Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising peptide-coupled biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) particles In particular, PLG particles are surface-functionalized to allow for coupling of peptide molecules to the surface of the particles (e.g., for use in eliciting induction of immunological tolerance).

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising peptide-coupled biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) particles In particular, PLG particles are surface-functionalized to allow for coupling of peptide molecules to the surface of the particles (e.g., for use in eliciting induction of immunological tolerance).

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing B7-H4 polypeptides are disclosed. The B7-H4 fusion proteins can include full-length B7-H4 polypeptides, or can contain a fragment of a full-length B7-H4 polypeptide, including some or all of the extracellular domain of the B7-H4 polypeptide. Methods for using the fusion proteins to downregulate T cell activation and for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and disorders are also disclosed. The B7-H4 fusion proteins are useful for treating inflammation by inhibiting or reducing differentiation, proliferation, activity, and/or cytokine production and/or secretion by ThI, ThI 7, Th22, and/or other cells that secrete, or cause other cells to secrete, inflammatory molecules, including, but not limited to, IL-1?, TNF-?, TGF-beta, IFN-?, IL-17, IL-6, IL-23, IL-22, IL-21, and MMPs; or enhancing IL-IO secretion by Tregs, increasing the differentiation of Tregs, increasing the number of Tregs, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and compositions for inducing donor-specific tolerance. In particular, the present invention provides methods of administering ECDI-treated cells before, during, and/or after administration of donor transplant cells or a donor allograft in order to induce tolerance for the cells and/or allograft in a recipient.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protein C1ORF32 and its variants and fragments and fusion proteins thereof, and methods of use thereof for immunotherapy, and drug development, including but not limited to as immune modulators and for immune therapy, including for autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: Designs and methods are provided for an exemplary sleeping bag system comprising an outer sleeping bag having a first opening including a first zipper closure, a first integral hood including a first face opening, and a foot receiving region opposite said first face opening. The sleeping bag may further comprise an inner sleeping bag having a second opening including a second zipper closure, a second integral hood including a second face opening, and a foot receiving region opposite the second face opening. The inner sleeping bag may be connected to the outer sleeping bag by at least two connectors, one of which is proximate the foot receiving region.

Abstract: Fusion proteins containing B7-H4 polypeptides are disclosed. The B7-H4 fusion proteins can include full-length B7-H4 polypeptides, or can contain a fragment of a full-length B7-H4 polypeptide, including some or all of the extracellular domain of the B7-H4 polypeptide. Methods for using the fusion proteins to downregulate T cell activation and for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and disorders are also disclosed. The B7-H4 fusion proteins are useful for treating inflammation by inhibiting or reducing differentiation, proliferation, activity, and/or cytokine production and/or secretion by ThI, ThI 7, Th22, and/or other cells that secrete, or cause other cells to secrete, inflammatory molecules, including, but not limited to, IL-1?, TNF-?, TGF-beta, IFN-?, IL-17, IL-6, IL-23, IL-22, IL-21, and MMPs; or enhancing IL-IO secretion by Tregs, increasing the differentiation of Tregs, increasing the number of Tregs, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and compositions for inducing donor-specific tolerance. In particular, the present invention provides methods of administering ECDI-treated cells before, during, and/or after administration of donor transplant cells or a donor allograft in order to induce tolerance for the cells and/or allograft in a recipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating multiple sclerosis by combining immunotherapy with myelin repair.

Abstract: Trichloroethane, e.g., 1,1,1-trichloroethane, is stabilized during processing at temperatures at which it is susceptible to thermal decomposition by conducting such processing in the presence of a stabilizing amount of a stable free radical stabilizer, e.g., a material having a 2,2,6,6-tetra(lower alkyl)-1-piperidinyloxy-yl free radical group such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyloxy.

Abstract: A transmission source serves to detect activity from a radiation source for correcting attenuation in either PET mode or SPECT mode. The transmission source includes a detector dedicated to collecting attenuation data in PET mode. A collimated radiation source and a detector are positioned with respect to a tomography device such that only a selected strip of the imaging detector of the tomograph is illuminated such that events unrelated to the attenuation are eliminated. The transmission source can either be a coincidence transmission source or a singles transmission source and includes a collimator in which is disposed a radiation source. An opening is defined by the collimator for exposing a selected portion of the imaging detectors of the tomograph device. Positioned behind the radiation source, relative to the imaging detectors, is the dedicated attenuation detector. In a dual head tomograph device, one transmission source of the present invention is disposed opposite each bank of imaging detectors.

Abstract: A gamma camera system includes a rotatable gantry supporting multiple detector heads each capable of receiving radiation from a region of interest of a subject disposed in an examination region. Each of the detector heads include a collimator which substantially defines the resolution and sensitivity of the respective detector head. At least two of the detector heads include collimators providing different resolution. Preferably, one of the collimators provides a detector head with substantially high resolution and another provides a detector head with substantially high sensitivity. An operator selectively combines image data detected by each of the multiple detector heads. If desired, the operator combine the image data from the multiple detector heads in a variety of manners to obtain images of various resolution and sensitivity from a single imaging procedure. The operator may also selectively weight the contribution that the image data from each of the detector heads has in the overall image.

Abstract: Radiation indicative of an object being imaged is detected and a data set indicative of the detected radiation is generated. Negative cells within the data set are located and ordered for processing. A negative cell is selected for processing. A mask region is defined in relation to the selected cell, and positive cells within the mask region are identified. A correction factor is determined, the value of the positive cells is adjusted accordingly. The value of the selected cell is also adjusted so that the count value of the data set remains constant. If the value of the selected cell is still negative, new correction factors are determined and the values of the positive cells and the selected cell are again adjusted. The process is repeated until all of the negative cells within the data set have been processed. An image indicative of the object is then generated.

Abstract: A method of scatter correction for use with gamma cameras includes the steps of detecting and producing a first count value indicative of gamma radiation falling within a first energy range generally associated with a radionuclide photopeak. Gamma radiation falling within second and third energy ranges is also detected and a corresponding count produced. The second and third ranges are above and below the photopeak, respectively. The location of the second and third energy ranges is determined based on the energy resolution of the gamma camera such that a predetermined percentage of the radiation falling within the second and third ranges results from primary radiation. The second and third energy ranges may be located such that they are non-contiguous with the first energy range. Based on the count of radiation falling within the second and third ranges, the scatter radiation falling within the first energy range can be estimated, and the first count value corrected.

Abstract: A composite insulating material which is comprised of one or more layers of open ended cells formed from flexible thin plastic sheet, and may be fastened to one or more cover sheets. The material is flexible enough to be worn as clothing and derives its insulating properties by reducing thermal conducting paths and areas, by introducing numerous controlled geometry air cells between the heat source and inner layer to further lower conductivity and inhibit convection currents and, by absorbing radiant thermal energy within the cell walls thereby reducing heat transmission by radiation. Metallized reflecting layers are not required to achieve high insulating efficiency.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus and method in which the stack of sheets forming the load are fed onto a pivoting cradle whose pivot axis is at a height permitting substantially horizontal delivery of the sheets to the receiving conveyor. After each loading of the cradle, it is moved horizontally toward the receiving conveyor an amount sufficient to cover any feeding gap on the conveyor caused by the excursion of the cradle through its load position. A pivotable conveyor aft of the receiving conveyor includes a backstop gate assembly which is adjustable to control the thickness of flow of the shingled sheets.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus in which the stack of sheets forming the load are fed onto a pivoting cradle whose pivot axis is at a height permitting substantially horizontal delivery of the sheets to the receiving conveyor. After each loading of the cradle, it is moved horizontally toward the receiving conveyor an amount sufficient to cover any feeding gap on the conveyor caused by the excursion of the cradle through its load position. A pivotable conveyor aft of the receiving conveyor includes a backstop gate assembly which is adjustable to control the thickness of flow of shingled sheets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet feeding apparatus in which the stack of sheets forming the load are fed onto a pivoting cradle whose pivot axis is at a height permitting substantially horizontal delivery of the sheets to the receiving conveyor. After each loading of the cradle, it is moved horizontally toward the receiving conveyor an amount sufficient to cover any feeding gap on the conveyor caused by the excursion of the cradle through its load position.