Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting the decomposition of agricultural products are provided. A composition comprises a breathable sachet of cyclodextrin-encapsulated plant essential oils, such as thyme oil. Another composition comprises a mixture of a plant essential oil, protein, wax and glycerine used as a coating on at least one inner surface of a defined space such as a storage, shipping or delivery container or a flower sleeve. A method comprises addition of the composition to a defined space containing, or designed to contain, an agricultural product such as a fruit, vegetable or cut flower.

Abstract: A polymeric valve which may include a heart valve, and also may include a trileaflet heart valve includes a stent having a base and a plurality of outwardly extending posts from the base and equidistant from each other. A plurality of leaflets each connected to a corresponding one of the posts at one end, and each of the leaflets connected to the base. Each of the leaflets having an operative end opposite the end connected to the post, and the operative ends of the leaflets being biased in a closed position such that the operative ends abut each other. The operative ends are configured to rhythmically open and close in relation to each other, and the leaflets include multiple cross sectional thicknesses at different portions of the leaflets.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of energy storage devices, and especially electrochemical energy storage devices including electrolytes comprising an ionic liquid, one or more solvents, and one or more salts of a Group 2 element. Effects on electrochemical performance of the electrolyte of each of the components of the electrolyte were systematically determined. In addition, interactions between the electrolytes and separator films were dissected to optimize electrochemical performance of coin cell batteries.

Abstract: Occidiofungin is a cyclic nonribosomally synthesized antifungal peptide with submicromolar activity. This invention is directed to compositions enriched for particular occidiofungin diastereomers/conformers, methods of making compositions enriched for particular diastereomers/conformers and microorganisms suitable for producing enriched compositions of particular diastereomers/conformers. Methods of treating fungal infections or plants infected by fungi are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods of producing modified polypeptides and modified polypeptide-ribosome or polypeptide-mRNA complexes, and methods of screening polynucleotide and polypeptide libraries. The present disclosure also provides polypeptide libraries useful in screening for single molecule phenotypes. Also provided are kits useful for producing polypeptides capable of being modified using methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments concern a composition comprising a diatom frustule and two or more photocatalytic nanoparticles dispersed on the surface of the frustule. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for making the composition. The nanoparticles are dispersed such that they are separate and not in physical contact with each other. An average distance between the nanoparticles may be from greater than 0 nm to 100 nm. The nanoparticles may comprise a dopant material. Paint compositions comprising the diatom frustule compositions are also contemplated. The diatom frustule composition may be useful for removing and/or degrading volatile organic compounds, such as those present in the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modification of rhizobacteria to reduce or eliminate gibberellin production. The modified rhizobacteria are used in methods and compositions that alter the physiology of nodulating plants. These methods and compositions involve combining the modified rhizobacteria with a nodulating plant, or a seed or part thereof, or providing the modified rhizobacteria to a nodulating plant, or seed or part thereof. In another aspect, the invention involves the nodulating plants produced by these methods, wherein the nodulating plants have altered physiology as a result of association with the modified rhizobacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel aspirin derivatives useful for preventing and/or treating cancer. The novel compounds of this invention may be particularly useful for the prevention and/or treatment of cancers affecting the gastrointestinal system, such as colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The cascaded multilevel inverter is considered to be a promising topology alternative for low-cost and high-efficiency photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, the leakage current issue, resulting from the stray capacitances between the PV panels and the earth, remains a challenge in the photovoltaic cascaded multilevel inverter application. The present invention presents leakage current suppression solutions for the PV cascaded multilevel inverter by introducing properly arranged and designed passive filters. The embodiments of the invention do not include an active semiconductor device, and as such, the leakage current suppression techniques of the present invention retain the simple structure of the cascaded inverter and do not complicate the associated control system.

Abstract: A system and method for automated polyp detection in optical colonoscopy images is provided. In one embodiment, the system and method for polyp detection is based on an observation that image appearance around polyp boundaries differs from that of other boundaries in colonoscopy images. To reduce vulnerability against misleading objects, the image processing method localizes polyps by detecting polyp boundaries, while filtering out irrelevant boundaries, with a generative-discriminative model. To filter out irrelevant boundaries, a boundary removal mechanism is provided that captures changes in image appearance across polyp boundaries. Thus, in this embodiment the boundary removal mechanism is minimally affected by texture visibility limitations. In addition, a vote accumulation scheme is applied that enables polyp localization from fragmented edge segmentation maps without identification of whole polyp boundaries.

Abstract: The invention describes a system for creating portable, porous structures for restoring coastline. The invention provides for a bag with multiple longitudinal pockets. The bag is made of porous natural or synthetic mesh material and the pockets are filled with lightweight, porous manufactured aggregate. In a preferred embodiment, the lightweight aggregate used in this invention is produced by thermal fusion of silicate clays in a rotary kiln. In another preferred embodiment, multiple bags are encased in a flexible grid material to form a mat. In another embodiment, the mat can be rolled into a log. The bags, mats, and logs can be placed on shorelines and other locations to restore coastline.

Abstract: Transgenic plants that have enhanced yield-related traits, such as increased seed oil production, are produced by genetically engineering the plants to down-regulate the expression of at least one BPM protein. Such transgenic plants can, for example, be cultivated and yield higher seed oil production than control plants which have not been genetically engineered for down regulation of a BPM protein.

Abstract: Printed active origami combines printed electronics with nanomaterial coated polymer based actuators to create active printed structures. The fabrication processes include the step of applying carbon nanomaterial coatings to polymeric films. Products produced by the processes include actuating materials, such as solid state actuators that can be used as active element(s) in a printable active origami robot.

Abstract: A ligand having the structure or its enantiomer; (I) wherein: each one of Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd is selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; the bridge group is selected from CH2NH; *CH(CH3)NH(C*,R); and the organocatalyst is an organic molecule catalyst covalently bound to the bridge group. Also, a catalyst having the structure or its enantiomer: (II) wherein: each one of Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd is selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; the bridge group is selected from CH2NH; *CH(CH3)NH(C*,R); and *CH(CH3)NH(C*,S); the organocatalyst is an organic molecule catalyst covalently bound to the bridge group; and M is selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pd, Cu, Ru, Ir, Ag, Au, Zn, Ni, Co, and Fe.

Abstract: The genetic basis for severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) in pigs is described. In addition, tests for detecting pigs that are carriers for SCID or pigs with SCID are also described. Further, methods for producing pigs or herds of pigs with SCID are also described. Further, methods and compositions for treating, ameilioraing, inhibiting or correcting SCID are provided.

Abstract: Methods, structures, and systems are disclosed for biosensing and drug delivery techniques. In one aspect, a device for detecting an analyte and/or releasing a biochemical into a biological fluid can include an array of hollowed needles, in which each needle includes a protruded needle structure including an exterior wall forming a hollow interior and an opening at a terminal end of the protruded needle structure that exposes the hollow interior, and a probe inside the exterior wall to interact with one or more chemical or biological substances that come in contact with the probe via the opening to produce a probe sensing signal, and an array of wires that are coupled to probes of the array of hollowed needles, respectively, each wire being electrically conductive to transmit the probe sensing signal produced by a respective probe.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and formulations for protecting plants against various pathogens, involving the use of Prunus maackii materials. In some embodiments the biopesticide formulation comprises of at least one flavonoid such as 3,5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone, 3,5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavanone or 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavanone. The invention further provides a method of making the biopesticide by extracting a Prunus species with a solvent and formulating the composition using adjuvants, and kits for application of the biopesticide.

Abstract: Biomarkers associated with neuroimmunological disease are described. The disclosed biomarkers are secreted proteins identified in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with neurological disease. The disclosed biomarkers identify patients with intrathecal inflammation, distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from patients with other types of inflammatory neurological diseases and from subjects without MS, distinguish progressive MS patients from patients with relapsing-remitting MS, identify subjects with non-MS inflammatory neurological diseases, differentiate healthy subjects from patients with any type of neurological disease, and/or identify subjects with increased disability, CNS tissue damage and/or neurodegeneration. Process-specific biomarkers that can be used in place of a brain biopsy to identify immune cell infiltration and/or activation in the CNS are also described.

Abstract: ‘NCCX2’ is a new cultivar of hybrid beautyberry with a compact habit, purple emerging and fall foliage and abundant pink-purple fruit in the fall.

Abstract: ‘NCDX2’ is a new cultivar of hybrid Deutzia with a compact, low-growing, arching/spreading growth habit with a profusion of showy pink-striped petals.