Abstract: Compositions that include at least a portion of at least one pathogen-associated molecular pattern and at least a portion of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a Den1 viral envelope protein, a Den2 viral envelope protein, a Den3 viral envelope protein and a Den4 viral envelope protein are employed in methods to stimulate a protective immune response in a subject.

Abstract: A system for pre-treating biomass for the production of ethanol is provided. The system comprises a method for pre-treating biomass. The method comprises supplying biomass to a steaming bin, wherein the biomass is mixed with water, and inputting the steamed biomass to a first pretreatment reactor, wherein the steamed biomass comprises liquids and solids. The method also comprises removing a bulk of liquids from the solids and feeding the solids into a second pretreatment reactor. The method further comprises applying a pressure drop to the solids in the second pretreatment reactor, wherein the pressure drop opens up a structure of the solids, and sending the solids to a fermentation process for ethanol processing.

Abstract: Fusion proteins comprise at least a portion of at least one flagellin and at least a portion of at least one Dengue viral envelope protein. The fusion proteins are used to stimulate an immune response and protective immunity in a subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing bioproducts are shown. The systems and methods herein can be configured and used in an integrated biorefinery. The integrated biorefinery may comprise a sugar production facility such as a sugar mill, a production facility for one or more bioproduct(s) such as butanol, and optionally an ethanol production facility employing the system and method.

Abstract: Methods are provided for preparing a hydrolysate containing soluble sugar molecules from biomass that contains cellulose and hemicellulose. Hemicellulose sugars are extracted in the process, and the resulting hydrolysate may be used to support microbial fermentation to produce products of interest.

Abstract: A method for treating fermented lignocellulosic biomass to be supplied to a distillation system for production of ethanol is provided. The method includes pre-treating lignocellulosic biomass into pre-treated biomass and separating the pre-treated biomass into a liquid component comprising sugars and a solids component comprising cellulose and lignin. The method also includes hydrolysing the solids component of the pre-treated biomass into a hydrolysed biomass comprising sugars and lignin and fermenting the hydrolysed solids component of the pre-treated biomass into a fermentation product comprising ethanol and lignin. The method also includes treating the fermentation product and distilling the treated fermentation product to recover the ethanol. The lignocellulosic biomass comprises cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin.

Abstract: A system for pre-treating biomass for the production of ethanol is provided. The system comprises a method for pre-treating biomass. The method comprises supplying biomass to a steaming bin, wherein the biomass is mixed with water, and inputting the steamed biomass to a first pretreatment reactor, wherein the steamed biomass comprises liquids and solids. The method also comprises removing a bulk of liquids from the solids and feeding the solids into a second pretreatment reactor. The method further comprises applying a pressure drop to the solids in the second pretreatment reactor, wherein the pressure drop opens up a structure of the solids, and sending the solids to a fermentation process for ethanol processing.

Abstract: Compositions that include at least one fusion protein that includes at least a portion of at least one flagellin and at least a portion of at least one malaria antigen can be employed in methods that stimulate an immune response in a subject, in particular, sterile immunity and a protective immune response in a subject.

Abstract: A system for the pre-treatment of biomass for use in a biorefinery to produce ethanol and other bioproducts is disclosed. The system comprises a method comprising the steps of preparing the biomass into prepared biomass; pre-treating the prepared biomass into pre-treated biomass by application of a dilute acid having a concentration of about 0.8 to 1.1 percent by weight at a temperature of about 130 to about 170 degrees Celsius for a period of time in a range of about 8 to 12 minutes. The system also comprises an apparatus for separating the pre-treated biomass into a liquid component comprising pentose and a solids component comprising cellulose and lignin; a fermentation system configured to produce the fermentation product; and a distillation system. The fermentation product comprises ethanol. The biomass comprises lignocellulosic material, comprising corn cobs, corn plant husks, corn plant leaves and corn plant stalks.

Abstract: Compositions, fusion proteins and polypeptides comprise at least one pathogen-associated molecular pattern and at least a portion of at least one integral membrane protein of an influenza viral antigen. The compositions, fusion proteins and polypeptides are used to stimulate an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer-based coatings and materials comprising (i) a polymeric composition including a polymer having side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, at least two of the side chains being substituted with a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus and combinations thereof; and (ii) a plurality of metal species distributed within the polymer. At least a portion of the heteroatoms may form part of a chelation complex with some or all of the metal species. In many embodiments, the metal species are present in a sufficient concentration to provide a conductive material, e.g., as a conductive coating on a substrate. The conductive materials may be useful as the thin film conducting or semi-conducting layers in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices and organic thin film transistors.

Abstract: A polymeric composition that generates nitric oxide and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate nonthrombogenic by applying a coating of the polymeric composition to the substrate are disclosed. The composition comprises: (1) a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, and (ii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups; and (2) a plurality of nitric oxide generating functional groups associated with the crosslinked chemical combination. Once exposed to a physiological environment, the coating generates nitric oxide thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation. In one embodiment, the nitric oxide generating functional groups are provided by a nitrated compound (e.g., nitrocellulose) imbedded in the polymeric composition. In another embodiment, the nitric oxide generating functional groups comprise N2O2? groups covalently bonded to amino groups on the polymer.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having antimicrobial properties and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate antimicrobial are disclosed. The composition comprises a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, (ii) an antimicrobial agent selected from quaternary ammonium compounds, gentian violet compounds, substituted or unsubstituted phenols, biguanide compounds, iodine compounds, and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups.

Abstract: Disclosed are osteoprotegerin-like polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding osteoprotegerin-like polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules. The osteoprotegerin-like polypeptides sequence homology to osteoprotegerin and tumor necrosis factor receptor molecules.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having antimicrobial properties and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate antimicrobial are disclosed. The polymeric composition comprises a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, (ii) an antimicrobial agent selected from metals, metal alloys, metal salts, metal complexes and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer-based coatings and materials comprising (i) a polymeric composition including a polymer having side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, at least two of the side chains being substituted with a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus and combinations thereof; and (ii) a plurality of metal species distributed within the polymer. At least a portion of the heteroatoms may form part of a chelation complex with some or all of the metal species. In many embodiments, the metal species are present in a sufficient concentration to provide a conductive material, e.g., as a conductive coating on a substrate. The conductive materials may be useful as the thin film conducting or semi-conducting layers in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices and organic thin film transistors.

Abstract: A polymeric composition that generates nitric oxide and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate nonthrombogenic by applying a coating of the polymeric composition to the substrate are disclosed. The composition comprises: (1) a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, and (ii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups; and (2) a plurality of nitric oxide generating functional groups associated with the crosslinked chemical combination. Once exposed to a physiological environment, the coating generates nitric oxide thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation. In one embodiment, the nitric oxide generating functional groups are provided by a nitrated compound (e.g., nitrocellulose) imbedded in the polymeric composition. In another embodiment, the nitric oxide generating functional groups comprise N2O2− groups covalently bonded to amino groups on the polymer.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having antimicrobial properties and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate antimicrobial are disclosed. The polymeric composition comprises a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, (ii) an antimicrobial agent selected from metals, metal alloys, metal salts, metal complexes and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having antimicrobial properties and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate antimicrobial are disclosed. The composition comprises a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, (ii) an antimicrobial agent selected from quaternary ammonium compounds, gentian violet compounds, substituted or unsubstituted phenols, biguanide compounds, iodine compounds, and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having antimicrobial properties and a process for rendering the surface of a substrate antimicrobial are disclosed. The polymeric composition comprises a crosslinked chemical combination of (i) a polymer having amino group-containing side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, (ii) an antimicrobial agent selected from metals, metal alloys, metal salts, metal complexes and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking agent containing functional groups capable of reacting with the amino groups.