Abstract: An insurance computing device is provided. The insurance computing device may include a processor and a memory. The processor may be programmed to receive a registration request from a vehicle computing device associated with a vehicle and/or a covered parking location (CPL) computing device associated with a covered parking location, generate a usage profile associated with at least one of the vehicle and the covered parking location, monitor the vehicle computing device and/or the CPL computing device for any requests to reserve an available parking spot of the covered parking location, update the usage profile, determine if an insurance policy associated with the vehicle and/or the covered parking location is eligible for insurance-related benefits based upon the usage profile.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing covered parking to vehicles is provided. The method may include transmitting a location identifier of a covered parking location and a communication address of a covered parking location (CPL) computing device to a vehicle computing device and/or an insurance computing device. The method may further include transmitting a signal to the vehicle computing device indicating a number of available parking spots of the covered parking location when the vehicle computing device contacts the CPL computing device, receiving a request from the vehicle computing device to reserve a parking spot of the covered parking location, determining whether to accept the request, and transmitting a response to the vehicle computing device. Accepting the request causes the CPL computing device to permit a vehicle associated with the vehicle computing device access to the covered parking location.

Abstract: A vehicle weather damage-prevention system is provided. The system may include a vehicle computing device associated with a vehicle, a covered parking location (CPL) computing device associated with a covered parking location, and an insurance computing device. The vehicle computing device may receive weather data and determine whether the vehicle is affected by inclement weather. The vehicle computing device may receive from the CPL computing device information indicating whether the covered parking location has available parking spots. The vehicle computing device may transmit a request to the CPL computing device to reserve a parking spot. The CPL computing device may selectively permit the vehicle access to the covered parking location. The insurance computing device may monitor the vehicle computing device and/or the CPL computing device and determine if an insurance policy is eligible for insurance-related benefits based upon a usage profile of the vehicle or the covered parking location.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising micheliolide (MCL) or derivatives thereof, and optionally additional therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents, are described. Also described are methods of treating diseases, such as cancer, comprising the use of combinations of MCL or a derivative thereof with X-ray irradiation and/or other therapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The use of the combinations can provide synergistic anticancer therapeutic efficacy, for example, as the MCL or derivative thereof can both sensitize cancer cells to therapy and target resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) for selective cell death.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising micheliolide (MCL) or derivatives thereof, and optionally additional therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents, are described. Also described are methods of treating diseases, such as cancer, comprising the use of combinations of MCL or a derivative thereof with X-ray irradiation and/or other therapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The use of the combinations can provide synergistic anticancer therapeutic efficacy, for example, as the MCL or derivative thereof can both sensitize cancer cells to therapy and target resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) for selective cell death.

Abstract: Prodrugs containing lipid moieties attached to drug derivatives, such as anti-cancer drug derivatives, via linkers comprising disulfide groups are described. Also described are nanoparticles coated with a lipid layer containing the prodrugs, formulations comprising the nanoparticles, and the use of the nanoparticles in methods of treating diseases, such as cancer, alone or in combination with additional drug compounds, targeting agents, and/or immunotherapy agents, such as immunosuppression inhibitors that target the CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1, IDO, LAG-3, CCR-7 or other pathways, or multiple immunosuppression inhibitors targeting a combination of such pathways. Optionally, the nanoparticles can comprise a photosensitizer or a derivative thereof and can be used in methods involving photodynamic therapy. Synergistic therapeutic effects result from combinations of multiple modalities provided by the disclosed nanoparticles and/or nanoparticle formulations.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a device for dewatering a material. The device comprises a biodegradable, permeable enclosure configured for receiving the material through an inlet. The permeable enclosure comprises layered biodegradable textiles, an inner portion and an outer portion, derived from renewable resources. The inner portion has an apparent opening size between about 0.5 mm and 3 mm. The outer portion has a ratio of the minimum tensile strength in the warp direction to the minimum tensile strength in the weft direction of about 2.5.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising micheliolide (MCL) or derivatives thereof, and optionally additional therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents, are described. Also described are methods of treating diseases, such as cancer, comprising the use of combinations of MCL or a derivative thereof with X-ray irradiation and/or other therapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The use of the combinations can provide synergistic anticancer therapeutic efficacy, for example, as the MCL or derivative thereof can both sensitize cancer cells to therapy and target resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) for selective cell death.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising micheliolide (MCL) or derivatives thereof, and optionally additional therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents, are described. Also described are methods of treating diseases, such as cancer, comprising the use of combinations of MCL or a derivative thereof with X-ray irradiation and/or other therapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The use of the combinations can provide synergistic anticancer therapeutic efficacy, for example, as the MCL or derivative thereof can both sensitize cancer cells to therapy and target resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) for selective cell death.

Abstract: Prodrugs containing lipid moieties attached to drug derivatives, such as anti-cancer drug derivatives, via linkers comprising disulfide groups are described. Also described are nanoparticles coated with a lipid layer containing the prodrugs, formulations comprising the nanoparticles, and the use of the nanoparticles in methods of treating diseases, such as cancer, alone or in combination with additional drug compounds, targeting agents, and/or immunotherapy agents, such as immunosuppression inhibitors that target the CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1, IDO, LAG-3, CCR-7 or other pathways, or multiple immunosuppression inhibitors targeting a combination of such pathways. Optionally, the nanoparticles can comprise a photosensitizer or a derivative thereof and can be used in methods involving photodynamic therapy. Synergistic therapeutic effects result from combinations of multiple modalities provided by the disclosed nanoparticles and/or nanoparticle formulations.

Abstract: Millimeter to nano-scale structures manufactured using a multi-component polymer fiber matrix are disclosed. The use of dissimilar polymers allows the selective dissolution of the polymers at various stages of the manufacturing process. In one application, biocompatible matrixes may be formed with long pore length and small pore size. The manufacturing process begins with a first polymer fiber arranged in a matrix formed by a second polymer fiber. End caps may be attached to provide structural support and the polymer fiber matrix selectively dissolved away leaving only the long polymer fibers. These may be exposed to another product, such as a biocompatible gel to form a biocompatible matrix. The polymer fibers may then be selectively dissolved leaving only a biocompatible gel scaffold with the pores formed by the dissolved polymer fibers. The scaffolds may be used in, among other applications, the repair of central and peripheral nerves.

Abstract: Processes for constructing improved networks, such as Bayesian networks, of putative biomolecular pathways, that can e used to identify candidate biomolecular targets for validation as drug development targets, and the like; networks prepared thereby, use of the networks to predict the effect of biomolecule perturbations on cell phenotypes, and microprocessors and data processing systems programmed to automate the processes and software having instructions for performing the processes.

Abstract: Micro-topography of a surface influences cell adhesion and proliferation. To improve adhesion, polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are built on patterned support layers to increase surface wettability, thereby improving attachment and spreading of the cells. Physical parameters, such as pattern size and pitch, in part, regulate cell adhesion and proliferation. Varying the surface topography provides a method to influence cell attachment and proliferation for tissue engineering applications.

Abstract: A method for selectively removing a resist material from the polycationic surface of a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) film, without disturbing adhering interactions between the cationic film surface and bound biomaterials such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids. The resist material is one that that inhibits or prevents the further deposition of cells or other biomaterial; it thus masks the cationic surface from application of biomaterials. In one embodiment the resist material is a carboxy functional oxyalkylene oligomer. It is removed by exposing the film containing the bound biomaterial and the bound resist material to a pH below 4.5, and/or to a salt concentration of higher than 0.01 M.

Abstract: A method for finishing or coating a metal substrate, in which the metal is first coated with a silane adhesion promoter as a thin film prior to application of a primer and/or basecoat or topcoat. The method, useful in the original manufacture of trucks, does not require sanding or baking to achieve adhesion of the coating to the substrate.