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.

Abstract: Provided herein are a symmetrical pincer metal and bimetallic complexes. The symmetrical pincer metal complex includes a structure according to Formula I: wherein M is a metal; each N and N? is independently nitrogen or carbon; Z is selected from the group consisting of CH, C, and N; n is 0-3; each L is independently a neutral or charged ligand; and each R is independently an alkyl, Nx, CH2TMS. The symmetrical bimetallic complex includes a structure according to Formula II: wherein M is a metal; each N and N? is independently nitrogen or carbon; Z is selected from the group consisting of CH, C, and N; n is 0-3; each L is independently a neutral or charged ligand; and wherein each R is independently an alkyl, Nx, CH2TMS. Also provided herein is a method of catalyzing a reaction including administering one or more of the compounds disclosed herein.

Abstract: An extracorporeal system for lung assist includes a housing which includes a blood flow inlet in fluid connection with a pressurizing stator compartment, a fiber bundle compartment in fluid connection with the pressurizing stator compartment via a flow channel within the housing, and a blood flow outlet in fluid connection with the fiber bundle compartment. An impeller is rotatably positioned within the pressurizing compartment. The system further includes a fiber bundle within the fiber bundle compartment. A plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers of the fiber bundle extend generally perpendicular to the direction of bulk flow of blood through the fiber bundle compartment from the flow channel to the blood flow outlet.

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: Quantum dragon materials and devices have unit (total) transmission of electrons for a wide range of electron energies, even though the electrons do not undergo ballistic propagation, when connected optimally to at least two external leads. Quantum dragon materials and devices, as well as those that are nearly quantum dragons, enable embodiments as quantum dragon electronic or optoelectronic devices, including field effect transistors (FETs), sensors, injectors for spin-polarized currents, wires having integral multiples of the conductance quantum, and wires with zero electrical resistance. Methods of devising such quantum dragon materials and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for lung assist includes a plurality of fiber bundle sections which includes a fiber bundle housing defining a fiber bundle compartment with a fiber bundle positioned within. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers. The fiber bundle housing further includes a gas inlet in fluid connection with the fiber bundle housing and in fluid connection with inlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers, a gas outlet in fluid connection with the housing and in fluid connection with outlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers, and a blood outlet in fluid connection with a first end of the fiber bundle. The system further includes a base section including a housing including a pressurizing compartment, a pressurizing mechanism within the pressurizing compartment, a blood inlet in fluid connection with the pressurizing compartment and a conduit.

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: 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: A helmet includes a housing sized for use on a human head and having an opening designed to expose a face associated with the human head and a facemask attached to the housing and situated over the opening to cover the face. The facemask has a slightly curved front portion, a slightly curved right side portion, and a slightly curved left side portion. The facemask has a plurality of substantially vertically oriented bars having different widths. The vertically oriented bars include a first type having a first width, a second type having a second width that is larger than the first width, and a third type having a third width that is larger than the first and second widths. The left and right side portions of the facemask include a first type bar and a second type bar, where the second type bar is situated nearer to the housing than the first type bar.

Abstract: A novel herbicide-resistant switchgrass cultivar, designated PanIR, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of switchgrass cultivar PanIR, to the plants of switchgrass cultivar PanIR, and to methods for producing a switchgrass plant produced by crossing the cultivar PanIR with itself or another switchgrass variety. The invention relates to plant parts derived from switchgrass cultivar PanIR and to methods for producing other switchgrass cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from switchgrass cultivar PanIR. The invention further relates to hybrid switchgrass seeds and plants produced by crossing the switchgrass cultivar PanIR with another switchgrass cultivar. It also further relates to other derivatives of the cultivar PanIR, methods of producing imazapic resistant switchgrass seeds and plants, and to producing commodity plant products.

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: 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: Methods and kits for detection of bacteria, especially Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, are provided using a unique combination of selective ingredients and two-phase culture (solid-phase culture gel and liquid-phase culture/enrichment broth) allows for high sensitivity and specificity of the kits for growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in the detection methods and kits. The invention, through the detection mechanism accomplished by the novel formulation of selective ingredients and the two-phase culture, allows for real-time detection of a single cell of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus within 24±2 hours of introducing a target sample to the Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus detection kits.

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: 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: In one embodiment, an implantable biosensor includes a sense antenna comprising a silicon carbide substrate and a radiating electrode formed on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are occidiofungin formulations and uses thereof for the treatment of proliferative disorders, such as cancer. Methods of producing the disclosed occidiofungin formulations are also provided. Further, methods of treating a subject with the formulations are provided. In some embodiments, the formulations include occidiofungin and one or more cyclodextrins. The formulations may optionally further comprise an additional chemotherapeutic agent for treating the proliferative disease, lipid vesicles, and/or aqueous solvents (including pharmaceutically acceptable buffers and/or exceipients).

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.