Abstract: Gravitational Janus microparticle having, a center-of-mass, a center-of-volume, and a non¬uniform density, wherein: the center-of-mass and the center-of-volume are distinct. When suspended in a fluid, the microparticle substantially aligns with either: i) the gravitational field; or ii) the direction of an acceleration, such that the Janus microparticle is in substantial rotation equilibrium. After perturbation from substantial rotational equilibrium, the Janus microparticle reversibly rotates to return to substantial rotational equilibrium. The gravitational Janus microparticle may comprise at least two portions, each having distinct physical and/or chemical characteristics, wherein at least one portion provides a detectable effect following rotation and alignment of the microparticle.

Abstract: A technique for acquiring target's coordinates for industrial dimensional metrology involves a target that serves both as a 2D contrast target and a 3D contact target, and a metrology tool. The target has proximal and distal surfaces, at least some of which being primarily flat and facing a common normal direction. At least 3 mm separate the proximal and distal surfaces in the normal direction. Reflectivity factors of the distal and proximal surfaces differ by at least 20%. Risers connecting pairs of the proximal and distal surfaces are sufficiently undercut so that none of the risers are in view at nominal viewing angles. At least two reference edges are defined where risers meet proximal surfaces. The tool has meeting features for registration with the edges and primarily flat surfaces, in at least two registered positions, to permit a retroreflector of the tool to acquire coordinates the target centre.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new process for the production of recombinant proteins, by transient transfection of suspension-grown human embryonic kidney cells (293 cell line and its genetic variants) with an expression vector, using polyethylenimine (PEI) as a transfection reagent. In a preferred embodiment, the process uses 293E cells expressing the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA 1 protein, in combination with an oriP-based episomal expression vector having an improved cytomegalovirus expression cassette comprising the CMV5 promoter. The process combines in a single step the cell growth, transfection and protein expression, is carried out without changing the culture medium, and allows to achieve high expression levels in a short period of time. The process may be carried out in a serum-free, low-protein culture medium, is easily scalable, compatible with continuous production processes, and fully adapted to high-throughput production of milligram quantities of recombinant proteins.

Abstract: There is provided an alignment system and method for use in an ultrashort pulse duration laser-based Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) writing system, the alignment system comprising: clamps configured to hold a coated optical fiber in a position perpendicular to a beam path of an ultrashort pulse duration laser-based FBG writing station; an optical detector; and a control system with an input from the optical detector and an output to adjust parameters of an optical source and the FBG writing station adjust a distance between the optical fiber and an optical source of the writing station based on luminescence generated in a core of the optical fiber as indicated in a signal received at the input from the optical detector.

Abstract: A metal foil with a karstified topography having a surface morphology in which a maximum peak height minus a maximum profile depth is greater than 0.5 ?m and extends into the surface at least 5% of the foil thickness, a root mean square roughness is at least about 0.2 ?m measured in a direction of greatest roughness, and an oxygen abundance is less than 5 atomic %. The foil may be composed of aluminum, titanium, nickel, copper, or stainless steel, or an alloy of any thereof, and may have a coating composed of nickel, nickel alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, nickel oxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, indium tin oxide, or carbon, or a mixture or composite of any thereof. The foil may form part of a metal electrode, current collector, or electrochemical interface. Further described is a method for producing the foil by laser ablation in a vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and compact apparatus for laser induced breakdown atomic emission spectroscopy from a targeted sample having a laser generating a laser beam, the laser beam directed to the sample, optical means for manipulating the laser beam in order maximize laser fluency at the target surface of the sample, the laser beam generating ablation and plasma emission from the sample at the target surface, an emission spectrometer having a detector for detecting a plasma plume from the plasma emission.

Abstract: Recombinant transforming growth factor (TGF)-? monomers modified to inhibit dimerization and block TGF-? signaling are described. The recombinant TGF-? monomers lack the ability to bind and recruit TGF-? type I receptor (T?R1), but retain the capacity to bind the high affinity TGF-? type II receptor (T?RII), and in some instances, include mutations that increase their affinity for T?RII. Nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding the recombinant TGF-? monomers are also described. Isolated cells, such as T cells, can be re-programmed with a TGF-? monomer-encoding nucleic acid or vector to secrete the monomer. Use of the recombinant TGF-? monomers and/or cells producing the recombinant TGF-? monomers, to inhibit TGF-? signaling, such as to treat disorders associated with aberrant TGF-? signaling, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated or purified antibodies or fragments thereof specific for Carbohydrate Anhydrase IX (CA-IX) and their use as therapeutic tools. Specifically, the present invention is directed to high-affinity Carbohydrate Anhydrase IX-specific antibodies and fragments thereof and their use as antibody-drug conjugates. Compositions for use in therapy as well as therapeutic methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hemagglutinin-specific antibodies, fragments thereof, and uses thereof. More specifically, these antibodies and fragments thereof are able to recognize antigen from multiple influenza strains.

Abstract: A substrate has a body defined at least in part by a single piece of aluminum or aluminum alloy material having a cavity and a pinch-off or other feature area and further having a metal-matrix composite (MMC) layer formed integrally in the body at the pinch-off or other feature area. A process of producing a substrate involves machining a single piece of material to provide a body having a surface and a feature area, the feature area being of smaller dimension than required for the piece, integrally forming a metal-matrix composite layer in the feature area to build up the feature area to at least a dimension required for the piece. The metal-matrix composite comprises an aluminum-nickel alloy matrix (e.g. Al-12Si alloy alloyed with Ni) having WC particles embedded therein or a aluminum matrix (e.g. Al-12Si alloy) having TiC particles embedded therein and has greater wear resistance, greater strength, greater toughness or any combination thereof than the material.

Abstract: A brain-penetrating composition of amyloid-ß binding peptide is disclosed. This may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, for example as a bifunctional molecule, comprising a blood-brain barrier crossing antibody and an amyloid-ß targeting peptide linked via an Fc fragment that is able to transmigrate across the blood-brain barrier into the brain, and compositions comprising same. Methods of using this composition for treating Alzheimer's disease are disclosed.

Abstract: Xanthan gum has been found to be a superior binder for binding an electrode, especially an anode, in a lithium-ion or lithium-sulfur battery, being able to accommodate large volume changes and providing stable capacities in batteries tested with different types of anode materials.

Abstract: A method for characterizing an aggregate sample involves using a first laser pulse to create a crater on the surface of a sample, using a second laser pulse to produce a plasma emission spectrum on the prepared crater surface, and detecting the emission spectrum to collect spectral data. Laser application, and detecting spectral emission are repeated on different points on the sample, then non-representative spectral data is discarded based on a ratio of ions to atoms in the data. Finally a calibration loading is used to determine a property characteristic of the aggregate sample. The sample may be an oil sands sample, and the properties detected may be percentages of bitumen, water, and solids. A laser-based system is provided for carrying out the characterization method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to conductors comprising a conducting member comprising silver and a functionalized organosiloxane network having at least one functional group capable of trapping silver or a silver ion as well as to methods of preparing the same. For example, the functionalized organosiloxane network can at least substantially inhibit dendrite formation between a first conducting member and a second conducting member. For example, the conductors may be used in an electronic circuit such as a printed electronic circuit.

Abstract: A voltage and current triggered switch that turns on when a voltage across the switch reaches a turn-on voltage and that turns off when a current through the switch drops below a holding current. The switch features a Zener diode having a breakdown voltage. The Zener diode is connected to set the turn-on voltage of the switch to be the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode. Also provided is a step-down DC-DC converter comprising such a switch. Also provided is a system that has a tribo-electricity source or a piezo-electricity source, the provided step-down DC-DC converter and a load connected to an output of the stepdown DC-DC converter.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a conformable ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric layer and electrodes able to conform to curved surfaces, and a clamp for pressing the transducer into ultrasonic contact with a curved surface. Conformability is ensured with a thin, porous piezoelectric layer and suitable electrical conductors and insulators. The ultrasonic transducer may operate without further thermal shielding under harsh environments and/or at high temperatures.

Abstract: The use of oxidatively transformed carotenoid or a component thereof to enhance the immune response in a subject for the treatment of infection or to enhance the immune response to an antigen in a subject being immunized. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and kits containing the oxidatively transformed carotenoid.

Abstract: Determining deviation of a multi jointed robot under load using a tribological contact between an end of the robot and any available hard constraint near the robot, involves pressing the end against the constraint, and then soliciting a movement of the end relative to the constraint in a tribologically resisted direction to apply a force that does not overbear the resistance. By measuring the force and a position encoded by the robot, a deviation of the robot under the corresponding load is determined. Correction terms may be required for deformation of the tribological surface and/or constraint. The constraint may be tooling or parts subjected to an intended process. The deviation at many measurement poses of the robot, each in multiple resisted directions, within the ordinary operating space of the robot, was used to derive compliances of the robot, and a kinetostatic model.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new process for the production of recombinant proteins, by transient transfection of suspension-grown human embryonic kidney cells (293 cell line and its genetic variants) with an expression vector, using polyethylenimine (PEI) as a transfection reagent. In a preferred embodiment, the process uses 293E cells expressing the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA 1 protein, in combination with an oriP-based episomal expression vector having an improved cytomegalovirus expression cassette comprising the CMV5 promoter. The process combines in a single step the cell growth, transfection and protein expression, is carried out without changing the culture medium, and allows to achieve high expression levels in a short period of time. The process may be carried out in a serum-free, low-protein culture medium, is easily scalable, compatible with continuous production processes, and fully adapted to high-throughput production of milligram quantities of recombinant proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device comprising a printed substrate comprising a trace of molecular ink thereon, the molecular ink being sintered to form a conductive metal trace forming the electronic device, wherein the molecular ink is chosen from a) a flake-less printable composition of 30-60 wt % of a C8-C12 silver carboxylate, 0.1-10 wt % of a polymeric binder and balance of at least one organic solvent, all weights based on total weight of the composition; or b) a flake-less printable composition of 5-75 wt % of bis(2-ethyl-1-hexylamine) copper (II) formate, bis(octylamine) copper (II) formate or tris(octylamine) copper (II) formate, 0.25-10 wt % of a polymeric binder and balance of at least one organic solvent, all weights based on total weight of the composition.