Abstract: The marine natural product (?)-8,15-diisocyano-11(20)-amphilectene, isolated from the Caribbean sponge Svenzea flava, was used as scaffold to synthesize five new products, all of which were tested against laboratory strains of Plasmodium falciparum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. The scaffold contains two isocyanide units that are amenable to chemical manipulation, enabling them to be elaborated into a small library of sulfur and selenium compounds. The scaffold along with its isothio- and isoselenocyanate analogs has low to sub-micro molar antiplasmodial activity.

Abstract: The invention is a high-throughput voltage screening crystallographic device and methodology that uses multiple micro wells and electric circuits capable of assaying different crystallization condition for the same or different proteins of interest at the same of different voltages under a humidity and temperature controlled environment. The protein is solubilized in a lipid matrix similar to the lipid composition of the protein in the native environment to ensure stability of the protein during crystallization. The invention provides a system and method where the protein is transferred to a lipid matrix that holds a resting membrane potential, which reduces the degree of conformational freedom of the protein. The invention overcomes the majority of the difficulties associated with vapor diffusion techniques and essentially reconstitutes the protein in its native lipid environment under “cuasi” physiological conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a SEC method for the separation of thiol-capped Cd(Se,S) quantum dots (QDs) synthesized in the aqueous phase. Nanocrystals-HPLC column interactions were suppressed using thioglycolic acid (TGA) as an ion pair agent. The SEC method of the invention allows a fast and reproducible separation of water-stable Cd(Se,S) QDs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to small molecules that self-assemble hierarchically to form NPs termed SHS (due to their architectural features). These SHS are composed by precise supramolecules known as Supramolecular G-Quadruplexes (SGQs) which are formed when amphiphilic guanosine (G) derivatives that self-assemble in presence of salt by non-covalent interactions. The resulting SGQs are made of amphiphilic guanosine (G) subunits (with precisely eight subunits at neutral pH (pH>5.7) or sixteen subunits at acidic pH (pH<5.7)). The SGQs are responsive entities that further self-assemble upon an external stimulus, such as an increase in temperature or a change in pH, leading to the formation of the aforementioned SHS.

Abstract: The invention provides the incorporation of Co2+, Ni2+ or Cu2+ onto the surface of mesoporous SBA-15 via an amino-organic grafting method and the screening of materials as sorbents for the removal of Naproxen from water.

Abstract: Na+-SAPO-34 sorbents were ion-exchanged with several individual metal cations for CO2 absorption at different temperatures (273-348 K) and pressures (<1 atm). In general, the overall adsorption performance of the exchanged materials increased as follows: Ce3+<Ti3+<Mg2+<Ca2+<Ag+<Na+<Sr2+. The strontium exchanged materials excelled at low-pressure ranges, exhibiting very sharp isotherms slopes at all temperatures. The Sr2+ species were responsible for the surface strong interaction and the cations were occupying exposed sites (SII?) in the materials Chabazite cages. All the sorbent materials exhibited higher affinity for CO2 over the other gases tested (i.e., CH4, H2, N2 and O2) due to strong ion-quadrupole interactions. Sr2+-SAPO-34 sorbents are by far the best option for CO2 removal from CH4 mixtures, especially at low concentrations.

Abstract: Quantum dots of Cd (Se,S) and fluorescent magnetic nanocomposites (Cd (Se,S)-Magnetite) were used as photocatalyst agent in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation at pH 6.5. A degradation of 99.1% and 90.0% of MB was achieved in presence of 160 mg/L-quantum dots and magnetic nanocomposite, respectively, after 4.5 hours of UV-irradiation. Instead, 45.9% and 100% of MB degradation was achieved using 160 mg/L of TiO2 anatase and aeroxide P25, respectively. The reuse of the magnetic nanocomposites allowed a maximum photo-degradation capacity of 65%.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed that inhibit RhoGTPases that are useful for inhibiting hyperprofilerative and neoplastic diseases. Specifically, the compounds inhibit the GTPases Rac and Cdc42 that are overactive or overexpressed in signaling pathways in cancer and metastasis. Methods for treatment of cancer and hyperproliferative diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite of silver nanoparticles decorated with graphene quantum dots (Ag-GQDs) using pulsed laser synthesis. The nanocomposites were functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG). A concentration of 150 ?g/mL of Ag-GQDs, a non-toxic level for human cells, exhibits strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Abstract: The invention provides a system of heavy metal sequestration by bacteria. The bacteria expresses the ppk, mt, and/or ?-galactosidase (lacZ) genes and can tolerate at least 25 ?M mercury, 1,000 ?M zinc, 250 ?M cadmium, and 3,000 ?M Pb. The system allows for facile determination of the presence of heavy metal contaminants in a liquid and the facile collection of the bacteria that has sequestered large amounts of heavy metal. Further provided is a system of gene expression in bacteria that comprises phage and plastid gene expression elements and delivers a particularly high level of protein expression and heavy metal resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a dual cell holder system that allows for the identical match of temperature conditions for both sample and reference simultaneously by providing two cells and a dual cell holder. The system is heated by a heating element and cooled by a Peltier, thus eliminating a significant source of humidity and the potential for leak from a water-cooling device or any of its hoses.

Abstract: The invention provides a way to target RNA editing by adenosine deamination to a chosen adenosine within RNA. An antisense RNA oligonucleotide is used for targeting the entire complex to a specific address on the RNA molecule. A Box B RNA and a ? N-peptide are used as a linkage between the antisense RNA oligonucleotide and a deaminase domain of human ADAR2 used to catalyze the deamination of the specific adenosine residue. These elements make up two molecules: the antisense RNA Oligo Box B RNA hairpin forms a single unit, as does the ? N-peptide-deaminase domain of human ADAR2.

Abstract: Na+-SAPO-34 sorbents were ion-exchanged with several individual metal cations for CO2 absorption at different temperatures (273-348 K) and pressures (<1 atm). In general, the overall adsorption performance of the exchanged materials increased as follows: Ce3+<Ti3+<Mg2+<Ca2+<Ag+<Na+<Sr2+. The strontium exchanged materials excelled at low-pressure ranges, exhibiting very sharp isotherms slopes at all temperatures. The Sr2+ species were responsible for the surface strong interaction and the cations were occupying exposed sites (SII?) in the materials Chabazite cages. All the sorbent materials exhibited higher affinity for CO2 over the other gases tested (i.e., CH4, H2, N2 and O2) due to strong ion-quadrupole interactions. Sr2+-SAPO-34 sorbents are by far the best option for CO2 removal from CH4 mixtures, especially at low concentrations.

Abstract: Novel sp3 rich diamond-like carbon (DLC) nanorod films were fabricated by hot filament chemical vapor deposition technique. The results are indicative of a bottom-up self-assembly synthesis process, which results in a hierarchical structure that consists of microscale papillae comprising numerous nanorods. The papillae have diameters ranging from 2 to 4 ?m and the nanorods have diameters in the 35-45 nm range. A growth mechanism based on the vapor liquid-solid mechanism is proposed that accounts for the morphological aspects in the micro- and nano-scales.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for restoring normal microbiota in pre-term newborns or newborns delivered by Cesarean section and methods for preventing or ameliorating diseases associated with delivery by Cesarean section or pre-term birth comprising administering to said newborns at the time of birth or shortly thereafter an effective amount of a vaginal microbiota inoculum obtained from the newborn's mother or a donor or an effective amount of a probiotic composition.

Abstract: The invention proposes a novel method for the fabrication of regular arrays of MNWs using solid-state reduction (SSR). Using this method copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and palladium (Pd) nanowire (NWs) arrays were synthesized using anodic alumina membranes (AAMs) as templates. Depending on the metal loading used the NWs reached different diameters.

Abstract: The invention is a novel class of materials made by combining the best qualities of both lead iron tantalate (PFT) and lead iron titanate (PZT) to synthesize (PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3)(1-x)—(PbFe0.5Ta0.5O3)x (PZTFT) (0.1?x?0.9) compositions that have multiferroic (ferroelectric and ferromagnetic) and magnetoelectric properties.

Abstract: A novel inhibitor of Rac activity based on the structure of the established Rac/Rac-GEF inhibitor NSC23766 is discloses. The compound EHop-016, with an IC50 of 1.1 ?M, is a 100-fold more efficient inhibitor of Rac activity than NSC23766. EHop-016 is specific for Rac1 and Rac3 at concentrations ?5 mM. At higher concentrations, EHop-016 inhibits the close homolog Cdc42. In MDA-MB-435 cells, EHop-016 (?5 mM) inhibits the association of the Rac-GEF Vav2 with a nucleotide-free Rac1(G15A), which has a high affinity for activated GEFs. EHop-016 does not affect the association of the Rac-GEF Tiam-1 with Rac1(G15A) at similar concentrations. EHop-016 also inhibits the Rac activity of MDA-MB-231 metastatic breast cancer cells and reduces Rac-directed lamellipodia formation in both cell lines. EHop-016 decreases Rac-downstream effects of p21-activated kinase (PAK)1 activity and directed migration of metastatic cancer cells. At low concentrations (<5 ?M), EHop-016 does not affect cell viability.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for identifying and sorting part of recycling plastic bottles and aluminum cans. The invention eases the process of sorting recyclable material at the recycle bin to avoid the sorting later in the process. After sorting the material, the recycle bin compresses the bottles or the cans to accommodate more material into the corresponding material compartment. The invention is a modular arrangement allowing ease of replacing any of the three units of the apparatus: compression, classification, and storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustic waveguide for determining and continuously monitoring the degree, location and type of obstructions in liquid-filled tubes or catheters using acoustic waves. The tube's wall has an intermediate layer positioned between a tube outer wall and a tube inner wall of the tubea and the intermediate layer is made of a material having a difference in acoustic impedance of at least one order of magnitude with respect to that of the liquid present in or outside the waveguide reducing or eliminating the amount of acoustic energy that radiates through the tube.