Abstract: A modular hydroponic cultivation and transport system for the cultivation and transport of organisms, including but not limited to, various forms of plants and fungi in hydroponic towers, is provided. Further, apparatuses for the cultivation and transport of organisms grown in hydroponic towers, are provided. Methods for the cultivation and transport of organisms using the transport system and apparatuses described herein are also provided herein.

Abstract: Described are methods and devices for the generation of hydrogel particles with micrometer and submicrometer dimensions using oxygen-inhibited partial polymerization, and the particles generated therefrom. The described methods generate particles with dimensions independent of the starting polymerizable solution dimension, for example, a microdroplet. Further, microfluidic flow parameters (e.g. viscosity, flow rate) and photopolymerization process parameters (e.g. optical exposure intensity and duration) are controlled to generate particles with tunable crosslinking density-determined properties including elasticity, diffusivity, and biomolecular display for diverse applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering cell scaffolds, and single- and multiple-cell therapeutics. Similarly, gradients of crosslinking density-determined properties can be created within single particles through the selection of optical exposure intensity and duration.

Abstract: Polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures are provided which include a selectively emissive layer of a polymer or a polymer matrix composite material. Exemplary selective radiative cooling structures are in the form of a sheet, film or coating. Also provided are methods for removing heat from a body by selective thermal radiation using polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures.

Abstract: A hydroponic produce display apparatus for in-store and market display of plants is provided. The hydroponic produce display apparatus comprises a basin for holding a volume of liquid with an opening formed in the basin. A hydroponic container is provided having a first end and a second end with the first end of the hydroponic container cooperates with the opening in the basin and the plants growing within the hydroponic containers. An irrigation mechanism moves liquid from the basin to the second end of the hydroponic container wherein harvested hydroponic containers are exchanged with harvested containers.

Abstract: A greenwall cladding system for the growth of organisms such as plants and fungi on the side of structures, such as internal and external walls of buildings, is provided. Methods for the production of organisms on a greenwall cladding system, such as plants and fungi are also provided herein.

Abstract: Use of chemical pretreatment agents on the subsequent enzymatic conversion of coal is described. As an example, fungal manganese peroxidase (MnP) produced by the agaric white-rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta, where the enzyme MnP has little effect on the untreated coal controls, was investigated. The nature of pretreatment agents and their applied concentrations were found to have significant impact on subsequent enzymatic conversion of coal. Four agents were investigated: HNO3, catalyzed H2O2, KMnO4, and NaOH. Hydrogen peroxide was found to generate the greatest quantity of total organic carbon from the coal samples employed. Combined chemical and enzymatic treatment of coal is appropriate for enhanced depolymerisation of coal and coal-derived constituents and results in chemically heterogeneous and complex liquefaction products like humic and fulvic acids, which will have important ramifications in the generation of liquid and gaseous fuels from coals as nonpetroleum-derived fuel alternatives.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to restorative solutions for segmental peripheral nerve (PN) defects using allografted PNs for stimulating PN repair. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide for localized immunosuppression (LIS) surrounding PN allografts as an alternative to systemically suppressing a patient's entire immune system. Methods include localized release of immunosuppressive (ISV) agents are contemplated in one embodiment. Methods also include localized application of immunosuppressive (ISV) regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in other embodiments. Hydrogel carrier materials for delivery of ISV agents and are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the analysis of chemical compositions of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon blends. This method applies specifically to the problem of analyzing extremely complex hydrocarbon-containing mixtures when the number and diversity of molecules makes it impossible to realistically identify and quantify them individually in a reasonable timeframe and cost. The advantage to this method over prior art is the ability to separate and identify chemical constituents and solvent fractions based on their solvent-solubility characteristics, their high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) adsorption and desorption behaviors, and their interactions with stationary phases; and subsequently identify and quantify them at least partially using various combinations of non-destructive HPLC, destructive HPLC, and stand-alone detectors presently not routinely used for HPLC but reconfigured to obtain spectra on the fly.

Abstract: A vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus for allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production is provided. The apparatus comprises a hollow grow tube having a front face, a back face, an open first end, and an open second end. A slot is formed in the front face of the grow tube with the slot having a width equal to only a portion of a width of the front face. A media material is insertable into the grow tube. The slot allows the front face to expand outward during insertion of the media material and biased inward against the media material once the media material is inserted. The grow tube is positionable in either a horizontal position, vertical position, or any position between the horizontal position and the vertical position allowing inclined, multi-angled crop production and multi-storied conveyor style crop production.

Abstract: A modular hydroponic cultivation and transport system for the cultivation and transport of organisms, including but not limited to, various forms of plants and fungi in hydroponic towers, is provided. Further, apparatuses for the cultivation and transport of organisms grown in hydroponic towers, are provided. Methods for the cultivation and transport of organisms using the transport system and apparatuses described herein are also provided herein.

Abstract: A hydroponic produce display apparatus for in-store and market display of plants. The hydroponic produce display apparatus includes a basin for holding a volume of liquid with an opening formed in the basin. A hydroponic container having a first end and a second end with the first end of the hydroponic container cooperating with the opening in the basin, and the plants growing within the hydroponic containers. An irrigation mechanism moves liquid from the basin to the second end of the hydroponic container wherein harvested hydroponic containers are exchanged with harvested containers.

Abstract: A greenwall cladding system for the growth of organisms such as plants and fungi on the side of structures, such as internal and external walls of buildings, is provided. Methods for the production of organisms on a greenwall cladding system, such as plants and fungi are also provided herein.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to restorative solutions for segmental peripheral nerve (PN) defects using allografted PNs for stimulating PN repair. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide for localized immunosuppression (LIS) surrounding PN allografts as an alternative to systemically suppressing a patient's entire immune system. Methods include localized release of immunosuppressive (ISV) agents are contemplated in one embodiment. Methods also include localized application of immunosuppressive (ISV) regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in other embodiments. Hydrogel carrier materials for delivery of ISV agents and are also described herein.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the biological conversion of pretreated or solubilized coal or waste coal into biofuels. Coal (10) may be pretreated perhaps in a pretreatment reactor (13). Pretreated coal or even solubilized coal may be introduced into a processing reactor such as a bioreactor (16) containing a plurality of microorganisms (9) such as oleaginous microorganisms which can convert at least some of the pretreated or solubilized coal into lipids (19) or biomass (18), which then may be used directly or as a precursor for various products such as biofuels, feedstock, or the like.

Abstract: A highly effective catalyst for the preparation of diethyl oxalate using carbon monoxide using Pd/?-Al2O3 and CeO2 as a promoter. High conversion rates with greatly extended catalyst life is achieved with the CeO2-enhanced Pd catalysts. The catalysts can be used for the production of high-value diethyl oxalate, and eventually ethylene glycol, from coal-derived syngas.

Abstract: A method for residual oil recovery from oil reservoirs, and diagnostic tests for determining its efficiency using a single well are described. The method includes injecting oil into a well in a reservoir that has been previously waterflooded or an oil reservoir or zone of an oil reservoir which contains immobile oil at the time of discovery, and extracting the oil by waterflooding the charged zones by placing the injection well in production. The target zone from which oil is recovered may be increased by following injection of oil with injection of water to push an oil bank which grows in volume as a function of distance of propagation, because of the effect of waterflooding on residual oil. The well may then be placed in production and the oil bank volume will continue to increase in volume as it returns to the well, again because of the waterflooding effect. The oil bank is then produced at the surface.

Abstract: Compositions and uses involving L. monocytogenes PssZ, as well as homologs, variants, and fragments thereof, are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems to achieve clean fuel processing systems in which carbon dioxide emissions (1) from sources (2) may be processed in at least one processing reactor (4) containing a plurality of chemoautotrophic bacteria (5) which can convert the carbon dioxide emissions into biomass (6) which may then be used for various products (21) such as biofuels, fertilizer, feedstock, or the like. Sulfate reducing bacteria (13) may be used to supply sulfur containing compounds to the chemoautotrophic bacteria (5).

Abstract: A magnetic nanoparticle including a TRPV1 agonist, as well as methods of preparation and use, are described herein. A magnetically responsive pharmaceutical can include a core region having a magnetic nanoparticle (MNPs) and a TRPV1 protein agonist. Further, an exterior coating comprising a polymer can be formed around the core region. The magnetically responsive pharmaceutical can be administered to a recipient and directed to a target region using an external magnetic field.

Abstract: Polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures are provided which include a selectively emissive layer of a polymer or a polymer matrix composite material. Exemplary selective radiative cooling structures are in the form of a sheet, film or coating. Also provided are methods for removing heat from a body by selective thermal radiation using polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures.