Abstract: Genetically encoded, photocleavable proteins are derived from a fluorescent protein. Upon illumination, the proteins photocleave and spontaneously dissociate into two or more fragments or release one end of an internal loop.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to use of compounds and compositions as a chemosensitizers and/or radiosensitizers and/or inhibitors of PNKP phosphatase activity. The present invention provides pharmaceutical combinations and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, kits containing such compounds and/composition and methods of using such compounds and/or compositions.

Abstract: A gel assembly comprising a polymeric gel layer between metal layers. A gel assembly process comprising providing a colloidal polymer in solution, drying the solution to form a polymeric gel layer and forming metal layers on either side of the polymeric gel layer. A method of drug delivery comprising loading a polymeric gel layer with drug, forming metal layers on either side of the polymeric gel layer, wherein the polymeric gel layer comprises a material that is sensitive to a stimulus, and subjecting the polymeric gel layer to the stimulus to release the drug from between or through the metal layers.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects relates to light-activated ion channel polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids and also relates in part to compositions comprising light-activated ion channel polypeptides and methods using light-activated ion channel polypeptides to alter cell activity and function.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulphide adsorbent is formed from an alkali metal nanotitanate having a portion of the alkali metal cations exchanged with metal cations reactive with hydrogen sulphide, and heat treated. A method for producing the adsorbent includes the steps of mixing an alkali metal nanotitanate in powder form into an aqueous metal cation solution to produce a slurry, which is subsequently dehydrated to produce a powder, which is heat treated. A low temperature method for removing hydrogen sulphide from a gaseous mixture involves exposing the gaseous mixture to the aforementioned adsorbent, at a temperature less than 250° C. The adsorbent maintains a high adsorption capacity over a range of activation temperatures and humidity conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple culture device that is designed for manufacture and use in areas of limited resources. The device is useful for cell culture in such environments with limited resources because cells grow in paper just as they do in a culture dish. Also provided is a binding assay that employs an activatable dormant bacteriophage carrying a reporter gene to qualitatively or quantitatively detect the presence of a substance of interest in a sample.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects relates to compositions and methods for altering cell activity and function and the introduction and use of light-activated ion channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process for the mono-reduction of one or more imide moieties in a compound comprising contacting the compound with hydrogen gas and a catalyst comprising a transition metal hydride in the presence of a base, under conditions for the mono-reduction of the one or more imide moieties to form a compound comprising one or more hydroxy amides.

Abstract: A method of converting lipids to useful olefins includes reacting a mixture of lipids and a reactant olefin with microwave irradiation in the presence of ruthenium metathesis catalysts. The lipids may be unsaturated triacylglycerols or alkyl esters of fatty acids. The lipids may be sourced from renewable sources such as vegetable oil, waste cooking oil, or waste animal products.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for preparing a polymer derived from an animal protein, such as in a feedstock derived from animal by-products. The method involves hydrolyzing proteins present in a feedstock to obtain hydrolyzed proteins, wherein hydrolysis is conducted under conditions sufficient to digest the proteins and destroy pathogens; extracting a protein fraction from the hydrolyzed proteins; and treating the protein fraction with a crosslinking reagent to form the polymer. The crosslinking reagents may include epoxies. The polymer may be further processed to form a thermoset plastic. The polymer may be used as an adhesive, or in the preparation of a natural fiber composite material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions that find use in facilitating a diagnosis of inflammatory liver disease in a subject. The methods and compositions generally involve detection of eotaxin-3 (E3) levels, either alone or with levels of eotaxin-1 (E1), and optionally, with levels of CCL22 and, further optionally, with levels of IL15. These levels can be used to facilitate a diagnosis of a liver disease of at least one of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and/or to facilitate a differential diagnosis between AIH, PBC, and PSC. The methods and compositions of the present disclosure also find use in facilitating treatment decisions for a subject.

Abstract: A liner for a bore of a waveguide is provided. The liner as an aperture passing through it and is formed of a metamaterial that has a relative electrical permittivity that is negative and near zero. When the liner is installed in the waveguide, it lowers the cutoff frequency of the waveguide while allowing the waveguide to remain hollow. This liner can be used in the bore of an MRI machine to lower the cutoff frequency of the bore of the MRI machine to allow the MRI machine to operate using waves having a lower frequency that if the liner was not used.

Abstract: The invention is directed to adhesives derived from animal or plant proteins, particularly canola and spent hen proteins. The adhesives are prepared by extracting the proteins by pH shifting; and either treating the extracted proteins with urea or sodium dodecyl sulfate, or polymerizing the proteins to form a protein-polymer conjugate. The invention is also directed to a wood based product comprising pieces of wood based material joined or consolidated with the adhesives.

Abstract: Provided herein are variants of an archaerhodopsin useful for application such as optical measurement of membrane potential. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, cells comprising the polynucleotides, and cells comprising the polypeptides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for the inhibition of bacterial adhesion. The composition can include nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and a water-soluble polymer, which form an NCC hydrogel in water. The NCC hydrogel can be used to treat or coat devices such as a catheter, whereby the NCC hydrogel inhibits bacterial adhesion to the catheter surface to thereby inhibit biofilm formation and growth of bacteria on the catheter surface. The compositions and devices can thus be useful for inhibiting or preventing conditions such as urinary tract infections.

Abstract: Gels made from oat proteins include partially hydrolysed oat protein, or oat protein and an organic acid or acidulant, or oat protein and inulin.

Abstract: A Schottky source-gated thin film transistor is provided including: a drain contact; an insulating substrate; a source contact made of a Schottky metal; a channel connecting the buried source contact to the drain, the channel made of ZnO; and a Schottky source barrier formed between the source contact and the channel; and a gate; wherein the source contact is positioned below the channel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a combined hydrothermal and activation process that uses hemp bast fiber as the precursor to achieve graphene-like carbon nanosheets, a carbon nanosheet comprising carbonized crystalline cellulose, a carbon nanosheet formed by carbonizing crystalline cellulose, a capacitative structure comprises interconnected carbon nanosheets of carbonized crystalline cellulose, a method of forming a nanosheet comprising carbonizing crystalline cellulose to create carbonized crystalline cellulose. The interconnected two-dimensional carbon nanosheets also contain very high levels of mesoporosity.

Abstract: A device and method for spreading apart adjacent vertebrae bodies for the safe insertion of an IBD into an IVD space said device designed for minimally invasive procedures and posterior or anterior approaches.

Abstract: Phosphoranimide-metal catalysts and their role in hydrodesulfurization and hydrogenation are disclosed. The catalysts comprise of first row transition metals such as nickel, cobalt and iron. The catalysts have a metal to anionic phosphoranimide ratio of 1:1 and have no inactive bulk phase and no dative ancillary ligands. In one embodiment, the catalysts comprise discrete mixed-valent precatalyst clusters, the electronic state of which can be adjusted to optimize catalytic activity. The catalysts catalyze the hydrodesulfurization of a range of sulfur-containing organic compounds under lower temperature and pressure conditions than those conditions commonly used in industrial hydrodesulfurization. The catalysts also catalyze the hydrogenation of substrates comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond which is not present in an aromatic moiety, although the substrate itself may include an aromatic moiety.