Abstract: A near infrared dye comprising a counterion and a structure of Formula I wherein the at least one of R1 and R2are 1-(thiophen-2-yl)piperidine, 1-(thieno[3,2-b]thiophen-2-yl)piperidine or 1-([2,2?-bithiophen]-5-yl)piperidine, and X, R, R3-R4, R19, R20 and R22-R29 are disclosed herein. Materials and compositions comprising the NIR dye can absorb light in the NIR I & II regions and then the energy can be released in the form of light (fluorescence) or heat (non-radiative). The dyes can also convert the absorbed light to heat and ultrasound waves via the photoacoustic effect. The photoacoustic effect can be used in photoacoustic tomography to image biological materials or processes. Methods for synthesizing the NIR dyes and materials comprising the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for increasing vaccine yields due to increased virus growth in mutation comprising a vaccine strain bearing the Y161F mutation in hemagglutinin (HA). Y161F in HA increases HA thermostability without changing its original antigenic properties and enhances its binding affinity in the vaccine production platforms used in influenza vaccine manufacturing. A method for optimizing preparation of influenza vaccine seed strains which can further lower the cost of vaccines and increase profits for the vaccine companies, and also maintain antigenic stability during vaccine deliveries.

Abstract: A drug conjugate, composition, and method for delivering active antimicrobials based on existing antibiotics through a hexose phosphate transporter (UhpT) by conjugating the antimicrobials with non-metabolizable hexose phosphates. Methods of co-administering antibiotics with non-metabolizable hexose phosphates as antimicrobials are also disclosed. Non-metabolizable hexose phosphates can constitutively and strongly induce expression of UhpT which significantly improves the efficacy and/or antimicrobial spectrum of antibiotics. This drug conjugate, composition and method will permit reuse of many FDA approved antibiotics that have been abandoned or fallen into disuse due to their current low efficacy and/or resistance to these antibiotics by pathogens.

Abstract: Provided herein are an adsorbent and method of treating water using the adsorbent. The adsorbent includes thermally- and chemically-treated lignite coal. The method includes contacting wastewater with the treated lignite coal.

Abstract: Aeromonas hydrophila is a reemerging pathogen of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus); recent outbreaks from 2009 to 2014 have caused the loss of more than 12 million pounds of market size catfish in Alabama and Mississippi. Genome sequencing revealed a clonal group of A. hydrophila isolates with unique genetic and phenotypic features that is highly pathogenic in channel catfish. Comparison of the genome sequence of a representative catfish isolate (ML09-119) from this virulent clonal group with lower virulence A. hydrophila isolates revealed four fimbrial proteins unique to strain ML09-119. In this work, we expressed and purified four A. hydrophila fimbrial proteins (FimA, Fim, MrfG, and FimOM) and assessed their ability to protect and stimulate protective immunity in channel catfish fingerlings against A. hydrophila ML09-119 infection for vaccine development. Our results showed catfish immunized with FimA, Fim, FimMrfG, and FimOM exhibited 59.83%, 95.41%, 85.72%, and 75.

Abstract: A novel assay which can differentiate a neutralizing antibody from non-neutralizing antibody which can be easily visualized, for example, by a portable UV lamp, among other visualization techniques. This assay can produce results in about 30 minutes and can be performed by untrained individuals in a non-laboratory environment. Also described is an ELISA method for determining if a human possesses at least one type of neutralizing antibody against SARS-Cov-2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process and system in which a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen synthesis gas, or syngas, is converted into hydrocarbon mixtures composed of high quality gasoline components, aromatic compounds, and lower molecular weight gaseous olefins in one reactor or step. The invention utilizes a novel molybdenum-zeolite catalyst in high pressure hydrogen for conversion, as well as a novel rhenium-zeolite catalyst in place of the molybdenum-zeolite catalyst, and provides for use of the novel catalysts in the process and system of the invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salts, unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complexes, and methods of forming the same. The unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salts include a central aryl ring that is substituted with two heterocyclic rings in an ortho, meta, or para fashion. The unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complexes include metalated unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salts. The method of forming the unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complexes includes reacting a dihalogenated benzene with a first azole to form a mono(azole)benzene, reacting the mono(azole)benzene with a second azole to form an unsymmetrical bis(azole)benzene, alkylating the unsymmetrical bis(azole)benzene to form an unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salt, and metalating the unsymmetrical bis(azolium) salt to form the unsymmetrical CCC-NHC metal complex. Also provided are a bis-ligated CCC-NHC metal complex and an unsymmetrical bimetallic complex.

Abstract: A method of tracking a container closure used to seal liquid in a container is provided, comprising applying a trackable indicia to a container closure, wherein the trackable indicia is unique to the container closure; recording an associated data set comprising a plurality of parameters related to the liquid in the container; correlating the associated data set with the trackable indicia; applying the container closure to the container to seal the liquid within the container; maintaining a database of the trackable indicia corresponding to the associated data set; and scanning the trackable indicia to retrieve the associated data set from the database. The method of the invention also includes utilization of a container closure having inherent natural imperfections and/or patterns on the top and/or sides of the closure and obtaining scanned images and data thereof which are analyzed and utilized for closure and container identification and likewise serve as scannable trackable indicia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising a Staphylococcus aureus attenuated enterotoxin protein and cytotoxin protein, and more particularly to a Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin protein, a Staphylococcus aureus cytotoxin protein, a vaccine composition for prevention of bovine mastitis, comprising the Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin protein and Staphylococcus aureus cytotoxin protein and a method for preventing bovine mastitis comprising administering the vaccine composition to a bovine.

Abstract: The compositions, method, system, and process of the invention provide increased circulating lipids, including serum triglycerides, in animals by utilizing oleaginous microorganisms as an oral supplement for the animals to increase available energy, enhance probiotics health, and provide enhanced immune system protection against pathogens in the animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and composition to improve the growth, development, and/or nutritional value of a host organism, such as black soldier flies, utilizing oleaginous microbes, such as Arthrobacter and Rhodococcus species, to provide improved feed sources for animals and benefits to agriculture and energy.

Abstract: Aeromonas hydrophila is a reemerging pathogen of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus); recent outbreaks from 2009 to 2014 have caused the loss of more than 12 million pounds of market size catfish in Alabama and Mississippi. Genome sequencing revealed a clonal group of A. hydrophila isolates with unique genetic and phenotypic features that is highly pathogenic in channel catfish. Comparison of the genome sequence of a representative catfish isolate (ML09-119) from this virulent clonal group with lower virulence A. hydrophila isolates revealed four fimbrial proteins unique to strain ML09-119. In this work, we expressed and purified four A. hydrophila fimbrial proteins (FimA, Fim, MrfG, and FimOM) and assessed their ability to protect and stimulate protective immunity in channel catfish fingerlings against A. hydrophila ML09-119 infection for vaccine development. Our results showed catfish immunized with FimA, Fim, FimMrfG, and FimOM exhibited 59.83%, 95.41%, 85.72%, and 75.

Abstract: The invention consists of novel compositions of food-grade coatings comprising mixtures containing propylene glycol as at least one active ingredient and containing at least one inert food-grade acceptable carrier for controlling food pests and pest infestations and reproduction on and/or in food. The invention further provides novel food containers and methods of applying coating compositions, including those of the invention, to foods and to food containers used to store, age, and/or cure the foods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising a Staphylococcus aureus attenuated enterotoxin protein and cytotoxin protein, and more particularly to a Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin protein, a Staphylococcus aureus cytotoxin protein, a vaccine composition for prevention of bovine mastitis, comprising the Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin protein and Staphylococcus aureus cytotoxin protein and a method for preventing bovine mastitis comprising administering the vaccine composition to a bovine.

Abstract: An object of the present invention to provide therapeutic compositions and methods for the prevention and/or treatment of airway obstructive disorders that involve bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR), asthma, horse asthma, airway remodeling that potentiate BHR, and any other airway obstructive disorders that involve bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) constriction or possibly other airway smooth muscle (ASM) constriction in a subject in need thereof. Compositions and methods for targeting HCN channels in airway smooth muscle to treat and/or prevent asthma and asthma-like conditions are disclosed. The compositions and methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of HCN channel blocker, preferably ivabradine hydrochloride, to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Occidiofungin is a cyclic nonribosomally synthesized antifungal peptide with submicromolar activity. This invention is directed to compositions enriched for particular occidiofungin diastereomers/conformers, methods of making compositions enriched for particular diastereomers/conformers and microorganisms suitable for producing enriched compositions of particular diastereomers/conformers. Methods of treating fungal infections or plants infected by fungi are also provided.

Abstract: A live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional evpB protein and a method of using the same to protect fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri. The methods and compositions for protecting fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri comprising administering to a fish a therapeutically effective amount of an attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional protein selected from the group consisting of evpB, fur and hfq. The bacterium may include an insertion and/or deletion mutation in the gene. The fish include catfish, preferably catfish fingerling or a catfish fry. The composition may be delivered via immersion delivery, an injection delivery, an oral delivery, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Computer architecture methods and system for providing novel inhomogeneous computer interconnects and interconnect topology framework for both classical and quantum computers are provided that result in enhanced computer functionality and efficiency. The architecture and methodologies include random small world (SW) interconnects or bonds and/or SW interconnects or bonds with constrained randomness.