Abstract: The present invention discloses gradients and methods of forming gradients. The gradients can form a component of a molecular machine, such as those disclosed herein. The molecular machines of the present invention can perform a range of tasks including nanoparticle heterostructure assembly, derivatization of a nanoparticle and synthesis of biomolecules, to name just a few applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading and offloading a read/write head from a load ramp onto a disc are disclosed. The apparatus includes at least a basedeck supporting a spindle motor with an attached disc and an actuator assembly with a read/write head configured for communication with the disc, and a load ramp positioned adjacent the disc and configured for receipt of the read/write head. The actuator assembly includes at least an actuator motor magnet mounted to said basedeck, an actuator body attached to the basedeck and providing a voice coil configured for interaction with the actuator motor magnet, and a bias feature secured to said actuator body and configured for communication with the motor magnet such that when the read/write head is parked on the load ramp, the bias feature mitigates an unintentional engagement of the read/write head with the disc.

Abstract: Three choline utilizing strains of microorganisms isolated from the anthers of wheat, Aureobasidium pullulans strain AS 55.2, Arthrobacter species strain OH 221.3, and Pseudomonas species strain AS 64.4, are superior antagonists of F. graminearum. These microorganisms are effective for suppression and control of FHB in cereals, particularly in wheat and barley.

Abstract: The invention includes RNA complexes comprising at least three monomeric units of an RNA molecule, each monomeric unit comprising an RNA polymer having first and second helical domains that have respective first and second binding sites, wherein the first binding sites are adapted to binding to one another and are not adapted to bind to the second binding sites, and the second binding sites are adapted to binding to one another and are not adapted to bind to the first binding sites; such that the at least three monomeric units are adapted to self-assemble by forming pairs of cognate interactions and so as to form the RNA complex in a circular closed complex. The invention also includes derivatives of these complexes including aptamers, and analytical methods and devices using same.

Abstract: The synthesis and biological activity of indoloazepines and acid amine salts thereof which are structurally related to naturally-occurring hymenialdisine is disclosed. Naturally-occurring hymenialdisine obtained from the sponge is a potent inhibitor of production of cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?). The chemically-synthesized indoloazepines of the invention also inhibit production of IL-2 and TNF-?. The indoloazepines are useful for treating inflammatory diseases, particularly diseases associated with kinases NF-?B or GSK-3? activation or NF-?B activated gene expression products. The indoloazepines are useful for the treatment of cancer by the inhibition of kinases CHK1 and CHK2.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for making articles comprising a dielectric layer formed from any solution composition that can form barium titanate during firing and containing manganese in an amount between 0.002 and 0.05 atom percent of the solution composition, wherein the dielectric layer has been formed on metal foil and fired in a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: A system can comprise a screw and a nut, which are configured to move relative to each other. Each of the screw and the nut components can comprise one or more magnets configured to exert a repulsive force on one or more magnets of the other component as a result of the relative motion. Interactions between the one or more magnets of the screw and the one or more magnets of the nut can allow for conversion between linear motion and rotary motion. One or more tools can be used to aid in manufacturing the screw and/or the nut. In some embodiments additional components can aid in maintaining alignment of the screw and the nut.

Abstract: The invention provides an article comprising, a mesoporous silicate matrix, such as a particle, having one or more pores; and one or more releasable caps obstructing one or more of the pores. The articles are useful as delivery vehicles for encapsulated agents such as therapeutic agents, polynucleotides, polypeptides and the like.

Abstract: A method for tuning a fractional-order proportional-integral (PI) controller C ? ( s ) = K p ? ( 1 + K i ? 1 s ? ) includes deriving values for Kp, Ki, and ? that satisfy a flat phase condition represented by ? ? ? G ? ( s ) ? s ? ? s = jw c ? = ? ? ? G ? ( s ) ? s = jw c . Kp is derived to ensure that a sensitivity circle tangentially touches a Nyquist curve on a flat phase. Ki and ? are derived to ensure that a slope of a Nyquist curve is approximately equal to the phase of an open loop system at a given frequency.

Abstract: A textured whey protein product for use as a meat extender, meat analog, or snack food is prepared by thermoplastic extrusion of a composition containing whey protein and optionally an edible polysaccharide, such as cornstarch. Whey protein can also be mixed with other edible proteins in certain embodiments of the invention. Puffing of the extruded product results in an expanded snack food product. Methods of making the meat extender product and the snack food product are also shown.

Abstract: Provided are spin traps for the study of radical formation in vivo or in vitro. 5-carbamoyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (AMPO) and 2-amino-5-carbamoyl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (NH2-AMPO), have the following structures, respectively: as well as salts thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides protein or polypeptide imprinted polymers with integrated emission sites (PIPIES) for detecting the presence of a protein or polypeptide analyte comprising templated sites which are specific for the analyte. At or near the templated sites are selectively placed reporter molecules. A method is also disclosed for the preparation of the PIPIES and the use of these for the detection of analytes.

Abstract: Fused-ring triazole compounds which inhibit proliferation of cells and exhibit a unique and intense fluorescence are provided. Also provided are methods for synthesizing these compounds and methods for using these compounds to inhibit cell proliferation and infection and to label and fluorescently detect selected molecules.

Abstract: A novel and stable attenuated poliovirus, which replicates in neuroblastoma cells, is produced by engineering an indigenous replication element (cre), into the 5? non-translated genomic region and inactivating the native cre element located in the coding region of 2C (mono-crePV). The stably attenuated poliovirus replicates in a neuroblastoma model (Neuro-2aCD155 tumors) expressing CD155, the poliovirus receptor, and is effective for oncolytic treatment and cure of solid tumors, such as neuroblastoma.

Abstract: A computer-assisted detection method is provided for detecting suspicious locations of lesions in the volumetric medical images. The method includes steps of features extraction and fusion. The first step is computing gradient feature for extraction of the layer of Partial Volume Effect (LPVE) between different tissues that related to specific organs. The LPVE will combine with the result of voxel classification to fulfill the task of tissue classification. After tissue classification, the contour of tissue boundary is determined. The gradient feature is also used to determine the direction that intensity changes. This direction that intensity changes most dramatically serves as the normal vector for voxel on the contour of the tissue boundary. The second step is to determine a local surface patch on the contour for each voxel on the contour. A local landmark system is then created on that patch and the so-called Euclidean Distance Transform Vector (EDTV) is computed based on those landmarks.

Abstract: A multi-endpoint communication system comprising communication nodes linked in a tree structure by unicast connections includes a server to receive a request from a new communication node to join the tree structure. The system further includes a node selector to identify one of the plurality of communication nodes that is likely to be in a same local area network as the new communication node. In addition, the system includes a node linker to connect the new communication node to the identified communication node within the tree structure.

Abstract: The ?-trefoil protein human fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is made up of a six-stranded anti-parallel ?-barrel closed off on one end by three ?-hairpins, thus exhibiting a three-fold axis of structural symmetry. The N- and C-termini ?-strands hydrogen bond to each other and are postulated from both NMR and X-ray structure data to represent a structurally-weakened region of the ?-barrel. Val mutations within the N- and C-termini ?-strands are shown to stabilize the structure and to increase van der Waals contacts by filling local cavities present within this region. Mutations that increase van der Waals contacts between both the N- and C-termini ?-strands are generally associated with significant reductions in the unfolding kinetics, and also increase the cooperativity of unfolding. Surprisingly, several mutant polypeptides herein disclosed greatly exceed the wild-type polypeptide in ability to stimulate human fibroblasts to proliferate.

Abstract: The present invention features a qualitative method to detect independent motion revealed in successive frames of a compressed surveillance MPEG video stream using linear system consistency analysis without decompression of the stream, identifying the segments containing independent motion in a real-time or faster manner, for the retrieval of these segments. The linear system is constructed using the macroblocks of MPEG compressed video frames. The normal flow value of the macroblock is obtained by taking the dot product between the macroblock gradient vector, computed by averaging the four block gradient vectors, and the motion vector of this macroblock. The normal flow value is filtered for inclusion in the linear system, and the statistic of the matrices of the resulting linear system is determined, filtered to screen out false negatives and outliers, and used to determine the presence or absence of independent motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for capillary zone electrophoresis includes a polyelectrolyte multilayer positioned in a capillary tube for analytical separations of macromolecules. The capillary comprises a passage defined by passage walls comprising fused silica. The polyelectrolyte multilayer is positioned within the passage adjacent the walls, and comprises an organic polyelectrolyte. The passage may further comprise nonporous silica particles coated with a multilayer including a plurality of polyelectrolyte layers. An apparatus includes a power supply having a positive electrode and a negative electrode for generating an electric field therebetween. The apparatus includes a capillary having a passage formed by passage walls and comprising therein a polyelectrolyte multilayer positioned substantially within the passage.

Abstract: A new light modulating material using interconnected unidirectionally oriented microdomains of a liquid crystal, dispersed in a stressed polymer structure, is provided. The light modulating material is prepared by dissolving the liquid crystal in an uncured monomer and then curing the monomer so that the polymer forms a well-developed interpenetrating structure of polymer chains or sheets that is uniformly dispersed through the film. When the film is subjected to stress deformation the liquid crystal undergoes a change in its unidirectional orientation. The concentration of the polymer is high enough to hold the shear stress, but is as low as possible to provide the highest switch of the phase retardation when an electric field is applied. The new materials are optically transparent and provide phase modulation of the incident light opposed to the low driving voltage, linear electro-optical response, and absence of hysteresis.