Abstract: A method of treating or preventing diabetes or obesity that comprises administering an antioxidant-enriched composition produced by fermenting fruit extracts with the bacteria Serratia vaccinii. The antioxidant-enriched composition is capable of decreasing plasma glucose levels, increasing circulating adiponectin levels and decreasing hyperphagia in a subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching optical pump signals into a disordered gain medium at two points thereby producing a narrow line-width random fiber laser within the disordered gain medium. The optical pump signals are propagated in a direction through the disordered gain medium towards one another. The apparatus may comprise an optical gain fiber having a first end configured to receive a first fiber pump signal and a second end configured to receive a second fiber pump signal such that the first fiber pump signal and the second fiber pump signal propagate within the optical gain fiber in a direction towards one another. An optical loss device is coupled to the optical gain fiber, wherein the optical loss device isolates a narrow line-width random fiber laser signal from a signal generated within the optical gain fiber.

Abstract: A high-finesse Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) is introduced into a coherent Brillouin RFL configuration to thereby produce a frequency stabilized random laser.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for multi-resolution based power spectral density estimation. According to some examples, a first power spectral density (PSD) of a signal may be computed to determine a first frequency resolution and a first error variance (EV) value associated with the PSD. The first PSD may be computed using fewer segments of the signal to achieve a higher resolution. The higher resolution is associated with a higher EV because of the fewer segments used for the computation of the first PSD. Next, a second PSD may be computed using the signal while sampling more segments to determine second resolution and EV. The second PSD may be associated with a lower EV because of the additional segments used for the computing of the second PSD. Missing frequency variables of the second PSD may be determined using the first resolution and the second EV through an expectation maximization technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing single mode random fiber ring laser by inducing random distributed feedback in a short section of the fiber ring to thereby enable single mode lasing while reducing frequency jitter and relative intensity noise. The random distributed feedback maybe achieved through deep refractive index modulation at a series of randomly distributed laser-irradiated points inscribed along the length of the induced random distributed feedback fiber. The laser-processed random distributed feedback fiber maybe incorporated into the fiber ring in conjunction with a variable optical attenuator and band pass optical filter for enhancing the single mode operation.

Abstract: There are provided fluorescent labelling agents comprising a dimaleimide core connected to a fluorophore, processes for preparation thereof, and uses thereof for labelling and/or detection of specific protein targets. Fluorescent labelling agents comprising a compound having the structure of Formula I, and salts thereof, are described.

Abstract: A compound of Formula I or Formula II:

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for conducting a hearing assessment of a patient. The method includes: presenting a plurality of objects on a display of a computing device, where each object produces an audio output in response to a stimuli from the patient and the audio output by the objects varies in frequency and intensity amongst the plurality of objects; prompting a patient with a visual cue to classify objects producing sound; receiving an input from the patient for each object in the plurality of objects, where the input indicates whether the audio output by a given object was perceptible to the patient; and generating an audiogram for the patient using the input received from the patient.

Abstract: Methods of preparing latex-based adhesives are provided. Such methods include aging and heating of latex-films to improve performance properties with respect to tack, peel strength, and sheer strength. The latex adhesives may be used as pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: Novel fluorescent markers of Formula I: are disclosed herein, wherein X and Y are independently or together absent or are independently selected from R and R1 are independently selected from H and alkyl; Ar is phenyl or heteroaryl; L is absent or a spacer selected from the group consisting of —NH—; —(CH2)nNH—; —NHSO2—; —(CH2)nNHCO—; -(cycloalkyl)NHCO—; —(CH2)nNHSO2—; -(cycloalkyl)NHSO2—; —CONH(CH2)nNHCO—; —CONH(cycloalkyl)NHCO—; —NHCO(CH2)nNHCO—; —NHCO(cycloalkyl)NHCO—; —(CH2)nSO2NH—; -(cycloalkyl)SO2NH—; —(CH2)nNHCSNH—; -(cycloalkyl)NHCSNH—; —CR?CR1—; —C?C—; —(CH2)nN?CH—; -(cycloalkyl)N?CH—; —N?CH(CH2)—; —N?CH(cycloalkyl)-; n is an integer ranging from 1 to 5; F is a fluorophore selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, rhodamine, eosin, thionine, safranin, coumarin, methoxycoumarin, dansyl, BODIPY and BODIPY derivatives; and wherein X, Y and L may be positioned in a 1,3,5; 1,2,3; 1,3,4 or in a 3,4,5 configuration respectively.

Abstract: The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) provides new estrogenic compounds of the general formula and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) are useful, for example, in hormone replacement therapies (HRT/ERT), and as contraceptives, and estrogenic hormone therapies. Also provided is a process for synthesizing the compounds of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

Abstract: Novel fluorescent markers of Formula I: are disclosed herein, wherein X and Y are independently or together absent or are independently selected from R and R1 are independently selected from H and alkyl; Ar is phenyl or heteroaryl; L is absent or a spacer selected from the group consisting of —NH—; —(CH2)nNH—; —NHSO2—; —(CH2)nNHCO—; -(cycloalkyl)NHCO—; —(CH2)nNHSO2—; -(cycloalkyl)NHSO2—; —CONH(CH2)nNHCO—; —CONH(cycloalkyl)NHCO—; —NHCO(CH2)nNHCO—; —NHCO(cycloalkyl)NHCO—; —(CH2)nSO2NH—; -(cycloalkyl)SO2NH—; —(CH2)nNHCSNH—; -(cycloalkyl)NHCSNH—; —CR?CR1—; —C?C—; —(CH2)nN?CH—; -(cycloalkyl)N?CH—; —N?CH(CH2)—; —N?CH(cycloalkyl)-; n is an integer ranging from 1 to 5; F is a fluorophore selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, rhodamine, eosin, thionine, safranin, coumarin, methoxycoumarin, dansyl, BODIPY and BODIPY derivatives; and wherein X, Y and L may be positioned in a 1,3,5; 1,2,3; 1,3,4 or in a 3,4,5 configuration respectively.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions of an linoleic phospholipid for inhibiting inflammatory pathways or neurodegenerative processes. Also provided are uses of such compositions and methods of inhibiting inflammatory or neurodegenerative processes by administering a composition that includes an linoleic phospholipid and optionally a carrier to a cell, cell culture or subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a switchable aptamer having a high affinity for a selected target such as a virus, cell or antibody when in the presence of a binding ion and a low affinity for said target in the absence of said binding ion. The switchable aptamer may be isolated from a pool comprising a mixture of aptamers by incubating the pool with the target ligand and a binding ion to form target-aptamer complexes; separating unbound aptamer molecules from the target-aptamer complexes; contacting the target-aptamer complexes with a chelating agent having affinity for the binding ion wherein a switchable aptamer specific to said target is released from the target-aptamer complexes; and isolating the switchable aptamer released in the preceding step.

Abstract: A miniaturized imaging system is provided that operates in multiple modes, including a coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering (CARS) mode. The imaging system includes: a laser delivery subsystem that generates an excitation signal; a scanning mechanism configured to receive the excitation signal from the laser delivery subsystem and direct the excitation signal through an optics subsystem onto a sample, such that the optics subsystem compensates for chromatic aberration in the excitation signal; and a dichroic mirror that receives emission from the sample in a backward direction and directs the emission along a collection path to a detector. The light source for the laser delivery subsystem may be a single femtosecond pulse laser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cell-based production of bacterial nonulosonates and their biosynthetic precursors. Specifically, the present invention provides recombinant cells for the production of pseudaminic acid, legionaminic acid, UDP-2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-?-L-altropyranose, and UDP-2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-?-D-glucopyranose. Methods for producing the sugars are also provided.

Abstract: Novel fluorescent markers of Formula I: are disclosed herein, wherein X and Y are independently or together absent or are independently selected from R and R1 are independently selected from H and alkyl; Ar is phenyl or heteroaryl; L is absent or a spacer selected from the group consisting of —NH—; —(CH2)nNH—; —NHSO2—; —(CH2)nNHCO—; -(cycloalkyl)NHCO—; —(CH2)nNHSO2—; -(cycloalkyl)NHSO2—; —CONH(CH2)nNHCO—; —CONH(cycloalkyl)NHCO—; —NHCO(CH2)nNHCO—; —NHCO(cycloalkyl)NHCO—; —(CH2)nSO2NH—; -(cycloalkyl)SO2NH—; —(CH2)nNHCSNH—; -(cycloalkyl)NHCSNH—; —CR?CR1—; —C?C—; —(CH2)nN?CH—; -(cycloalkyl)N?CH—; —N?CH(CH2)—; —N?CH(cycloalkyl)-; n is an integer ranging from 1 to 5; F is a fluorophore selected from the group consisting of fluorescein, rhodamine, eosin, thionine, safranin, coumarin, methoxycoumarin, dansyl, BODIPY and BODIPY derivatives; and wherein X, Y and L may be positioned in a 1,3,5; 1,2,3; 1,3,4 or in a 3,4,5 configuration respectively.

Abstract: Bacterial strains are provided that can be isolated from the microflora of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and that are capable of increasing the antioxidant content of their growth medium. The bacteria can be used, for example, to increase the antioxidant content of various foodstuffs, as probiotics or as additives to animal feed. Antioxidant-enriched compositions produced by fermentation processes utilising the bacteria are also provided. The antioxidant-enriched compositions can be used in the preparation of cosmetics and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant-enriched compositions also have therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making polyglycerol. The methods include heating glycerol at reduced pressure in the absence of a glyceride and in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, triflic acid, hydrochloric acid, hexafluorophosphoric acid, tetrafluoroboric acid and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for controlling an encoder that is particularly suited for high definition video conferencing. The method includes: receiving an average allowance of bits for encoding a data frame; receiving a burst allowance for data encoded by the encoder, where the burst allowance specifies a variance above the average allowance for a given time period; determining bits needed to encode an incoming data frame; comparing the bits needed to encode the incoming data frame to the average allowance of bits; computing a bit allowance for the incoming data frame using the bits needed to encode the incoming data frame and the burst allowance when the bits needed to encode the incoming data frame exceeds the average allowance of bits; computing a quantization parameter for the incoming data frame using the bit allowance for the incoming data frame; and providing the quantization parameter to the video encoder.