Abstract: A method for producing a carbon nanomaterial for use as a catalyst, including the steps of: (a) providing a precursor which is a source of lignin, (b) heating the precursor to an activation temperature from 700° C. to 800° C. in the presence of an alkali solution in order to produce an activated precursor, and (c) reacting the activated precursor with a source of nitrogen atoms in order to dope the activated precursor with nitrogen atoms, wherein the precursor is heated in step (b) to the activation temperature at a rate of at least 500° C. per minute.

Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides, polynucleotides, expression vectors, infectious clones, virus particles and immunogenic compositions of recombinant alphaviruses which can be used as vaccines. Also provided are methods for eliciting an immune response against alphavirus infection using the immunogenic composition comprising the alphavirus mutants described herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for assessing gas exchange of plants. The method includes receiving in a gas analyzer a plurality of test air samples from a leaf chamber corresponding respectively to first and second plant leaf samples received separately and in sequence in the leaf chamber while being exposed to light to form the first and second test air samples, the first and second test air samples being received in sequence in the gas analyzer as an integrated gas stream, and the gas analyzer analyzing the integrated gas stream as it flows therethrough. The measuring apparatus includes a leaf chamber for receiving therein a plant leaf sample to be tested, a pump communicating with the leaf chamber for supplying air thereto, and an analyzer communicating with the leaf chamber for receiving air therefrom and for analyzing the air received.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vaccine comprising live attenuated Zika virus comprising a partly codon deoptimized viral genome, a Zika virus comprising a partly codon deoptimized viral genome, as well as their use in methods of treatment and prevention of viral infection. is deoptimized along the nonstructural ZIKV coding region. In some embodiments, the non-structural region of the viral genome is codon deoptimized, and preferably one or more of the genes NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B and NS5 are codon deoptimized.

Abstract: A method for processing speech data for a speech event, wherein the speech data comprises a visible component and an audible component. The method comprises identifying a first visible feature within the visible component that corresponds to a predetermined visible speech feature and determining a first time corresponding to the occurrence of the first visible feature during the speech event. The method further comprises determining a measurement of a characteristic of the audible component at a second time during the speech event, which has a predefined temporal relationship to the first time at which the first visible feature occurred, and using the determined measurement of a characteristic at the second time to output an evaluation of an attribute, with which the predetermined visible speech feature is associated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a capacitor having carbon or metal electrodes and an electrolyte which is also a source of electropolymerisable anions. Applying a sufficiently positive voltage, a thin dielectric layer forms at the positive electrode, enabling the use of cell voltages higher than 3.5 V. The construction and characteristics of capacitors with 5, 6.3, and 10 V of cell voltages, having reduced graphene oxide electrodes and an ionic liquid electrolyte, are shown.

Abstract: A method for preparing thin double-structured composite corrosion resistant and/or passivating coatings that consist of a thin metal oxide-hydroxide subcoating prepared by anodizing the metal substrate materials near-surface part and then provided with an atomic layer deposition (ALD) topmost nanocoating, of e.g. oxide, nitride, carbonate, carbide etc. or their mixes or laminates, or laminates with ceramic and metallic layers, or laminates with inorganic or organic polymers and ceramic layers.

Abstract: A method for preparing thin double-structured composite corrosion resistant and/or passivating coatings that consist of a thin metal oxide-hydroxide subcoating prepared by anodizing the metal substrate materials near-surface part and then provided with an atomic layer deposition (ALD) topmost nanocoating, of e.g. oxide, nitride, carbonate, carbide etc. or their mixes or laminates, or laminates with ceramic and metallic layers, or laminates with inorganic or organic polymers and ceramic layers.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a treatment of posture of body parts in which a local mechanotherapeutic stimulus is applied includes an elastic material which is to be worn over the part of the body, a pressure regulating support, a pressure applicator and a pressure sensor. The support is fixed to the elastic material and passes over a region where mechanotherapeutic stimulus is to be applied. The sensor is rigidly attached to the pressure applicator and they are together received in a pocket. The sensor senses pressure and hence a stimulus applied to the part as a result of the tension in the support, the sensor being configured to output a signal indicative of the pressure applied, providing the opportunity to change the stimulus to within a given range based on the feedback from the sensor. A method for using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method of preparation of surface coating of variable transmittance and an electro-optical layered appliance including the same comprises dispersing of liquid crystal microdroplets in hydrolyzable and polymerizable precursors and applying obtained mixture on a surface by spraying. Applying the material to the surface by spraying is intrinsically related to the synthesis processes because the properties of the surrounding environment (i.e. content of water and acidity, UV radiation) and the chemical reactions that take place during spraying have considerable influence on the properties (i.e. driving voltage, thickness of obtained layer). Obtained layered appliance comprises of a matrix material with dispersed microdroplets of liquid crystal obtained by the described method, electrically conductive transparent electrodes with contacts, a dielectric material, substrate and covering layers.

Abstract: This invention relates to fluorescent probes for screening and characterization of compounds binding to protein kinase CK2, measurement of concentration of the catalytically active form of CK2 and imaging of CK2 activity in cells and tissues. The CK2-selective probe of the present invention interacts with binding sites of both substrates of the catalytic subunit of CK2 and therefore can be used for characterization of all inhibitors binding to the active site of CK2 in the binding/displacement assay. The high affinity of the probe affords the detection of the enzyme at low concentration and characterization of inhibitors in a wide affinity range. The invention also relates to the application of the probes for mapping and monitoring of CK2 activity in cells, tissues and live organisms.

Abstract: In the current invention a method for the preparation of an oxide material was described that involves bringing the sol onto the substrate, the gelation of the solution and thermal treatment of the gel. Alkoxides are used as precursor materials for the sol preparation and substrate free structures are employed for the manufacturing of the oxide material. A gel film with thickness ranging from 5 nm to 1 ?m is created onto the sol layer. The gelled film is separated into pieces by self organizing and the gelled part is disconnected from the substrate. Substrate free tubular structures with diameters ranging from 0.01-100 ?m are formed of the gel film which are then heated at temperature range of 200-1600 C during a period of 5 minutes to 10 hours. The manufactured oxide materials are employed as catalysts, gas sensors, stationary phases of chromatographic columns, composite materials, thermal isolation materials and micro- or nano electronic mechanical systems (MEMS or NEMS) components.

Abstract: A vaccine for treating melanoma, comprising at least one melanoma antigen and a viral-like particle comprising potato virus A coat protein. Use of vaccine for treating melanoma, including protein and DNA vaccines, based on potato virus A coat protein.

Abstract: Novel applications of electroactive polymer materials, particularly of ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC). Such applications include manipulators with combined electromechanical and electroactive actuators. Applications are particularly suitable in low gravity environment.

Abstract: Viral vectors are potential tools for eliminating the viability of eukaryotic cells in anti-cancer therapies since they can efficiently destroy the cancer cells and trigger an immune response against tumours. Typically viruses are not specific to cancer cells and all methods known in art aiming to the construction of cancer-specific viruses suffer from serious problems. The present invention presents a universal method to overcome these problems and is usable for any DNA virus replicating in nucleus or for any layered vector of RNA viruses. In this method the viral gene expression and/or replication will be blocked by the introduction of one or more aberrantly spliced introns into crucial gene expression units of the virus or vector. Lethal effect of these mutations is reverted in a controlled manner by the delivery of splice-switch oligonucleotide (s) correcting the introduced defects and restoring the biological functionality of the virus or vector, including cytolytic properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to fluorescent probes for identification of compounds binding to protein kinases, for measurement of the affinity of inhibitors of protein kinases, and determination of the active concentration of protein kinases binding to the probe. Bisubstrate-analog character of the probe enables the simultaneous evaluation of inhibitors targeted to both ATP binding site and/or substrate protein/peptide binding domain of the kinase. High affinity of the probe (Kd=1.0 nM towards cAMP-dependent protein kinase) affords the application of the enzymes at low concentration which leads to the substantial decrease of the consumption of the kinase. Due to the ability of the conjugates of oligo(D-arginine) with a ATP binding site targeted inhibitors of this invention to bind with high affinity to a wide spectrum of (basophilic) kinases, a single Fluorescent probe is applicable for assessment of inhibitory potency of compounds towards a great number of protein kinases.

Abstract: The strain of micro-organism Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 is a novel anti-microbial and anti-oxidative probiotic. It has a high anti-microbial effect on Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and moderate activity against Helicobacter pylori strains. The strain of micro-organism possesses Mn-superoxide dismutase and both its lysates and intact cells have high anti-oxidative activity, increasing the glutathione red-ox ratio in blood sera and able to capture toxic hydroxyl radicals. The strain of micro-organism could be used as a probiotic for the production of functional food (yoghurt, cheese) and non-comestibles (tablets, capsules) for the prophylaxis of intestinal and uroinfections, both for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, caused by prolonged oxidative stress.

Abstract: Thermophilic microorganism Bacillus coagulans strain SIM-7 DSM 14043 for the production of L(+)-lactate from fermentable sugars, including dextrines and starch. The temperature of cultivation is 53–65° C. being the optimal. The final concentration of L(+)-lactate in fermentation is 12% with the yield of 95%. The cultivation of this strain of microorganism is possible without the high-temperature sterilization of equipment and media. Using cereal flour as the source of fermentable sugars, the need of the strain of the microorganism for mineral and nitrogen salts will be covered by the compounds present in the cereals.

Abstract: Thermophilic microorganism Bacillus coagulans strain SIM-7 DSM 14043 for the production of L(+)-lactate from fermentable sugars, including dextrines and starch. The temperature of cultivation is 53-65° C. being the optimal. The final concentration of L(+)-lactate in fermentation is 12% with the yield of 95%. The cultivation of this strain of microorganism is possible without the high-temperature sterilization of equipment and media. Using cereal flour as the source of fermentable sugars, the need of the strain of the microorganism for mineral and nitrogen salts will be covered by the compounds present in the cereals.

Abstract: The method and device for recording mechanical oscillations in soft biological tissues consists of the following: biological tissue is mechanically influenced by means of the testing end (6) of the device and its mechanical responses are subsequently recorded as a graph representing the evoked oscillations. Prior to that, an inflexible plane means (12) is fastened onto the biological tissue in order to designate the area under investigation and connect the testing end with the tissue, causing no harm to the latter. After that the testing end will be inflexibly connected with the inflexible plane means for the time period it takes to influence the tissue mechanically and record its mechanical response.