Abstract: Provided herein are materials and methods for the preparation of blood products. In some aspects, provided herein are compositions that include populations of platelet derivatives, including freeze-dried platelet derivatives, methods of producing the same, as well as methods of using the same to treat a subject. Such platelet derivatives have improved properties, as disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are materials and methods for the preparation of blood products. In one aspect, provided herein is a composition including platelets or platelet derivatives and an aqueous medium, wherein the aqueous medium has a protein concentration less than 50% of the protein concentration of donor apheresis plasma.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a subject by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the subject, and small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides freeze-dried nucleated cells, a method for preparing them, and methods of using them for in vitro assays and in vivo therapeutic treatments. The method for preparing the cells includes incubating cells in the presence of a cryoprotective sugar to load them with the sugar, then lyophilizing them without separating the cells from the cryoprotective sugar. In embodiments, the cells are also loaded with one or more bioactive agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of novel N-(substituted)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide compounds capable of inhibiting DksA activity in a bacteria cell. In certain embodiments, the compounds are capable of killing or weakening bacteria. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods of treating bacterial infection in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a compound of the invention.

Abstract: A ballistic shied comprising opposing front and rear sides, the rear side having one or more hand and/or arm engagement means fixedly attachable thereon. Wherein at least one hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable on the rear side such that, in use, the ballistic shield may be retained using a first hand and/or arm of a user, the first hand of said first hand and/or arm being free or engagable with the handle means, such that said first hand retains functionality permitting use thereof for other tasks.

Abstract: A financial institution computing system includes an account database structured to store a plurality of transaction parameters with respect to a financial account of a customer, a receptiveness metrics circuit, and an interaction generation circuit. The receptiveness metrics circuit is structured to extract the plurality of transaction parameters from the account database. The receptiveness metrics circuit is further structured to determine one or more receptiveness metrics attributed to the customer based on the extracted transaction parameters, the one or more receptiveness metrics indicating likelihoods of the customer converting an interaction from the financial institution. The interaction generation circuit is structured to transmit the interaction to the customer at an optimal time based on the one or more receptiveness metrics.

Abstract: Provided herein are materials and methods for the preparation of blood products. In one aspect, provided herein is a composition including platelets or platelet derivatives and an aqueous medium, wherein the aqueous medium has a protein concentration less than 50% of the protein concentration of donor apheresis plasma.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a mammal by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the mammal. The invention also provides small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention and pharmaceutical compositions containing the therapeutically effective compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a subject by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the subject, and small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a mammal by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the mammal. The invention also provides small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention and pharmaceutical compositions containing the therapeutically effective compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a subject by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the subject, and small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method for joining a valve member for use within a valve, the method including brazing a body portion having a head and a base, the base having a bore extending a depth therein, to a leg portion having a shaft, the shaft having a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, and a plurality of legs extending radially and axially therefrom and away from the proximal end, the brazing including placing a braze material between the bore and the proximal end, inserting the proximal end into the bore such that a portion of an outer surface of the proximal end is adjacent to an inner surface of the bore, and heating at least the adjacent surfaces to a braze temperature.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the retrieval and recovery of organic-based or organic-containing materials, including naturally occurring substances such as crude oil, and other petroleum-based or containing materials, natural gas, and the like, from environments where they are entrained within or otherwise admixed or complexed with other organic or inorganic materials, such as rock, sand, shale and the like. The method comprises: retrieving a quantity of the petroleum-containing mixture, treating the petroleum-containing mixture with a solvent for the petroleum material to separate the petroleum material from the mixture, and recovering the separated petroleum-containing material. The solvent may be at approximately ambient temperature and may be, for instance, heptane, hexane, naphtha, kerosene, gasoline or a petroleum based solvent or any other suitable solvent in which the asphalt binder is soluble.

Abstract: The liquid pump includes an inner and an outer tube. The inner tube can have a distal end that is positioned within an interior volume of the outer tube. A conical filter is on the distal end of the inner tube. A gas pump provides compressed air which is output through a plurality of inner tube holes on an inner surface of the inner tube on a distal portion of the inner tube and a plurality of annular space holes which are adjacent to an annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube.

Abstract: A modular, easily constructible exercise assembly providing pull-up type exercise routines is disclosed. This particular solution is designed to be secured to a stationary upright object, or anchor. The unique construction of the exercise assembly can be broken down into base components to conveniently fit into a back pack. Its specific structure and design is optimized to limit wear and material failure. Additionally, adjustability is provided to various components as detailed herein. For example, an exercise bar can articulate at different angles and extend and lengthen as selected by a user. Also, a securing bar is adjustable for coupling the exercise assembly to different sized stationary objects.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a subject by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the subject, and small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a subject by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the subject, and small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides freeze-dried nucleated cells, a method for preparing them, and methods of using them for in vitro assays and in vivo therapeutic treatments. The method for preparing the cells includes incubating cells in the presence of a cryoprotective sugar to load them with the sugar, then lyophilizing them without separating the cells from the cryoprotective sugar. In embodiments, the cells are also loaded with one or more bioactive agents.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a subject by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the subject, and small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.