Abstract: A photonically assisted analog to digital conversion (ADC) system is presented. The system comprises: an optical sampling signal generator configured and operable for generating an optical sampling signal comprising a predetermined sampling pulse sequence in the form of a time separated pulse train of spectral components dispersed in a periodic fashion, where each pulse is distinguishable by a central wavelength thereof different from its neighboring pulses. The generation of the pulse sampling sequence is achieved by combining broadband dispersion and compensation with a periodic dispersion compensator having a free spectral range smaller than the broad bandwidth of the ultrashort pulse. The second innovative element is the introduction of coherent detection with oversampling of the interference terms of the phase modulated pulse sampling sequence and a reference pulse.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for illuminating a body surface. A light source is optically coupled to the proximal end of a light guide and a light scatterer is optically coupled to the distal end of the light guide. The device includes a deployment mechanism that is configured to bring the light scatterer from a small caliber configuration in which the light scatterer is delivered to the body surface to a large caliber configuration in which the light scatterer irradiates the body surface. The invention may be used, for example, irradiate the periadventitial surface of an aneurysmal blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides new ceramide analogs indicated as the compounds of formula (II). These novel analogs exhibit a significant anti cancerous effect and are therefore provided as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cell proliferative diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolism-associated conditions, infectious diseases, and immune-related disorders. The invention further provides combined compositions and kits combining the novel ceramide analogs of formula (II) with an additional therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to arylated camphenes, processes for their preparation and uses thereof for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of diseases, disorders or conditions associated with, or benefiting from stimulation of CB2 receptors.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method, system, and techniques for summarization, searching, and indexing of video are provided, wherein data related to objects detected in the video in a selected time interval is received and the objects are clustered into clusters such that each cluster includes objects that are similar in respect to a selected feature or a combination of features. A video summary is generated based on the computed clusters.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining the bio-safety of an agent is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid derivative stably encapsulated in a liposome. The glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid derivative is selected from an amphipathic weak base glucocorticoid or glucocorticoid derivative having a pKa equal or below 11 and a logD at pH 7 in the range between ?2.5 and 1.5; or an amphipathic weak acid GC or GC derivative having a pKa above 3.5 and a logD at pH 7 in the range between ?2.5 and 1.5. The therapeutic effect of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention was exhibited in vivo with appropriate models of multiple sclerosis and cancer.

Abstract: This invention discloses carrier beads comprising a hydrocolloid polymer comprising at least one inert filler material, wherein the at least one filler material provides improved properties including increased mechanical strength and/or reduced porosity relative to a bead without said at least one filler. The beads are useful per se or for delivery of active agents. Methods for preparation of the beads and the uses thereof are described particularly for controlling the rate of release an active agent from said bead.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically ranking product reviews according to review helpfulness. Given a collection of reviews, the method employs an algorithm that identifies dominant terms and uses them to define a feature vector representation. Reviews are then converted to this representation and ranked according to their distance from a ‘locally optimal’ review vector. The algorithm is fully unsupervised and thus avoids costly and error-prone manual training annotations. In one embodiment a Multi Layer Lexical Model (MLLM) approach partitions the dominant lexical terms in a review into layers, creates a compact unified layers lexicon, and ranks the reviews according to their weight with respect to unified lexicon, all in a fully unsupervised manner. When used to rank book reviews, it was found that the invention significantly outperforms the user votes-based ranking employed by Amazon.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of preventing or treating a dermatologic condition including, inter alia, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis, in a subject, the method includes the step of administering to said subject a compound comprising a lipid or phospholipid moiety bound to a physiologically acceptable monomer, dimer, oligomer, or polymer, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a pharmaceutical product thereof, in an amount effective to treat the subject suffering from a dermatologic condition.

Abstract: Provided is a process for controlling heavy metal (e.g., mercury) emission in S02-containing flue gas, comprising passing a stream of the flue gas (2) through a wet scrubber (1) where it is brought into contact with a liquid absorbent (8) comprising an ionic liquid, an oxidizer (11) and polar protic organic solvent, wherein the amount of said organic solvent is adjusted such that the SO2 absorption is minimized while operating said wet scrubber at a temperature lower than the normal working temperature that would be used in the absence of said solvent. The process may be preceded by an initial stage where a fluoride-containing liquid is used for reducing the amount of sulfur dioxide in the flue gas stream; the sulfur dioxide can be subsequently desorbed from the fluoride-containing liquid upon the addition of a polar solvent.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymers having the general formula I as defined herein, A-L-B??Formula I as well as crosslinked polymers having the general formula III: B?-L?-A?-A?-L?-B???Formula III and methods of preparing the polymers, wherein A is a dihydroxyphenyl moiety; A?-A? is a pair of crosslinked dihydroxyphenyl moieties; B, B? and B? are each a biopolymer; and L, L? and L? are each a linking moiety. Further provided are crosslinked adhesives prepared from the polymers, methods of generating same by oxidizing a polymer, and uses thereof. Further provided are kits comprising an adhesive and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of administering at least one active pharmaceutical agent to a patient in need thereof, which method comprises the intranasal administration of a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of this agent, phospholipids, one or more C2-C4 alcohols and water, wherein the concentrations of the phospholipids and the one or more alcohols in the composition are in the ranges of 0.2 to 10% and 12 to 30% by weight, respectively, with the water content of said composition being not less than 30% by weight, the phospholipids forming vesicles in said composition. Further are disclosed pharmaceutical compositions and combinations suitable for intranasal delivery.

Abstract: A method for colorization of images is presented. The method comprises the following steps: Displaying an image (102); applying multiple color markings (at least two colors are different) to the displayed image (104); automatically coloring the image by applying a constrained optimization to a cost function that is responsive to the marked colors and the intensity differences of the neighborhoods of some of all of the pixels (106); the resultant image is subsequently stored (110), displayed (108), or transferred (112).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating, suppressing, inhibiting, or preventing allergic rhinitis in a subject comprising the step of administering to a subject a compound comprising a lipid or phospholipid moiety bond to a physiologically acceptable monomer, dimer, oligomer, or polymer, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a pharmaceutical product thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a dermatologic condition, including, inter alia, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and seboreic dermatitis, the method includes the step of administering to a subject a compound comprising a lipid or phospholipid moiety bound to a physiologically acceptable monomer, dimer, oligomer, or polymer, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a pharmaceutical product thereof, in an amount effective to treat the subject suffering from a dermatologic condition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of joint lubrication and/or prevention of cartilage wear making use of liposomes having membranes with at least one phospholipid (PL) of the group consisting of a glycerophospholipid (GPL) having two, being the same or different, C12-C16 hydrocarbon chain and a sphingolipid (SPL) having a C12-C15 hydrocarbon chain, the one or more membranes having a phase transition temperature in which solid ordered (SO) to liquid disordered (LD) phase transition occurs, the phase transition temperature being within a temperature of about 20° C. to about 39° C. for lubrication of joints.

Abstract: This invention provides for the use of compounds represented by the structure of the general formula (I): wherein R1 is a linear, saturated, mono-unsaturated, or poly-unsaturated, alkyl chain ranging in length from 2 to 30 carbon atoms; R2 is a linear, saturated, mono-unsaturated, or poly-unsaturated, alkyl chain ranging in length from 2 to 30 carbon atoms; Y is either nothing or a spacer group ranging in length from 2 to 30 atoms; X is either a physiologically acceptable monomer, dimer, oligomer or a physiologically acceptable polymer, wherein X is a glycosaminoglycan; and n is a number from 2 to 1,000; wherein if Y is nothing the phosphatidylethanolamine is directly linked to X via an amide bond and if Y is a spacer, said spacer is directly linked to X via an amide or an esteric bond and to said phosphatidylethanolamine via an amide bond, thereby inhibiting the development of a psoriatic plaque or reducing plaque size in a subject.

Abstract: Provided is a platform for entrapment within alumina sol-gel carriers of labile biologically active materials such as proteins, therapeutic enzymes, enzymes of industrial relevance, antigens, and small molecules for achieving successful and efficient protective storage, protection from harsh environmental conditions such as heat, pH and chemicals, delivery to site and subsequent treatment and/or vaccination against diseases against which the active agents are targeted.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid precursor composition adapted for application on a on a desired surface, this composition comprising: a. at least one therapeutic agent suitable for the treatment or prevention of a disorder or pathological condition, wherein said disorder or pathological condition excludes oral disorders, b. at least one acidic-pH sensitive polymer, c. at least one hydrophobic polymer, and d. a pharmaceutically acceptable volatile solvent, wherein a weight ratio between the at least one hydrophobic polymer and the at least one acidic-pH sensitive polymer is larger than 1.