Abstract: A process for treating contaminants present in subsurface source zones comprises in situ admixing of contaminated media, chemical oxidants and stabilizing agents using known soil-mixing techniques. A grout for treating contaminants present in soil comprises chemical oxidants and stabilizing agents.

Abstract: The use of free, extractable lipids found in bacteria for identification of bacterial species and subspecies is described. Bacteria have been found to differ sufficiently in their extracted lipid compositions to effect identification using thin layer chromatographic techniques. Burkholderia pseudomallei, Burkholderia thailandensis, and Burkholderia mallei have been distinguished in this manner. Lipopeptides specific to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, but not to the closely related bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies avium have also been used as a basis for bacterial subspecies identification using mass spectrometry and seroreactivity.

Abstract: Ablation of holes having diameters as small as 82 nm and having clean walls was obtained in a poly(methyl methacrylate) on a silicon substrate by focusing pulses from a Ne-like Ar, 46.9 nm wavelength, capillary-discharge laser using a freestanding Fresnel zone plate diffracting into third order is described. Spectroscopic analysis of light from the ablation has also been performed. These results demonstrate the use of focused coherent EUV/SXR light for the direct nanoscale patterning of materials.

Abstract: A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, and includes a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. The laser delivery assembly further includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. Other embodiments use a fiber laser to generate a spark. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to create a spark in an engine. Yet other embodiments include collecting light from the spark or a flame resulting from the spark and conveying the light for diagnostics. Methods of using the spark delivery systems and diagnostic systems are provided.

Abstract: Radar beams are generated with radars disposed at different positions within an environment that attenuates at least a portion of one of the radar beams. A measured reflectivity of the environment is determined along a path of each of the radar beams. An intrinsic reflectivity is determined from different volume elements within the environment from the measured reflectivity.

Abstract: Saturated tabletop lasers having increased output energy and operating at 5 Hz repetition rate, were demonstrated at wavelengths about 18.9 nm for molybdenum targets, 16.4 nm for ruthenium targets, 14.7 nm for palladium targets, 13.9 nm for silver targets, and 13.2 nm for cadmium targets in transitions of nickel-like ions. The results were obtained using a sequence of two, plasma-generating pre-pulses, each having sub-Joule energy followed after a selected delay period by picosecond laser plasma excitation pulses having with an energy of about 1 J at angles of incidence optimized for maximum energy deposition.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions for boosting immunity to mycobacteria when administered in mid-life in a subject who has been vaccinated neonatally or in early childhood with BCG and in whom protective immunity has waned comprise one or more purified immunogenic proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a group of 30 proteins that stimulate T cell immunity and interferon-? secretion. A preferred protein is Ag85A, the secreted product (SEQ ID NO:31) of the Rv3084c gene. Also disclosed are methods for boosting immunity in such BCG-vaccinated subjects comprising administering an effective amount of the above vaccine composition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring in situ flow of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) through a porous medium is described. A tracer is introduced into a well or boring located in the medium and the tracer concentration in the well kept uniform by mixing. The rate at which the tracer is depleted from the well has been determined to be proportional to the flow rate of the NAPL through the well or boring and surrounding formation.

Abstract: A compact, high repetition rate, extreme ultraviolet/soft x-ray laser and method for generating such radiation are described. Excitation of the gaseous or vaporous lasing medium is achieved by discharging energy stored in a solid-dielectric capacitive device through a capillary channel containing the medium. By reducing the inductance of the discharge apparatus, excitation of the laser medium can be achieved without the use of Marx generators. Neon-like Ar atom laser pulses at 46.9 nm having energies of about 13 ?J are generated at repetition rates up to 12 Hz. Between 2 and 3×104 laser shots can be generated using a single capillary. Such a source of intense, short-wavelength radiation can be used for applications which include surface characterization of materials, high resolution imaging and printing, photochemistry and photophysics, laser ablation, characterization of x-ray optics, and dense plasma diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new source of high quality plant protein, termed, “quinoa protein concentrate (QPC)”, which contains at least about 50 wt % protein which is food-grade and/or pharmaceutical-grade and methods of preparing such protein concentrates as well as starch, oil, and fiber from quinoa grain. The quinoa protein concentrate of the invention is useful as food ingredients, infant formula ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, pet food ingredients, and animal feed supplements.

Abstract: Devices, compositions, and methods for handling, separating, packaging, and utilization of spermatozoa (1) that can be derived from previously frozen sperm samples collected from a male mammal. Specifically, techniques to uniformly stain (2) spermatozoal DNA even when derived from previously frozen sperm and separation techniques to separate and isolate spermatozoa even when derived from previously frozen sperm samples into X-chromosome bearing and Y-chromosome bearing populations having high purity.

Abstract: Lactones represented by the formula 2a or 2b: are provided, where each Ph is, independently, an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group. These lactones are suitable for the synthesis of various ?-hydroxy acids and 1,2-diols.

Abstract: Improved flow cytometer system particularly adapted to use for sex-selected sperm sorting include enhanced sheath fluid and other strategies which minimize stress on the sperm cells, including a 2.9 percent sodium citrate sheath solution for bovine species and a hepes bovine gamete media for equine species. Improved collection systems and techniques for the process are described so that commercial applications of sperms samples as well as the resulting animals may be achieved.

Abstract: A compound and method for producing an enantiomerically enriched epoxide from an olefin using a chiral ketone and an oxidizing agent is disclosed.

Abstract: An IVF system for successfully utilizing spermatozoa separated into X-chromosome bearing and into Y-chromosome bearing population for insemination. The IVF system includes fertilization medium that can shorten the time from insemination to cleavage and a portable incubator for the transportation of maturing oocytes and inseminated oocytes comprising a straw (19) and an incubation element (20) that can be sealed with a cap (22).

Abstract: A neural network controller in parallel with a proportional-plus-integral (PI) feedback controller in a control system. At least one input port of the neural network for receiving an input signal representing a condition of a process is included. A first set of data is obtained that includes a plurality of output values of the neural network obtained during a training period thereof using a plurality of first inputs representing a plurality of conditions of the process. The process/plant condition signals generally define the process/plant, and may include one set-point as well as signals generated using measured systems variables/parameters. In operation, the neural network contributes to an output of the PI controller only upon detection of at least one triggering event, at which time a value of the first set of data corresponding with the condition deviation is added-in thus, contributing to the proportional-plus-integral feedback controller.

Abstract: Lactones represented by the formula 2a or 2b: are provided, where each Ph is, independently, an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group. These lactones are suitable for the synthesis of various ?-hydroxy acids and 1,2-diols.

Abstract: A sperm cell process system providing to generate sperm cell insemination samples having controlled sperm cell fertility characteristics of sperm cells.

Abstract: This present invention provides a metal-ligand complex and methods for using and preparing the same. In particular, the metal-ligand complex of the present invention is of the formula: La-M-Xb where L, M, X, a, and b are those define herein. The metal-ligand complexes of the present invention are useful in a variety of applications including as electron-transfer mediators in dye-sensitized solar cells and related photoelectrochromic devices.

Abstract: A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, the spark delivery system including a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. In addition, the laser delivery assembly includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the assembly may be used to create a spark in a combustion engine. In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, a method of using the spark delivery system is provided. In addition, a method of choosing an appropriate fiber for creating a spark using a laser beam is also presented.