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: Various embodiments may include a system for removing contaminants from contaminated water comprising: a distillation still supplying heat to contaminated water to boil the contaminated water; a vent allowing a vapor stream to exit the distillation still; an oxidation unit removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream; an outlet discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit; and a heat exchanger transferring heat from the purified water stream leaving the oxidation unit to the vapor stream exiting the distillation still before the vapor stream enters the oxidation unit.

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: The present disclosure, according to some embodiments, relates to phage-based biological detection systems, compositions, and methods. In some embodiments, it relates to a detection system and method using phage binding and bacterial infection to detect the presence of a target molecule (e.g., a toxin). One detection system may include a genetically engineered phage that expresses a surface molecule able to bind a target molecule and/or target microorganism; a bacterium susceptible to infection by the phage; and a detection component able to determine whether the bacterium has been infected by the phage. Infection of a bacterium by a phage may be indicative of phage binding to the target molecule and/or target microorganism.

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: The present disclosure, according to some embodiments, relates to phage-based biological detection systems, compositions, and methods. In some embodiments, it relates to a detection system and method using phage binding and bacterial infection to detect the presence of a target molecule (e.g., a toxin). One detection system may include a genetically engineered phage that expresses a surface molecule able to bind a target molecule and/or target microorganism; a bacterium susceptible to infection by the phage; and a detection component able to determine whether the bacterium has been infected by the phage. Infection of a bacterium by a phage may be indicative of phage binding to the target molecule and/or target microorganism.

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.

Abstract: A process for removal of ethylene oxide (EO) from ambient air laden with EO is passed through a zeolite-based removal media, which preferrably consists of the acid form of zeolite ZSM-5, herein referred to as “H-ZSM-5.” The process described herein may be applied to many forms, configurations and uses, such as, for example, gas masks, fume hood ventilation filters, cartridge filters, etc. Preferably, the H-ZSM-5 is configured within an apparatus in such a manner that the stream containing EO is brought into sufficient contact with the zeolite to remove the EO from the airstream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytic process for the destruction of PFC's and HFC's using a catalyst which comprises aluminum oxide that has preferably been stabilized through the addition of a stabilizing agent (such as, titanium, zirconium, or cobalt, or mixtures of these elements). The addition of these elements to the aluminum oxide unexpectedly enhances the catalyst's stability without significantly altering its reactivity. The total amount of stabilizing agent added to the catalyst can be as low as 0.005 parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide (Al2O3) or as great as 2 or more parts (by weight) stabilizing agent per part (by weight) aluminum oxide; so long as there is sufficient aluminum oxide available to effectively catalyze the destruction of the target PFC's and/or HFC's.