Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for priming protective immunity in the presence of pre-existing maternal antibody. In some embodiments, the invention contemplates simultaneously masking vaccines to avoid antibody neutralization while targeting those vaccines to specific cell types in order to elicit an enhanced immune response. In other embodiments, vectors that recruit and activate specific antigen-presenting cells may further enhance the efficacy of those immune responses.

Abstract: Occidiofungin is a cyclic nonribosomally synthesized antifungal peptide with submicromolar activity. This invention is directed to compositions enriched for particular occidiofungin diastereomers/conformers, methods of making compositions enriched for particular diastereomers/conformers and microorganisms suitable for producing enriched compositions of particular diastereomers/conformers. Methods of treating fungal infections or plants infected by fungi are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming polymer composites includes mixing a transition metal oxide precursor including at least one transition metal, a polymer as a binder, a solvent for the polymer, and water to form a first solution including polymer-transition metal complexes. The polymer-transition metal complexes are hydrolyzed to produce a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, wherein water is added in the mixing in a stoichiometric excess for the hydrolyzing. The solvent and residual of the water remaining after the hydrolyzing are removed. A polymer composite including the transition metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer results after the removing, where some of the polymer is chemically conjugated to a surface of the transition metal oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and direct cardiac contact diastolic recoil device to improve diastolic recoil of a heart and includes a biocompatible film attached to or enclosing one or more structural elements that store elastic energy during heart contraction and release energy during heart filling.

Abstract: A fluid bearing includes a housing including an internal plenum disposed in the housing and an inlet in fluid communication with the plenum, wherein the inlet is configured to provide fluid to the plenum from an external source, a cushion surface facing away from the housing and the plenum, one or more nozzles positioned between the cushion surface and the housing, wherein the one or more nozzles extend from the plenum to the surrounding environment, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured to produce an annular curtain of fluid flowing at a velocity of at least Mach 1 and disposed about the cushion surface in response to a fluid flow entering the plenum from the inlet.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-noble element compositions of matter, structures, and methods for producing the catalysts that can catalyze oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). The disclosed composition of matter can be comprised of graphitic carbon doped with nitrogen and associated with one or two kinds of transition metals. The disclosed structure is a three dimensional, porous structure comprised of a plurality of the disclosed compositions of matter. The disclosed structure can be fashioned into an electrode of an electrochemical cell to serve as a diffusion layer and also to catalyze an ORR. Two methods are disclosed for producing the disclosed composition of matter and structure. The first method is comprised of two steps, and the second method is comprised of a single step.

Abstract: A power converter includes a multiple-winding transformer. The multiple-winding transformer provides an electromagnetic link between an input side and an output side of the power converter. An inductor is arranged on at least one of the input side and the output side of the power converter in parallel with the multiple-winding transformer. At least one first capacitor is arranged on the input side of the power converter in parallel with the multiple-winding transformer and the inductor. At least one second capacitor is arranged on the output side of the power converter in parallel with the multiple-winding transformer. The inductor, the at least one first capacitor, and the at least one second capacitor define a parallel resonance tank. A first plurality of switching devices is arranged on the input side. A second plurality of switching devices is arranged on the output side.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of micro-organism and algal cell processing. The invention relates to a method of maximizing migration of micro-organism and/or algal cells to a solvent fraction while simultaneously displacing water in a separate fraction and subsequent extraction of hydrophobic products from the organisms. The invention further relates to a method of sequestration of protein from an aqueous phase to an organic solvent.

Abstract: A system containing a reactor vessel including zero valent iron media, a source of a conditioning additive, a source of a reaction additive, and a process control subsystem is disclosed. A method for reducing a concentration of one or more contaminants in contaminated water including contacting zero valent iron media with a conditioning additive, contacting contaminated water with conditioned zero valent iron media, and introducing a reaction additive is also disclosed. The conditioning additive and reaction additive may each contain an aluminum salt.

Abstract: A heat shield bladder includes first and second sheets of insulating material that form a bladder between the first and second sheets. At least one reflective foil is disposed within the bladder and a plurality of spacers are disposed within the bladder and positioned to space the at least one reflective foil from the first and second sheets of insulating material. Multiple reflective foils may be disposed within the bladder with spacers between each reflective foil. The heat shield bladder may be rolled into a tube shaped and used inside a pipe or formed into panels that may be used to line a vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides a synthetic combination of a crop and at least one fungal endophyte, wherein the crop is a host plant of the endophyte. Provided are also methods and compositions for producing such synthetic combinations. The endophyte reproduces and enhances the agronomic characteristics of the crop. Methods for inoculating the host plant with the endophyte, for propagating the host-endophyte combination, and for detecting the presence of the endophyte and of its metabolites within a host plant are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming polymer composites having transition metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed therein includes mixing a transition metal oxide precursor including at least one transition metal, a polymer as a binder, a solvent for the polymer, and water to form a first solution including polymer-transition metal complexes. The polymer-transition metal complexes are hydrolyzed to produce a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, wherein water is added in the mixing in a stoichiometric excess for the hydrolyzing. The solvent and residual of the water remaining after the hydrolyzing are removed. A polymer composite including a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the polymer results after the removing, where some of the polymer is chemically conjugated to a surface of the transition metal oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: Methods and reactors for electrochemically expanding a parent material and expanded parent materials are described. Current methods of expanding parent materials incompletely-expand parent material, requiring expensive and time-consuming separation of expanded parent material from unexpanded parent materials. This problem is addressed by the methods and reactor for electrochemically expanding a parent material described herein, which during operation maintain electrical connectivity between the parent material and an electrical power source. The resulting materials described herein have a greater proportion of expanded parent material relative to unexpanded parent material compared to those made according to others methods.

Abstract: A method of producing mesenchymal stem cells from induced pluripotent stem cells in which induced pluripotent stem cells are cultured in the presence of a TGF-? inhibitor an in an atmosphere containing from about 7 vol. % to about 8 vol. % CO2 for a period of time from about 20 day to about 35 days. The cells then are transferred to a culture dish having a hydrophilic surface, and the cells are cultured in a medium containing a TGF-? inhibitor for a period of time sufficient to produce mesenchymal stem cells. Such mesenchymal stem cells are more stable and less likely to form tumors, cancers, or teratomas. Also, the induced pluripotent stem cells may be genetically engineered with at least one polynucleotide encoding a therapeutic agent and then are cultured as hereinabove described to provide genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells that express sustained amounts of a biologically active protein or polypeptide.

Abstract: A wave energy conversion cylinder includes an outer cylinder and a center rod disposed along an axis of the outer cylinder. A plurality of electrically-conductive windings are disposed about an inner circumference of the outer cylinder. A magnet is slidably disposed on the center rod. A buoyancy cylinder is disposed outwardly of the outer cylinder. A first moveable ring weight may be slidably disposed along the axis of the center rod and a second moveable ring weight may be slidably disposed along the axis of the center rod. The first moveable ring weight and the second moveable ring weight facilitate control to tune a mass moment of inertia of the wave energy conversion cylinder.

Abstract: A coating for protecting a substrate from corrosion includes a first layer having a first composition applied on the substrate. The coating has a thickness of at least 0.5 ?m. The first composition includes an intercalated mixture of a polymer and a clay according to a formula of (Px/C1-x)v, where v comprises a volume of the intercalated mixture applied to the substrate.

Abstract: Compounds that disrupt the interaction between PCSK9 and LDLR, compositions that include the compounds, and methods for making and using the compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Multilayer film prepared by a layer-by-layer process that is an effective barrier for humidity and oxygen.

Abstract: ?-Lactamase substrates and methods for using the substrates to detect ?-lactamase and to diagnose tuberculosis.

Abstract: A method includes coating a substrate to provide a flame resistant substrate. In an embodiment, the method includes exposing the substrate to a cationic solution to produce a cationic layer deposited on the substrate. The cationic solution comprises cationic materials. The cationic materials comprise a polymer, a colloidal particle, a nanoparticle, a nitrogen-rich molecule, a geopolymer, a carbon-based filler, or any combinations thereof. The method also includes agitating the substrate. The method further includes exposing the cationic layer to an anionic solution to produce an anionic layer deposited on the cationic layer to produce a layer comprising the anionic layer and the cationic layer. The anionic solution comprises a layerable material.