Abstract: Disclosed here includes a method for purifying a biologic composition, comprising diafiltering the biologic composition into a composition comprising phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to obtain a purified composition. The method disclosed here can be particularly useful for removing one or more impurities from the biologic composition, such as bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-tris(hydroxymethyl)methane (Bis-tris).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of articles, using glass failure generated pulses. The apparatus and method is directed towards the hardening and compaction of a spherical article surrounded by a glass orb in a confined arrangement. The apparatus includes a striker having first and second opposing strikers for striking the glass orb from different sides of the confinement arrangement, to create an explosive reaction that pressure-treats the spherical article, thereby causing the hardening and compaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel antimicrobial peptides, pharmaceutical compositions containing the peptides, and methods of use of the peptides to inhibit the growth or proliferation of microbes. The antimicrobial peptides are particularly useful to treat infections of dangerous gram positive organisms such as MRSA and VRSA.

Abstract: Alarms, including features such as source IP address, destination IP address, and timestamp, generated by an intrusion detection system are grouped into clusters. A rank value for each alarm within each cluster is determined by summing a weighted value for each feature within the respective alarm. A cluster rank is determined by summing each of the rank values within each cluster and dividing by the number of alarms in the respective cluster. The source IP address is used to determine a network IP address and subnet of a network architecture associated with the source IP address. The cluster ranks are displayed graphically to a user using a graphical database within a graphical user interface. Each of the clusters are mapped to a node link pair in the graphical database using an a priori logical network topology based upon the network IP address and the subnet of the network architecture.

Abstract: An aerogel and method of making the aerogel is disclosed. The aerogel is a polyimide/polyamide hybrid with a cross-linking agent that induces gelation.

Abstract: An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is equipped with a GPS, heading sensor, depth and altitude sensors, and an acoustic navigation system. The UUV is deployed in the vicinity of the target location and releases an acoustic transponder (beacon). Using the acoustic navigation system with the GPS reference, the UUV conducts a survey to determine the horizontal location of the beacon on the seafloor and calculates a relative position between the beacon and the target. The UUV can plan a travel path allowing it to relocate the target, using the beacon as a navigation aid. The UUV can submerge to target depth and search for the target using a forward looking sensor. Once the target is acquired on the sensor, the UUV can home to the target.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed Formula I. The variables X1, X2, and R1-4 are disclosed herein. The compounds are useful for treating cancer and related proliferative diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of Formula I and methods of treatment comprising administering compounds of Formula I are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved casein-based films are produced by adjusting the pH of a film-production suspension. The film-production suspension may contain a casein source, a plasticizer, and optionally a strengthening additive. The adjustment of the pH may be accomplished by the addition of an alkaline additive, such as a base, to achieve a desired pH value. The improved casein-based films have improved physical properties as compared to those produced without a pH-adjusted film-production suspension at least in part due to the chemical and structural changes imparted by the change in pH.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and optimizing energetic propellant grains includes generating an optimal surface area to mass fraction burned ratio profile for a predetermined solid structure including propellant grains; using the profile as a target function of a topological optimization process to generate a 3D form of a propellant grain; developing a negative of the 3D form of the propellant grain; mixing and densifying the negative with an energetic material in an uncured form in a mixer to create a structure including the energetic material and embedded negative; and solvating the negative from the structure, wherein the negative comprises a 3D propellant grain. The developing of the negative of the 3D form of the propellant grain may occur using a predetermined material in an additive manufacturing process. The negative may be soluble in the predetermined material, and the energetic material may be insoluble in the predetermined material.

Abstract: A mobile automated pipe or shaft non-destructive inspection system with rotational inspection sensor assembly for 360 degree imaging or sensing and generation of three dimensional models or sensing imaging or depictions of the pipe or shaft, preservative removal/application system, mobile platform mounting, and control system as well as related methods.

Abstract: A method for activating implanted dopants and repairing damage to dopant-implanted GaN to form n-type or p-type GaN. A GaN substrate is implanted with n- or p-type ions and is subjected to a high-temperature anneal to activate the implanted dopants and to produce planar n- or p-type doped areas within the GaN having an activated dopant concentration of about 1018-1022 cm?3. An initial annealing at a temperature at which the GaN is stable at a predetermined process temperature for a predetermined time can be conducted before the high-temperature anneal. A thermally stable cap can be applied to the GaN substrate to suppress nitrogen evolution from the GaN surface during the high-temperature annealing step. The high-temperature annealing can be conducted under N2 pressure to increase the stability of the GaN. The annealing can be conducted using laser annealing or rapid thermal annealing (RTA).

Abstract: Various methods are provided to produce welded structures resistant to hydrogen induced cracking (HIC), improve wear resistance, reduce manufacturing steps including pre/post weld treatments, and improving corrosion resistance. Exemplary methods include using exothermic reactive powder mixtures on as-welded hot surface(s) during weld cooling which generate rapid exothermic reaction melting and hydrogen removal which results in reduction of hydrogen, creation of a wear/corrosion prevention or reduction layer, and a reduction of residual stresses effect in the weld initially formed in initial welding. Alternative embodiments can also employ post cooling re-heating and application of one or more alternative methods using exothermic reactive powders.

Abstract: Flow cytometry of extracellular vesicle (EV) samples produces counts associated with channels defined by combinations of capture agents and detection agents, typically capture antibodies and detection antibodies having associated markers such as fluorophores. Sample groupings are obtained by processing channel counts using principal component analysis or other techniques. Identification of a particular sample grouping permits selection of associated channels for detection of samples exhibiting characteristics of the particular sample grouping.

Abstract: This patent describes an improvement to 3D printing which includes applying ultrasound waves on the print bead such that ultrasonic resonance occurs and fills unwanted voids and improves final print robustness.

Abstract: Embodiments of a novel system for delivering an expression vector encoding an antigen to a subject that allows for spatiotemporal control over stimulation of the subject's immune response to the antigen are provided. In some embodiments, the expression vector delivery system includes a polymer linked to an adjuvant in prodrug form that can form polymer nanoparticles and enter a cell (such as an immune cell) under physiological conditions. In some embodiments, the adjuvant is linked to the polymer by an enzyme degradable labile bond, the cleavage of which activates the adjuvant to stimulate an immune response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of the formula (I) or (II): wherein a f are as described herein. The compounds are useful in the activation of Type II NKT cells and in treating cancer.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for promoting tolerance to auto-immune antigens. In general the compositions include quantum dots (QDs) that are in association with auto-immune peptide antigens. It is shown that QDs can be used to generate immunological tolerance by controlling the density of self-antigen on QDs. Peptide-QDs rapidly concentrate in draining lymph nodes, and co-localize with macrophages expressing scavenger receptors involved intolerance. Treatment with peptide-QDs reduces disease incidence 10-fold. The degree of tolerance and the underlying expansion of regulatory T cells correlates with the density of myelin molecules presented on QDs such that higher numbers of tolerogenic particles displaying lower levels of self-peptide are more effective for inducing tolerance than fewer particles each displaying higher densities of peptide. The disclosure is therefore relevant to promoting tolerance to antigens that are involved in a variety of autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions, methods and uses for dengue-4 (DENV-4) virus constructs. Some embodiments concern a composition that includes, but is not limited to, DENV-4 virus constructs alone or in combination with other constructs, can be used in a vaccine composition to induce an immune response in a subject. In certain embodiments, compositions can include constructs of more than one serotypes of dengue virus, such as dengue-1 virus, dengue-2 virus, or dengue-3 virus in combination with DENV-4 virus constructs disclosed herein. In other embodiments, DENV-4 constructs disclosed herein can be combined in a composition with other flavivirus constructs to generate a vaccine against more than one flavivirus. Other embodiments provide methods and uses for DENV-4 virus constructs in vaccine compositions that when administered to a subject induce an immune response in the subject against DENV-4 that is improved by modified constructs compared to other vaccine compositions.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a shape memory polymer into a three-dimensional object is provided. The method includes forming a film of crosslinked poly(amic acid) on a substrate to provide a laminated substrate; forming the laminated substrate into a first configuration that is in a three-dimensional form; curing the cross-linked poly(amic acid) to provide the shape memory polymer having a permanent shape corresponding to the first configuration; and removing the substrate from the laminated substrate to provide the three-dimensional object comprising the shape memory polymer. The formation of the laminated substrate into the three-dimensional object may be based on origami techniques.

Abstract: In the absence of inventive practice, the hydrodynamic flows on both sides of a vertically oriented bluff body (e.g., cylinder) traveling through water tend to hug the bluff body proximate its curved back surface and to converge behind the bluff body, resulting in lateral sway of the bluff body. Exemplary inventive practice provides for attachment of a pair of waterjet-streaming devices at opposite axial ends of a bluff body such as a cylinder. The waterjet streams discharged by the two inventive devices, which adjoin the vertical bluff body, deflect the hydrodynamic flows on both curved side surfaces of the bluff body. The inventive apparatus thereby encourages a continued approximate parallelity of the hydrodynamic flows behind the bluff body, resulting in significantly greater stability of the bluff body. Some exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide for attachment of a single waterjet-streaming device at one axial end of the bluff body.