Abstract: A nonlinear electrical circuit dynamic model for different fuel cells is provided. The model provides a nonlinear electrical circuit equivalent, the parameters of which correspond to the particular fuel cell being modeled. The parameters can be theoretically or experimentally derived from the responses of the particular fuel cell. The resulting model can have impedances that are equivalent to that of the particular fuel cell, thereby capturing or providing a good approximation of the transient behavior of the particular fuel cell. More particularly, the resulting model can have impedances in the low frequency range less than 100 Hz that are equivalent to that of the particular fuel cell.

Abstract: A nanofibrillar structure for cell culture and tissue engineering is disclosed. The nanofibrillar structure can be used in a variety of applications including methods for proliferating and/or differentiating cells and manufacturing a tissue. Also disclosed is an improved nanofiber comprising a lipid, lipophilic molecule, or chemically modified surface. The nanofibers can be used in a variety of applications including the formation of nanofibrillar structures for cell culture and tissue engineering.

Abstract: A nanoscale antiferromagnetic gas sensing apparatus and methods of measuring gas using the apparatus are described. The use of the magnetic properties of an antiferromagnetic material as gas sensing parameters explores the concept of magnetic gas sensing. According to a preferred embodiment, a nanoscale magnetic hydrogen sensor apparatus is developed based on varying of the saturation magnetization and remanence of nanoscale antiferromagnetic hematite with hydrogen flow. For example, the saturation magnetization and remanence of nanoscale hematite has been shown to increase one to two orders of magnitude in the presence of flowing hydrogen gas at concentrations in the 1-10% range and at 575 K, indicating that a magnetic hydrogen sensor using hematite material may be practical and useful for detecting hydrogen in various environments such as those wherein production, storage, transportation, and/or vehicle use of hydrogen is being conducted.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition from distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is produced by reaction with an aqueous solution of a base, particularly, sodium hydroxide. Optionally, urea is included with the base. The bioadhesive composition is filtered as a solution from the residue of the reaction with the base. The bioadhesive composition is particularly useful as a boxboard glue.

Abstract: Ansamycin analogs, including maytansinoid analogs, and their use in treating cell proliferative diseases and conditions, and in particular, for use as antitumor agents.

Abstract: Electrodes and configurations for electrochemical bioreactor systems that can use electrical energy as a source of reducing power in fermentation or enzymatic reactions and that can use electron mediators and a biocatalyst, such as cells or enzymes, to produce electricity are disclosed. Example electrodes in the system may comprise: (1) neutral red covalently bound to graphite felt; (2) a carboxylated cellulose bound to the graphite felt, neutral red bound to the carboxylated cellulose, NAD+ bound to the graphite felt, and an oxidoreductase (e.g., fumarate reductase) bound to the graphite felt; or (3) a metal ion electron mediator bound to graphite. Various biocatalysts, such as an oxidoreductase, cells of Actinobacillus succinogenes, cells of Escherichia coli, and sewage sludge, are suitable for use in the electrochemical bioreactor system.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen, comprising the steps of: (a) gasifying a fuel into a raw synthesis gas comprising CO, hydrogen, steam and sulfur and halide contaminants in the form of H2S, COS and HX, where X is a halide; (b) passing the raw synthesis gas through a water gas shift reactor (WGSR) into which CaO and steam are injected, the CaO reacting with the shifted gas to remove CO2, sulfur and halides in a solid-phase calcium-containing product comprising CaCO3, CaS and CaX2; (c) separating the solid-phase calcium-containing product from an enriched gaseous hydrogen product; and (d) regenerating the CaO by calcining the solid-phase calcium-containing product at a condition selected from the group consisting of: in the presence of steam, in the presence of CO2, in the presence of synthesis gas, in the presence of H2 and O2, under partial vacuum, and combinations thereof. The CaO may have a surface area of at least 12.0 m2/g and a pore volume of at least 0.

Abstract: A method of increasing the rate of conversion of reactants to reaction product of enzyme catalyzed, reversible, i.e., equilibrium, reactions having water or methanol as byproduct includes removing water and/or methanol from the reaction mass during reaction by permeation of the reaction mass through a selectively permeable perfluorinated polymer or copolymer membrane.

Abstract: A flow unit for microfluidic particles separation and concentration is disclosed. The unit comprises a nozzle segment, a turn segment, and a diffuser segment. The nozzle segment is defined by a first member and a second member, and has an opening through which fluid and microfluidic particles enter. The nozzle segment has a narrowing portion at which the first and second members narrow from the opening to increase momentum of the fluid therethrough. The turn segment is defined by the first member flaring outwardly downstream from the narrowing portion to change flow direction of the fluid consistent with the first member. The diffuser segment is defined by the second member extending past the turn segment to facilitate separation of the microfluidic particles from the fluid due to the inability to follow the fluid flow.

Abstract: Carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter nucleic acids and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, carbohydrate utilization-related and multidrug transporter fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-carbohydrate utilization-related and anti-multidrug transporter antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid of the invention and cells into which the vector has been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds exhibiting angiogenic properties incorporating the structure of Formula I: R3—NH—NH—C(?O)—R2—P—R1??(I) wherein P is a water-soluble, biodegradable polymer, R1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or —R2—C(?O)—NH—NH—R3; each R2 is independently —CH2—, —NH— or O; and each R3 is independently hydrogen or a residue of a naturally occurring alpha-L-amino acid or dipeptide thereof. Polymer networks crosslinked with hydrazide compounds are also disclosed, together with implantable medical devices incorporating the compounds and crosslinked polymers, and angiogenesis-promoting treatment methods, including wound-treatment methods.

Abstract: A dual band photodetector for detecting infrared and ultraviolet optical signals is disclosed. Aspects include homojunction and heterojunction detectors comprised of one or more of GaN, AlGaN, and InGaN. In one aspect ultraviolet/infrared dual-band detector is disclosed that is configured to simultaneously detect UV and IR.

Abstract: Methods of assessing a sample for the presence of antibodies to certain proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi, are described, as are methods of diagnosing Lyme disease. Microarrays of proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi are also described.

Abstract: This invention is directed to applying a low sedimental fluid shear environment to manipulate microorganisms, and to microorganisms and compositions obtained based on such manipulation. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of modifying a molecular genetic or phenotypic characteristic (e.g., virulence, stress resistance or biofilm formation) of a microorganism by culturing in a low sedimental shear environment. One or more ion concentrations in the culture can be modulated in order to inhibit or amplify the extent of the modification. The present invention also provides microorganisms obtained from a low sedimental shear culture, which exhibit modified and desirable phenotypic characteristics, as well as therapeutic, vaccine and bioindustrial products prepared from such microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing crop plants that are resistant to herbicides. In particular, the present invention provides for sorghum plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) genes and proteins that are resistant to inhibition by herbicides that normally inhibit the activity of the ACC protein.

Abstract: A neutral protic salt electrolyte and a protic-salt imbibed polymer electrolyte membrane exhibiting high ionic conductivity and thermal stability at temperatures greater than 100° C. without requiring additional humidification systems or hydrating water is disclosed. The protic salt is the neutral product of acids and bases for which the proton transfer energy lies in the range from 0.5 to 1.5 eV. A polymer electrolyte membrane having the general formula: wherein A is a repeating unit in the main chain, B is a crosslinker chain, C is an end group, YZ is a neutralized couple at chain end, IL is an ionic liquid, and NP is a nanoparticle which absorbs the protic liquid yielding membranes that combine high mechanical strength with high conductivity. The present polymer electrolyte membrane is useful in high temperature fuel cells for automotive, industrial, and mobile communication applications.

Abstract: The invention provides adducts comprising a carbon nanotube with covalently attached silane moieties, and methods of making such adducts. Examples of silane moieties include trimethoxysilane; hexaphenyldisilane; silylphosphine; 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane; polydimethylsiloxane, poly(N-bromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide); N,N,N?,N?-tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide; hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS); chlorotrimethylsilane (TMCS); trichloromethylsilane (TCMS); an alkyl(alkylamino)silane; a tri(alkoxy)silane; tert-butyldimethylsilane; monochloroaminosilane; dichloroaminosilane; trichloroaminosilane; and dimethylaminosilane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation, purification, sequencing, and functional characterization of the class I diterpene synthase sequence OsKSL11. Transcriptional control of OsKSL11 provides a means of regulating production of stemodene. Further, since OsKSL11 is highly homologous to OsKSL8, identification of the sequence of OsKSL11 will facilitate identification of underlying enzymatic determinants that affect product outcomes with these enzymes.

Abstract: Electrolytic solvents and applications of such solvents including electric current-producing devices. For example, a solvent can include a sulfone compound of R1—SO2—R2, with R1 being an alkyl group and R2 a partially oxygenated alkyl group, to exhibit high chemical and thermal stability and high oxidation resistance. For another example, a battery can include, between an anode and a cathode, an electrolyte which includes ionic electrolyte salts and a non-aqueous electrolyte solvent which includes a non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfone. The sulfone has a formula of R1—SO2—R2, wherein R1 is a linear or branched alkyl or partially or fully fluorinated linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and R2 is a linear or branched or partially or fully fluorinated linear or branched oxygen containing alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms. The electrolyte can include an electrolyte co-solvent and an electrolyte additive for protective layer formation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the deconvolution of the NMR spectrum of a mixture into individual components and spin systems by combining covariance total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) spectra with covariance NMR. The method may include obtaining a 2D TOCSY spectra of a chemical mixture and then performing a series of analytical steps to identify the individual components of the mixture.