Abstract: The high data transmission capacity of fiber optic networks has been exploited through wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). By using multiple independent wavelengths, or lambdas, the fiber can carry a multiplicity of content, each in its own lambda. As the number of lambdas increases (it is currently ca. 100 and is projected to climb to 100,000 or more) it becomes increasingly challenging to allocate lambdas to traffic. The present invention automates the allocation process by detecting similar interests amongst groups of users, and creating a shared lambda for use by the users.

Abstract: An incontinence management system for monitoring wetness in one or more absorbent articles, includes input for receiving one or more sensor signals indicative of a presence of wetness in an absorbent article, processor for processing the one or more sensor signals and for performing an analysis of the signals to characterize wetness events occurring in an absorbent article and user interface for communicating with a user of the system. A mathematical model is used to characterize wetness events, receiving as inputs variables derived from sensor signals and optionally, patient and demographic data. The mathematical model can be configured and/or re-configured utilizing observation data obtained while monitoring a patient for wetness. A diaper for use with such as system is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, methods for the identification and isolation of viable putative long-lived antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cell subsets (CMhi and EMhi) with high surface expression of CD161 and/or IL-18R? and the capacity to rapidly efflux the fluorescent dye Rh123.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemias and sickle cell disease. Compositions and methods include one or more endonuclease(s) or endonuclease fusion protein(s), including one or more homing endonuclease(s) and/or homing endonuclease fusion protein(s) and/or CRISPR endonuclease(s) ad/or CRISPR endonuclease fusion protein(s): (a) to disrupt a Bcl11a coding region; (b) to disrupt a Bcl11a gene regulatory region; (c) to modify an adult human ?-globin locus; (d) to disrupt a HbP silencing DNA regulatory element or pathway, such as a Bcl11a-regulated HbP silencing region; (e) to mutate one or more ?-globin gene promoter(s) to achieve increased expression of a ?-globin gene; (f) to mutate one or more ?-globin gene promoter(s) to achieve increased expression of a ?-globin gene; and/or (g) to correct one or more ?-globin gene mutation(s).

Abstract: A hot-mix asphalt paving mixture includes the use of a hard, angular, non-carbonate ½? minus igneous crushed rock, washed rounded No. 100 sieve silica sand particles, ½? minus recycled asphalt pavement particles, and a performance-graded bituminous liquid asphalt binder, thereby to produce an environmentally-friendly hot asphalt mixture that is laid with minimal compaction effort, and without the use of conventional compaction-aiding additives that chemically alter the viscosity of the liquid asphalt binder. During compaction, the rounded silica sand particles react with the igneous rock particles as a mechanical compaction aid, thereby allowing the angular particles to achieve proper aggregate interlock with minimal compactive effort. The aggregate composition comprises about 75% igneous crushed rock, about 5% processed round silica sand particles, about 20% recycled asphalt pavement, and about 5% binder. The resultant pavement is skid-resistant, resists rutting, and has a permanent dark color.

Abstract: The invention provides HSV antigens that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection, including epitopes confirmed to be recognized by T-cells derived from herpetic lesions. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for identifying and using anticancer therapeutic agents and, more particularly, to methods for identifying and using inhibitors of genes for inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of MYC-driven tumor cells relative to normal cells.

Abstract: A mowing finger arrangement has a lower element and an upper element connected to each other and forms two mowing fingers. A space is formed to accommodate a cutting device between the lower element and the upper element. The two mowing fingers are connected to each other via, respectively, a connection web on the upper element and on the lower element on a rear end of the mowing finger, when viewed in working direction. At least one of the connection webs has, at least portion wise, an off-set to provide an enlarged distance between the connection webs.

Abstract: An optimized baculovirus/insect cell-mediated system is provided for the production of enterovirus 71 virus-like particles to produce a vaccine against recent EV71 virus outbreaks. Co-expression of the viral capsid polyprotein P1 ORF derived from a fatal case in the Fuyang province of the People's Republic of China plus the 3 CD protease of EV71 prototype strain BrCr resulted in the formation of VLPs. The yields were increased by co-expression of both P1 and 3CD in separate transgene cassettes arranged in opposite orientation in a bicistronic baculovirus vector and by inserting the translational enhancing signal L21 in front of the capsid protein open reading frame. Faster transgene processing was achieved by using insect Sf21 cells instead of Sf9 cells.

Abstract: A non-invasive monitoring apparatus for end-tidal gas concentrations, and a method of use thereof, is described for the detection of endogenous gas concentrations, including respiratory gases, in exhaled breath.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for accurately detecting mutations by uniquely tagging double stranded nucleic acid molecules with dual cyphers such that sequence data obtained from a sense strand can be linked to sequence data obtained from an anti-sense strand when sequenced, for example, by massively parallel sequencing methods.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ex vivo T cell cultures using IL-21 compositions for use in adoptive immunotherapy are described. Addition of IL-21 to cultures of non-terminally differentiated T cells population, either isolated or present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to one or more tumor antigens, and in the presence of IL-21 compositions and antigen presenting cells (APCs), the resulting T cell population has an enhanced antigen-specificity, and can be reintroduced into the patient. Methods are also disclosed for identifying tumor antigens by culturing T cell populations exposed to IL-21 compositions and APCs in the presence of tumor material.

Abstract: In order to inhibit thrombotic processes locally rather than systemically, higher levels of antithrombotic drugs in the deep veins of the legs than in the systemic circulation are obtained using devices and methods that provide venous cannulation in the dorsum of the foot of a patient while applying pressure to the foot proximal to the venous cannulation, potentially as far up the leg as the knee, in an amount sufficient to compress the superficial veins and divert the venous drainage in the deep venous system into the venous plexus.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: A database system stores information about potential patients that allows medical professionals to gauge the legal risk presented by the potential patients, giving the medical professionals the opportunity to avoid medical involvement with those individuals most prone to engaging in unwarranted legal actions. The database may also be used by insurance companies, legal services and other professional service providers to screen for potentially litigious customers. Information in the database is processed to provide a risk assessment score for each patient that is used for screening purposes.

Abstract: A widely distributed security system (SDI-SCAM) that protects computers at individual client locations, but which constantly pools and analyzes information gathered from machines across a network in order to quickly detect patterns consistent with intrusion or attack, singular or coordinated. When a novel method of attack has been detected, the system distributes warnings and potential countermeasures to each individual machine on the network. Such a warning may potentially consist of a probability distribution of the likelihood of an intrusion or attack as well as the relative probabilistic likelihood that such potential intrusion possesses certain characteristics or typologies or even strategic objectives in order to best recommend and/or distribute to each machine the most befitting countermeasure(s) given all presently known particular data and associated predicted probabilistic information regarding the prospective intrusion or attack.

Abstract: Embodiments methods and compositions involving inhibitors of the immunoreceptor Natural Killer Group 2, Member D, (NKG2D) for inhibiting tumor progression and treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions for expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and providing hematopoietic function to human patients in need thereof. In one aspect, it relates to kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. Also provided herein are methods for expanding the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells using kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. The hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells expanded using the disclosed kits, compositions and methods include human umbilical cord blood stem/progenitor cells, placental cord blood stem/progenitor cells and peripheral blood stem cells. The present invention also relates to administering hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells expanded using a combination of a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist to a patient for short-term and/or long-term in vivo repopulation benefits.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring genetically modified tumor specific CD8+ T cells in the presence of tumor-specific, subset specific genetically modified CD4+ T cells, wherein the CD4+ T cells confer and/or augment a CD8+ T cells ability to sustain anti-tumor reactivity and increase and/or maximize tumor-specific proliferation of the tumor-specific CD8+ T cells of interest. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: Compounds are described that are useful for treating an apoptosis-associated disease, which are specifically cytotoxic to tumor cells that are overexpressing Bcl-xL, and are much less cytotoxic in isogenic cells that are not overexpressing Bcl-xL. Also described is a method for treating an apoptosis-associated disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an active compound that is specifically cytotoxic to tumor cells that are overexpressing Bcl-xL, and are much less cytotoxic in isogenic cells that are not overexpressing Bcl-xL. Several scaffolds of active compounds are described.