Abstract: A method of preparing a piezoelectric single crystal with high piezoelectricity and near- perfect transparency. The method includes depositing electrodes on two opposition surfaces of a piezoelectric single crystal which is a ferroelectric crystal; AC-poling the piezoelectric single crystal through the electrodes by repeatedly changing polarity of an AC electric field; and after polarization, removing the electrodes on the two opposition surfaces of the piezoelectric single crystal and then depositing Ag nanowire or indium tin oxide (ITO) as electrodes on the two opposition surfaces of the piezoelectric single crystal. Repeatedly changing the polarity of the polarized electric field can increase the domain size of the ferroelectric crystal, or reduce the domain wall density of the domain structure, thereby improving the transparency of the piezoelectric single crystal having high piezoelectric.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of forming highly ordered membrane protein crystals. The forming process is done in the presence of a magnetic field to exploit the diamagnetic anisotropy of the membrane protein. Further described is a method of magnetic alignment and crystallization of membrane proteins in two-dimensional (2D) sheets for protein structural characterization and applications in functional devices. Block co-copolymers are used in alternative embodiments to assist with the crystallization process.

Abstract: Some embodiments for performing evolutionary based optimization feature: a dominance archive, auto-adaptive operators, detection of search stagnation, exploitation of randomized restarts to escape local optima, and/or selection of recombination operators based on their success in generating high quality solutions.

Abstract: A ternary polycrystalline material based on lead hafnate (PbHfO3) and having improved dielectric, piezoelectric, and/or thermal stability properties. The Pb(Hf,Ti)O3 based material can exhibit enhanced electromechanical coupling factors when compared to PZT based ceramics and can be used as high performance actuators, piezoelectric sensors and/or ultrasonic transducers. The ternary polycrystalline material can have a perovskite crystal structure with an ABO3 formula and can be characterized by a substitution of heterovalent acceptor and donor ions at A or B (Zr/Hf) sites.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising, and methods utilizing PBK1 protein and DNA, including a method of detecting type 1 diabetes; a mammalian pancreas-derived cell comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a PBK1 protein; a method of identifying a PBK1 modulator; a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of type 2 diabetes in a subject; a method of screening for an agent that treats a metabolic disease; delivery of PBK-1 DNA to a subject to stimulate pancreatic beta cell differentiation and/or regeneration; a method for stimulating cell differentiation and/or regeneration in a pancreatic beta cell; usage of transgenic mice with targeted deletion or overexpression of the PBK-1 gene to test efficacy and specificity of PBK-1 modulator compounds.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ultrasonic motor having 2-dimensional positioning movement includes a stator. The stator includes a piezoelectric ceramic bar and an electrode disposed on the bar. Each bar includes two wings that are separated by a predetermined angle to form a predetermined shape. A power source is used to apply a voltage to the stator to excite a bending mode vibration in the each of the wings, and the combined motion of the two wings produces an elliptical motion at a tip of the wing. A load is operatively connected to the stator, such that a portion of the load in contact with the stator is driven to move linearly through a frictional force between the load and the stator, due to the elliptical motion at the tip of the wing.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material includes a nano size material that can be formed in a multi-layered core/shell structure and/or in a nanotabular (or platelet) form.

Abstract: This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in plasma or serum fractions of human or animal blood associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to those methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in the plasma or serum fraction of blood by using rapid DNA extraction followed by nucleic acid amplification with or without enrichment for mutant DNA. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of benign, premalignant, or malignant neoplasms in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions.

Abstract: This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in plasma or serum fractions of human or animal blood associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to those methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in the plasma or serum fraction of blood by using rapid DNA extraction followed by nucleic acid amplification with or without enrichment for mutant DNA. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of benign, premalignant, or malignant neoplasms in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions.

Abstract: Species detection techniques are described based on measurement of a dynamic response to an external stimulus. One embodiment includes a voltage stimulus applied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), with the response to said stimulus used to measure CO concentration on the anode catalyst. The principles of symbolic dynamics, finite state machines or a simplified peak response-to-asymptotic value measurement can be used to achieve a high degree of precision for measuring CO concentrations. Using the techniques of the present invention, CO poisoning of a fuel cell can be monitored and diagnosed before reaching a critical condition, thereby allowing early implementation of mitigation or graceful degradation strategies.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting sphingosine kinase and for treating hyperproliferative disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming at least one nano-structure with a reusable template structure having a channel. The method includes introducing at least one reagent into the channel, and reacting the at least one reagent to form a nano-structure within the channel. The nano-structure forming channel may be positioned in alignment with one or more electrode structures, which may be positioned within or upon the substrate, may be embedded in the reusable template structure, and/or may be external electrode structures positioned outside of the reusable template structure and independent of the substrate. In addition, the electrode structures may be a source material for the formation of the nano-structure in the channel.

Abstract: Novel catalysts and processes in accordance with the invention can accomplish high selectivity and conversion of naphthalenic compounds such as the conversion of methylnaphthalene (2-MN) or naphthalene to 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene (2,6-DMN). The catalysts are prepared by treating, for example, a ZSM-5-type material with iron in the presence of a halogen such as a fluoride. The resulting catalyst includes iron, as well as a significant portion of aluminum present in the ZSM-5-type starting material. Processes for using the catalysts also are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new class of proteins called expansins, and methods related thereto are presented. This class of proteins can be characterized as catalysts of the extension of plant cell walls and the weakening of the hydrogen bonds in pure cellulose. Two proteins have been isolated from washed wall fragments of cucumber hypocotyls, referred to as “cucumber expansin-29” and “cucumber expansin-30”. Moreover, three peptide fragments from the purified cEx-29 protein were sequenced, then oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify a portion of the expansin cDNA using polymerase chain reaction with a cDNA template derived from cucumber seedlings, and then the PCR fragment was used to screen a cDNA library to identify full length clones. Another expansin protein has been isolated from oat coleoptiles (oat expansin oEx-29), while three additional expansin sequences have been identified in Arabidopsis and an additional two in rice.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting sphingosine kinase and for treating or preventing hyperproliferative disease, autoimmune disease, inflammatory disease, or allergy.

Abstract: The present invention provides 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolin-4-ylamines, of the formula: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, and R7 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for using the compounds to increase the therapeutic efficacy of drugs.

Abstract: Microbicidal and spermicidal devices, methods, and compositions containing sodium dodecyl sulfate or related anionic surfactants as active ingredients for the prevention and control of pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, including conditions caused by non-enveloped viruses such as human papilloma virus.

Abstract: A method for screening candidate antimicrobial compounds is described that utilizes a human vaginal xenograft engrafted in a non-human host. The method may be performed by using pathogen inoculated human vaginal xenografts in order to screen a wide range of candidate antimicrobials administered topically or systemically.

Abstract: Microbicidal and spermicidal devices, methods, and compositions containing sodium dodecyl sulfate or related anionic surfactants as active ingredients for the prevention and control of pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, including conditions caused by non-enveloped viruses such as human papilloma virus.

Abstract: A method for screening candidate antimicrobial compounds is described that utilizes a human vaginal xenograft engrafted in a non-human host. The method may be performed by using pathogen inoculated human vaginal xenografts in order to screen a wide range of candidate antimicrobials administered topically or systemically.