Abstract: Materials and methods for treating and preventing an infection or disease, and for directly killing microorganisms, using carboxy-terminal C5a analogs, are provided.

Abstract: A modular bike lock includes a locking mechanism and a securement mechanism coupled with the locking mechanism. The securement mechanism wraps around at least a portion of a bicycle and includes a locking end configured to engage with the locking mechanism to lock the bike lock. The bike lock includes a wireless communications interface and a processor that receives, using the interface, a selection from a mobile device that indicates that the mobile device has selected to use the bike lock and communicates, using the interface, a unique identifier associated with the bike lock to the mobile device, the unique identifier enabling the mobile device to unlock the bike lock. The bike lock locks automatically in response to receiving the locking end within a portion of the locking mechanism without receiving an additional input from the mobile device. The bike lock is mountable on a support structure.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of inducing vascular inflammation using modified paramagnetic nanoparticles with improved therapeutic loading efficiency and enhanced circulation properties. The method comprises loading lipophilic agent into the fatty acid coatings of a paramagnetic nanoparticle (PMNP). In certain embodiment, the lipophilic agent is lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Described herein is a method of inducing vascular leakiness. In certain embodiment, the method induces a significant enhancement of vascular leakiness in a human body. In certain embodiments, the vascular leakiness allows for enhanced local delivery of nanoparticle and non-nanoparticle based therapeutics, imaging agents and theranostics. Also described herein is a method of using the PMNP for the treatment of diseases. In certain embodiments, the method of treatment is a combination therapy. Described herein are imaging of therapeutic delivery of PMNP and diagnostic methods using the PMNP.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing boronic acids, for example, primary alkyl or alkenyl boronic acids, and alkali metal alkyl trifluoro borate salts, as described herein, wherein the primary alkyl boronic acids and the potassium alkyl trifluoroborate salts can contain one or more unprotected functional groups.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure for radio frequency (RF) circuits having a multi-point selectably grounded die seal and multi-point selectably grounded signal paths. Embodiments include switch-coupled grounding pads that can selectively electrically couple an internal grounding pad within the die seal of an IC die to a connection point on the die seal and/or on a signal path. When the IC die is embedded in a grounded system, the die seal and/or signal path can be locally grounded at selected connection points, and thus an IC die may be “tuned” to mitigate the effects of parasitic coupling and/or to selective repurpose such parasitic coupling to generate a notch filter effect. Another aspect is selective grounding of inactive signal paths to improve isolation between signal ports.

Abstract: An electrical service interface system include a configurable device and inverter mounted to an equipment tower, wherein each of the configurable device and inverter include alignment devices configured to rollably mount the configurable device and inverter to corresponding guides mounted to a support pad, and to align the configurable device to the inverter, and the inverter to the equipment tower. In an installed configuration, the configurable device electrically and mechanically couples to the inverter via a DC connector and one or more mounting systems, and the inverter mechanically and electrically couples to the equipment tower via an AC connector and one or more mounting systems.

Abstract: Interconnection meter socket adapters are provided. An interconnection meter socket adapter comprises a housing enclosing a set of electrical connections. The interconnection meter socket adapter may be configured to be coupled to a standard distribution panel and a standard electric meter, thereby establishing connections between a distribution panel and a user such that electrical power may be delivered to the user while an electrical meter measures the power consumption of the user. An interconnection meter socket adapter may be configured to be coupled to a DC-AC inverter, which may be coupled to various energy sources. As such, the energy sources are coupled to an electrical power system. In addition, a connector such as a flexible cable or flexible conduit containing insulated wires can be provided for connecting various energy sources and/or sinks.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for electrical substations is provided. The auxiliary power system enables both AC and DC equipment to be powered during prolonged power outages, and utilizes a substation fuel cell to provide a backup power source for designated black start cranking path substations.

Abstract: This application relates to techniques for obtaining wide area intermittent video (WAIV). Some embodiments disclosed herein include a method of obtaining WAIV. The method can include, for example, capturing images at a series of sensor stations having pre-determined locations along a flightline. The flightline can be repeated one or more times, where images are captured at the same sensor stations with each pass of the flightline. The captured images from the same sensor station may have replicated view geometry and may be co-registered and precisely aligned with pixel-level precision. The captured images from multiple sensor stations through time may also be displayed together based upon absolute or relative sensor station locations to create a temporal sequence of wide area intermittent video. The approach provides efficient methods for creating wide area video with reduced temporal imaging frame rates. Systems and devices for forming wide area intermittent video are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process includes providing a mixture that includes a recombinase, a single-strand binding protein, and one or more oligonucleotides; and detecting particles in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: An electrical service interface system include an energy storage device and inverter mounted to a transformer tower, wherein each of the energy storage device and inverter include guide wheels configured to rollably mount the energy storage device and inverter to corresponding guide rails mounted to a support pad, and to align the energy storage device to the inverter, and the inverter to the transformer tower. In an installed configuration, the energy storage device electrically and mechanically couples to the inverter via a DC connector and one or more latching mechanisms, and the inverter mechanically and electrically couples to the transformer tower via an AC connector and one or more latching mechanisms.

Abstract: The invention provides novel catalysts and methods of using catalysts for controlling the position of a double bond and cis/trans-selectivity in isomerization of terminal alkenes to their 2-isomers. Catalysts such as (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)Ru formulas 1 and 3 having a bifunctional phosphine can be used in the methods. A catalyst loading of 1 mol % of formulas 1+3 can be employed for the production of (E)-2-alkenes at 40-70° C.; lower temperatures can be used with higher catalyst loading. Acetonitrile-free catalysts can be used at lower loadings, room temperature, and in less than a day to accomplish the same results as catalysts 1+3. The novel catalyst systems minimize thermodynamic equilibration of alkene isomers, so that the trans-2-alkenes of both non-functionalized and functionalized alkenes can be generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 6-acetylmorphine analogs, and methods for their synthesis and use. Such analogs are designed to provide a convenient linkage chemistry for coupling under mild conditions to a suitable group on a target protein, polypeptide, solid phase or detectable label.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions, e.g., cell-based and multiplexed platforms, to screen for small molecule drugs that inhibit enzymes such as proteases, e.g., viral proteases, e.g., HIV proteases; and methods for making and using these compositions. The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying compositions, e.g., drug molecules, that can inhibit proteases, e.g., viral proteases such as HIV proteases. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cell-based platforms or assays to screen for compositions, e.g., small molecules or drugs, that inhibit or modify the activity of enzymes such as calcium-dependent protein convertases involved in HIV envelope protein processing, including cleavage of the HIV gp160 envelope precursor, resulting in gp120 and gp41 envelope products. In one embodiment, the invention provides a cell-based or multiplexed platform for monitoring the activity of enzymes, e.g., proteases such as viral proteases.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions to screen for compounds, e.g., small molecules or drugs, that can modulate or inhibit enzymes, e.g., proteases, such as viral proteases, e.g., HIV proteases; and methods for making and using these compositions. In alternative embodiment, the invention provides compositions and methods for identifying compositions, e.g., drug molecules that can modulate or inhibit enzymes, e.g., proteases, proteinases or peptidases or the like, e.g., HIV proteases. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cell-based assays to screen for compositions, e.g., small molecules or drugs, that modulate or inhibit or modify the activity of enzymes such as proteases, proteinases or peptidases or the like, such as calcium-dependent protein convertases involved in HIV envelop protein processing, including cleavage of the HIV gp160 envelope precursor, resulting in gp120 and gp41 envelope products.

Abstract: This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes, thus offering easy and affordable implementation and portability relative to other amplification methods. Further disclosed are conditions to enable real-time monitoring of RPA reactions, methods to regulate RPA reactions using light and otherwise, methods to determine the nature of amplified species without a need for gel electrophoresis, methods to improve and optimize signal to noise ratios in RPA reactions, methods to optimize oligonucleotide primer function, methods to control carry-over contamination, and methods to employ sequence-specific third ‘specificity’ probes.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for treating cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction using dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors. Also provided are methods for increasing natriuretic peptide function by administering one or more analogues of B type natriuretic peptide that provide increased stability in the presence of prolyl-specific dipeptidyl peptidases.

Abstract: Enables a coffee making apparatus with a froth spoon and at least one impeller configured to enable users to make a cup of coffee, agitate the coffee grounds with the at least one impeller, for example before or after as the plunger is pushed to the bottom of the carafe. Embodiments thus enable a user to make additional froth, pour out the coffee into a cup, and after the cup is filled to the desired level, spoon out froth over the coffee with the froth spoon without pouring excess coffee into the cup.

Abstract: An electrical service interface system include an energy storage device and inverter mounted to a transformer tower, wherein each of the energy storage device and inverter include guide wheels configured to rollably mount the energy storage device and inverter to corresponding guide rails mounted to a support pad, and to align the energy storage device to the inverter, and the inverter to the transformer tower. In an installed configuration, the energy storage device electrically and mechanically couples to the inverter via a DC connector and one or more latching mechanisms, and the inverter mechanically and electrically couples to the transformer tower via an AC connector and one or more latching mechanisms.