Abstract: The present invention provides modified metal surfaces, methods of preparing the same, and intermediates thereto. These materials are useful in a variety of applications including biomaterials.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a system for heating a liquid, such as, for example, water, comprising a plurality of liquid heaters, the inlets and outlets of which are respectively connected in a parallel flow relationship by respective manifolds, and configured to provide liquid having a temperature of greater than about 90 degrees Fahrenheit at a flow rate of greater than about 10 gallons per minute. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an electric tankless liquid heater system capable of delivering hot liquids, and in particular water, at even higher flow rates and or temperatures, including, but not limited to, flow rates greater than about: (1) 12 gpm; (2) 18 gpm; (3) 20 gpm; and (5) 20 gpm; and/or temperatures of greater than about: (1) 100° F.; (2) 120° F.; (3) 140° F.; and (4) 180° F.

Abstract: A method of delivering a therapeutic agent by providing a cross-linked polymer encapsulating the therapeutic agent to a site in a patient. The degradation rate of the cross-linked polymer is correlated with a local concentration of an indicator, and the therapeutic agent is released as the cross-linked polymer degrades.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inducing apoptosis in a tumour cell as well as modulating pluripotency and/or self-renewing characteristics of a stem/progenitor cell. The method comprises administering to the respective cell a compound of general formula (I). In general formula A is C or N. R1, R4 and R5 are, independently selected, H or aliphatic, cycloaliphatic aromatic, arylaliphatic, or arylcycloaliphatic hydrocarbyl groups, that comprise 0-3 heteroatoms being N, O, S, or Si. R4 and R5 may optionally be linked so as to define an aliphatic hydrocarbyl bridge. R2 is H or a halogen, such as F or Cl. R3 is H, or an aliphatic or arylaliphatic hydrocarbyl group comprising 1-8 main chain carbon atoms and 0-3 heteroatoms being N, O, S, Si, or a halogen such as Cl or F. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition for inducing apoptosis in a tumour cell and/or modulating pluripotency and/or self-renewing characteristics of a stem/progenitor cell.

Abstract: This invention provides the methodology and agents for treating any disease or clinical condition which is at least partly the result of endoplasmic reticulum-associated retention of proteins. Thus, the methods and agents of the present invention provide for the release of normally retained proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum. The present invention is particularly useful for treating any disease or clinical condition which is at least partly the result of endoplasmic reticulum-associated retention or degradation of mis-assembled or mis-folded proteins.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, methods for the identification of sulfated glycans in a mixture of glycans.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration or choroidal neovascularization, ocular inflammation, or any combination of these. Certain of the compositions comprise a poxvirus complement control protein or a complement binding fragment or variant thereof. Other compositions comprise a poxvirus complement control protein linked to a moiety that binds to a component present on or at the surface of cell or noncellular molecular entity, e.g., a component present in the eye of a subject at risk of or suffering from age related macular degeneration or a related condition or choroidal neovascularization, ocular inflammation, or any combination of these. Certain of the methods comprise administering a poxvirus complement control protein or complement binding fragment or variant thereof to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for adjusting intensity, wavelength and higher and lower frequency components of an optical signal. Photonic apparatus receives a first and a second optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion the first optical signal or the second optical signal and adjusts intensity or wavelength of the first optical signal or the second optical signal, in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion. In some embodiments photonic apparatus receives an optical signal comprising a lower frequency component received an amount of time prior to a higher frequency component of the optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion for the optical signal and adjusts the amount of time between the higher frequency component and the lower frequency component in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion.

Abstract: A boost device boosts an input voltage to an output voltage across an output capacitor, and includes first and second output diodes coupled to the output capacitor, and a transformer coupled to first and second switches, first and second switching circuits, and to the first and second output diodes, and receiving the input voltage. The first and second switches are operated alternately in an ON-state, and have overlapping duty cycles. The first and second switching circuits are operable to suppress conduction losses for the first and second switches. The transformer has a bi-directional magnetic circuit. Electric energy is transformed through induced currents of the transformer, and a small amount of energy attributed to an exciting current of the transformer is used for voltage boosting, thereby attaining a relatively high output power.

Abstract: An anti-HIV vaccine composition is disclosed. The vaccine comprises an combination of immunogenic peptide mixtures, which mixtures may be prepared in a single synthesis. The composition collectively represents the in vivo variability seen in immunogenic epitopes from highly variable regions of HIV. Immunization with the vaccine elicits broadly reactive immunity (CTL and T helper cell responses) against the divergent strains of HIV upon which it is based. The vaccine may be formulated to target regionally distinct variability based on an HIV clade predominant in a geographical region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable biocompatible polyketals, methods for their preparation, and methods for creating animals by administration of biodegradable biocompatible polyketals. In one aspect, a method for forming the biodegradable biocompatible polyketals comprises combining a glycol-specific oxidizing agent with a polysaccharide to form an aldehyde intermediate, which is combined with a reducing agent to form the biodegradable biocompatible polyketal. The resultant biodegradable biocompatible polyketals can be chemically modified to incorporate additional hydrophilic moieties. A method for treating animals includes the administration of the biodegradable biocompatible polyketal in which biologically active compounds or diagnostic labels can be disposed. The present invention also relates to chiral polyketals, methods for their preparation, and methods for use in chromatographic applications, specifically in chiral separations.

Abstract: An esophageal valve comprising a polymeric valve body having an outer support region, at least three valve leaflets, and a main body region extending between the support region and the valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the valve is closed, an antegrade open configuration in which the valve leaflets are opened in response to an antegrade force to allow flow through the valve and a retrograde open configuration in response to a retrograde force which is substantially larger than the antegrade force.

Abstract: A compound having the general structure shown in Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or solvates thereof are useful in treating diseases or conditions mediated by NK1 receptors, for example various physiological disorders, symptoms or diseases, including emesis, depression, anxiety and cough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-assembling peptide comprising: (a) a first amino acid domain that mediates self-assembly, wherein the domain comprises alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids that are complementary and structurally compatible and self-assemble into a macroscopic structure when present in unmodified form; and (b) a second amino acid domain that does not mediate self-assembly in isolated form, wherein the second amino acid domain comprises at least one minimal biologically active sequence. Such self-assembling peptides are described herein as “modified self-assemblingpeptides.” The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits and matrices comprising a modified self-assembling peptide, and methods of using and making such compositions, kits and matrices.

Abstract: An anticorrosion ferrite-based pigment, derived from a hydrometallurgical purification process of EAF dust. EAF dust is generated in an electric arc furnace for carbon steel production by processing scrap metal, direct reduced iron and/or pre-reduced hematite, and using CaO-rich slag; from a condensation reaction of metals vapors of Fe, or Zn and of Mn, Mg, Si and/or Al, and suspended CaO particles and oxygen. The pigment contains a non-toxic amount of lead, and includes condensed metal oxides, comprising ferrites MOFe2?3, M being Zn, Fe, Mn and Mg, and combinations thereof. The condensed oxides have ferrite structures preserved from the EAF dust, and form aggregates thereof. The pigment includes CaO entrapped by the ferrite structures and being partially available to react with humid air and/or water to protect the substrate against corrosion. The pigments are coated or uncoated. They are used for antifouling or paint formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wear-resistant mechanical parts.

Abstract: Disclosed are glass compositions, glass fiber compositions, glass fiber battery separators, glass fiber filter media, battery additives and active materials formed with glass compositions disclosed, glass fiber radiation shields, and glass fiber paper compositions. Certain embodiments include, among other components, bismuth oxide. Certain embodiments include about 0.5-30% bismuth oxide of the composition by weight and silica oxide at about 54-70% of the composition by weight. Embodiments may also include other components. For example, zinc oxide can make up about 0.01-3% of the composition by weight.

Abstract: A method for forming well-aligned metallic nanowires includes: (a) providing a substrate formed with a crystal layer thereon; (b) disposing the substrate in such a manner that the crystal layer faces downwardly; (c) applying a metal salt solution, which contains metal ions therein, to the crystal layer on the substrate; and (d) subjecting the metal ions in the metal salt solution on the crystal of TiO2 layer to a reduction treatment, thereby resulting in reduced metal that grows downward toward earth's gravity.

Abstract: A chrome-free corrosion inhibitor composition includes: titanium chloride; a stabilizer including a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and at least a compound selected from nitric acid, persulfate, nitrate, and chlorate; and a film-forming enhancer selected from monosaccharide, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide, derivatives of saccharide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In various aspects provided are methods for producing a nanoparticle within a cross-linked, collapsed polymeric material. In various embodiments, the methods comprise (a) providing a polymeric solution comprising a polymeric material; (b) collapsing at least a portion of the polymeric material about one or more precursor moieties; (c) cross-linking the polymeric material; (d) modifying at least a portion of said precursor moieties to form one or more nanoparticles and thereby forming a composite nanoparticle.