Abstract: An optical signal control system is constructed from a portion of a material and allows for controlled amount of negative dispersion to be generated across a broadband input signal. The block may be made of a single portion of the material and have surfaces with reflective, transmissive, and/or diffractive optical characteristics. By adjusting the physical dimensions of the block substrate and the line pitch of a diffraction grating etched into a surface of the block, the magnitude of the dispersion can be varied. Laser systems that utilize the optical signal control system may have reduced size and weight as compared to existing compressors and be more robust against misalignment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, selectively ablating, and singulating layered materials. According to some embodiments, methods for selectively ablating a layered material may include selectively varying a wavelength of at least a portion of a primary ultrafast laser beam to create a secondary ultrafast laser beam with a second wavelength, the primary ultrafast laser beam being configured to ablate a layer of the layered material, the secondary ultrafast laser beam being configured to ablate an additional layer of the layered material and applying the first and second ultrafast laser beams to the layered material to create a singulated product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for laser based processing of layered materials. Methods may include selectively adjusting ultrafast laser output of an ultrafast laser device based upon one or more physical attributes of a layer of the layered material, applying the ultrafast laser output of the ultrafast laser device to the layer of the layered material along a tool path to ablate the layer along the tool path, and then re-executing the steps to ablate one or more additional layers, the re-execution occurring for each distinct layer of the layered material that is to be ablated.

Abstract: An apparatus for athermal ablation of a workpiece. The apparatus may include a laser device to direct a laser beam at the workpiece to remove a plurality of sections from the workpiece by athermal ablation. The removal may occur in a plurality of discrete motions that cause the laser beam to trace along outer perimeters of the sections in a specific order maintaining mechanical stability of the plurality of sections. The apparatus may further include a process gas nozzle to deliver process gas coaxially with the laser beam to clear debris and cool the workpiece, and a workpiece holder to hold and maneuver the workpiece during the removal of the plurality of sections.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transforming biological materials utilizing ultrafast laser light. According to some embodiments, a method for transforming a biological material may include calculating an ablation profile for the biological material by comparing initial characteristics of the biological material to desired characteristics for the biological material, and applying an output of an ultrafast laser to the biological material to transform the biological material using the ablation profile in such a way that collateral damage to remaining biological material is reduced.

Abstract: An optical signal control system is constructed from a portion of a material and allows for controlled amount of negative dispersion to be generated across a broadband input signal. The block may be made of a single portion of the material and have surfaces with reflective, transmissive, and/or diffractive optical characteristics. By adjusting the physical dimensions of the block substrate and the line pitch of a diffraction grating etched into a surface of the block, the magnitude of the dispersion can be varied. Laser systems that utilize the optical signal control system may have reduced size and weight as compared to existing compressors and be more robust against misalignment.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology for supporting an efficient workflow. In one implementation, a computer system receives at least one image of a subject and at least one corresponding image finding (302). The image finding identifies one or more regions-of-interest in a subject area of the image. The computer system generates enhanced annotations based on the image finding (306), overlays the enhanced annotations on the image (310) and displays (312) the resulting image to facilitate image assessment by a skilled user.

Abstract: A method of providing a best bid and a best offer to a buyer, including receiving one or more offers to sell a commodity according to a predetermined contract at one or more specified prices. The specified prices are adjusted based on shipping costs associated with a destination specified by the buyer. A best offer is determined from the adjusted prices. A source location is determined corresponding to the best offer price. One or more bids are received to purchase the commodity. A best bid is determined corresponding to the source location. The best bid is adjusted based on the shipping cost between the source location and the destination and the adjusted best bid and the best otter are transferred to the buyer over a computer network for display by a networked host.

Abstract: A chewing gum composition for oral cleansing, breath freshening, and anti-microbial benefits includes Magnolia Bark extract. In a treatment process, effective amounts of Magnolia Bark extract are delivered to the oral cavity by the chewing gum composition for convenient oral cleansing and breath freshening benefits. A method of making the chewing gum composition includes forming blend of Magnolia Bark extract and a flavoring agent.

Abstract: A knife has a handle. A blade extends from the handle and has opposite first and second sides. The blade has a notch. A first region extends along a proximal portion of the notch and has a double grind. A second region extends along a distal portion of the notch and has a double grind. The knife has a point.

Abstract: A multipurpose power center comprises a housing, a cover member, a plurality of electrical outlets, an electrical cable, and a connection port coupled to the cover member. The housing has an outer surface, a top side, a bottom side, and an opening extending from the top side to the bottom side. The cover member is configured to encase the opening on the top side of the housing. The electrical outlets are positioned along the outer surface of the housing, and the electrical cable is connectable to a power source and configured to provide electrical power to the electrical outlets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion peptides which exhibit potent anti-retroviral activity. The fusion peptides of the invention comprise a macromolecular carrier group fused to a gp41-derived DP178 (SEQ ID NO:1) peptide corresponding to amino acids 638 to 673 of the HIV-1LA1 gp41 protein, or fragments, analogs or homologs of DP178. The invention further relates to the uses of such fusion peptides as inhibitory of human and non-human retroviral, especially HIV, transmission to uninfected cells.

Abstract: A confectionary composition and a method for oral care that includes Magnolia Bark Extract in combination with a surface active agent. The effectiveness of Magnolia Bark Extract in inhibiting biofilm formation in the oral cavity is increased by a synergistic combination of the Magnolia Bark Extract with a surface active agent in an oral cavity delivery agent, such as confectionary, a lozenge, a candy, and a tablet.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an oral composition comprising a calcium phosphate salt and a combination of acids having differing solubilities in the oral cavity, for tooth mineralization or remineralization. The presence of a combination of acids in the oral composition acts to maximize the release of calcium and phosphate ions from the oral composition over an extended period of time, in order to promote the precipitation of enamel-like crystals on the surfaces of the teeth, or in subsurface regions therein.

Abstract: A confectionary composition is used in a method of reducing stress and the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users. The confectionary composition includes at least one of a sugar or a sugar alcohol and an effective amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent. Where the confectionary composition is a chewing gum, the composition includes a water soluble bulk portion and a water insoluble base portion. The stress-reducing flavoring agent can be one or more of peppermint flavor, vanilla flavor, or peach flavor. The stress-reducing flavoring agent reduces an abstaining tobacco user's urge to smoke and can reduce the level of salivary Cortisol in the abstaining tobacco user. The method reduces stress in tobacco users who must temporarily abstain from tobacco use and can reduce consumption of tobacco by tobacco users by increasing the interval between consumption events.

Abstract: A vehicle and a method for oral care that includes Magnolia Bark Extract in combination with a surface active agent. The effectiveness of Magnolia Bark Extract in inhibiting biofilm formation in the oral cavity is increased by a synergistic combination of the Magnolia Bark Extract with a surface active agent in an oral cavity delivery agent, such as spray, mouthwash, toothpaste, dental cleaner, gel, dental floss, toothpick, dentifrice, and a denture cleaner.

Abstract: A chewable oral composition for oral cleansing, breath freshening, and antimicrobial benefits includes fast release Magnolia Bark Extract in combination with a surface active agent. The effectiveness of Magnolia Bark Extract in inhibiting biofilm formation in the oral cavity is increased by a synergistic combination of the rapidly released Magnolia Bark Extract with a surface active agent in a chewable oral cavity delivery agent, such as chewing gum, chewable candy, and a soft tablet. The fast release of the antimicrobial agents is effectuated by encapsulation or coating of the oral cavity delivery agent.

Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum, as well as the chewing gum so produced, incorporates a physiological cooling agent, such as acyclic carboxamide, or combinations of physiological cooling agents. In another embodiment a combination of physiological cooling agents is made in a modified release structure. The modified release/cooling agents combination is preferably obtained by physically modifying the properties of the combination of cooling agents by coating and drying. When incorporated into gum, these particles are adapted to enhance the shelf stability of the flavor and/or produce a modified release when the gum is chewed. In another embodiment, the physiological cooling agent is present with menthol and menthone. In another embodiment, coated chewing gum has a coating that comprises a physiological cooling agent. The preferred inventive chewing gum provides a high flavor impact in which the harsh notes normally associated with such a high flavor impact have been reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a screening method for identifying compositions suitable for use in an oral composition (e.g., a confection or chewing gum product) effective for the treatment of oral cavity malodor associated with the consumption of garlic. In particular, this invention relates to a screening method for determining the ability of a composition to reduce the concentration of a sulfide or disulfide compound (e.g., diallyl disulfide) present in a model sample or solution which is representative of the oral cavity of a subject after consuming garlic, as an indicator of the effectiveness of that composition in the treatment of oral cavity malodor associated with the consumption of garlic.

Abstract: An oral composition for oral cleansing, breath freshening, and anti-microbial benefits includes an oral cavity delivery agent and an antimicrobial active agent including a synergistic combination of Magnolia Bark Extract and an essential oil. The oral composition includes chewing gums, candies, and an edible films. Specific antimicrobial active ingredient combinations include Magnolia Bark Extract and cinnamon oil or cinnamaldehyde, Magnolia Bark Extract and clove bud oil, Magnolia Bark Extract and peppermint oil.