Abstract: A stationary bike capable of leaning of tilting side to side during use is described. The stationary bike has a fixed frame portion and moving frame portion which is pivotally mounted on the fixed frame portion, at two spaced apart pivot locations, to allow the moving frame to pivot about a pivot axis defined by the two spaced apart pivot locations. The pivotal action of the bike may be resisted, such as by a damper. The tilt-enabled bike is equipped with a tilt disabling mechanism, e.g., a locking mechanism configured to selectively and operatively engage the moving and the fixed frame to disable the relative movement (i.e. the pivoting) of the moving frame.

Abstract: Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) and Burkholderia mallei (Bm) are Tier-1 select pathogens that cause highly lethal human infections with limited therapeutic options. Intercellular spread is a hallmark of Burkholderia pathogenesis and its prominent ties to virulence make it an attractive therapeutic target. We developed a high-throughput cell-based phenotypic assay and screened ˜220,000 small molecules for their ability to disrupt intercellular spread by Burkholderia thailandensis, a BSL-2 surrogate for these pathogens. 268 hits were identified, and cross-species validation found 32 hits that also disrupt intercellular spread by Bp and/or Bm. In a fulminant murine model of respiratory melioidosis, treatment with a number of these agents was significantly more effective than ceftazidime, the current drug of choice, for improving patient survival and decreasing bacterial counts in major organs.

Abstract: A luggage carrier for transporting a plurality of beverage bottles, including a substantially rectangular-shaped housing including a bottom panel, a top panel, a front panel, a back panel, a right panel and a left panel that define an interior hollow compartment having an interior length, width and height. The luggage carrier further includes a pre-formed bottle shipping container having an exterior length, width and height substantially equal to the interior length, width and height of the interior hollow compartment. The pre-formed bottle shipping container is positioned within the interior hollow compartment. The pre-formed bottle shipping container contains a plurality of cavities each configured and dimensioned to accept a beverage bottle. A method of transporting a plurality of beverage bottles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing biodiesel has been invented by first extracting lipids from the sludges generated during primary and/or biological treatment of municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastewaters using primary, secondary, and tertiary treatments followed by the transesterification of the extracted lipids using transesterification conversion into alcohol-based esters. The resulting products from this process include biodiesel, glycerol, lipid-free proteins, various other useful chemicals and an aqueous-based substrate well suited for optimized digestion within subsequent biological digestion (either aerobic or anaerobic). The lipids extracted from the sludges containing high levels of microorganisms are phospholipids which can also be directly used as lecithin.

Abstract: Fluorescence validation material comprising first layer and a second layer that is useful as validation and calibration standards as well as validation plates including one or more fluorescence validation materials. Moreover, this invention includes methods for using validation plates and fluorescence validation materials of this invention to validate and calibrate instruments.

Abstract: An LED excitation source and module useful for full plate imaging fluorescence instruments as well as methods for calibrating such instruments.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for optical illumination and/or detection with improved flexibility and/or read speed. The apparatus and methods may include mechanisms for selecting and switching between multiple excitation wavelengths and/or simultaneously reading from a plurality of sample sites. The apparatus and methods may be used with microplates, PCR plates, cell culture plates, biochips, chromatography plates, microscope slides, and other substrates for high-throughput screening, genomics, SNPs analysis, pharmaceutical research and development, life sciences research, and other applications.

Abstract: A pouch, preferably made of pliable and soft material such as a moisture proof or moisture repelling fabric, designed for holding and dispensing facial tissues from small pocket sized packages which pouch is removably attachable to a selectable location of the body of the person using the pouch, preferably an arm or leg and including a closable flap which when opened exposes the facial tissue for removal and use and which flap may additionally contain such items as licenses, passes, note pads and the like. In the preferred pouch there is also provided a pocket into which used facial tissues are placed which may be later removed for proper disposal. There may also be provided a pocket into which a lip balm or lip stick tube may be placed. The lip balm pocket is located preferably on the flap which may thus serve also as a place to grab in order to pull open the flap. The opening to the lip balm pocket is preferably elasticized so that the lip balm may be taken out and reinserted using one hand.