Abstract: A chimeric endonuclease is provided comprising the GIY-YIG nuclease domain which is linked to a DNA-targeting domain by a linking domain. The endonuclease is useful in gene editing.

Abstract: Described are silk proteins derived from spider mite, more specifically derived from Tetranychus urticae. More specifically, described is the use of these proteins to make fibers, or fiber-composed material and the resulting fibers and materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anisotropic hydrogel and a method of producing the anisotropic hydrogel. The hydrogel exhibiting anisotropic properties is poly(vinyl alcohol) produced by preparing a solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) with a pre-selected concentration, thermally cycling the solution by freezing and thawing, stretching the hydrogel and thermally cycling the hydrogel at least one more time The anisotropic hydrogel is used for tissue replacement and reconstruction, bioagent entrapment and delivery, in preparing ultrasound or radiofrequency thermal therapy transmission pads and substitutes for ice bags, as denture base, in soft contact lens material, for wound covering bandages and phantoms for medical-related use.

Abstract: A method for identifying a transmitter in a digital broadcasting system includes: receiving a broadcast signal in which a TxID sequence for identification of a transmitter is embedded; correlating the received broadcast signal with a plurality of elementary code sequences of a pseudo-random sequence sequentially; and identifying the transmitter by using the correlation results.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of bio-fuel cell, based on the microbial regeneration of the oxidant, ferric ions. The bio-fuel cell is based on the cathodic reduction of ferric to ferrous ions, coupled with the microbial regeneration of ferric ions by the oxidation of ferrous ions, at a pH less than about 1.0, with fuel (such as hydrogen) oxidation on the anode electrode. The microbial regeneration of ferric ions is achieved by microorganisms such as Leptospirillum ferriphilum. Electrical generation is coupled with the consumption of carbon dioxide from atmosphere and its transformation into microbial cells, which can be used as a single-cell protein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel cell bioreactor, based on the microbial regeneration of the oxidant, ferric ions and on the cathodic reduction of ferric to ferrous ions, coupled with the microbial regeneration of ferric ions by the oxidation of ferrous ions, with fuel (such as hydrogen) oxidation on the anode. The microbial regeneration of ferric ions is achieved by iron-oxidizing microorganisms such as Leptospirillum. Electrical generation is coupled with the consumption of carbon dioxide from atmosphere and its transformation into microbial cells, which can be used as a single-cell protein.

Abstract: Anisotropic hydrogels including poly(vinyl alcohol) and which have physical cross-links so as to form materials which exhibit anisotropic mechanical properties characteristic of soft biological tissues wherein the anisotropic hydrogel may be used for tissue reconstruction and/or replacement including vessels, arteries, valve components, cartilage, ligaments, skin, and other medical uses such as stents, medical phantoms, contact lenses, bandages, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing radiopharmaceutical compounds in high chemical-purity and isotopic-purity. The present invention provides polymer-bound precursors to radiopharmaceutical compounds that can be converted to radiopharmaceutical compounds in one step. In a preferred embodiment, a radiopharmaceutical precursor is bound to a polymeric support via a prosthetic group comprising an alkenyl-tin bond. The radiopharmaceutical precursor is converted to a radiopharmaceutical compound in one step involving cleavage of the alkenyl-tin bond and incorporation of a radioisotope to form the radiopharmaceutical compound. Importantly, the polymeric support containing the toxic tin by-product can be easily removed from the radiopharmaceutical compound by filtration. The present invention can be used to install a large number of different radioisotopes. In a preferred embodiment, the radioisotope is 211At, 123I or 131I.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system using wireless sensors to validate wired sensors used in applications where the requirements on the reliability of wired sensors are stringent. A computing means periodically collects measurements for each variable from the wired and wireless sensors and compares them against an expected value. The expected value is a weighted average of all the measurements for a variable, in which the weight assigned to the measurement from each sensor is determined according to both its reliability and accuracy. As such, measurements are compared with the corresponding expected value for a particular variable. If the difference between a measurement and its corresponding expected value is found to be unacceptable, the validation computer will generate a corresponding alert. Application examples include 1) validating wired sensors used in safety shutdown systems for industrial facilities and 2) validating wired sensors used to monitor storage tanks.

Abstract: Metal oxide nanowires and carbon-coated metal nanowires are effective as supports for particles of an expensive catalyst material, such as platinum metal group catalyst. Such supported catalysts are useful when included in an electrode on, for example, a proton exchange membrane in a hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell. For example, tin oxide nanowires are formed on carbon fibers of carbon paper and platinum nanoparticles are deposited on the tin oxide nanowires. The nanowires provide good surfaces for effective utilization of the platinum material.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a clutch system for use in controllably transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft. The clutch system has a torque transmission fluid that has a viscosity that changes based on the strength of an electromagnetic field passing through the fluid. A number of sensors are placed at different radial locations on the torque transmission disks to detect the strength of the electromagnetic field. Based on the strength of the electromagnetic field, the amount of torque being transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft can be adjusted. Also disclosed is a distributed actuation architecture that uses this clutch system. The distributed actuation architecture allows for the use of a single drive motor in conjunction with multiple instances of the clutch system to actuate a mechanical linkage, such as a robotic arm.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel compounds that can be used to prepare radiolabeled compounds in an effective manner. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method of synthesizing radiolabeled compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid solar energy conversion system in which a working fluid is made to flow between an internal photovoltaic array and a transparent top layer, where the working fluid is disinfected by a photocatalytic disinfectant layer provided on a light transmitting surface contacting the working fluid. The working fluid is further contacted with the photovoltaic array for the absorption of heat, and the absorbed heat is extracted via an external heat extraction device such as a water tank or a heat exchanger. Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved solar energy conversion system providing both electrical and thermal power, and further utilizing a portion of the solar spectrum for the photocatalytic disinfection of the working fluid.

Abstract: An oral device for use with a person in which at least one non-toxic gas pulse is delivered to a predetermined location in the mouth via a device conduit. The oral device may be provided as a kit with at least one device for measuring the subject's responses and representing them as feedback to the subject/clinician. A method of creating a gas bolus pulse train, delivering it to a predetermined mouth area, and monitoring the subject's responses to it, is also shown. The oral device and method may be used as a diagnostic tool, or a therapeutic tool, in swallowing or speech rehabilitation of children and adults who have swallowing, speech, salivary, and/or oral sensorimotor impairments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling spider mites on plants. More specifically, the invention relates to plants expressing RNAi of one or more essential genes of the spider mite, and the use of those plants to control the spider mite proliferation into pest proportions. In a preferred embodiment, the spider mite is Tetranychus urticae.

Abstract: Tin powder is heated in a flowing stream of an inert gas, such as argon, containing a small concentration of carbon-containing gas, at a temperature to produce metal vapor. The tin deposits as liquid on a substrate, and reacts with the carbon-containing gas to form carbon nanotubes in the liquid tin. Upon cooling and solidification, a composite of tin nanowires bearing coatings of carbon nanotubes is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating a disorder associated with glucose mediated cell damage in a subject comprising administering to the subject an agent that modulates the expression of one or more miRNAs in a damaged cell or cells of the subject. The present invention also relates to compositions for treating a disorder associated with glucose mediated cell damage comprising an agent that modulates the expression of one or more miRNAs in a damaged cell or cells. The invention also relates to methods of diagnosing a disorder associated with glucose mediated cell damage in a subject, including diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: The present invention provides surgical training aids formed from hydrogels and adapted to exhibit realistic mechanical properties mimicking those of real organs. Surgical training aids are preferably fabricated by subjecting a concentration of polyvinyl alcohol to freeze-thaw cycles in a mold designed to approximate the shape of an organ, and process parameters are selected to tailor the mechanical properties of the formed hydrogel to those of the organ simulated by the surgical aid. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel forming the surgical training aid may be tailored by incorporating bacterial cellulose and by applying strain during hydrogel formation, thereby producing controlled anisotropy.

Abstract: Described are silk proteins derived from spider mite, more specifically derived from Tetranychus urticae. More specifically, described is the use of these proteins to make fibers, or fiber-composed material and the resulting fibers and materials.

Abstract: An arrangement of elongated nanowires that include titanium silicide or tungsten silicide may be grown on the exterior surfaces of many individual electrically conductive microfibers of much larger diameter. Each of the nanowires is structurally defined by an elongated, centralized titanium silicide or tungsten silicide nanocore that terminates in a distally spaced gold particle and which is co-axially surrounded by a removable amorphous nanoshell. A gold-directed catalytic growth mechanism initiated during a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process is used to grow the nanowires uniformly along the entire length and circumference of the electrically conductive microfibers where growth is intended. The titanium silicide- or tungsten silicide-based nanowires can be used in a variety electrical, electrochemical, and semiconductor applications.