Abstract: A multilayer enzyme immobilization process is provided comprising adsorbing a polyethyleneimine (PEI) solution in a fibrous matrix, and adding an enzyme to the fibrous matrix, which comprises a plurality of fibrils. The process further comprises forming at least two layers of PEI-enzyme aggregates on the fibrils, and cross-linking the multilayer PEI-enzyme aggregates. The process can further comprise washing the fibrils containing the cross-linked PEI-enzyme aggregates with distilled water and acetic acid buffer subsequent to cross-linking. However, the PEI-containing matrix is not washed prior to the addition of enzyme. The enzyme can be ?-galactosidase and the fibrous matrix can be cotton cloth. The multilayer immobilized enzyme can be employed in a biocatalyst reactor for production of galacto-oligosaccharides from lactose and the hydrolysis of lactose to glucose and galactose.

Abstract: Provided is a method for stimulating in an individual an immune response against M. catarrhalis. The method is performed by administering to an individual a composition that contains at least one isolated M. catarrhalis protein in an amount effective to stimulate an immune response against M. catarrhalis in the individual. The M. catarrhalis proteins used in the method of the invention are M. catarrhalis proteins Msp22, Msp75, Msp78, Protein 28, Protein 99, Protein 238, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to recombinant bacterial outer membrane proteins comprising one or more LB1(f) peptides from surface-exposed loop 3 of MOMP P5 of non-typeable H. influenzae. Polynucleotides encoding these recombinant proteins are also covered. The invention also relates to a method of isolating the recombinant proteins and a vaccine composition for use in the treatment of Haemophilus influenzae infection.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for digital signal processing, which may include obtaining a first set of digitized coefficients from source data and determining a best-fit distribution of a generalized Gaussian distribution for the set of digitized coefficients. The digital signal processing may further include applying a quantization algorithm to the first set of plurality of digitized coefficients to obtain a second set of quantizers, wherein the quantization algorithm is based at least in part on the determined best-fit distribution, and providing second set of quantizers as a compressed representation of the source data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of fabrication of liquid crystal light modulating devises having electrically tunable spectral wavelength and more particularly, to a cholesteric liquid crystal display with electrically switchable colors. The cholesteric light modulators may be fabricated by applying a plurality of layers to maximize the light modulation. It also features a polymer composite or polymer-network stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal with electrically switchable Bragg reflected wavelength within a predetermined range of spectral wavelength.

Abstract: A method for measuring the direction and velocity of a target in a measurement volume in a laser Doppler velocimetry system includes selecting a discrete number of grating positions for an electrically switchable grating, placing the electrically switchable grating in a light path of a laser source. The laser source outputs a laser beam along the light path. The method further includes switching the electrically switchable grating sequentially through the discrete number of grating positions at a grating frequency to generate diffracted light beams from the laser, directing the diffracted light beams through a lens, focusing the diffracted light beams on a measurement volume, passing a target through the measurement volume in a target direction at a target velocity and receiving scattered light in a detector and calculating the power spectrum of light intensity fluctuations. The power spectrum includes a maximum peak.

Abstract: Therapeutic applications, such as prevention, treatment and supplementation, for the use of novel and other thiolatocobalamins to protect human cells against the effects of oxidative stress. In particular, this invention relates to the use of a novel synthetic thiolatocobalamin, N-acetyl-L-cysteinylcobalamin (NACCbl) to protect animal cells against oxidative stress damage. This invention also relates to the use of thiolatocobalamins, such as NACCbl, in lieu of current, commercially available forms of vitamin B12 for the treatment and prevention of conditions associated with oxidative stress damage and for dietary supplementation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making alkali metal silicide compositions, and the compositions resulting from the method, comprising mixing an alkali metal with silicon and heating the resulting mixture to a temperature below about 475° C. The resulting compositions do not react with dry O2. Also, the invention relates to sodium silicide compositions having a powder X-ray diffraction pattern comprising at least three peaks with 2Theta angles selected from about 18.2, 28.5, 29.5, 33.7, 41.2, 47.4, and 56.2 and a solid state 23Na MAS NMR spectra peak at about 18 ppm. Moreover, the invention relates to methods of removing a volatile or flammable substance in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the alkali metal silicide compositions of the invention react with water to produce hydrogen gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to algal species and compositions, methods for identifying algae that produce high lipid content, possess tolerance to high CO2, and/or can grow in waste streams, and methods for using such algae for waste stream remediation and biomass production.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancers. The invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis.

Abstract: A composite structure is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a composite structure has relative layer-to-layer fiber orientations of between approximately 5° and 15°, inclusive. A further aspect of the present invention employs relative fiber offset angles less than 30° on a curved section. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a three-dimensionally woven configuration where the first sheet is interwoven or mechanically linked with both the adjacent second layer and the opposite third or deeper layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic tools for serodiagnosing HGE. The diagnostic tools are structurally related proteins, the “Group 44 proteins”, and to antibodies to such proteins. the Group 44 proteins comprise a single central hypervariable region of approximately 94 amino acid residues, a first conserved region and a second conserved region which flank the central hypervariable region. The hypervariable region of each Group 44 protein has a higher hydrophilicity, a higher antigenic index, and a higher surface probability than either the first conserved region or the second conserved region of the respective protein. The hypervariable region is basic and has an isoelectric point, i.e., a pI, of from about 7.1 to about 9.2 and a molecular mass, i.e., an Mr, of from about 8.5 kDa to about 11 kDa. The Group 44 proteins comprise the P44 protein, the P44-2 protein, the P44-12 protein, the P44-15 protein, the P44-18 protein, and the P44-19 protein and variants of such proteins.

Abstract: A number of protein and glycoprotein antigens secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) have been identified as “early” Mtb antigens on the basis early antibodies present in subjects infected with Mtb prior to the development of detectable clinical disease. Epitope-bearing peptide fragments of these early Mtb antigens, in particular of an 88 kDa secreted protein, GlcB (SEQ ID NO:106) and of Mtb antigen MPT51 (SEQ ID NO:107) have been identified. These peptides, variants thereof, peptide multimers thereof that include two or more repeats of one or more of the peptides, and fusion polypeptides that include early Mtb antigenic proteins, peptides or both, are useful in immunoassay methods for early, rapid detection of TB in a subject. Preferred immunoassays detect the antibodies in the subject's urine. Also provided are antigenic compositions, kits and methods to useful for detecting an early Mtb antibodies. The antigenic proteins and peptides are also used in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for treating cancer and inducing apoptosis in unwanted rapidly proliferating cells. The compounds are shown in formula I: wherein X is hydroxyl or amino; Y is carboxyl or sulfonyl; R1, R2, R3, and R4 can be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, halogen, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl and combinations thereof, R5, R6, and R7 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, chloro, bromo, nitro, phenyl, amino, methoxy, and combinations thereof, and derivatives or metabolites thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for production of flavonoids in microbial hosts. The compositions comprises a set of genes which encode for enzymes involved in one or more steps in the biosynthetic pathway for the conversion of phenylpropanoids to various flavonoids. The method comprises the steps of introducing the set of genes into a heterologous host cell, allowing growth of the cells in a suitable medium such that the expression of the genes results in production of enzymes. When specific substrate(s) is/are provided to the transformed cell, the enzymes act on the substrate(s) to produce the desired flavonoids.

Abstract: A method for identifying a bridge node in a network using a processor and memory unit in a specially programmed special purpose-purpose computer including the steps of, for each node in a plurality of nodes in the network: determining a global metric proportional to total traffic flow in the network and through the node; determining a local metric proportional to traffic flow between the node and each second node in the network connected to the node and traffic flow between each second node and each third node in the network connected to a second node; determining a second local metric proportional to the respective traffic flows between each node and each second node; and calculating a respective combination of the global metric and the first and second local metrics; and selecting, a bridge node from among the plurality of nodes based on the respective combinations.

Abstract: Strain gauges are mounted on each crank arm of the bicycle and provide a measure of the torque applied to each crank arm. In a preferred embodiment, strain gauges are mounted on opposite edges of each crank arm, which includes a self-contained power, electrical circuitry, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting the strain measurement information to a main controller. The main controller includes a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data from both the left and right crank arms and external devices. Memory is also included for storing such data for subsequent analysis to determine the individual leg performance of a cyclist during a race or training session.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of an Malus domestica ‘apple’ tree, named ‘WA 2’, that is distinguished by its attractive blush, outstanding texture being firm, crisp and juicy, and the presence of the homozygous genes for ethylene production ACSI-2/2 and ACO1-2/2 which contribute to maintaining the fruit quality over long periods of storage.

Abstract: A nozzle for producing a single-file stream of droplets of a fluid, methods using the nozzle, and an injector, comprising the nozzle of the invention, for providing the single-file stream of droplets of a fluid to a high-vacuum system are described. The nozzle comprises two concentric tubes wherein the outer tube comprises a smoothly converging-diverging exit channel and the outlet end of the first tube is positioned within the converging section of the exit channel.

Abstract: An electrode for a charge storage device and a method for forming the electrode. The electrode comprises an electrode body having an essentially continuous phase of an active material, an essentially continuous phase of an electroconductive material, and an essentially continuous phase of void space. The active material is oxidized by applying a potential to the electrode body in the charge storage device so as to transform the active material to an oxide species thereof. The resulting oxide species of the active material has a higher active surface area than the active material prior to the oxidizing.