Abstract: Wood is treated to reduce or prevent biodeterioration using boron compounds. A significant portion of the active boron is retained within the wood when leached. Boric acid is complexed with water-soluble bifunctional polyhydroxyl aromatic compounds, and the boric acid bifunctional polyhydroxyl aromatic complex is deposited into wood treated with a silicate. The complexing agents comprise polyfunctional compounds, including at least two hydroxyl groups, and one or more separate acid groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system, wherein at least one of the distributed resources is a wind turbine.

Abstract: The present invention provides new classes of phenol compounds, including those derived from tyrosol and analogs, useful as monomers for preparation of biocompatible polymers, and biocompatible polymers prepared from these monomeric phenol compounds, including novel biodegradable and/or bioresorbable polymers. These biocompatible polymers or polymer compositions with enhanced bioresorbabilty and processibility are useful in a variety of medical applications, such as in medical devices and controlled-release therapeutic formulations. The invention also provides methods for preparing these monomeric phenol compounds and biocompatible polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel luminescent compositions of matter containing two fluorophores (sensitizers), synthetic methods for making the compositions, macromolecular conjugates of the compositions, and the use of the compositions and their conjugates in various methods of detection. The invention also provides kits containing the compositions and their conjugates for use in the methods of detection.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a fiber mat comprising polymer fibers with ferroelectric particles embedded in the polymer fibers. The ferroelectric particles are oriented to generate a net polarization in the fiber mat. The ferroelectric particles may comprise barium titanate particles. The polymer fibers may comprise polylactic acid (PLA) fibers. The piezoelectric device may further include substrates sandwiching the fiber mat, and the fiber mat may be formed by electrospinning polymer fibers containing ferroelectric particles onto one of the substrates. The piezoelectric device may be a piezoelectric actuator configured to receive an input voltage applied across the fiber mat and to output a mechanical displacement in response to the voltage, or the piezoelectric device may be configured to output a voltage in response to a mechanical force applied to the fiber mat.

Abstract: Several new peptides have been developed that show effectiveness as vaccines against candidiasis and other fungal diseases. A new conjugate vaccine of a ?-mannotriose linked to a fungal peptide linked to tetanus toxin has been shown to be effective as a vaccine with or without use of an adjuvant. In addition, a monoclonal antibody has been identified that offers protection from a Candida infection.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on our discovery that certain types of therapeutic agents can be used in combination to treat a variety of neuropsychiatric and related disorders, including addiction (e.g., to a substance or to an activity) as well as to alleviate some of the symptoms experienced during menopause or associated with the menstrual cycle. Regardless of the precise formulation, the compositions of the invention can include at least one active ingredient that targets the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and at least one active ingredient that targets the prefrontal cortex. Either or both of these types of agents can be combined with an agent that inhibits activity in the sympathetic nervous system. Thus, the compositions or combination pharmacotherapies can also include an agent that inhibits a beta-adrenergic receptor or that otherwise acts as an anti-hypertensive or anxiolytic agent.

Abstract: A self-gettering differential pump for a molecular beam epitaxy system has a collimator with a length greater than its diameter mounted in front of a source in extended port geometry, wherein the reactant delivered by the source also serves as a gettering agent.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to novel substituted 2-alkyl-1-oxo-N-phenyl-3-heteroaryl -1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-4-carboxamides; synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating and/or preventing malaria. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system, wherein at least one of the distributed resources is a solar panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for recording the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time.

Abstract: The invention provides bipartite inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase having the general structural formula (I): X-?-Y (I) wherein X is an moiety that binds to the rifamycin binding site of a bacterial RNA polymerase, Y is a moiety that binds to the GE23077 binding site of a bacterial RNA polymerase, and is a linker. The invention also provides compositions comprising such compounds, methods of making such compounds, and methods of using said compounds. The invention has applications in control of bacterial gene expression, control of bacterial growth, antibacterial chemistry, and antibacterial therapy.

Abstract: Substrates may be bonded according to a method comprising contacting a first bonding surface of a first substrate with a second bonding surface of a second substrate to form an assembly, and compressing the assembly in the presence of an oxidizing atmosphere under suitable conditions to form a bonding layer between the first and second surfaces, wherein the first bonding surface comprises a polarized surface layer; the second bonding surface comprises a hydrophilic surface layer; the first and second bonding surfaces are different.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of detecting a foreground data in an image sequence using a dual sparse model framework includes creating an image matrix based on a continuous image sequence and initializing three matrices: a background matrix, a foreground matrix, and a coefficient matrix. Next, a subspace recovery process is performed over multiple iterations. This process includes updating the background matrix based on the image matrix and the foreground matrix; minimizing an L?1 norm of the coefficient matrix using a first linearized soft-thresholding process; and minimizing an L?1 norm of the foreground matrix using a second linearized soft-thresholding process. Then, background images and foreground images are generated based on the background and foreground matrices, respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for modulating the activity of KCNQ channels as a means for reducing the effects of aberrant KCNQ channel function associated with epilepsy, deafness and arrhythmias including but not limited to, Long-QT syndrome (“LQTS”), and atrial fibrillation. The present disclosure also relates to the discovery of certain regions of KCNQ channels that interact with various channel stimulating molecules such as, ATP, and PIP2, as well as KCNQ channel domains that effect voltage dependant channel activation. The disclosure is also directed to the use of small molecules to modulate KCNQ channel activity in a cell. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to the therapeutic effects of treating a subject with modulators of KCNQ channel activity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of sensor devices comprising a sensing component able to determine the presence of, detect, and/or quantify detectable species in a variety of environments and applications. The sensing components disclosed herein can comprise MOF materials, plasmonic nanomaterials, or combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, light guides can be coupled with the sensing components described herein to provide sensor devices capable of increased NIR detection sensitivity in determining the presence of detectable species, such as gases and volatile organic compounds. In another exemplary embodiment, optical properties of the plasmonic nanomaterials combined with MOF materials can be monitored directly to detect analyte species through their impact on external conditions surrounding the particle or as a result of charge transfer to and from the plasmonic material as a result of interactions with the plasmonic material and/or the MOF material.

Abstract: A method for the in vivo production of 1,3-butadiene from 2,4-pentadienoate is described (FIG. 1). Enzymes capable of decarboxylating 2,4-pentadienoate to 1,3-butadiene have been discovered. Recombinant expression of these newly discovered enzymes has resulted in the engineering of microorganisms capable of producing 1,3-butadiene when cultured in the presence of 2,4-pentadienoate. 1,3-butadienoate is an important monomer used in the manufacturing of rubbers and plastics. This invention will help to enable the biological production of 1,3-butadiene from renewable resources such as sugar, for example.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a pre-chamber. In another aspect, pressure within a pre-chamber is equal to or greater than pressure within a main combustion chamber at least prior to ignition in the main combustion chamber. A further aspect provides a supplemental piston creating pressure and supplying a fuel-air mixture into a pre-chamber, and a spark or glow plug has an end located within the pre-chamber for ignition of the mixture therein. In yet another aspect, internal combustion engine control software automatically controls pressure within a turbulent jet ignition pre-chamber, controls a valve-actuator to admit a fuel-air charge into the pre-chamber, and causes an ignitor to initiate combustion in the pressurized pre-chamber. This also permits the rate of combustion to be controlled in the primary chamber regardless of the air-fuel ratio or the diluent fraction in the main chamber. Another aspect employs a pre-chamber purge pump with separate air and fuel injection.

Abstract: A self-powered sensing system is provided for the monitoring of quasi-static structural responses. The sensing system is comprised of: an energy concentrator having a member configured to detect a variation of a physical stimuli and change shape in response to the variation of the physical stimuli, where the variation typically occurs at a frequency less than one Hertz; a transducer coupled the member of the energy concentrator and generates a voltage in response to the change in shape of the member; and an event logging circuit configured to receive the voltage from the transducer and log the voltage in a non-volatile memory. Physical stimuli may include temperature, pressure or an applied force.

Abstract: A compound comprising: (a) a drug carrier comprising coumarin-labeled-cysteine tethered mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) loaded with a pharmaceutically active agent, and (b) a fluorescein isothiocyanate-?-cyclodextrin (FITC-?-CD) covalently linked to said cysteine and blocking the release of said pharmaceutically active agent from said nanoparticles, wherein cleavage of said covalent linkage removes said cyclodextrin and releases said pharmaceutically active agent, and said coumarin and said fluorescin form a donor-acceptor pair so that said drug carrier has a first emission wavelength when the covalent linkage is intact and the cyclodextrin said present and a second emission wavelength after cleavage of said covalent linkage to remove said cyclodextrin and release said pharmaceutically active agent.