Abstract: The invention provides new methods for the direct umpolung self-condensation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) by organocatalysis, thereby upgrading the readily available substrate into 5,5?-di(hydroxymethyl) furoin (DHMF). While many efficient catalyst systems have been developed for conversion of plant biomass resources into HMF, the invention now provides methods to convert such nonfood biomass directly into DHMF by a simple process as described herein. The invention also provides highly effective new methods for upgrading other biomass furaldehydes and related compound to liquid fuels. The methods include the organocatalytic self-condensation (umpolung) of biomass furaldehydes into (C8-C12)furoin intermediates, followed by hydrogenation, etherification or esterification into oxygenated biodiesel, or hydrodeoxygenation by metal-acid tandem catalysis into premium hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for dehydrogenation of an alkane to an alkene using an iridium pincer complex and iridium pincer complexes. In the dehydrogenation reactions, hydrogen that is co-formed during the process must be removed for the chemical reaction to proceed and to prevent the excess hydrogen from poisoning the catalyst. In one embodiment the process comprises providing an alkane feedstock comprising at least one alkane and contacting the alkane with an iridium pincer complex in the presence of a hydrogen acceptor selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propene, or mixtures to form an alkene product. The processes disclosed herein can accomplish facile, low-temperature transfer dehydrogenation of alkanes with unprecedented selectivities and TONs at a reasonable rate of conversion.

Abstract: A self-balanced modulation method and a closed-loop magnetic flux rebalancing control method for parallel multilevel inverters. The combination of the two methods provides for balancing of the magnetic flux of the inter-cell transformers (ICTs) of the parallel multilevel inverters without deteriorating the quality of the output voltage. In various embodiments a parallel multi-level inverter modulator is provide including a multi-channel comparator to generate a multiplexed digitized ideal waveform for a parallel multi-level inverter and a finite state machine (FSM) module coupled to the parallel multi-channel comparator, the FSM module to receive the multiplexed digitized ideal waveform and to generate a pulse width modulated gate-drive signal for each switching device of the parallel multi-level inverter. The system and method provides for optimization of the output voltage spectrum without influence the magnetic balancing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide ligands of the melanocortin receptors, in particular the melancortin-4 receptor, and as such, are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as insulin resistance.

Abstract: Methods for reducing blood clotting in a subject are provided, including methods to reduce the risk of and/or treat blot clotting pathologies. Also provided are compositions useful to reduce the risk or treat blood clotting pathologies.

Abstract: A gas detection device comprising a light emitting source including a first plurality of quantum dots of substantially discrete size and made of a semiconductor material a gas cell to contain the gas to be detected and a light detector.

Abstract: A method for computing patient-specific hemodynamics. The method includes receiving three dimensional imaging data of a patent, extracting anatomical data from the three dimensional imaging data, calculating velocity and pressure fields corresponding to the extracted anatomical data, and calculating displacement and velocity of extracted solid particles corresponding to the anatomical data. The anatomical data comprises an anatomical boundary.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to antigen detection reagents and related methods, systems, and kits. The reagents comprise an antigen-binding molecule conjugated to an inorganic component. In some embodiments, the inorganic component possesses catalytic functionality to provide a detectable signal. In some embodiments, the catalytic inorganic component is or comprises a bimetallic nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the inorganic component is a nanoflowers that provides a physical scaffold onto which the antigen-binding component and a reporter component can be loaded, resulting in augmented antigen-binding and reporting capabilities.

Abstract: A new and distinct Berberis cultivar named ‘NCBX1’ is disclosed, characterized by glossy purple foliage and a very compact plant habit. Plants have no observed female fertility. The new variety is a Berberis, normally produced as an outdoor garden plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct Berberis cultivar named ‘NCBT1’ is disclosed, characterized by purple foliage and a distinctively compact and round plant habit. Plants have very low female fertility. The new variety is a Berberis, normally produced as an outdoor garden plant.

Abstract: A tunable superomniphobic surface with flower-like TiO2 nanostructures was fabricated into a device with precisely tailored surface energy domains that can sort droplets by surface tension. This apparatus and method for droplet sorting will enable inexpensive and energy-efficient analytical devices for personalized point-of-care diagnostic platforms, lab-on-a-chip systems, fuel sensor applications, biochemical assays and biosensors.

Abstract: A method of making a bacteriochlorin is carried out by condensing a pair of compounds of Formula II to produce the bacteriochlorin, wherein R is an acetal or aldehyde group. The condensing may be carried out in an organic solvent, preferably in the presence of an acid. The bacteriochlorins are useful for a variety of purposes such as active agents in photodynamic therapy, luminescent compounds in flow cytometry, solar cells, light harvesting arrays, and molecular memory devices.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film on a substrate which includes a step of contacting a surface with a precursor compound having a transition metal and one or more alkyl-1,3-diazabutadiene ligands is provided. The resulting modified surface is then contacted with an activating compound.

Abstract: An injector apparatus and methods for use, where the injector apparatus comprises: (a) hydraulic stage having first and second ends and including a housing defining a cavity, a primary plunger disposed in the cavity and a secondary plunger, (b) a pressurization system coupled to the hydraulic stage's first end, where the primary plunger is in fluid communication with the pressurization system and is in mechanical communication with the secondary plunger, (c) a reservoir bore defined in the hydraulic stage housing and configured to receive the primary plunger's second end, where the secondary plunger is disposed within the reservoir bore and (d) a nozzle assembly including a housing, a gas tube and a nozzle capillary, where the nozzle capillary is partially disposed in and is substantially coaxial with the gas tube, where the nozzle capillary's first end is in fluid communication with the reservoir bore's second end.

Abstract: Microbial fuel cells capable of generating energy from an organic-based fuel are described. The microbial fuel cells can include an anode component, a cathode component, and a separator component selected to reduce spacing between the anode and the cathode thereby improving performance of the microbial fuel cell. Cathode components including particular components that improve the lifetime, performance, and production of the cathode component at reduced cost also are described, as well as a method of using the microbial fuel cells.

Abstract: Methods of making an artificial leather substrate from leather waste (e.g., shavings, such as wet blue, and/or pulverized trim scrap) and products formed using the artificial leather substrate are disclosed. In one example, the artificial leather substrate comprises a composite web comprising leather waste mixed with a lightweight web, a lightweight web atop the composite web, and another lightweight web atop the first lightweight web. A method of making the artificial leather substrate includes the steps of mixing one or more fiber components, leather shavings, and/or pulverized leather trim scrap to form the composite web; needle punching the composite web; and bonding the composite web.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating a bacterial infection in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a substituted bicyclic heteroaromatic ring compound of formula I: wherein two of X1 to X8 are N and the remaining of X1 to X8 are CH; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as well as novel compounds of formula I and salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Gang migration refers to the simultaneous live migration of multiple Virtual Machines (VMs) from one set of physical machines to another in response to events such as load spikes and imminent failures. Gang migration generates a large volume of network traffic and can overload the core network links and switches in a datacenter. In this paper, we present an approach to reduce the network overhead of gang migration using global deduplication (GMGD). GMGD identifies and eliminates the retransmission of duplicate memory pages among VMs running on multiple physical machines in the cluster. The design, implementation and evaluation of a GMGD prototype is described using QEMU/KVM VMs. Evaluations on a 30-node Gigabit Ethernet cluster having 10 GigE core links shows that GMGD can reduce the network traffic on core links by up to 65% and the total migration time of VMs by up to 42% when compared to the default migration technique in QEMU/KVM.

Abstract: A multiplex system and method for achieving high throughput analysis of samples using solvent assisted ionization inlet includes an ionizing system with a heated inlet channel and a pressure differential across the inlet channel, pipet tips serially aligned with the inlet to a mass spectrometer, and a system of mapping data generated by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A device for measuring and characterizing solid-state devices or integrated circuits at RF frequencies up to 1.0 THz and beyond is provided that includes a transmitting photomixing probe structure and a receiving photomixing probe structure. The transmitting photomixing probe structure and the receiving photomixing probe structure are ac-coupled to the solid-state device or integrated circuit in a contact-free manner.