Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising a biocompatible microsphere, a biofilm-generating probiotic bacterium, a prebiotic, and/or a prebiofilmic. Methods for preparing and formulating the compositions and methods for treating or preventing a disease using the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions to inhibit or prevent infection of a cell by a bacteria that exports DNABII proteins by administering to a tissue infected with the bacteria an effective amount of an antibody that specifically recognizes and binds the DNABII proteins, thereby inhibiting or preventing infection of the bacteria. Treatment methods, screens and kits are further provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising a biocompatible microsphere, a biofilm-generating probiotic bacterium, a prebiotic, and/or a prebiofilmic. Methods for preparing and formulating the compositions and methods for treating or preventing a disease using the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: For validating computing device firmware, systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor, the code including code that acquires a firmware manifest for locally stored firmware, authenticates a digital signature of the firmware manifest, and validates contents of the locally stored firmware using the firmware manifest. The apparatus may also include code that generates a local firmware manifest from the firmware, wherein validating the contents of the firmware includes comparing the local firmware manifest to the firmware manifest. In certain embodiments, the apparatus may indicate, to a user, one of success and failure of the firmware validation. The firmware manifest may be a location-specific firmware manifest corresponding to a geographical location of the apparatus and/or computing device including the locally stored firmware.

Abstract: This disclosure provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides that are useful to vaccinate individuals suffering from chronic/recurrent biofilm disease or as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection. The individual's immune system will then naturally generate antibodies which prevent or clear these bacteria from the host by interfering with the construction and or maintenance of a functional protective biofilm. Alternatively, antibodies to the polypeptides can be administered to treat or prevent infection. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system and/or traditional antibiotics.

Abstract: Methods for breaking down biofilms in cystic fibrosis patients are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of breaking down a biofilm or inhibiting, preventing or treating a microbial infection that produces a biofilm are disclosed, which involves administration of a polypeptide that has one or more HMG-box domains to a subject suffering from the infection or having the biofilm. By competing with microbial proteins that bind to DNA scaffold in the biofilm, these polypeptides destabilize the biofilm leading to destruction and removal of the biofilm by the immune system.

Abstract: An apparatus for cryptographic pre-boot authentication includes a cryptographic processor configured to perform cryptographic operations. The cryptographic processor includes a portion dedicated to the boot interface. The apparatus also includes a storage device storing machine readable code and a processor executing the machine readable code. The machine readable code includes a storage module storing a first cryptographic key on the cryptographic processor. The machine readable code further includes an encryption module encrypting an electronic message with a second cryptographic key. The machine readable code also includes a decryption module decrypting the electronic message with the first cryptographic key where an authorized user is granted access to a device upon successful decryption of the electronic message.

Abstract: Methods for selectively manipulating a growth rate of a selected bacterium comprising the step of contacting the selected bacterium with a predetermined amount of a quorum sensing molecule to affect a change in the growth rate of the selected bacterium, wherein the quorum sensing molecule is species specific, and the change in the growth rate is dependent on the amount of quorum sensing molecule in a dose-dependent fashion. Also provided are methods for treating or protecting against bacterial infections by utilizing the dose-dependent response of bacterial quorum sensing systems. The methods can be applied to a wide range of bacteria species including Streptococci, Staphylococci, and Bacilli. Compositions, medicaments and oral formulations for use with the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides that are useful to vaccinate individuals suffering from chronic/recurrent biofilm disease or as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection. The individual's immune system will then naturally generate antibodies which prevent or clear these bacteria from the host by interfering with the construction and or maintenance of a functional protective biofilm. Alternatively, antibodies to the polypeptides can be administered to treat or prevent infection. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides that are useful to vaccinate individuals suffering from chronic/recurrent biofilm disease or as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection. The individual's immune system will then naturally generate antibodies which prevent or clear these bacteria from the host by interfering with the construction and or maintenance of a functional protective biofilm. Alternatively, antibodies to the polypeptides can be administered to treat or prevent infection. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions to inhibit or prevent infection of a cell by a bacteria that exports DNABII proteins by administering to a tissue infected with the bacteria an effective amount of an antibody that specifically recognizes and binds the DNABII proteins, thereby inhibiting or preventing infection of the bacteria. Treatment methods, screens and kits are further provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for cryptographic pre-boot authentication includes a cryptographic processor configured to perform cryptographic operations. The cryptographic processor includes a portion dedicated to the boot interface. The apparatus also includes a storage device storing machine readable code and a processor executing the machine readable code. The machine readable code includes a storage module storing a first cryptographic key on the cryptographic processor. The machine readable code further includes an encryption module encrypting an electronic message with a second cryptographic key. The machine readable code also includes a decryption module decrypting the electronic message with the first cryptographic key where an authorized user is granted access to a device upon successful decryption of the electronic message.

Abstract: The invention broadly contemplates a security solution for storage devices that is inexpensive and robust. The invention allows a store of system specific data to be used to release the hard disk key of full-disk encryption (FDE) drives. This system specific data is passed to the FDE drives and used to calculate the actual encryption key. This allows for safe disposal of an FDE drive containing confidential data, as the lack of available system specific decryption data makes decryption virtually impossible.

Abstract: Methods of breaking down a biofilm or inhibiting, preventing or treating a microbial infection that produces a biofilm are disclosed, which involves administration of a polypeptide that has one or more HMG-box domains to a subject suffering from the infection or having the biofilm. By competing with microbial proteins that bind to DNA scaffold in the biofilm, these polypeptides destabilize the biofilm leading to destruction and removal of the biofilm by the immune system.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides that are useful to vaccinate individuals suffering from chronic/recurrent biofilm disease or as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection. The individual's immune system will then naturally generate antibodies which prevent or clear these bacteria from the host by interfering with the construction and or maintenance of a functional protective biofilm. Alternatively, antibodies to the polypeptides can be administered to treat or prevent infection. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system.

Abstract: A system for measuring stress and strain in a sample is provided. The system includes a sample holder operable to support the sample; a stress inducing assembly operable to apply force to a selected location on the sample to deform the sample by a selected distance in a range from about 0.1 angstrom to about a millimeter; and an interferometer operable to determine a surface topography of the deformed sample at a resolution in a range from about 0.1 angstrom to about a micron.

Abstract: The invention broadly contemplates a security solution for storage devices that is inexpensive and robust. The invention allows a store of system specific data to be used to release the hard disk key of full-disk encryption (FDE) drives. This system specific data is passed to the FDE drives and used to calculate the actual encryption key. This allows for safe disposal of an FDE drive containing confidential data, as the lack of available system specific decryption data makes decryption virtually impossible.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for protecting hard disk data in multiple operating system environments. The present invention restricts access of a hard file to a range of logical addresses using a controller module configured to access a hard file in response to a request for a logical address, a set zero module configured to add an offset value to each request for a logical address on a hard file, and a set max module configured to set a maximum logical address accessible on a hard file. The invention limits access to a lower protected area with logical addresses below the range of logical address and a host protected area with logical address above the range of logical addresses.

Abstract: Methods for selectively manipulating a growth rate of a selected bacterium comprising the step of contacting the selected bacterium with a predetermined amount of a quorum sensing molecule to affect a change in the growth rate of the selected bacterium, wherein the quorum sensing molecule is species specific, and the change in the growth rate is dependent on the amount of quorum sensing molecule in a dose-dependent fashion. Also provided are methods for treating or protecting against bacterial infections by utilizing the dose-dependent response of bacterial quorum sensing systems. The methods can be applied to a wide range of bacteria species including Streptococci, Staphylococci, and Bacilli. Compositions, medicaments and oral formulations for use with the methods are also disclosed.