Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.

Abstract: A suprastructure comprising a modified influenza hemagglutinin (HA) is provided. The modified HA may comprise one or more than one alteration that reduces non-cognate binding of the modified HA to sialic acid (SA) on the surface of a cell, while maintaining cognate interaction with the cell, such as a B cell. A composition comprising the suprastructure and modified HA and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is also described. A method of increasing an immunological response or inducing immunity in response to a vaccine comprising the suprastructure and modified HA is also provided.

Abstract: A silicone-based composition includes a silicone polymer and at least one acid neutralizer, wherein the silicone-based composition has a pH of at least about 5 after at least one dose of irradiation, when measured by a pH meter.

Abstract: A method of immunizing a human against infection by parasitic worms, comprising orally administering a live attenuated recombinant bacterium, expressing at least one antigen corresponding to a parasitic worm antigen; and a sterile injectable vaccine comprising the at least one antigen corresponding to a parasitic worm antigen. The method is effective against worms, including schistosomes.

Abstract: An attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain (YS1646) is repurposed to produce a vaccine. Plasmid-based candidates expressing either the TcdA or TcdB RBD were screened. Different vaccine routes and schedules were tested to achieve detectable serum and mucosal antibody titers in C57BL/6J mice. When given in a multi-modality schedule over 1 week (day 0 IM+PO, days 2 and 4 PO), several candidates provided 100% protection against lethal challenge. Substantial protection (82%) was achieved with combined PO TcdA/TcdB vaccination alone (d0, 2 and 4). These data demonstrate the potential of the YS1646-based vaccines for C. difficile.

Abstract: A silicone-based composition includes a silicone polymer and at least one acid neutralizer, wherein the silicone-based composition has a pH of at least about 5 after at least one dose of irradiation, when measured by a pH meter.

Abstract: An article includes a first portion including a silicone polymer; a second portion adjacent to the first portion, wherein the second portion includes a thermoplastic polymer including a functional moiety that forms a chemical bond with the silicone polymer. A method of forming an article includes providing a first portion including a silicone polymer; providing a second portion adjacent to the first portion, wherein the second portion includes a thermoplastic polymer including a functional moiety that forms a chemical bond with the silicone polymer; and curing the first portion at a temperature lower than the heat deformation temperature of the thermoplastic polymer to form the chemical bond between the functional moiety of the second portion and the silicone polymer of the first portion.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a silicone article. The silicone article includes a silicone composition, the silicone composition including a silicone matrix component, a fumed silica filler; and a vinyl-terminated silicone polymer having a viscosity of about 500 centipoise to about 5000 centipoise, wherein the silicone article has a turbidity of less than about 0.3 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU). The disclosure is further directed to a tube and to a method of forming the article.

Abstract: A method, system, and software for distributing entertainment scheduling data (e.g., television scheduling data, movie scheduling data, etc.) to end users. Entertainment scheduling data updates are entered into an editorial database and then used to rapidly update a real-time database. A subset of entertainment scheduling data from the real-time database may be transmitted from the real-time database to an end-user database of an end user. The subset may be transmitted across a communication interface (e.g., the Internet) from the real-time database to the end-user database. An intermediate destination (e.g., a File Transfer Protocol server) between the real-time database and the communication interface may be used for temporary parking of the subset.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for making and using therapeutic formulations of measles virus antigens with a Proteosome-based adjuvant are provided. The measles virus antigens may be derived from a variety of sources, such as from recombinant production or from a split antigen preparation. The measles vaccine formulations may be used, for example, in methods for treating or preventing a measles virus infection and eliciting a protective immune response.

Abstract: A method, system, and software for distributing entertainment scheduling data (e.g., television scheduling data, movie scheduling data, etc.) to end users. Entertainment scheduling data updates are entered into an editorial database and then used to rapidly update a real-time database. A subset of entertainment scheduling data from the real-time database may be transmitted from the real-time database to an end-user database of an end user. The subset may be transmitted across a communication interface (e.g., the Internet) from the real-time database to the end-user database. An intermediate destination (e.g., a File Transfer Protocol server) between the real-time database and the communication interface may be used for temporary parking of the subset.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel vinyl containing organopolysiloxane elastomers which possess excellent low compression set and heat aging characteristics and which can advantageously be formulated into liquid silicone elastomer moldable compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel vinyl containing organopolysiloxane elastomers which possess excellent low compression set and heat aging characteristics and which can advantageously be formulated into liquid silicone elastomer moldable compositions.

Abstract: Secondary contact adhesion or self-bonding in cured liquid injection molding silicone compositions is reduced by the inclusion in the composition of an inhibitor compound selected from the group consisting of phenyl fluids, titanate esters, and silicate esters.

Abstract: Low molecular weight, high alkenyl content silicone resins of the general formula M.sub.y M.sup.vi.sub.z D.sub.a D.sup.vi.sub.b T.sub.c T.sup.vi.sub.d Q or M.sub.y M.sup.vi.sub.z D.sub.a D.sup.vi.sub.b T.sub.c T.sup.vi.sub.d are disclosed, their use in curable liquid injection molding compositions, a process for varying the cure properties of such compositions and articles of manufacture made thereby and therewith.

Abstract: Cold processable heat curable alkenyl silicone rubbers that comprising an alkenyl silicone gum or mixture of alkenyl silicone gums selected from the group of alkenyl silicone gums having the formula:(M.sub.a M.sup.vi.sub.1-a)(D.sup.vi).sub.x (D).sub.y (M.sub.a M.sup.vi.sub.1-a);a process for making such heat curable rubbers, and articles of manufacture made therefrom.

Abstract: An extrudable composition formed of a blend of a polymer and a finely divided filler is prepared by combining the materials under conditions of high shear forces resulting in a composition which when diluted to a selected level has an application rate which is relatively higher than a composition having the same relative proportions of polymer and filler combined under conditions of low shear, the high shear forces reducing the aggregate size. The invention is also directed to a method for reducing the initial average aggregate size of a filler dispersed in a polymer by subjecting the mixture to high shear forces in a high intensity mixer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved heat curable silicone composition, having increased tear strength, oil resistance, and reduced compression set, comprising (A) a blend containing (1) a vinyl-containing organopolysiloxane or vinyl-containing organopolysiloxane blend having a viscosity of about 5,000 to about 500,000 centipoise at 25.degree. C., and (2) a vinyl-containing organopolysiloxane or vinyl-containing organopolysiloxane blend having a viscosity of about 8,000,000 to about 100,000,000 centipoise at 25.degree. C; (B) an organopolysiloxane resin copolymer; (C) an organic peroxide catalyst; (D) a filler; and (E) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane.

Abstract: There is provided an organopolysiloxane composition having low compression set as well as fuel and oil resistance in addition to high strength, good elongation, and tear comprising:(A) 100 parts of a first component comprising:(1) a vinyl-containing liquid organopolysiloxane or a blend of vinyl-containing liquid polysiloxanes;(2) optionally, filler; and(3) a catalyst; and(B) from 1 to 100 parts, based on 100 parts of (A), of a hydrogen silicone composition selected from the class consisting of hydrogen containing silanes and hydrogen containing polysiloxanes and mixtures of hydrogen containing polysiloxanes with fillers and high viscosity polysiloxanes;(C) optionally, magnesium oxide to impart oil resistance;(D) optionally, an MQ resin to impart fuel resistance; and(E) optionally, a cerium containing compound or, alternatively, tetramethyldivinyldisilazane to impart low compression set.