Abstract: This invention provides for a fusion protein between a single chain TNFR2 Selective Agonist protein (scTNFR2 Selective Agonist) and a dimerization domain, such as an IgGFc protein. The single chain TNFR2 Selective Agonist moiety provides a therapeutic activity by selectively activating the TNFR2 form of the TNF-? receptor, thus selectively stimulating Tregs and/or increasing myelin deposition.

Abstract: A biometric access control system includes an equipment structure in communication with an identification station, which includes a processor, a user biometric reader, an equipment identification reader, a user interface to display categories of equipment authorized for use by a user and to receive input from the user including an indication to acquire or return the piece of equipment and a selection of an equipment category and a selection of a specific piece of equipment of the selected equipment category. The equipment structure includes storage locations for storing pieces of equipment assigned to the storage locations, and locks corresponding to the storage locations for individually securing the pieces of equipment to the structure, wherein an authorization signal from the identification station is receivable to release a lock containing the selected specific piece of equipment to permit removal of the selected specific piece of equipment.

Abstract: A biometric access control system includes an equipment structure in communication with an identification station, which includes a processor, a user biometric reader, an equipment identification reader, a user interface to display categories of equipment authorized for use by a user and to receive input from the user including an indication to acquire or return the piece of equipment and a selection of an equipment category and a selection of a specific piece of equipment of the selected equipment category. The equipment structure includes storage locations for storing pieces of equipment assigned to the storage locations, and locks corresponding to the storage locations for individually securing the pieces of equipment to the structure, wherein an authorization signal from the identification station is receivable to release a lock containing the selected specific piece of equipment to permit removal of the selected specific piece of equipment.

Abstract: An energy management system uses an expert engine and a numerical solver to determine an optimal manner of using and controlling the various energy consumption, producing and storage equipment in a plant/community. The energy management system operates the various energy manufacturing and energy usage components of the plant to minimize the cost of energy over time, or at various different times, while still meeting certain constraints or requirements within the operational system, such as producing a certain amount of heat or cooling, a certain power level, a certain level of production, etc. In some cases, the energy management system may cause the operational equipment of the plant to produce unneeded energy that can be stored until a later time and then used, or that can be sold back to a public utility, for example, so as to reduce the overall cost of energy within the plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for cell separation. In particular, the invention relates to separation of a particular cell type from a mixture of different cell types based on the differential rolling property of the particular cell type on a substrate coated with molecules that exhibits adhesive property with the particular cell type. The molecules can be directly coated on the surface or coated on nanoparticles that are adhered to the surface. This technology is adaptable for use in implantable shunts and devices for cell trafficking or tumor neutralization.

Abstract: An energy management system uses an expert engine and a numerical solver to determine an optimal manner of using and controlling the various energy consumption, producing and storage equipment in a plant/communities in order to for example reduce energy costs within the plant, and is especially applicable to plants that require or that are capable of using and/or producing different types of energy at different times. The energy management system operates the various energy manufacturing and energy usage components of the plant to minimize the cost of energy over time, or at various different times, while still meeting certain constraints or requirements within the operational system, such as producing a certain amount of heat or cooling, a certain power level, a certain level of production, etc.

Abstract: An optimization and control system for a utility plant that uses fan based air cooled condensers controls the operation of the power generation system at the plant in conjunction with the operation of the air cooled condensers so as to run the power plant at an optimum operating point associated with minimizing or reducing the cost of each kilowatt-hour of energy or other useful energy produced by the plant. The optimization and control system includes an optimizer having a numerical solver that determines values for a set of control variables associated with an optimal operating point of the plant and an expert system that oversees and modifies the control variable settings prior to providing these settings to a plant controller. The numerical solver uses an objective function and one or more models of plant equipment to determine the operating point of the plant that minimizes the cost per unit of useful energy generated by the plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for cell separation. In particular, the invention relates to separation of a particular cell type from a mixture of different cell types based on the differential rolling property of the particular cell type on a substrate coated with molecules that exhibits adhesive property with the particular cell type. The molecules can be directly coated on the surface or coated on nanoparticles that are adhered to the surface. This technology is adaptable for use in implantable shunts and devices for cell trafficking or tumor neutralization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having on one side a dye layer and on a second side a slipping layer, wherein the slipping layer comprises a first wax comprising a polymer derived from a polyolefin and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester or anhydride thereof, and at least one other wax and wherein the dye layer comprises at least a magenta dye of the Structure I: wherein the dye donor element has reduced 2× retransfer.

Abstract: A thermal donor element having a dye layer on an extruded substrate, wherein the extruded substrate includes a polyester-containing material and a slip agent, but does not contain silica particles, is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming a dye donor layer of a dye-donor element for a thermal dye transfer system are described. The methods include coating colored particles in a compressed carrier fluid on the substrate of the dye-donor element.

Abstract: A print assembly is described, wherein the print assembly includes a dye-donor element having a dye-donor layer, wherein the dye-donor element includes a donor stick preventative agent; and a receiver having a dye image-receiving layer, wherein the receiver includes a receiver stick preventative agent of the formula: wherein R1 is an alkyl chain of C9H19 or greater; R2 is an alkyl chain of C3H6 or greater; A is NH—R3, NHNH2, NHCO—R3, NH—R4—NH2, or NHCO—R4—NH2; R3 is alkyl chain of C2H5 or greater; R4 is an alkyl chain of C2H4 or greater; m is from about 0 to 95 weight percent; n is from about 0 to about 70 weight percent; p is from 0 to about 40 weight percent; and q is from 0 to 95 weight percent, with the proviso that when m is 0, then n is 0, and R3 is an alkyl chain of C8H17 or greater, otherwise when m is greater than 0, n is from 0.

Abstract: A dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having on one side thereof a dye layer and on the other side a slipping layer comprising at least two waxes, a branched alpha-olefin polymer and another wax.

Abstract: A dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprising a support having on one side thereof a dye layer and on the other side a slipping layer comprising a material comprising a maleic anhydride polyethylene graft copolymer and at least one other d hydrocarbon wax.

Abstract: Non-photosensitive direct thermographic materials have a support and thermally sensitive imaging layer(s) and an outermost “protective” layer comprising: (a) a solid polymer derived from one or more olefins and from one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable carboxylic acids or esters or anhydrides thereof, and (b) a branched ?-olefin polymer, and (c) optionally, an additional wax.

Abstract: A dye-donor element including a dye-donor layer is described, wherein the dye-donor element includes a stick preventative agent. The dye-donor element is capable of printing an image on a receiver element at a line speed of 2 ms/line or less while maintaining a print density of at least two, and a print to fail value of at least four. A print assembly including the dye-donor element and a receiver element is also described, as well as a method of printing using the dye-donor element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a donor for thermal imaging including a base and dye layer, wherein said dye layer includes yellow dye and binder in a ratio of about 0.63, and said base has a thickness of between 4 to 4.75 micrometers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of avoiding core set curl in thermal prints comprising providing thermal print material wound image receiving side toward the core, passing said print material from said core around a turning roll in a direction opposite to the core wind, passing said print material under tension in an arcuate path with image side out beneath at least three thermal print heads to form an image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a donor for thermal imaging comprising a base and dye layer, wherein said dye layer comprises yellow dye and binder in a ratio of 0.6 to 0.7, and said base has a thickness of between 3 and 5 micrometers.

Abstract: An effective, biodegradable photographic bleaching solution comprises, as a bleaching agent, a ferric alkyliminodiacetic acid complex, and a particular organic phosphonic or phosphinic acid as an anti-rust agent. This anti-rust agent reduces or eliminates the formation of iron hydroxide in the processing solutions following the bleaching step, and further improves bleaching effectiveness.