Abstract: Methods for determining the susceptibility or resistance of bacteria to antibiotic agents are provided. In one embodiment, the methods include culturing the bacteria in the presence or absence or the antimicrobial agent to generate a primary culture which is then cultured in the presence or absence of transforming phages. The recombinant phages are specific to the bacteria and comprise a heterologous marker (e.g., a nucleic acid that is expressible as a detectable product such as an RNA or a protein). The susceptibility or resistance of the bacteria to the antimicrobial agent may be determined by assaying the culture for the presence or absence of the heterologous marker, wherein a reduction in the level or activity of the marker in the culture compared to the level or activity of the marker in a comparative culture indicates that the bacteria is sensitive to the antibiotic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a textile composite for the adsorption and breakdown of harmful chemical materials. A support layer and a sorptive and reactive material mounted on the support layer form a protective layer, which is mounted on an inner liner. The protective layer adsorbs and breaks down harmful chemical materials. An outer shell is formed of fabric having an outer surface that is hydrophobic for resisting the passage of harmful chemicals, which may be in the form of vapor, liquid or aerosols. Preferably, the sorptive and reactive material includes zirconium hydroxide, and the support layer includes a fabric material. The zirconium hydroxide is distributed on the fabric material in the amount of at least 20 grams of zirconium hydroxide per square meter. Alternatively, the zirconium hydroxide is distributed in the amount of at least 150 or 200 grams of zirconium hydroxide per square meter.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for gas streams containing H2S, the processes comprise contacting the gas streams with a mixed metal oxy-hydroxide media comprising two or more metals selected from the group consisting of iron, copper and silicon.

Abstract: The present application discloses immobilized enzymes and immobilized enzyme materials comprising a crosslinked enzyme having a support material which includes a biomass material different than the biomass used to initially derive the enzyme. Optionally, the immobilized enzyme further includes a polymeric material and/or the biomass which was used to initially derive the enzyme. The resulting immobilized enzyme materials may be biodegradable. The present application also discloses methods of making and using the disclosed immobilized enzyme materials.

Abstract: The present application discloses immobilized enzymes and immobilized enzyme materials comprising a crosslinked enzyme having a support material which includes a biomass material different than the biomass used to initially derive the enzyme. Optionally, the immobilized enzyme further includes a polymeric material and/or the biomass which was used to initially derive the enzyme. The resulting immobilized enzyme materials may be biodegradable. The present application also discloses methods of making and using the disclosed immobilized enzyme materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for removing H2S from gas streams containing H2S, the processes comprise contacting gas streams with a mixed metal oxy-hydroxide media comprising two or more metals selected from the group consisting of magnesium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, zinc and copper. Also disclosed are processes for removing H2S from gas streams containing H2S, the processes comprise contacting the gas streams with a mixed metal oxy-hydroxide media comprising one or more metals selected from the group listed above plus one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silicon, titanium and zirconium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for removing siloxanes from a biogas feed comprising (i) passing a gas feed through an adsorbent bed having an adsorbent having an inert surface to adsorb onto the adsorbent at least a portion of the siloxanes in the gas feed; and (ii) regenerating the adsorbent by removing siloxanes from the adsorbent. The adsorbent surface is rendered inert or nearly inert preferably via calcination.

Abstract: A natural gas feedstream containing contaminants such as carbon dioxide is purified by passing the contaminated natural gas stream through a membrane to remove the bulk of the contaminant, passing the purified natural gas stream to a TSA unit to remove additional contaminant from the natural gas stream to a desired specification, and regenerating the TSA adsorbent by heating the adsorbent with a heated contaminant-containing permeate stream from the membrane.

Abstract: A natural gas-containing stream such as biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing an adsorbent having a neutral surface, which adsorbs the siloxanes. When the bed of neutral adsorbent is filled to capacity, the adsorbent bed is heated to remove the siloxanes and regenerate the bed. The neutral adsorbent reduces disadvantageous reactions between the adsorbent and siloxane and other impurities in the natural gas-containing stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, devices, systems and compositions for detecting and/or modifying chemical agents. In some embodiments, a biosensor may be configured to detect a chemical agent, modify that agent to a form with reduced toxicity, and/or detect the modified form of the chemical agent. The present disclosure also relates, in some embodiments, to variant organophosphorus hydrolase having one or more desirable amino acid substitutions.

Abstract: A natural gas-containing stream such as biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing an adsorbent having a neutral surface, which adsorbs the siloxanes. When the bed of neutral adsorbent is filled to capacity, the adsorbent bed is heated to remove the siloxanes and regenerate the bed. The neutral adsorbent reduces disadvantageous reactions between the adsorbent and siloxane and other impurities in the natural gas-containing stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, methods, systems and kits for the detection of microorganisms of the Yersinia species including Yersinia pestis. The disclosure relates to recombinant phage operable to infect a Yersinia microorganism, the phage comprising a detectable reporter. Detection systems of the disclosure may comprise a phage operable to infect a Yersinia microorganism, and may comprise a reporter nucleic acid expressible upon infection of a Yersinia microorganism by the phage. The system may be operable to detect the expression of the reporter. A detectable reporter may comprise any gene having bioluminescent, colorimetric and/or visual detectability. For example, a detectable reporter may comprise one or more luxAB genes detectable by emission, enhancement and/or change in spectrum of bioluminescent light. Live and infectious Yersinia microbes may be detected by the compositions, methods, systems and kits described herein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for purifying a natural gas stream comprising: 1) removing the bulk of CO2 by at least one non-membrane gas separation means; and 2) removing oxygen and other impurities by at least one additional gas separation means, wherein the final natural gas product has low level of CO2 and oxygen.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from a raw natural gas stream such as biogas from landfills or controlled anaerobic digestion comprises passing the natural gas stream though a separation unit such as a PSA unit to form a product stream comprising a high concentration of methane and a low pressure tail gas containing hydrogen sulfide, passing the tail gas through a biofilter which includes bacteria that degrades the hydrogen sulfide to sulfur and sulfate compounds which are washed from the biofilter. The tail gas stream subsequent to treatment in the biofilter can be flared to the atmosphere without significant SOx emissions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for achieving low oxygen levels in a natural gas stream without the use of a catalytic system. In one embodiment, the method comprises: membrane treatment for the removal of the bulk of CO2 and oxygen in the natural gas feed and the addition of a PSA system using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent for the adsorption of residual oxygen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for utilizing low-quality tail gas derived from a pressure swing adsorption system or membrane system, which is used to upgrade biogas, as a beneficial fuel for the facility and/or digester boiler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for utilizing low-quality tail gas derived from a pressure swing adsorption system or membrane system, which is used to upgrade biogas, as a beneficial fuel for the facility and/or digester boiler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for achieving low oxygen levels in a natural gas stream without the use of a catalytic system. In one embodiment, the method comprises: membrane treatment for the removal of the bulk of CO2 and oxygen in the natural gas feed and the addition of a PSA system using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent for the adsorption of residual oxygen.

Abstract: After the sequencing of the human genome, great interest has developed in trying to discern the complementary proteome of humans and other species. The present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for proteomic fractionation that may increase the number of protein spots visualized by 2DE analysis, and may allow enrichment of proteins normally not detectable by standard 2DE analysis. According to some embodiments of the disclosure, devices, systems, and methods of the disclosure relate to fractionating a proteome on the basis of surface charge, hydrophobicity, isoelectric point and/or size.

Abstract: A material for filtering NO2 and nitric acid vapors from air over a wide range of humidities and temperatures including a porous hydrophobic substrate and an amine is provided.