Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses compounds and compositions that are useful as specific AI-2 antagonists for the control of bacterial quorum sensing. Although the AI-2 antagonists according to the present disclosure may not have bactericidal effect, their ability to attenuate virulence, drug resistance, and/or biofilm formation have therapeutic benefits. In addition, the AI-2 antagonists of the present disclosure can also be used as tools to probe bacterial AI-2 functions. The present disclosure also encompasses methods for inhibiting or attenuating microbial virulence, biofilm formation, and drug resistance. The methods are suitable for preventing bacteria from accruing and forming extensive biofilms that may be a health or hygiene hazard or a physical issue, such as in the blockage of water or fuel lines.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure provide for three-dimensional stacks of microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems, such as sensors. The stacks may be encapsulated and sealed, and can be positioned within biological tissue, for example to monitor biological signals within the volume of the sensor, provide stimulating signals to a brain, and so forth.

Abstract: Liquid crystal cells and lenses having a variable resulting pre-tilt across two or more areas of the cell, and in particular, cells and lenses are provided wherein a resulting pre-tilt is varied across the cell according to any desired birefringence profile that can be utilized in liquid crystalline optical elements and liquid crystal displays. Methods of fabrication of the liquid crystal cells with variable resulting pre-tilt are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a packet classifier for a computer network system. The method includes: representing a set of rules for packet classification as a directed graph; formulating a plurality of minimization problems from the directed graph, where subgraphs extending from non-terminal nodes in the directed graph represent a minimization problem (i.e., a one-dimensional packet classifier); solving the plurality of minimization problems; combining solutions for the plurality of minimization problems to yield a reduced set of rules which form a reduced packet classifier; and instantiating the reduced packet classifier in a content-addressable memory device.

Abstract: A formulation containing a biologically active compound having a chemical structure with hydrogen bonding sites, a first biocompatible, hydrolytically degrading polycarbonate with hydrogen bonding sites and tyrosine-derived diphenol monomer units, and a second biocompatible hydrolytically degrading polymer that is less hydrophobic than the polycarbonate, wherein the second polymer degrades hydrolytically to form acidic degradation products that promote the release of the active compound. Methods for active compound delivery are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting soil nutrients or soil nutrients in soil from reflected light, and also includes systems for the measurement, calculation and transmission of data relating to or carrying out that method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (i) novel fluoroionic compounds capable of dispersing particulate filler compositions into a fluoropolymer; (ii) novel particulate compositions in which particulates are surface-functionalized with a fluoroionic compound; (iii) fluoropolymer composite materials containing the surface-functionalized particulates of (ii) incorporated into a fluoropolymer; (iv) crosslinked versions of (iii); v) methods for producing the crosslinked material of (iv); and (vi) articles of manufacture containing the compositions (iii) and (iv).

Abstract: The present invention discloses the discovery that miR-21 targets and down-regulates the core mismatch repair (MMR) recognition protein complex hMSH2 and hMSH6. Anti-sense miR-21 is therefore proven as therapeutic herein. Therefore, compositions, kits, therapies and other methods, including methods of treatment/amelioration of symptoms, are disclosed in the present invention.

Abstract: A high sensitivity desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry system that employs a heated platform, along with means for directing a liquid stream containing an analyte of interest onto a target location on the heated platform to heat the stream, an electrospray emitter for generating an electrospray and directing the electrospray at the target location on the heated platform to produce an ionized, desorbed analyte, and a mass spectrometer for receiving and detecting the ionized, desorbed analyte.

Abstract: A cooling device includes a target fluid inlet, a target fluid outlet, an inner conduit, and a chamber surrounding the inner conduit. The inner conduit communicates with the target fluid inlet and the target fluid outlet, and provides a flow path for a target fluid to be cooled. The chamber contains a first endothermic reactant and includes a reactant inlet selectively alterable from a closed state to an open state. When the reactant inlet is in the closed state, the first endothermic reactant is isolated from a second endothermic reactant and no endothermic reaction occurs. When the reactant inlet is in the open state, the reactant inlet provides a flow path for enabling the second endothermic reactant to come into contact with the first endothermic reactant in the chamber for initiating the endothermic reaction and cooling the target fluid in the inner conduit.

Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticles and targeting moieties for imaging and treating Chlamydial infection are provided, including nanoparticles conjugated to folic acid and comprising at least one antibiotic effective against Chlamydia.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions and broad-spectrum vaccines containing newly identified isolates of canine distemper virus (CDV) collected from a geographic area are provided. The newly identified isolates exhibit attributes of both European wildlife lineage CDV and one or both of Arctic and American-2 lineage CDV. Therefore, the vaccines are broadly protective against infection with European wildlife lineage CDV and either Arctic lineage CDV or American-2 lineage CDV, or both Arctic and American-2 lineage CDV.

Abstract: Dendritic cooling layers for printed circuit boards and method of fabrication thereof. The dendritic cooling layers may have non-intuitive dendritic structures that minimize peak temperature. The dendritic cooling layers may also be compatible with current PCB fabrication techniques. The dendritic cooling layers may have an adjustable tolerance to meet fabrication limits. The current invention also contemplates a method of generating a dendritic high conductivity path suitable for printed circuit boards. The methodology comprises the replacement of low conductivity materials with high conductivity materials such that the optimal ratio can be obtained to minimize heat flow resistance, while also maintaining lower costs of production.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a modular three-phase converter including two or more interleaved, parallel connected Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) utilizing a hybrid Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVM) control scheme are provided. For the hybrid SVM control scheme, six active vectors utilized for SVM define six sectors in a space vector plane. Each sector is divided into two or more regions having corresponding optimal SVM switching sequences. In operation, a revolving reference voltage vector is sampled to provide a reference voltage vector. The SVM controller then identifies one of the regions in one of the sectors that corresponds to an angle and, in some embodiments, a magnitude of the revolving reference voltage vector and applies the corresponding optimal SVM switching sequence to the two or more interleaved, parallel connected VSCs.

Abstract: A composite is provided having an electrically conducting Al matrix and elongated filaments comprising Ca and/or Sr and/or Ba disposed in the matrix and extending along a longitudinal axis of the composite. The filaments initially comprise Ca and/or Sr and/or Ba metal or alloy and then may be reacted with the Al matrix to form a strengthening intermetallic compound comprising Al and Ca and/or Sr and/or Ba. The composite is useful as a long-distance, high voltage power transmission conductor.

Abstract: The invention provides an article having a mesoporous silicate matrix, such as a particle, having one or more pores; and one or more releasable caps obstructing one or more of the pores for delivery of one or more agents to plant cells or other chlorophyll containing cells, or fungi.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an explosive testing agent is disclosed. The method includes synthesizing hydrogen bronze nanoparticles and placing the nanoparticles on a test platform.

Abstract: A powertrain is adapted to drive ground-engaging elements disposed along longitudinally-opposing sides of a vehicle. The powertrain includes at least one engine, a first electric machine, a second electric machine, a third electric machine, a first differential mechanism and a second differential mechanism. The engine and first electric machine are operatively connected to the first and second differential mechanisms. The second electric machine is operatively connected to the first differential mechanism and the third electric machine is operatively connected to the second differential mechanism. The first and second differential mechanisms are each operatively connected to drivably engage one or more ground-engaging elements disposed on a different one of the longitudinally-opposing sides of the associated vehicle. A vehicle including such a powertrain as well as methods of using the same are also included.

Abstract: Methods for producing biliverdin in a microorganism, methods for producing biliverdin from a non-animal source, cells for producing biliverdin and methods for producing cells for producing biliverdin are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and process for carrying out one or more chemical reactions are provided and include one or more chemical reactors having particulate solids forming a bed therein, and a gas stripping zone forming a non-mechanical seal between said reactors which includes a conduit connecting the reactors. The conduit includes an inlet for a stripping gas which is adapted to prevent process gas from passing between reactors while permitting particulate solids to pass between reactors.