystals and responsively generating electrical signals, and a data processor receiving an electrical signal separately from each light sensor and calculating a direction of the radiation based on relative intensities of the signals and mutual occultation among different crystals.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for decision making under uncertainty, for selecting an optimal action from among multiple candidate actions in belief space planning (BSP), including, for a new propagated belief: selecting from stored propagated beliefs a closest propagated belief; selecting, from among the stored measurement samples associated with the closest propagated belief, re-use measurement samples that provide a representative set of a measurement likelihood distribution corresponding to the new propagated belief; determining an information gap between a stored posterior belief associated with a re-use measurement sample and a new posterior belief that would be inferred by applying the re-use measurement sample to the new propagated belief; updating the stored posterior belief to account for the information gap; and calculating objective values for the multiple candidate actions, the objective values being weighted summations including immediate scores of the updated posterior beliefs.

Abstract: Agents which inhibit Gads dimerization are provided. Accordingly there is provided an agent which inhibits Gads (SEQ ID NO: 1) dimerization, the agent interacting with a pharmacophore binding site comprising an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F55, P56, W58, F59, E61, G62, A84-F92, V107-N111, Y115, F116, L125 and N126 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Also provided an agent which inhibits Gads (SEQ ID NO: 1) dimerization, the agent interacting with a pharmacophore binding site comprising an amino acid sequence of an SH3 domain of SEQ ID NO: 1. Also provided are methods of inhibiting activation of a T cell and/or a mast cell and methods of treating or preventing a disease associated with activation of T cells or an allergic response.

Abstract: Doubly-crosslinked hydrogel polyHIPEs (DC-PHs), which exhibit rapid water absorption, enhanced mechanical properties, and shape memory behavior, are provided herein, as well as processes of producing the same and uses thereof. DC-PHs comprise a continuous HIPE-templated doubly-crosslinked hydrogel, formed from hydrogel-forming monomers, ligand-bearing monomers, and crosslinking monomers.

Abstract: Provided herein are composite conductors, characterized by having copper deposits inside the bulk rather than on the outer surface of a non-metallic conductive porous matrix, such as CNT fabric, as well as a process for obtaining the same. The composite conductors provided herein are also characterized by a low specific weight and a high ampacity compared to metal conductors of similar size and shape.

Abstract: A channel distribution system has a channel carrying content, and an interactive receiver which receives content and provides to a user. The interactive receiver has an interface to allow the user to interact with the content. The channel also includes a broadcast label superimposed on the content which invites the user to interact with the content. The label includes an interactive link with a digital instruction containing handling information for the interactive receiver device. The handling information tells the interactive receiver how to handle a user interaction coinciding with the label.