Abstract: An activatable probe and methods of using the same are provided. The activatable probe includes a superparamagnetic core and a polymeric matrix coating the metal oxide core. A paramagnetic agent encapsulated within the polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix is configured to release the paramagnetic agent when subjected to a medium having a pH less than a normal physiological pH.

Abstract: The invention discloses an aqueous method of making polymer coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Nanoparticles made by the method are included in the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to sulfonamide derivative of formula (I), to their use in medicine, to compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation, and to intermediates used in such processes. These compounds are inhibitors of Nav1.7.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the synthesis of glutathione-capped cadmium-telluride (GSH-CdTe) quantum dots in an aqueous medium, including the steps of: a) preparing a precursor solution of cadmium in a citrate buffer; b) adding glutathione (GSH) to the preceding mixture via strong agitation; c) adding a telluride (potassium or sodium telluride) oxyanion as a telluride donor to the preceding mixture; d) allowing the preceding mixture to react; and e) stopping the reaction by incubation at low temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions of binding moiety-nanoparticle conjugates, aggregates of these conjugates, and novel methods of using these conjugates, and aggregates. The nanoparticles in these conjugates can be magnetic metal oxides, either monodisperse or polydisperse. Binding moieties can be, e.g., oligonucleotides, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. Oligonucleotide sequences are linked to either non-polymer surface functionalized metal oxides or with functionalized polymers associated with the metal oxides. The novel compositions can be used in assays for detecting target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, in vitro or as magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents to detect target molecules in living organisms.

Abstract: An educational activity system allows a teacher to specify activity parameters, such as subject, grade level, and template format that define an activity for one or more students to complete on a computer. The system then uses the selected activity parameters to determine appropriate subject matter from a content asset database and generates an activity incorporating the determined appropriate subject matter. After a student completed the activity via a computer, the system evaluates the completed activity for correctness and stores the results of each student in a student performance database.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for ganging print jobs (102-112) that use different dies. An exemplary embodiment provides a non-transitory, computer-readable medium that includes code configured to direct a processor to identify individual label printing jobs (102-112) that are similar, but use different dies. A combined, or ganged, print job (506) is then formed from the individual label printing jobs (102-112), wherein the ganged print job (506) uses a multi-format die (300).

Abstract: Compounds to be used in the treatment of diseases based on the expression of toxic transcripts. The present invention relates to peptide molecules, specifically hexapeptides, designed for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases the etiology whereof is based on the presence of toxic transcripts that comprise CUG, CCUG, CGG, CAG and AAG repeats, preferably: DM1 SCA8, DM2, FXTAS, HD and FA.

Abstract: The invention relates to sulfonamide derivatives, to their use in medicine, to compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation and to intermediates used in such processes. More particularly the invention relates to a new sulfonamide Nav1.7 inhibitors of formula 10 (I):(I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the description. Nav 1.7 inhibitors are potentially useful in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, particularly pain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for aggregating print jobs of different lengths and/or customers to decrease the need for rewinding and splicing operations. An exemplary embodiment provides a method that comprises identifying individual label-printing jobs (1-8) that can be aggregated onto a roll of substrate (302), and forming an aggregated label-printing job (300). In the aggregated label-printing job (300) a longest print job (8) is imposed adjacent to a first end of the roll of substrate (302), and one or more shorter print jobs (2, 5, 7) are imposed adjacent to the longest print job (8) in the direction of a second end of the roll of substrate (302).

Abstract: The invention discloses an aqueous method of making polymer coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The method comprises providing a mixture of iron salts in an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid. A solution of ammonium hydroxide is added to the mixture and stirred. Stirring continues with an aqueous solution of one or more biocompatible polymers so as to promote formation of polymer coated iron nanoparticles in suspension, wherein optionally at least one of the polymers in the coating may be aminated. Centrifuging the suspension leaves a supernatant without large particles. Filtering the supernatant through an ultrafiltration membrane and collecting the filtrate recovers polymer coated nanoparticles. Crosslinking the polymer is effected by treatment with a solution of epichlorohydrin and sodium hydroxide while stirring vigorously for up to about eight hours. Optionally aminating the polymer may be accomplished by treatment with ammonia after crosslinking and then removing remaining free epichlorohydrin.

Abstract: A method of making a hyperbranched amphiphilic polyester compound includes drying under vacuum a mixture of 2-(4-hydroxybutyl)-malonic acid and p-toluene sulphonic acid as catalyst. The vacuum is then released with a dry inert gas after drying. The dried mixture is heated under the inert gas at a temperature sufficient for polymerization. The inert gas is evacuated while continuing to heat the mixture. The formed polymer is then dissolved in dimethylformamide and precipitated out by adding methanol. Modifications of the method yield nanoparticles of polyesters having properties suited for coencapsulating fluorescent dyes together with therapeutic drugs, resulting in theranostic nanoparticles, that is, nanoparticles useful in both therapeutic treatments and diagnostic methods.

Abstract: Procedures and methods for synthesizing biodegradable polymer coated nanoceria result in stable nanoparticle preparations in aqueous systems and physiological relevant colloidal solutions, such as phosphate buffer saline. The coated nanoceria preparations increase the nanoparticle concentration in aqueous or colloidal solutions as most needed for antioxidant, free-radical scavenger, and autocatalytic biomedical applications, including, biological, pharmacological and potential clinical use. To meet this need, a facile synthetic procedure for preparation of a biodegradable polymer-coated nanoceria is disclosed; the preferred biodegradable polymer is dextran. The synthesis method occurs under ambient conditions in an aqueous phase without the use of surfactants and results in a monodispersed preparation that is dextran-coated as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS).

Abstract: A dynamically configurable audience response system includes multiple handsets communicatively coupled to a wireless aggregation point. Each handset includes at least one dynamically configurable operating parameter, such as a handset ID that identifies that handset, one or more parameters defining a communication channel that the handset can use to communicate with the wireless aggregation point, and/or one or more parameters defining various keys that the handset can use to establish a communication link with the wireless aggregation point. In some embodiments, the operating parameters associated with the handsets may be defined dynamically via the wireless aggregation point and without any user interaction with the handset.

Abstract: An audience response system with dynamic user interfaces and methods of using such an audience response system. The audience response system includes a wireless aggregation point and multiple remote handsets communicatively coupled to that wireless aggregation point. The remote handsets may be used (e.g., by students) to answer questions (e.g., posed by a teacher). At least some of the remote handsets may include user interfaces that include user input interface elements that are configurable via the wireless aggregation point. Additionally, the user interfaces of at least some of the remote handsets may provide feedback to the students regarding their interaction with the remote handsets.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanoparticles having a metallic core consisting essentially of superparamagnetic iron oxide; a polymeric coat surrounding said core, the coat having a matrix of polyacrylic acid and forming an outer periphery of said nanoparticle; a plurality of hydrophobic pockets formed by the polymeric coat; a plurality of carboxylic groups along an outer periphery of the polymeric coat and effective to conjugate with a predetermined targeting ligand which functionalizes the nanoparticle; a lipophylic fluorescent dye encapsulated in the plurality of hydrophobic pockets; and a drug encapsulated in the plurality of hydrophobic pockets. Associated methods of making the nanoparticles and of treatments using the nanoparticles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for automatically allocating work projects to personnel based on work complexity level and level of knowledge and experience of the personnel. In one implementation, the methods and systems provide a work allocation tool that allows a user to input the level of complexity of the work projects according to one or more predefined criteria. The work allocation tool then automatically determines which of the available personnel has the required level of knowledge and experience to complete the work projects. Personnel who have already exceeded a target number or percentage of work projects in a given time period may be automatically excluded from the allocation. The work allocation tool thereafter randomly selects one of the available personnel and automatically allocates the work projects. An administrator interface allows a manager to define each person's target numbers or percentages and to stop further allocations if needed.