Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), particularly CARs expressed in immune cells (e.g. Tregs) and their use in therapy. In particular, the invention provides a CAR comprising an antigen recognition domain that specifically binds to TREM2.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided related to a brace applied to a vehicle b-pillar. The brace may achieved reduced noise and vibration in the vehicle cabin. The brace may also achieve improved safety by preserving increased survival space for a passenger seated near the b-pillar in a side impact collision. The brace may include a base portion and two legs connected to the base portion at opposing sides. The based portion may include a first edge connected to a first side of the b-pillar and a second edge connected to a second side of the b-pillar. The legs may each connected a rocker at a distal portion. The shape of the brace may enable routing of force, energy, and/or load from the b-pillar to the rocker via the base portion and legs.

Abstract: A method of repairing, or manufacturing, a tip for an airfoil can comprise: removing a portion of the airfoil that reduces a radial height of the airfoil and defines a first mating surface of the airfoil; forming a blade tip body for the airfoil, the blade tip body defining a second mating surface; and joining the first mating surface to the second mating surface via a Field Assisted Sintering Technology (“FAST”) process.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an electric toothbrush may include a handle defining a volume, a motor disposed in the volume defined by the handle, a shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion coupled to the motor in the volume, the second end portion extending from the volume of the handle and fluidically isolated from the volume of the handle and, with the second end portion fluidically isolated from the volume of the handle, the second end portion releasably engageable in mechanical communication with a cartridge including at least one dental cleaning element, and a sleeve conforming to an outer surface of the handle and circumscribing at least a portion of the shaft fluidically isolated from the volume of the handle.

Abstract: A method can comprise forming a component comprising a first mating surface; coupling the component to an airfoil having a second mating surface and a Field Assisted Sintering Technology (“FAST”) system; heating, via the FAST system, the airfoil and the component; and applying, via the FAST system, a mechanical pressure between the first mating surface and the second mating surface to join the airfoil to the component and form a blade, the component at least partially defining a leading edge of the blade in response to joining the airfoil to the component

Abstract: The present disclosure and invention relates to a chimeric protein useful in adoptive cell therapy (ACT) which is a membrane-associated signalling protein that can be induced to provide a cell expressing the protein with a STAT-5-mediated signal. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules encoding such a chimeric protein, 5 recombinant constructs, vectors and cells containing the nucleic acid molecule, methods of producing such cells, and therapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: A method of repairing a tip for an airfoil is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the method comprises: removing a portion of the airfoil that reduces a radial height of the airfoil and at least partially removes a defect of the airfoil; removing a remainder of the defect; joining, via gas tungsten arc welding, a filler material to the airfoil to repair the defect; and joining a first mating surface of the airfoil to a second mating surface of a blade tip body via a solid-state joining process.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for indexing an injector map and subsequently controlling fuel injection to an engine. In one embodiment, a method for the engine includes injecting fuel via activating an injector for a determined activation time, the activation time determined based on a commanded fuel value and a function of a modified pressure difference across an orifice of a nozzle of the injector, where the modified pressure difference is based on a difference between a rail pressure and peak cylinder pressure, the peak cylinder pressure scaled by a function of engine speed and injection timing and the pressure difference offset by a correction factor.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for indexing an injector map and subsequently controlling fuel injection to an engine. In one embodiment, a method for the engine includes injecting fuel via activating an injector for a determined activation time, the activation time determined based on a commanded fuel value and a function of a modified pressure difference across an orifice of a nozzle of the injector, where the modified pressure difference is based on a difference between a rail pressure and peak cylinder pressure, the peak cylinder pressure scaled by a function of engine speed and injection timing and the pressure difference offset by a correction factor.

Abstract: Various methods for controlling EGR rate are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises routing at least a portion of exhaust from a first exhaust manifold to an intake manifold, and not to atmosphere, the first exhaust manifold exclusively coupled to a first cylinder group. The method further includes routing exhaust from at least one additional exhaust manifold coupled to a corresponding at least one additional cylinder group to atmosphere, and during a first engine operating condition where an engine fuel demand is below a threshold demand, not injecting fuel to each of a subset of cylinders in the first cylinder group while injecting fuel to a subset of all cylinders coupled to the at least one additional exhaust manifold, where a number of cylinders of the subset of cylinders in the first cylinder group decreases in response to an increase in a target EGR rate.

Abstract: Various methods for controlling EGR rate are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises routing at least a portion of exhaust from a first exhaust manifold to an intake manifold, and not to atmosphere, the first exhaust manifold exclusively coupled to a first cylinder group. The method further includes routing exhaust from at least one additional exhaust manifold coupled to a corresponding at least one additional cylinder group to atmosphere, and during a first engine operating condition where an engine fuel demand is below a threshold demand, not injecting fuel to each of a subset of cylinders in the first cylinder group while injecting fuel to a subset of all cylinders coupled to the at least one additional exhaust manifold, where a number of cylinders of the subset of cylinders in the first cylinder group decreases in response to an increase in a target EGR rate.

Abstract: Various methods for controlling EGR rate are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises routing at least a portion of exhaust from a first exhaust manifold to an intake manifold, and not to atmosphere, the first exhaust manifold exclusively coupled to a first cylinder group. The method further includes routing exhaust from at least one additional exhaust manifold coupled to a corresponding at least one additional cylinder group to atmosphere, and during a first engine operating condition where an engine fuel demand is below a threshold demand, not injecting fuel to each of a subset of cylinders in the first cylinder group while injecting fuel to a subset of all cylinders coupled to the at least one additional exhaust manifold, where a number of cylinders of the subset of cylinders in the first cylinder group decreases in response to an increase in a target EGR rate.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine includes the steps of, in response to a transient operating event, determining a first amount of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) that if provided to an intake of the engine would avoid turbocharger compressor surge in a turbocharger, determining a second amount of EGR that if provided to the intake would avoid turbocharger compressor choke in the turbocharger, and determining a third amount of EGR that if provided to the intake would avoid engine smoking, and adjusting EGR provided to the intake of the engine in accordance with the determined first, second, and third amounts.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting a flow of exhaust gas in an exhaust gas recirculation system. In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises controlling a flow of exhaust gas through an exhaust gas recirculation system of an engine system based on a choke level of a turbocharger. For example, the flow of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas recirculation system may be reduced to within a threshold of a choke level of the turbocharger, in response to an ambient condition.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling air flow in a two-stage turbocharger. In one example, an engine method comprises adjusting one or more exhaust gas recirculation valves to maintain a first turbocharger within a first air flow range, and adjusting a turbocharger bypass valve to maintain a second turbocharger within a second air flow range.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems are provided for enhancing engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a first value of a first operating parameter produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable; receiving a second value of the first operating parameter produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle; adjusting the second value by a first adjustment factor, the first adjustment factor based on a first value of a global positioning system (GPS) position of the first vehicle produced by the first vehicle and a second value of a GPS position of the second vehicle produced by the second vehicle; and in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the adjusted second value of the first operating parameter.

Abstract: Various systems and method for controlling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an internal combustion engine are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes during a first operating condition, directing exhaust gas from a first cylinder group into an engine air intake stream and directing substantially no exhaust gas from a second cylinder group to the engine air intake stream. The method further includes during a second operating condition, directing exhaust gas from the second cylinder group through a turbocharger bypass into the engine air intake stream and reducing a fuel injection amount of the first cylinder group relative to a fuel injection amount of the second cylinder group.

Abstract: Dynamic health assessment systems and methods related to monitoring fuel flow control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling a system having an engine is provided. The method includes during a no-load condition of the engine, stopping fuel injection by a plurality of fuel injectors of the engine, closing a valve that is operable to control fuel flow to a fuel pump that pumps fuel to a common fuel rail, and setting a degradation condition in response to a fuel rail pressure decay rate of a fuel pressure in the common fuel rail being greater than a decay threshold after a first designated duration.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for engine operation with a degraded turbocharger. In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises reducing mass flow through a first turbocharger while continuing engine operation and adjusting operation of a second turbocharger in response to detected degradation of the first turbocharger.

Abstract: Various systems and method for controlling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an internal combustion engine are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes injecting fuel to a subset of cylinders that includes less than all cylinders of a first cylinder group to obtain a target EGR rate. The first cylinder group provides exhaust gas through an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage structure fluidly coupled between the first cylinder group and an intake passage structure. The method further includes injecting fuel to at least one cylinder of a second cylinder group. The second cylinder group provides substantially no exhaust gas through the EGR passage structure.