Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic reagent or assay for assessing the activity of a protease in vivo or in vitro and methods of detecting the presence of a cancerous or precancerous cell. The assays are comprised of two particles linked via an oligopeptide linkage that comprises a consensus sequence specific for the target protease. Cleavage of the sequence by the target protease can be detected visually or using various sensors, and the diagnostic results can be correlated with cancer prognosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing sorghum crop plants that are resistant to herbicides. In particular, the present invention provides for sorghum plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes and proteins that are resistant to inhibition by herbicides that normally inhibit the activity of the ALS protein.

Abstract: Polymer-derived ceramic composites are described herein. The composites are formed using hexagonal boron nitride nanosheet-functionalized silicon-based ceramic precursor polymers. The composites a matrix of a polymer-derived ceramic and hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets embedded therein. Silicon-derived ceramic precursors such as polysilazane and/or polysiloxane are used to create improved SiCN and/or SiOC ceramic composites.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing sorghum crop plants that are resistant to herbicides. In particular, the present invention provides for sorghum plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes and proteins that are resistant to inhibition by herbicides that normally inhibit the activity of the ALS protein.

Abstract: A neutron detection system may include a neutron detector including a plurality of neutron detection devices, a plurality of discrete neutron moderating elements, wherein each of the neutron moderating elements is disposed between two or more neutron detection devices, the plurality of neutron detection devices and the plurality of discrete neutron moderating elements disposed along a common axis, a control system configured to generate a detector response library, wherein the detector response library includes one or more sets of data indicative of a response of the detector to a known neutron source, receive one or more measured neutron response signals from each of the neutron devices, the one or more measured response signals response to a detected neutron event, and determine one or more characteristics of neutrons emanating from a measured neutron source by comparing the one or more measured neutron response signals to the detector response library.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing crop plants that are resistant to herbicides. In particular, the present invention provides for sorghum plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) genes and proteins that are resistant to inhibition by herbicides that normally inhibit the activity of the ACC protein.

Abstract: Plants having increased resistance to a pest relative to corresponding control plants are provided. The resistant plants have inhibited expression, activity, or function of a susceptibility gene, and thereby have decreased expression, activity, or function of the susceptibility gene in the presence of the pest as compared to a control plant in which the wild-type susceptibility gene is normally expressed in the presence of the pest. Methods of producing plants with increased resistance are also provided. The methods involve altering the expression, activity, or function of a susceptibility gene, such as Mds-1, in the plant. Isolated Mds-1 sequences are provided that can be manipulated to enhance pest resistance in modified plants. Modified plants, plant cells, tissues, seeds, and progeny are also provided having enhanced pest resistance.

Abstract: Nanocatalysts and methods of using the same to obtain aromatic hydrocarbon compounds from a source of carbon atoms and a source of hydrogen atoms in a single reaction step is provided. The catalyst comprises an Fe/Fe3O4 nanocatalyst that may be supported on a non-reactive support material such as a zeolite or alumina CO2 and H2 are preferred sources of carbon and hydrogen atoms for the reaction. The aromatic hydrocarbon compounds produced are suitable for direct usage as fuel without need for further refining.

Abstract: Resistance of plants, particularly wheat and barley, to Fusarium head blight (FHB) and other Fusarium-related diseases may be induced or enhanced by transformation with a nucleic acid (DNA) construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the wheat ethylene-responsive transcription factor TaERF7-1 operatively linked to a promoter effective for expression in the plant. Plants transformed with the construct exhibit increased resistance to FHB and other Fusarium-related diseases in comparison to a non-transformed control plant. The transgenic plants may be produced from any plant, tissue or cell which is capable of regeneration, by transformation with the construct. Transformed plants, plant tissue or plant cells comprising the construct are selected, and the transgenic plant is generated therefrom.

Abstract: Antiviral protease inhibitors, including peptidyl aldehydes, peptidyl ?-ketoamides, peptidyl bisulfate salts, and peptidyl heterocycles, are disclosed, along with related antiviral compounds, and methods of using the same to treat or prevent viral infection and disease. The compounds possess broad-spectrum activity against viruses that belong to the picornavirus-like supercluster, which include important human and animal pathogens including noroviruses, enteroviruses, poliovirus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, hepatitis A virus, human rhinovirus (cause of common cold), human coronavirus (another cause of common cold), transmissible gastroenteritis virus, murine hepatitis virus, feline infectious peritonitis virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

Abstract: A lipophilic starch is provided along with methods of making the same. The starch is prepared by modifying the starch with an organic acid anhydride reagent, such as octenyl succinic anhydride, drying the modified starch to a moisture content of less than 15% by weight, and then heat treating the dried starch at a temperature of at least 100° C. for at least one minute.

Abstract: New methods for synthesizing boron-modified silazanes, their use as polymer-derived ceramic precursors, and polymer-derived ceramics and composites formed therefrom are disclosed. The polymeric ceramic precursors comprise a boron-modified silazane that is a room temperature liquid-phase polymer comprising a backbone having recurring monomeric repeat units comprising boron-nitrogen bonds. Nanocomposites comprising polymer-derived ceramics and carbon nanotubes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing pristine graphene particles through a one-step, gas-phase, catalyst-free detonation of a mixture of one or more carbon-containing compounds hydrocarbon compounds and one or more oxidizing agents is provided. The detonation reaction occurs very quickly and at relatively high temperature, greater than 3000 K, to generate graphene nanosheets that can be recovered from the reaction vessel, such as in the form of an aerosol. The graphene nanosheets may be stacked in single, double, or triple layers, for example, and may have an average particle size of between about 35 to about 250 nm.

Abstract: Compositions useful for preparing pressure sensitive adhesives, coatings, and/or films are provided, along with methods of making and using the same. The compositions are made from renewable, plant-based materials. The compositions comprise plant oil triglycerides that are polymerized and crosslinked to yield polymer matrices. Plant-based carriers and/or tackifiers can be used in the invention, including epoxidized plant oil triglycerides, acrylated epoxidized plant oil triglycerides, and dihydroxylated plant oil triglycerides. Natural tackifiers such as rosin esters and terpenes can also be used in the compositions. Dihydroxylated plant oil triglyceride tackifiers for use in biobased and synthetic adhesives are also provided.

Abstract: Genetically-modified plants having increased tolerance to heat stress are described. Methods of producing such genetically-modified plants are also disclosed. The genetically-modified plants comprise exogenous nucleic acid encoding a thermostable protein having starch synthase activity. Genetically-modified plants have increased yield when grown under elevated conditions as compared to control plants.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system including a transmitting antenna with a first conductive helix wound about a first helical axis, and a first ground plane positioned adjacent to and angled orthogonally with the first helical axis. The wireless power transfer system additionally includes a receiving antenna with a second conductive helix wound about a second helical axis, and a second ground plane positioned adjacent to and angled orthogonally with the second helical axis. Furthermore, the wireless power transfer system further includes a conductive material connecting the first ground plane to the second ground plane.

Abstract: The invention generally related to a method for preparing a layer of graphene directly on the surface of a substrate, such as a semiconductor substrate. The layer of graphene may be formed in direct contact with the surface of the substrate, or an intervening layer of a material may be formed between the substrate surface and the graphene layer.

Abstract: The invention generally related to a method for preparing a layer of graphene directly on the surface of a semiconductor substrate. The method includes forming a carbon-containing layer on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate and depositing a metal film on the carbon layer. A thermal cycle degrades the carbon-containing layer, which forms graphene directly upon the semiconductor substrate upon cooling. In some embodiments, the carbon source is a carbon-containing gas, and the thermal cycle causes diffusion of carbon atoms into the metal film, which, upon cooling, segregate and precipitate into a layer of graphene directly on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protecting against, treating, and detecting Fusobacteria infections. Compositions and methods derived from nucleic acid and protein sequences of a 40 kDa Adhesin protein are provided to protect against, treat, and detect Fusobacteria infections in a subject. In one aspect, vaccines capable of inducing an immune response to a 40 kDa Adhesin protein are used to protect against Fusobacteria infection. Also, nucleic acid molecules, proteins, immunogens, antibodies, and antisense molecules derived from the sequences of the 40 kDa Adhesin protein may be used to protect against, treat, and detect Fusobacteria infections in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for controlling nematode infestation of plants or animals. In particular, the present invention provides vectors comprising sequences designed to control nematodes by RNA interference (RNAi) and transgenic plants transformed with such vectors.