Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions, e.g., kits, for quantitatively detecting an antibody of a subject to an infectious organism. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides for methods and compositions, e.g., kits, for quantitatively detecting a human antibody to SARS-CoV-2 polypeptide or S (spike) polypeptide. Certain applications and uses of the present methods and compositions, e.g., kits, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention features a substrate and compositions, kits, devices, and methods employing the substrate that produces an isolated population of cells from a general population. The isolated population is enriched for one or more target populations. Substrate is can be liquefied and allows recovery of unlabeled, viable, and functional cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions, e.g., kits, for assessing or detecting SARS-CoV-2 antigen(s), e.g., SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N-protein), in a sample or a blood sample, e.g., serum, plasma, dried blood spots (DBS) and/or a saliva sample. Certain applications and uses of the present methods and compositions, e.g., kits, are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions, e.g., kits, for quantitatively detecting an antibody of a subject to an infectious organism. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides for methods and compositions, e.g., kits, for quantitatively detecting a human antibody to SARS-CoV-2 polypeptide or S (spike) polypeptide. Certain applications and uses of the present methods and compositions, e.g., kits, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention features a hydrogel complex that can bind to and modulate a desired immune cell, e.g., T cell, population. In certain embodiments, the complex can be dissolved, and thus dissociated from its targeted cell, representing a safe and efficient approach for processing immune cells, e.g., T cells for clinical use. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for synthesizing hydrogel complexes, as well as methods of using the complexes to generate expanded immune cell, e.g., T cell, populations as part of adoptive immune cell, e.g., T cell, therapy systems.

Abstract: The invention features a substrate and compositions, kits, devices, and methods employing the substrate that produces an isolated population of cells from a general population. The isolated population is enriched for one or more target populations. Substrate is can be liquefied and allows recovery of unlabeled, viable, and functional cells.

Abstract: A social alarm system provides location detection within a dwelling. A personal radio trigger unit is carried by a client and transmits an alarm signal in response to a triggering event, such as by a manual alarm button or an automatic fall detection circuit. A client unit is operable to receive the alarm signal and initiate an alarm call to a remote monitoring center over a communications network. A plurality of radio receptor nodes monitor the wireless RF transmissions from the personal radio trigger to report respective received signal strength values. A location finder unit determines a location of the personal radio trigger, by using absolute error calculations and/or shape error calculations against previously recorded known locations in the dwelling.

Abstract: The invention features a complex that binds to, stimulates, and expands a desired T cell population and facilitates separation of the target population from a sample. The complex can be gently dissociated from the binding unit after separating the desired T cell population, representing a safe and efficient approach for processing T cells for clinical use. Invention also provides methods of using such complexes as part of adoptive T cell therapy systems.

Abstract: The invention features a complex that binds to, stimulates, and expands a desired T cell population and facilitates separation of the target population from a sample. The complex can be gently dissociated from the binding unit after separating the desired T cell population, representing a safe and efficient approach for processing T cells for clinical use. Invention also provides methods of using such complexes as part of adoptive T cell therapy systems.

Abstract: A brake piston comprising: (a) a rear wall, (b) a cylindrical side wall connected to the rear wall, (c) a recess located within the brake piston, (d) an insert located within the recess of the brake piston; and (e) an adhesive connecting the insert to the recess of the brake piston; wherein the insert is made of metal.

Abstract: A social alarm system provides location detection within a dwelling. A personal radio trigger unit is carried by a client and transmits an alarm signal in response to a triggering event, such as by a manual alarm button or an automatic fall detection circuit. A client unit is operable to receive the alarm signal and initiate an alarm call to a remote monitoring center over a communications network. A plurality of radio receptor nodes monitor the wireless RF transmissions from the personal radio trigger to report respective received signal strength values. A location finder unit determines a location of the personal radio trigger, by using absolute error calculations and/or shape error calculations against previously recorded known locations in the dwelling.

Abstract: A brake piston comprising: (a) a rear wall, (b) a cylindrical side wall connected to the rear wall, (c) a recess located within the brake piston, (d) an insert located within the recess of the brake piston; and (e) an adhesive connecting the insert to the recess of the brake piston; wherein the insert is made of metal.

Abstract: A torque wrench comprises a head for engagement with a workpiece and a handle for applying a torque to the head. The handle comprises: a body; at least two elastic elements disposed within the body; a connector between the elastic elements; and a torque adjustment element for determining a compression of the elastic elements. The torque adjustment element is slidably engaged with the connector such that radial movement of the torque adjustment element is limited.

Abstract: A multistage immersion type membrane separator includes a liquid air separator, the liquid air separator including an outlet tube, an inlet tube, and a skirt. The outlet tube is cylindrical and has a outlet tube diameter, and the inlet pipe has an inlet pipe diameter of less than the outlet tube diameter. The inlet pipe is attached to and in communication with the outlet tube so that a mixed flow of air and liquid passing through the inlet tube is introduced into the outlet tube and flows circumferentially around the inside of the outlet tube. The inlet pipe is attached to the cylindrical outlet tube so that the inlet pipe is perpendicular to the outlet tube. The outlet tube has two ends, one end being closed and the other end being open. The skirt is attached to the outlet tube and is concentric with the outlet tube. The skirt is attached to the closed end of the outlet tube, and extends to just past the point of attachment of the inlet tube to the outlet tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide capable of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon. The invention also relates to the encoded polypeptide, a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, a recombinant non-human organism comprising the nucleic acid molecule, and to methods of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon or an intermediate of biofuel using the nucleic acid molecule, polypeptide or recombinant organism.

Abstract: A multistage immersion type membrane separator includes a liquid air separator, the liquid air separator including an outlet tube, an inlet tube, and a skirt. The outlet tube is cylindrical and has a outlet tube diameter, and the inlet pipe has an inlet pipe diameter of less than the outlet tube diameter. The inlet pipe is attached to and in communication with the outlet tube so that a mixed flow of air and liquid passing through the inlet tube is introduced into the outlet tube and flows circumferentially around the inside of the outlet tube. The inlet pipe is attached to the cylindrical outlet tube so that the inlet pipe is perpendicular to the outlet tube. The outlet tube has two ends, one end being closed and the other end being open. The skirt is attached to the outlet tube and is concentric with the outlet tube. The skirt is attached to the closed end of the outlet tube, and extends to just past the point of attachment of the inlet tube to the outlet tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide capable of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon. The invention also relates to the encoded polypeptide, a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, a recombinant non-human organism comprising the nucleic acid molecule, and to methods of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon or an intermediate of biofuel using the nucleic acid molecule, polypeptide or recombinant organism.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide capable of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon. The invention also relates to the encoded polypeptide, a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, a recombinant non-human organism comprising the nucleic acid molecule, and to methods of producing a triterpenoid hydrocarbon or an intermediate of biofuel using the nucleic acid molecule, polypeptide or recombinant organism.

Abstract: The disclosed system and apparatus can be used to improve the operation of a membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment system. The system may include one or more membrane filtration modules having a proximal end and a distal end in which each module houses one or more membrane filters. The system and method can be configured to include the steps of interrupting the introduction or flow of feed liquid, allowing at least a portion of the feed liquid present in the one or more membrane filtration modules to drain therefrom, and to resume the introduction or feed of the feed liquid. Optionally, the system and method can include the step of allowing at least a portion of the recovered permeate to backflush the one or more membrane filters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing expression of a promoter distal gene in a virus of the order Mononegavirales, and a recombinant virus constructed by such method. Also provided is a method of attenuating a virus of the order Mononegavirales, and of constructing an attenuated virus useful for a vaccine.