Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure provide methods for phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE) of proteases. Some aspects of this invention provide methods for evaluating and selecting protease inhibitors based on the likelihood of the emergence of resistant proteases as determined by the protease PACE methods provided herein. Some aspects of this disclosure provide strategies, methods, and reagents for protease PACE, including fusion proteins for translating a desired protease activity into a selective advantage for phage particles encoding a protease exhibiting such an activity and improved mutagenesis-promoting expression constructs. Evolved proteases that recognize target cleavage sites which differ from their canonical cleavage site are also provided herein.

Abstract: System and method for a user to monitor and/or modify his or her sleep. In one embodiment, the sleep coaching system comprises a sensor for sensing a physiological signal of a sleeping user such as an EEG, computer memory databases for storing user and sleep-related data and advice, and a processor that generates a set of advice to improve user sleep satisfaction based on the user and sleep-related data. The advice to improve user sleep satisfaction, which may be communicated to the user, may comprise a sleep coaching plan, which may include one or more sleep coaching workshops that the user may undertake.

Abstract: System and method for a user to monitor and/or modify his or her sleep. In one embodiment, the sleep coaching system comprises a sensor for sensing a physiological signal of a sleeping user such as an EEG, computer memory databases for storing user and sleep-related data and advice, and a processor that generates a set of advice to improve user sleep satisfaction based on the user and sleep-related data. The advice to improve user sleep satisfaction, which may be communicated to the user, may comprise a sleep coaching plan, which may include one or more sleep coaching workshops that the user may undertake.

Abstract: System and method for a user to monitor and/or modify his or her sleep. In one embodiment, the sleep coaching system comprises a sensor for sensing a physiological signal of a sleeping user such as an EEG, computer memory databases for storing user and sleep-related data and advice, and a processor that generates a set of advice to improve user sleep satisfaction based on the user and sleep-related data. The advice to improve user sleep satisfaction, which may be communicated to the user, may comprise a sleep coaching plan, which may include one or more sleep coaching workshops that the user may undertake.

Abstract: Aqueous-based thermally sensitive emulsions and photothermographic imaging materials include photosensitive silver halide grains that comprise at least 15 mol % iodide based on total silver in the grains and are doped with bismuth (+3). These materials have increased photographic speed especially in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aqueous dispersions of silver (carboxylate-azine toner) particles wherein the azine content of the particles is from about 0.01 to 10% by weight relative to silver carboxylate. The carboxylates are typically silver salts of long chain fatty acids and the azine toners are the compounds that function as development accelerators and toning agents such as phthalazine. These silver (carboxylate-azine) particles can be used to formulate imaging forming compositions that are useful in aqueous thermographic or photothermographic imaging elements.

Abstract: Aqueous-based thermally sensitive emulsions and photothermographic imaging materials include photosensitive silver halide grains that comprise at least 15 mol % iodide based on total silver in the grains and are doped with bismuth (+3). These materials have increased photographic speed especially in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aqueous dispersions of silver (carboxylate-azine toner) particles wherein the azine content of the particles is from about 0.01 to 10% by weight relative to silver carboxylate. The carboxylates are typically silver salts of long chain fatty acids and the azine toners are the compounds that function as development accelerators and toning agents such as phthalazine. These silver (carboxylate-azine) particles can be used to formulate imaging forming compositions that are useful in aqueous thermographic or photothermographic imaging elements.

Abstract: Aqueous-based thermally developable emulsions and photothermographic imaging materials include photosensitive silver halide core-shell grains that comprise at least 20 mol % iodide based on total silver, an amount of iodide in the core of the grains that can be up to the iodide saturation limit in silver iodobromide, and an amount of iodide in the shell of the grains that is at least 2 mol % less than the amount of iodide present in the core, and further provided that the total amount of silver in the shell is from about 10 to about 80 mol % of total silver in the grains. These materials provide desired Dmax and reduced image “print out”.

Abstract: Aqueous-based thermally developable emulsions and photothermographic imaging materials include photosensitive silver halide core-shell grains that comprise at least 20 mol % iodide based on total silver, an amount of iodide in the core of the grains that can be up to the iodide saturation limit in silver iodobromide, and an amount of iodide in the shell of the grains that is at least 2 mol % less than the amount of iodide present in the core, and further provided that the total amount of silver in the shell is from about 10 to about 80 mol % of total silver in the grains. These materials provide desired Dmax and reduced image “print out”.

Abstract: Photothermographic materials prepared using aqueous formulations include silver halides that are chemically sensitized using certain tellurium-containing compounds. Such tellurium-containing chemical sensitizing compounds are generally provided in aqueous solution or in an aqueous solid particulate dispersion and can be represented by the following Structure I, II, or III: Te(L)m(X1)n  (II) Pd(X2)2[Te(R′)2]2  (III) wherein X represents the same or different COR, CSR, CNRRa, CR, PRRa, or P(OR)2 groups, R and Ra are independently alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl groups, L is a ligand derived from a neutral Lewis base, X1 and X2 independently represent a halo, OCN, SCN, S2CNRRa, S2COR, S2CSR S2P(OR)2, S2PRRa, SeCN, TeCN, CN, SR, OR, alkyl, aryl, N3, or O2CR group, R′ is an alkyl or aryl group, p is 2 or 4, m is 0, 1, 2, or 4, and n is 2 or 4 provided that when m is 0 or 2, n is 2 or 4, and when m is 1 or 4, n is 2.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aqueous dispersions of silver (carboxylate-azine toner) particles wherein the azine content of the particles is from about 0.01 to 10% by weight relative to silver carboxylate. The carboxylates are typically silver salts of long chain fatty acids and the azine toners are the compounds that function as development accelerators and toning agents such as phthalazine. These silver (carboxylate-azine) particles can be used to formulate imaging forming compositions that are useful in aqueous thermographic or photothermographic imaging elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to dispersions of silver (carboxylate-n-alkyl thiolate). The carboxylates are typically silver salts of long chain fatty acids and the n-alkyl thiolate is preferably 1-dodecanethiol. These silver (carboxylate-n-alkyl thiolate) particles can be used to formulate imaging forming compositions that are useful in aqueous thermographic or photothermographic imaging elements.

Abstract: Aqueous-based thermally sensitive emulsions and photothermographic imaging materials include phthalazine N-oxide or a derivative thereof to improve raw stock keeping and to extend the useful range of processing temperatures without interfering with spectral sensitization. The emulsions and photothermographic materials may also include a cyclic imide, phthalazinone, benzoxazine dione, benzthiazine dione, or quinazoline dione as a development promoter.

Abstract: Photothermographic materials prepared using aqueous formulations include silver halides that are chemically sensitized using certain tellurium-containing compounds.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nanoparticulate dispersion of a silver carboxylate particles having on the surface of the particles a surface modifier which is a nonionic oligomeric surfactant based on vinyl polymer with an amido function. In particular, the surface modifier is acrylamide, methacrylamide or derivatives thereof. Also disclosed are various compositions including the dispersions including oxidation-reduction imaging forming compositions, thermographic elements and photothermographic compositions and elements. The preferred carboxylate is a silver salt of a long chain fatty acid such as silver behenate.

Abstract: There is disclosed an oxidation-reduction imaging forming composition comprising an aqueous based dispersion of (i) nanoparticulate silver carboxylate particles having on the surface of the particles a surface modifier which is a phosphoric acid ester and (ii) an organic reducing agent. In particular, the surface modifiers can be mixtures of mono- and di-esters of orthophosphoric acid and hydroxyl-terminated, oxyethylated long-chain alcohols or oxyethylated alkyl phenols or derivatives thereof. Also disclosed are various compositions including the dispersions including oxidation-reduction imaging forming compositions, thermographic elements and photothermographic compositions and elements. The preferred carboxylate is a silver salt of a long chain fatty acid such as silver behenate.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aqueous photothermographic composition comprising a) a photosensitive silver halide emulsion precipitated in a water dispersible cationic starch peptizing agent and b) an oxidation-reduction imaging forming composition comprising (I) a colloidal dispersion of silver compound particles and (ii) an organic reducing agent. The use of a starch peptizing agent reduces the fog in an element using the composition upon thermal processing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nanoparticulate dispersion of a silver carboxylate particles having on the surface of the particles a surface modifier which is a nonionic oligomeric surfactant based on vinyl polymer with an amido function. In particular, the surface modifier is acrylamide, methacrylamide or derivatives thereof. Also disclosed are various compositions including the dispersions including oxidation-reduction imaging forming compositions, thermographic elements and photothermographic compositions and elements. The preferred carboxylate is a silver salt of a long chain fatty acid such as silver behenate.

Abstract: There is disclosed an oxidation-reduction imaging forming composition comprising an aqueous based dispersion of (i) nanoparticulate silver carboxylate particles having on the surface of the particles a surface modifier which is a phosphoric acid ester and (ii) an organic reducing agent. In particular, the surface modifiers can be mixtures of mono- and di-esters of orthophosphoric acid and hydroxyl-terminated, oxyethylated long-chain alcohols or oxyethylated alkyl phenols or derivatives thereof. Also disclosed are various compositions including the dispersions including oxidation-reduction imaging forming compositions, thermographic elements and photothermographic compositions and elements. The preferred carboxylate is a silver salt of a long chain fatty acid such as silver behenate.