Abstract: This disclosure relates to cyclodextrin-based drug delivery agents that comprise a cyclodextrin moiety covalently linked to a moiety of a gemini surfactant. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the drug delivery agent and a therapeutic agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new class of antennas and microwave components are introduced. In this approach a high-permittivity dielectric film is applied (i.e. printed) on a dielectric substrate, which may be grounded. By changing the shape of the high-permittivity film, different microwave devices (e.g. waveguides, filters, couplers, and antennas) are produced. By changing the size and permittivity of the high-permittivity film and dielectric substrate, these elements are designed at different frequencies for different applications. Highly-efficient microwave devices can result due to the absence of surface currents.

Abstract: The present application includes alkali metal-promoted trimetallic catalysts for higher alcohol synthesis from synthesis gas, the catalyst comprising a catalyst of Formula (1): A-M1-M2-M3.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating an immune response in a vertebrate subject. Compositions and methods can comprise administering a modified host defense peptide to the vertebrate subject in an amount effective to activate the immune response in the vertebrate subject, wherein the modified host defense peptide is inverted in amino acid sequence from an amino terminus to a carboxy terminus or modified to one or more D-amino acids, or both modifications, when compared to a host defense peptide. Compositions and methods are provided which comprise administering a modified host defense peptide to the vertebrate subject in an amount effective to modify an immune response in the vertebrate subject.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for image processing suitable for use in wireless capsule endoscopy are provided. The image processing techniques exploit characteristic features of endoscopic images to enable low complexity compression. A color space conversion, coupled with lossless predictive coding and variable length coding are employed. Sub-sampling and clipping may also be used. The described image processing can be used both with both white-band imaging and narrow-band-imaging.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing an immune response to a selected antigen are described. The methods are useful for the treatment and prevention of microbial infections, such as infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The methods and compositions include host defense peptides, polyphosphazenes and immunostimulatory sequences to enhance the immune response to a coadministered antigen.

Abstract: Prion peptides comprising prion epitopes and fusions thereof, that display enhanced immunogenicity are described. Also described are methods of treating and diagnosing prion disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to functionalized nanodiamonds comprising at least one MALDI matrix covalently bonded to a nanodiamond and compositions comprising the same. The present disclosure also relates to methods of performing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), for example on small molecules, using matrices comprising at least one MALDI matrix covalently bonded to a nanodiamond.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining whether or not a horse is genetically normal, is a carrier of, or is affected with or predisposed to Congenital Stationary Night Blindness and/or leopard complex spotting. The method is based on detection of an insertion in an intron in the horse Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel, Subfamily M, Member 1 (TRPM1) gene.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for bridging between commercially available, high-speed image sensors and low cost, low power microcontrollers. An image sensor interface processor is provided for controlling an image sensor, and receiving and storing image data. A microcontroller (or other general purpose or image processor) can communicate with the image sensor interface processor, to access pixel data in a random access fashion through a parallel memory access interface at any speed desired by the microcontroller. Moreover, automatic power management of the image sensor can be provided by the image sensor interface processor. In some alternative embodiments, the described image sensor interface processor may be integrated into the image sensor itself, or a microcontroller, or some other intermediate device.

Abstract: Prion peptides comprising prion epitopes and fusions thereof, that display enhanced immunogenicity are described. Also described are methods of treating and diagnosing prion disease.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from Cannabis sativa (cannabis, hemp, marijuana) have been isolated and characterized, and encode polypeptides having aromatic prenyltransferase activity. Specifically, the enzyme, CsPT1, is a geranylpyrophosphate olivetolate geranyltransferase, active in the cannabinoid biosynthesis step of prenylation of olivetolic acid to form cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Expression or over-expression of the nucleic acids alters levels of cannabinoid compounds. The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce cannabinoid compounds.

Abstract: The present application relates to functionalized nanodiamonds, to complexes comprising a functionalized nanodiamond reversibly bound to a nucleic acid and to compositions comprising such functionalized nanodiamonds and complexes. In particular, the functionalized nanodiamonds comprise at least one naturally occurring basic amino acid, or analogs or derivatives thereof, covalently linked to a nanodiamond. The present application also includes methods and uses of the complexes and compositions, for example for delivering a nucleic acid to a cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to functionalized nanodiamonds comprising at least one MALDI matrix covalently bonded to a nanodiamond and compositions comprising the same. The present disclosure also relates to methods of performing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), for example on small molecules, using matrices comprising at least one MALDI matrix covalently bonded to a nanodiamond.

Abstract: Methods for recovery of recyclable water and/or fermentation co-products from thin stillage process streams. Microbial metabolites plant derivatives and/or plant extractives are removed from thin stillage after which water is recovered and recycled. Thin stillage is commingled with polar organic solvents or with oil to react microbial metabolites, plant derivatives and/or plant extractives. The reacted organic solvents are then separated from the processed thin stillage. Thin stillage may be commingled with an oil to re act with certain organic compounds, after which, the reacted oil is separated from the processed thin stillage is further extracted with one or more polar organic solvents. Alternatively, thin stillage may be first processed with one or more polar organic solvents, and then processed with an oil. Useful organic compounds may be recovered from the reacted oil and reacted organic solvents.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing an immune response to a selected antigen are described. The methods are useful for the treatment and prevention of microbial infections, such as infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The methods and compositions include host defense peptides, polyphosphazenes and immunostimulatory sequences to enhance the immune response to a coadministered antigen.

Abstract: Methods of selectively detecting the presence of at least one compound in a gaseous medium. A silicon substrate can be exposed to the gaseous medium under conditions to adsorb the at least one compound to the silicon substrate to form a modified silicon substrate. The modified silicon substrate can be analyzed to determine if the at least one compound was present in the gaseous medium. The step of analyzing can include using X-ray spectroscopy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to primers for the universal amplification and detection of Archaea, which primers are designed based on a multiple sequence alignment of Archaea Type II chaperonin (thermo-some) genes. For detection of Archaea having templates with a GC content of below 60%, primers are designed so that inosine residues are found at degenerate positions. For amplification of higher GC content templates, degenerate positions are replaced with specific nucleotide bases found in the high GC organism. The primers are useful for detecting, identifying and quantifying Archaea in a sample and for determining a phylogenetic relationship of a test Archaea organism.

Abstract: A Coleus plant particularly distinguished by triangular leaves with many deep lobes and yellow-green leaves with purple margins, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to lentil plants having increased resistance to an imidaizolinone herbicide. One such plant described herein is the RH44 lentil variety. The present invention also includes seeds produced by these lentil plants and methods of controlling weeds in the vicinity of these lentil plants.