Abstract: The present invention is directed to composite nanoparticles comprising a metal, a rare earth element, and, optionally, a complexing ligand. The invention is also directed to composite nanoparticles having a core-shell structure and to processes for preparation of composite nanoparticles of the invention.

Abstract: Training tuples including text and a question and answer corresponding to the text are input to a machine learning algorithm, such as a deep neural network. A Q&A model is obtained that outputs questions and answers given an input text. The training tuples may be obtained from standardized test such that the text is a question prompt and the questions and answers are based on the prompt. Raw text is input to the Q&A model to obtain second training tuples including a question and an answer. An NLU model is trained according to the second training tuples. The NLU model may then be installed on a consumer device, which will then use the model to respond to conversational queries and provide an appropriate response.

Abstract: A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that binds to CEACAM6, an epitope or fragment thereof, or a variant thereof.

Abstract: Modified non-human mammalian hepatoma cell lines that express hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens and which are capable of generating tumours in a syngeneic animal model are provided. The cell lines are generated by genomic integration of an expression construct that comprises one or more HCV antigen-encoding sequences under the control of a constitutive promoter. The expression construct further comprises a selectable marker and a reporter gene under the control of the same promoter. The cell lines are useful for testing prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against HCV either in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant bacterium expressing an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host organism, and uses thereof. To this end, the present invention provides a recombinant bacterium comprising a nucleic acid encoding an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host cell utilizing Type Ill secretion system. The recombinant bacterium is generally chosen from intracellular pathogens that reside in the phagosome and fail to induce rapid T cell activation. The translocated antigen may be a viral antigen, a bacterial antigen, or a tumour antigen. Methods of imparting immunity using the recombinant bacterium are also provided.

Abstract: A synthetic charged glycolipid is described comprising a sulfated saccharide group covalently linked to the tree sn-1 hydroxyl group of the glycerol backbone of an archaeal core lipid via a beta linkage. The synthetic charged glycolipids include compounds of formula I wherein n is 0 or 1; R is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and Y is hydrogen or a sulfate group, at least one Y being a sulfate group; and including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The sulfated glycolipid produces stable archaeosomes at a mol % ratio of from 100:0 to 30:70 (sulfated glycolipid: uncharged glycolipid) and which induce a protective immune response, including CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses. Archaeosomes comprising the sulfated glycolipids described have desirable adjuvant properties, particularly when mixed with uncharged glycolipid at a mol % ratio of about 50:50.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant bacterium expressing an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host organism, and uses thereof. To this end, the present invention provides a recombinant bacterium comprising a nucleic acid encoding an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host cell utilizing Type III secretion system. The recombinant bacterium is generally chosen from intracellular pathogens that reside in the phagosome and fail to induce rapid T cell activation. The translocated antigen may be a viral antigen, a bacterial antigen, or a tumor antigen. Methods of imparting immunity using the recombinant bacterium are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for the production of electrochemical cells, in particular individual cells for fuel cells and stacks, in which the individual components of a membrane electrode assembly are compressed and bonded by use of ultrasonic waves and the absence of any further additional heating. The method according to the invention allows faster cycles during the lamination of the membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to composite nanoparticles comprising a metal, a rare earth element, and, optionally, a complexing ligand. The invention is also directed to composite nanoparticles having a core-shell structure and to processes for preparation of composite nanoparticles of the invention.

Abstract: A method of audio source segregation includes selecting an audio attribute of an audio signal. The method also includes representing a portion of the audio attribute that is dominated by a single source as a source spiking event. In addition, the method includes representing a remaining portion of the audio signal as an audio signal spiking event. The method further includes determining whether the remaining portion coincides with the single source based on coincidence of the source spiking event and audio signal spiking event.

Abstract: A method of audio source segregation includes selecting an audio attribute of an audio signal. The method also includes representing a portion of the audio attribute that is dominated by a single source as a source spiking event. In addition, the method includes representing a remaining portion of the audio signal as an audio signal spiking event. The method further includes determining whether the remaining portion coincides with the single source based on coincidence of the source spiking event and audio signal spiking event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant bacterium expressing an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host organism, and uses thereof. To this end, the present invention provides a recombinant bacterium comprising a nucleic acid encoding an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host cell utilizing Type III secretion system. The recombinant bacterium is generally chosen from intracellular pathogens that reside in the phagosome and fail to induce rapid T cell activation. The translocated antigen may be a viral antigen, a bacterial antigen, or a tumour antigen. Methods of imparting immunity using the recombinant bacterium are also provided.

Abstract: Archaeal lipid adjuvants are synthesized by chemically coupling various carbohydrates or anionic polar groups to the free hydroxyl(s) of archaeal lipid cores. Chemically stable lipid cores such as saturated archaeol and caldarchaeol are obtained from appropriate Archaea. Archaeosome lipid vesicles are formulated from the synthetic lipids selected to serve as antigen carriers that target antigen-presenting cells and promote an appropriate immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: A polymer-electrolyte membrane is presented. The polymer-electrolyte membrane comprises an acid-functional polymer, and an additive incorporated in at least a portion of the membrane. The additive comprises a fluorinated cycloaliphatic additive, a hydrophobic cycloaliphatic additive, or combinations thereof, wherein the additive has a boiling point greater than about 120° C. An electrochemical fuel cell including the polymer-electrolyte membrane, and a related method, are also presented.

Abstract: A polymer-electrolyte membrane is presented. The polymer-electrolyte membrane comprises an acid-functional polymer, and an additive incorporated in at least a portion of the membrane. The additive comprises a fluorinated cycloaliphatic additive, a hydrophobic cycloaliphatic additive, or combinations thereof, wherein the additive has a boiling point greater than about 120° C. An electrochemical fuel cell including the polymer-electrolyte membrane, and a related method, are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for the production of electrochemical cells, in particular individual cells for fuel cells and stacks, in which the individual components of a membrane electrode assembly are compressed and bonded by use of ultrasonic waves and the absence of any further additional heating. The method according to the invention allows faster cycles during the lamination of the membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant bacterium expressing an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host organism, and uses thereof. To this end, the present invention provides a recombinant bacterium comprising a nucleic acid encoding an antigen that is translocated to the cytosol of a host cell utilizing Type III secretion system. The recombinant bacterium is generally chosen from intracellular pathogens that reside in the phagosome and fail to induce rapid T cell activation. The translocated antigen may be a viral antigen, a bacterial antigen, or a tumour antigen. Methods of imparting immunity using the recombinant bacterium are also provided.

Abstract: Archaeal lipid adjuvants are synthesized by chemically coupling various carbohydrates or anionic polar groups to the free hydroxyl(s) of archaeal lipid cores. Chemically stable lipid cores such as saturated archaeol and caldarchaeol are obtained from appropriate Archaea. Archaeosome lipid vesicles are formulated from the synthetic lipids selected to serve as antigen carriers that target antigen-presenting cells and promote an appropriate immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liposome comprising a chloroform soluble and extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium spp, particularly a chloroform soluble extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The chloroform soluble and extractable polar lipid may comprise at least one of phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol mannoside (PIM1), phosphatidylinositol dimannoside (PIM2), mono and dipalmitoylated forms of PIM1 and PIM2, phospholipid of 899 m/z, phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipid. The liposome may be prepared by drying chloroform soluble and extractable lipid and then hydrating said dried lipid at a temperature of 65 to 75° C. in water or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The liposome may be used, for example, to activate dendritic cells to secrete cytokines and modulate an immune response in a mammal, or to direct an immune response to confer protection against a pathogen or a cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liposome comprising a chloroform soluble and extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium spp, particularly a chloroform soluble extractable total polar lipid of Mycobacterium spp BCG. The chloroform soluble and extractable polar lipid may comprise at least one of phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol mannoside (PIM1), phosphatidylinositol dimannoside (PIM2), mono and dipalmitoylated forms of PIM1 and PIM2, phospholipid of 899 m/z, phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipid. The liposome may be prepared by drying chloroform soluble and extractable lipid and then hydrating said dried lipid at a temperature of 65 to 75 ° C. in water or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The liposome may be used, for example, to activate dendritic cells to secrete cytokines and modulate an immune response in a mammal, or to direct an immune response to confer protection against a pathogen or a cancer.