Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in tobacco plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for a root-specific nicotine demethylases, CYP82E10, and variants thereof, that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Compositions of the invention also include tobacco plants, or plant parts thereof, comprising a mutation in a gene encoding a CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase, wherein the mutation results in reduced expression or function of the CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase. Seed of these tobacco plants, or progeny thereof, and tobacco products prepared from the tobacco plants of the invention, or from plant parts or progeny thereof, are also provided. Methods for reducing the level of nornicotine, or reducing the rate of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, in a tobacco plant, or plant part thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for substituting polyaromatic hydrocarbons or polyheterocyclic compounds with perfluoroalkyl groups. The methods can include heating a polyaromatic hydrocarbon substrate or a polyheterocyclic compound substrate in the presence of a perfluoroalkyl iodide, typically in a closed system, wherein the heating is sufficient to bring both the polyaromatic hydrocarbons or polyheterocyclic compound, and the perfluoroalkyl iodide, into the gas phase, thereby allowing the substrate to react with the perfluoroalkyl iodide in the gas phase to form polyaromatic hydrocarbons or polyheterocyclic compounds having one or more perfluoroalkyl substituents. The methods allow for the creation of versatile libraries of novel perfluoroalkyl-containing derivatives that can serve as important building blocks and active components in biomedical, electronic, and materials applications.

Abstract: A trough collector for solar energy, with multiple parallel troughs preferably being contained within a single unit. The collector does not use conventional azimuth tracking in order to keep the sun's rays directed toward the parabola's focus as the sun moves across the sky. Instead, the relative position between the collecting device (preferably a conductive tube containing a circulating working fluid) and the plane of symmetry for each collector is adjusted so that the collecting device remains within the focal zone of the collector as the sun traverses the sky.

Abstract: A ligand having the structure or its enantiomer; (I) wherein: each one of Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd is selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; the bridge group is selected from CH2NH; *CH(CH3)NH(C*,R); and the organocatalyst is an organic molecule catalyst covalently bound to the bridge group. Also, a catalyst having the structure or its enantiomer: (II) wherein: each one of Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd is selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; the bridge group is selected from CH2NH; *CH(CH3)NH(C*,R); and *CH(CH3)NH(C*,S); the organocatalyst is an organic molecule catalyst covalently bound to the bridge group; and M is selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pd, Cu, Ru, Ir, Ag, Au, Zn, Ni, Co, and Fe.

Abstract: Novel compounds having a formula M1dM2eM3fChg where M1 is a transition metal, a group III, group IV, or group V element, M2 is a group 13, group 14, or group 15 element, and M3 and Ch independently are group 15 or group 16 elements, and a method for making the same are disclosed. The compounds may have a tetrahedrite crystal structure. Also disclosed are novel compounds having a formula A13MCha4 where A1, is a transition metal, M is a transition metal, a group 14 element, a group 15 element or a combination thereof, and Cha is a group 16 element. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the compounds. The compounds may form part of a device. Some devices may comprise both a tetrahedrite and a A13MCha4 compound. Some devices may have an electrical output, for example a photovoltaic device, such as a thin film solar cell.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a working electrode which includes a plurality of twisted carbon nanotube yarns. The dye-sensitized solar cell also includes a hybrid sensitizer. The hybrid sensitizer includes a nanoporous titanium oxide layer coated on the plurality of twisted carbon nanotube yarns, a microporous titanium oxide layer coated onto the nanoporous titanium oxide layer, and dye particles and quantum dots disposed in the pores of the microporous titanium oxide layer. In addition, the dye-sensitized solar cell includes a conducting electrode which includes at least one carbon nanotube yarn disposed about the hybrid sensitizer. The dye-sensitized solar cell also includes a solid state electrolyte disposed about the hybrid sensitizer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for separation of bacterial species and serotypes using electrophoretic methods.

Abstract: Methods and fluorescent probes that detect the presence of diseased cells such as cancer. The fluorescent probes are cloaked, turn-on probes having the fluorescence reporter released only in the presence of enzymes typically over-expressed in diseased and cancerous tissue. Probes include a fluorescent napthalimide reporter with a quinoidal moiety cloak.

Abstract: A self medication management system and method comprising at least a plurality of receptacles, a scanner, a display screen, and a processor to acquire medication information from a medication container, determine whether the medication information exists in a first database, if the medication information does not exist in the first database, associate the medication information with a location information comprising a receptacle and store the medication information and the location information in the first database, indicate the location information, and confirm placement of the medication container in the associated receptacle, notify a user to administer the medication held in the medication container, and request the user to scan the medication container of the notified medication, detect retrieval of an incorrect medication container from the plurality of receptacles, and issue a warning of the detection, and provide instructions for administering the medication.

Abstract: Improved peptide compositions and synbody compositions are disclosed that show improved stability and antibiotic activity. The new antibacterial peptides for S. aureus have particular D-amino acid substitutions in order to increase protease stability while also preserving marked antibiotic activity. Thus, compositions and methods for treating infections related to S. aureus also are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to radiation hardened digital circuits. In one embodiment, a radiation hardened digital circuit includes a delay network and a first Muller C element. The delay network is configured to generate a first delayed clock signal from a global clock signal such that that the first delayed clock signal is delayed with respect to the global clock signal. The first Muller C element is configured to generate a first clock input signal and set the first clock input signal to one of a set of clock states in response to the first delayed clock signal and the global clock signal each being provided in a same one of the set of clock states and is configured to hold the first clock input signal otherwise. Thus, a radiation strike is prevented from causing a soft error in the first clock input signal.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for inhibiting or reducing fungal growth. The methods comprise exposing a location to a composition comprising one or more enzymes, one or more bacteria, and/or an enzymatic extract, wherein the one or more enzymes, one or more bacteria, and/or the enzymatic extract isolated from one or more bacteria are exposed to location in a quantity sufficient to inhibit or reduce fungal growth.

Abstract: An MRI contrast composition includes a liposome and a europium metal complex disposed within the liposome. The europium metal complex includes a europium metal ion and a multi-dentate ligand selected from the group consisting of cryptands and thiacryptands and one or more counter-ions that balances a charge of the europium metal ion and the multi-dentate ligand, the europium metal ion being switchable between a 2+ and 3+ oxidation state. The contrast composition advantageously provides an oxidation-responsive dual-mode contrast agent because it would enhance either T1-weighted images or CEST images depending on the oxidation state of Eu.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I): X-?-Y??(I) wherein X, Y, and a have any of the values defined in the specification and salts thereof. The compounds are inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved and specific mRNA interferase and related methods of protein-based mRNA interference.

Abstract: Electrochemical capacitors and methods for producing such electrochemical capacitors. The electrochemical capacitor can have an initial charged state and a cycled charged state and can include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The anode can include a first mixture having a first plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a first average porosity. The cathode can include a second mixture having a second plurality of electrically conductive carbon-comprising particles having a second average porosity greater than said first average porosity. The electrolyte can be physically and electrically contacting said anode and said cathode, and the first mixture in the cycled charged state can be substantially free of lithium metal particles and can further include a plurality of lithium ions intercalating the first plurality of carbon comprising particles. The mass ratio of the cathode and the electrolyte can be less than 1.

Abstract: Preparing porous materials includes forming a mixture including a geopolymer resin and a liquid between which a nanoscale (1-1000 nm), microscale (1-1000 m), and/or milliscale (1-10 mm) phase separation occurs. The mixture is solidified (e.g., at an ambient temperature or a relatively low temperature), and a portion (e.g., a majority or a significant majority) of the liquid is removed from the solidified mixture. The liquid can include organic liquids from agricultural, geological, industrial, or household sources. The porous materials have accessible pores with a range of pore sizes including nanoscale pore sizes, microscale pore sizes, milliscale pore sizes, or a combination thereof. The porous material may be treated further to form another material, such as a composite.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for approximating in real time the fracture fatigue entropy (FFE) of a metallic object subjected to cyclic loading. Such objects experience fatigue, which can lead to failure after a number of loading cycles. The disclosed invention allows for real time monitoring of the entropy increase in a metallic object under cyclic loading, and allows for removing the object from service before fatigue fracture occurs. Through use of the present invention, users may keep metallic objects in service for longer periods, because such objects may be safely taken closer to the fatigue fracture point. The invention therefore can effectively extend the useful life of many critical components and reduce downtime resulting from repair or premature replacement.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of red raspberry plant (Rubus idaeus L.) named ‘Cascade Harvest’ adapted to the raspberry production area of the Pacific Northwest. ‘Cascade Harvest’ is primarily characterized by suitability for machine harvestability, tolerance to root rot, resistance to raspberry bushy dwarf virus and large, conical fruit that is longer than it is broad.

Abstract: ‘NCMS1’ is a new Miscanthus sinensis plant particularly distinguished by its triploid cytotype, low female fertility, and attractive form with showy inflorescences. ‘NCMS1’ provides an attractive and highly infertile alternative to diploid cultivars where reseeding and naturalization is a concern.