Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described. A virtual environment may perform a multi-step authentication process to verify identities of both a user and a representative of an organization interacting within the virtual environment. Within the virtual environment, the representative may perform a first verification process to verify the identity of the user and the representative by validating the user's account information and an identifier of the representative against a distributed ledger. Upon success of the first verification process, the representative may initiate a second verification process. As part of the second verification process, the distributed ledger may provide one or more questions posed to the user by the representative, which may be answered within the virtual environment, external to the virtual environment, or both. Upon the user successfully answering the one or more questions, the virtual environment may display an indication that the user and the representative are verified.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage assembly includes at least one wafer formed of a substrate material that produces metal hydride when exposed to a hydrogen-rich carrier fluid. The wafer can be supported by a housing and arranged so that the hydrogen-rich carrier fluid can flow over a reaction surface of the wafer. At least one heating element can be arranged to transfer heat to the wafer to attain an operating temperature suitable for hydrogen charging on the reaction surface. A de-activation material may be provided on the reaction surface for inhibiting formation of surface oxide that impedes hydrogen absorption during charging and hydrogen desorption during discharging. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic plate wafers spaced apart about a central axis of the assembly. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic disc wafers in at least one stacked arrangement.

Abstract: Compositions including a CD180 binding ligand and a linked Hepatitis B antigen and their use are disclosed. The Hepatitis B antigen includes Hepatitis B virus pre-S1 and/or pre-S2 region of the HBV envelope protein (HBVpre S1/S2Ag), L-HBsAg, MHBsAg, S-HBsAg, or antigenic fragments or mutants thereof.

Abstract: Compositions including a CD180 binding ligand and a linked Hepatitis B antigen and their use are disclosed. The Hepatitis B antigen includes Hepatitis B virus pre-S1 and/or pre-S2 region of the HBV envelope protein (HBVpreS1/S2Ag), L-HBsAg, MHBsAg, S-HBsAg, or antigenic fragments or mutants thereof.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage assembly includes at least one wafer formed of a substrate material that produces metal hydride when exposed to a hydrogen-rich carrier fluid. The wafer can be supported by a housing and arranged so that the hydrogen-rich carrier fluid can flow over a reaction surface of the wafer. At least one heating element can be arranged to transfer heat to the wafer to attain an operating temperature suitable for hydrogen charging on the reaction surface. A de-activation material may be provided on the reaction surface for inhibiting formation of surface oxide that impedes hydrogen absorption during charging and hydrogen desorption during discharging. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic plate wafers spaced apart about a central axis of the assembly. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic disc wafers in at least one stacked arrangement.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage assembly includes at least one wafer formed of a substrate material that produces metal hydride when exposed to a hydrogen-rich carrier fluid. The wafer can be supported by a housing and arranged so that the hydrogen-rich carrier fluid can flow over a reaction surface of the wafer. At least one heating element can be arranged to transfer heat to the wafer to attain an operating temperature suitable for hydrogen charging on the reaction surface. A de-activation material may be provided on the reaction surface for inhibiting formation of surface oxide that impedes hydrogen absorption during charging and hydrogen desorption during discharging. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic plate wafers spaced apart about a central axis of the assembly. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic disc wafers in at least one stacked arrangement.

Abstract: Compositions including a CD180 binding ligand and a linked Hepatitis B antigen and their use are disclosed. The Hepatitis B antigen includes Hepatitis B virus pre-S1 and/or pre-S2 region of the HBV envelope protein (HBVpreS1/S2Ag), L-HBsAg, MHBsAg, S-HBsAg, or antigenic fragments or mutants thereof.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage assembly includes at least one wafer formed of a substrate material that produces metal hydride when exposed to a hydrogen-rich carrier fluid. The wafer can be supported by a housing and arranged so that the hydrogen-rich carrier fluid can flow over a reaction surface of the wafer. At least one heating element can be arranged to transfer heat to the wafer to attain an operating temperature suitable for hydrogen charging on the reaction surface. A de-activation material may be provided on the reaction surface for inhibiting formation of surface oxide that impedes hydrogen absorption during charging and hydrogen desorption during discharging. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic plate wafers spaced apart about a central axis of the assembly. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic disc wafers in at least one stacked arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for identifying compounds for the treatment of viral infection, including RNA viral infection and uses of the compounds as pharmaceutical compositions. The identified compounds modulate the RIG-I pathway in vertebrate cells.

Abstract: UV-absorbing polymers and copolymers suitable for Composition into sunscreens for the protection of human skin. The UV-absorbing chromophoric monomers chosen are simple and easily synthesized. With the correct choice of chromophoric monomer or mixture of monomers, protection against UV-A radiation or against both UV-A and UV-B radiation can be achieved. With the correct choice of comonomer, copolymers produced as aqueous latex emulsions or as Polyethylene Glycol solutions can also be achieved.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the effectiveness of marketing activities involves taking a series of surveys that incorporate such factors as the purchase process cycle stages, organization size, respondent job responsibilities, the products offered, and brands involved. The data from the marketing surveys is compiled. A user enters a specific query directed at the data, and the method of the invention is used to present graph of the data results to the user, the graph having a vertical and two horizontal axes. Marketing vehicles are listed on the vertical axis of the graph. On one horizontal axis, a percentage impact awareness score is provided for each marketing vehicle for the selected query, as well as an overall average percentage impact awareness score for all of the marketing vehicles. The other, opposing horizontal axis displays a brand propensity index for each marketing vehicle, as well as an overall average brand propensity index.

Abstract: UV-absorbing polymers and copolymers suitable for Composition into sunscreens for the protection of human skin. The UV-absorbing chromophoric monomers chosen are simple and easily synthesized. With the correct choice of chromophoric monomer or mixture of monomers, protection against UV-A radiation or against both UV-A and UV-B radiation can be achieved. With the correct choice of comonomer, copolymers produced as aqueous latex emulsions or as Polyethylene Glycol solutions can also be achieved.

Abstract: Permissiveness of human cells to replication of susceptible pathogenic human viruses is reduced by treating the cells with a selective inhibitor of prenylation of a host cell protein. Target viruses, especially Flaviviridae, are predetermined to lack a CXXX box and prenylated viral protein, and to be replication-dependent on host protein prenylation. The general method comprises (a) contacting human cells subject to infection by the virus with an effective amount of a selective inhibitor of a prenylation enzyme of the cells; and (b) confirming a resultant reduction in permissiveness of the cells to replication of the virus. Targeted enzymes include prenyl biosynthetic enzyme like HMG CoA reductase farnesyl and/or geranylgeranyl transferase enzymes.

Abstract: Agents that modulate an interaction of an FBL2 protein with an NS5A or NS5B Flaviviridae protein in a mixture are identified by contacting the mixture with a candidate agent under conditions wherein but for the presence of the agent, the FBL2 protein and the Flaviviridae protein engage in a reference interaction; and detecting an agent-biased interaction. Flaviviridae replication is inhibited by contacting a Flaviviridae-infected cell with an FBL2-specific reagent; and detecting a resultant Flaviviridae replication inhibition.

Abstract: A method for fabricating optical MEMS (optical Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems or Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MOEMS)) is described. The basic process involves deposition and patterning of a sacrificial spacer layer and a combined molding and photolithography step. The method described allows the fabrication of micromechanical elements incorporating micro-optical structures such as lenses (diffractive or refractive), gratings (for polarizers or resonant filters), waveguides or other micro-optical relief structures fabricated by UV-curing replication processes.

Abstract: Permissiveness of human cells to replication of susceptible pathogenic human viruses is reduced by treating the cells with a selective inhibitor of prenylation of a host cell protein. Target viruses, especially Flaviviridae, are predetermined to lack a CXXX box and prenylated viral protein, and to be replication-dependent on host protein prenylation. The general method comprises (a) contacting human cells subject to infection by the virus with an effective amount of a selective inhibitor of a prenylation enzyme of the cells; and (b) confirming a resultant reduction in permissiveness of the cells to replication of the virus. Targeted enzymes include prenyl biosynthetic enzyme like HMG CoA reductase farnesyl and/or geranylgeranyl transferase enzymes.

Abstract: A method for fabricating optical MEMS (optical Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems or Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MOEMS)) is described. The basic process involves deposition and patterning of a sacrificial spacer layer and a combined moulding and photolithography step.

Abstract: A surface microstructure is superimposed on the surface of a replication mould such as an injection moulding tool insert by laser interference exposure of a mask pattern and etching or electroplating the additional microstructure. The technique enables the post-processing of planar and non-planar replication moulds with additional microstructure to improve the functionality and value of the moulded components. A major area of application is an anti-reflection surface for injection moulded polymer optical components, achieved by the superposition of submicrometer anti-reflection grating structure onto injection moulding tool inserts.

Abstract: A method of mass producing polarizes comprises designing by rigorous diffraction theory an optimized grating profile, replicating the profile in a polymer or other substrate, and slope evaporating a metal onto the substrate. The angle of slope evaporation, the metal, and the thickness of the metal are optimized for a given wavelength using rigorous diffraction theory.

Abstract: A bi-stable micro-machined electromechanical system (“MEMS”) switch. In a preferred embodiment, the bi-stable MEMS switch is used in an N×N optical signal switching system. Spring arms act in conjunction with a hollow beam portion of a movable center body of the switch to accommodate strain in the arms as the switch is moved from a first position to a second position, thus avoiding buckling of the spring arms. Both the first and second switch position occur at local minimums of mechanical potential energy, thus providing two stable switch states. The center body is moved in relation to static portions of the switch by an actuator, such as an electro-static comb drive.