Abstract: A latching actuator capable of repeated operation in a cryogenic, remote, or difficult-to-access environment, capable of enduring many cycles without user intervention or maintenance, capable of latching in a fixed position without consuming additional power, or to operate independent of external environmental conditions. In selected embodiments, a latching actuator may comprise an expansion chamber that houses a working substance capable of undergoing a phase change, a logic mechanism, a biasing assembly, and an output pin. In one embodiment, a wax motor may provide the motive force to toggle a latching mechanism. An actuator may be capable of positioning an output pin in two or more discrete latching positions and may be used to create a thermal connection between two structures, to engage or disengage a clutch, or to position an optical element in an optical instrument. An actuator may also be used as a launch lock apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process that helps alleviate the pH gradient between anode and cathode compartments in any biological fuel cell or electrolytic cell configuration in which a pH gradient between anode and cathode is limiting the voltage efficiency. By providing acid to the cathode compartment in the form of CO2, the pH gradient is reduced and voltage efficiency and power output are increased. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide produced in the anode chamber is recycled to the cathode chamber.

Abstract: A testing system for wireless power transfer systems, including a stationary plate, a rotating plate, and a driver to rotate the rotating plate with respect to the stationary plate.

Abstract: Methods for assessing a pathological condition in a subject include measuring one or more markers where a difference is indicative of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or a predisposition to ALL, uses and compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions, devices, and methods for analyzing a polymer and/or polymer unit. The polymer may be a homo or hetero-polymer such as DNA, RNA, a polysaccharide, or a peptide. The device includes electrodes that form a tunnel gap through which the polymer can pass. The electrodes are functionalized with a reagent attached thereto, and the reagent is capable of forming a transient bond to a polymer unit. When the transient bond forms between the reagent and the unit, a detectable signal is generated and used to analyze the polymer.

Abstract: An electrode for reduction of an oxidant including a phosphorus-doped carbon-containing catalyst represented by the chemical formula CNxPy, where x is from 0 to about 10 wt. % and y is from about 1 ppm to about 10 wt. %. A device for producing electricity by facilitating an electrochemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant. The device including a first electrode for oxidizing the fuel to produce protons and electrons. The device further includes a second electrode in electrical communication with the first electrode when electrically connected to the external circuit. The second electrode includes a phosphorus-doped carbon-containing catalyst for reducing the oxidant and is represented by the chemical formula CNxPy, where x is from 0 to about 10 wt. % and y is from about 1 ppm to about 10 wt. %. The device further includes an electrolyte, such as, a membrane, separating the first electrode from the second electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides peptides, portions and derivatives thereof, that are useful for reducing cell migration, and for reducing symptoms of pathological diseases that are associated with undesirable cell migration, and in particular MMP-induced cell migration. This invention also provides peptides that are useful for detecting (e.g., imaging) cancers.

Abstract: A system and method of scheduling tasks, comprising receiving activity and performance data from registers or storage locations maintained by hardware and an operating system; storing calibration coefficients associated with the activity and performance data; computing an energy dissipation rate based on at least the activity and performance data; and scheduling tasks under the operating system based on the computed energy dissipation rate.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining susceptibility, resistance or tolerance to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) infection, comprising: determining, using a biological sample from a mammalian subject, a presence or absence of at least one EDN2 gene mutation, or the genotype of at least one EDN2 gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selected from the SNP group consisting of SNP105 (nucleotide position 105,288,174 on BTA3 (UMD 3.1)), SNP208 (nucleotide position 105,298,664 on BTA3 (UMD 3.1)), and SNP272 (nucleotide position 105,305,070 by on BTA3 (UMD 3.1)), that segregates with resistance and/or tolerance to Map tissue infection; and determining, based thereon, at least one of susceptibility, resistance or tolerance of the mammalian subject to Map infection. Additionally provided are mammals (e.g., bovine) derived culling, selecting, or selective breeding, based on disclosed methods, and methods for procuring mammals.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel methods for redirecting carbon allocation in plants or cell culture from lignification to inherently more useful and tractable materials, and to facilitate the generation of, e.g., biofuels from the remaining plant ro culture biomass. Particular aspects provided novel methods for converting monolignols into allyl/propenyl phenols, and for chavicol/eugenol formation or production. Additional aspects relate to the discovery of novel chavicol/eugenol synthases that convert p-coumaryl/coniferyl alcohol esters into chavicol/eugenol, and to novel compositions (e.g., novel proteins and nucleic acids encoding same), and novel methods using same for producing or forming chavicol/eugenol and other derivatives in cell culture and/or genetically modified plants, and for re-engineering the composition of plant biomass.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for producing thermoset, water repellent binders particularly effective for forming combustible composite materials. The binders include a mixture of an alkaline protein hydrolyzate and a bio-oil or an acidic protein hydrolyzate and a lignin compound. Desirably, the binders and the resulting combustible composite materials are substantially free of formaldehyde.

Abstract: The invention provides permeable magnetically responsive filtration membranes that include a filtration membrane polymer base suitable for fluid filtration; hydrophilic polymers conjugated to the surface of the filtration membrane polymer; and magnetic nanoparticles affixed to the ends of a plurality of the hydrophilic polymers, wherein the hydrophilic polymers are movable with respect to the surface of the filtration membrane polymer surface in the presence of an oscillating magnetic field.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein pertains to a method for screening drugs using second-harmonic generation microscopy. The tissue is scanned with a pulsed laser light which has an excitation wavelength. At least some of microtubules within the tissue produce generated light with a second-harmonic wavelength that is half the excitation wavelength. A microtubule pattern within the tissue is determined based on an analysis of the generated second-harmonic wavelength.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Ya, Yb, R1, R2, and G are as described in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula (I). The compounds are useful as inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase and as antibacterial agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for providing and using markers of aphid resistant germplasm, particularly for identifying aphid resistance germplasm in soybean plants. Specifically, the inventions related to providing aphid resistant germplasm identified by markers associated with decreased damage from aphid feeding, as well as enhanced tolerance to aphid infestation of soybean plants. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods for using genetic markers in breeding methods for producing plants with increased resistance to aphid damage and tolerance, while retaining and acquiring desired agronomic traits. Additionally, markers were developed for fine mapping of aphid resistance genes including allele specific contributions to plants for breeding soybean plants with increased aphid resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector and is configured to mount to a machine having multiple axes of control. A control signal on the connector determines a path of a rotating tool holder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for dehydrogenation of an alkane to an alkene using an iridium pincer complex. In the dehydrogenation reactions, hydrogen that is co-formed during the process must be removed for the chemical reaction to proceed and to prevent the excess hydrogen from poisoning the catalyst. In one embodiment the process comprises providing an alkane feedstock comprising at least one alkane and contacting the alkane with an iridium pincer complex in the presence of a hydrogen acceptor selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propene, or mixtures to form an alkene product. The processes disclosed herein can accomplish facile, low-temperature transfer dehydrogenation of alkanes with unprecedented selectivities and TONs at a reasonable rate of conversion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nematicides, which are compositions that kill nematodes when placed in physical contact with nematodes. Nematodes do not decompose organic matter, but, instead, are parasitic and free-living organisms that feed on living material. M. incognita is a root knot nematode that has the ability to cause infection in more than 2,000 species of plants. Specifically, the present invention relates to CED-4 peptides that effectively kill nematodes. These CED-4 peptides are segments of the CED-4 protein. This invention is directed to a nematicide composition comprising an effective amount of a CED-4 peptide consisting of no more than 50 amino acids. In one aspect of the invention, the nematicide composition consists of no more than 30 amino acids. In another aspect of the invention, the nematicide consists of no more than 20 amino acids.

Abstract: Hand pointing has been an intuitive gesture for human interaction with computers. A hand pointing estimation system is provided, based on two regular cameras, which includes hand region detection, hand finger estimation, two views' feature detection, and 3D pointing direction estimation. The technique may employ a polar coordinate system to represent the hand region, and tests show a good result in terms of the robustness to hand orientation variation. To estimate the pointing direction, Active Appearance Models are employed to detect and track, e.g., 14 feature points along the hand contour from a top view and a side view. Combining two views of the hand features, the 3D pointing direction is estimated.

Abstract: ‘NCHC1’ is a new Hypericum calycinum variety having golden yellow foliage that matures to a light green and does not revert to dark green foliage.