Abstract: Compositions and methods for reconstituting a protein of interest in the plasma membrane of a Xenopus oocyte are disclosed. The method generally includes combining a preassembled membrane protein or proteins with a liposome to prepare a proteo-liposome. The proteo-liposome can have a specific composition of lipids. The proteo-liposome is incubated for sufficient time and under conditions suitable for the protein of interest to fold, associate with, or insert into the liposome's lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, the protein or proteins assemble into a protein channel or complex on or in the proteo-liposome's membrane. The treated oocytes can be used to determine the structure, function, or activity of the membrane protein of interest, the effect of a lipid microenvironment on a membrane protein of interest, or to identify compounds that modulate the function or activity of the membrane protein of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid having a norbornene group. Suitably said norbornene group is present as an amino acid residue of a norbornene lysine. The invention also relates to a method of producing a polypeptide comprising a norbornene group, said method comprising genetically incorporating an amino acid comprising a norbornene group into a polypeptide.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for recording the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a filtration system capable of filtering a water stream, a water purification system capable of purifying said water stream in a non-batch process, a mixing system capable of producing a stream of dialysate from mixing one or more dialysate components with the water stream in a non-batch process, and a dialyzer system. The dialyzer may be a microfluidic dialyzer capable of being fluidly coupled to the stream of dialysate and a blood stream.

Abstract: A rotor bearing system radially supporting a rotor, held in magnetic suspension without contact, by active radial magnetic bearing phased arrays, bearing sensors used to measure the rotor motion and bearing properties, a controller system used to adjust variable magnetic bearing parameters via amplifiers for each array element in response to bearing sensors, to change bearing local array element stiffness and damping, generating bearing forces for levitating the rotor, stabilizing rotor vibrations, and acting as a rotor vibration actuator.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides simple ?-hairpin peptides in linear and cyclic form that specifically bind to HIV-1 Trans-Activation Response element (HIV-1 TAR), as well as compositions and use thereof.

Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing a wellbore extending into a geologic structure comprising a reservoir of subterranean hydrocarbons comprising: providing a first fluid composition comprising a base metal into the first wellbore; wherein corrosion of the base metal in the first wellbore results in electrochemical oxidation of the base metal and electrochemical reduction of a reducible species that generates a gaseous product; providing at least one sensor in proximity to the first wellbore; and receiving a signal detected by the sensor at a monitoring unit, wherein the sensor senses a signal resulting from corrosion of the base metal; wherein the signal is used to determine information relating to the characteristics of the first wellbore and extraction of hydrocarbons therefrom.

Abstract: An optical magnification system comprises two Pancharatnam lenses, and provides a first magnification for left-hand circularly polarized light and a second magnification different from the first magnification for right-hand circularly polarized light. An optical magnification system comprises two lenses, each having different focal lengths for left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized light, respectively, and configured to provide a first magnification for left-handed circularly polarized light and a second magnification different from the first magnification for right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: A multiscale hierarchical scaffold with the complexity of extracellular matrix (ECM) is disclosed. The multiscale hierarchical scaffold may be a carbon-based scaffold with hierarchical nanoscale and microscale architecture with controlled physicochemical properties. More specifically, multiscale hierarchy is built by growing carbon nanotube carpets on two types of scaffolds, namely, interconnected microporous carbon foams and aligned carbon fiber mats.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fluoroscopic needle guide device for use in medical procedures that facilitate the direct targeting of a pre-identified target in a subject and methods for reaching the same with a medical device. The present disclosure includes fluoroscopic needle guide devices including detachable alignment indicators and methods for using the same.

Abstract: A microfluidic solenoid point of use device for discrete quantitation of magnetized cells. The inventive device provides higher accuracy, lower cost, and less bulk than other counting devices.

Abstract: Methods are provided for high throughput genotyping of plants, utilizing at least three primers, one primer recognizing a polymorphic sequence of a first species of a plant genus, a second primer recognizing a second polymorphic sequence of a second species, and a third primer that recognizes sequences of both the first and second species and producing a measurable signal when amplifying a plant DNA-containing sample. Additional primers recognizing additional species may also be employed. The method may be repeated for multiple sequences each diagnosing a species or hybrid, and results analyzed using data from multiple assays to improve the statistical robustness of genotyping results. Controls are provided in which the primer target sequences are introduced into and extracted from bacteria and the measurable signal used as a control. The methods are particularly useful for genotyping a population of plants, especially where weed species and/or hybrids are present.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing superconducting joints between superconductive segments of a Bi-2212 high-temperature superconducting (HTS) conductor, thereby eliminating the heat generating resistive joints that are commonly known in the art for connecting two or more smaller Bi-2212 conductive segments to create an Bi-2212 conductor of adequate length.

Abstract: A constrained frequency resonator is incorporated into the shaft of a striking implement for transferring and, advantageously, amplifying momentum from a striking end to a gripped end of the striking implement, thereby amplifying the sensation of a strike felt at the gripped end. The resonator has a substantially hourglass shape, with wide ends and a narrow waist, and is made of stainless steel or another very hard material. The shape of the resonator causes it to act as a vibration frequency filter that transfers and, preferably, amplifies a certain frequency or band of frequencies. The striking implement may be a golf club, pool cue, or other implement in which frequency transfer to a gripping section is desired.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an organic photovoltaic device. The method includes providing a first electrode which by applying a layer of conductive material onto a transparent substrate. The conductive material forms the first electrode. The method also includes placing an active layer of organic photovoltaic material on top of the first electrode. The active layer is configured to convert photonic energy into electrical energy. Placing an active layer of organic photovoltaic material includes placing an active layer of organic photovoltaic material having ferroelectric dipoles dispersed therein. The method further includes applying a second electrode on top of the active layer of organic photovoltaic material.

Abstract: A novel class of drugs for treating androgen receptor (AR) positive cancer including prostate cancer and breast cancer are described. The drugs include the chemical scaffolds of a high affinity androgen receptor ligand and a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Also described are compositions including the novel drugs and methods of treating AR positive cancer using the compositions.

Abstract: Various embodiments of processing systems and components for sterilization or pasteurization and associated methods of operation are described herein. For example, a method of sterilization or pasteurization includes immersing an item in an immersion fluid, and the immersed item is subject to a hydrostatic pressure of the immersion fluid. The method also includes applying microwave energy to the item while the item is immersed in the immersion fluid and subject to the hydrostatic pressure of the immersion fluid. The hydrostatic pressure of the immersion fluid prevents the water content of the item from causing steam explosion in the item while the microwave energy is applied. The method further includes heating the item immersed in the immersion fluid to a target temperature with the applied microwave energy, the target temperature being sufficient to achieve sterilization or pasteurization of the item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for monitoring the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time and a control system for adjusting stimulation parameters to maintain stimulation in the neural fulcrum zone based on detected changes in the physiological response to stimulation.

Abstract: A controlled release system for kojic acid having improved stability has been identified. To minimize degradation, kojic acid was incorporated into a hydrolytically degradable polymer (e.g., a polycarbonate-ester)). By synthesizing polymer precursors containing kojic acid-linker-kojic acid chemical structures, versatile monomers were developed that can be used to modulate polymer properties. Additionally the synthetic method lends itself to the development of other polymer systems. Polymers having one or more groups that will yield kojic acid upon degradation of the polymer backbone, as well as methods of use thereof are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of forming hydrogen sulfide. The methods include contacting a precursor compound with an unmasking agent; wherein the precursor compound comprises a hydrogen sulfide releasing moiety and a masked nucleophile; and wherein the contacting is conducted under conditions sufficient for cyclization of the precursor compound via lactone or lactam formation; thereby releasing hydrogen sulfide from the precursor compound. Hydrogen sulfide precursor compounds according to Formula I are also described, as well as methods for treating diseases and conditions using hydrogen sulfide precursors.