Abstract: Provided are peptides that are derived from probiotic bacteria that have use for preventing and/or treating non-enteric infections in a subject. The peptides derived from the probiotic bacteria also have use for reducing the virulence of non-enteric infections in a subject. Also provided are compositions of the peptides formulated as or within food products, beverages, nutritional supplements, medicaments and the like.

Abstract: Methods and devices for moisturizing hyperpolarized noble gas and associated hyperpolarized noble gas products which are formulated for inhalation or ventilation delivery include adding moisture content to (dry) hyperpolarized gas.

Abstract: Methods, systems, assemblies, computer program products and devices produce hyperpolarized gas by: (a) heating a target gas in an optical pumping cell, the optical pumping cell having opposing top and bottom portions; (b) polarizing the target gas in the optical pumping cell; (c) directing heated polarized gas to flow out of the top portion of the optical pumping cell to a storage reservoir, the storage reservoir having a temperature that is less than the temperature of the heated target gas flowing out of the optical pumping chamber; and (d) flowing previously polarized gas from the reservoir into the optical pumping cell.

Abstract: Methods and devices for moisturizing hyperpolarized noble gas and associated hyperpolarized noble gas products which are formulated for inhalation or ventilation delivery include adding moisture content to (dry) hyperpolarized gas.

Abstract: A resilient container configured to receive a quantity of hyperpolarized noble gas includes a wall with at least two layers, a first layer with a surface which minimizes spin-relaxation and a first or second layer which is substantially impermeable to oxygen. The container is especially suitable for collecting and transporting .sup.3 He. The resilient container can be configured to directly deliver the hyperpolarized noble gas to a target interface by deflating or collapsing the inflated resilient container. Related collection and transporting methods include forming the wall of the container and collecting the hyperpolarized gas in a way which minimizes its exposure to de-polarizing impurities. Also, a container includes a quantity of polarized gas and extends the T.sub.1 life by configuring the wall of the container with a controlled thickness of the surface coating and overlays the interior with an exterior which is substantially impermeable to oxygen.

Abstract: An in situ sensor for monitoring the degree of corrosion of rebar in a concrete structure relies on a four-point resistance measure of a test wire embedded in the concrete structure. The resistance across the wire is compared with the resistance of a reference wire, which is corrosion resistant. As corrosion advances, the cross-sectional area of the wire decreases, effectively increasing the resistance measured. The sensor may be used to measure corrosion inhibitor performance, and the effect of dilution.