Abstract: The present invention is directed toward core-shell nanoparticles, each comprising a ligand-capped metal shell surrounding a plurality of discrete, nonconcentric, metal-containing cores. Methods of making and using these nanoparticles are also disclosed.

Abstract: DNA encoding a plant quinolate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRTase) enzyme, and constructs comprising such DNA are provided. Methods of altering quinolate phosphoribosyl transferase expression are provided.

Abstract: A tomographic imaging system comprising a source array emitting rays, a deformable mirror reflecting the rays emitted by the source array, and a detector array receiving the electromagnetic rays emitted by the source array and reflected by the deformable mirror. An object can be positioned between the deformable mirror and the detector array and the deformable mirror can be deformed to a plurality of configurations to form a tomographic image of the object. The system can also be used in radiation therapy.

Abstract: A chromium-free welding consumable and a method of welding stainless steel to reduce the presence of chromium emissions. The consumable is made from an alloy that reduces the emission of chromium during a welding process, and include predominantly nickel, with between approximately five and twenty five percent by weight copper, up to approximately five percent by weight of palladium, up to approximately ten percent by weight of molybdenum and up to five percent non-copper alloying ingredients. Welding consumables made from the alloy are particularly well-suited for welding austenitic stainless steels, such as type 304 stainless steel. The method involves using chromium-free weld filler material with a stainless steel base material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed novel compounds which are derivatives of minocycline or doxycycline, pharmaceutical compositions containing same and use thereof in lowering excess IgE levels in a mammal suffering from a disease where IgE is pathogenic.

Abstract: The invention relates to plant cells, plant tissues or plants transgenic for a nucleic acid encoding puroindoline A. This invention also relates to methods for producing such transgenic plant cells, plant tissues or plants. The transgenic plants produced by the methods of this invention are useful in reducing the damage caused by plant pests, especially plant pathogens such as fungi and bacteria.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to heterobifunctional reactive dyes comprising nitrogen-containing heterocycles substituted by both halogen and vinyl sulfone moieties. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to reactive dye compounds comprising two or more halo-substituted, nitrogen-containing heterocycles and an asymmetric bridging group, wherein at least one of the two or more halo-substituted, nitrogen-containing heterocycles further comprises a vinyl sulfone substituent. In some embodiments, the bridging group has a structure based on cysteamine or cysteine. The heterobifunctional reactive dyes have high substrate affinity and can be applied to substrates, such as cotton fibers, under low salt conditions and with reduced dye material waste.

Abstract: A system and method for a comparative web search engines, search result summarization, web snippet processing, comparison analysis, information visualization, meta-clustering, and quantitative evaluation of web snippet quality are disclosed. The present invention extends the capabilities of web searching and informational retrieval by providing a succinct comparative summary of search results at either the object or thematic levels.

Abstract: A method is provided for classifying nanoobjects having different electrical properties, such as conductivities and permittivities. The method includes: suspending nanoobjects having different electrical properties in a liquid medium; passing the liquid medium through a microchamber; and filtering nanoobjects having a first type of electrical property from the liquid medium by applying an electric field to the liquid medium in the microchamber.

Abstract: A method of making a compound of Formula I: is carried out by condensing a pair of compounds of Formula II (which pair may be the same or different), or by condensing a compound of Formula III with a compound Formula IV, to produce a compound of Formula I. The condensing step may be carried out with a metal salt under basic conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of generating a recipient cytoplast for nuclear cloning with improved developmental capacity. These methods involve the in vitro maturation of an oocyte from a non-human mammal to the pre-MII stage and treatment of the oocyte with a microtubule-inhibiting agent prior to enucleation. The oocyte used to generate the recipient cytoplast can be obtained from a pre-adult or adult non-human mammal. The methods further provide for utilizing the generated recipient cytoplast for nuclear transfer, such as deriving a nuclear transfer embryo or offspring.

Abstract: A method of making a metal complex comprises combining a 1-monoacyldipyrromethane with a compound of the formula R1R2MX, wherein M is boron, R1 and R2 are each independently organic substituents; and X is an anion leaving group; to produce a metal complex of the formula DMR1R2 wherein DH is a 1-monoacyldipyrromethane. The methods and complexes are useful for the purification and synthesis of dipyrromethanes and porphyrins.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic plants which after harvest degrade the lignin and cellulose therein to fermentable sugars which can further be fermented to ethanol or other products. In particular, the transgenic plants comprise ligninase and cellulase genes from microbes operably linked to a DNA encoding a signal peptide which targets the fusion polypeptide produced therefrom to an organelle of the plant, in particular the chloroplasts. When the transgenic plants are harvested, the plants are ground to release the ligninase and cellulase which then degrade the lignin and cellulose of the transgenic plants to produce the fermentable sugars.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production process of biotin by fermentation using genetically engineered microorganisms, including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas mutabilis, and DNA sequences and vectors to be used in such process.

Abstract: A method for the separation and assay of phosphorylated peptides or proteins from complex mixtures of proteins and peptides is described. The method uses a diazo moiety linked by an organic group to a substrate. Kits for performing the assay are also described. The method and kits are particularly useful for detecting changes in phosphorylates produced in living cells.

Abstract: A method of producing undifferentiated avian cells expressing an embryonic stem cell phenotype. The method includes the steps of collecting avian gonadal cells including primordial germ cells from an avian embryo after the formation of the primitive streak; depositing the avian gonadal cells in contact with a preconditioned feeder matrix; and growing the avian gonadal cells on the pre-conditioned feeder matrix in the presence of media for a time sufficient to produce an avian cell culture consisting essentially of undifferentiated avian cells expressing an embryonic stem cell phenotype.

Abstract: The surfactant-mediated hydrolysis of ZSM-5 zeolite affords five-membered ring subunits that can be readily incorporated into the framework walls of a hexagonal mesostructured aluminosilicate, denoted MSU-Z. The five-membered ring subunits, which are identifiable by infrared spectroscopy, impart unprecedented acidity to the mesostructure, as judged by cumene cracking activity at 300° C. Most notably, MSU-Z aluminosilicate made through the base hydrolysis of ZSM-5 in the presence of cetyl trimethyl ammonium ions exhibits a cumene conversion of 73%, which is 6.7-fold higher than the conversion provided by a conventional MCM-41. This approach to stabilizing zeolitic subunits through surfactant-mediated hydrolysis of zeolites appears to be general. The hydrolysis of USY zeolite under analogous hydrolytic conditions also affords zeolitic fragments that boost the acidity of the mesostructure in comparison to equivalent compositions prepared from conventional aluminosilicate precursors.

Abstract: A graphite coated tow of fibers having exfoliated and pulverized graphite platelets coated on an outer surface of the fibers are provided. A process is provided for surface coating of the graphite platelets onto the fibers. The graphite coated tow of fibers are used to produce a reinforced composite material. Reinforced composite materials incorporating the graphite coated fibers can be electrostatically painted without using a conductive primer on a surface to be painted.

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

Abstract: A system and method implement low complexity maximum likelihood sequence detection. A decision feedback algorithm computes x(M+D+L?1). Optimality examination is performed for x(M), and state values and values of Markov states along paths from states in x(M) to x1(M+L) are computed.