Abstract: Bioluminescent imaging has proven to be a valuable tool for monitoring physiological and pathological activities at cellular and molecular levels in living small animals. Using biological techniques, target cells can be tagged with reporters which generate characteristic photons in a wide spectrum covering the infra-red range. Part of the diffused light can reach the body surface of a subject/specimen (e.g., a small animal), be separated into several spectral bands using optical means, and collected by a sensitive camera. Systems and methods are disclosed herein for multi-spectral bioluminescence tomography (MBLT), in which an image of an underlying 3D bioluminescent source distribution is synergistically reconstructed from spectrally resolved datasets externally measured. This MBLT process involves two or multiple imaging modalities that produce structural information of the object and optical properties of the object as well to enable and improve the quality of MBLT.

Abstract: The description provides a signal detection system employing a wireless, passive detection device that utilizes waveform shifting for reporting signals to a reader device. The system is useful for a variety of applications including as an implanted medical device for monitoring patient conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optimized aptamers and methods of using these aptamers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulating the tissue of an animal. The apparatus can comprise a vibration system configured to apply a vibration to the tissue. The apparatus can also comprise a compression system configured to compress the tissue. The system can deliver combinations of compressive or vibration stress to tissue either with or without background muscle contractions.

Abstract: The invention provides fluorescent schweinfurthin analogs of formula (I) which are useful as probes and for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Abstract: A positioning device for ankle joint replacement surgery.

Abstract: An electrode array which is able to be inserted to a desired depth within the cochlea to provide useful percepts for the recipient which will also preferably not cause damage to the sensitive structures of the cochlea. The electrode array is insertable through an opening in the cochlea and into at least the basal region of the cochlea and comprises an elongate carrier having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of electrodes supported by the carrier at respective spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end and the distal end. A stabilising collar extends outwardly from the elongate carrier at or adjacent a proximal end thereof and has an abutment surface adapted to abut a portion of the cochlea surface around the cochleostomy and at least substantially prevent movement of the carrier following completion of insertion of the array into the cochlea.

Abstract: A dental brush assembly includes an elongate handle having first and second coupling ends sized and shaped to couple with at least a first detachable dental brush. The first coupling end is at a first angle relative to a handle longitudinal axis and the second coupling end is at a second different angle relative to the handle longitudinal axis. The first coupling end includes first and second brush facing surfaces. The second coupling end includes third and fourth brush facing surfaces. The first detachable dental brush includes a directional brush surface and a brush end complementary to the first, second, third and fourth brush facing surfaces. The directional brush surface is directed in first, second, third or fourth non-identical orientations relative to the handle longitudinal axis depending on which brush facing surface the first detachable dental brush is oriented with.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic, large non-human animal models of diseases and conditions, as well as methods of making and using such animal models in the identification and characterization of therapies for the diseases and conditions.

Abstract: Provided is a hybrid laser ophthalmoscope comprising a laser light source, a LED light source, and a holographic diffuser, wherein the holographic diffuser is configured to shape a beam of light into a Maxwellian ring.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to enhance antimicrobial activity, e.g., in a mammal.

Abstract: A supercapacitor, in particular an asymmetric supercapacitor, comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is magnetically modified and comprises MnO2. The electrode can comprise a mixture comprising MnO2 and at least one magnetic material, wherein the magnetic material comprises SmCo5. The supercapacitor can also comprise an aqueous electrolyte having a pH of 5-9. The electrode serves in the asymmetric supercapacitor through pseudocapacitance. Higher capacitance and efficiency can be observed.

Abstract: Materials and Methods related to making and using natriuretic polypeptides having a mutation that results in an extended carboxy terminus.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system are provided for modeling non-controllable parameters affecting system performance. The method may include receiving historical values for each of a plurality of system parameters and grouping the system parameters into controllable, non-controllable, and performance parameters. The method may further include determining a first set of predictors from the non-controllable parameters using the historical values of these non-controllable parameters and, for each predictor in the first set, determining optimal time instances at which a value of each predictor is measured using non-uniform time scales. These optimal time instances may then be saved as a second set of predictors. One or more constraints may then be established for each of the controllable parameters. Finally, a dynamic model based on the second set of predictors, the controllable parameters, and the performance parameters may be constructed and optimized.

Abstract: A system and methods for the efficient segmentation of globally optimal surfaces representing object boundaries in volumetric datasets is provided. An optical surface detection system and methods are provided that are capable of simultaneously detecting multiple interacting surfaces in which the optimality is controlled by the cost functions designed for individual surfaces and by several geometric constraints defining the surface smoothness and interrelations. The present invention includes surface segmentation using a layered graph-theoretic approach that optimally segments multiple interacting surfaces of a single object using a pre-segmentation step, after which the segmentation of all desired surfaces of the object are performed simultaneously in a single optimization process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of reducing a level of a target mRNA in a well-differentiated airway epithelial cell by contacting the cell with a sensitizing agent followed by contacting the cell with a therapeutic RNAi agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to prevent or treat HIV-infection with synthetic tannins, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising synthetic tannins.

Abstract: Systems and methods for microwave tomography are described. According to various embodiments, signal strength values or other similar quality indications may be analyzed as they are received with packet data over a wireless network. The analysis may be used to determine the presence of a physical object substantially between communicating nodes in the wireless network. An output may be generated based on analyzed data. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to small interfering RNA molecules (siRNA) targeted against nucleic acid sequence that encodes huntingtin or ataxin-1, and methods of using these siRNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules targeted against a nucleic acid sequence, and methods of using these RNAi molecules to reduce off-target toxicity.