Abstract: Methods and means are provided to enhance the selective expression of transgenes under control of a fiber-selective promoter, in fiber cells, particularly cotton fiber cells by including target sites for naturally occurring microRNAs with a specific expression profile, particularly with a differential expression profile between cells leading to fibers and other cells of the fiber producing plant, into the transcribed region of genes of interest.

Abstract: Antibacterial metallic nanofoams, substrates having the nanofoam coated thereon, methods for preventing, inhibiting, and/or killing bacterial growth using the metallic nanofoams, and compositions and methods for making the metallic nanofoams.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel chiral sulfinamide and imine compounds. Also provided herein are methods of synthesizing novel chiral sulfinamide and imine compounds comprising simplified purification methods when compared to prior methods. The novel chiral sulfinamide and imine compounds are useful, for example, in the synthesis of complex natural products and pharmaceutical important compounds.

Abstract: Strecker reagents, their derivatives and methods for forming the same and improved Strecker reaction are provided. The electrophiles for asymmetric Strecker reaction include achiral N-phosphorazides, N-phosphoramides, N-phosphonyl imines and their derivatives. The nucleophiles for asymmetric Strecker reaction include chiral BINOL-derived azides, amides, imines and their derivatives, the chiral and achiral diol-based cyanides and their derivatives, the chiral and achiral diamine-based cyanides and their derivatives, the chiral and achiral amino alcohol-based cyanides and their derivatives, the Strecker nucleophiles that are derived from chiral and achiral hydroxyl carboxylic acids and amino acids. Methods of forming the electrophile for asymmetric Strecker reaction comprise the reactions with steps of: a) synthesizing phosphoryl chloride from achiral diamine; b) synthesizing phosphorous azide; c) synthesizing phosphoramide; d) synthesizing the corresponding achiral N-phosphonyl imines.

Abstract: A contactless system and method for estimating the volume, mass or weight of a target animal is provided. First, the target animal is imaged, preferably with a stereoscopic camera. A spatial representation of the target animal is derived from the stereoscopic images. Next, a virtual three-dimensional spatial model is provided, preferably having a shape resembling that of a characteristic of the animal to which the target animal belongs. A software module is provided to reshape the virtual spatial model, using a finite set of independently configurable shape variables, to approximately fit the spatial representation of the individual animal. Finally, the volume, mass or weight of the target animal is estimated as a function of shape variables characterizing the reshaped virtual model.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for identifying double stranded DNA molecules that bind with high affinity to metallo-?-lactamase. Methods for inhibiting the activities of the metallo-?-lactamase in bacteria by double stranded DNA molecules.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for identifying polyribonucleotides that binds with high affinity to a metallo-?-lactamase. The polyribonucleotides inhibit the activity of the metallo-?-lactamase.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of precipitants in a hydrocarbon stream, the method comprising introducing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon stream into a measurement chamber of an NMR measuring device, assaying the fluids in the chamber with proton nuclear magnetic resonance to obtain NMR signals, and processing the NMR signals to detect the formation of precipitants in the hydrocarbon stream. The method may be carried out at first and second locations, and NMR signals obtained at the two locations compared to detect precipitation of precipitant between the two locations. A method of monitoring the water content of a hydrocarbon stream in a flowline comprising introducing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon stream into an NMR measuring device, measuring a baseline NMR water signal of the hydrocarbon stream and comparing subsequent NMR water signals with the baseline NMR water signal to detect changes in the water content of the hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: A method comprising contacting a biological fluid comprising hemoglobin and at least one pathogenic agent with a first filter and generating a first filtrate; contacting the first filtrate with a nanofiltration device and generating a second filtrate; contacting the second filtrate with a chromatographic material and isolating an eluted fraction; contacting the eluted fraction with a hydrophobic solvent and generating a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic phase; and isolating the hydrophilic phase wherein the biological fluids comprise components of interest of equal to or less than about 65 kDa.

Abstract: A method to identify a high affinity nucleic acid ligand to inhibit the activity of a lactamase enzyme. The method comprises several steps that initially involve preparing a candidate mixture of nucleic acids. The candidate mixture of nucleic acids is then allowed to make contact with the lactamase enzyme under controlled conditions of temperature, ionic strength and pH; the combination forms a candidate-enzyme mixture. The target nucleic acids are partitioned from the remainder of the candidate mixture. The target nucleic acids that have been partitioned are amplified to yield a pool of nucleic acids enriched with target nucleic acid sequences. The enriched pool of target nucleic acids have a relatively higher affinity and specificity for binding to the lactamase, whereby nucleic acid ligand of the lactamase are identified. Nucleic acid ligands that inhibit an activity of lactamase. The lactamase includes class B, metallo-?-lactamase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding endogenous cotton chitinases and corresponding promoters, which are preferentially expressed in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition. The polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, a DNA construct linking the isolated nucleic acid molecule with a promoter, the DNA construct incorporated in an expression system, a host cell, a plant, or a plant seed are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a DNA construct linking the isolated promoters with a second DNA as well as expression systems, host cells, plants, or plant seeds containing the DNA construct. Methods of imparting resistance to insects and fungi, regulating the fiber cellulose content, and methods of expressing a gene preferentially in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated DNA molecule selected from the group: a promoter-effective DNA molecule of Gossypium which is operable in embryonic seed tissues and a promoter-effective DNA molecule of Gossypium which is operable in chlorophyllous tissues. Use of the promoter-effective DNA molecules in chimeric genes, and preparation of expression systems, host cells, transgenic plants, and transgenic plant seeds containing such chimeric gene is also disclosed. Methods of expressing a heterologous mRNA molecule or protein or polypeptide in chlorophyllous tissue of plants or embryonic seed tissues are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions to ameliorate one or more symptom of hypertension through the inhibitor of an AT1 receptor by transcriptional down regulation of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor. The composition includes an effective amount of one or more tannic acids disposed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A process for making chemical protective wipes is disclosed. A top layer is fully needlepunched (102). A bottom layer is fully needlepunched (104). Then, an adsorption layer is sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer (106). Then, the sandwich is fully needlepunched (108).

Abstract: A method of improving a data set associated with a system, the method comprising: providing a baseline data set for the system, wherein the baseline data set comprises a plurality of input and output data from the system; analyzing the baseline data set and selecting a baseline model for the baseline data set, wherein the baseline model comprises an baseline array of data relating to the input and output data from the system; normalizing the baseline data set associated with the system to create a normalized data set; analyzing the normalized data set and selecting an improved model for the normalized data set, wherein the improved model comprises an improved array of data relating to the input and output data from the system; performing a statistical comparison using the baseline data set and the normalized data set; calculating an at least one indicator value associated with the normalized and baseline data set based on the statistical comparison; determining a threshold value associated with the baseline d

Abstract: Improved methods and compounds to control insects, involving a biological control method to induce toxicity in targeted insects using iridoptin. The present invention induces high levels of apoptosis and inhibition of host protein synthesis in insect cells. It is the first viral toxin against non-lepidopteran insects and is distinct from existing bacterial toxins, such as Bacillus thuringiensis toxins, which are not effective against most beetles, including the boll weevil, and the Baculoviridae, which is the main group of viruses currently used as biological control agents. Iridoptin will have use in the control of agricultural pests. It will increase productivity and reduce disease transfer by vectors and household pests. By extension it has application in cancer therapy and other medical treatments where apoptosis is critical to removal of certain cells.

Abstract: Described is a naked-tufted seed mutant line of Gossypium hirsutum L., developed from lines initially produced by chemical mutagenesis, which significantly reduces the formation of linters on the surface of the cotton seed. In a preferred embodiment, the lines carrying the naked seed mutation have reduced seed coat neps, reduced short fiber content, improved yarn quality, increased seed oil content, and improved AFIS fiber maturity. The naked-tufted seed of the mutant line significantly reduces the time and energy required for ginning, oil extraction, and reduces the need to delint the cotton seed prior to planting. In a preferred embodiment, the mutant is incorporated into a well-adapted commercial cultivar of upland cotton.

Abstract: Abscisic acid-inducible gene expression in different plant tissues is enhanced synergistically by the co-expression of a B3-domain transcription factor and various bZIP-domain transcription factors, or a different B3-domain transcription factor. Using these transcription factors in novel formulations, as shown by examples, will confer value-added traits to transgenic plants, including, but not limited to, higher levels of heterologous gene expression, drought and salt tolerance, viability and productivity under stress, and enhanced nutrient reserves and seed properties.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer that adjusts the wavelength response and compensates for temperature effects by using rotatable mirror. The wavelength response of the device is adjusted by aligning the mirror at a correct angle with respect to the surface terminating the optical waveguide grating. The temperature dependence of the index of refraction of the material comprising the waveguides is compensated for by rotating a reflecting surface of the mirror, the rotation based on differential thermal expansion. Some exemplary embodiments may comprise a slab waveguide on a substrate (the slab waveguide having a first and second arcuate end surfaces) attached to a submount, a mirror assembly rigidly attached to the submount (the mirror assembly comprising a first and second materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion), and an optical waveguide grating (upon the substrate attached to the submount) optically coupled between the second arcuate surface and the mirror assembly.

Abstract: Elastomers are formed from castor oil and/or ricinoleic acid estolides and a polyester formed from an epoxidized vegetable oil such as ESO and a polycarboxylic acid such as sebacic acid, optionally in the presence of a peroxide initiator, or include crosslinked reaction products derived from ricinoleic acid or castor oil estolides, epoxy group-containing compounds such as epoxy resins and/or epoxidized vegetable oil, epoxy hardeners such as polyamine and polycarboxylic acid hardeners, thermally activated free radical initiators such as peroxides, and optionally but preferably include fillers such as limestone or wood flour. The elastomers can be prepared using a two-step, solvent-less procedure at elevated or ambient temperatures. These predominantly “all-natural” elastomers have physical properties comparable to conventional petroleum-based elastomers and composites and exhibit good flexibility, resiliency, abrasion resistance and inertness to hydrolysis.