Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting a plurality of light signals is disclosed. The apparatus includes a splitter configured to split an incoming light signal into a plurality of light signals. Phase control units are included which modify the phase of the light signals. Waveguides are coupled to the phase control units. Each waveguide has a different propagation constant, that is different from adjacent waveguides and the difference between the propagation constants of any two adjacent waveguides is substantially larger than an effective coupling constant between said two adjacent waveguides. Coupling members couple the light signal in one of the plurality of waveguides to free space. The splitter may include output and/or input waveguides and a dispersion element splitting and/or combining: light.

Abstract: A method of making dispersion-strengthened alloy particles involves melting an alloy having a corrosion and/or oxidation resistance-imparting alloying element, a dispersoid-forming element, and a matrix metal wherein the dispersoid-forming element exhibits a greater tendency to react with a reactive species acquired from an atomizing gas than does the alloying element. The melted alloy is atomized with the atomizing gas including the reactive species to form atomized particles so that the reactive species is (a) dissolved in solid solution to a depth below the surface of atomized particles and/or (b) reacted with the dispersoid-forming element to form dispersoids in the atomized particles to a depth below the surface of said atomized particles. The atomized alloy particles are solidified as solidified alloy particles or as a solidified deposit of alloy particles.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the discovery of novel recombinant forms of ?-hexosyl-transferases (BHT) and uses thereof to produce galacto-ligosaccharides (GOS) or as food additives.

Abstract: Methods and systems for removing impurities from an electrolytic salt are disclosed. After removal of impurities from the salt, the salt can be subjected to electrorefining to produce high-purity materials, for example silicon. Impurities are removed from the salt using a system that includes a first working electrode, a counter electrode, and at least one reference electrode. A second working electrode can also be utilized. The salt may be utilized in an electrorefining system, for example a system operated in a single phase or multiple phase operation to produce high-purity materials, such as solar-grade silicon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to reagents useful for generating immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and for diagnosing infection and disease in a subject that has been exposed to M. tuberculosis.

Abstract: A method of managing responder agency resources includes receiving information relating to one or more events, occurrences, or locations. Responders from two or more different jurisdictions are dispatched to the events, occurrences, or locations. One or more of the responders is dispatched through a web-enabled user device over the internet. Some of the responders may be dispatched through a system of a responder agency of one jurisdiction. Other responders may be dispatched through a system of a responder agency of another jurisdiction.

Abstract: A method of expressing heterologous expansin in a plant cell is provided where a nucleic acid molecule encoding expansin is introduced into the plant cell and in an embodiment is operably linked to a promoter preferentially expressing in the seed tissue of the plant, and in another embodiment is linked to a promoter preferentially expressing in the embryo tissue of the seed. An embodiment provides the nucleic acid molecule is operably linked to a second nucleic acid molecule that directs expression to the endoplasmic reticulum, vacuole or cell wall. Plants and plant parts expressing expansin are provided. An assay for detection of expansin activity is also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing an increased risk of NPSLE are provided.

Abstract: A method of making a synthetic foldable having a tertiary structure emulating the tertiary structure of a reference foldable protein is described. The method includes determining a folding nucleus peptide sequence associated with folding the reference foldable protein. The synthetic foldable protein is synthesized by including the determined folding nucleus peptide sequence and at least one repeat thereof in the peptide sequence of the synthetic foldable protein.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a copolymer having a backbone, wherein the backbone comprises a) one or more units that comprise a group that will yield a biologically active agent upon hydrolysis of the backbone; and b) one or more units of formula (II): wherein y is 1 or more. Other embodiments of the invention provide a therapeutic method for treating a wound in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need of such therapy, an effective amount of a copolymer as described herein.

Abstract: Composite films comprising an organic salt (or GUMBOS) such as 1-n-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and a polymer such as cellulose acetate are prepared. These films are useful in detecting vapors of volatile organic compounds, and in determining their molecular weights. A quartz crystal microbalance-based sensor was designed by depositing a thin film of this composite material on the gold electrode surface of a quartz crystal resonator. The sensor exhibited rapid response toward a variety of volatile organic compounds, and complete regeneration, high sensitivity, low detection limits, and wide dynamic ranges. The ratio of the change in frequency to the change in motional resistance is a concentration-independent quantity that is proportional to the molecular weight of the absorbed chemical species. These properties facilitate the easy identification and molecular weight determination of a broad range of organic vapors.

Abstract: A method of treating a cancer disease or pre-disease condition in a mammal comprising administering a first pharmaceutical composition including a therapeutically effective amount of a first therapeutic, wherein the first therapeutic is tetrandrine, a tetrandrine derivative, or pharmacologically acceptable salts, solvates, esters, amides, clathrates, stereoisomers, enantiomers, prodrugs or analogs thereof, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are occidiofungin formulations and uses thereof for the treatment of proliferative disorders, such as cancer. Methods of producing the disclosed occidiofungin formulations are also provided. Further, methods of treating a subject with the formulations are provided. In some embodiments, the formulations include occidiofungin and one or more cyclodextrins. The formulations may optionally further comprise an additional chemotherapeutic agent for treating the proliferative disease, lipid vesicles, and/or aqueous solvents (including pharmaceutically acceptable buffers and/or exceipients).

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating extraction of subterranean hydrocarbons from a geologic structure. The present methods include causing corrosion of a base metal within a geologic structure to produce a gaseous product to increase pressure and form fractures in the geologic structure. Some embodiments of the present methods include injecting a fluid composition comprising the base metal into a wellbore (e.g., into a geologic structure via the wellbore).

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide an industrial hygiene sampling system including a personal sampling belt and one or more sampling pouches. In one implementation, a belt body has an inner surface and an outer surface extending between a body proximal edge and a body distal edge. The inner surface is adapted to contact a body of the user. A first strap extends from the belt body to a receiving portion. A second strap extends from the belt body to a projecting portion. The receiving portion is adapted to receive and releasably engage the projecting portion to form a releasable buckle. One or more engaging strips is disposed on the outer surface of the belt body. The one or more engaging strips is adapted to releasably engage one or more sampling pouches, each having a pouch body defining an interior adapted to hold an industrial hygiene sampling device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing an improved asphalt. The method involves providing an asphalt and providing a compound of formula (I), as described herein. The asphalt is mixed with the compound of formula (I) under conditions effective to produce an improved asphalt. Also disclosed are an asphalt product and a method of making asphalt material. The invention further discloses a method of producing an improved asphalt comprising providing a polymer modified asphalt and providing a compound of formula (IIa) or formula (II). The polymer modified asphalt is mixed with the compound of formula (IIa) or formula (IIb) under conditions effective to produce an improved asphalt, which is yet another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: A catalyst comprises a carbide or nitride of a metal and a promoter element. The metal is selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, Co, Fe, Rh or Mn, and the promoter element is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Al, Si, S or P, provided that the metal and the promoter element are different. The catalyst also comprises a mesoporous support having a surface area of at least about 170 m2 g?1, wherein the carbide or nitride of the metal and the promoter element is supported by the mesoporous support, and is in a non-sulfided form and in an amorphous form.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing an increased risk for the development of aggressive, invasive breast cancer are provided.

Abstract: Single crystals of the new semiconducting oxychalcogenide phase were synthesized using a novel crystal growth method. The crystals had low defects and homogeneous composition as characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Heat capacity and resistivity measurements were in agreement with the calculated band structure calculations indicating semiconductivity, with a band gap of about 3 eV.

Abstract: Measuring the number of glomeruli in the entire, intact kidney using non-destructive techniques is of immense importance in studying several renal and systemic diseases. In particular, a recent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique, based on injection of a contrast agent, cationic ferritin, has been effective in identifying glomerular regions in the kidney. In various embodiments, a low-complexity, high accuracy method for obtaining the glomerular count from such kidney MRI images is described. This method employs a patch-based approach for identifying a low-dimensional embedding that enables the separation of glomeruli regions from the rest. By using only a few images marked by the expert for learning the model, the method provides an accurate estimate of the glomerular number for any kidney image obtained with the contrast agent. In addition, the implementation of our method shows that this method is near real-time, and can process about 5 images per second.