Abstract: Recombinant, live, attenuated viruses of the Pneumoviridae family are disclosed that include a baculovirus GP64 envelope glycoprotein or variant or fragment thereof and a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F protein variant or fragment thereof. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the virus as well as pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines containing the virus. In addition, methods of producing and using each of the above compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques in the disclosure use non-wetting or wetting surfaces to promote or hinder separation of gas from solution in a liquid. The systems and processes promote bubble nucleation and/or promote separation of a gas or gases from a liquid using non-wetting surfaces. Also, the systems and processes suppress bubble nucleation in order to create supersaturated solutions of gas or gases in a liquid by using wetting surfaces.

Abstract: A multi-chamber single-use bioreactor for cell culture expansion has bag assembly and a rigid support structure defining a bag receiving space. The bag assembly disposed in the bag receiving space of the rigid support structure and supported by the rigid support structure. The bag assembly has at least a first flexible bag and a second flexible bag. The first bag defines a first reaction chamber, and the second bag defines a second reaction chamber. The first reaction chamber has a first volume, a first inlet, and a first outlet, and the second reaction chamber has a second volume different from the first volume, a second inlet, and a second outlet. The second inlet of the second bag is fluidically connected to the first outlet of the first bag so liquid in first reaction chamber can be transferred to the second reaction chamber.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is taught herein a family of “branched” variants of the traditional scissor mechanism, in which each stage is formed from more than two arms, joined at their midpoints by a branched rivet. In one embodiment arms in adjacent stages are joined at their endpoints with joints that allow for rotation in a single plane. Each resulting mechanism has one degree of freedom in its motion. It deploys from a compact, collapsed state to an extended state. One embodiment is a grasping member that is mechanically coupled to a scissor mechanism so that when scissor mechanism is collapsed the grasping member is open. Then, when the scissor mechanism is extended the grasping member becomes closed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an unmanned flying robotic object that contains a wheeled mechanism that encircles its spherical exoskeleton. This feature allows the flying spherical vehicle to readily transform into a ground maneuverable vehicle. A robotic motor with differential speed capability is used to operate each wheel to provide effective ground maneuverability. There are examples provided herein of wheel configurations suitable for use with an embodiment. One is the straight- (or parallel) wheel design, and another is tilted-wheel design as are illustrated and discussed hereinafter. One embodiment of an unmanned flying robotic object taught herein is foldable.

Abstract: This patent document discloses a method of fabricating an electrically conductive fiber coated with polythiophene and a carbon material. The low-cost method is amenable to modifications to suit the practical needs in various applications.

Abstract: Antigenic molecules and compositions described herein protect against infection by typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars. Methods of immunization comprise the use of the antigenic molecules.

Abstract: Recombinant, live, attenuated viruses of the Pneumoviridae family are disclosed that include a baculovirus GP64 envelope glycoprotein or variant or fragment thereof and a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F protein variant or fragment thereof. Also disclosed are polynucleotides encoding the virus as well as pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines containing the virus. In addition, methods of producing and using each of the above compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: “Black” photoactive materials that comprise synthetic eumelanin polymers are provided, as are methods of making and using the polymers. The synthetic eumelanin polymers are made from the plant oil vanillin, and exhibit defined structural and chemical characteristics (e.g. homogeneity, solubility, etc.) that make them suitable for use in devices that require photoactive materials, such as solar cells.

Abstract: Techniques in the disclosure use non-wetting or wetting surfaces to promote or hinder separation of gas from solution in a liquid. The systems and processes promote bubble nucleation and/or promote separation of a gas or gases from a liquid using non-wetting surfaces. Also, the systems and processes suppress bubble nucleation in order to create supersaturated solutions of gas or gases in a liquid by using wetting surfaces.

Abstract: This invention is regarding a set of stand-alone or combined-use surgical tools and associated systems and methods for performing surgical procedures such as identifying hidden tissue anatomy and dissecting the periphery tissues. In particular, this invention describes tools and the associated systems and methods for visualizing hidden important structures such as arteries, veins, ureters, bile duct, bowel, nodules, tumors, and performing tissue cutting using energy-based instrument. The tools are to be operated stand-alone or by attaching to existing instruments used for minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: The disclosed methods are utilized for recovering a high percent of platinum group metals from spent catalytic converters. The methods use an aqua regia bath and ultrasonic agitation to liberate the metals from the carrier material of the washcoat, while leaving the metal supporting structure largely intact.

Abstract: Biocatalytic conversion systems and methods of producing and using same that have improved yields are disclosed. The systems and methods involve co-fermentation of sugars and gaseous substrates for alcohol, ketone, and/or organic acid production. The systems and methods may include biocatalytically converting at least one sugar substrate into at least one of alcohol, at least one ketone, and/or at least one organic acid. The systems and methods may further include biocatalytically converting gases that comprise CO2 and H2 to at least one alcohol and/or at least one organic acid, thereby adding extra revenue to biorefineries.

Abstract: There is provided a biogas flux chamber constructed in one embodiment from a metal can with an open bottom and an epoxy interior coating. The chamber is inserted into the soil to allow influx of soil gases. The lid includes a sampling septum and a vent tube to prevent pressure build-up when the lid is in place which allows for an increase in interior gas concentrations. The rubber sampling septum is installed in a hole in the lid. The vent tube is constructed using flexible copper tubing inserted through the lid and secured using a bulkhead-fitting, and rubber O-ring to seal the insertion hole. The copper tubing is bent to form a double-curved ‘C’ shape which positions the open ends of the tube above and below the lid surfaces.

Abstract: A membrane comprising a crystalline material deposited on a porous support. The crystalline material is made of tectosilicate with a portion of the Si atoms substituted with metal atoms. The membrane is useful in the separation of oil and water.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to the facile and selective mono-perfluoro and poly-fluoroarylation of Meldrum's acid to generate a versatile synthon for highly fluorinated alpha-phenyl acetic acid derivatives which provide straightforward access to fluorinated building blocks. The reaction takes place quickly and all products were isolated without the need for chromatography. An embodiment provides an alternative strategy to access alpha-arylated Meldrum's acids which avoids the need for aryl-Pb(IV) salts or diaryliodonium salts and provides access to the tertiary product which was not previously synthetically accessible. The synthetic versatility and utility of the Meldrum's acid products is demonstrated by subjecting the products to several derivatizations of the Meldrum's acid products as well as photocatalytic hydrodefluorination which provide access to difficult but valuable synthetic targets such as multifluorinated aromatics.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided herein a method of using electrolyzed oxidizing water ice (EO ice) as a Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) method that reduces antimicrobial contamination. One embodiment is utilized in connection with beef grinders. In one embodiment, EO ice was prepared by freezing 200 mg/L free chlorine-containing EO water at 20° C. overnight. The EO ice and, optionally, EO ice/water mixture was then ground within an operating meat grinder. The EO ice treatment in combination with EO water has the potential to reduce cross-contamination and could serve as an easy to apply antimicrobial intervention to improve overall safety of ground beef.

Abstract: A system and method that improves and enhances the quality of step-scan Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy data. The system and method enables the removal of dark voltage with greater accuracy, provides access to previously unobtainable IR spectral information data which is amplified by the disclosed system and method. The system and method removes dark interferogram voltage from an interferogram of interest obtained during nanosecond or microsecond step-scan measurement. The system and method includes a programmable high gain setting to amplify both signal and noise into the analog-to-digital quantization range to allow signal averaging for obtaining additional bits of resolution. The system and method also accounts for and corrects intrinsic offset voltages introduced by the electronics of the disclosed system.

Abstract: Chemical compounds that inhibit cancer cell growth are provided. The compounds are heteroarotinoids and derivatives thereof with oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur in chroman systems, tetrahydroquinoline systems, and tetrahydrothiochroman systems.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing and isolating facial-tris-homoleptic phenylpyridinato iridium (III) photocatalysts are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of recovering excess 2-phenylpyridine ligands from said syntheses.