Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices useful for microscale fluid purification, separation, and synthesis. Such devices generally comprise a fluid membrane that separates two or more fluids flowing through plural microchannels operatively associated with the membrane. Often, the membrane is a semipermeable membrane, such as might be used with a filtration device, such as a dialyzer. Devices of the present invention can be combined with other microscale devices to make systems. For example, the devices may be coupled with one or more microchemical microfactories, one or more micromixers, one or more microheaters, etc. Examples of devices made according to the present invention included an oxygenator, a dialyzer, microheat exchangers, etc.

Abstract: Sensitivity is a critical aspect of weather radar systems. Such systems not only detect atmospheric patterns but often need to precisely measure weak precipitation echoes. Embodiments of the invention use pulse compression techniques to increase the sensitivity of weather radar systems. These techniques can include sending two waveforms into a region of interest, where the second waveform is designed based on knowledge about the first waveform. Such systems can enhance the sensitivity of weather radars about 10 dB.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the pH of a solution of the present invention includes: (a) a tubular body portion constructed from a flexible electrically-insulating material, the tubular body portion having an interior passage; (b) a first reverse osmosis membrane disposed in the interior passage; (c) a second reverse osmosis membrane disposed in the interior passage; (d) a proton conducting membrane disposed between the first reverse osmosis membrane and the second reverse osmosis membrane in the interior passage; (e) a first electrode; and (f) a second electrode.

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: Disclosed are major allergenic proteins in cashew nut, which are legumin-like proteins and 2S albumins. Also disclosed is a polypeptide allergen in the 7S superfamily, which includes vicilin-like and sucrose binding proteins. Several linear epitopes of the cashew nut are identified and characterized. The invention further discloses the sequence of cDNA encoding the allergenic polypeptide, the allergen being designated Ana o 1, and also describes the characterization of the expressed recombinant polypeptide and associated methods employing the polypeptide.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are introduced for determining proportional cardiac output (CO), absolute left atrial pressure (LAP), and/or other important hemodynamic variables from a contour of a circulatory pressure waveform or related signal. Certain embodiments of the invention provided herein include the mathematical analysis of a pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) waveform or a right ventricular pressure (RVP) waveform in order to determine beat-to-beat or time-averaged proportional CO, proportional pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and/or LAP. The invention permits continuous and automatic monitoring of critical hemodynamic variables with a level of invasiveness suitable for routine clinical application. The invention may be utilized, for example, to continuously monitor critically ill patients with pulmonary artery catheters installed and chronically monitor heart failure patients instrumented with implanted devices for measuring RVP.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near-equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered joining technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint.

Abstract: Fuel cell designs and techniques for converting chemical energy into electrical energy uses a fuel cell are disclosed. The designs and techniques include an anode to receive fuel, a cathode to receive oxygen, and an electrolyte chamber in the fuel cell, including an electrolyte medium, where the electrolyte medium includes an inorganic salt mixture in the fuel cell. The salt mixture includes pre-determined quantities of at least two salts chosen from a group consisting of ammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, ammonium trifluoroacetate, and ammonium nitrate, to conduct charge from the anode to the cathode. The fuel cell includes an electrical circuit operatively coupled to the fuel cell to transport electrons from the cathode.

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 xl(M+L) are computed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for fabricating porous materials using thixotropic gels. A shear force is applied to a thixotropic material causing the material to flow. Multiple components are added to the thixotropic material while applying the shear force causing the multiple components to be distributed in the material. The shear force is removed such that the static properties of the thixotropic material in the absence of the shear force retain a distribution of the multiple components in the thixotropic material to form a composite gel material that includes liquid within a network of inter-connected solid particles that include the distributed plurality of components. The liquid in the composite gel material is removed to form a porous composite material.

Abstract: Nanocomposite fibers containing one or more carbon nanotubes encapsulated in an polysaccharide gel matrix.

Abstract: An interspecific hybrid of Cornus kousa and Cornus florida, comprising a bud mutation of the tree covered by PP 07207. The mutation is a vigorous dogwood tree, exhibiting variegated foliage comprising green leaves with a white margin and dispersed green and mottled hues of green and white in several shades during the growing season and brilliant fall foliage with multiple shades of brilliant red-purple margins with dispersed shades of violet blue.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein u, d, v, m, n, R1, W, X, Y, and Z have any values defined herein, as well as salts thereof. The compounds have activity as anti-proliferative agents.

Abstract: A kit for the rapid detection of pathogens in food supplies. The kit includes a microspot device and one or more indicator reagents to be applied to a well of the microspot device. The employed indicator reagent produces a detectable change upon contact with a pathogen of interest. The microspot device is fabricated from a porous membrane, such as filter paper. A substantially continuous boundary composed of a low melting temperature solid is deposited within the porous membrane extending from the top of the membrane to the bottom of the membrane and defines the peripheral sides of the well. Additionally, a barrier is applied to the bottom of the membrane, thus defining the bottom of the well. The kit can further include growth media for enriching the pathogenic bacteria and instructions for use of the kit employing the microspot device and the one or more indicator reagents.

Abstract: Methods and processes for synthesizing single-wall carbon nanotubes are provided. A carbon precursor gas is contacted with metal catalysts deposited on a support material. The metal catalysts are preferably nanoparticles having diameters less than about 3 nm. The reaction temperature is selected such that it is near the eutectic point of the mixture of metal catalyst particles and carbon. Further, the rate at which hydrocarbons are fed into the reactor is equivalent to the rate at which the hydrocarbons react for given synthesis temperature. The methods produce carbon single-walled nanotubes having longer lengths.

Abstract: A method of reshaping an article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex, the polyelectrolyte complex comprising an intermolecular blend of a predominantly positively-charged polyelectrolyte and a predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte by controlling the salt doping level.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a bacterium that produces fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of phospholipid detection. In particular, certain embodiments provide the detection of phosphatidic acid. For example, certain proteins are capable of binding phosphatidic acid and can be used as a diagnostic and/or research tool to identify and quantitate phosphatidic acid. Phosphatidic acid may be in or from cells and tissues isolated from plants, animals and humans. For example, a trigalactosyldiacylglycerol-2 (TGD2) protein may be fused with a fluorescent probe to monitor and measure phosphatidic acid in vitro as well as in vivo. In other embodiments, a trigalactosyldiacylglycerol-4 (TGD4) protein may be fused with a fluorescent probe to monitor and measure phosphatidic acid in vitro as well as in vivo. In additional embodiments, a fragment comprising either a truncated TGD2 or TGD4 phosphatidic acid binding region protein may be used to monitor or measure phosphatidic acid.

Abstract: A nanoshell is disclosed, comprising a star polymer occlusion complex comprising i) an amphiphilic unimolecular star polymer having a crosslinked core covalently linked to 6 or more independent polymer arms, and ii) a cargo material occluded in the star polymer; and a shell comprising an inorganic material in contact with a peripheral surface of the star polymer occlusion complex.

Abstract: A method of oil extraction and biomass recovery from microalgae is disclosed. Methods according to the invention extract lipids from a biomass source and concentrate protein in the solid biomass source by alcohol processing. Aqueous alcohol processing methods provide extraction and separation techniques for lipids and protein-rich biomass suitable for biofuels.