Abstract: Optimized enzymatic conditions incorporate a single oxygen atom into digested peptides using a peptidase. The incorporation of a single oxygen atom is especially useful for proteolytic 18O labeling in comparative proteomics. The optimized proteolytic 18O labeling minimizes the generation of a mixture of isotopic isoforms of the peptides resulting from incorporation of either one or two 18O atoms. The outcome is accurate quantification of isotopically labeled peptides.

Abstract: Diamino polyacetate benzene compounds are used as a selective fluorescence probe, sensor, or binders for divalent metal ions. The compounds provide for uses as divalent metal ion sensors in diagnostic applications and binders for environmental and medical treatments.

Abstract: A method of removing pollutants from building materials using an externally applied adsorbent. The adsorbent has a high affinity to common pollutant chemicals. The pollutants are transferred from the contaminated microporous building materials onto the adsorbent until sufficient amounts of pollutant chemicals are reduced to make the building materials acceptable and safe to use. The adsorbent may be regenerated and reused or treated as a waste.

Abstract: Plant or animal oils are processed to produce a fuel that operates at very cold temperatures and is suitable as an aviation turbine fuel, a diesel fuel, a fuel blendstock, or any fuel having a low cloud point, pour point or freeze point. The process is based on the cracking of plant or animal oils or their associated esters, known as biodiesel, to generate lighter chemical compounds that have substantially lower cloud, pour, and/or freeze points than the original oil or biodiesel. Cracked oil is processed using separation steps together with analysis to collect fractions with desired low temperature properties by removing undesirable compounds that do not possess the desired temperature properties.

Abstract: A method of protecting an animal from infections with pathogens originating from Yersinia comprising administering an isolated or recombinant YscF protein to the animal is disclosed. The isolated or recombinant YscF protein may be administered as a vaccine. An isolated or recombinant YscF protein capable of conferring protection to an animal against a pathogen of a Yersinia origin is further disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the isolated or recombinant YscF protein are also disclosed. In other embodiments, antibodies generated against the isolated or recombinant YscF protein capable of conferring protection to an animal against a pathogen or a Yersinia origin and uses of the antibodies are described.

Abstract: A method for comparative proteomics using a peptidase under enzymatic conditions that permits the optimal incorporation of two oxygen atoms into a digested peptide. The method employs a peptidase to incorporate two 18O atoms into a peptide set derived from a population of proteins at a conditioned state, which is compared to a second peptide set incorporated with a single 16O atom derived from a population of proteins at a second conditioned state. Upon combining the two peptide sets, the populations of proteins are analyzed for qualitative and quantitative differences based on the content of 18O atoms and 16O atoms in the digested peptides using mass spectrometry instrumentation. The method is advantageous to improve the efficiency and timeframe of peptidase catalyzed 18O labeling reactions which increased the accuracy and reliability of quantitative proteomic experiments.

Abstract: Diamino polyacetate benzene compounds are used as a selective fluorescence probe, sensor, or binders for divalent metal ions. The compounds provide for uses as divalent metal ion sensors in diagnostic applications and binders for environmental and medical treatments.

Abstract: Although there is a universal need for training in handling casualties of weapons of mass destruction, a major challenge for delivering such training include the lack of time for over-taxed healthcare professionals and public health personnel to participate. Many of our workforce members work on part-time basis, evening and weekends at other jobs to make ends meet. The availability of courses that meet the needs of our area, limited computer access (either at the workplace or in the homes of our targeted audience) and funding for travel across long distances to attend training are our most serious barriers to carrying out the project. These problems are addressed by offering a multi-platform approach to training, to include a standardized curricula that is available in formats most likely to be used by the trainee (i.e. web-based), a method to evaluate the knowledge learned, and an on-site training scenario to gain experience on how to respond to both just-in-time and real-time disaster situations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus automates and accelerates the extraction and analysis of trace elements from biomass. The method and apparatus are especially useful at key segregation points in the food chain where speed and accuracy is necessary to separate agricultural cereals that are elevated in beneficial trace element content which provides higher value to the producer.

Abstract: A method of removing pollutants from porous, solid materials uses a biomass loaded onto a support. The biomass is put into contact with a pollutant contaminated porous, solid material so that the bacterial biomass degrades the pollutant. The moisture level of the support and biomass are maintained at a level that optimizes pollutant removal and is a function of the relative solubility of the pollutant.

Abstract: Optimized enzymatic conditions incorporate a single oxygen atom into digested peptides using a peptidase. The incorporation of a single oxygen atom is especially useful for proteolytic 18O labeling in comparative proteomics. The optimized proteolytic 18O labeling minimizes the generation of a mixture of isotopic isoforms of the peptides resulting from incorporation of either one or two 18O atoms. The outcome is accurate quantification of isotopically labeled peptides.

Abstract: A Weather Information Network Enabled Mobile System for providing information to a user regarding an emergency event. The WINEMS system receives location data, such as from a GPS system, and correlates the location data with the emergency alert to display a map showing both a location of the WINEMS system and a location of the emergency event. Preferably, the locations are displayed on a digital map.

Abstract: A method of removing pollutants from porous, solid materials uses a biomass loaded onto a support. The biomass is put into contact with a pollutant contaminated porous, solid material so that the bacterial biomass degrades the pollutant. The moisture level of the support and biomass are maintained at a level that optimizes pollutant removal and is a function of the relative solubility of the pollutant.

Abstract: A method of preparing a lead sample to determine an amount of alpha particle emission. First, a thin slice is obtained from the lead source, such as by cutting the lead source using a microtome. The thin slice may be rolled to flatten any wrinkles caused by the cutting. The flattened slice is then heated to near the melting point of lead to drive the polonium atoms to the surface of the slice. The slice may be cooled down to ambient temperature in Nitrogen gas. Once so prepared, the thin slice can be tested for an amount of alpha particle emission.

Abstract: A system and method for concurrency control in high performance database systems. Generally includes receiving a database access request message from a transaction. Then, generating an element that corresponds to the access request message. The element type is that of a read element, commit element, validated element, or restart element. The element is then posted to a read-commit (RC) queue. If the element is a commit element, an intervening validation of the transaction is performed. Upon the transaction passing validation the requested database access is performed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a lead sample to determine an amount of alpha particle emission. First, a thin slice is obtained from the lead source, such as by cutting the lead source using a microtome. The thin slice may be rolled to flatten any wrinkles caused by the cutting. The flattened slice is then heated to near the melting point of lead to drive the polonium atoms to the surface of the slice. The slice may be cooled down to ambient temperature in Nitrogen gas. Once so prepared, the thin slice can be tested for an amount of alpha particle emission.

Abstract: A transgenic animal containing germ cells and somatic cells which contain a non-native recombinant gene which codes upon expression hexokinase capable of expressing hexokinase at significantly increased levels for study of the role of hexokinase in diabetes and other diseases. When these transgenic animals were exposed to a calmodulin stimulated model of diabetes increased levels of hexokinase activity were able to promote insulin secretion thereby reducing glucose levels in blood and transiently reduce the effects of diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention is an assay for screening and identifying pharmaceutically effective compounds that specifically inhibit the uncoating of protein-coated double-stranded DNA viruses. Viral uncoating is monitored by fractionation and competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying DNA which has relatively high molecular weight from a biological sample containing DNA is described. The method comprises the steps (1) lysing the red blood cells in the sample; 2) lysing DNA-containing cells; (3) precipitating the proteins from sample; and (4) and rehydrating and recovering the DNA. method offers the advantages of performance in less than 15 minutes, not requiring organic or poisonous materials, compatibility with most anticoagulants, and requiring less solutions than conventional purification procedures, thus making it simpler and more economical to use.