Abstract: The invention is directed to co-culture systems comprising (i) rotating wall vessel (RWV)-cultured epithelial or differentiated tissue attached to microcarrier beads and (ii) the peripheral tissue equivalent (PTE) module of the MIMIC® system, and to methods of using the co-culture systems for assessing chemical or biological (bacterial or viral) insults. The system models mucosal exposure to chemicals, pathogens or antigen at various sites in the human body. The microcarrier and MIMIC® co-culture approach provides an in vitro co-culture model that simultaneously demonstrates mucosa-mediated antigen presentation and immunogenic responses. Models of the present invention can be used, for example, in assessments of disease pathogenesis and in pharmaceutical development, reproductive physiology, and immunological and toxicological evaluations. Models of the present invention can generate patient-specific localized mucosal immunology using primary cells, resembling the human physiological situation.

Abstract: Strong fabrics with an affinity for oil can be deployed from boats and other sea vessels to absorb oil that has been spilled into oceans, gulfs, rivers, or other bodies of water. For example, strong nylon spunbonded fabrics can be used to soak up oil from bodies of water. The fabrics can also be used in concert with other methods, such as with containment booms.

Abstract: Methods of recovering data lost by a server, and/or facilitating a recovery of data lost by a server, as well as systems for recovering (and/or facilitating the recovery of) data lost by a server, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a data map pertaining to the lost data from one or both of a second server (which can be, for example, a master server) and a mobile device, and obtaining application data from the data map. The method further includes, based upon the application data, accessing one or more of the first mobile device, a second mobile device and a content provider website to obtain at least some of the lost data. Instead, or in addition, the lost data can be obtained from one or more mobile devices or other devices. In some such embodiments, the process can be initiated or governed by the second (e.g., master) server or a mobile device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a circuit comprises a first pair of elements, a second pair of elements, a combiner, and a signal output. Each element in the first and second pair of elements comprises an amplitude-control input for receiving an amplitude-control bit, a phase-control input for receiving a phase-control bit, a signal input for receiving an input signal, a modulator for producing an output signal based on the amplitude-control bit, the phase-control bit, and the input signal, and an signal output for transmitting the output signal to the combiner. The combiner combines the two output signals from the first and second pair of elements to produce an output signal for the circuit to be transmitted by the signal output of the circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed that adjust the phase of a read/write clock signal. The read/write clock signal may be used in a data storage apparatus to regulate reading/writing on a data storage media. An apparatus includes an adjustment circuit that adjusts phase of an edge of a read/write clock signal based on the timing of information that is read from a data storage media. Another apparatus includes a servo circuit and a read/write channel circuit. The servo circuit generates a leading edge transition of a servo gate signal in response to a signal indicating that a read/write transducer is approaching a start of a servo wedge. The read/write channel circuit generates a trailing edge transition of the servo gate signal in response to occurrence of a defined time delay following the transducer reading a servo address mark from the servo wedge.

Abstract: Detection of a rarely occurring event within one or more biological samples includes (a) processing each biological sample to provide a gellable liquid solution comprising concentrated biological sample and a flourochrome designed to associate with a rarely occurring event within the concentrated biological sample; (b) depositing the solution in a layer on a surface of a slide; and (c) scanning the solution on the slide with energy adapted to cause fluorescence of the flourochrome to detect potential instances of the rarely occurring event within the concentrated biological sample in the solution.

Abstract: The present invention comprises artificial tissue constructs that serve as in vitro models of mammalian lung tissue. The artificial tissue constructs of the present invention comprise functionally equivalent in vitro tissue scaffolds that enable immunophysiological function of the lung. The constructs can serve as novel platforms for the study of lung diseases (e.g., interstitial lung diseases, fibrosis, influenza, RSV) as well as smoke- and smoking-related diseases. The artificial tissue constructs of the present invention comprise the two components of alveolar tissue, epithelial and endothelial cell layers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed that adjust the phase of a read/write clock signal. The read/write clock signal may be used in a data storage apparatus to regulate reading/writing on a data storage media. An apparatus includes an adjustment circuit that adjusts phase of an edge of a read/write clock signal based on the timing of information that is read from a data storage media. Another apparatus includes a servo circuit and a read/write channel circuit. The servo circuit generates a leading edge transition of a servo gate signal in response to a signal indicating that a read/write transducer is approaching a start of a servo wedge. The read/write channel circuit generates a trailing edge transition of the servo gate signal in response to occurrence of a defined time delay following the transducer reading a servo address mark from the servo wedge.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of freeform fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) objects by depositing polymer colloidal particle based building materials in a predetermined pattern, preferably for biological and/or medical applications. The process of the present invention includes formulating a polymer colloidal dispersion for use as a building material; delivering the dispersion material to a solid freeform fabrication system, and depositing the extruded filaments in a predetermined pattern to form a three-dimensional (3D) object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing on-board, in-circuit, and/or wafer level scan-based testing of integrated circuits. With the apparatus and method, one or more sequential storage elements, e.g., flip/flops, are coupled to combinational logic and are configured to have an additional port for receiving a scan mode signal. The scan mode signal sets the sequential storage element into one of two modes of operation: static mode in which the sequential storage element's output does not change on a falling edge of a scan enable signal or a transitional mode in which the sequential storage element's output is permitted to change on the falling edge. With sequential storage elements configured in this manner, a configuration scan is performed to set certain ones of the sequential storage elements into a static mode and other sequential storage elements into a transitional mode. A test pattern is then applied to the sequential storage elements and a pattern capture cycle is commenced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for constructing and using in vivo and in vitro models of aspects of human immunity and, in particular, construction of a human immune system model for the testing of, for example, vaccines, adjuvants, immunotherapy candidates, cosmetics, drugs, biologics and other chemicals. The present invention comprises both in vivo and in vitro models of aspects of human immunity that are useful for assessing the interaction of substances with the immune system, and thus can be used to accelerate and improve the accuracy and predictability of, for example, vaccine, drug, biologic, immunotherapy, cosmetic and chemical development. The invention is also useful for the generation of human monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates germinal centers (GCs) into three-dimensional (3D) engineered tissue constructs (ETCs). In an embodiment, we have incorporated the GC in the design of an artificial immune system (AIS) to examine immune responses to vaccines and other compounds. Development of an in vitro GC adds functionality to an AIS, in that it enables generation of an in vitro human humoral response by human B lymphocytes that is accurate and reproducible, without using human subjects. The invention also permits evaluation of, for example, vaccines, allergens, and immunogens, and activation of human B cells specific for a given antigen, which can then be used to generate human antibodies. In an embodiment of the present invention the function of the in vitro GC is enhanced by placing FDCs and other immune cells in a 3D ETC; FDCs appear more effective over a longer time (antibody production is sustained for up to about 14 days.

Abstract: Single-use long-life faucet mounted water filtration devices are disclosed. A bathroom water filtration device having two outlets for filtered water is disclosed. Additionally, a fountain head is included for use in the bathroom water filtration device. The water filtration device is of unibody construction formed by ultrasonically welding certain parts thereof together. Since the devices disclosed are disposable, no filter replacement or other maintenance is performed. A gate, magnet, sensor and electronics provide an indication of filter performance enabling disposal of the water filtration device and installation of a new device. A kitchen water filtration device is larger than the bathroom device. Both the kitchen and bathroom water filtration devices are small and are mounted behind the faucet connection so as to facilitate full utilization of the sink or wash basin.

Abstract: A signal is received (201, 301) via a wireless communication channel, which signal requests initiation of pre-cycle warm-up for one or more components of an internal combustion engine. It is determined (203, 303) whether at least one of the one or more components requires pre-cycle warm-up. When at least one of the one or more engine components requires pre-cycle warm-up, the at least one of the one or more components is warmed up (205, 207, 305, 307).

Abstract: A boat trailer that includes a first front sidewall and a second front sidewall connected to a frame. The front sidewalls include at least one compartment to store equipment, tools, gear, or other items. The front sidewalls may be comprised of fiberglass and may include at least one toe socket. The boat trailer may include a rear sidewalls connected to the frame. The first front sidewall and the second front sidewall may be substantially contoured to the hull of a boat. An adapter sidewall may be attachable to the front sidewalls so that the front sidewalls are substantially contoured to the hull of a second boat. The boat trailer may include a nose cone with a recessed step connected to each front sidewall. The boat trailer may include means to selectively connect the boat trailer to the motorized vehicle in addition to a typical tongue and hitch.

Abstract: Single-use long-life faucet mounted water filtration devices are disclosed. A bathroom water filtration device having two outlets for filtered water is disclosed. Additionally, a fountain head is included for use in the bathroom water filtration device. The water filtration device is of unibody construction formed by ultrasonically welding certain parts thereof together. Since the devices disclosed are disposable, no filter replacement or other maintenance is performed. A gate, magnet(s), sensor and electronics provide an indication of filter performance enabling disposal of the water filtration device and installation of a new device. A kitchen water filtration device is larger than the bathroom device. Both the kitchen and bathroom water filtration devices are small and are mounted behind the faucet connection so as to facilitate full utilization of the sink or wash basin.

Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) for research and clinical applications are typically derived from purified blood monocytes that are cultured in a cocktail of cytokines for a week or more. Because it has been suggested that these cytokine-derived DCs may be deficient in some important immunological functions and might not accurately represent antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations found under physiologic conditions, there is a need for methods that allow the generation of DCs in a more physiologically relevant manner. The present invention comprises a simple and reliable technique for generating large numbers of highly purified DCs, based on a single migration of blood monocytes through endothelial cells that are cultured in, for example, a Transwell® device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing an artificial immune system. The artificial immune system comprises a cell culture comprising T cells, B cells and antigen-primed dendritic cells. The artificial immune system of the present invention can be used for in vitro testing of vaccines, adjuvants, immunotherapy candidates, cosmetics, drugs, biologics and other chemicals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the normal tissues that interact with vaccines in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interactions with the immune system.