Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses of controlling fluid flow are disclosed. An apparatus includes a first microplate having a first open portion and defining one or more first wells therein, a second microplate having a second open portion and defining one or more second wells therein, and a pneumatic lid constructed of styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS). The pneumatic lid extends over the first open portion and the second open portion and includes one or more microfluidic channels that fluidly couple the one or more first wells to the one or more second wells. The pneumatic lid provides an airtight seal over the first microplate and the second microplate.

Abstract: Successful application of an engineered protein as therapeutics or in other industries would require the protein to have good expression level, good biophysical properties and often desired affinity to its target. The present invention provides s method of screening large numbers of protein candidates (PCs) in all three aspects simultaneously. PCs are fused to a protein anchor, which is captured by the target/antigen. The captured PCs are evaluated for their expression levels, biophysical properties and affinities using conventional methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to polypeptides capable of transmigrating the blood-brain barrier, and uses thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to polypeptides derived by site-directed mutagenesis of an existing antibody fragment and uses thereof, and methods of making such molecules. The polypeptides of the present invention show enhanced blood-brain barrier crossing and brain exposure levels in vitro and in vivo.

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: A technique for separating components of a microfluid, comprises a self-intersecting micro or nano-fluidic channel defining a cyclic path for circulating the fluid over a receiving surface of a fluid component separating member; and equipment for applying coordinated pressure to the channel at a plurality of pressure control areas along the cyclic path to circulate the fluid over the receiving surface, applying a pressure to encourage a desired transmission through the separating member, and a circulating pressure to remove surface obstructions on the separating member. The equipment preferably defines a peristaltic pump. Turbulent microfluidic flow appears to be produced.

Abstract: Herein described are antibodies to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) having an EGFR binding affinity that is sufficient to kill disease cells presenting EGFR at high density, but is insufficient for binding to normal cells. A therapeutic effect is thus achieved while avoiding adverse events that result from unintended binding to normal cells.

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: 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: 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: 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.