Abstract: Disclosed is a less expensive, more efficient process for enhanced oil recovery, particularly useful in high cost environments such as offshore. This process is known as single well gas assisted gravity drainage (SW-GAGD). The process comprises the steps of drilling from a single wellbore one or more horizontal laterals near the bottom of a payzone and injecting a fluid displacer such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide through injection points. The injectant sweeps the oil and other produced fluids in the reservoir towards other producing perforations in the single well.

Abstract: CXCR4 and ROBO-1 are biomarkers associated with type 1 diabetes. Expression of CXCR4 and ROBO-1 in peripheral CD3 T cells is substantially higher in patients with autoimmune diabetes (type 1 diabetes) than in non-diabetic patients. Therapies are disclosed for reducing the progression of type 1 diabetes, and to reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes in patients who are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: Various examples of methods and systems are provided for increasing productivity of one or more photosynthetic cultures via self-powered light systems. In one example, a system includes a waterproof casing and a light module enclosed within the waterproof casing. The waterproof casing is configured to be neutrally buoyant in a culture tank comprising the one or more photosynthetic cultures. In another example, a method includes placing a self-powered light system within a culture tank, the self-powered light system being neutrally buoyant within the culture tank. The method further includes causing turbulence of water within the culture tank, and the self-powered light system harvests energy to power a light of the self-powered light system via the turbulence of the water within the culture tank.

Abstract: Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. Those reaction sites may have multiple bromine atoms bound to an aluminum atom with that aluminum-bromine group having an associated hydrogen ion. Additional structural features of the reaction sites are dictated by the aluminum oxide based catalysts and a silicon oxide based catalyst selected.

Abstract: A system and method includes generating, with a configuration controller, a configuration bitstream including configuration bits to dynamically define the configuration of a reconfigurable integrated circuit by setting a state of a subset of configuration state memory units. The configuration controller accesses individual configuration state memory units of the subset according to a scan path through the configuration state memory units traversed according to a delay factor based, at least in part, on clock frequency of a clock signal produced by a configuration clock and configures the individual configuration state memory units with corresponding configuration bits of the configuration bitstream.

Abstract: Nanoparticles with entrapped, nonpolar compounds are disclosed, and a method for their synthesis. The nanoparticles are readily dissolved or dispersed in water. For example, the entrapped nonpolar compounds may include pharmaceutically-active compounds, or natural colorants. The nanoparticles have a nonpolar compound core, an intermediate surfactant layer, and an outer crosslinked polymeric protective layer. In a prototype example, alginic acid nanoparticles were prepared with beta-carotene entrapped in the core, with lecithin as the intermediate surfactant layer. In an alternative embodiment, a layer-by-layer assembly technique may be used to entrap the colorant within nanoparticles.

Abstract: Methods for efficient job scheduling in a heterogeneous chip multiprocessor that include logic comparisons of performance metrics to determine if programs should be moved from an advanced core to a simple core or vice versa.

Abstract: Compositions comprising terpene compounds for the treatment of negative sensory phenomena (NSP). Negative sensory phenomena is characterized by a decreased ability to sense light touch, pin prick, vibration, temperature, pain and/or reduced proprioception. The terpene compounds are preferably aromatic terpene compounds such as geraniol and citronellol and analogs thereof. The terpenes may also be used in combination. The terpenes are derived form plant essential oils or are manufactured synthetically.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion constructs, methods of using fusion constructs and methods of treating undesirable or aberrant cell proliferation or hyperproliferative disorders, such as tumors, cancers, neoplasia and malignancies.

Abstract: The herbicide-tolerant rice cultivar designated ‘CL261’ and its hybrids and derivatives are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to hardware decoders that efficiently expand a small number of input bits to a large number of output bits, while providing considerable flexibility in selecting the output instances. One main area of application of the invention is in pin-limited environments, such as field programmable gates array (FPGA) used with dynamic reconfiguration. The invention includes a mapping unit that is a circuit, possibly in combination with a reconfigurable memory device. The circuit has as input a z-bit source word having a value at each bit position and it outputs an n-bit output word, where n>z, where the value of each bit position of the n-bit output word is based upon the value of a pre-selected hardwired one of the bit positions in the x-bit word, where the said pre-selected hardwired bit positions is selected by a selector address.

Abstract: A nano-based device includes a support structure providing a support surface, a second structure providing a second surface angled with respect to the support surface, and at least one nano-emitter provided on the second surface.

Abstract: Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand/cytotoxin combination to specifically inhibit cells that are driven by or are dependent upon a specific ligand interaction; for example, to induce sterility or long-term contraception, or to attack tumor cells, or to selectively lyse virally-infected cells, or to attack lymphocytes responsible for autoimmune diseases. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in animals in vivo. Administering in vivo a combination of a ligand and a membrane-active lytic peptide kills cells with a receptor for the ligand. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) Lysis of tumor cells is rapid.

Abstract: A synthetic device for cornea augmentation and replacement that increases corneal epithelium cell adhesion and migration. Using tethered extracellular matrix proteins (ECMPs), corneal growth factors, and other ligand-specific corneal enhancer species (e.g., laminin, fibronectin, substance P, fibronectin adhesion-promoting peptide sequence, FAP, and insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]) on the polymeric surface of an artificial cornea, the epithelial cell response can be significantly enhanced. Other proteins of interest include, but are not limited to, k-laminin, talin, integrin, kalinin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and TGF-&bgr;. By tethering a combination of corneal enhancer molecules, a more natural environment can be created.

Abstract: A power switching device is disclosed that achieves a complete, mechanical “on” and “off” electrical circuit. The device is a rapid micro-relay that comprises two separate systems: a control driving signal system and a voltage delivery system. Its electrostatic actuator and switching connectors are electrically separated, inhibiting interference between the two systems. The micro-relay can optionally be adapted to support multiple voltage delivery systems for separate circuits.

Abstract: An automated transplanter has been designed for seedlings previously loaded and correctly spaced on a low tensile-strength, biodegradable tape wound on a spool. The transplanter design allowed for rapid planting of the tape with the attached seedlings while minimizing the tension placed on the tape. The design linked the unspooling of the tape directly to the ground speed of the tractor and provides for an anti-backlash mechanism to prevent the spool from free-wheeling when the tractor speed slowed quickly. Using this design, synthetic seedlings attached to a low tensile-strength tape were successfully planted at speeds up to 7.5 mph.

Abstract: Water-soluble quaternary ammonium cellulosic derivatives of controlled charge density are disclosed. These derivatives are useful in cosmetic preparations, such as hair and skin formulations, for example hair conditioners. These quaternized cellulosic derivatives are useful as thickeners, conditioners, film formers, fixatives, emulsifiers, or additives in hair or skin formulations to improve combing, manageability, body, curl retention, moisture resistance, and binding of ingredients to keratin. Compared to existing agents, these compounds have improved temperature stability, improved interactions with surfactants (such as in shampoos), improved binding to keratin, improved mechanical properties, and can mend split ends on hair. A major advantage of these compounds is that they may be applied to hair directly from an aqueous solution, and do not require a volatile organic compound solvent as carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel microorganisms separated from natural environments and purified and genetically modified, process for immobilizing these microorganisms by affixing then to substrates, the biocatalytic compositions formed by these microorganisms affixed to substrates, and the use of the biocatalytic compositions for the detoxification of toxin-polluted streams. The microorganisms are (1) Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC SD 904); (2) Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC SD 903); (3) Pseudomonas cepacia (ATCC SD 905); (4) Methylobacter rhodinum (ATCC 113-X); and (5) Methylobacter species (ATCC 16 138-X).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to compositions characterized as porous solids on the surfaces of which thin films of chitinous material are dispersed, and to a process employing chitin per se, and preferably the chitin coated compositions, supra, as contact masses for the removal of metals contaminants, or halogenated organic compounds, from liquid streams contaminated or polluted with these materials.

Abstract: Attaching certain ligands to antisense probes will hyperstabilize sense-antisense duplexes. Such a hyperstabilized duplex is resistant to melting of the strands from one another, to unwinding of the strands, and to the action of nucleases. Applications include antiretroviral action, antireverse-transcriptase action, antiviral action, antiparasitical action, antibacterial action, antifungal action, anticancer action, anti-oncogene action, and other applications where it is desired to inhibit gene expression at the genomic or messenger RNA level. The preferred ligands are certain minor-groove-binding agents, exemplified by CC-1065 and synthetic CC-1065 analogs.