Abstract: Several mutated strains of Scheffersomyces stipitis are generated by repetitive culturing of the parent strain on two types of concentrated hydrolyzates and with ethanol-challenged xylose-fed continuous culture. Isolates collected from various enriched populations are screened and ranked based on relative xylose uptake rate and ethanol yield. Ranking on hydrolyzates with and without nutritional supplementation is used to identify those isolates with best performance across diverse conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are major allergenic proteins in cashew nut, which are legumin-like proteins and 2S albumins. Also disclosed is a polypeptide allergen in the 7S superfamily, which includes vicilin-like and sucrose binding proteins. Several linear epitopes of the cashew nut are identified and characterized. The invention further discloses the sequence of cDNA encoding the allergenic polypeptide, the allergen being designated Ana o 1, and also describes the characterization of the expressed recombinant polypeptide and associated methods employing the polypeptide.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may reduce contaminants in water. A system may include a biofilm in a container. The biofilm may be formed from one or more bacteria coupled to one or more substrates. The bacteria may be selected to maximize the reduction of contaminants in water. The system may include one or more bacteria generators to provide bacteria to the biofilm and/or one or more air sources to provide an air bubble stream to the container and/or the bacteria generator. In some embodiments, bacteria may be preserved in a starvation phase. Bacteria may be incubated until they reach a starvation phase. The bacteria may then be preserved as beads or immobilized on a substrate. The preserved bacteria may be used in a system for the reduction of contaminants in water.

Abstract: A polymer-dispersed blue-phase (PDBP) liquid crystal film is formed from a polymer-based latex and blue-phase liquid crystals that are combined using an emulsification process or a polymerization-induced phase separation process. The resultant PDBP liquid crystal film includes droplets formed by the polymer-based latex that encapsulate the blue-phase liquid crystals therein, so as to allow the blue-phase liquid crystals to have a blue phase at room temperature. As such, the PDBP liquid crystal film is conducive for use in manufacturing processes, such as LCD (liquid crystal display) manufacturing processes, while providing desirable optical features, such as field-induced birefringence at low switching voltages.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes genetically modified plants that contain one or more exogenous genes associated with aroma/fine/specialty compound biosynthesis, which are capable of producing aroma/fine/specialty compounds.

Abstract: A method for forming a graphene-reinforced-polymer matrix composite by distributing graphite microparticles into a molten thermoplastic polymer phase comprising one or more molten thermoplastic polymers; and applying a succession of shear strain events to the molten polymer phase so that the molten polymer phase exfoliates the graphene successively with each event, until tearing of exfoliated multilayer graphene sheets occurs arid produces reactive edges on the multilayer sheets that react with and cross-link the one or more thermoplastic polymers; where the one or more thermoplastic polymers are selected from thermoplastic polymers subject to UV degradation.

Abstract: A nozzle for producing a liquid jet or a single-file stream of droplets of a fluid, methods using the nozzle, and an injector comprising the nozzle of the invention for providing the liquid jet or single-file stream of a fluid to a vacuum system are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the delivery of nucleic acids to a cell. The present invention additionally provides compositions and methods for the treatment of a disease or disorder, particularly cancer. In a particular embodiment, the composition comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and at least one liposome or dendrimer comprising at least two chemotherapeutic agents with different mechanisms of action and at least two inhibitors of cellular drug resistance.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for real-time, in situ measurement of gas compositions and heating values. The apparatus includes a near infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, a mid infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of carbon monoxide and a semiconductor based sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrogen gas. A data processor having a computer program for reducing the effects of cross-sensitivities of the sensors to components other than target components of the sensors is also included. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for real-time, in situ determination of a composition and heating value of a fuel gas.

Abstract: Methods for producing functionalized graphene from graphite oxide or graphite are disclosed in which ionic liquids are used as a reaction medium to promote chemical functionalization of the graphene through electrochemically interacted exfoliation of graphene sheets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for detection of H. Pylori in breath emissions utilizing an unlabelled urea, in which a patient ingests a safe quantity of unlabelled urea. After ingestion, expired breath of the patient is analyzed for ammonia, with a detection based on levels of ammonia lower than 50 parts per billion to 500 ppm to detect helicobacter pylori.

Abstract: A power control device includes a first terminal, a second terminal connected to a transmission line, a first cascade multilevel inverter (CMI) and a second CMI. The first CMI is connected to the second terminal. The second CMI connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: Provided is a novel iridium catalyst complex which is useful in the dehydrogenation of alkanes. The iridium complex comprises the metal iridium atom complexed with a benzimidazolyl-containing ligand. The iridium atom can be coordinated with the nitrogen atoms in the benzimidazolyl-containing ligand to form an NCN pincer ligand complex. In another embodiment, the iridium catalyst is used, with or without a co-catalyst, in a dehydrogenation reaction converting alkanes to olefins. The reaction can be in a closed or open system, and can be run in a liquid or gaseous phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing levodopa-induced dyskinesia in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease, comprising the step of administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention. The present invention further provides a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing Parkinson's Disease in a patient, comprising the step of administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing prescribed unit size azido-poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (azido-PHA) polymers and copolymers are provided. The methods and systems can employ recombinant bacteria that are not native producers of PHA or lack enzymes to degrade PHA once synthesized, metabolize short to long chain fatty acids without induction, and express an (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and a PHA synthase, the (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and PHA synthase having wide substrate specificities. The recombinant bacteria are fed at least one ?-azidofatty acid substrate that is equal in carbon length to the prescribed or desired unit size of an azido-PHA polymer to be produced. Azido-PHA polymers or azido-PHA co-polymers can be conjugated via copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) or strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) reactions. The prescribed unit size conjugated azido-PHA polymer or orthogonally conjugated azido-PHA co-polymer that is produced is then isolated and/or purified.

Abstract: Methods and solutions for fabricating a superhydrophobic, optically transparent surface on a substrate. A dip coating technique is employed in which a solution comprising hydrophobic nanoparticles, a resin binder and a solvent is provided. The substrate is dipped and then withdrawn from the solution. As the substrate is withdrawn, a precursor coating of the solution is formed on a surface of the substrate. The solvent in the precursor coating is allowed to evaporate (is otherwise removed), immediately resulting in a superhydrophobic, optically transparent coating on the substrate surface. The hydrophobic nanoparticles can be metal oxide nanoparticles (such as SiO2, ZnO, and ITO) that are surface functionalized to be hydrophobic. Substrate types include glass and polymer substrates such as PC and PMMA.

Abstract: Embodiments of probes for selectively detecting compounds having a thiol group and an amino group, e.g., cysteine and/or homocysteine, are disclosed, along with methods and kits for detecting the compounds in neutral media with the probes. The probes have a structure according to the general formula where R1-R4 independently are hydrogen hydroxyl, halogen, thiol, thioether, lower aliphatic, or lower alkoxy, x is an integer from 0 to 4, and each R5 independently is halogen, hydroxyl, thiol, thioether, lower aliphatic, or lower alkoxy. Embodiments of the disclosed probes are capable of undergoing condensation/cyclization reactions with cysteine and/or homocysteine. Cysteine and/or homocysteine can be selectively detected and identified by determining fluorescence emission of the probes at characteristic wavelengths.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to a thermal inkjet printhead stack with an amorphous thin metal protective layer, comprising an insulated substrate, a resistor applied to the insulated substrate, a resistor passivation layer applied to the resistor, and an amorphous thin metal protective layer applied to the resistor passivation layer. The amorphous thin metal protective layer can comprise from 5 atomic % to 90 atomic % of a metalloid of carbon, silicon, or boron. The film can also include a first and second metal, each comprising from 5 atomic % to 90 atomic % of titanium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, iridium, or platinum. The second metal is different than the first metal, and the metalloid, the first metal, and the second metal account for at least 70 atomic % of the amorphous thin metal protective layer.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical system are disclosed that include at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a carbon material, a glassy carbon material or a combination thereof. Contemplated systems are suitable for ?-ECoG arrays. Additional microelectromechanical systems are disclosed that include at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a carbon material, a glassy carbon material or a combination thereof; at least one substrate, surface, layer or a combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof is disposed on, coupled with or otherwise layered on the at least one substrate, surface, layer or a combination thereof; and at least one bump pad, wherein the at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof is coupled with the at least one bump pad via at least one conductive metal.

Abstract: ‘NCCH1’ is a new cultivar of hybrid dogwood with a compact, rounded habit, semi-evergreen foliage with maroon fall and winter foliage color, and 4-11 pink to red/purple floral bracts per inflorescence.