Abstract: A gas-phase detection system based on detecting optochemical and optoelectrochemical signals. The sensing platform is particularly powerful for detection of nitrogen oxides at low ppbV concentrations. The optochemical analysis is based on the color development due to a chemical reaction taking place in an optimized material. The electrochemical analysis can be based on the doping level or redox potential changes of an electrochemical sensor; and optoelectrochemical detection can be based on a combination of the electrochemical and optoelectrochemical methodologies. Each independent signal can be simultaneously detected, increasing the reliability of detection.

Abstract: The invention provides a modified version of alpha B-Crystallin (?BC), and methods for delivering this modified version of alpha B-Crystallin (?BC) to tissues and cells; the invention provides a modified version of ?BC in which the serine at position 59 has been changed to glutamate to mimic phosphorylation and the serine at positions 19 and 45 have been changed to alanine to prevent phosphorylation of those residues. The invention also provides compositions and methods for ameliorating a cell from ischemia/reperfusion injury or protecting a cell from ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for the detection of biomolecular interactions. The interactions between one or more target DNA strands, one or more receptor DNA strands, and one or more probe DNA strands, if necessary, are used to detect the one or more target DNA strands. The one or more target DNA strands or the one or more probe DNA strands may be coupled to a magnetic bead, and the one or more receptor strands may be coupled to the Hall device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds suitable for use as antitumor agents, methods for treating cancer wherein the disclosed compounds are used in making a medicament for the treatment of cancer, methods for treating a tumor comprising, administering to a subject a composition comprising one or more of the disclosed cytotoxic agents, and methods for preparing the disclosed antitumor agents.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wind profiling using a lighter than air tracer balloon moving under the influence of air currents. A retroreflective target is attached to the tracer balloon to improve the intensity of a return signal reflected back to the rangefinder. After the balloon is released, the rangefinder and attitude sensor are used to measure the range and direction angles of the retroreflective target on the tracer balloon at periodic time intervals.

Abstract: An external in-line valve for use in microfluidic devices constructed of elastomer such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is described. The valve is actuated by a permanent magnet and a metal bar that press together the polymer walls of a channel. The metal bar is pulled downward by a small NdFeB magnet below the channel, simultaneously pushing the thin layer of PDMS down, closing the channel, and stopping flow of fluid. Operation of the valve is dependent on thickness of the PDMS layer, height of the channel, the gap between chip and magnet, and magnet strength. The valve allows for fabrication of a “thin chip” that allows for detection of chromophoric species within the microchannel via an external fiber optics detection system. C18-Modified reverse phase silica particles are packed into the microchannel using a temporary taper created by the magnetic valve. Separations using both pressure and electrochromatographic driven methods are detailed.

Abstract: A protein that attenuates EGFR and/or EGFR family members comprises a modified EGFR ectodomain. The protein inhibits signaling via the EGFR and/or EGFR family members. The protein includes a portion of the EGFR (or EGFR family member) and the “U” region epitope of EGFR related protein (ERRP), wherein the portion of the EGFR is operable to bind a ligand of EGFR. Also included are nucleic acids encoding such proteins. Attenuating EGFR signaling can include inhibiting the EGFR and/or EGFR family members and to provide antiproliferative activity. The present proteins and expression of nucleic acids encoding these proteins can regulate cellular growth and can be used to treat tumors and cancerous cells that express one or more of the EGFR and EGFR family members.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a cell culture, where the method includes measuring pulse-echo ultrasonic waveforms from the cell culture, and analyzing the pulse-echo ultrasonic waveforms to monitor the cell culture.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response to an antigen are disclosed. In certain aspects, these methods concern eliciting an immune response in a subject by administering to the mucosa of the subject a composition comprising a virus-like particle (“VLP”) and Murabutide.

Abstract: Solid and semi-solid formulations are used for supralingual administration of vaccines to animals. The formulations, which comprise antigens dispersed in a solid or semi-solid matrix, or paste, are delivered via supralingual applicators. The supralingual applicators are designed so as to position the antigen-containing matrix directly on the dorsal surface of the tongue during vaccine delivery. Upon exposure to saliva and to suckling and/or licking action of the tongue, the matrix dissolves and releases antigens to the tongue. In some embodiments, the antigens are viruses, for example, attenuated viruses that are capable of infecting cells of the tongue, e.g. canine parvoviruses which infect basal tongue cells. The supralingual applicators are especially useful for the delivery of vaccines to newborn animals.

Abstract: Nanocomposite materials and methods of making composite materials reinforced with carbon nanotubes are disclosed. The composite material includes an array of functionalized and aligned carbon nanotubes having a degree of functionalization of about 1% to about 10%; and a polymeric matrix material bonded to the array of functionalized and aligned carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: To identify conserved and variable regions of the 16 S rRNA, an instant evolution experiment was performed on the entire 16 S rRNA. Analysis of these mutants identified regions that are required for function. These conserved sequences may be used as targets for pharmaceuticals that are taxonomically specific and which are refractory to the development of drug resistance.

Abstract: A composite superconducting wire and a method of manufacturing the wire is disclosed. Nano-particle dispersion strengthened copper is co-drawn with Niobium rod to produce DSC-1Nb wire. n numbers of DSC-1Nb wires are then stacked in a hollow DSC tube and drawn to form a DSC-n.Nb hexagonal wire. In a separate preliminary process, Tin rod is co-deformed with Copper tube to form a Cu-1Sn wire. m DSC-n Nb wires and 1 Cu-1Sn wires are then wrapped by Niobium foil and placed into a Copper tube. This entire assembly is then drawn to a finished size. The drawn composite is then subjected to heat treatment with a final stage at 650-700° C. for about 100 hours or longer. The new wire has higher electric critical current and higher mechanical strength than the controlled conventional ones.

Abstract: A device and method for prediction and/or control of the profile and/or shape of rolled metal strip. The device and method are compatible with both cluster-type and non cluster-type mills. The device and method employ a customized deflection model of the rolling mill, thereby combining the advantages of well-known finite element method with other relevant methods to allow real-time operation of the rolling mill without the computational complexities of such methods. In one form, the customized deflection model helps to obtain a compact, linear, and flexible analytical model with non-iterative solution, multiple continuous elastic foundations, third-order displacement fields, simple stress-field determination, and capability to compute dynamic deflection characteristics.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for combinational equivalence checking for threshold logic circuits are provided. In this regard, one or more inputs may be received at a threshold logic gate. The threshold function of the threshold logic gate may be recursively decomposed into a first function and a second function using cofactors of the threshold function. A Boolean function representation of the threshold logic gate may be generated based on the recursive decomposition of the threshold function. The generated Boolean function representation of the threshold logic gate may be a maximally factored form representation of a minimal sum of products (SOP) for the threshold logic gate. A logical equivalence of the threshold logic gate may be verified with one or more other logic circuits based on the generated Boolean function representation of the threshold logic gate.

Abstract: Multiple designs, systems, methods and processes for controlling a system or plant using an extended active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) based controller are presented. The extended ADRC controller accepts sensor information from the plant. The sensor information is used in conjunction with an extended state observer in combination with a predictor that estimates and predicts the current state of the plant and a co-joined estimate of the system disturbances and system dynamics. The extended state observer estimates and predictions are used in conjunction with a control law that generates an input to the system based in part on the extended state observer estimates and predictions as well as a desired trajectory for the plant to follow.

Abstract: A crop residue harvesting system for a harvesting machine is provided. The crop residue harvesting system includes a blower and a transition member having a first position and a second position. In a first position the transition member directs at least a portion of the crop residue to the blower for harvesting of the crop residue. In a second position the transition member allows for spreading at least a portion of the crop residue. A lever or actuator may be operatively connected to the transition member for selecting between the first position and the second position or selecting an intermediate position to control the proportions of the crop residue harvested and the crop residue spread.

Abstract: A Pd alloy membrane and method of making are described.