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: 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 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: A method of measuring structural defects of a structure including the steps of: a) attaching to the structure at least one structural defect sensor each including a fibre optic cable in turn including a plurality of longitudinally extending optical fibres mounted in a predetermined spaced apart substantially parallel co-planar array, selected fibres having Bragg Gratings located along their length in their surfaces, one side of the array being adapted for attachment to a surface of a structure to be tested, b) coupling to one end of the fibre optic cable of each sensor a light source, and an optical sensor having time domain measuring and multiplexing capabilities, and, c) monitoring a variation of a light parameter measured by the optical detector using time domain measurement to locate the position of a crack along a fibre and using multiplexing for determining from which fibre the light source is being analyzed, and d) monitoring point strains by measuring a characteristic of light reflected from the Bragg

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing the deformation characteristics of optical fiber transmission paths to enable the detection of deformations in materials, in which the fibers are disposed in relation to the material such that each separate deformation in the material lying in the path of the fiber results in a corresponding independently measurable deformation along the length of the fiber.