Abstract: The present invention relates to the high resolution imaging of samples using imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) and to the imaging of biological samples by imaging mass cytometry (IMC™) in which labelling atoms are detected by IMS. LA-ICP-MS (a form of IMS in which the sample is ablated by a laser, the ablated material is then ionised in an inductively coupled plasma before the ions are detected by mass spectrometry) has been used for analysis of various substances, such as mineral analysis of geological samples, analysis of archaeological samples, and imaging of biological substances. However, traditional LA-ICP-MS systems and methods may not provide high resolution. Described herein are methods and systems for high resolution IMS and IMC.

Abstract: A method of isotope-labelling a microbiota sample. It involves providing a first microbiota sample that was obtained from a given source; exposing the first microbiota sample to an isotope enriched medium; and culturing the exposed first microbiota sample in the isotope enriched medium to obtain an isotope-labelled microbiota sample, wherein the isotope labelled metaproteome of the isotope-labelled microbiota sample is taxon specific for taxa present in the first microbiota sample when initially obtained from the given source.

Abstract: Methods of detecting an aldehyde-containing compound in a subject or in a sample from a subject are described herein, comprising administering an aldehyde-binding compound of Formula I to the subject, or combining such a compound with the sample; and detecting the product of the compound of Formula I and the aldehyde-containing compound. Detection of the product may involve imaging, such as MRI, CEST-MRI or positron emission tomography (PET) imaging; or may involve fluorescence or an electrochemical detection method. Biologically relevant aldehydes detected according to the described method can be used to monitor conditions such as brain injury, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Abstract: There is provided a method, apparatus and system for calibrating and operating an optical wavemeter. In calibration, training optical signals with known wavelengths are input to a wavemeter, and corresponding photodetector measurements are obtained. Optical parameters of the wavemeter are then estimated based on the measurements. The optical parameters are indicative of a length difference ?L between two unequal-length waveguides in an optical delay line of the wavemeter; and scattering parameters of a multi-mode interferometer (MMI) coupler of the wavemeter. The estimation process involves a (e.g. golden-section) search to determine one or more output values for at least one of the optical parameters, based on an objective function which indicates a difference expected and actual measurements. The expected measurements are generated based on a numerical model incorporating candidate values for the optical parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to antioxidants. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to lubricating compositions comprising an antioxidant.

Abstract: Provided are compounds that enhance the efficacy of viruses by increasing spread of the virus in cells, increasing the titer of virus in cells, or increasing the antigen expression from a virus, gene or trans-gene expression from a virus, or virus protein expression in cells. Other uses, compositions and methods of using same are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of Formula (II) that enhance the efficacy of viruses by increasing spread of the virus in cells, increasing the titer of virus in cells, or increasing the antigen expression from a virus, gene or trans-gene expression from a virus, or virus protein expression in cells. Other uses, compositions and methods of using same are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for modulating lysosome-mediated microautophagy of a lipid or protein substrate in a cell are provided herein. In certain embodiments, said methods may comprise increasing lysosome-mediated microautophagy by treating the cell with a microautophagy-enhancing agent which increases lysosomal association-dissociation events between lysosomes and the cellular lipid or protein substrate and/or increases lysosomal degradation capacity; or decreasing lysosome-mediated microautophagy by treating the cell with a microautophagy-reducing agent which reduces lysosomal association-dissociation events between lysosomes and the cellular lipid or protein substrate and/or decreases lysosomal degradation capacity; thereby modulating lysosome-mediated microautophagy of the lipid or protein substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein are scaffold biomaterials comprising a decellularised fungal tissue from which cellular materials and nucleic acids of the tissue are removed, the decellularised fungal tissue comprising a cellulose- or chitin-based 3-dimensional porous structure. Methods for preparing such scaffold biomaterials, as well as uses thereof as an implantable scaffold for supporting animal cell growth, for promoting tissue regeneration, for promoting angiogenesis, for a tissue replacement procedure, and/or as a structural implant for cosmetic surgery are also provided. Therapeutic treatment and/or cosmetic methods employing such scaffolds are additionally described.

Abstract: Nanopore arrays are fabricated by controlled breakdown in solid-state membranes integrated within polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices. This technique enables the scalable production of independently addressable nanopores. By confining the electric field within the microfluidic architecture, nanopore fabrication is precisely localized and electrical noise is significantly reduced during sensing.

Abstract: A method of isotope-labelling a microbiota sample. It involves providing a first microbiota sample that was obtained from a given source; exposing the first microbiota sample to an isotope enriched medium; and culturing the exposed first microbiota sample in the isotope enriched medium to obtain an isotope-labelled microbiota sample, wherein the isotope labelled metaproteome of the isotope-labelled microbiota sample is taxon specific for taxa present in the first microbiota sample when initially obtained from the given source.

Abstract: Provided herein are scaffold biomaterials comprising a decellularised plant or fungal tissue from which cellular materials and nucleic acids of the tissue are removed, the decellularised plant or fungal tissue comprising a cellulose- or chitin-based 3-dimensional porous structure. Methods for preparing such scaffold biomaterials, as well as uses thereof as an implantable scaffold for supporting animal cell growth, for promoting tissue regeneration, for promoting angiogenesis, for a tissue replacement procedure, and/or as a structural implant for cosmetic surgery are also provided. Therapeutic treatment and/or cosmetic methods employing such scaffolds are additionally described.

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: A photovoltaic device comprises at least two sub-cells, at least one connecting element electrically connecting adjacent sub-cells to one another, each sub-cell comprising: at least one segment; and at least one connecting element electrically connecting adjacent segments to one another in the event that a sub-cell has more than one segment; each one of the sub-cells having a unique bandgap and being arranged such that bandgaps of the sub-cells are in descending order with respect to a light incident surface of the photovoltaic device, each sub-cell being designed such that all segments of the photovoltaic device produce approximately the same current.

Abstract: Provided herein are scaffold biomaterials comprising a decellularised plant or fungal tissue from which cellular materials and nucleic acids of the tissue are removed, the decellularised plant or fungal tissue comprising a cellulose- or chitin-based 3-dimensional porous structure. Methods for preparing such scaffold biomaterials, as well as uses thereof as an implantable scaffold for supporting animal cell growth, for promoting tissue regeneration, for promoting angiogenesis, for a tissue replacement procedure, and/or as a structural implant for cosmetic surgery are also provided. Therapeutic treatment and/or cosmetic methods employing such scaffolds are additionally described.

Abstract: A pixel for creating an optical phase change includes a transparent electrical insulator, a first electrical conductor disposed on the transparent electrical insulator, the first electrical conductor comprising an antenna component and a connector component, an electrical insulator disposed on the first electrical conductor, a transparent semiconductor disposed on the electrical insulator, and a second electrical conductor disposed on the transparent semiconductor. The transparent semiconductor is sufficiently thick to prevent plasmonic resonance from occurring at an interface between the transparent semiconductor and the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: An optical performance monitor comprises a first stage configured to receive a multiplexed optical signal. The first stage is tunable over a period. The first stage periodically filters the multiplexed optical signal over an optical channel to produce a fine filtered optical signal. A second stage is coupled to the first stage and has a second-stage transfer function. The second stage receives the fine filtered optical signal and produces one or a plurality of interfered optical signal pairs. A third stage is coupled to the second stage and has a third-stage transfer function. The third stage receives the optical signal pairs and demultiplexes the optical signal pairs to produce a plurality of demultiplexed optical signals. The combination of the second-stage transfer function and the third-stage transfer function is flatter over the optical channel than the third-stage transfer function.

Abstract: There is provided a method for identifying protein methylation on arginine and lysine residues. The method comprises obtaining a set of peptides; blocking un-methylated arginine and lysine residues and the free N-terminal amine of peptides in the set of peptides, so that un-methylated peptides are neutralized and only methylated peptides are positively charged at neutral or basic pH; isolating the methylated peptides based on charge; and performing mass spectrometry (MS) analysis on the isolated methylated peptides to detect methylated lysine and arginine residues. Methods provided herein can be used for large scale, high throughput profiling of protein methylation in a cell or tissue.

Abstract: An optical power transfer device with an embedded active cooling chip is disclosed. The device includes a cooling chip made of a semiconductor material, and a first subassembly and a second subassembly mounted on the cooling chip. The cooling chip comprises at least one metallization layer on a portion of a first surface of the cooling chip, at least one inlet through a second surface of the cooling chip, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface, at least one outlet through the second surface and one or more micro-channels extending between and fluidly coupled to the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet. A cooling fluid flows through the one or more micro-channels. The first subassembly is mounted on the at least one metallization layer and comprises a laser. The second subassembly comprises a phototransducer configured to receive a laser beam from the laser.

Abstract: There are provided Tissue Transglutaminase (TG2) inhibitor compounds, and compositions and methods of use thereof for the prevention or treatment of a cancer.