Abstract: This invention provides methods for improving reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows and other mammals. The method in the case of cows comprises feeding to the cows, a composition comprising conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12. When these CLAs are fed daily to dairy cows starting at or prior to calving, and continued after parturition, an improvement in reproductive performance is observed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining data from a number of distributed sources.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating a subject with acute spinal cord injury by administering a purine receptor antagonist to the subject under conditions effective to treat spinal cord injury. The purine receptor antagonist inhibits P2X purine receptor activation. The inhibition of P2X purine receptor activation can also be used in conjunction with methods of treating a subject with spinal cord ischemia resulting from stroke or vascular insult, interruption, or mechanical injury, treating a subject with ischemic or traumatic insults of brain tissue in regions expressing P2X receptors, and for inhibiting ATP-triggered brain or spinal cord cell death.

Abstract: High aspect ratio micromachined structures in semiconductors are used to improve power density in Betavoltaic cells by providing large surface areas in a small volume. A radioactive beta-emitting material may be placed within gaps between the structures to provide fuel for a cell. The pillars may be formed of SiC. In one embodiment, SiC pillars are formed of n-type SiC. P type dopant, such as boron is obtained by annealing a borosilicate glass boron source formed on the SiC. The glass is then removed. In further embodiments, a dopant may be implanted, coated by glass, and then annealed. The doping results in shallow planar junctions in SiC.

Abstract: Nanofluidic entropic traps, comprising alternating thin and thick regions, sieve small molecules such as DNA or protein polymers and other molecules. The thick region is comparable or substantially larger than the molecule to be separated, while the thin region is substantially smaller than the size of the molecules to be separated. Due to the molecular size dependence of the entropic trapping effect, separation of molecules may be achieved. In addition, entropic traps are used to collect, trap and control many molecules in the nanofluidic channel. A fabrication method is disclosed to provide an efficient way to make nanofluidic constrictions in any fluidic devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding mutant phytases and the isolated mutant phytases themselves. The present invention further relates to methods of using the isolated nucleic acid molecules and the isolated mutant phytases of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for identifying one or more of a plurality of sequences differing by one or more single base changes, insertions, deletions, or translocations in a plurality of target nucleotide sequences. The method includes a ligation phase, a capture phase, and a detection phase. The ligation phase utilizes a ligation detection reaction between one oligonucleotide probe, which has a target sequence-specific portion and an addressable array-specific portion, and a second oligonucleotide probe, having a target sequence-specific portion and a detectable label. After the ligation phase, the capture phase is carried out by hybridizing the ligated oligonucleotide probes to a solid support with an array of immobilized capture oligonucleotides at least some of which are complementary to the addressable array-specific portion. Following completion of the capture phase, a detection phase is carried out to detect the labels of ligated oligonucleotide probes hybridized to the solid support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrofusion microelectrode made of a tube having a first proximal end and a second distal end. The tube has an electrically conductive coating on its exterior surface that extends continually from the first proximal end of the tube toward the second distal end of the tube. Also disclosed is an electrofusion microelectrode unit having an electrofusion microelectrode and a holding tool capable of receiving the electrofusion microelectrode at the second distal end of the tube. The present invention also relates to a system having two or more electrofusion microelectrodes of the present invention and to methods of manipulating cells and/or cellular components using the electrofusion microelectrodes, units, and systems of the present invention.

Abstract: A recombinant expression system for the expression of a poly amino acid, peptide or protein is provided. The poly amino acid of interest is expressed as a fusion protein that includes an amino acid sequence recognized and cleaved by a Ulp1 protease. The amino acid sequence joined to the poly amino acid of interest is preferably from a SUMO (small ubiquitin-like molecule) protein. This sequence imparts favorable solubility and refolding properties to the fusion protein. A purification tag may also be incorporated into the fusion protein for ease of isolation. This recombinant expression system is particularly advantageous for expression and rapid and highly specific cleavage and purification of poly amino acids that have low solubilities or are difficult to express in other systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides which selectively or preferentially home to areas of a heart. The invention further relates to conjugates of the homing peptides and uses thereof.

Abstract: The small molecule profiles of cells are compared to identify small molecules which are modulated in altered states. Cellular small molecule libraries, methods of identifying tissue sources, methods for treating genetic and non-genetic diseases, and methods for predicting the efficacy of drugs are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for production of ATP. This system is comprised of a support and one or more enzymes coupled to that support which are capable of collectively producing ATP from glucose or fructose metabolism. The present invention is additionally directed to a device, which includes the system, and to a method for carrying out a reaction involving the conversion of ATP to ADP using the system.

Abstract: Elevated temperature electrospinning apparatus comprises a pump upstream of or containing a resistance heater, means to shield applied electrostatic field from the resistance heater, and a temperature modulator for modulating temperature in the spinning region.

Abstract: Silicate anchored multifunctional initiator has moiety initiating ring opening living polymerization of lactone or ethylene oxide or cyclic siloxane monomer and other moiety for initiating living free radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The monomers are reacted with the initiator in a one-pot, one-step reaction to cause living polymerization of both monomers and exfoliation of silicate layers to provide dispersed block copolymer silicate nanocomposite, with the junction of the two blocks being anchored to silicate layer and each block dangling therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a heterologous protein or polypeptide having phytase activity in a yeast system. The invention also provides proteins having phytase activity which have increased thermostability. Yeast strains which produce a heterologous phytase and the vectors used to produce the phytase are also provided.

Abstract: An array of micromechanical oscillators have different resonant frequencies based on their geometries. In one embodiment, a micromechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency defined by an effective spring constant that is modified by application of heat. In one embodiment, the oscillator is disc of material supported by a pillar of much smaller diameter than the disc. The periphery of the disc is heated to modify the resonant frequency (or equivalently the spring constant or stiffness) of the disc. Continuous control of the output phase and frequency may be achieved when the oscillator becomes synchronized with an imposed sinusoidal force of close frequency. The oscillator frequency can be detuned to produce an easily controlled phase differential between the injected signal and the oscillator feedback. A phased array radar may be produced using independent phase controllable oscillators.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for identifying one or more of a plurality of sequences differing by one or more single base changes, insertions, deletions, or translocations in a plurality of target nucleotide sequences. The method includes a ligation phase, a capture phase, and a detection phase. The ligation phase utilizes a ligation detection reaction between one oligonucleotide probe, which has a target sequence-specific portion and an addressable array-specific portion, and a second oligonucleotide probe, having a target sequence-specific portion and a detectable label. After the ligation phase, the capture phase is carried out by hybridizing the ligated oligonucleotide probes to a solid support with an array of immobilized capture oligonucleotides at least some of which are complementary to the addressable array-specific portion. Following completion of the capture phase, a detection phase is carried out to detect the labels of ligated oligonucleotide probes hybridized to the solid support.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for identifying one or more of a plurality of sequences differing by one or more single base changes, insertions, deletions, or translocations in a plurality of target nucleotide sequences. The method includes a ligation phase, a capture phase, and a detection phase. The ligation phase utilizes a ligation detection reaction between one oligonucleotide probe, which has a target sequence-specific portion and an addressable array-specific portion, and a second oligonucleotide probe, having a target sequence-specific portion and a detectable label. After the ligation phase, the capture phase is carried out by hybridizing the ligated oligonucleotide probes to a solid support with an array of immobilized capture oligonucleotides at least some of which are complementary to the addressable array-specific portion. Following completion of the capture phase, a detection phase is carried out to detect the labels of ligated oligonucleotide probes hybridized to the solid support.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is dissolved in perishable liquids loaded into pressure vessels that are provided with low carbon dioxide head pressure so as to improve product shelf life, thereby providing options for more economical shipment, as by rail and ocean vessels and for extended transport by truck and to facilitate extended storage of perishable products and to avoid the necessity of multiple treatments for pathogen reduction.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for identifying one or more of a plurality of sequences differing by one or more single base changes, insertions, deletions, or translocations in a plurality of target nucleotide sequences. The method includes a ligation phase, a capture phase, and a detection phase. The ligation phase utilizes a ligation detection reaction between one oligonucleotide probe, which has a target sequence-specific portion and an addressable array-specific portion, and a second oligonucleotide probe, having a target sequence-specific portion and a detectable label. After the ligation phase, the capture phase is carried out by hybridizing the ligated oligonucleotide probes to a solid support with an array of immobilized capture oligonucleotides at least some of which are complementary to the addressable array-specific portion. Following completion of the capture phase, a detection phase is carried out to detect the labels of ligated oligonucleotide probes hybridized to the solid support.