Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a compound of formula (I) or a compound of formula (II): R1—A1—A2—A3—A4—N(R2)2 ??(I) R3—A5—A6—A7—A8—N(R4)2 ??(II) or a salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, and A8 are as defined herein, as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and salts thereof, wherein the variables Pro, DPro, DPhe, Arg, Trp, X1, X2, X3 and X4 have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a cyclic compound of formula I: wherein Pro, DPro, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, and X6 are defined as described herein; or a salt thereof. Certain embodiments also provide compositions comprising such compounds, as well as methods of using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: An off-axis optical system having a rectangular aperture stop to control rays of incident electromagnetic radiation passing through the optical system along an optical path is provided. The optical system includes one or more optical surfaces along the optical path, each surface being configured to change a direction of each ray on the surface based on a location of the ray relative to the surface. At least one of the surfaces is conjugate to and has the same shape as the rectangular aperture stop. In one embodiment, each optical surface is shaped to avoid vignetting the rays. In one embodiment, the optical system is a three-mirror anastigmat (TMA) and includes a concave primary mirror to collect and focus the electromagnetic radiation; a curved secondary mirror to reflect the electromagnetic radiation focused by the primary mirror; and a concave tertiary mirror to focus the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the secondary mirror.

Abstract: An off-axis optical system having a rectangular aperture stop to control rays of incident electromagnetic radiation passing through the optical system along an optical path is provided. The optical system includes one or more optical surfaces along the optical path, each surface being configured to change a direction of each ray on the surface based on a location of the ray relative to the surface. At least one of the surfaces is conjugate to and has the same shape as the rectangular aperture stop. In one embodiment, each optical surface is shaped to avoid vignetting the rays. In one embodiment, the optical system is a three-mirror anastigmat (TMA) and includes a concave primary mirror to collect and focus the electromagnetic radiation; a curved secondary mirror to reflect the electromagnetic radiation focused by the primary mirror; and a concave tertiary mirror to focus the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the secondary mirror.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and salts thereof, wherein the variables Pro, DPro, DPhe, Arg, Trp, X1, X2, X3 and X4 have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: A metal ion conversion process, where the chelation component of a matrix of chemicals forms an electroless solution for converting metal ion to the metal state. The chelated metal complex is repeatedly circulated through a filter. The solution matrix is cycled back continuously through the filter and the metal ion is titrated back (colorimetrically) from various processes containing excess metal ion. The reactants required to complete said ‘electroless’ reaction are repleted continuously as said solution matrix cycles through said filter. The process is repeated continuously until the metal ion is exhausted or to the limit of the filter volume. Any residual metal ion present may then be polished down to acceptable limits by the same means and then resulting solution is discharged or used for further neutralization cycles.