Abstract: A biological control is disclosed for termites, including subterranean termites such as C. formosanus, comprising a mixture of a chitin synthesis inhibitor such as lufenuron with a pathogen or opportunistic pathogen. The combination greatly enhances the effectiveness above that of the individual components. For example, P. aeruginosa is commonly found in association with termites, but it is not normally harmful to termites. However, in the presence of lufenuron, P. aeruginosa becomes an opportunistic pathogen that kills termites. As another example, B. thuringiensis, which otherwise has shown only limited effectiveness against termites, has greatly enhanced lethality in combination with lufenuron. In another aspect a termite toxicant is administered to termites in a clay-based bait. Clay acts as an attractant for subterranean termites such as C. formosanus, and a clay bait can increase a colony's consumption of a toxicant.

Abstract: The developmental neural network is trained using a synaptic maintenance process. Synaptogenic trimming is first performed on the neuron inputs using a synaptogenic factor for each neuron based on standard deviation of a measured match between the input and synaptic weight value. A top-k competition among all neurons then selects a subset of said neurons as winning neurons. Neuronal learning is applied only to these winning neurons, updating their synaptic weights and updating their synaptogenic factors.

Abstract: A method for making a composite superconductor and a superconductor made using the method. Superconducting filaments are embedded in a matrix material. Oxygen-containing elements are also embedded in the matrix material, with the oxygen-containing elements preferably being dispersed evenly among the superconducting filaments. A surrounding reinforcement material contains the other elements and preferably seals the superconductor from the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing ammonia borane are provided. The methods comprise reacting at least one amine borane with ammonia such that ammonia borane is produced. Ammonia borane has a chemical formula of NH3.BH3 and provides a good source of storage hydrogen making it useful in a variety of applications including a potential hydrogen source for fuel cells. The methods can further comprise separating the ammonia borane from the other products of the reaction. Exemplary methods can produce ammonia borane having purity greater than about 90 percent. In further examples, the methods can produce ammonia borane having purity greater than about 95 percent or greater than about 99 percent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing glyphosate-tolerant wheat genotypes by mutagenesis, glyphosate wheat plants produced by such methods, and related compositions and methods.

Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a method for increasing temporal resolution in Phase Contrast (PC) MR imaging. The increased temporal resolution may be obtained by reusing information encoded into phase of an MRI signal where said reuse occurs prior to the difference reconstruction.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for sensing a gaseous analyte includes a substrate having at least two electrodes disposed thereon, and a carbon nanotube-polyaniline (CNT/PANI) film disposed on the substrate and in contact with at least two electrodes. The CNT/PANI film includes carbon nanotubes coated with a thin layer of polyaniline. The thickness of the polyaniline coating is such that electron transport can occur along and/or between the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Disclosure is provided for imidazole derivative compounds useful to inhibit the formation of biofilms and/or inhibit microbial growth, compositions including these compounds, devices including these compounds, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Photouncaging-assisted evaluation of large-scale synaptic reorganization of brain circuits and methods in use thereof. The current invention utilizes laser-scanning photostimulation in large-scale and with higher accuracy to detect synaptic reorganization in neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Using the invention's methodology, disease and non-disease conditions can be determined, and treatments can be personalized and administered more efficiently.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device for proximity-based social and professional networking which features electronics and software for the passive automated local wireless exchange of personal and/or business information with other electronic devices is disclosed. In some embodiments, an electronic device includes a controller having an operations unit; a communication unit configured to receive and/or transmit data from a first external source; and a memory unit configured to communicate with the controller and receive and/or transmit data from the controller. The operations unit may be configured to determine if received data from the first external source meets a set threshold and wherein the operations unit may be configured to instruct communication unit to accept data that meets or exceeds said threshold. The communication unit may receive and transmit data from the first external source provided the external source is within a predetermined proximity.

Abstract: An apparatus, resonator and method for modulating light including a mechanism to compensate for parameter deviations. The apparatus may be capable of phase shift keying and quadrature amplitude modulation, and includes a waveguide, a plurality of micro-resonators, and an electronic structure. The plurality of micro-resonators are positioned adjacent to the waveguide and have a parameter deviation in at least one resonator characteristic. The electronic structure is electrically biased so as to cause electro-optic modulation of amplitude and a phase of the light output by the apparatus, each bias voltage comprising a numerical offset that is determined based upon the parameter deviation, thereby reducing any overall effect caused by the material or manufacturing imperfections. An electronic encoder may provide driving voltage levels for phase shift keying or quadrature amplitude modulation. The number of output amplitude and phase states of light depends on the number of output voltage levels of the encoder.

Abstract: This invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the expression of apolipoprotein E by mammalian cells. Apolipoprotein E is a protein that plays a significant role in the development of Alzheimer's Disease in humans. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a triarylmethyl amine compound having the general formula: wherein the R1 group may comprise acyclic amines and aliphatic amines. The R2 group may comprise one of three aryl varieties: aryl, substituted aryl, or heterocycle. Triarylamine compounds inhibit apolipoprotein E expression in mammalian cells. In one aspect of the invention the mammalian cells may be human cells, and more specifically may be human brain cells.

Abstract: A clay comprising a 2:1 aluminosilicate clay having negative charge sites, the 2:1 aluminosilicate clay containing subnano-sized zero valent iron (ZVI) particles distributed on clay surfaces is provided. In one embodiment, at least some or all of the particles have a cross-section of five (5) angstroms or less. Methods of synthesizing and the novel clays and the clay-templated subnano-scale ZVI particles themselves are also described. Such novel products are useful in a variety of remediation applications, including for reduction and dechlorination reactions.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of treating hemangiomas with a beta blocker by applying the beta blocker onto the hemangiomas directly. The invention also concerns a combination therapy by using a beta blocker along with a corticosteroid or an alpha adrenergic receptor agonist for the treatment of hemangiomas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tray for use with a walker. The tray includes a generally rigid tray base having an essentially rectangular shape with a front long side, a back long side, a first short side and a second short side, and wherein the tray has a length that extends to or past the essentially horizontal support member; a ridge extending along the sides of the tray, wherein the ridge has a height of at least about a ½ inch; a strap having a hook and loop fastener wherein the strap is positioned at or near the back long end; and a first hinge and a second hinge, the first and second hinges are positioned, when the tray is in use, at or near the front leg of the first and second support, respectively.

Abstract: A laser system is provided which selectively excites Raman active vibrations in molecules. In another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a laser, pulse shaper and detection device. A further aspect of the present invention employs a femtosecond laser and binary pulse shaping (BPS). Still another aspect of the present invention uses a laser beam pulse, a pulse shaper and remote sensing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cyclodepsipeptide compounds having antineoplastic and/or antimicrobial activity, preferably Kitastatin 1. The present invention is further directed to methods of inhibiting cancer cell growth and/or microbial growth in a host inflicted therewith by administering cyclodepsipeptide compounds to the inflicted host.

Abstract: A capsule configured for in vivo refilling of a thereapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the capsule may contain methotrexate.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods of treating a mammal who has a BCR/ABL-mediated leukemia, including chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), particularly the blast crisis stage of CML, Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph?-ALL), and refractory leukemias. The invention also provides for compounds for the treatment of these leukemias and methods of identifying anti-leukemic agents.