Abstract: The present invention provides variant VEGF polypeptides which have been altered in their C-terminal heparin binding region to lower their heparin binding affinity. These variants have been found to act as receptor antagonists for VEGF receptors and antagonize angiogenesis. These variants are useful to treat diseases characterized by pathological angiogenesis.

Abstract: A system for recognizing processes performed by a call center agent during a session may receive input data from a screen recording system that includes a video signal representing a plurality of frames from a time-series video recording or video stream of a desktop of a user electronic device. The system processes the video signal to identify one or more frames of interest from the plurality of frames. Each frame of interest includes a change in a layout of the corresponding one or more screens as compared to a preceding frame in the time-series video recording. The system automatically identifies actions performed by the call center agent that represent an interaction that the call center agent had with one or more screens corresponding to the frame of interest. The system generates an event log that includes a timeline depicting a visual representation of the identified actions.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp120 and antigen binding fragments of these antibodies are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. Methods for detecting HIV using these antibodies are disclosed. In addition, the use of these antibodies, antigen binding fragment, nucleic acids and vectors to prevent and/or treat an HIV infection is disclosed.

Abstract: Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies also are disclosed that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp41. The identification of these antibodies, and the use of these antibodies are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for enhancing the binding and neutralizing activity of any antibody using epitope scaffold probes.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for regulating drilling fluid pressure in a drilling fluid circulation system. In one embodiment, a drilling fluid circulation system includes a processor (110) connected to a pressure relief device (104), which is connected to piping between a discharge of a drilling fluid pump (30) and an inlet of a drill string (31). The processor receives pressure measurement signals representative of a pressure of the drilling fluid in the piping and flow parameter signals representative of a flow of the drilling fluid through the piping. From the pressure measurement signals and the flow parameter signals, the processor determines that a target pressure parameter of the drilling fluid in the piping is not satisfied. In response, the processor lowers the pressure of the drilling fluid in the piping until the target pressure parameter is satisfied by at least partially opening the pressure relief device.

Abstract: An appliance is capable of storing and processing data related to details surrounding its ownership, behavior, and history within itself in a secure and unalterable way. The appliance may experience multiple transfers in ownership during its lifetime. Certain data stored in the appliance may be encrypted such that only qualifying parties (e.g., owners) may be able to access the data. Some data may remain private to an individual owner while other data may be made available to subsequent owners by passing a shared secret that can be utilized to decrypt the other data. Data may be stored in the appliance in chronological order and may be signed by appropriate parties such that it is not possible to alter the data without detection.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for determining carbon emissions of one or more vehicles. For instance, in one example embodiment, an apparatus may calculate miles traveled by the vehicles along a predefined route and may calculate a fuel usage of the vehicles for traveling along the route to obtain one or more fuel values. The apparatus may also analyze data indicating the miles traveled and the fuel values to determine fuel efficiency values corresponding to the vehicles traveling the route. The apparatus may also determine an estimate of an amount of carbon emissions for each of the vehicles based in part on applying at least one carbon emission value to respective fuel values associated with corresponding determined fuel efficiency values.

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having antigenic specificity for CD70, the CAR comprising: an antigen binding-transmembrane domain comprising a CD27 amino acid sequence lacking all or a portion of the CD27 intra-cellular T cell signaling domain; a 4-1BB intracellular T cell signaling domain; a CD3? intracellular T cell signaling domain; and optionally, a CD28 intracellular T cell signaling domain. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CARs are disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: A biometric verification system is disclosed. The system includes a portable device which stores a biometric reference template and authentication preferences. The portable device can be used with an access device. The access device can prompt the user for a biometric sample. The access device may create a biometric sample template from the biometric sample, and the biometric sample template can be compared to the biometric reference template to determine if a user is authentic.

Abstract: An alert system and method are provided to identify and characterize real-time information transmission anomalies in high-frequency global and local traceroute data. The system includes active network sensors and/or collector devices, which collect traceroute data associated with transmissions to different points in a computer network and provide the traceoute data to a master server. The traceroute data is obtained by the active network sensors by sending probing data packets to numerous computing target devices located locally with respect to the target device and/or globally. The master server determines one or more anomalies from the received traceroute data and characterizes the anomaly in terms of type, severity, location, affected Domain Name System (DNS) server and/or Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing. The apparatus includes a first end and a second end. The apparatus includes a first wedge having a first groove. The first wedge is contained in the housing. The apparatus includes a second wedge having a second groove. The second wedge is contained in the housing and is positioned adjacent the first wedge. A gripper profile is formed along the length of the first wedge and the second wedge by the first groove and the second groove. The gripper profile has a first shape at the first end and tapers along a length of the first wedge and the second wedge to form a second shape, different from the first shape, at the second end.

Abstract: A method for secure payment transactions over a network between a support help desk computing system and a customer computing system is provided. The method includes establishing a chat session between the help desk and the customer using a chat application program; receiving a purchase order from the customer; communicating a unique URL payment link to the customer, wherein the URL payment link is configured for allowing the customer to establish communication with an order processing system to provide sensitive payment information to the order processing system; receiving the sensitive payment information at the order processing system communicated from the customer; encrypting the sensitive payment information; providing the encrypted sensitive payment information to the help desk, wherein the encrypted sensitive payment information is displayed in a masked format on a display of the help desk; and completing the purchase order using the encrypted sensitive payment information.

Abstract: Methods and systems are included that relate to the detection and monitoring of defects in wellbore conduits using a distributed sensor system and a wireline transmitter. A method for inspection of wellbore conduits may comprise: running a wireline transmitter into a wellbore; generating an electromagnetic field using the wireline transmitter, wherein the electromagnetic field penetrates one or more conduits disposed in the wellbore, and wherein the electromagnetic field induces emission of at least one secondary electromagnetic field from the one or more conduits; generating at least one signal in response to the secondary electromagnetic field, wherein the at least one signal is generated using a distributed sensor system, and wherein the distributed sensor system comprises electromagnetic field sensors installed in the wellbore and distributed along the one or more conduits; and identifying a pipe electromagnetic or geometric property of the one or more conduits based on the at least one signal.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of inhibiting growth or proliferation of cells expressing CD38 by contacting the CD38-expressing cells with 1) NK cells bound to an anti-CD38 F(ab?)2 fragment and 2) an anti-CD38 antibody, in either order or simultaneously. Also provided herein are methods of treating or inhibiting a hyperproliferative disorder or an autoimmune disorder in a subject by administering to the subject 1) NK cells bound to an anti-CD38 F(ab?)2 fragment and 2) an anti-CD38 antibody, in either order or simultaneously.

Abstract: Reaction products and methods for making and using such reaction products are provided. For example, a reaction product comprising an adduct formed from two or more of a first nucleophile (e.g., including, but not limited to, a urease inhibitor), a second nucleophile, and an electrophile is described, which can be provided in various forms. Such a reaction product can be in the form of a solid or solution. Such a reaction product can also be combined with one or more additional components, including but not limited to, free urease inhibitor and/or a nitrogen-based fertilizer composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for detecting an interaction event between two or more objects in a surveillance area, via the application of heuristics to trajectory representations of the static or dynamic movements associated with the objects. According to an exemplary embodiment, trajectory interaction features (TIFs) are extracted from the trajectory representations and heuristics are applied to the TIFs to determine if an interaction event has occurred, such as a potential illegal drug deal involving at least one pedestrian and at least one vehicle.

Abstract: A computing system includes a processor that estimates a pattern of a flow of a mixture of particles and a fluid in a tubular structure as a stationary bed flow, a dispersed flow, or a transitional flow that is relative to the stationary bed and dispersed flows. The processor estimates a plurality of parameters based on the estimated pattern. The processor determines a plurality of dimensionless parameters, based on the estimated parameters. The dimensionless parameters include a first dimensionless parameter corresponding to an effect of turbulence on the flow and a second dimensionless parameter corresponding to an effect of gravity on the flow. The processor characterizes the pattern of the flow as the stationary bed flow, the dispersed flow, or the transitional flow, based on the dimensionless parameters. The processor models the flow based on the estimated pattern if it is determined that the characterized pattern matches the estimated pattern.

Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode. The downhole drilling system may also include a pulse-generating circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. A capacitor within the pulse-generating circuit may include a plurality of electrode sheets and a plurality of dielectric sheets interleaved with the plurality of electrode sheets. Each of the dielectric sheets may include a composite material including a polymer matrix formed from a polymer component and a nanoparticle component that increases the dielectric constant of the composite material above that of the polymer component.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation including combining a long chain hydrocarbon viscosifier, an ene curing agent, and a thiol crosslinking agent to form a resin compound; coating the resin compound onto at least a portion of proppant particles to create resin-coated proppant particles; and placing the coated proppant particles into the subterranean formation zone, wherein the resin compound does not substantially cure prior to placing the resin coated proppant particles into the subterranean formation zone.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of detecting the presence of detecting the presence of Loa loa in a biological sample using one or more antigens, each having a different amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-20. Related compositions, specific binding partners, and test kits are also disclosed.