Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for incorporating dye and/or nanoparticles into polymer films and into electrospun polymeric nanofibers, and, more specifically, to a method for electrospinning a molecularly homogenous solution of dye (and/or nanoparticles) and polymer dissolved in a mutual solvent leading to uniform distribution of dye across the cross-section of each constituent fiber and to resulting nanofibers with the dye/nanoparticles incorporated therein.

Abstract: A real-time system for determining the geographic movements of an individual or object by sampling particulates contained thereon. The system includes particle collection, sample preparations, and sample analysis using three primary modes of detecting certain particulates. The first mode involves the imaging of pollen, spores, or other biological material which are visible through a light microscope when properly stained or prepared. The second mode involves the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction to amplify and detect target nucleic acid sequences. The third mode involves the use of X-ray diffraction to identify mineral particles. The results from any mode, or any combination of modes, are analyzed by comparison to a reference database containing geographic information and the results are compiled by a controller for visual display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for Polymerase Chain Reaction (“PCR”), High Resolution Melt (“HRM”) analysis and microfluidics, and, more specifically, to a method and system for implementing the processes of PCR and HRM on a microscale in a microfluidics chamber for certain purposes including for purposes of DNA detection and/or extraction.

Abstract: A metabolically engineered E. coli strain which produces sialic acid and a method of making said strain. In the engineered E. coli cells, the nanT (sialic acid transporter) and nanA (sialic acid adolase) genes are inactivated, and the neuC and neuB genes of sialic acid biosynthesis in Neisseria meningitidis group B are introduced and overexpressed in the nanT? nanA? E. coli cell. In addition, the glucosamine synthase gene, glmS, of E. coli is co-overexpressed with neuB and neuC.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of nanoparticle interfaces to chemically process solid nanomaterials into ones with tailorable core-void-shell architectures. The internal void sizes are proportional to the nanoparticle size, the shell thickness and composition, and can be either symmetric or asymmetric depending on the nature of the interface, each of which is controlled by the process of making.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a phosphonic acid functionalized mesoporous metal oxide material (e.g., silica, titania, alumina, preferably silica material) is provided. Further, a method of using the phosphonic acid functionalized mesoporous silica material as a solid acid catalyst in a pinicole-pinacolone rearrangement reaction, and a method of using a phosphonic acid functionalized mesoporous silica material as a solid acid catalyst in a transesterification reaction is provided. A method for preparing a mesoporous titania film for use in a dye sensitized solar cell is also provided.

Abstract: An assay to detect ghrelin O-acyltransferase activity using an acrylodan-labeled peptide mimic of ghrelin that provides for high-throughput screening for ghrelin O-acyltransferase inhibitors and detection via high performance liquid chromatography. Alternatively, the assay for ghrelin acylation may be based on a synthetic peptide substrate that mimics the N-terminal sequence of ghrelin and has an environmentally-sensitive fluorophore attached to its C-terminal amino acid through chemoselective ligation.

Abstract: A power generation system, which includes a source of a seed oil, a source of alcohol, and a reactor in communication with the source of seed oil and the source of alcohol. The reactor produces a biofuel product. The system has a power source that operates on a biofuel energy source to produce heated exhaust and is in communication with the reactor to utilize a portion of the biofuel product as its biofuel energy source. The system has a heat transfer mechanism that transfers heat from the exhaust manifold to the reactor. The power source also converts mechanical power into electrical power. Also disclosed is a system that involves extraction of oil from an oilseed product. A method of extracting oil from an oilseed product, a method of making a transesterified seed oil, and a method of making a biofuel are also disclosed, as are products obtained thereby.

Abstract: A thin high strength polymer based self-reinforced composite (SRC) made from a biocompatible and commonly used orthopedic implant material is interposed between the hard connections of the modular taper interface of an orthopedic implant. A thick film of this ultra high strength SRC with the fibers oriented to maximally resist the fretting motion and wear, can be interposed between the modular components to result in a relatively soft, non-conducting interposed layer that will prevent contact between hard interfaces and reduce or eliminate the oxide film abrasion associated with this mechanism. Alternatively, the SRC may be formed using surface control methods resist fretting, such as by using sticky-compliant surfaces and channels for fluid, among others.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated antigen from Streptomyces coelicolor that is useful for developing, inter alia, vaccines against pathogenic bacteria of humans and animals. The present invention also relates to vaccines and antibodies developed using the isolated antigen. The present invention also relates to methods of using the antigen, vaccines, and antibodies of the present invention to detect, treat, and prevent infection and diseases associated with pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: A formulation including injectable biodegradable nanospheres and/or microspheres as a delivery system for chondroitinase ABC (cABC) or a functional derivative of cABC to treat acute and chronic spinal chord injury in a mammal having the same is provided. The biodegradable nanosphere/microsphere formulation releases cABC or a functional derivative of cABC in a time-released manner at the site of the spinal cord injury. cABC infusion can promote axon regrowth and some behavioral recovery. The nanospheres and/or microspheres provided herein include cABC or a functional derivative of cABC loaded within and/or on a biodegradable polymer matrix. In some embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the biodegradable polymer matrix can be modified to target a specific scar site. In addition to providing a nanosphere formulation that include polymeric incorporated cABC, a method of treating a mammal having a spinal cord injury is also provided.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a method for forming a suspension having nanoparticles. There is also set forth herein a method for making an interface including nanoparticles. A morphology of conductive nanoparticle interface is set forth herein.

Abstract: A system and related methods for allowing for an increase in the use of spectrum resources through market based mechanisms for spectrum management. Spectrum trading mechanisms are implemented that allow for assignment and allocation decisions to be made by market forces. The system helps moderate an environment where buyers and sellers dynamically determine the assignment of spectrum and its uses.

Abstract: A method of estimating the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks for a grassland based on the plant-derived SOC plus the dung-derived SOC minus the carbon lost through microbial maintenance respiration. The plant-derived SOC, dung-derived SOC, and microbial maintenance respiration are estimated by considering the effect of one or more of the lignin and cellulose content of the plant material, the estimated annual aboveground and belowground plant production, the grazing intensity, the number of fires per year, the mean annual rainfall, the belowground net primary production, and the soil texture. The method thus provides an allowance of plants to compensate for grazing without losing leaf area, and the diversion of carbon through grazing animals and into soil through the deposit of dung.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power device and, more particularly, to a non-propulsive thermal transpiration based micro single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell (SCSOFC) power device.

Abstract: A method for pollen-based geolocation. The method determines the probability P that a given location is part of the travel history of a given sample. Using simulated datasets and Monte Carlo simulation, the model parameters can be precisely associated with P, thereby allowing the algorithm to operate on real-life samples of interest.

Abstract: Water-triggered shape memory polymers based on poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) multiblock hybrid thermoplastic polyurethanes. Urethane linkages were formed through the addition reaction between isocyanate groups of the lysine methyl-ester diisocyanate (LDI) and the hydroxyl groups of either (PEG) or PCL diol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of rare earth elements from aqueous solutions and, more particularly, to the separation of lanthanides (e.g., neodymium(III)) from aqueous solutions using an organo phosphorus functionalized adsorbent.

Abstract: A metabolically engineered E. coli strain which produces sialic acid and a method of making said strain. In the engineered E. coli cells, the nanT (sialic acid transporter) and nanA (sialic acid adolase) genes are inactivated, and the neuC and neuB genes of sialic acid biosynthesis in Neisseria meningitidis group B are introduced and overexpressed in the nanT? nanA? E. coli cell. In addition, the glucosamine synthase gene, glmS, of E. coli is co-overexpressed with neuB and neuC.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a method for inhibiting the formation of vertebrate SET1 family core complexes. A guanidinium-containing molecule is used to competitively inhibit the binding of the N-SET region of a SET1 protein to WDR5, thus inhibiting the formation of the SET1 family core complex. The guanidinium-containing molecule may be, for example, an arginine-containing peptide.