Abstract: Several embodiments related to lithium-ion batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template.

Abstract: Compounds used to inhibit glycolytic pathway small molecule kinase 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/Fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB) are set forth; these inhibitors can be used in the treatment of certain diseases in which cells or tumors rely on glycolytic metabolism, such as many cancer cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of producing nitric oxide comprising (i) providing a composition comprising a metal-organic framework, and (ii) exposing the composition to a nitric oxide-releasing compound. The disclosure also is directed to compositions, coatings, and medical devices comprising a metal-organic framework.

Abstract: Reaction-based fluorescent probes are provided which detect, for example, biologically important sulfane sulfur species (persulfide, polysulfide, and elemental sulfur) in, for example, complex and living systems. The probes are high in selectivity and sensitivity to sulfane sulfurs. Moreover, probes are suitable for bioimaging sulfane sulfurs in living cells.

Abstract: A composition comprising thermoset shape memory polymer and a composition for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a close-then-heal mechanism. In use the shape memory polymer serves to bring opposing surfaces in a structural defect into proximity, whereafter heating the molecular scale healing composition to a level at or above its melting point allows for molecular scale healing. The composition has the ability to close macroscopic defects, and to do so repeatedly even if another wound occurs in a previously healed area.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes. The isolated nucleic acids and/or the enzymes enable incorporation of monolignol ferulates into the lignin of plants, where such monolignol ferulates include, for example, p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and/or sinapyl ferulate. The invention also includes methods and plants that include nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzyme and/or feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes.

Abstract: Enzymatic biosensors and methods of producing distal tips for biosensor transducers for use in detecting one or more analytes selected from organic compounds susceptible to dehalogenation, organic compounds susceptible to oxygenation and organophosphate compounds susceptible to hydrolysis are disclosed herein, as well as biosensor arrays, methods of detecting and quantifying analytes within a mixture, and devices and methods for delivering reagents to enzymes disposed within the distal tip of a biosensor.

Abstract: Broad-based, cross-protective, O-serotype independent vaccines against Shigella and related pathogenic organisms are provided. The vaccines comprise one or more of the type III secretion (TTS) apparatus needle proteins IpaD and IpaB, and/or the IpaB cognate chaperone protein IpgC. Chimeric proteins of IpaD and IpaB, and/or IpgC are also encompassed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a new class of compounds referred to as “reversed chloroquines” (RCQs), which are highly effective against CQR and CQS malaria parasites. RCQs are hybrid molecules, which include an antimalarial quinoline analog (such as chloroquine) moiety and a CQR reversal moiety. Exemplary RCQ chemical structures are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions including the disclosed RCQ compounds, and methods of using such compounds and compositions for the treatment of malaria and inhibition of CQR or CQS Plasmodium sp. (such as P. falciparum).

Abstract: Microcin MccPDI and bacteria harboring the mcpM gene which encodes MccPDI, limit growth of and/or kill pathogenic bacteria such as pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) and/or Shigella bacteria via proximity-dependent inhibition (PDl).

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel mutant plants and plant parts thereof, derived via mutagenesis, having disease resistance and other useful traits. Particular embodiments provide a wheat genotype ‘RRR Scarlet’ (‘Scarlet-Rz1’), plants and seeds thereof, methods for producing a plant comprising crossing ‘Scarlet-Rz1’ plants with another wheat plant, hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing ‘Scarlet-Rz1’ plants with another line or plant, and creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of ‘Scarlet-Rz1’. Additional aspects provide methods for producing other varieties or breeding lines derived from ‘Scarlet-Rz1’ and to varieties or breeding lines produced thereby. Further aspects provide for mutant plants and plant parts thereof that are resistant and/or tolerant to plant root fungal pathogens such as Rhizoctonia and Pythium. Additional embodiments provide mutant plants and plant parts thereof that exhibit stress tolerance and/or resistance.

Abstract: A formaldehyde-free aqueous adhesive composition comprising (a) soy protein and (b) magnesium oxide or a mixture of magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide, wherein components (a) and (b) together constitute at least 50 weight percent of the composition, excluding the weight of the water.

Abstract: Biosensors and methods of producing biosensors for use in detecting one or more analytes in a solution are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for measuring the level of MG53 found in a biological fluid as a biomarker for a disease or disorder, e.g., tissue damage, exercise capacity or a muscle-related disease or disorder. In addition, the invention relates to targeting the native MG53 found in the blood as a therapeutic approach.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes an apparatus and a clutch for using controlled storage and release of mechanical energy to aid in locomotion. One exemplary apparatus includes a frame including an upper portion configured to mechanically couple to a leg of the subject on a calf side of an ankle joint of the subject and a lower portion pivotally attached to the upper portion configured to mechanically couple to a foot of the subject on a foot side of the ankle joint of the subject. The apparatus include a rotary clutch and an elastic element coupled between the upper and lower portions of the frame to control periods of energy storage and release by the elastic element.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device and method for neuroprosthetics comprises microactuators and microelectrodes. The microelectrodes are to be positioned in a nerve bundle and bonded with the microactuators through an interconnect. The position of each of the microactuators can be individually tuned through control signals so that the microelectrodes are implanted at desired positions in the nerve bundle. The control signals are transmitted to the microactuators and generated with a open-loop or closed-loop control scheme that uses signals acquired by the microelectrodes from the nerve bundle as feedback.

Abstract: A method of enhancing binaural representation for a subject includes receiving a first signal and a second signal in response to a plurality of sound sources, generating a number of estimated interaural time differences using the first signal and the second signal, converting each of the number of estimated interaural time differences to a corresponding interaural level difference, using one or more of the corresponding interaural level differences to generate an adjusted first signal, and using the adjusted first signal to generate a number of signals delivered to the subject for enhancing the hearing of the subject.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating or preventing inflammatory disorders are provided. The compositions of the invention comprise a recombinant bacterium genetically modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a recombinant bacterium modified to decrease the display of lipoteichoic acid on the cell surface. Administration of the recombinant bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The recombinant bacterium may be administered in a single dose or series of doses. Methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of inflammatory disorders including, for example, treating or preventing inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or Crohn's disease.

Abstract: A method of patterning a combined layer of an electrically-conductive film, such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO), that is disposed on a flexible substrate includes bending the combined layer about a radius of curvature. The combined layer is initially bent in a first direction so that the electrically-conducive film is distal to the radius of curvature, so as to form initial dielectric lines in the electrically-conductive film. The combined layer is then bent in another direction so that the electrically-conductive film is proximate to the radius of curvature to further enhance the dielectric performance of the initial dielectric lines. The dielectric lines electrically isolate a portion of the electrically-conductive film that is disposed therebetween, to form an electrically conductive electrode.

Abstract: A field programmable threshold-logic array (FPTLA) includes a number of threshold logic gates and a number of programmable interconnect elements. Each one of the programmable interconnect elements are connected between two or more of the threshold logic gates, such that the programmable interconnect elements route signals between the threshold logic gates. By using threshold logic gates for the FPTLA, the size of the FPTLA may be significantly smaller than conventional solutions. Further, using threshold logic gates results in significant improvements in the computation speed of the FPTLA when compared to conventional solutions.