Abstract: A mass spectrometer that employs ion velocity mapping. The mass spectrometer includes velocity mapping ion optics that focus the ions based on their velocity. The focused ions are then directed into a deflection region between two deflection plates. A pulse is applied to the deflection plates that deflect the ions in a transverse direction also according to their mass. The pulse is turned on before the first ion in an ion packet reaches the deflection region, and is turned off before the first ion exits the deflection region. The focused and deflected ions are then reflected by a reflecting device that directs the ions along separate paths to a detector. The detector provides an image of the ion paths, where the location of a spot on the image represents ions of a certain mass and the size of the spot indicates the various velocities of the ions of that mass.

Abstract: Plants having transformed plastid genomes comprising a construct comprising attL and attR sites and a gene of interest, where the plants comprise an integrase and, optionally a selectable marker gene, and methods of making the plants.

Abstract: An electrically conductive diamond electrode and process for preparation thereof is described. The electrode comprises diamond particles coated with electrically conductive doped diamond preferably by chemical vapor deposition which are held together with a binder. The electrodes are useful for oxidation reduction in gas, such as hydrogen generation by electrolysis.

Abstract: A gas delivery system and a method of delivering gas are disclosed. In one such system there is a housing and a displaceable partition. The housing may be divided by the partition into a respirator side and a patient side. The partition may have one or more holes extending through the partition to allow gas to move from one side of the partition to the other side of the partition.

Abstract: A method of making a bacteriochlorin is carried out by condensing a pair of compounds of Formula II to produce the bacteriochlorin, wherein R is an acetal or aldehyde group. The condensing may be carried out in an organic solvent, preferably in the presence of an acid. The bacteriochlorins are useful for a variety of purposes such as active agents in photodynamic therapy, luminescent compounds in flow cytometry, solar cells, light harvesting arrays, and molecular memory devices.

Abstract: Novel nonlinear optical materials are described having the general formula MxM?yScz(BO3)4 where M and M?are metals, typically rare earth metals, and the sum of x, y, and z is about four. One example of such a material is La0.7Y0.3Sc3(BO3)4. Exemplary crystalline materials according to the general formula exhibit useful optical characteristics and desirable physical properties for nonlinear optical applications. Novel compositions and devices using the nonlinear optical materials also are described.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a computer-implemented method for processing data on a node. In this embodiment, the node first determines if a first transit buffer on the node is empty, wherein the first transit buffer is capable of holding one or more data packets destined for another node. If the first transit buffer is empty, the node transmits in a first direction a data packet stored in a first local buffer, wherein the first local buffer is capable of holding one or more data packets originating from the node. If, however, the first transit buffer is not empty, the node transmits in the first direction one or more data packets stored in the first transit buffer if a first transmission condition is satisfied. If the first transmission condition is not satisfied, the node transmits in the first direction a data packet stored in the first local buffer.

Abstract: A cell growth matrix for optimizing 3D organization nutrient delivery, controlling release of differentiation factors and facilitating attachment of cells to a scaffold Colloidal crystals and inverted colloidal crystals are used to form an ordered structure for use as a scaffold for tissue engineering. The porosity of the cell growth matrix may be modified by the selection of particles of appropriate diameter. Further, the surface of colloidal crystals can be easily modified to accommodate many organic species including biomolecules. Layer-by-layer materials are used for tissue engineering to control cell development by using sequential layering of bioactive species wherein the number and order of LBL layers deposited between layers containing a particular protein are controlled. LBL may also be used for timed release of bioactive species. Increased control differentiation factors release and control of cell attachments to the scaffold are achieved to better mimic natural tissue development.

Abstract: An aromatic polyanhydride comprising a repeating unit having the structure is disclosed, wherein Ar and R are selected so that the aromatic polyanhydride hydrolyzes to form a therapeutic salicylate, another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, an antifibrotic aminobenzoate, or a vasoconstricting phenylethanolamine. Implantable medical devices, such as scaffolding implants for tissue reconstruction, drug delivery systems prepared from the aromatic polyanhydrides, as well as therapeutic dosage forms and treatment methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cell wall, cell surface and secreted protein nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, cell wall, cell surface and secreted fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-cell wall, cell surface and secreted antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides of the invention and methods for their use are further disclosed.

Abstract: Mesoporous crystalline alumina compositions and process for the preparation thereof are described. The compositions are useful as catalysts and absorbents.

Abstract: A spreader plate assembly intended for use with an arbor carriage includes two congruent rectangular plates, one overlying the other. Each plate has two spaced apart notches disposed on one long side and a circular bore near one of the short sides. The plates are connected in mirror-reversed position relative to one another by a fastener inserted through the bore in each plates, thereby pivotably connecting them and enabling them to be moved relative to one another between an open and a closed position. In the closed position, the two spaced apart notches of each plate straddle two spaced apart vertical rods of the arbor carriage.

Abstract: Nanolayered layered silicate materials of octahedrally arranged units with divalent metal ions at centers of the units covalently linked above and below to tetrahedrally arranged oxygen and hydroxyl units with silicon atoms. The silicate materials contain silanol groups which are reactive to form derivative compositions useful for water purification to remove heavy meal cations.

Abstract: The unnatural amino acid analogue 2-fluorohistidine (2-FHis) was incorporated into protective antigen to produce a protein which resists protonation at physiological pH by reducing the side-chain pKa. The protein structure was unperturbed by the incorporation of fluorinated histidine residues, and the heptameric (2-FHisPA63)7 could form ion conducting channels, and bind to the PA-binding domain of LF (LFN), but translocation of LFN in planar lipid bilayers was blocked. Further, while (2-FHisPA63)7 could bind to host cells and in vitro to the host cellular receptor, pore formation in the presence of the receptor was blocked, and LFN-DTA mediated cytotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells was blocked. The modified PA is useful as both a vaccine and an antitoxin, providing epitopes for the production of antibodies against PA, but preventing key steps in pathogenesis (pore formation, translocation).

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 self-powered sensor is provided for strain-rate monitoring and other low power requirement applications. The self-powered sensor is comprised of: a piezoelectric transducer; a non-volatile memory comprised of at least one floating gate transistor; a current reference circuit adapted to receive a voltage signal from the piezoelectric transducer and operable to output a reference current into the non-volatile memory; an impact-monitoring circuit having a triggering circuit and a switch; the triggering circuit adapted to receive the voltage signal from the piezoelectric transducer and operable to control the switch based on the rate of change of the voltage signal.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip comprises a substrate and a channel or multiple channels in the substrate. Each channel includes a tortuous path section or multiple tortuous path sections. A receptor for the detection of an analyte can be immobilized in a tortuous path section, for example by adsorption. Different receptors can be immobilized in different tortuous path sections of each channel or in different channels for simultaneous detection of multiple analytes. The chip is especially useful for running immunoassays, particularly ELISA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant genes involved in regulating flowering, and especially to genes involved in the induction of flowering in response to cold, or vernalization. In particular, the present invention provides the identification, cloning, and characterization of genes involved in vernalization, and specifically of VIP genes, as well as to the proteins encoded by these genes, and to methods of using the VIP genes and proteins. Mutants of VIP genes, where the mutation is a knock-out mutation, confer a vernalization independence, or constitutively vernalized, phenotype in a plant which in the non-mutant form requires vernalization to flower.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a particulate composition formed from a conductive polymer (e.g., conductive polyanilines, polypyrroles, polythiophenes) bound to magnetic nanoparticles (e.g., Fe(II)- and/or Fe(III)-based magnetic metal oxides). The particulate composition can be formed into a biologically enhanced, electrically active magnetic (BEAM) nanoparticle composition by further including a binding pair member (e.g., an antibody) bound to the conductive polymer of the particulate composition. Methods and kits employing the particulate composition and the BEAM nanoparticle composition also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inducing desired activity in enzymes or microorganisms capable of producing the enzymes. The invention is further directed to methods of stabilizing activity in microorganisms. In specific embodiments, the invention provides methods for inducing and stabilizing nitrile hydratase activity, amidase activity, and asparaginase I activity. The invention further provides compositions comprising enzymes or microorganisms having induced and/or stabilized activity.