Abstract: The present disclosure relates to curable silicone elastomer compositions having enhanced adhesive properties with respect to a wide variety of substrates (hereafter referred to as “curable silicone elastomer compositions”). Elastomers made by curing the curable silicone elastomer compositions may be adhered to a wide variety of substrates to form composites comprising the elastomers and the substrates. Processes for adhering the elastomers made by curing the curable silicone elastomer compositions to the substrates are also provided. An adhesion promoter, component (D), is provided to enhance adhesion. Component (D) is a polyorganosiloxane having (i) at least one unsaturated group per molecule selected from alkenyl groups and alkynyl groups and (ii) an anhydride functionality and an aromatic functionality, wherein a carbon of the aromatic functionality is separated from a carbon of a carbonyl group of the anhydride by a carbon chain of from 1 to 3 non-aromatic carbon atoms inclusive.

Abstract: A ramp transportation system for a wheelchair enables transportation, deployment, and retrieval of a portable ramp by a single wheelchair occupant in the absence of external aid. The device comprises: a platform, configured to support the width of a wheelchair for crossing the platform, having a sufficient stiffness to support a wheelchair and occupant load; a lifting mechanism interface in the platform, disposed at least near each end of the ramp, configured to support cantilever lifting forces on the ramp; a lifting element, configured to engage the lifting mechanism interface and to apply a force to raise and lower the platform between a raised, stowed position and a lowered position, suitable for traversal; and a motor, configured to supply sufficient force on the lifting element to raise and lower the platform.

Abstract: Provided are attenuated immunostimulatory bacteria with genomes that are modified to, for example, reduce toxicity and improve the anti-tumor activity, such as by increasing accumulation in the tumor microenvironment, particularly in tumor-resident myeloid cells, improving resistance to complement inactivation, reducing immune cell death, promoting adaptive immunity, and enhancing T-cell function. The increase in colonization of phagocytic cells improves the delivery of encoded therapeutic products to the tumor microenvironment and tumors, and permits, among other routes, systemic administration of the immunostimulatory bacteria.

Abstract: A bioactive coated substrate includes a base substrate, an indicator layer disposed over the base substrate, and a bioactive layer disposed on the indicator layer. Characteristically, the indicator layer has color sufficiently different from the bioactive layer to be visually perceived by a user when the bioactive layer wears away.

Abstract: Provided are modified STING proteins that have constitutive activity, and also can have lower NF-?B signaling activity compared to unmodified human STING. Combinations and compositions containing the modified STING proteins with immunostimulatory proteins also are provided. Also provided are immunostimulatory bacteria that encode the STING proteins and the combinations, where the immunostimulatory proteins are encoded as a polycistronic message. The immunostimulatory bacteria have genomes that are modified to, for example, reduce toxicity and improve the anti-tumor activity, such as by increasing accumulation in the tumor microenvironment, particularly in tumor-resident myeloid cells, improving resistance to complement inactivation, reducing immune cell death, promoting adaptive immunity, and enhancing T-cell function.

Abstract: Provided are immunostimulatory bacteria with genomes that are modified to, for example, reduce toxicity and improve the anti-tumor activity, such as by increasing accumulation in the tumor microenvironment, particularly in tumor-resident myeloid cells, improving resistance to complement inactivation, reducing immune cell death, promoting adaptive immunity, and enhancing T-cell function. Also provided are immunostimulatory bacteria for use as vaccines, and for delivery of mRNA. The immunostimulatory bacterium comprise genome modifications resulting in an increase in colonization of phagocytic cells, which delivers encoded therapeutic products to phagocytic cells, and permits, among other routes, systemic administration of the immunostimulatory bacteria. The increase in colonization of phagocytic cells also provides for use of immunostimulatory bacteria for direct tissue administration for use as vaccines.

Abstract: A coated substrate includes a substrate, a zirconium-containing layer disposed over the substrate, and one or more copper alloy layers disposed over the substrate. Variations include coated substrate with a single copper alloy layer, alternating copper layers, or a combined copper alloy/zirconium-containing layer.

Abstract: A ramp transportation system for a wheelchair enables transportation, deployment, and retrieval of a portable ramp by a single wheelchair occupant in the absence of external aid. The device comprises: a platform, configured to support the width of a wheelchair for crossing the platform, having a sufficient stiffness to support a wheelchair and occupant load; a lifting mechanism interface in the platform, disposed at least near each end of the ramp, configured to support cantilever lifting forces on the ramp; a lifting element, configured to engage the lifting mechanism interface and to apply a force to raise and lower the platform between a raised, stowed position and a lowered position, suitable for traversal; and a motor, configured to supply sufficient force on the lifting element to raise and lower the platform.

Abstract: A fiber optic mechanical splice for splicing input and output optical fiber. The splice includes a capillary tube for enclosing fiber ends of the input and output optical fiber cables, two metallic cable-splice bridging flanges for insertion onto the input and output optical fiber cable jackets, a first metallic crimping tube, a second metallic crimping tube, a first protection tube, a second protection tube, and polyurethane tape. The fibers extending from the input and output optical fibers can be frustoconically inserted into a corresponding bridging flange. The crimping tubes enclose corresponding cable ends and bridging flanges. The first protection tube encloses the crimping tubes, while the second protection tube encloses the first protection tube and the tape is disposed over the second protection tube, the bridging flanges, and the crimping tubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fiber optic splice is provided. A first optical fiber end is inserted into a first clamp of the apparatus and a second optical fiber end is inserted into a second clamp of the apparatus. Situated between the first clamp and the second clamp is a curing chamber comprising a capillary tube containing resin and an ultra violet light. The first clamp moves a first distance, based on a first measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The second clamp is moved a second distance, based on a second measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The first clamp is then moved a third distance, based on a third measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is activated to cure the resin in the capillary tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fiber optic splice is provided. A first optical fiber end is inserted into a first clamp of the apparatus and a second optical fiber end is inserted into a second clamp of the apparatus. Situated between the first clamp and the second clamp is a curing chamber comprising a capillary tube containing resin and an ultra violet light. The first clamp moves a first distance, based on a first measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The second clamp is moved a second distance, based on a second measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The first clamp is then moved a third distance, based on a third measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is activated to cure the resin in the capillary tube.

Abstract: A method for assembling a fiber optic splice is provided. A first optical fiber end is inserted into a first clamp of the apparatus and a second optical fiber end is inserted into a second clamp of the apparatus. Situated between the first clamp and the second clamp is a curing chamber comprising a capillary tube containing resin and an ultra violet light. The first clamp moves a first distance, based on a first measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The second clamp is moved a second distance, based on a second measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The first clamp is then moved a third distance, based on a third measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is activated to cure the resin in the capillary tube.

Abstract: A method for assembling a fiber optic splice is provided. A first optical fiber end is inserted into a first clamp of the apparatus and a second optical fiber end is inserted into a second clamp of the apparatus. Situated between the first clamp and the second clamp is a curing chamber comprising a capillary tube containing resin and an ultra violet light. The first clamp moves a first distance, based on a first measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The second clamp is moved a second distance, based on a second measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The first clamp is then moved a third distance, based on a third measured strain, towards the curing chamber. The ultraviolet light is activated to cure the resin in the capillary tube.

Abstract: A coated substrate includes a substrate, a zirconium-containing layer disposed over the substrate, and one or more copper alloy layers disposed over the substrate. Variations include coated substrate with a single copper alloy layer, alternating copper layers, or a combined copper alloy/zirconium-containing layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low latency fiber optic local area network with a network and a plurality of nodes connected through optical fibers. Each node has a plurality of bi-directional input/output interfaces. Each bi-directional input/output interface has a demultiplexer, at least one optical power coupler, a plurality of wavelength converters, and a plurality of internal optical waveguides. The internal optical waveguides extend from each wavelength converter and are for communication with the demultiplexer, the input fiber optic interface, and the optical fiber. Each optical power coupler has a fiber optic output interface for communication with other nodes, and each demultiplexer has a input fiber optic interface for communication with other nodes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low latency fiber optic local area network with a network and a plurality of nodes connected through optical fibers. Each node has a plurality of bi-directional input/output interfaces. Each bi-directional input/output interface has a demultiplexer, of least one optical power coupler, a plurality of wavelength converters, and a plurality of internal optical waveguides. The internal optical waveguides extend from each wavelength converter and are for communication with the demultiplexer, the input fiber optic interface, and the optical fiber. Each optical power coupler has a fiber optic output interface for communication with other nodes, and each demultiplexer has a input fiber optic interface for communication with other nodes.

Abstract: A coating system includes a vacuum chamber and a coating assembly. The coating assembly has a coating assembly which includes a vapor source, a substrate holder to hold substrates to be coated such that the substrates are positioned in front of the vapor source, a primary cathodic vacuum-arc assembly, a remote anode electrically coupled to the cathode target, a primary power supply connected between the cathode target and the primary anode, and a secondary power supply connected between the cathode target and the remote anode. The primary cathodic vacuum-arc assembly includes a cathode chamber assembly, a cathode target, an optional primary anode and a shield which isolates the cathode target from the vacuum chamber. The shield defines openings for transmitting either electron emission current or metal vapor plasma from the cathode target into the vacuum chamber. The vapor source is positioned between the cathode chamber assembly and the remote anode.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to energy storage systems, and in particular to energy storage systems using compressed gas as an energy storage medium. In various embodiments, a compressed gas storage system may include a plurality of stages to convert energy into compressed gas for storage, and then to recover that stored energy by gas expansion. In certain embodiments, a stage may comprise a reversible compressor/expander having a reciprocating piston. Pump designs for introducing liquid for heat exchange with the gas, are described. Gas flow valves featuring shroud and/or curtain portions, are also described.