Abstract: An acoustic volume sensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing comprising a reference volume chamber and a variable volume chamber, the reference volume chamber and the variable volume chamber connected by a resonant port, a first MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the variable volume chamber, a second MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, a MEMS speaker located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, and a circuit board in electric connection with the first and second MEMS microphones and the MEMS speaker.

Abstract: The present invention is a DNA expression vector comprising: a toxP: a mutant toxO that blocks Fe-mediated regulation of gene expression; and a DNA sequence encoding a protein, wherein the toxP and the mutant toxO regulate expression of the DNA segment encoding the protein. It is preferred that DNA expression vectors of the present invention include DNA sequences encoding a signal peptide so that a protein expressed is attached to the signal peptide prior to processing. Novel proteins are produced off of the DNA expression vector of the present invention.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a fill adapter device including a heat exchanger which includes a heating element and a fluid pathway, the fluid pathway fluidly connected to a filling needle input, whereby fluid enters the heat exchanger through the filling needle input and flows through the fluid pathway and whereby the fluid is heated by the heating element. The system also includes a reservoir including a plunger and a plunger rod and a filling needle configured to be removably attached to the reservoir, wherein the fill adapter is configured to be attached to a vial of fluid and wherein fluid from the vial flows through the fluid pathway and is heated and loaded into the reservoir through the filling needle.

Abstract: A vaporizer device includes various modular components. The vaporizer device includes a first subassembly. The first subassembly includes a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device includes a second subassembly. The second subassembly includes a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device also includes a third subassembly. The third subassembly includes a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.

Abstract: The present invention is a DNA expression vector comprising: a toxP: a mutant toxO that blocks Fe-mediated regulation of gene expression; and a DNA sequence encoding a protein, wherein the toxP and the mutant toxO regulate expression of the DNA segment encoding the protein. It is preferred that DNA expression vectors of the present invention include DNA sequences encoding a signal peptide so that a protein expressed is attached to the signal peptide prior to processing. Novel proteins are produced off of the DNA expression vector of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a DNA expression vector comprising: a toxP: a mutant toxO that blocks Fe-mediated regulation of gene expression; and a DNA sequence encoding a protein, wherein the toxP and the mutant toxO regulate expression of the DNA segment encoding the protein. It is preferred that DNA expression vectors of the present invention include DNA sequences encoding a signal peptide so that a protein expressed is attached to the signal peptide prior to processing. Novel proteins are produced off of the DNA expression vector of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of treating or preventing cancer in a subject comprising administering to a subject having cancer or prone of getting cancer a first agent that depletes the subject's regulatory T cells (Tregs); followed by administering to the subject a second agent comprising a checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention is a DNA expression vector comprising: a toxP; a mutant toxO that blocks Fe-mediated regulation of gene expression; and a DNA sequence encoding a protein, wherein the toxP and the mutant toxO regulate expression of the DNA segment encoding the protein. It is preferred that DNA expression vectors of the present invention include DNA sequences encoding a signal peptide so that a protein expressed is attached to the signal peptide prior to processing. Novel proteins are produced off of the DNA expression vector of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a DNA expression vector comprising: a toxP; a mutant toxO that blocks Fe-mediated regulation of gene expression; and a DNA sequence encoding a protein, wherein the toxP and the mutant toxO regulate expression of the DNA segment encoding the protein. It is preferred that DNA expression vectors of the present invention include DNA sequences encoding a signal peptide so that a protein expressed is attached to the signal peptide prior to processing. Novel proteins are produced off of the DNA expression vector of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a DNA expression vector comprising: a toxP; a mutant toxO that blocks Fe-mediated regulation of gene expression; and a DNA sequence encoding a protein, wherein the toxP and the mutant toxO regulate expression of the DNA segment encoding the protein. It is preferred that DNA expression vectors of the present invention include DNA sequences encoding a signal peptide so that a protein expressed is attached to the signal peptide prior to processing. Novel proteins are produced off of the DNA expression vector of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a DNA expression vector comprising: a toxP; a mutant toxO that blocks Fe-mediated regulation of gene expression; and a DNA sequence encoding a protein, wherein the toxP and the mutant toxO regulate expression of the DNA segment encoding the protein. It is preferred that DNA expression vectors of the present invention include DNA sequences encoding a signal peptide so that a protein expressed is attached to the signal peptide prior to processing. Novel proteins are produced off of the DNA expression vector of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention features methods for identifying compounds that inhibit cell death, and methods for identifying compounds that promote cell death, by blocking or accelerating, respectively, the translocation of the catalytic domain of toxins or transcription factors through the endosomal membrane into the cytosol of a cell. Also featured are methods for inhibiting cell death that include the administration of polypeptides that include a toxin consensus sequence recognized by one or more components of the cytosolic translocation factor complex.

Abstract: In vitro delivery of the diphtheria toxin (DT) catalytic (C) domain from the lumen of purified early endosomes to the external milieu requires the addition of both ATP and a cytosolic translocation factor (CTF) complex. The results presented here demonstrate that ?-COP plays an essential role in the cytosolic release of the C-domain and is mediated by a consensus peptide sequence found on several bacterial toxins and in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. The invention features methods for inhibiting cell death that include the administration of compounds based on this consensus sequence that inhibit the translocation of the catalytic domain of toxins or transcription factors. Also featured are methods for identifying compounds that inhibit cell death, and methods for identifying compounds that promote cell death by blocking or accelerating, respectively, the rate of toxin/factor endosomal translocation.

Abstract: The invention features methods for identifying compounds that inhibit cell death, and methods for identifying compounds that promote cell death, by blocking or accelerating, respectively, the translocation of the catalytic domain of toxins or transcription factors through the endosomal membrane into the cytosol of a cell. Also featured are methods for inhibiting cell death that include the administration of polypeptides that include a toxin consensus sequence recognized by one or more components of the cytosolic translocation factor complex.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying activators of a transition metal-dependent repressor of virulence gene expression in infectious prokaryotic pathogens. The method utilizes genetic circuitry that represents the response of a given prokaryote to nutritional stress and the expression of genes that contribute to the establishment of the infectious process. The exposure of recombinant cells or a cell-free system containing the genetic circuitry to a non-metal ion test substance that activates the repressor produces a detectable response. The method is applicable for any prokaryote employing metal ion-dependent repressors to regulate specific gene expression, specifically as it pertains to virulence determinant expression.

Abstract: A video telemetry system for monitoring the deployment of an apparatus coupled to a satellite body includes a camera that produces a video signal. A video compressor is coupled to the camera and digitally compresses the video signal into a digitally compressed video signal. A modulator is coupled to the compressor for modulating the compressed video signal. An antenna is coupled to the modulator for converting the compressed video signal into an RF video signal and transmitting the RF video signal to a ground station or other means for monitoring the signal, particularly during a deployment.

Abstract: A 2-warp knit, weft inserted fabric having the face thereof calendered to produce a fabric when a PVC film is laminated thereto that has a surface roughness of 2.0 microns or below.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying activators of a transition metal-dependent repressor of virulence gene expression in infectious prokaryotic pathogens. The method utilizes genetic circuitry that represents the response of a given prokaryote to nutritional stress and the expression of genes that contribute to the establishment of the infectious process. The exposure of recombinant cells or a cell-free system containing the genetic circuitry to a non-metal ion test substance that activates the repressor produces a detectable response. The method is applicable for any prokaryote employing metal ion-dependent repressors to regulate specific gene expression, specifically as it pertains to virulence determinant expression.

Abstract: A 2-warp knit, weft inserted fabric having the face thereof calendered to produce a fabric when a PVC film is laminated thereto that has a surface roughness of 2.0 microns or below.