Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for cleansing blood through hemodialysis by the process of diffusion across a membrane into dialysate. This dialyzer also removes solutes from the blood by a process of convection, where fluid and dissolved solutes pass through the membrane out of the blood. In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the MECS dialyzer uses a counter-flow between the dialysate and blood through a plurality of microchannels. The dialyzer comprises a plurality of flat semi-permeable membranes interleaved between microchannel sheets to define a plurality of flow channels. The stack of membranes and microchannel sheets are aligned and consolidated to form the MECS dialyzer. The MECS dialyzer acts as a flow manifold with ports and headers to collect the blood and dialysate and direct them to and from the microchannels.

Abstract: A micromixer device has at least one fluid inlet channel and at least one fluid outlet channel. A plurality of pathways extend between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel. The width of at least some of the plurality of pathways varies in a substantially parabolic manner along at least one dimension of the micromixer device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the development and use of Closterovirus-based vectors for the delivery of nucleotides to plants. Specifically, the present disclosure provides viral vectors based on Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-2 for the delivery and expression of genes in plants, particularly grape plants. Methods of making and using these vectors, as well as the plants transformed by these vectors, are also contemplated.

Abstract: Organocatalysts, particularly proline sulfonamide organocatalysts, having a first general formula as follows are disclosed. Embodiments of a method for using these organocatalysts also are disclosed. The method comprises providing a disclosed organocatalyst, and performing a reaction, often an enantioselective or diastereoselective reaction, using the organocatalyst. Solely by way of example, disclosed catalysts can be used to perform aldol reactions, conjugate additions, Michael additions, Robinson annulations, Mannich reactions, ?-aminooxylations, ?-hydroxyaminations, ?-aminations and alkylation reactions. Certain of such reactions are intramolecular cyclizations used to form cyclic compounds, such as 5-or 6-membered rings, having one or more chiral centers Disclosed organocatalysts generally are much more soluble in typical solvents used for organic synthesis than are known compounds.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encode polypeptides for increasing the rate of growth of plants. Introduction of the polynucleotides into plants produces plants having altered characteristics, such as increased growth, increased leaf area and reduced fertility. Expression of polypeptides in plants or plant cells promotes cell division. Expression of the polynucleotides in plants in the antisense orientation produces plants that are sterile or have smaller leaves.

Abstract: Devices having a thin film or laminate structure comprising hafnium and/or zirconium oxy hydroxy compounds, and methods for making such devices, are disclosed. The hafnium and zirconium compounds can be doped, typically with other metals, such as lanthanum. Examples of electronic devices or components that can be made include, without limitation, insulators, transistors and capacitors. A method for patterning a device using the materials as positive or negative resists or as functional device components also is described. For example, a master plate for imprint lithography can be made. An embodiment of a method for making a device having a corrosion barrier also is described. Embodiments of an optical device comprising an optical substrate and coating also are described. Embodiments of a physical ruler also are disclosed, such as for accurately measuring dimensions using an electron microscope.

Abstract: Embodiments of compositions comprising materials satisfying the general formula AM1?xM?xM?yO3+y are disclosed, along with methods of making the materials and compositions. In some embodiments, M and M? are +3 cations, at least a portion of the M cations and the M? cations are bound to oxygen in trigonal bipyramidal coordination, and the material is chromophoric. In some embodiments, the material forms a crystal structure having a hexagonal unit cell wherein edge a has a length of 3.50-3.70 ? and edge c has a length of 10-13 ?. In other embodiments, edge a has a length of 5.5-7.0 ?. In particular embodiments, M? is Mn, and Mn is bonded to oxygen with an apical Mn—O bond length of 1.80 ? to 1.95 ?. In some embodiments, the material is YIn1?xMnxO3, x is greater than 0.0 and less than 0.75, and the material exhibits a surprisingly intense blue color.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices useful for microscale fluid purification, separation, and synthesis. Such devices generally comprise a fluid membrane that separates two or more fluids flowing through plural microchannels operatively associated with the membrane. Often, the membrane is a semipermeable membrane, such as might be used with a filtration device, such as a dialyzer. Devices of the present invention can be combined with other microscale devices to make systems. For example, the devices may be coupled with one or more microchemical microfactories, one or more micromixers, one or more microheaters, etc. Examples of devices made according to the present invention included an oxygenator, a dialyzer, microheat exchangers, etc.

Abstract: Method for making lignocellulosic composites by adhering lignocellulosic substrates together. A first variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) first ingredient selected from a soy protein or lignin and (ii) at least one substantially formaldehyde-free curing agent that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide, or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the soy protein. A second variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) a protein or lignin, (ii) a first compound that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the protein and (iii) a curing agent.

Abstract: This disclosure describes the molecular cloning of an enduracidin biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces fungicidicus, and characterization of individual genes in the gene cluster and the proteins encoded thereby. An enduracidin gene cluster is located within a 116 kilobases genetic locus and includes 25 open reading frames (ORFs). An additional 23 ORFs flank the disclosed enduracidin biosynthetic gene cluster. Enduracidin analogs and a method for producing them by manipulation of the enduracidin gene cluster and specific genes therein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power module assembly includes a reactor vessel containing a reactor core surrounded by a primary coolant. A containment vessel is adapted to be submerged in a containment cooling pool and to prohibit a release of the primary coolant outside of the containment vessel. A secondary cooling system is configured to remove heat generated by the reactor core. The heat is removed by circulating liquid from the containment cooling pool through the primary coolant.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices useful for microscale fluid purification, separation, and synthesis devices. Generally, such devices comprise a fluid membrane that separates two or more fluids flowing through plural microchannels operatively associated with the membrane. The fluids can both be liquids, gases, or a liquid and a gas, such as may be used for gas absorption into a liquid. Often, the membrane is a semipermeable membrane, such as might be used with a filtration device, such as a dialyzer. Devices of the present invention can be combined with other microscale devices to make systems. For example, the devices may be coupled with one or more microchemical microfactories, one or more micromixers, one or more microheaters; etc. Examples of devices made according to the present invention included an oxygenator, a dialzyer, microheat exchangers, etc. Particular materials had to be developed for use with certain embodiments of the device disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention is related to hemodialysis, and more particularly, to a dialyser with improved efficiency of mass transfer across a dialysis membrane utilizing microchannel separation provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment, a dialyzer is provided comprising a plurality of semipermeable membrane sheets and a plurality of flow separators. The membrane sheets and flow are arranged in alternating configuration and coupled into a laminae stack defining a plurality of parallel microchannel layers. Each microchannel layer comprises a plurality of first microchannels and a plurality of second microchannels. The first and second microchannels of each microchannel layer are in fluid communication with each other via one of the plurality of membrane sheets therebetween. The MECS dialyzer is characterized as having a high surface to volume ratio and a high mass transfer coefficient.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to validamycin A biosynthesis and in particular, to methods of producing validamycin A analogs and uses thereof. In a particular example, a method for making a validamycin A analog includes transforming a host cell with one or more recombinant DNA vectors to produce a valN-inactivated mutant; and culturing the valN-inactivated mutant in a culture medium to produce a validamycin A analog, such as 1,1?-bis-valienamine and validienamycin, and their conversion to valienamine. The present disclosure further relates to compositions including such compounds as well as methods of using the compositions, such as for antifungal agents.

Abstract: Described are nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals, including aluminum-borate NLO crystals, that have low concentrations of contaminants that adversely affect the NLO crystal's optical properties, such as compounds that contain transition-metal elements and/or lanthanides, other than yttrium, lanthanum, and lutetium. Some NLO crystals with low concentrations of these contaminants are capable of second harmonic generation at very short wavelengths. Also described are embodiments of a method for making these NLO crystals. Some embodiments involve growing a single NLO crystal, such as an aluminum-borate NLO crystal, from a mixture containing a solvent that is substantially free of harmful contaminants. The described NLO crystals can be used, for example, in laser devices.

Abstract: A method to generate siRNAs in vivo is described, as are constructs and compositions useful in the method. The method does not depend on the use of DNA or synthetic constructs that contain inverted duplications or dual promoters so as to form perfect or largely double-stranded RNA. Rather, the method depends on constructs that yield single-stranded RNA transcripts, and exploits endogenous or in vivo-produced miRNAs or siRNAs to initiate production of siRNAs. The miRNAs or siRNAs guide cleavage of the transcript and set the register for production of siRNAs (usually 21 nucleotides in length) encoded adjacent to the initiation cleavage site within the construct. The method results in specific formation of siRNAs of predictable size and register (phase) relative to the initiation cleavage site. The method can be used to produce specific siRNAs in vivo for inactivation or suppression of one or more target genes or other entities, such as pathogens.

Abstract: A method of preserving fruit-bearing cut-limbs from cutting at an orchard to receiving by a remote consumer includes cutting a live, fruit-bearing limb off a fruit tree in an orchard; and bagging the cut limb with perforated film substantially to seal the limb therein substantially continuously from the time of cutting at the orchard to the time of receiving by the remote consumer. After the cutting and before the bagging, the method can include dipping the cut end of the limb in a solution of water substantially continuously from cutting at the orchard to receiving by the remote consumer and/or coating the cut limb including the fruit and leaves thereon using a moisture-retentive agent.

Abstract: Heat-activated heat-pump systems and related methods are disclosed that include a power cycle coupled to a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle both utilizing the same working fluid. The power cycle comprises a boiler, an expander receiving superheated vapor and producing work from the superheated vapor, a condenser, and a pump. A regenerator conducts a first stream of working fluid from the pump to the boiler and a second stream of the working fluid from the expander to the condenser while transferring heat from the second stream to the first stream. The refrigeration cycle comprises a compressor that compresses the working fluid from the evaporator and delivers the compressed working fluid to a condenser. The expander and compressor are coupled together such that at least a portion of the work produced by the expander is utilized for running the compressor.

Abstract: A technique and device provides absolute skin dosimetry in real time at multiple tissue depths simultaneously. The device uses a phoswich detector which has multiple scintillators embedded at different depths within a non-scintillating material. A digital pulse processor connected to the phoswich detector measures a differential distribution (dN/dH) of count rate N as function of pulse height H for signals from each of the multiple scintillators. A digital processor computes in real time from the differential count-rate distribution for each of multiple scintillators an estimate of an ionizing radiation dose delivered to each of multiple depths of skin tissue corresponding to the multiple scintillators embedded at multiple corresponding depths within the non-scintillating material.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices useful for microscale fluid purification, separation, and synthesis devices. Generally, such devices comprise a fluid membrane that separates two or more fluids flowing through plural microchannels operatively associated with the membrane. Often, the membrane is a semipermeable membrane, such as might be used with a filtration device, such as a dialyzer. Devices of the present invention can be combined with other microscale devices to make systems. For example, the devices may be coupled with one or more microchemical microfactories, one or more micromixers, one or more microheaters; etc. Particular materials had to be developed for use with certain embodiments of the device disclosed herein. For example, a new composite material was made comprising nanocrystalline cellulose filler and a polysulfone polymeric material. A dialyzer comprising the composite membrane also is disclosed.