Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for the direct transesterification and extraction of bio-lipids and bio-oils in the production of biofuel, particularly fatty acid methyl ester products.

Abstract: A low-energy input process for the pyrolytic conversion of biomass to charcoal or carbonized charcoal is provided. The biomass is sealed in a container, pressurized, then air is introduced at the proximal end of the container and released at the distal end of the container. The biomass is ignited by a heater at the distal end. The operation of the heater is halted after initial ignition and the biomass is allowed to continue to burn in a proximal-to-distal end airflow to finish the conversion.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to liquid films containing nanostructured materials, and, optionally, the use of this arrangement to organize nanostructures and to transfer the nanostructures to a surface. Liquid films containing nanostructures, such as nanoscale wires, can be formed in a gas such as air. By choosing an appropriate liquid, a liquid film can be expanded, for example to form a “bubble” having a diameter of at least about 5 cm or 10 cm. The size of the bubble can be controlled, in some cases, by controlling the viscosity of the liquid film. In some embodiments, the viscosity can be controlled to be between about 15 Pa s and about 25 Pa s, or controlled using a mixture of an aqueous liquid and an epoxy. In some cases, the film of liquid may be contacted with a surface, which can be used to transfer at least some of the nanostructures to the surface. In some cases, the nanostructures may be transferred as an orderly or aligned array.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time in an imaging system. An object orientation marker (30), preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on the head or other body organ of interest of a patient (P) during a scan, such as an MRI scan. The marker (30) makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track motion of the organ of interest. A detector, preferably a camera (40), observes the marker (30) and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the camera (40) is sent to the scanner (120) via an RGR processing computer (50) and a scanner control and processing computer (100), allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position (in real-time) for motion of the patient (P).

Abstract: Methods are provided of treating cardiac hypertrophy in a mammalian subject comprising administering to the subject an anti-hypertrophic effective amount of an ion channel TR-PV1 inhibitor.

Abstract: Receptors are selectively attached by introducing blocking materials in the areas outside the active sensor surface area, and/or selectively attaching the bio receptors to one or more active sensor surface areas. Methods for selective attachment include the use of optical attachment using a patterned exposure to assist in the creation of receptor bonding to pre-selected regions of the one or more chips. Blocking agents are attached to regions where blocking the receptor attachment is beneficial. Biased conducting regions may also affect selective attachment. Such controlled blocking may be accomplished using optical patterning exposure with optical assisted bonding of the blocking molecule or lift off processes. Patterned exposure for either attachment assists or liftoff processes employs photo masks. Conducting regions outside of the active sensor gate region are biased, affecting biochemical binding or non binding, and shielding of the semiconductor region outside of the active biosensor region.

Abstract: Carbohydrate detectors employing abiotic fuel cell designs are disclosed. The detectors produce current output using reactions between chemical dyes in alkaline solutions and carbohydrates, such as glucose. A linear relationship between current output of the detector and glucose concentration has been observed. This relationship may be used with measurements of current output when the glucose concentration is unknown to determine the unknown glucose concentration. In certain embodiments, the abiotic detectors may further employ electrodes, such as high surface area carbon materials and commercial air breathing electrodes, without the use of catalysts (i.e., precious metals or biocatalytic species) for glucose detection Organic dyes, such as methyl viologen (MV), methylene blue, methylene green, Meldola's blue, indigo carmine, safranin O, and the like, may serve as the electron mediators.

Abstract: Provided are nanostructure-containing nanotape materials. The materials may be incorporated at the interface between two other structures to provide strength and toughness at the interface. The materials may also be applied to a standalone structure to provide strength and toughness. Also provided are related methods of fabricating the nanotape materials, as well as gas diffusion membranes and fuel cells that include nanostructured materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time in an imaging system. An object orientation marker (30), preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on the head or other body organ of interest of a patient (P) during a scan, such as an MRI scan. The marker (30) makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track motion of the organ of interest. A detector, preferably a camera (40), observes the marker (30) and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the camera (40) is sent to the scanner (120) via an RGR processing computer (50) and a scanner control and processing computer (100), allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position (in real-time) for motion of the patient (P).

Abstract: An improved two-phase micro-channel heat sink has a plurality of flow micro-channels extending in parallel in a longitudinal direction for accommodating a flow of liquid coolant therein, and a plurality of cross-connected micro-channels extending in parallel in a transverse direction formed at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction for cross-connecting with the flow micro-channels. The cross-connected micro-channels enable a uniform pressure field to be maintained for two-phase flow boiling of liquid coolant in the heat sink. In a preferred embodiment, the heat sink contains flow micro-channels with width of 100 ?m, wall thickness of 100 ?m, and height of 600 ?m, and cross-connected micro-channels of similar width and height cut at 1 mm intervals along the flow direction.

Abstract: Gene-based diagnostics capable of rapidly discriminating selected strains of a selected pathogen from other populations within the same species are disclosed. Sequence-specific, real-time monitoring of LAMP of DNA may be accomplished through the use of oglionucleotide probes, referred to as “assimilating probes.” The assimilating probes include two oglionucleotide strands, one which includes a quencher (referred to as the quenching probe) and another which includes a fluorophore (referred to as the fluorescent probe). A fluorescent signal results when the two strands are displaced from one another during the LAMP reaction. By monitoring the emitted fluorescence, sequence specific amplification may be detected.

Abstract: A slotted TEM transmission line and an in-situ TEM transmission line are utilized to determine both complex permittivity and permeability of soil. The permittivity and permeability information may be used by underground sensing techniques such as GPR and EMI to enhance information from these techniques. The in-situ probe provides that both complex permittivity and permeability can be measured simultaneously over a broad frequency range without disturbing the soil conditions.

Abstract: Microwave heating is used to synthesize NHC-transition metal complexes. Reaction times for the formation of NHC-transition metal complexes is greatly reduced. The speed of the reactions allows for otherwise problematic air handling of reagents. Apparatus for carrying out the reactions is less complex than conventional apparatus and requires less energy to achieve the desired temperatures. Methods utilize salts of NHC's which overcomes the oftentimes difficult preparation of free carbenes for formation of the corresponding transition metal complexes.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include methods and constructs that can be used to co-express two or more polypeptides of interest from a single polynucleotide encoding a precursor polypeptide. Within this precursor polypeptide can reside at least one autonomous processing unit, which can mediate release of flanking polypeptides of interest in cis. The processing unit can include an N-terminal autocatalytic cleavage domain and a C-terminal cleavage domain. Some embodiments include constructs and methods for co-expressing polypeptides without N- or C-terminal overhangs, in any cellular or extracellular location, and/or in stoichiometric ratios.

Abstract: The present invention is a biosensor apparatus that includes a substrate, a source on one side of the substrate, a drain spaced from the source, a conducting channel between the source and the drain, an insulator region, and receptors on a gate region for receiving target material. The receptors are contacted for changing current flow between the source and the drain. The source and the drain are relatively wide compared to length between the source and the drain through the conducting channel.

Abstract: A new class of electronic devices suitable for Si IC incorporation and of diverse utility are described. The devices are useful for many sensing applications as well as for special circuit applications. Sensing applications include chemical and biochemical sensing, photo detection (UV, visible, IR and FIR), magnetic field sensing, electric field sensing, and force sensing. The devices are MEMs compatible. Sensor sensitivity is voltage and current tunable over a wide range. The devices further constitute a new and useful class of IC reference voltage devices. Selective non linear features are also achievable in support of non-linear device applications. These unique devices may be considered as distributed merged bipolar and FET structures. The new distributed channel bipolar devices (DCBDs) have a channel of a selected shape formed in a surface of a substrate by doping or by influencing of a coating. In the device structure, the channel acts as an NPN or PNO BJT collector or emitter.

Abstract: The present invention is a biosensor apparatus that includes a substrate, a source on one side of the substrate, a drain spaced from the source, a conducting channel between the source and the drain, an insulator region, and receptors on a gate region for receiving target material. The receptors are contacted for changing current flow between the source and the drain. The source and the drain are relatively wide compared to length between the source and the drain through the conducting channel.

Abstract: The present invention is a biosensor apparatus that includes a substrate, a source on one side of the substrate, a drain spaced from the source, a conducting channel between the source and the drain, an insulator region, and receptors on a gate region for receiving target material. The receptors are contacted for changing current flow between the source and the drain. The source and the drain are relatively wide compared to length between the source and the drain through the conducting channel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time in an imaging system. An object orientation marker, preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on an organ of interest of a patient during a scan, such as an MRI scan. The marker allows measuring the six degrees of freedom or “pose” required to track motion of the organ of interest. A detector, preferably a camera, observes the marker and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the camera is sent to the scanner via an RGR processing computer and a scanner control and processing computer, allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position (in real-time) for motion of the patient. This invention also provides for internal calibration and for co-registration over time of the scanner's and tracking system's reference frames to compensate for drift and other inaccuracies that may arise over time.

Abstract: An electronic sensor is provided for detecting the presence of one or more analytes of interest in a sample. The sensor preferably comprises a field effect transistor in which conductance is enhanced altered by analyte binding to receptors in the active region. An array of sensors may be formed to analyze a sample for multiple analytes.