Abstract: Provided are monoquaternary ammonium compounds which are modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for modulating the function of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and for the prevention and/or treatment of central nervous system disorders, substance use and/or abuse, and or gastrointestinal tract disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence of sVEGF-2, proteins encoded by those sequences and antibodies that bind to the protein. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting or enhancing expression or activity of sVEGFR-2 and methods for inhibiting graft rejection, particularly cornea graph rejection. Also described are methods for inhibiting lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation by administering an effective amount of sVEGFR-2 and methods for treating lymphedema by inhibiting the activity of sVEGFR-2.

Abstract: Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) polypeptide variants of the presently-disclosed subject matter have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine, as compared to wild-type BChE. Pharmaceutical compositions of the presently-disclosed subject matter include a BChE polypeptide variant having an enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine. A method of the presently-disclosed subject matter for treating a cocaine-induced condition includes administering to an individual an effective amount of a BChE polypeptide variant, as disclosed herein, to lower blood cocaine concentration.

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium ion battery includes a liquid metal having a melting point that is below the operating temperature of the battery, which transforms from a liquid to a solid during lithiation, and wherein the liquid metal transforms from a solid to a liquid during delithiation.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a product from a precursor material. The method includes the steps of (a) mixing a particulate material and a binder to form a precursor material and (b) irradiating that precursor material with microwave radiation so as to activate the binder and form the product.

Abstract: A nitrogen fertilizer composition includes urea and a nitrate-based fertilizer such as ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate and mixtures of ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium in which the urea and total nitrogen are at concentrations of 20 percent by weight or greater and the concentration of ammonium nitrate is at 30 percent or greater by weight. One or both of the urea and nitrate-based fertilizer are coated with an agriculturally compatible material. The fertilizer composition provides significant nitrate nitrogen for legitimate agricultural use yet is not amenable to the production of an explosive by crushing or by aqueous extraction. A pleasant smelling odorant is added to the composition to facilitate detection.

Abstract: The invention relates to sesquiterpene synthases and methods for their production and use. Particularly, the invention provides nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequence of citrus valencene synthase (CVS) which codes for at least one CVS. The invention further provides nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequence coding for amino acid residues forming the tier 1 and tier 2 domains of CVS. The invention also provides for methods of making and using the nucleic acids and amino acids of the current invention.

Abstract: A novel computational method and generation of mutant butyrylcholinesterase for cocaine hydrolysis is provided. The method includes molecular modeling a possible BChE mutant and conducting molecular dynamics simulations and hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical calculations thereby providing a screening method of possible BChE mutants by predicting which mutant will lead to a more stable transition state for a rate determining step. Site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression, and protein activity is conducted for mutants determined computationally as being good candidates for possible BChE mutants, i.e., ones predicted to have higher catalytic efficiency as compared with wild-type BChE. In addition, mutants A199S/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/A328W/Y332G, A199S/S287G/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/Y332G, and A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/E441D all have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine compared with wild-type BChE.

Abstract: Stilbene analogs and pharmaceutical compositions that are useful for the treatment of various cancers, including without limitation, colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer are disclosed. The halogenated stilbene analogs include nitrogen heteroaryl groups and/or amino groups on the stilbene ring.

Abstract: This application relates to the polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules, vectors, transfected cells, and methods for synthesis of triterpenes, including botryococcene.

Abstract: A flow through filter assembly includes a trivalent and tetravalent metal ion capturing agent and a flow controller providing a predetermined flow rate which allows capture of the trivalent and tetravalent metal ions by the capturing agent.

Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes methods of identifying an Alu RNA inhibitor, and methods and compositions for inhibiting Alu RNA. Methods and compositions can be used for the treatment of geographic atrophy and other conditions of interest.

Abstract: An electrowetting device includes a substrate having a first face, a charged adhesion layer immobilized on the first face of the substrate and a dielectric layer bound to the charged adhesion layer. An unbound ionic liquid phase contacts the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A power plant includes a boiler, a steam turbine, a generator driven by that steam turbine, a condenser, a post combustion processing system and an energy storage system including at least one electrochemical cell to store excess electrical energy generated by the generator during period valley demand and release thermal energy for power plant operations at other times.

Abstract: An electrowetting device includes a substrate having a first face, a charged adhesion layer immobilized on the first face of the substrate and a dielectric layer bound to the charged adhesion layer. An unbound ionic liquid phase contacts the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The results presented herein demonstrate the specific expression of CCR3 in CNV endothelial cells in humans with AMD, and despite the expression of its ligands, eotaxin-1, -2, and -3, neither eosinophils nor mast cells are present in human CNV. The genetic or pharmacological targeting of CCR3 or eotaxins as disclosed herein inhibited injury-induced CNV in mice. CNV suppression by CCR3 blockade was due to direct inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, and was uncoupled from inflammation as it occurred in mice lacking eosinophils or mast cells and was independent of macrophage and neutrophil recruitment. CCR3 blockade was more effective at reducing CNV than vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) neutralization, which is currently in clinical use, and, unlike VEGF-A blockade, not toxic to the mouse retina. In vivo imaging with CCR3-targeting quantum dots located spontaneous CNV invisible to standard fluorescein angiography in mice before retinal invasion.

Abstract: An axial-centrifugal flow catheter pump for cavopulmonary assistance is provided, incorporating a rotor providing both an axial fluid flow and a centrifugal fluid flow. The rotor includes a first terminal impeller configured to provide a centrifugal and axial fluid flow in a first direction, a second terminal impeller configured to provide a centrifugal and axial fluid flow in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a central impeller configured to provide a predominantly centrifugal fluid flow. The first and second terminal impellers each include blade arrangements configured to provide a centrifugal and axial fluid flow directed toward the rotor central impeller. Cavopulmonary assistance devices are provided including the axial-centrifugal flow catheter pump.

Abstract: A method of protecting a cell includes inhibiting an inflammasome, MyD88, IL-18, VDAC1, VDAC2, caspase-8, and/or NF?B of the cell. Administering an inhibitor of MyD88, IL-18, VDAC1, VDAC2, caspase-8, and/or NF?B can protect the cell from Alu-RNA-induced degeneration. Protecting a cell, such as an retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), can be therapeutically useful in the context of age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for producing fuel briquettes from high moisture fine coal. The apparatus includes a coal fine pelletizer, a pellet dryer and a fuel briquette former all provided in-line for the efficient production of fuel briquettes. The method comprises forming pellets from coal fines, drying those pellets to a desired moisture content of about 1 to about 10% and forming fuel briquettes from the dried pellets.

Abstract: Soy products or compositions are treated with a food grade iodate compound or a cystine compound to reduce levels of methanethiol, sulfites and sulfite free-radicals, sulfate free radicals and other free radicals generated from sulfite free radicals in the soy products or compositions by 1% to 95%.