Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of formula Ia: and salts thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula Ia, processes for preparing compounds of formula Ia, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula Ia and therapeutic methods using compounds of formula Ia.

Abstract: The instant invention provides amino acid sequences competing with E2F for DNA binding. Methods of using said amino acid sequences for treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula la, lb and Ic: [Formula Ia, Ib, and Ic] and salts thereof, wherein variables are as described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula Ia-Ic, methods of making such compounds, and methods of using such compounds, e.g., as inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase and as antibacterial agents.

Abstract: A fuel injection device and associated method are provided. An injector body defines an axial bore and has a nozzle exit extending into the combustion chamber. The injector body receives fuel within the bore and channels the fuel through the nozzle exit into the combustion chamber. A flow rate control member is movably disposed within the injector body bore and is actuatable by a first actuator to move with respect to and to interact with the nozzle exit to control a flow rate of the channeled fuel. A pintle member is movably disposed within a flow rate control member bore and is actuatable by a second actuator, independently of the flow rate control member, to move with respect to the flow rate control member and to interact with the nozzle exit to control a spray angle of the channeled fuel. The flow rate and spray angle are thereby independently controllable.

Abstract: A method for making a nanostructure is provided. The method includes adding a seed solution to a first aqueous growth solution to produce a nanoparticle solution in a first growth phase and continuously adding a second growth solution to the nanoparticle solution to form a nanostructure in a second growth phase. Related nanostructures are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant cell having a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide which is a lipase having at least 40% amino acid sequence identity to a polypeptide having SEQ ID NO:1, and methods of using the recombinant cell to produce triacylglycerols or to increase oil production by the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a zingiberene synthase that enables host cells and plants to make zingiberene that is useful in fragrances and for repelling or killing insects. The invention also relates to isolated zingiberene synthases and to methods for making zingiberenes.

Abstract: A robotic fuel cell assembly system includes an end-effector, robotic workcell, and fuel cell components that have integrated design features that allow accurate component alignment during the assembly process of a fuel cell stack within a desired tolerance, while avoiding component overlap, which is a major cause of overboard gas leaks during the fuel cell operation. Accurate component alignment is achieved by electrically non-conductive alignment pins that are mounted on a fuel cell base plate, which are configured to be received by guide holes formed on the fuel cell components, and alignment holes provided by an alignment arm attached to the end-effector. The end-effector also includes a passive compliance system that includes two perpendicularly mounted miniature linear blocks and rails, which serve to compensate for the limitations in the ability of the robotic arm to move the end-effector accurately in a repeated manner.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive construct comprising: (a) a backing substrate; and (b) a pressure sensitive adhesive composition disposed on the backing substrate, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive includes a product made from at least one epoxidized vegetable oil and at least one dibasic acid or anhydride, or a combination of a dibasic acid or anhydride and a monobasic acid or anhydride.

Abstract: This application concerns systems and methods for compressing natural gas with an internal combustion engine. In a representative embodiment, a system for compressing a gas comprises a reciprocating internal combustion engine including at least one piston-cylinder assembly comprising a piston configured to travel in a cylinder and to compress gas in the cylinder in multiple compression stages. The system can further comprise a first pressure tank in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder assembly to receive compressed gas from the piston-cylinder assembly until the first pressure tank reaches a predetermined pressure, and a second pressure tank in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder assembly and the first pressure tank. The second pressure tank can be configured to receive compressed gas from the piston-cylinder assembly until the second pressure tank reaches a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of delivering a protein to the brain of a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutic fusion protein comprising a homeodomain peptide operably linked to a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The expression of a mRNA encoding a putative 76 amino acid, secreted protein (“Enho1”) was found to negatively correlate with fasting triglyceride and cholesterol levels. A recombinant adenovirus was used to increase the expression of Enho1 mRNA in two mouse models of obesity, KK-Ay and Lepob/Lepob mice. Over-expression of Enho1 by adenovirus injection significantly, and reproducibly, reduced fasting triglyceride and cholesterol levels in both models. In addition, transgenic mice strains were made that over express Enho1 protein. Additionally, the expression of a key gene involved in lipogenesis (fatty acid synthase) and FAS protein levels were reduced by ENHO1 adenoviral treatment in Lepob/Lepob mice.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: A phase oscillating device for affecting movement of a limb or a primary body includes a sensor coupled to the primary body. A physical state of the primary body is measured using the sensor. A phase angle of the primary body is determined based on the physical state measurement. The physical state measurement includes position, velocity, or acceleration. The phase angle of the primary body is filtered using a sine function. An actuator is coupled to the primary body. The actuator is triggered based on the phase angle of the primary body to provide a force or torque to assist or resist movement of the primary body. A secondary body is coupled to the primary body. The secondary body is oscillated using the actuator, which is triggered in phase with a gait step. Alternatively, a fan is coupled to the primary body and actuator to provide the oscillating force.

Abstract: A separation system includes at least a hydrocyclone and one or more membranes. In another aspect, a separation system includes a membrane having graduated and/or asymmetrical pore sizes. A further aspect of a separation system includes an inner membrane, an outer membrane and a hydrocyclonic flow between the membranes.

Abstract: Antiviral protease inhibitors, including macrocylic transition state inhibitors and peptidomimetics are disclosed, along with related antiviral compounds, and methods of using the same to treat or prevent viral infection and disease. The compounds possess broad-spectrum activity against viruses that belong to the picornavirus-like supercluster, which include important human and animal pathogens including noroviruses, sapoviruses, enteroviruses, poliovirus, foot-and-mouth disease virus, hepatitis A virus, human rhinovirus (cause of common cold), human coronavirus (another cause of common cold), transmissible gastroenteritis virus, murine hepatitis virus, feline infectious peritonitis virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymeric composite particles includes the steps of preparing an oil phase containing a biodegradable polymer and a water phase containing a hydrophilic compound or nanoparticle and emulsifying the oil phase in the water phase to form emulsions. Then solvent is removed from the emulsions to prepare the particles in the form of capsules and spheres in sizes from 0.01 ?m (10 nm) to 50 ?m.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polymer compositions and methods for preparing such compositions. The invention also provides methods for polymerizing various unsaturated monomers, including naturally occurring or plant biomass-derived renewable acrylic monomers. The monomers can be rapidly polymerized using various organic catalysts or organometallic catalysts, as described herein. In one embodiment, nearly perfectly isotactic polymers (mmmm>99%) can be prepared using a C2-symmetric zirconocenium catalyst.

Abstract: In a composition aspect of the invention, a nanoparticle coating comprises repeating polyacrylic acid monomers covalently bound together in an aliphatic chain having a plurality of carboxylic acid functional groups and modified carboxylic acid functional groups extending therefrom. A first portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having a terminal methoxy functional group and a second portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having at least one terminal catechol group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protecting against, treating, and detecting Fusobacteria infections. Compositions and methods derived from nucleic acid and protein sequences of a 40 kDa Adhesin protein are provided to protect against, treat, and detect Fusobacteria infections in a subject. In one aspect, vaccines capable of inducing an immune response to a 40 kDa Adhesin protein are used to protect against Fusobacteria infection. Also, nucleic acid molecules, proteins, immunogens, antibodies, and antisense molecules derived from the sequences of the 40 kDa Adhesin protein may be used to protect against, treat, and detect Fusobacteria infections in a subject.