Abstract: Precursors, and methods for manufacturing perforated composite parts, an exemplary precursor including structural fibers embedded in a cured matrix material and interposed between two removable plies, where the precursor may also have a sacrificial fiber extending through the removable plies, the matrix material and between the structural fibers.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and systems for managing and distributing currency. One system includes modularized components and interacts with a user via the user's cell phone. The user may authenticate to the system via a password and biometrics, pre-stage interactions such as deposits or withdrawals, and then conduct a transaction. The system may also analyze the documents, such as currency and/or checks, that are deposited with the system, and determine whether they are valid.

Abstract: Precursors and methods for manufacturing perforated composite parts are disclosed. An exemplary precursor (19) comprises structural fibers (24,28) embedded in a cured matrix material (24,26) and interposed between two removable plies (20). The precursor may also comprise a sacrificial fiber (28) extending through the removable plies (20), the matrix material (24,26) and between the structural fibers (24,28). An exemplary method comprises removing the removable plies (20) from the precursor (19) and removing the sacrificial fiber (28) from the precursor after removing the removable plies to form a through hole in the precursor (19) at a location of the sacrificial fiber (28).

Abstract: A method for inserting an insert into a hole in a composite material made from a plurality of carbon fiber layers suspended in a resin material includes lowering a temperature of the insert to a reduced temperature at which a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material of the insert causes the insert to contract to a first perimeter, inserting the insert at the reduced temperature into the hole, and permitting the temperature of the insert to increase from the reduced temperature to an operational temperature. At the operational temperature, the insert expands to a second perimeter so that the insert is retained within the composite material due to an interference between the insert and the composite material. The interference transfers a structural load from the insert to the composite material and results in damage to the composite material if the insert is dislodged at the operational temperature.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an ester anesthetic and a cholinesterase inhibitor have been found to exhibit surprising and beneficial results in achieving a long-acting nerve block for example when administered to an interfascial plane or a peri-neural location in a subject. Such pharmaceutical compositions may also contain an amide anesthetic. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using such compositions as described herein provide a surprising and unexpected duration of pain control and a reduced need for the use of narcotics.

Abstract: The current invention concerns the use of PIP or S100A8 for the generation of regulatory T cells. The current invention provides a method of generating regulatory T cells by contacting immature DC with PIP or S100A8 to produce tolerogenic DC and further contacting naïve T cells to the tolerogenic DC to produce regulatory T cells. The invention also concerns PIP protein where immature DC contacted with PIP produce tolerogenic DC that induce conversion of naïve T-cells into regulatory T cells. The invention also concerns S100A8 protein where immature DC contacted with S100A8 produce tolerogenic DC that induce conversion of naïve T-cells into regulatory T cells. The invention also provides methods for identification of factors secreted by iNKT cells that induce conversion of immature DC into tolerogenic DC. The subject invention also concerns using regulatory T cells for treatment and/or management of cancer or the diseases of the immune system.

Abstract: Precursors and methods for manufacturing perforated composite parts are disclosed. An exemplary precursor (19) comprises structural fibres (24,28) embedded in a cured matrix material (24,26) and interposed between two removable plies (20). The precursor may also comprise a sacrificial fibre (28) extending through the removable plies (20), the matrix material (24,26) and between the structural fibres (24,28). An exemplary method comprises removing the removable plies (20) from the precursor (19) and removing the sacrificial fibre (28) from the precursor after removing the removable plies to form a through hole in the precursor (19) at a location of the sacrificial fibre (28).

Abstract: A liner (10) is disclosed for use with a bulk container having mounting posts (20) along a top edge (18). The liner has a liner body (23) which has top wall (26), a bottom wall (27), a front wall (28), a liner rear wall (29) and two side walls (30). The liner also includes a front mounting tab (40) and a rear mounting tab (41). Each mounting tab is mounted to and extends across the vast majority of the width of the liner body. Each mounting tab has two semi-circular cuts therethrough which form liner front mounting openings (43) and (44). This orientation allows for the mounting posts to be positioned upon the curved portion of the openings to aid in distributing pulling forces upon the tabs to restrict tearing of the material along the openings.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an ester anesthetic and a cholinesterase inhibitor have been found to exhibit surprising and beneficial results in achieving a long-acting nerve block for example when administered to an interfascial plane or a peri-neural location in a subject. Such pharmaceutical compositions may also contain an amide anesthetic. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using such compositions as described herein provide a surprising and unexpected duration of pain control and a reduced need for the use of narcotics.

Abstract: A control rod for incorporation into a composite assembly with at least a first composite preform, a second composite preform, and a cured resin includes a shaft defining an axis, wherein the shaft is disposable within an aperture in the composite assembly, and a plurality of threads disposed on at least a portion of the shaft. The shaft is made from, among other materials, a thermoplastic material. The threads define a thread pitch that encompasses more than one individual fiber layer forming at least one of the first composite layer and the second composite layer.

Abstract: The current invention concerns the use of PIP or S100A8 for the generation of regulatory T cells. The current invention provides a method of generating regulatory T cells by contacting immature DC with PIP or S100A8 to produce tolerogenic DC and further contacting naïve T cells to the tolerogenic DC to produce regulatory T cells. The invention also concerns PIP protein where immature DC contacted with PIP produce tolerogenic DC that induce conversion of naïve T-cells into regulatory T cells. The invention also concerns S100A8 protein where immature DC contacted with S100A8 produce tolerogenic DC that induce conversion of naïve T-cells into regulatory T cells. The invention also provides methods for identification of factors secreted by iNKT cells that induce conversion of immature DC into tolerogenic DC. The subject invention also concerns using regulatory T cells for treatment and/or management of cancer or the diseases of the immune system.

Abstract: A control rod for incorporation into a composite assembly comprising at least a first preform, a second preform, and a cured resin includes a shaft defining an axis, wherein the shaft is disposable within an aperture in the composite assembly and a plurality of threads disposed helically on at least a portion of the shaft. Dry fibers from the first preform and second preform are forced into the threads of the control rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a fiber reinforced composite structure comprising at least two components, a hard base tool presenting a first tool face, a second tooling element presenting a second tool face to locate the second component against the first component. Components are of a dry fibrous form and are to be injected with a liquid resin. A flexible bagging blanket forms with the tools a sealed enclosure into which the resin is injected to form the structure by resin transfer infusion. To maintain the relative dispositions of the components without the need for elaborate mandrel plates, control rods are inserted at least partially through the two components to act as fasteners and to maintain the relative disposition of the components during resin injection. After injection the assembly is cured and the control rods may remain in situ or be removed from the structure.

Abstract: In the formation of a fiber reinforced composite material component produced by a resin transfer infusion process such as to have an electrically conductive surface layer for lightning strike protection wherein the component is to be drilled and countersunk to receive an electrically conductive fastener, a localized part of the electrically conductive mesh is deformed so as to be relocated in the countersunk recess thus to ensure electrical contact with the fastener when inserted and to eliminate any gap between the mesh and the fastener, thus determining the electrical conductive integrity of the mesh to avoid arcing in the event of lightning strike attachment.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanocomposite material that includes nanoparticles includes disposing in a forming apparatus a fiber material, a carrier material with nanoparticles dispersed therein, the carrier material having a releasing trigger to release the nanoparticles, the releasing trigger being at least one of a releasing temperature and a releasing pressure, and a resin having an infusion temperature, increasing the temperature within the forming apparatus to a temperature at least equal to the infusion temperature of the resin to allow the resin to impregnate the fiber material without triggering the releasing trigger of the carrier material, and triggering the releasing trigger of the carrier material in the forming apparatus by increasing at least one of the temperature and the pressure within the forming apparatus to cause dispersion of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and useful apparatus for charging battery powered electronic devices using a rolling means. The rolling means transfers mechanical energy from a plurality of wheels to a generator by way of a gear ratio. The generator in turn yields electrical energy that is later transformed via integrated circuitry into viable power for the purposes of charging an optional internal batter or that of an attached device. This apparatus does not limit the user's mobility and can be used in everyday settings. The apparatus can be an integral part of a piece of luggage or added to an existing hand cart. Additionally, the apparatus can have a connection for a DC input to charge the internal battery when the apparatus is not in motion.

Abstract: In the formation of a fiber reinforced composite material component produced by a resin transfer infusion process such as to have an electrically conductive surface layer for lightning strike protection wherein the component is to be drilled and countersunk to receive an electrically conductive fastener, a localized part of the electrically conductive mesh is deformed so as to be relocated in the countersunk recess thus to ensure electrical contact with the fastener when inserted and to eliminate any gap between the mesh and the fastener, thus determining the electrical conductive integrity of the mesh to avoid arcing in the event of lightning strike attachment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a fibre reinforced composite structure comprising at least two components, a hard base tool presenting a first tool face, a second tooling element presenting a second tool face to locate the second component against the first component. Components are of a dry fibrous form and are to be injected with a liquid resin. A flexible bagging blanket forms with the tools a sealed enclosure into which the resin is injected to form the structure by resin transfer infusion. To maintain the relative dispositions of the components without the need for elaborate mandrel plates, control rods are inserted at least partially through the two components to act as fasteners and to maintain the relative disposition of the components during resin injection. After injection the assembly is cured and the control rods may remain in situ or be removed from the structure.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds and methods for the ex vivo or in vivo expansion of NK T cells, CD1d-reactive T cells, and J?Q+ T cells, and the modulation of their activities. These compounds and methods have diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A noise attenuation panel used to attenuate noise in aircraft engines includes a cellular core and a facing sheet formed with an array of holes. The holes are laser drilled to provide: (i) hole size variation over the facing sheet; (ii) non-circular hole cross section; (iii) polygonal hole cross section; (iv) hole locations not contiguous with walls of the cellular core; and (v) inclined holes passing through the facing sheet in a direction inclined to the normal to the facing sheet.