Abstract: The present invention provides novel photobioreactors, modules thereof, and methods for use in culturing and harvesting algae and cyanobacteria.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device that is secure from invasion and related methods are disclosed herein. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring cryogenic refrigeration includes a cryocooler interface, a housing, a working fluid, a heat exchanger, a flexible thermal link, and a remote cartridge cold head. The cryocooler interface is thermally connected to a cryocooler providing a source of refrigeration. The refrigeration is passed from the crycooler into the heat exchanger via the cryocooler interface. The remote cartridge cold head is attached to a remote location. Heat is drawn from the remote location through the remote cartridge cold head and into the heat exchanger via the working fluid within the flexible thermal link and housing. Within the heat exchanger, heat is transferred from the working fluid to the refrigeration source, such as a cryocooler; accordingly, the remote location is cooled.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acid aptamers that recognize and bind the complement protein C3 or its biologically active proteolytic products and methods of their use. Particularly preferred are bi-functional aptamer construct that binding specifically with C3b or iC3b, and another target protein. Use of these molecular constructs for commandeering the opsonization process is also described herein.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention can involve a method of synthesizing ?-amino-?-caprolactam. The method can comprise heating a salt of L-lysine in a solvent comprising an alcohol. In other embodiments, the present invention can involve methods for synthesizing ?-caprolactam. The methods can comprise heating a salt of L-lysine in a solvent comprising an alcohol and deaminating the reaction product. In various embodiments, the invention can include methods of converting biomass into nylon 6. The methods can comprise heating L-lysine in a solvent comprising an alcohol to produce ?-amino-?caprolactam, deaminating to produce ?-caprolactam and polymerizing into nylon 6, wherein the L-lysine is derived from the biomass. In other embodiments, the present invention can include methods of making nylon 6. The methods can comprise synthesizing ?-caprolactam and then polymerizing, wherein the ?-caprolactam is derived from L-lysine.

Abstract: A number of compounds and use of the compounds in a method for treating or preventing cancer in a subject by administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition including a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are described. The compounds can also be used to inhibit integrin-linked kinase in a cell, which has an effect on the Akt signaling pathway.

Abstract: The invention encompasses micelle assemblies, compositions having micelle assemblies, and methods for preparing micelle assemblies and compositions thereof. Also, the invention encompasses compounds of the formula: A-X—Y—Z—R1 wherein A is a carboxy group or is absent; X is a polyol, Y is —C(?O)—, —C(?S)—, or is absent; Z is O, S, or NH; and R1 is a polyether, wherein one or more hydroxy groups of the polyol are acylated with a fatty acid residue, wherein the compounds form micelle assemblies. The invention encompasses methods of encapsulating molecules using the compounds of the invention.

Abstract: Scanning probe microscope (SPM) images are enhanced by enforcing one or more symmetries that can be selected based on suitable Fourier coefficient amplitude or phase angle residuals, and/or geometric Akaike information criteria, and/or cross correlation techniques. Alternatively, this selection can be based on prior knowledge of specimen characteristics. In addition, a scanning microscope point spread function is obtained based on the evaluation of a calibration image by enforcing at least one symmetry and can be applied to other image acquisitions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating morbid obesity in mammals using a gastric reduction assembly that reduces the gastric volume of a stomach and induces early satiety. The gastric reduction assembly comprises at least two or more expandable devices, each able to be adjustably inflated with a fluid (e.g., a liquid or a gas) using a filling tube. In a preferred embodiment, the gastric reduction assembly is inserted through the abdominal wall and placed at a location exterior to the stomach body, avoiding an abdominal incision. Once positioned near the stomach body, the gastric reduction assembly allows for the external compression of the stomach body to limit food intake. The gastric reduction assembly also minimizes the potential for shifting of the expandable devices after insertion to the stomach body to revert to its pre-compressed state.

Abstract: A nanoscale motion detector attaches a gold nanorod (30) to the rotating arm (26) of a molecular structure (10) to cause the nanoparticle to rotate. The molecular structure is an F1-ATPase enzyme. The gold nanorod is exposed to a light source. The long axis of the gold nanorod scatters red light when the nanorod is in a first position. The short axis of the gold nanorod scatters green light when the nanorod is in a second position. A polarizing filter filters the red and green light to detect the rotational motion by observing alternating red and green lights. A detection DNA stand (50) is coupled between the gold nanorod and the molecular structure. The detection DNA strand hybridizes with a target DNA strand (58) if the target DNA strand matches the detection DNA strand to form a structural link between the molecular structure and gold nanorod.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, reagents, kits and compositions for detecting microRNA (miRNA) precursors in a biological sample. The methods uses gene-specific primers and reverse transciptase to convert the primary miRNA precursors (pri-miRNA) and pre-miRNA precursors (pre-miRNAs) to cDNA. The method also uses amplification reactions using gene specific forward and reverse primers that are targeted to the hairpin sequence of pri- and pre-microRNA precursors to detect the expression levels of both the pri- and the pre-microRNAs.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for determining the ability of a gene construct to alter the rhythm and contractility of a syncytial cell. Furthermore, this invention provides methods for constructing a gene construct capable of altering the rhythm or contractility of a syncytial cell. Finally, this invention provides a method for constructing a gene construct capable of coupling to a syncytial cell.

Abstract: (?)-EGCG, the most abundant catechin, was found to be chemopreventive and anticancer agent. However, (?)-EGCG has at least one limitation: it gives poor bioavailability. This invention provides compounds of generally formulae below, wherein R11, R12, R13, R21, R22, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of —H, and C1 to C10 acyloxyl group; and R5 is selected from the group consisting of —H, C1-C10-alkyl, C2-C10-alkenyl, C2-C10-alkynyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl and C3-C7-cycloalkenyl, whereas each of the last mentioned 7 groups can be substituted with any combination of one to six halogen atoms; at least one of R11, R12, R13, R21, R22, R2, R3 and R4 is —H, which were found to be more potent than their non-protected counterparts, which can be used as proteasome inhibitors to reduce tumor cell growth.

Abstract: Combining multiple clusterings arises in various important data mining scenarios. However, finding a consensus clustering from multiple clusterings is a challenging task because there is no explicit correspondence between the classes from different clusterings. Provided is a framework based on soft correspondence to directly address the correspondence problem in combining multiple clusterings. Under this framework, an algorithm iteratively computes the consensus clustering and correspondence matrices using multiplicative updating rules. This algorithm provides a final consensus clustering as well as correspondence matrices that gives intuitive interpretation of the relations between the consensus clustering and each clustering from clustering ensembles. Extensive experimental evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of this framework as well as the algorithm for discovering a consensus clustering from multiple clusterings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polyarylates comprising repeating units having the structure: as well as their preparation and use as cell growth substrates.

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: Systems and methods for global voltage security assessment in power systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for assessing voltage security in a power system having a number (i) of buses includes capturing a change in bus voltage and a change in line reactive power for at least some of the buses in the power system, for each of the i number of buses, calculating a voltage assessment index) (?i) for as follows: ? i = ? j ? ? ? ? Q ij ? ? ? V i where ?Vi is the change in bus voltage and ?Qij is the change in line reactive power from a connection j over a predetermined period of time. The method further includes assessing a current voltage security status of the power system based on the calculated voltage assessment index (?i).

Abstract: A number of FTY720-derived compounds with antitumor activity are described. These compounds include the compounds of formula I: wherein R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl. methoxy, and hydroxyl; R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methoxy, and hydroxyl; R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl and cyclo-alkyl; and n is independently selected from 0 to 6. The compounds have lower immunosuppressive side effects as a result of not being phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase 2.

Abstract: Means and method for analysis of a component of interest in a sample is provided. A small sample cell is provided which decreased dispersion of the sample. Also provided is a device for detection of a component of interest in a sample in which the small sample cell is used with an ultra violet laser in which the energy of the laser is spread over an area such that energy density is above desorption threshold, but the sample not ablated. Rapid and reliable detection of a component of interest is provided with the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for production of algal-based medium chain fatty acids and hydrocarbons. More specifically, the invention relates to a Nannochloropsis algal strain and mutants that produces high amounts of C16 fatty acids and hydrocarbons. The present invention provides methods and compositions for production of algal-based medium chain fatty acids and hydrocarbons. More specifically, the invention relates to a Nannochloropsis algal strain and mutants that produces high amounts of C16 fatty acids and hydrocarbons.