Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing or promoting germination of bacterial spores, and yeasts are disclosed herein. The composition of the present invention comprises an extract obtained from banana or any member belonging to the genus Musa that may be used alone or in a growth medium to promote and enhance germination of bacterial spores, growth of bacterial, yeast, and fungal cell cultures.

Abstract: A device for performing a microfluidic assay on a chip comprising, a microfluidics chip, one or more fluid receptacles on the chip for receiving a fluid, a plurality of pneumatic pumps arrayed on the chip, each pump having a discharge channel leading to a rectifier on the chip, and a reaction chamber in fluid communication with each of the rectifiers, wherein a pressure on the pressurized fluid source drives fluid from the fluid receptacle into the incoming fluid channel connecting the fluid receptacle to the pump, through the pump and into the discharge channel, through the discharge channel to the rectifier, and through the rectifier into the reaction chamber, wherein the pump is configured to generate droplets of a pre-determined size, wherein the rectifiers prevent backflow of the droplets, and wherein droplets are combined in the reaction chamber, the chamber facilitating an assay being performed on the chip.

Abstract: High-frequency supercapacitors that can respond at kilohertz frequencies (AC-supercapacitors). The electrodes of the AC-supercapacitors include edge oriented graphene (EOG) electrodes or carbon nanofiber network (CNN) electrodes. The EOG electrodes are formed by utilizing a plasma and feedstock carbon gas to carbonize cellulous paper and deposit graphene implemented in one step. The CNN electrodes are formed by pyrolyzing a carbon nanofiber network utilizing a plasma.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and method for a therapeutic treatment that is able to combat neuroinflammation caused by diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injury. The class of urea compounds acts by blocking at targeted receptors in the brain that contribute to the increase in inflammation. Combinations of receptors, H1 receptor, H2 receptor, dopamine transporter (DAT), and/or 5HT3C receptor, are individually and/or collectively inhibited by the same compositions of the present disclosure, and this ability leads to a decrease in brain edema. The DAT inhibitory effects additionally maintains dopamine levels in a patient.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate, a cover layer and one or more chambers disposed within the cover layer, the substrate or both. Each chamber has a first end, a second end, and a set of micro-pillars disposed therein. A first microchannel and second microchannel are disposed within the cover layer, the substrate or both, and connected to the first end and second end of the chamber, respectively. A first set of barriers is disposed within each first microchannel proximate to the first end of the chamber. A second set of barriers is disposed within each second microchannel proximate to the second end of the chamber. A third microchannel is disposed within the cover layer, the substrate or both, and connected to the chamber. A first port, second port and third port extend through the cover layer and connect to the first, second and third microchannels, respectively.

Abstract: A method and system for an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy a tube formed with a hole, a cuff connected to the tube and formed around the hole, and a skirt connected to the tube above the cuff and draped over the cuff. A coating of a hydrophobic, lipophobic, and oleophobic substance can be disposed on the interior and exterior surface of the tube, the cuff, and the skirt. A stylet and siring may be used to secure the skirt during insertion in a detachable fashion. The string is retractable on withdrawal of the stylet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for determination of the viscoelastic properties of a viscoelastic substance based on the type of non-mechanical forces which drive the viscoelastic substance inside a channel. These forces may comprise capillary, gravitational, electric, magnetic, or any other type where neither a pump nor any relative velocity between solid surfaces is needed to induce the transport of fluid medium. As a result, the design of the system remains simple, and the system is capable of yielding results devoid of noise produced by mechanical forcing. The present disclosure a general analysis describing extraction of viscoelastic properties by observing flow-systems driven by any non-mechanical means, including capillary force and electro-osmotic force. Such time-dependent penetration depth may be recorded by optical, electrical or mechanical means and may further include the use of a computing device.

Abstract: A control system and method include a control strategy and a UDE (Uncertainty and Disturbance Estimator)-based controller incorporated into the control strategy to achieve proportional load sharing for parallel-operated inverters. The UDE-based controller regulates the reactive power against the output generated by a reactive power reference unit according to the load voltage to generate the amplitude of the control voltage. The conventional droop method regulates real power to generate the phase of the control voltage. As a result, the model uncertainties (e.g., parameter drifts and uncertain output impedance), and system disturbances (e.g., fluctuating DC-link voltage and load change) can be estimated and compensated for accurate load sharing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and compounds for degrading chlorinated compounds in water. A facile aqueous-based surface treatment of zero-valent iron is provided to increase the reactivity of a zero-valent iron material for degrading chlorinated compounds in the water without the use of a noble metal catalyst. Such a facile aqueous-based surface treatment can be implemented as a surface sulfidation pre-treatment of iron to increase its reactivity towards chlorinated contaminants in water. The disclosed facile aqueous-based surface treatment increases reactivity utilizing sulfur compounds for use in the degradation of the chlorinated compounds in the water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and method for a therapeutic treatment that is able to combat certain conditions such as alcohol dependence, opioid abuse treatment, neurological disorders, neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia. The novel gliotoxin analog compound acts by acting as an antagonist to one or more opioid receptors, which, when present leads to the inhibition of conditions, providing increased performance over known treatments. The disclosed compounds also shows the ability to cross the blood-brain-barrier in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: Methods for optimization of liquid oil production by huff-n-puff in shale reservoirs to achieve an improved (and optimal) oil recovery factor. The process determines and utilizes the optimum huff and puff times, number of cycles and soaking time under practical operation and reservoir conditions. The huff time in the process is a period so long that the pressure near the wellbore reaches the set maximum injection pressure during the huff period. The puff time in the process is the time required for the pressure near the wellbore to reach the set minimum production pressure during the puff period. Soaking is typically not necessary during the huff-n-puff gas injection in shale oil reservoirs. The number of huff-n-puff cycles is determinable by the time in which the economic rate cut-off is reached.

Abstract: A microwave-induced heating of CNT filled (or coated) polymer composites for enhancing inter-bead diffusive bonding of fused filament fabricated parts. The technique incorporates microwave absorbing nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes (CNTs)) onto the surface or throughout the volume of 3D printer polymer filament to increase the inter-bead bond strength following a post microwave irradiation treatment and/or in-situ focused microwave beam during printing. The overall strength of the final 3D printed part will be dramatically increased and the isotropic mechanical properties of fused filament part will approach or exceed conventionally manufactured counterparts.

Abstract: Method to generate microfractures by chemical reaction in low carbonate mineral content shale reservoirs in which sulfate acid or persulfate compound (such as ammonium persulfate ((NH4)2S2O8) at a relatively high content) injected into conventional fracturing fluid can react with shale carbonate components resulting in the precipitation reaction of gypsum crystal (CaSO4.2H2O) to occur because an insoluble calcium sulfate (CaSO4) solid is formed. It has been found that expansion stress generated by rapid crystallization in the shale nanoscale pore space can intensively crack shale rocks without additional energy input. Not only does this lead to the formation of much denser secondary microfracture networks, it also can increase SRV by the micrometer-scale gypsum crystals prohibiting these secondary microfracture networks from closure under a normal stress, thereby, improve the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing and hydrocarbon production.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for a complex domain radio frequency (RF) frontend, adaptive beamforming can separate the relatively slowly changed waveform delay information required from wideband RF signals, upon which a self-contained beamforming system is implemented with a low-speed baseband. By introducing vector RF multipliers in the frontend of the present invention, the amplitude and phase of RF signals are simultaneously controlled by the real and imaginary parts of complex numbers, such that beamforming algorithms derived in complex domain can be directly applied without any form of transformation. By doing so, the massive use of conventional T/R modules and high-speed baseband devices can be avoided, thus simplifying the realization and decreasing the cost of wideband digital beamforming systems for use in low cost, power efficient beamforming applications.

Abstract: The present invention includes a live attenuated virus and methods of making the same comprising an isolated virus comprising a viral genome that expresses one or more viral antigens; and one or more exogenous species-specific microRNAs inserted into the viral genome and expressed thereby, wherein the species-specific microRNAs are ubiquitously expressed in a viral target species cell but not in a viral propagation cell.

Abstract: Methods for optimization of liquid oil production by huff-n-puff in shale reservoirs to achieve an improved (and optimal) oil recovery factor. The process determines and utilizes the optimum huff and puff times, number of cycles and soaking time under practical operation and reservoir conditions. The huff time in the process is a period so long that the pressure near the wellbore reaches the set maximum injection pressure during the huff period. The puff time in the process is the time required for the pressure near the wellbore to reach the set minimum production pressure during the puff period. Soaking is typically not necessary during the huff-n-puff gas injection in shale oil reservoirs. The number of huff-n-puff cycles is determinable by the time in which the economic rate cut-off is reached.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a fracturability index for use in identifying fracture locations and propagation in subterranean formations. A well path can be divided into a plurality of segments and the order of fracture locations along the path can be identified. Such an order is based on an optimal fracture stage from a production point of view followed by subsequent fracture stages. The above steps or operations can be repeated with respect to additional paths to generate data for use in determining prioritized segments and identifying fracture locations and propagation in subterranean formations. Such data can be compiled in the context of a fracturability index map.

Abstract: The present invention includes siRNAs and antibodies that block the interaction between TEM8 and/or CMG2 cell surface proteins and anthrax toxin and methods of treating anthrax exposure with the same.

Abstract: An SP-141 compound is a novel small molecule that can serve as a molecular-targeted chemotherapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the labeled compound can comprise SP-141, which comprises 6-methoxy-1-(naphthalen-1-yl)-9 H-pyrido[3,4-b]indote. The compound inhibits expression of oncogenes such as the Mouse Double Minute 2 protein. The compound can bind directly to Mouse Double Minute 2 to inhibit cancer growth including breast cancer growth.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for inhibiting MCL-1, including novel inhibitors of MCL-1, and compositions and methods for treating a subject with cancer that is refractory to one or more MAPK pathway protein inhibitors.