Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, bi-specific molecules including, but not limited to, antibodies, fynomers, aptamers, fusion proteins, and protein binding domains that bind both CCL2 and LOXL2 and uses thereof, in particular, for treatment of scleroderma and related fibrotic and/or inflammatory diseases, disorders and conditions. In some embodiments, the present invention further provides methods and compositions for treatment of scleroderma and related fibrotic and/or inflammatory diseases, disorders and conditions based on the combination of mono-specific anti-CCL2 and anti-LOXL2 molecules.

Abstract: Methods for treating a disease in a subject in need thereof by administering an ACVR1 inhibitor having the following formula (I) are disclosed: including stereoisomers, tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined herein. Subjects that may benefit from treatment may have mutations in their ACVR1 gene. Various diseases may be treated using the described methods, including cancers (e.g., diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)) and genetic disorders (e.g., fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP)).

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide implementations for controlling flicker, for example caused by a plurality of light sources, in a multi-sensor environment. Various embodiments provided utilize a broadest illuminator source for capturing image data objects for processing. The broadest illuminator source minimizes the number of activation changes required between the various illuminator sources. One example embodiment includes activating a broadest illuminator source of a plurality of illuminator sources; determining, based on a plurality of image sensors and a sensor activation sequence, a chosen image sensor of the plurality of image sensors for an image processing operation; and activating a chosen illuminator source of the plurality of illuminator sources, the chosen illuminator source associated with the chosen image sensor.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide implementations for controlling flicker, for example caused by a plurality of light sources, in a multi-sensor environment. Various embodiments provided utilize a broadest illuminator source for capturing image data objects for processing. The broadest illuminator source minimizes the number of activation changes required between the various illuminator sources. One example embodiment includes activating a broadest illuminator source of a plurality of illuminator sources; determining, based on a plurality of image sensors and a sensor activation sequence, a chosen image sensor of the plurality of image sensors for an image processing operation; and activating a chosen illuminator source of the plurality of illuminator sources, the chosen illuminator source associated with the chosen image sensor.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

Abstract: Methods of treating castration-resistant and castration-sensitive prostate cancer using a compound having the following structure (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or zwitterionic form thereof, are provided.

Abstract: A system and method of determining if a surface contains print or is a screen of a device is provided. The method is comprised of the steps of: acquiring a spectral wavelength signature of the surface; comparing the spectral wavelength signature of the surface to RGB triple-peak emission spectra; scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in non-illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra, and scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface not corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for injecting pressurized alcohol solution into a pipe located in a house or other structure that carries water. The device allows the user to control and adjust the pressure of the injected alcohol solution. The pressure forces the alcohol solution against the frozen water inside the pipe. The alcohol solution then acts to dissolve the ice, thereby clearing the blockage and preventing damage to the pipe. The device is hand held, portable and configurable. The embodiment of the device with the hand-operated pump does not require electricity or other sources of power. Alternate embodiments of the device can be broken down into two or more sections for easier storage. Alternate embodiments of the device has one or more of the lengths of connecting pipe or connector or adapter bends at an angle so that the device is not configured in a straight line but has a bend or curve. These alternate embodiments allows for the device to fit into tight or restricted spaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, effective treatment for Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A (MPS IIIA) based on intrathecal delivery of recombinant heparan N-sulfatase (HNS) enzyme. The present invention also includes methods of treating Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A (MPS IIIA) Syndrome by intrathecal administration of a recombinant HNS enzyme at a therapeutically effective dose and an administration interval for a period sufficient to decrease glycosaminoglycan (GAG) heparan sulfate level in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) relative to baseline (e.g., prior to treatment) as well as to improve, stabilize, or reduce decline of cognitive function, disability, behavior, quality of life and/or auditory brainstem response relative to baseline (e.g., prior to treatment).

Abstract: Methods for treating a disease in a subject in need thereof by administering an ACVR1 inhibitor having the following formula (I) are disclosed: including stereoisomers, tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined herein. Subjects that may benefit from treatment may have mutations in their ACVR1 gene. Various diseases may be treated using the described methods, including cancers (e.g., diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)) and genetic disorders (e.g., fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP)).

Abstract: Detecting glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and/or determining the level of one or more glycosaminoglycans can be useful, e.g., in identifying or monitoring various medical conditions, the status of patients having various medical conditions, and/or the response to treatment of individuals having various medical conditions. The present invention provides methods for detecting glycosaminoglycans and/or determining the level of glycosaminoglycans through the use of, e.g., mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Systems for power management of a fleet of devices through information storage sharing are described. According to one embodiment, each one of a group of networked devices offloads information to a substantially powered hub device before entering a low power consumption mode and receives the respective information back from the hub device upon wake. Another embodiment describes a system of networked devices in which each one of the networked devices offloads information to a selected networked device before entering a sleep mode and receives the respective information back from that selected networked device after entering a wake mode. Another embodiment describes a system whereby the original selected networked device then backups to a new selected networked device if the original selected networked device needs to enter a low power consumption mode, and the other networked devices receive the respective information back from the new selected networked device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for injecting pressurized alcohol solution into a pipe located in a house or other structure that carries water. The device allows the user to control and adjust the pressure of the injected alcohol solution. The pressure forces the alcohol solution against the frozen water inside the pipe. The alcohol solution then acts to dissolve the ice, thereby clearing the blockage and preventing damage to the pipe. The device is hand held, portable and configurable. The embodiment of the device with the hand-operated pump does not require electricity or other sources of power. Alternate embodiments of the device can be broken down into two or more sections for easier storage. Alternate embodiments of the device has one or more of the lengths of connecting pipe or connector or adapter bends at an angle so that the device is not configured in a straight line but has a bend or curve. These alternate embodiments allows for the device to fit into tight or restricted spaces.

Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.

Abstract: A point of sale system capable of operating in an indicia-reading mode or a verification mode is disclosed. In the indicia-reading mode, the point of sale system configures its illumination, imaging, and processing to read indicia as part of a normal checkout process. If triggered by a user or by an event, the point of sale system may operate in a verification mode. In the verification mode, the point of sale system enables the necessary illumination, imaging, and processing to verify an item. This verification includes illuminating the item in a way that causes a noticeable response from a security mark (or marks) on the item. An image of the response may be captured and processed to authenticate/verify the item. The point of sale system may then respond to the verification and/or may store the image/results as a record of the verification.

Abstract: Existing currency validation (CVAL) devices, systems, and methods are too slow, costly, intrusive, and/or bulky to be routinely used in common transaction locations (e.g., at checkout, at an automatic teller machine, etc.). Presented herein are devices, systems, and methods to facilitate optical validation of documents, merchandise, or currency at common transaction locations and to do so in an obtrusive and convenient way. More specifically, the present invention embraces a validation device that may be used alone or integrated within a larger system (e.g., point of sale system, kiosk, etc.). The present invention also embraces methods for currency validation using the validation device, as well as methods for improving the quality and consistency of data captured by the validation device for validation.

Abstract: A point of sale system capable of operating in an indicia-reading mode or a verification mode is disclosed. In the indicia-reading mode, the point of sale system configures its illumination, imaging, and processing to read indicia as part of a normal checkout process. If triggered by a user or by an event, the point of sale system may operate in a verification mode. In the verification mode, the point of sale system enables the necessary illumination, imaging, and processing to verify an item. This verification includes illuminating the item in a way that causes a noticeable response from a security mark (or marks) on the item. An image of the response may be captured and processed to authenticate/verify the item. The point of sale system may then respond to the verification and/or may store the image/results as a record of the verification.

Abstract: A system and method of determining if a surface contains print or is a screen of a device is provided. The method is comprised of the steps of: acquiring a spectral wavelength signature of the surface; comparing the spectral wavelength signature of the surface to RGB triple-peak emission spectra; scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in non-illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra, and scanning the surface with an image-based scanner in illumination mode based upon the spectral wavelength signature of the surface not corresponding to the RGB triple-peak emission spectra.