Abstract: The invention relates to a method for photoreleasing a moiety G from a compound of the formula A-G. The methods of the present invention comprise irradiating a composition comprising the compound of the formula A-G at a wavelength of >500 nm, so as to photorelease the moiety G from the moiety A; wherein the moiety A comprises a chromophore and the moiety G comprises an organic compound.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to isomerization of muconic acid. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of forming trans,trans-muconic acid. The method includes heating a starting material composition to form a product composition including trans,trans-muconic acid. The starting material composition includes cis,cis-muconic acid, cis,trans-muconic acid, or a combination thereof. The starting material composition also includes an electrophilic compound, an organic solvent, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified metformin compounds, particularly mito-metformin compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods of using the compounds to provide neuroprotection and in the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases are also described.

Abstract: An algal growth system can include a frame and a flexible sheet material that can have a substantially vertical orientation, where the flexible sheet material can facilitate the growth and attachment of algae, where the flexible sheet material can be supported by the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a block copolymer comprising at least one PA block and at least one PB block. The PA block represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer A, and the PB block represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer B. Monomer A is a vinyl, acrylic, diolefin, nitrile, dinitrile, or acrylonitrile monomer. Monomer B is a radically polymerizable plant oil monomer containing one or more triglycerides. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing a thermoplastic block copolymer by radical polymerizing a radically polymerizable monomer with a radically polymerizable plant oil monomer containing one or more triglycerides, in the presence of an initiator and a transition-metal catalyst system to form the thermoplastic block copolymer. The polymerized plant oil-based block copolymers are useful in a variety of applications, such as asphalt modifiers, rubber compositions, adhesives, tires, in the automobile industry, footwear, packaging, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic block copolymer comprising at least one PA block and at least one PB block. The PA block represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer A, and the PB block represents a polymer block comprising one or more units of monomer B. Monomer A is a vinyl, acrylic, diolefin, nitrile, dinitrile, acrylonitrile monomer, a monomer with reactive functionality, or a crosslinking monomer. Monomer B is a radically polymerizable triglyceride or mixtures thereof, typically in the form of a plant or animal oil. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing a thermoplastic block copolymer or novel thermoplastic statistical copolymers by polymerizing a radically polymerizable monomer with a radically polymerizable triglyceride or mixtures thereof via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (RAFT), in the presence of an free radical initiator and a chain transfer agent.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating buckypaper or similar sheets of nanostructures having relatively high aspect ratios. A dispersion of nanostructures such as nanotubes is subjected to fluid dynamics/forces which promote alignment of their axes of elongation while in suspension in the flow. An agglomeration of better aligned nanostructures is isolated from the carrier fluid into a useable form. In the case of nanotubes, one form is buckypaper. One example of alignment forces is Taylor-Couette flow shear forces. One example of isolation is filtering the flowing dispersion to collect better aligned nanostructures across the filter into a sheet or film. The degree of alignment can produce anisotropic material properties that can be beneficially used in application of the sheet or film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine for protecting a piglet against diseases associated with a novel pestivirus. The vaccine commonly includes a pestivirus antigen and, optionally an adjuvant. Methods for protecting pigs against diseases associated with pestivirus, including but not limited to congenital tremors and methods of producing the pestivirus vaccine are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tackifier compounds and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a tackifier compound including independently substituted or unsubstituted fused rings A and B each independently chosen from (C5-C10)cycloalkyl and (C2-C10)heterocyclyl. Fused ring A is substituted with (R1)1-8 and fused ring B is substituted with —(OC(O)R?C(O)R2)1-8. At each occurrence R? is independently chosen from (C2-C10)alkanylene, (C2-C10)alkenylene, (C2-C10)alkynylene, C5-C20(arylene), and (C1-C20)heteroarylene, wherein R? is unsubstituted or substituted. At each occurrence R1 is independently selected from —OH, —OR3, and —OC(O)R?C(O)R2. At each occurrence R2 is independently chosen from —OH, —OR3, —NH2, —NHR3, and —NR32. At each occurrence R3 is independently chosen from (C1-C10)alkanyl, (C2-C10)alkenyl, (C2-C10)alkynyl, C5-C20(aryl), and (C1-C20)heteroaryl, wherein R3 is unsubstituted or substituted.

Abstract: Nowotny-Juza phases offer a wide range of potential applications including solar cell and thermoelectric device fabrication. The disclosure presents a solution phase synthesis of the Nowotny-Juza semiconductors LiZnP, LiCdP, and LiZnSb. These samples are phase pure, crystalline, and exhibit particle sizes of around 20 nm.

Abstract: A particle usable as T1 and T2 contrast agents is provided. The particle is a gadolinium silicide (Gd5Si4) particle that is ferromagnetic at temperatures up to 290 K and is less than 2 ?m in diameter. An MRI contrast agent that includes a plurality of gadolinium silicide (Gd5Si4) particles that are less than 1 ?m in diameter is also provided. A method for creating gadolinium silicide (Gd5Si4) particles is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a Gd5Si4 bulk alloy; grinding the Gd5Si4 bulk alloy into a powder; and milling the Gd5Si4 bulk alloy powder for a time of approximately 20 minutes or less.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting a future wind direction and speed and, based thereon, determining a future wind-driven drift and providing the information to an operator or automatically acting to adapt application parameters to better control the wind-driven drift of a fluid during application of the fluid to land or crops by an agricultural machine. A processor receives machine and meteorological data, uses a model to predict the future wind direction and speed, and accesses a drift distance database to determine and visually depict the future wind-driven drift of the fluid. A sensitive area database stores information about sensitive areas bordering the target area, which may also be displayed, to facilitate controlling the wind-driven drift with regard to the sensitive areas. The mathematical model may be a kernel filter, an autoregressive model, an autoregressive integrated moving average model, or a hybrid model which incorporates features of different models.

Abstract: Implementation of high performance controllable damping devices can ameliorate cost-effectiveness of structural systems for mitigation of natural hazards relative to structures such as building, wind turbines, and off-shore structures. However, the applications of these damping systems are limited due to a lack of 1) mechanical robustness; 2) electrical reliability; and 3) large resisting force capability. To broaden the implementation of modern damping systems, a semi-active damping device is proposed. The device, in one form termed Banded Rotary Friction Device (BRFD), has enhanced applicability compared to other proposed damping systems due to its cost-effectiveness, high damping performance, mechanical robustness, and technological simplicity. Its mechanical principle is based on a band brake, which results in a high amplification of the input force while enabling a variable control force.

Abstract: The present invention presents methods to alter the genetic composition of crop plants susceptible to nematode infection to improve tolerance to the same. Methods and compositions for modulating key pathways involved in the syncytial event of nematode infection and for preventing the cascade of differential gene expression caused by the same as disclosed. Applicants have found that the microRNA miR396 acts as a master switch of syncytial gene expression changes in plants after infection, and further that miR396 and certain growth regulating transcription factors (GRF) are connected through feedback interaction in syncytium initiation and maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of converting levulinic acid or a derivative thereof to hydrocarbons and hydrogen by providing a source of levulinic acid or a derivative thereof and converting the levulinic acid or a derivative thereof in the source to hydrocarbons and hydrogen, where converting is carried out in a single reactor. The present invention also relates to methods for producing hydrocarbons and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of increasing production of fatty acids comprising introducing into a host and expressing therein an acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase (TE) from Bryantella formatexigens or a mutant thereof; a method of making a mutant B. formatexigens acyl-ACP TE; a method of making a chimeric Cuphea viscosissima acyl-ACP TE; a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a mutant acyl-ACP TE or a chimeric Cuphea viscosissima acyl-ACP TE; a host comprising the nucleic acid molecule; a mutant acyl-ACP TE or chimeric Cuphea viscosissima acyl-ACP TE; a method of altering the specificity of a plant acyl-ACP TE for at least one of its substrates comprising introducing into the plant acyl-ACP TE a substrate specificity-altering mutation; and a method of altering the level of activity of a plant acyl-ACP TE.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for blocking the effect of the intronic inhibitory splicing region of intron 7 of the SMN2 gene. The compositions and methods of the instant invention include short oligonucleotide reagents (e.g., oligoribonucleotides) that effectively target sites in the SMN2 pre-mRNA, thereby modulating the splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA to include exon 7 in the processed transcript. The target regions include a unique RNA structure and a 6-nucleotide long sequence that is essential for initiating a long distance steric inhibitory interaction. The identified region provides a novel target deep within SMN2 intron 7. Intronic targets are highly desirable as annealing of an ASO to an intron does not interfere with translation and transport of mRNA. The invention also provides opportunity to employ a short antisense oligonucleotide or a small compound against the unique RNA structure responsible of SMN2 exon 7 skipping in SMA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers. The present invention also relates to a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I): M{C(SiHAlk2)3}3??(I), and to a catalyst comprising the structure of Formula (II): MC(SiHAlk2)3X2??(II), and methods for preparation thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating shoot apical meristem size are provided. Methods are provided for modulating the expression of Fea4 sequence in a host plant or plant cell to modulate agronomic characteristics such as altered size and number of organs, including plant seeds.

Abstract: A method of modifying the amount of at least one biochemical component in a plant comprising expressing Qua-Quine Starch (QQS) in the plant, the wild-type of which does not express QQS; a transgenic plant, or part thereof, which comprises and expresses QQS as a transgene and in which the amount of at least one biochemical component is modified; a tissue culture of regenerable cells of the transgenic plant; a vector comprising a nucleotide sequence, which encodes the coding sequence of QQS, operably linked to a non-native promoter, which promotes expression of the nucleotide sequence in a plant, which is other than Arabidopsis; and a method of producing a food or industrial product from a plant.