Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making at least a portion of a garment that includes at least one three-dimensional contour. The disclosed method includes providing a fiber and solvent mixture that includes fibers and a solvent capable to causing a plurality of covalent bonds to be created between the fibers. In many embodiments, the plurality of covalent bonds form when a catalyst, such as heat, is provided to the fiber and solvent mixture. The process can be performed using, for example, either a 3D printer or mold form. The fibers used can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The solvent preferably includes ionic salts in water.

Abstract: A scalable virtual conferencing system which implements a hub and spoke architecture. For example, one embodiment of a scalable virtual conferencing system comprises: a participant management module to logically group each participant in the virtual conferencing system into a hub or one of a plurality of spokes; and a data flow management module to control communication of information between participants in the spokes and participants in the hub, the data flow management module to limit intercommunication from the spokes to the hub in accordance with the manual user input and/or participant management policy; wherein at least one participant in a first spoke is designated as a spoke leader for the first spoke, the spoke leader logically grouped into both the hub and the first spoke, the data flow management module to allow information generated within the first spoke to be propagated into the hub based on input from the spoke leader.

Abstract: A scalable virtual conferencing system which implements a hub and spoke architecture. For example, one embodiment of a scalable virtual conferencing system comprises: a participant management module to logically group each participant in the virtual conferencing system into a hub or one of a plurality of spokes; and a data flow management module to control communication of information between participants in the spokes and participants in the hub, the data flow management module to limit intercommunication from the spokes to the hub in accordance with the manual user input and/or participant management policy; wherein at least one participant in a first spoke is designated as a spoke leader for the first spoke, the spoke leader logically grouped into both the hub and the first spoke, the data flow management module to allow information generated within the first spoke to be propagated into the hub based on input from the spoke leader.

Abstract: This invention provides two novel vectors, a vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala), and a vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding eGFP. This invention also provides compositions comprising the above vectors. This invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in a cell comprising introducing into the cell the vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala), or a composition thereof. This invention further provides a method for inhibiting tumor cell growth comprising introducing into the tumor cell the vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala), or a composition thereof. Finally, this invention provides a method of treating a subject having colon cancer comprising administering to the subject a suitable amount of the vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala) in a composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating the off-gas byproduct of a waste treatment system using a plasma torch. The off-gas of a graphite electrode plasma arc furnace includes carbon black or soot which must be removed. The plasma torch employs a carbon dioxide and oxygen mixture as a working gas to avoid the creation of nitrogen oxides and other toxic by-products. The plasma torch ionizes the working gas, resulting in the creation of carbon monoxide and reactive oxygen, which assists in eliminating carbon black/soot from the off-gas. Oxygen and steam are atomized and injected into the chamber housing the plasma torch system. A process control feedback system monitors the content of the output gas and controls the operation of the injectors and the plasma torch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating the off-gas byproduct of a waste treatment system using a plasma torch. The off-gas of a graphite electrode plasma arc furnace includes carbon black or soot which must be removed. The plasma torch employs a carbon dioxide and oxygen mixture as a working gas to avoid the creation of nitrogen oxides and other toxic by-products. The plasma torch ionizes the working gas, resulting in the creation of carbon monoxide and reactive oxygen, which assists in eliminating carbon black/soot from the off-gas. Oxygen and steam are atomized and injected into the chamber housing the plasma torch system. A process control feedback system monitors the content of the output gas and controls the operation of the injectors and the plasma torch.