Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for targeting antigenically variable pathogens and diseases. Embodiments of the present disclosure involve of the construction of variable epitope libraries (VELs) containing mutated versions of epitopes derived from antigens associated with various diseases for treating subjects in both therapeutic and prophylactic settings. The present disclosure also provides compositions and methods for the production of VELs based on CTL-derived epitopes of survivin, an oncogenic inhibitor-of-apoptosis. Given the large number of potential epitopes expressed in tumors, and the dynamic nature of the tumor epitope landscape, there is a need to develop compositions and methods for targeting various antigenic epitopes to counteract immune escape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing N-alkylated chitosan derivatives by treating chitosan with an acid and subsequently reacting the chitosan with an alkylating agent in the presence of a base. Also provided are novel N-alkylated chitosan derivatives.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing N-alkylated chitosan derivatives by treating chitosan with an acid and subsequently reacting the chitosan with an alkylating agent in the presence of a base. Also provided are novel N-alkylated chitosan derivatives.

Abstract: Provided herein are chitosan-containing formulations, methods of making such formulations, and methods of using such formulations. Chitosan contemplated for use herein is preferably of high quality and its source is preferably of crustacean origin. The formulations contemplated herein are aqueous, either liquid- or viscous-like, varying in concentration and type of chitosan and acid used, and may include other components. Their uses are diverse, for oral/dental administration or topical/surface application to subjects (e.g. humans or animals) in need thereof or even food commodities, aiming to maintain a good condition where it is applied or contributing to health enhancement, healing, disease prevention or treatment. The present invention also relates to concentrated solutions that may be used for the formulation of other products.

Abstract: Provided herein are chitosan-containing formulations, methods of making such formulations, and methods of using such formulations. Chitosan contemplated for use herein is preferably of high quality and its source is preferably of crustacean origin. The formulations contemplated herein are aqueous, either liquid- or viscous-like, varying in concentration and type of chitosan and acid used, and may include other components. Their uses are diverse, for oral/dental administration or topical/surface application to subjects (e.g. humans or animals) in need thereof or even food commodities, aiming to maintain a good condition where it is applied or contributing to health enhancement, healing, disease prevention or treatment. The present invention also relates to concentrated solutions that may be used for the formulation of other products.

Abstract: A golf cart having a golf cart having a driver side, a passenger side, a front-end portion, a rear-end portion, and a roof; a flexible plastic sheet that partitions the golf-cart driver side from the golf-cart passenger side; the flexible plastic sheet having a first-corner portion that is attached to the golf-cart front-end portion; the flexible plastic sheet having a second-corner portion that is attached to the golf-cart rear-end portion; and the flexible plastic sheet having an edge portion that is attached to the golf-cart roof.

Abstract: It comprises a receptacle subassembly, a lid subassembly telescopically interacting with the receptacle subassembly by partially penetrating into or by retracting from the receptacle subassembly and a magnetic unit attached to the receptacle subassembly and to the lid subassembly and intended to align and interlock the receptacle subassembly with the lid subassembly; the lid subassembly incorporating supplementarily an optionally detachable frame unit, intended to cover an unaesthetic transitional zone between a contour of the enclosure assembly and a wall opening wherein the enclosure assembly is installed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to improved processes for making chitosan salts and products formed by such processes. In certain embodiments, the processes disclosed herein provide the ability to make high-grade chitosan salts at lower cost and with improved environmental friendliness.

Abstract: Provided herein are microencapsulated chitosan materials and formulations containing same, methods of making such formulations, and methods of using such formulations. Application of a microencapsulation coating on chitosan materials and formulations containing same renders possible the use of chitosan materials for different, novel chitosan-based dietary applications with the primary aim to decrease intestinal absorption of fat and enhance overall health, without interfering with or reducing food palatability. The present invention provides methods to microencapsulate highly effective chitosan or chitosan salts to moderate their interaction with food components and mask any off-flavors and off-tastes but allow rapid chitosan solubilization under gastric acid conditions and simultaneous binding of ingested lipids. Chitosan contemplated for use herein is preferably of high quality with high fat-binding capacity, and its source is preferably of crustacean origin.

Abstract: Synchronizing devices in a network. In one example, a first communication interface of a first communication device transmits a first message through a first communication path in a mesh network. The first communication path includes the first device, a second device, and a remote server. The first message includes a status of the first device. The first communication interface is switched to a sleep mode after transmission of the first message. Subsequently, the communication interface switches from the sleep mode to an awake mode. While the first communication interface is in the awake mode, the first communication interface transmits a second message through a second communication path in the mesh network. The second communication path includes the first device, a third device, and the remote server.

Abstract: It comprises a receptacle subassembly, a lid subassembly telescopically interacting with the receptacle subassembly by partially penetrating into or by retracting from the receptacle subassembly and a magnetic unit attached to the receptacle subassembly and to the lid subassembly and intended to align and interlock the receptacle subassembly with the lid subassembly; the lid subassembly incorporating supplementarily an optionally detachable frame unit, intended to cover an unaesthetic transitional zone between a contour of the enclosure assembly and a wall opening wherein the enclosure assembly is installed.

Abstract: Provided herein are microencapsulated chitosan materials and formulations containing same, methods of making such formulations, and methods of using such formulations. Application of a microencapsulation coating on chitosan materials and formulations containing same renders possible the use of chitosan materials for different, novel chitosan-based dietary applications with the primary aim to decrease intestinal absorption of fat and enhance overall health, without interfering with or reducing food palatability. The present invention provides methods to microencapsulate highly effective chitosan or chitosan salts to moderate their interaction with food components and mask any off-flavors and off-tastes but allow rapid chitosan solubilization under gastric acid conditions and simultaneous binding of ingested lipids. Chitosan contemplated for use herein is preferably of high quality with high fat-binding capacity, and its source is preferably of crustacean origin.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to improved processes for making chitosan salts and products formed by such processes. In certain embodiments, the processes disclosed herein provide the ability to make high-grade chitosan salts at lower cost and with improved environmental friendliness.

Abstract: A system for determining an opening price for products traded over a distributed, networked computer system is described. The system includes a plurality of workstations for entering orders for financial products into the distributed, networked computer system, said orders specifying a quantity of the financial product. A plurality of workstations for entering orders and a server computer coupled to the workstations, said server computer executing a server process that determines an opening price for the product. The opening price process posting an allocation message to market maker participants to communicate an expected allocation of the imbalance for execution at an initial opening of the market in the event that the imbalance exists at the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for targeting antigenically variable pathogens and diseases. Embodiments of the present disclosure involve of the construction of variable epitope libraries (VELs) containing mutated versions of epitopes derived from antigens associated with various diseases for treating subjects in both therapeutic and prophylactic settings. The present disclosure also provides compositions and methods for the production of VELs based on CTL-derived epitopes of survivin, an oncogenic inhibitor-of-apoptosis. Given the large number of potential epitopes expressed in tumors, and the dynamic nature of the tumor epitope landscape, there is a need to develop compositions and methods for targeting various antigenic epitopes to counteract immune escape.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a first and a second housing parts, a printing part, and a conveying part which includes a holding part that holds a first paper sheet and a second paper sheet in an overlapped state and respectively pulled out from a first paper roll and a second paper roll, and conveys the first paper sheet out of the first paper sheet and the second paper sheet held by the holding part to the printing part. The holding part includes a contacting member contacting the second paper sheet out of the first paper sheet and the second paper sheet in an overlapped state, and an opposing member arranged opposing the contacting member and contacting the first paper sheet. A first frictional force between the contacting member and the second paper sheet is larger than a second frictional force between the opposing member and the first paper sheet.

Abstract: It comprises a receptacle subassembly, a lid subassembly telescopically interacting with the receptacle subassembly by partially penetrating into or by retracting from the receptacle subassembly and a magnetic unit attached to the receptacle subassembly and to the lid subassembly and intended to align and interlock the receptacle subassembly with the lid subassembly; the lid subassembly incorporating supplementarily an optionally detachable frame unit, intended to cover an unaesthetic transitional zone between a contour of the enclosure assembly and a wall opening wherein the enclosure assembly is installed.

Abstract: A bag house filter bag is suspended vertically from a separable hanger. The filter bag has a closure at the top, which is constructed by a series of tucks and folds. The closure also provides a support loop for engagement with the hanger. The filter bag is constructed mainly of woven fabric formed into a cylinder. The folding and stitching pattern of the fabric at the top end enables the bag to transition from linear at the site of the support loop to cylindrical with an even distribution of stress on the fabric. The hanger includes a cross member and a surrounding tube to reduce specific stress on the fabric. The hanger has a removable joint opening clasp at one end of the cross member to enable rapid insertion and removal of the hanger from within the suspension tube without contact, removal or other disturbance of the filter bag.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a first and a second housing parts, a printing part, and a conveying part which includes a holding part that holds a first paper sheet and a second paper sheet in an overlapped state and respectively pulled out from a first paper roll and a second paper roll, and conveys the first paper sheet out of the first paper sheet and the second paper sheet held by the holding part to the printing part. The holding part includes a contacting member contacting the second paper sheet out of the first paper sheet and the second paper sheet in an overlapped state, and an opposing member arranged opposing the contacting member and contacting the first paper sheet. A first frictional force between the contacting member and the second paper sheet is larger than a second frictional force between the opposing member and the first paper sheet.