Abstract: The invention describes a method of generating antibodies to a mixture of peptidogenic proteins wherein the peptidogenic protein has altered conformational dynamics as compared to a starting protein and wherein the peptidogenic protein has a similar conformation to the starting protein. The peptidogenic proteins can be used to induce an immune response, which can lead to the generation of antibodies and/or can be used to vaccinate a mammal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for treating an organic material, including the steps of transporting the organic material into a first vessel; heating the organic material in the first vessel and applying a negative pressure to the organic material in the first vessel to a boiling point of the organic material, wherein the heat and negative pressure separates a portion of an ammonia from the organic material; removing the portion of the ammonia from the first vessel; transporting the removed portion of the ammonia from the first vessel to an acid solution in a second vessel; and separating a portion of the ammonia from the acid solution.

Abstract: This invention discloses multi-part primers for primer-dependent nucleic amplification methods. Also disclosed are primer-dependent nucleic acid amplification reactions, particularly DNA amplification reactions, reaction mixtures and reagent kits for such reactions. This invention relates to primer-dependent nucleic acid amplification reactions, particularly DNA amplification reactions such as PCR, and primers, reaction mixtures and reagent kits for such reactions and assays employing same.

Abstract: Methods of operation of electrostatic ion trap mass spectrometers in which ions are autoresonantly driven at selected higher integer (>2) multiples of ion oscillation frequencies are provided. Excitation at multiples higher than the fundamental or double the fundamental ion oscillation frequency significantly improves both signal intensity and mass resolution. Each method allows excitation exclusively at one selected frequency that is an integer multiple of an ion's natural oscillation frequency, and thereby virtually eliminates ion excitation at unwanted harmonic frequencies. The resultant mass spectra are therefore clean, and do not display spectral features associated with rf excitation at unintended multiple harmonic frequencies. This has been demonstrated explicitly for 4× and 6× modes, and it is fully implementable at any odd or even multiples of ion oscillation frequencies.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I): (I) wherein R1-R4 have any of the values defined in the specification, as well as compositions comprising a compound of formula (I) and methods for treating diseases (e.g. cancer).

Abstract: This invention provides an attenuated virus which comprises a modified viral genome containing nucleotide substitutions engineered in multiple locations in the genome, wherein the substitutions introduce synonymous deoptimized codons into the genome. The instant attenuated virus may be used in a vaccine composition for inducing a protective immune response in a subject. The invention also provides a method of synthesizing the instant attenuated virus. Further, this invention further provides a method for preventing a subject from becoming afflicted with a virus-associated disease comprising administering to the subject a prophylactically effective dose of a vaccine composition comprising the instant attenuated virus.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing prescribed unit size poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) polymers and copolymers are provided. The methods and systems can employ recombinant bacteria that are not native producers of PHA or lack enzymes to degrade PHA once synthesized, metabolize short to long chain fatty acids without induction, and express an (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and a PHA synthase, the (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and PHA synthase having wide substrate specificities. The recombinant bacteria are fed at least one fatty acid substrate that is equal in carbon length to the prescribed or desired unit size of the PHA polymer to be produced. The prescribed unit size PHA that is produced is then isolated and/or purified.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for tandem alkene dehydrogenation/alkene dimerization using an iridium pincer complex catalyst on a support comprising magnesium silicates (e.g., Florisil®). The reaction process comprises providing an iridium pincer complex bound to a solid support comprising magnesium silicates; providing a gaseous alkane feedstock comprising at least one alkane; and contacting the gaseous alkane feedstock with the iridium pincer complex bound to the solid support in the presence of a hydrogen acceptor to form dimerized alkenes. The processes disclosed herein can accomplish facile, low-temperature tandem transfer dehydrogenation of alkanes and dimerization of alkenes with unprecedented TONs at a reasonable rate of conversion.

Abstract: The invention provides bipartite inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase having the general structural formula (I): X-?-Y??(I) wherein X is an moiety that binds to the rifamycin binding site of a bacterial RNA polymerase, Y is a moiety that binds to the GE23077 binding site of a bacterial RNA polymerase, and ? is a linker. The invention also provides compositions comprising such compounds, methods of making such compounds, and methods of using said compounds. The invention has applications in control of bacterial gene expression, control of bacterial growth, antibacterial chemistry, and antibacterial therapy.

Abstract: An image-guided system and method for performing needle biopsy on a moving lung nodule of a body is provided. CT images of the lung nodule are obtained to generate a motion model, based on which an optimal needle advancing path is determined. The motion of the lung nodule and the motion of a fiducial marker attached to the body are correlated. The motion of the fiducial marker is tracked and monitored by a camera to determine a position of the lung nodule based on the correlation. A time for advancing the needle is determined based on a motion attribute of the reference. The needle is advanced by a robotic needle manipulator at the predetermined time along the path to accomplish the needle placement.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing prescribed unit size azido-poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (azido-PHA) polymers and copolymers are provided. The methods and systems can employ recombinant bacteria that are not native producers of PHA or lack enzymes to degrade PHA once synthesized, metabolize short to long chain fatty acids without induction, and express an (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and a PHA synthase, the (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and PHA synthase having wide substrate specificities. The recombinant bacteria are fed at least one ?-azidofatty acid substrate that is equal in carbon length to the prescribed or desired unit size of an azido-PHA polymer to be produced. Azido-PHA polymers or azido-PHA co-polymers can be conjugated via copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) or strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) reactions. The prescribed unit size conjugated azido-PHA polymer or orthogonally conjugated azido-PHA co-polymer that is produced is then isolated and/or purified.

Abstract: A method for probing a target sequence of messenger ribonucleic acid molecules (mRNA's) in a fixed, permeabilized cell, said target sequence including at least 30 non-overlapping probe binding regions of 15-100 nucleotides, comprising immersing said cell in an excess of at least 30 nucleic acid hybridization probes, each singly labeled with the same fluorescent label and each containing a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to a different probe binding region of said target sequence; washing said fixed cell to remove unbound probes; and detecting fluorescence from said probes.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to adeno-associated viral vector monoclonal antibody constructs and compositions thereof, methods of improving locomotor function after spinal cord injury, methods of treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for operation of the apparatus that includes an onboard fuel reformer comprising a catalytic material, a shell containing the catalytic material enclosing an air/fuel mixture in a leak-free environment, an inlet to the shell for feeding the air and fuel, and an outlet to the shell for discharge of the reformate mixture at the completion of an air-fuel reaction, wherein a reactivity separation is provided for RCCI combustion between the reformate and the parent fuel, thereby enabling single-fuel RCCI.

Abstract: Described herein are methods useful for preparing alkylaromatics.

Abstract: Methods for assessing the integrity of an RNA sample from a given tissue or blood type are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for attenuating or treating, or reducing the mortality of sepsis or septic shock using an ectonucleotidase such as CD39 or CD73 are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to carbon nanomaterials and methods for delivering a drug to a mammal's cell including administering the carbon nanomaterial to the mammal. The present disclosure is also directed to carbon nanomaterials and methods for delivering a nucleic acid to a mammal's cell including administering the carbon nanomaterial to the mammal.

Abstract: Electrocatalytic polyaniline-derived mesoporous carbon nanoparticles and methods of synthesizing and using the same are provided.

Abstract: A portable infant incubator is provided. The incubator has a foldable circumferential wall connected to a base. The foldable circumferential wall has a first configuration folded on a top surface of the base and a second configuration standing from the top surface of the base. A cover is operatively connected to the wall when wall is in the second configuration, to provide a substantially enclosed space with the wall and the top surface of the base. An environmental control device is provided to maintain a predetermined temperature and humidity within the enclosed space. A sensor is provided to acquire environmental data and providing the data to the environmental control device.