Abstract: A chemical extractant selected from solutions of K2SO4 and/or Na2SO4 can be used by contacting with untreated broiler litter to selectively and efficiently remove phosphorous from the broiler litter. The broiler litter and extractant solution mixture, after a suitable time, can be separated, such as by filtration. The resulting treated broiler litter is thus significantly lower in P content without being lower by an undesirable amount in more preferred minerals. The treated litter so obtained is suitable for crop soil augmentation. Further, phosphorous can be thereafter precipitated in the form of phytic acid. Since the precipitate is high in mineral content, it can be used for other purposes (e.g., plant food, etc.).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining whether a live microbe, such as bacteria, is present in a test sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel primers for use in the molecular detection of food-threat agents and food-borne pathogens. The primers may be used in combination for the rapid, high-throughput screening PCR-based techniques to simultaneously detect multiple food safety biothreat agents. The multiplex-detection methods have improved sensitivity and specificity for the detection of multiple high-impact food-borne pathogens simultaneously. Real-time PCR assaying techniques using such primers include microarrays and multiplex single-tube arrays, the latter optionally simultaneously with TaqMan probes.

Abstract: Kaiso, a transcriptional regulator with bimodal DNA-binding specificity, is over-expressed in breast cancer cells, and its nuclear localization is correlated with malignant and lymph node metastasis. Depleted expression of Kaiso in those cells results in a significant decrease in basal and EGF-induced cell migration, and this is associated with increased E-cadherin expression. The data reported and described herein provide significant evidence that Kaiso is involved in breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Kaiso nuclear localization is a biomarker that is associated with invasive and metastatic infiltrating ductal breast cancer that may be used to monitor, detect, and/or track the progress of disease in a patient.

Abstract: Immortalized human cell lines derived from prostate cells are disclosed. Immortalized cells derived from a human epithelial prostate tissue cancer tumor are provided, as well as immortalized cells derived from healthy human epithelial prostate tissue from the same patient. Methods for utilizing such immortalized cell lines for researching, screening, and evaluating antimalignancy therapies and drug candidates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-pass gas metal arc weld (“GMAW”) approach is used for in-situ repair of railhead defects. A defect is removed via machining a perpendicular slot or grove in the railhead leaving the web and base unaltered. A sufficient number of GMAW passes are used to fill the slot using a weld material suitable for the particular type of parent steel, and excess weldment can be removed. Optionally, for pearlitic steel rails post-weld heat treatment can be used to cause austenization and/or quenching of the weld. The weld heat inputs and other parameters are controlled to avoid ductile and brittle fracture related morphologies.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the use of tannin-containing wood products in animal feed to improve production efficiency and health of ruminants (e.g., sheep, goats, and cattle) by reducing internal parasite load, reducing methane and ammonia production in the rumen, and decreasing phosphor emissions from fecal waste. Embodiments include a domesticated ruminant feed comprising a condensed tannin. Certain embodiments relate to methods comprising administering condensed tannins to ruminant animals by incorporating pine bark or other suitable condensed tannin-containing wood products into regular animal feed.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides having activity against receptor CXCR3 are disclosed that exhibit activity in preventing the formation of new vessels and activity in mediating the dissociation of newly-formed vessels and resolving of wounds in the later stages of wound healing. Preferred peptides are derived from the ?-helix portion IP-10 (CXCL10) or from IP-9 (CXCL11), are nontoxic, and smaller than naturally occurring peptides, making them useful in therapies against diseases or disease states marked by unwanted angiogenesis, including tumorogenic diseases such as cancers, and in healing of chronic wounds.

Abstract: Immortalized human cell lines derived from prostate cells are disclosed. Immortalized cells derived from a human epithelial prostate tissue cancer tumor are provided, as well as immortalized cells derived from healthy human epithelial prostate tissue from the same patient. Methods for utilizing such immortalized cell lines for researching, screening, and evaluating antimalignancy therapies and drug candidates are also disclosed.

Abstract: Lytic peptides, including fusion peptides of lytic peptides conjugated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone or modified versions thereof to target luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptors, are disclosed. The lytic peptides show anti-proliferative activity against human prostate cancer cell lines, but are nontoxic to normal primary human prostate epithelial cells or to bone marrow stromal cells in co-culture. The lytic peptides have specificity for and anti-proliferative activity against prostate cancer tumor cells, and low toxicity for normal prostate cells, making the peptides useful in therapies for prostate cancer.

Abstract: Structured films containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (“MWCNTs”) have enhanced mechanical performance in terms of strength, fracture resistance, and creep recovery of polyimide (“PI”) films. Preferably, the loadings of MWCNTs can be in the range of 0.1 wt % to 0.5 wt %. The strength of the new PI films dried at 60° C. increased by 55% and 72% for 0.1 wt % MWCNT and 0.5 wt % MWCNT loadings, respectively, while the fracture resistance increased by 23% for the 0.1 wt % MWCNTs and then decreases at a loading of 0.5 wt % MWCNTs. The films can be advantageously be created by managing a corresponding shift in the annealing temperature at which the maximum strength occurs as the MWCNT loadings increase.

Abstract: A chemical extractant selected from solutions of K2SO4 and/or Na2SO4 can be used by contacting with untreated broiler litter to selectively and efficiently remove phosphorous from the broiler litter. The broiler litter and extractant solution mixture, after a suitable time, can be separated, such as by filtration. The resulting treated broiler litter is thus significantly lower in P content without being lower by an undesirable amount in more preferred minerals. The treated litter so obtained is suitable for crop soil augmentation. Further, phosphorous can be thereafter precipitated in the form of phytic acid. Since the precipitate is high in mineral content, it can be used for other purposes (e.g., plant food, etc.).

Abstract: Disclosed are novel primers for use in the molecular detection of food-threat agents and food-borne pathogens. The primers may be used in combination for the rapid, high-throughput screening PCR-based techniques to simultaneously detect multiple food safety biothreat agents. The multiplex-detection methods have improved sensitivity and specificity for the detection of multiple high-impact food-borne pathogens simultaneously. Real-time PCR assaying techniques using such primers include microarrays and multiplex single-tube arrays, the latter optionally simultaneously with TaqMan probes.

Abstract: Lytic peptides, including fusion peptides of lytic peptides conjugated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone or modified versions thereof to target luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptors, are disclosed. The lytic peptides show anti-proliferative activity against human prostate cancer cell lines, but are nontoxic to normal primary human prostate epithelial cells or to bone marrow stromal cells in co-culture. The lytic peptides have specificity for and anti-proliferative activity against prostate cancer tumor cells, and low toxicity for normal prostate cells, making the peptides useful in therapies for prostate cancer.

Abstract: A hydroponic system for growing sweet potatoes and other root and tuber crops includes a growing channel incorporating a movable root contact/pressure plate assembly. The assembly consists of a flat, rigid PVC plate in which holes for inserting plants are drilled and a flexible vinyl film which is secured along the length of each side edge of the plate, by means of pressure fit connectors. The assembly is secured to the top edges of a growing channel, again by pressure fit connectors. The flexible film suspends the plate near and parallel to the bottom of the growing channel, with the flexibility of the film allowing upward movement of the plate within the channel as the plant roots grow. The assembly provides contact and pressure to the plant roots inside the growing channel thereby promoting enlargement of the roots. This enlargement causes the assembly to move upwardly, thereby maintaining the desired pressure conditions during growth. A suitable nutrient solution is supplied in the growing channel.

Abstract: A hydroponic system for growing sweet potatoes and other root and tuber crops includes a growing channel incorporating a movable root contact/pressure plate assembly. The assembly consists of a flat, rigid PVC plate in which holes for inserting plants are drilled and a flexible vinyl film which is secured along the length of each side edge of the plate, by means of pressure fit connectors. The assembly is secured to the top edges of a growing channel, again by pressure fit connectors. The flexible film suspends the plate near and parallel to the bottom of the growing channel, with the flexibility of the film allowing upward movement of the plate within the channel as the plant roots grow. The assembly provides contact and pressure to the plant roots inside the growing channel thereby promoting enlargement of the roots. This enlargement causes the assembly to move upwardly, thereby maintaining the desired pressure conditions during growth. A suitable nutrient solution is suppplied in the growing channel.