Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing a therapeutic exosome using a protein newly-identified to be enriched on the surface of exosomes. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of using the proteins for affinity purification of exosomes. It also provides methods of localizing a therapeutic peptide on exosomes, and targeting exosomes to a specific organ, tissue or cell by using the proteins. The methods involve generation of surface-engineered exosomes that include one or more of the exosome proteins at higher density, or a variant or a fragment of the exosome protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides autoradiography methods and systems for imaging via the detection of alpha particles, beta particles, or other charged particles. Embodiments of the methods and systems provide high-resolution 3D imaging of the distribution of a radioactive probe, such as a radiopharmaceutical, on a tissue sample. Embodiments of the present methods and systems provide imaging of tissue samples by reconstruction of a 3D distribution of a source of particles, such as a radiopharmaceutical. Embodiments of the methods and systems provide tomographic methods including microtomography, macrotomography, cryomicrotomography and cryomacrotomography.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, by a computing device, data for storage in a dispersed storage network; writing, by the computing device, the data to a first location; generating, by the computing device, a first pointer to the first location; receiving, by the computing device, updated data that is an updated version of the data; writing, by the computing device, the updated data to a second location; generating, by the computing device, a second pointer to the second location; and deleting, by the computing device, the first pointer at a time after writing the updated data and generating the second pointer.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, by a computing device, a data slice for storage in a dispersed storage network; predicting, by the computing device, a modification frequency associated with the data slice; and storing, by the computing device, the data slice in one of a first type zone of a data storage and a second type zone of the data storage based on the predicted modification frequency.

Abstract: Methods and systems for data retention in zone storage are disclosed. A method includes: ingesting, by a computing device, a plurality of data objects into a dispersed storage network (DSN); writing, by the computing device, the plurality of data objects to at least one zone on a storage medium in the DSN; determining, by the computing device, that a compaction threshold corresponding to the at least one zone on the storage medium in the DSN is met; determining, by the computing device, that a retention window corresponding to the at least one zone on the storage medium in the DSN has expired; and in response to determining that the retention window has expired, the computing device compacting the at least one zone on the storage medium in the DSN.

Abstract: Systems and methods for proactive transfer of stored data between storage zones to avoid anticipated bit rot are provided. In embodiments, a method includes: determining that one or more quality prediction parameters of a storage zone of a data storage device meet a predetermined threshold for user access or adjacency to another storage zone determined to be unhealthy; and initiating a proactive refreshing of the storage zone based on the determining that the storage zone meets the predetermined threshold, the proactive refreshing of the storage zone including: reading all data in the storage zone; determining that no errors have occurred during the reading of the data; and based on the determination that no errors have occurred, moving all of the data of the storage zone to a new storage zone.

Abstract: Methods and systems for data retention in zone storage are disclosed. A method includes: ingesting, by a computing device, a plurality of data objects into a dispersed storage network (DSN); writing, by the computing device, the plurality of data objects to at least one zone on a storage medium in the DSN; determining, by the computing device, that a compaction threshold corresponding to the at least one zone on the storage medium in the DSN is met; determining, by the computing device, that a retention window corresponding to the at least one zone on the storage medium in the DSN has expired; and in response to determining that the retention window has expired, the computing device compacting the at least one zone on the storage medium in the DSN.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, by a computing device, data for storage in a dispersed storage network; writing, by the computing device, the data to a first location; generating, by the computing device, a first pointer to the first location; receiving, by the computing device, updated data that is an updated version of the data; writing, by the computing device, the updated data to a second location; generating, by the computing device, a second pointer to the second location; and deleting, by the computing device, the first pointer at a time after writing the updated data and generating the second pointer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for proactive transfer of stored data between storage zones to avoid anticipated bit rot are provided. In embodiments, a method includes: determining that one or more quality prediction parameters of a storage zone of a data storage device meet a predetermined threshold for user access or adjacency to another storage zone determined to be unhealthy; and initiating a proactive refreshing of the storage zone based on the determining that the storage zone meets the predetermined threshold, the proactive refreshing of the storage zone including: reading all data in the storage zone; determining that no errors have occurred during the reading of the data; and based on the determination that no errors have occurred, moving all of the data of the storage zone to a new storage zone.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, by a computing device, a data slice for storage in a dispersed storage network; predicting, by the computing device, a modification frequency associated with the data slice; and storing, by the computing device, the data slice in one of a first type zone of a data storage and a second type zone of the data storage based on the predicted modification frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for setting service appointments in an automated conversation system, ensuring data fidelity, return on investment (ROI) analysis, accelerating response times, and scraping third party system to populate the conversation system are all provided. These systems and methods automatically schedules appointments for services, and performs all necessary follow-up activity, ensures target duplication isn't present in conversations, ensures that representatives are incorporated into the system, enhances speeds by altering processing, response generation and sending queues if timing won't meet goals, presents suitably noteworthy ROI metrics and scrapes a third party databases using phantom scripts. All this activity improves the automated conversation experience, and its ability to effectuate business objectives.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a live event (data feed) interaction environment including one or more systems that are programmed and/or configured to facilitate the formation of, distribution of, rendering of, and/or interaction with a data feed for a scheduled live event that includes a schedule of one or more intra-event activities, coupons, and/or any other suitable information, including, for example, social media network feeds. The environment can include a back end feed generation system can be implemented that allows an organizer to specify a schedule of live events and to construct data feeds for the scheduled live events that can be transmitted to user of the environment before, during, and/or after the live event.

Abstract: An improved spirometer is disclosed which permits more accurate measurement of the volume of air exhaled from the lungs of a patient. The improvement comprises flow-responsive means such as a pair of vanes disposed downstream of the rotor. The vanes cause the air flow through the spirometer to stop, almost instantaneously, with the cessation of flow into the spirometer. Thus, after the patient stops exhaling through the spirometer, the rotor stops almost immediately, permitting more accurate measurements of the volume of air exhaled.

Abstract: A locking mechanism operates to selectively lock and unlock a pair of telescopic tubes. A lock base is fixed to one tube and is formed with an eccentric pin. A lock ring is slidably disposed within the other tube and is slipped over and carried by the eccentric pin. The external configuration of the lock pin and cross section of its associated tube are polygonal or multi-sided to prevent relative rotation. By relatively rotating the tubes in only one direction locking is accomplished and by relatively rotating the tubes in just the opposite direction unlocking is effected. The overall end-to-end length of the tubes can be adjusted by unlocking them, sliding one axially relative to the other and then locking them again.