Abstract: The present invention relates in part to a lignin composition and a method of fabricating a lignin composition. The invention also relates in part to a method of using a lignin composition to adsorb onto a petrochemical oil comprising the steps of providing a solution of lignin in an alcohol, providing an oil on a liquid surface, contacting the oil with the solution of lignin in an alcohol, adsorbing the lignin to the oil, and removing the adsorbed oil from the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: Amphiphilic biopolymers have been synthesized by grafting lignin onto PLGA to form graft polymers, which can then be further assembled into polymeric nanoparticles without a requirement for surfactants. The nanoparticles have a typical diameter of 75 nm. The nanoparticles may be used, for example, for drug delivery, including efficient and effective drug delivery against cancers such as triple negative breast cancers.

Abstract: A programmable medical wire system includes a programmable wire assembly that includes: a core conductor; at least one actuator conductor electrically coupled to the core conductor, the actuator conductor being programmed to move toward a predetermined shape based on actuation; at least one selective conductor electrically coupled to the actuator conductor and configured to be electrically energized to actuate the actuator conductor to move toward the predetermined shape; at least one emitter configured to produce electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength coupled to the programmable wire assembly; and at least one detector configured to receive emissions of the emitter and communicate signals of the emission remotely from the emitter. One or more of the selective conductors can be energized to activate the actuator conductors and/or core conductor and cause the actuator conductors and/or core conductor to bend or twist in a preprogrammed manner and return to original shape when deenergized.

Abstract: A variety of hydrophobically modified polypeptoids are provided. The hydrophobically modified polypeptoids can include a polyamide backbone having a random copolymer of two or more different types of repeat units, where one or more of the repeat units have nitrogen atom having a hydrophobic substituent attached thereto. Methods of making the hydrophobically modified polypeptoids are also provided, as well as uses of the hydrophobically modified polypeptoids, for example in liposomal drug delivery.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in a patient comprising obtaining a plasma sample from the patient; determining a level of a biochemical sulfide in the plasma sample from the subject by trapping volatilized H2S in the plasma sample using alkaline buffer with monobromobiamine, and detecting the level of biochemical sulfide in the plasma sample, the biochemical sulfide being one of acid-labile sulfide, bound sulfide, and total sulfide; and diagnosing the patient with ADRD when the level of the biochemical sulfide is at least an elevated threshold level for the biochemical sulfide.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present invention, a fine focus microscope includes an objective lens for collecting light from an object being imaged, and a tube lens for forming a first image from light received from the objective lens. The fine focus microscope further includes a fine focus lens for forming a second image from the first image, and an eyepiece for forming a third image from the second image, wherein the third image is viewable by a user. The fine focus microscope further includes a field lens for directing light from the second image to the eyepiece, and a positioning system mechanically coupled to the fine focus lens, the eyepiece, and the field lens. The positioning system changes a position of the fine focus lens, the eyepiece, and the field lens with respect to the objective lens to provide a change in focus of the object being imaged.

Abstract: A method of treating an activated fibroblast associated disease or pre-disease condition in a mammal comprising, administering a pharmaceutical composition including a therapeutically effective amount of a first therapeutic, wherein the first therapeutic is one of an intracellular Ca2+ elevator, a YAP/TAZ inhibitor, both a intracellular Ca2+ elevator and a YAP/TAZ inhibitor, or pharmacologically acceptable salts, solvates, esters, amides, clathrates, stereoisomers, enantiomers, prodrugs or analogs thereof, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to a method of fabricating multimetallic nanoparticles, the method comprising the steps of providing a substrate; activating the substrate surface; adsorbing a cationic transition metal complex onto the substrate surface to form a substrate-supported cationic transition metal complex; adsorbing an anionic transition metal complex onto the substrate-supported cationic transition metal complex to form a substrate-supported multimetallic complex salt; and reducing the substrate-supported multimetallic complex salt to provide a plurality of multimetallic nanoparticles. The invention also relates in part to a composition of multimetallic nanoparticles comprising at least two metals Ma and Mb; wherein the ratio of Ma to Mb is between about 2:1 and about 1:2.

Abstract: Laser ablation devices and methods including laser ablation are provided. The ablation devices can include a deep UV laser. Dual-laser ablation devices are also provided. Biomolecules can be ablated using a combination of deep UV laser and nanoelectrospray, resulting in protonated sample molecules.

Abstract: The presently disclosed invention relates to methods of creating a laminar and shear stress environment for cells and Multidirectional Shear Stress Apparatuses comprising a baseplate, a dish attached to the baseplate, a motor attached to the baseplate, the motor turning a shaft, a cone functionally and rotationally attached to the shaft, a first plurality of wells defined in the baseplate to receive coverslips

Abstract: The application describes recombinant BoHV-1 triple mutant viruses that express protective antigens of other bovine respiratory viruses associated with Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC).

Abstract: Provided are embodiments of a position-adaptive lighting system comprising a pantilt adjustable housing enclosing a digital imaging system and a lens module operably connected to a computer-based digital control unit, a lamp, and a position indicator detectable by the digital camera system and the computer-based digital control unit. The position-adaptive lighting system can adjustably direct a light beam to provide illumination of an object to which the position indicator is attached. The system is advantageous for providing a directed light to a surgical site and accommodate the movement of the position indicator on a surgeons hand or instrument.

Abstract: Provided are the herbicide-tolerant, aromatic (jasmine) rice cultivar designated ‘CLJ01’ and its hybrids and derivatives. The present invention provides a method for controlling weeds in the vicinity of rice, comprising contacting the rice with an herbicide, wherein said rice belongs to any of (a) variety ‘CLJ01’ or (b) a hybrid, derivative, or progeny of ‘CLJOV that expresses the imidazolinone herbicide resistance characteristics of ‘CLJOV. In some embodiments, the rice plants of the present invention include plants that comprise an AHAS mutant polypeptide that confers an increased tolerance to an imidazolinone herbicide when compared to a wild-type rice plant.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to genetically modified plants and/or algae with increased carbon use efficiency as a result of an increased ability for bicarbonate to cross membranes within plant cells. Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of making such plants and/or algae as well as cultivating these genetically modified plants to increase carbon use efficiency and/or growing these genetically modified algae to increase carbon use efficiency.

Abstract: Dual variable domain immunoglobulins (DVD Igs) are provided capable of tetravalent binding to bispecific sites of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The DVD Igs may be asymmetric and may have more variable domains on either the light chain or the heavy chain of the Igs. The DVD Igs may have specificity for gp41 and gp120. Therapies are provided using DVD Igs to neutralize HIV viral loads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating overweight or obesity, reducing fat, sugar, and food intake, and reducing body weight or body weight gain in a subject using geranium oil or orlistat mouthwash, or a combination of both.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for shape memory proppants, methods for making shape memory proppants, and methods of using shape memory proppants, and the like. The strong expandable proppants of the present disclosure may be used in maintaining fracture openings.

Abstract: Bentonite (or other clay) water-based drilling fluids incorporating functionalized cellulose nanocrystals are disclosed. Cellulose nanocrystals are modified with tailored surface charges or tailored levels of salt-tolerant polymer grafting, and combined with bentonite (or other clay) nanoplatelets in an aqueous suspension. Thermal performance of drilling fluids can also be enhanced by surface grafting of thermally functional polymers onto cellulose nanocrystals.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to a method of fabricating graphene structures from graphene oxide by reducing the graphene oxide on a patterned substrate. The invention also relates in part to graphene structures produced using said method and electrodes and capacitors comprising said graphene structures.

Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.