Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for expressing a polypeptide in a Rhodospirillum species. The methods include introducing an expression vector having a nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide operably linked to a puc promoter into the Rhodospirillum bacterium and growing the Rhodospirillum bacterium under conditions that allow expression of the polypeptide. Vectors for expressing a membrane polypeptide in a Rhodospirillum species are disclosed. The vectors include a puc promoter and a nucleic acid encoding a membrane polypeptide.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting phagolysosomal fusion in patients infected with a microorganism involve the administration of a 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibiting compound, such as 2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione (NTBC) to the patient. A HPPD-inhibiting compound administered in an amount effective to enhance phagolysosomal fusion in the macrophages or neutrophils of the patient reduces or treats the infection. Methods for treating bacterial infections by administering a HPPD-inhibiting compound and reducing the production of pyomelanin or melanin in microorganisms are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are compounds having the general structure according to Formula (I): Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The invention still further provides methods of treating alcoholism, methods of reducing alcohol intake, methods of treating anhedonia, and methods of treating anxiety using theses compounds or the compositions containing them.

Abstract: A system and method of determining and applying power split ratios to power sources within hybrid vehicles. The power split ratio is determined using a two-scale dynamic programming technique to achieve optimal state of charge depletion over the course of a trip. On the macro-scale level, a global state of charge profile is created for the entire trip. On the micro-scale level, the state of charge profile and accompanying power split ratio is recalculated at the end of each segment as the vehicle proceeds along the trip. Various trip modeling techniques are used to provide constraints for the dynamic programming.

Abstract: A method and a system for generating a magnetic resonance image of a subject. The method and system include generating a first pulse having first random data having a first amplitude and a first linear phase; applying the first pulse to the subject as an radio frequency pulse; collecting a first signal from the subject; generating a second pulse having second random data having a second amplitude and a second linear phase, wherein the second amplitude is substantially equal to the first amplitude, and wherein the second phase has a different slope from the first phase; applying the second pulse to the subject as an radio frequency pulse; collecting a second signal from the subject; and reconstructing an image of the subject.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.

Abstract: A method, and a system, called link state advertisement (“LSA”) correlation, for scheduling routing table updates following a topology change. LSA correlation correlates information in the LSAs to identify the topology change that led to their generation. A routing table update is performed when a topology change has been identified.