Abstract: This disclosure relates to modified viruses, e.g., oncolytic vaccinia viruses, which have been modified to contain an exogenous nucleic acid that expresses a protein that modulates STAT3 activity. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that vaccinia viruses modified to contain nucleic acid encoding PIAS3 and that express PIAS3 or a fragment thereof can inhibit STAT3 activity and enhance the anti-cancer activity of the vaccinia virus. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for oncolytic vaccinia viruses and methods of using them in the treatment of cancers.

Abstract: A revetment block includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a first pair of parallel, opposing sidewalls extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a second pair of parallel, opposing sidewalls extending between the top surface and the bottom surface and each extending between a first sidewall of the first pair of parallel and a second sidewall of the first pair of parallel, opposing sidewalls. The revetment block further includes a horizontal duct extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, wherein the horizontal duct is parallel with the bottom surface. The top surface has a non-parallel relationship with the bottom surface, wherein the top surface includes a leveling pad adjacent the first sidewall. The leveling pad is configured to cause a second horizontal duct of a second revetment block stacked on the top surface to be parallel with the first horizontal duct.

Abstract: Automated system configured to perform and methods for performing one or more slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. The system and methods enable high sample throughput while also minimizing or limiting the potential for cross-contamination of slides. The automated systems can include features that facilitate consistency, controllability of processing time, and/or processing temperature.

Abstract: Medication delivery devices are provided having a dose delivery sensing capability. A sensed element is attached to a dose setting member of the device. The sensed element includes surface features radially-spaced from one another. A rotational sensor is attached to an actuator of the device. The rotational sensor includes a movable element that is contactable against the surface features. The rotational sensor is configured to generate a signal in response to the movement of the movable element over the surface features during their rotation. A controller is operatively coupled to the rotational sensor, and in response to receiving the generated signal, the controller is configured to determine a number of the surface features passing the movable element of the rotational sensor during dose delivery. The number can be associated with an amount of dose delivered. Sensing can be provided in a module or integrated in device.

Abstract: An analog to digital conversion circuit of a touch screen computing device includes a plurality of analog to digital converter circuits operable to convert a plurality of analog signals into a plurality of digital signals at an oversampling rate, a digital decimation filtering module operable to convert the plurality of digital signals into a plurality of digital filtered signals at a first output rate, a coefficient processor operable to generate real component coefficients and imaginary component coefficients of a filtering function at a plurality of frequencies, a first bandpass filter circuit operable to produce first affect values at known frequencies of the plurality of frequencies, and a second bandpass filter circuit operable to produce second affect values at selected frequencies of the plurality of frequencies.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to modified oncolytic viruses. The modified oncolytic viruses of the disclosure comprise modification in the viral genome encoding exogenous nucleic acids to enhance the oncolytic immunotherapy by remodeling the tumor microenvironment and with enhanced systemic delivery. The disclosure further relates to compositions comprising the modified oncolytic viruses, kits containing the same, and methods of using the oncolytic viruses.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing an energy storage device. Such methods comprise providing a first stack on a first side of a substrate and a second stack on a second side of the substrate, opposite to the first side of the substrate. In examples, a first and third groove are formed in the first stack, with different depths than each other, and a second and fourth groove are formed in the second stack, with different depths than each other. In other examples, a first groove is formed in the first stack and a second groove is formed in the second stack, in substantial alignment with the first groove but with a different depth than the first groove.

Abstract: A method comprising providing, on a substrate, a stack for an energy storage device, the stack comprising a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. A groove is formed at least through the second electrode layer and the electrolyte layer such that the groove is wider in the second electrode layer than in the electrolyte layer. An electrically insulating material is provided in the groove. An electrically conductive material is provided in the groove, on the electrically insulating material.

Abstract: A beverage ingredient mixing and dispensing assembly can include an adapter configured for attachment to a beverage container and can include a beverage ingredient receptacle having a piercing assembly configured to pierce a frangible seal of a beverage ingredient cartridge. The piercing assembly can pierce the seal and allow a beverage ingredient from within the cartridge to pass into the beverage container for mixing with a liquid and thereby forming a mixed beverage. The beverage ingredient receptacle can be removable. A plurality of different seized beverage ingredient receptacles can be removably attached to the adapter. A retainer member can be placed over a top end of a beverage ingredient cartridge positioned in the beverage ingredient receptacle.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inhibiting a HIV infection in a subject. These methods include administering to the subject an effective amount of a recombinant gp120 protein comprising a deletion of HIV-1 Envelope residues 137-152 according to the HXBc2 numbering system, or a nucleic acid molecule encoding the recombinant gp120 protein, wherein the recombinant gp120 protein elicits an immune response to HIV-1. The methods also include administering to the subject an effective amount of a SAMT-247 microbicide.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an energy storage device. A stack is provided on a substrate. The stack comprises a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The method includes forming a first groove, a second groove, and a third groove in a first side of the stack opposite to a second side of the stack on the substrate. The first groove has a first depth and a first surface comprising a first exposed surface of the second electrode layer. The second groove has a second depth different from the first depth and a second surface comprising an exposed surface of the first electrode layer. The third groove has a third depth substantially the same as the first depth and a third surface comprising a second exposed surface of the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A method of user authentication for a computer system includes continuously or periodically: obtaining at least one image of a field-of-view (FOV) of a depth-sensing image capture device directed outward from a user interface of the computer system, analyzing the at least one image using a facial recognition model with depth-sensing to determine whether a person is positioned within the FOV and, if it is determined that a person is positioned within the FOV, to determine whether the person is a registered user of the computer system. If it is determined that the person is a registered user of the computer system, then further determining permissions within the computer system for the person based on a user profile for the person and providing access to the computing system in accordance with the determined permissions.

Abstract: A culture dish includes a base and a lid. The base includes a side wall and a concave floor that define a first interior volume open at a top end of the base. The base further includes an annular rim between the floor and a bottom end thereof. The lid includes a side wall and a ceiling that define a second interior volume open at a bottom end of the lid. The lid further includes an annular rim extending radially outwardly therefrom. An inner surface of the side wall of the lid is configured for slidable receipt about an outer surface of the side wall of the base to engage the lid about the base with the first and second interior volumes overlapping one another to define a sealed, combined internal volume bounded by the side walls of the base and the lid, the floor, and the ceiling.

Abstract: An antenna extender and an antenna extended with a laser induced includes a laser source and an antenna feed. The laser source is capable of emitting a laser beam along an axis with sufficient power to produce a laser induced plasma in an atmosphere along the axis of the laser beam. The antenna feed extends along the axis for coupling between a radiofrequency signal and the laser induced plasma. The antenna feed extended with the laser induced plasma has an enhanced radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal that is greater than the antenna feed that is not extended and has a stub radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal when the laser source is deactivated and does not emit the laser beam.

Abstract: A biomass gasifier for producing syngas. The biomass gasifier includes a first tube having an air distribution manifold that extend within the gasification chamber. The first tube is rotatably positioned within a second tube, where the second tube is connected to a mixer below the air distribution manifold. The first tube has an air passage that is fluidly connected to an air source to deliver air to the combustion chamber through a plurality of air outlets within the air distribution manifold for distribution. The first tube is independently rotated from the second tube to evenly distribute air within the combustion chamber and the second tube with the mixer are rotated to agitate the biomass within the combustion chamber once a desired operating temperature range within the combustion chamber has been achieved.

Abstract: An antenna extender and an antenna extended with a laser induced includes a laser source and an antenna feed. The laser source is capable of emitting a laser beam along an axis with sufficient power to produce a laser induced plasma in an atmosphere along the axis of the laser beam. The antenna feed extends along the axis for coupling between a radiofrequency signal and the laser induced plasma. The antenna feed extended with the laser induced plasma has an enhanced radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal that is greater than the antenna feed that is not extended and has a stub radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal when the laser source is deactivated and does not emit the laser beam.

Abstract: A biomass gasifier for producing syngas. The biomass gasifier includes a first tube having an air distribution manifold that extend within the gasification chamber. The first tube is rotatably positioned within a second tube, where the second tube is connected to a mixer below the air distribution manifold. The first tube has an air passage that is fluidly connected to an air source to deliver air to the combustion chamber through a plurality of air outlets within the air distribution manifold for distribution. The first tube is independently rotated from the second tube to evenly distribute air within the combustion chamber and the second tube with the mixer are rotated to agitate the biomass within the combustion chamber once a desired operating temperature range within the combustion chamber has been achieved.

Abstract: A biomass gasifier for producing syngas. The biomass gasifier includes a first tube having an air distribution manifold that extend within the gasification chamber. The first tube is rotatably positioned within a second tube, where the second tube is connected to a mixer below the air distribution manifold. The first tube has an air passage that is fluidly connected to an air source to deliver air to the combustion chamber through a plurality of air outlets within the air distribution manifold for distribution. The first tube is independently rotated from the second tube to evenly distribute air within the combustion chamber and the second tube with the mixer are rotated to agitate the biomass within the combustion chamber once a desired operating temperature range within the combustion chamber has been achieved.

Abstract: User equipment (UE) can include a spectrum analyzer to monitor characteristics of transmission channels. The user equipment can monitor a 600 MHz spectrum and associated channels, for example, to determine if the spectrum is free of interference or is currently occupied. The UE can analyze a received signal strength indication (RSSI), a reference signal received power (RSRP), a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), for example, to distinguish between types of interference if a channel is occupied. User equipment (UE) can aggregate data and report such data to a network device further aggregate the data and to generate reports. Network components can be deployed or optimized based at least in part on network metrics provided by individual UEs or aggregated data provided by a plurality of UEs. In some instances, the UE can be a mobile phone of a customer to gather metrics in a distributed manner.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for storing documents in a centralized database system based on geographical data localization includes receiving, by a database manager, a request to update a document according to a data localization criterion, the document stored in a local storage device of the centralized database system. The method further includes determining, by the database manager, a geographical location for a local copy of the document based on an attribute of the document matching the localization criterion. The method further includes creating, by the database manager, a remote copy of the document on a storage device that is physically located in the geographical location. The method further includes modifying, by the database manager, the local copy of the document to include a location information of the remote copy.