Abstract: The invention is directed to mosaic HIV-1 envelopes, and methods of using the same to induce ADCC responses.

Abstract: Phototropin is a blue light receptor, which mediates a variety of blue-light elicited physiological processes in plants and algae. In higher plants these processes include phototropism, chloroplast movement and stomatal opening. In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, phototropin plays a vital role in progression of the sexual life cycle and in the control of the eye spot size and light sensitivity Phototropin is also involved in blue-light mediated changes in the synthesis of chlorophylls, carotenoids, chlorophyll binding proteins. We compared the transcriptome of phototropin knock out (PHOT KO) mutant and wild-type parent to analyze differences in gene expression in high light grown cultures (500 ?mol photons m?2 s?1). Our results indicate the up-regulation of genes involved in photosynthetic electron transport chain, carbon fixation pathway, starch, lipid, and cell cycle control genes.

Abstract: A system, method and device for interrogating a downhole environment in a borehole beneath a surface includes a source of electromagnetic energy, operable to transmit an electromagnetic signal in the borehole, a sensor module, including a passive resonating circuit including a crystal oscillator having a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the condition in the downhole environment to reflect the electromagnetic signal and to modulate the electromagnetic signal in response to a condition in the downhole environment in the borehole and a detector positionable to receive the reflected modulated electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A compact, rugged and portable measurement cell design for the determination of sound speed in fluids at temperatures up to 250° C. and pressures up to 3,000 psi is described. Swept Frequency Acoustic Interferometry measurement for liquid sound speed determinations in liquids up to 250° C. is of both fundamental interest, as in the case of basic equations of state, and applied interest, such as for characterizing geothermal or petroleum down hole environments. Representative sound speeds for water, as a function of temperature and pressure, are in agreement with an internationally accepted standard for the sound speed of water.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus that can image objects immersed in optically opaque fluids using ultrasound in a confined space and in a harsh environment. If the fluid is not highly attenuating at frequencies above 1 MHz, where commercial ultrasound scanners are available, such scanners can be adapted for imaging in these fluids. In the case of highly attenuating fluids, such as drilling mud, then a low frequency collimated sound source is used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for noninvasively monitoring steam quality and flow and in pipes or conduits bearing flowing steam, are described. By measuring the acoustic vibrations generated in steam-carrying conduits by the flowing steam either by direct contact with the pipe or remotely thereto, converting the measured acoustic vibrations into a frequency spectrum characteristic of the natural resonance vibrations of the pipe, and monitoring the amplitude and/or the frequency of one or more chosen resonance frequencies, changes in the steam quality in the pipe are determined. The steam flow rate and the steam quality are inversely related, and changes in the steam flow rate are calculated from changes in the steam quality once suitable calibration curves are obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mosaic conserved region HIV polypeptides and immunogenic polypeptides including one or more of the mosaic conserved region polypeptides. In some embodiments, the immunogenic polypeptides are included in an immunogenic composition, such as a polyvalent immunogenic composition. Also disclosed herein are methods for treating or inhibiting HIV in a subject including administering one or more of the disclosed immunogenic polypeptides or compositions to a subject having or at risk of HIV infection. In some embodiments, the methods include inducing an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject at least one of the disclosed immunogenic polypeptides or a nucleic acid encoding at least one of the immunogenic polypeptides.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for globally appending data from a group of distributed processes to a shared file using a log-structured file system. Data generated by a plurality of processes in a parallel computing system are appended to a shared file by storing the data to the shared file using a log-structured file system (such as a Parallel Log-Structured File System (PLFS)); and generating an index entry for the data, the index entry comprising a logical offset entry and a timestamp entry indicating a time of the storage, wherein the logical offset entry is resolved at read time. The logical offset entry can be populated with an append placeholder that is resolved when the shared file is read. At read time, a plurality of the index entries associated with the shared file can be sorted using the timestamp entry to deliver the requested shared file to a requesting application.

Abstract: In certain aspects the invention provides a selection of HIV-1 envelopes suitable for use as immunogens, and methods of using these immunogens to induce neutralizing antibodies. In certain embodiments, the immunogens are designed to trimerize. In other embodiments, the immunogens comprise an immune modulating component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition comprising a polymer or sol-gel and one or more nanocrystals. The composition is useful as a luminescent solar concentrator. The nanocrystals are dispersed in the polymer or sol-gel matrix so as to reduce or substantially prevent nanocrystal-to-nanocrystal energy transfer and a subsequent reduction in the emission efficiency of the composition. In some embodiments, the polymer matrix comprises an acrylate polymer. Also disclosed herein is a method for making the composition. Devices comprising the composition are disclosed. In some cases the polymer is the waveguide, in others the polymer is applied as a coating on a waveguide. In some examples, the device is a window.

Abstract: An explosive assembly includes a first explosive unit having a first longitudinal end portion having a first mechanical coupling feature, a second explosive unit having a second longitudinal end portion having a second mechanical coupling feature, and a tubular connector having a first end portion mechanically coupled to the first mechanical coupling feature and a second end portion mechanically coupled to the second mechanical coupling feature, such that the first explosive unit, the connector, and the second explosive unit are connected together end-to-end along a common longitudinal axis. Each explosive unit can contain a high explosive material and a detonator, and the connector can comprise a detonation control module electrically coupled to the detonators and configured to detonate the explosive units.

Abstract: In certain aspects the invention provides HIV-1 immunogens, including envelopes (CH505) and selections therefrom, and methods for swarm immunizations using combinations of HIV-1 envelopes.

Abstract: Multiple bit values can be encoded on a single photon in a quantum key distribution (QKD) system using a plurality of sidebands of an optical carrier frequency. Computational and conjugate bases can be defined, and photons decoded based on a selected state from either basis. If n sidebands are available, as many as log2 n bits can be encoded on a single photon. Errors in detected bit values due to selection of an incorrect basis state or other errors can be at least partially corrected by bit distillation to identity bit strings for which a transmitter and a receiver record the same values, without insecure transmission of these values.

Abstract: A file system is provided having a plurality of distributed metadata servers with separate metadata servers for file metadata and directory metadata. An exemplary distributed metadata storage system comprises a plurality of compute nodes, wherein at least one compute node comprises a file system client that generates a directory metadata request and/or a file metadata request; a plurality of directory metadata servers to serve directory metadata in response to a given directory metadata request; and a plurality of file metadata servers to serve file metadata in response to a given file metadata request. The plurality of directory metadata servers are distinct from the plurality of file metadata servers. The compute nodes optionally comprise an object client that requests object data from an object store system.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for computing data and metadata layout prior to storage in a storage system using a processing platform. An exemplary processing platform comprises one or more of a compute node and a burst buffer appliance. The processing platform communicates with a plurality of the compute nodes over a network, wherein a plurality of applications executing on the plurality of compute nodes generate a plurality of data objects; computes erasure metadata for one or more of the data objects on at least one of the compute nodes; and provides the erasure metadata with the corresponding one or more data objects to a storage system. The processing platform optionally determines a full set of the data objects to be stored and queries the storage system to determine an anticipated layout of the full set of the data objects to be stored. The anticipated layout allows special handling, for example, for small files and large files that are identified based on predefined criteria.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using acoustic radiation forces to order particles suspended in a host liquid are described. The particles may range in size from nanometers to millimeters, and may have any shape. The suspension is placed in an acoustic resonator cavity, and acoustical energy is supplied thereto using acoustic transducers. The resulting pattern may be fixed by using a solidifiable host liquid, forming thereby a solid material. Patterns may be quickly generated; typical times ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes. In a one-dimensional arrangement, parallel layers of particles are formed. With two and three dimensional transducer arrangements, more complex particle configurations are possible since different standing-wave patterns may be generated in the resonator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for increasing a growth characteristic of a plant, increasing nutrient use efficiency of a plant, or improving a plant's ability to overcome stress comprising applying a composition comprising ketosuccinamate, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, to the plant or to a propagation material of the plant.

Abstract: Non-harmful data mimicking computer network attacks may be inserted in a computer network. Anomalous real network connections may be generated between a plurality of computing systems in the network. Data mimicking an attack may also be generated. The generated data may be transmitted between the plurality of computing systems using the real network connections and measured to determine whether an attack is detected.

Abstract: Glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding GPT proteins, and uses thereof are disclosed. Provided herein are various GPT proteins and GPT gene coding sequences isolated from a number of plant species. As disclosed herein, GPT proteins share remarkable structural similarity within plant species, and are active in catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline (2-oxoglutaramate), a powerful signal metabolite which regulates the function of a large number of genes involved in the photosynthesis apparatus, carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism.

Abstract: An x-ray battery adapter system may include an x-ray battery adapter and a geometry adapter. The x-ray battery adapter may include a circuit board, a baseplate, a heat sink, a cover, and a battery input. The baseplate may include a connector that connects to an x-ray generating device. The geometry adapter may include a cable, a battery receptacle configured to house a battery, and a voltage sensor and battery connector block assembly. The x-ray battery adapter may allow a user of an x-ray generating device to utilize different power sources.