Abstract: A syntrophic enrichment for enhanced digestion (SEED) system is presented, in which a retrofit addition to existing anaerobic digestion infrastructure provides improved digestion process rate and biogas quality. The system provides optimal niche environments for accelerating fermentative, syntrophic and methanogenic metabolisms to increase digestion system loading rates and enhance main digester microbiome. Prescribed media formulations, reactor integrations, and operational methods using various fixed and loose media enhance global digestion system performance. The retrofitted system enables existing plants to transition from an outdated solids-management model to one of valorized biomethane production.

Abstract: An antibody-based GnRH receptor antagonist and methods of making and using same are disclosed. The antibody-based GnRH receptor antagonist is a GHR-106 monoclonal antibody (GHR-106) or an antigen-binding fragment thereof. GHR-106 or its IgG fragments can be utilized for therapeutic applications in the treatment of cancer and a range of sex hormone-related disorders or conditions in male or female subjects for which decapeptide GnRH antagonists are currently used.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for holding a panel in a u-channel comprising a rocking grip configured to be positioned in the u-channel on a first side of the panel and a tilting grip configured to be positioned in the u-channel on a second side of the panel, opposite the first side for adjusting an angular position of the panel. The rocking grip includes a rotatable rocking plate for abutting the first side of the panel. The tilting grip includes a tilting plate for abutting the second side of the panel a moveable top cam for rotating the tilting plate in a first direction and a moveable bottom cam for rotating the tilting plate in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of diagnosing and/or treating ACVS, by determining expression levels of several ACVS-related molecules, such as FABP3, ANPR-1, IGFBP-3, F9, SELL, apoB100, ADPN, vWF, THBS1, PRL, PON3, EGFR, VEGF-D, HPX, MBT, F5, F10, SERPIN A5, HCII, and HABP2, for example in a blood sample.

Abstract: A kiosk for processing arriving travelers is provided, wherein the kiosk reads information from the traveler's travel document, and either receives a completed declaration form from the traveler or poses a series of questions to the traveler. On obtaining the needed information from the traveler, the kiosk queries a government computer to obtain a code for the traveler. The code, when shown to a government official, such as a customs agent, will determine if the traveler is retained for secondary processing.

Abstract: Humanized forms of murine GHR106 monoclonal antibodies and methods of using them are described. Humanized GHR106 monoclonal antibodies have high affinity and specificity to the corresponding tumor-associated antigen, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor comparable to murine GHR106.

Abstract: Provided herein are humanized forms of murine RP215 monoclonal antibodies and methods of using the same. These humanized RP215 monoclonal antibodies were characterized in terms of their respective affinity and specificity to the corresponding tumor-associated antigen, CA215, and shown to be comparable to those of murine RP215.

Abstract: A cutting tool comprising a body, an aperture defined through the body, a blade coupled to the body, and at least one protrusion extending from the body into the aperture. The blade has a cutting edge extending into the aperture. The protrusion(s) has(have) an end portion proximate the cutting edge and configured to impede access to the cutting edge. The protrusion(s) may be flexible, such that limited access to the cutting edge is permitted in a flexed state.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that contain haptens consisting of carbohydrate moieties are useful to induce an immune response to provide antibodies to epitopes contained in CA215 and also to elicit an immune response to cancers expressing these epitopes.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies against gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor induce cellular apoptosis of various cancer cells expressing this surface receptor. The monoclonal antibodies and their humanized forms, or fragments thereof, can serve as anti-cancer agents for the treatment of cancer in humans, and can function as analogs of GnRH to affect regulation of reproductive functions or fertility in humans.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies against gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor induce cellular apoptosis of various cancer cells expressing this surface receptor. The monoclonal antibodies and their humanized forms, or fragments thereof, can serve as anti-cancer agents for the treatment of cancer in humans, and can function as analogs of GnRH to affect regulation of reproductive functions or fertility in humans.

Abstract: The effective epitope of CA215, a known cancer marker and antigen, has been demonstrated to include a carbohydrate moiety of defined composition and to be non-reactive with anti-human IgG, IgA and IgM, although CA215 is an immunoglobulin heavy chain-like molecule. The defined epitope may be used to prepare immunogenic compositions for treatment and prevention of cancers in humans and may be optimized as to protocol and formulation in animal model systems. Improved protocols for diagnosis and treatment are also described.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies against gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor induce cellular apoptosis of various cancer cells expressing this surface receptor. The monoclonal antibodies and their humanized forms, or fragments thereof, can serve as anti-cancer agents for the treatment of cancer in humans, and can function as analogs of GnRH to affect regulation of reproductive functions or fertility in humans.

Abstract: The effective epitope of CA215, a known cancer marker and antigen, has been demonstrated to include a carbohydrate moiety of defined composition and to be non-reactive with anti-human IgG, IgA and IgM, although CA215 is an immunoglobulin heavy chain-like molecule. The defined epitope may be used to prepare immunogenic compositions for treatment and prevention of cancers in humans and may be optimized as to protocol and formulation in animal model systems. Improved protocols for diagnosis and treatment are also described.

Abstract: A cutting tool comprising a body, an aperture defined through the body, a blade coupled to the body, and at least one protrusion extending from the body into the aperture. The blade has a cutting edge extending into the aperture. The protrusion(s) has(have) an end portion proximate the cutting edge and configured to impede access to the cutting edge. The protrusion(s) may be flexible, such that limited access to the cutting edge is permitted in a flexed state.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring volatile and semi-volatile reduced organic compound content and volatile and semi-volatile oxidized organic compound content in a sample, using a dual detection system is provided. The method comprises introducing the sample into a semi-permeable membrane introduction interface, sweeping permeate from the membrane introduction interface with a sweep gas, splitting the permeate into a first stream and a second stream, essentially simultaneously detecting volatile and semi-volatile reduced organic compounds and oxidized and semi-volatile organic compounds with a flame ionization detector and an electron capture detector, and computing differences in detector signals, thereby measuring volatile and semi-volatile reduced organic content and volatile and semi-volatile oxidized organic compound content in the sample.

Abstract: A kiosk for processing arriving travelers is provided, wherein the kiosk reads information from the traveler's travel document, and either receives a completed declaration form from the traveler or poses a series of questions to the traveler. On obtaining the needed information from the traveler, the kiosk queries a government computer to obtain a code for the traveler. The code, when shown to a government official, such as a customs agent, will determine if the traveler is retained for secondary processing.

Abstract: A membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) sampling interface is presented that demonstrates improved online performance for the direct, real-time measurement of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in samples such as air and water, at parts-per-billion and parts-per-trillion levels. The device is based upon a capillary hollow fiber silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) membrane in a ‘flow-over’ configuration that is resistively heated on the membrane interior. One embodiment resistively heats using a coaxial nichrome wire, establishing a thermal gradient counter to the analyte concentration gradient. This arrangement allows for continuous and/or pulsed heating modes, affording excellent sensitivity for the online measurement of SVOCs while retaining sensitivity for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In addition, the signal response time for SVOCs is reduced substantially over conventional MIMS methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a way of planning an action, namely deciding whether the action is generic or unique and then planning the action according to a first procedure if the action is generic or alternatively planning the action according to a second procedure if the action is unique. The first procedure includes budgeting resources in accordance with geo-historical data and index adjustment. The second procedure includes dividing the action into a list of tasks and then for each task: determining a set of resource requirements for completing the task; specifying each resource requirement; for each specified resource requirement, identifying at least one satisfactory available resource; and respectively matching one identified resource to each specified resource requirement. The second procedure is particularly well adapted for balancing other factors in addition to financial cost and for allocating accountability very precisely.