Abstract: An apparatus and method, directed to measuring permeability of a magnetoelectric sample, are described. The apparatus includes a sample holder configured to present the magnetoelectric sample to a permeability analyzer for measurement of the sample's permeability, and to facilitate application of a DC voltage to the sample in a way that isolates the DC voltage from the permeability analyzer. The described apparatus and method may be used to measure the permeability values associated with the magnetoelectric sample with respect to a range of DC voltages applied to the sample, while protecting the measuring instrumentality from damage from the applied DC voltages.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and reagents useful for sequencing polypeptide molecules. The method comprises affixing a polypeptide to a substrate and contacting the polypeptide with a plurality of probes. Each probe selectively binds to an N-terminal amino acid or an N-terminal amino acid derivative. Probes bound to the polypeptide molecule are then identified before cleaving the N-terminal amino acid or N-terminal amino acid derivative of the polypeptide. Also provided are methods for the sequencing a plurality of polypeptide molecules in a sample and probes specific for N-terminal amino acids or N-terminal amino acid derivatives.

Abstract: Described herein is the generation of optimized H5N1 influenza HA polypeptides for eliciting a broadly reactive immune response to H5N1 influenza virus isolates. The optimized HA polypeptides were developed through a series of HA protein alignments, and subsequent generation of consensus sequences, based on human and avian H5N1 isolates. Provided herein are optimized H5N1 HA polypeptides, and compositions, fusion proteins and VLPs comprising the HA polypeptides. Further provided are codon-optimized nucleic acid sequences encoding the HA polypeptides. Methods of eliciting an immune response against influenza virus in a subject are also provided by the present disclosure.

Abstract: Provided herein are graft co-polymers of lignin and poly(lactic acid) (lignin-g-PLA copolymer), thermoset and thermoplastic polymers including them, methods of preparing these polymers, and articles of manufacture including such polymers.

Abstract: A polymeric composition includes a polymer matrix having a lipophilic discrete nitric oxide adduct and/or a polymeric nitric oxide adduct associated therewith, by covalent attachment to the polymer matrix and/or by dispersion within the polymer matrix, with the discrete nitric oxide adduct and/or the polymeric nitric oxide adduct being capable of releasing nitric oxide (NO). The polymeric composition further includes an ester capped poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) additive to at least one of increase, prolong, and control NO release rates from the lipophilic discrete nitric oxide adduct and/or the polymeric nitric oxide adduct.

Abstract: Low cost, efficient two-stage anaerobic digestion systems for the production of biogas (e.g. methane) are provided. During the first stage, biogas is produced in a first reactor by anaerobic microbes cultured in two phases: a high solids phase and a low solids phase. During the second stage, biogas is produced in a second reactor by a methanogen-rich anaerobic culture cultured in low solids medium. Removal of effluent comprising pH lowering reaction products assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase. The transfer of effluent from the second reactor to the first reactor assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase, in mixing of the high solids phase, and in reseeding the high solids phase with methanogens. Methane is produced in and recovered from both reactors.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel small molecule pyridomyrimidone viral inhibitor agents of Formula (I), such as 4-acetyl-2,3,7,8-tetrahydro-3-phenylpyrido[1,2-f]pyrimidin-1-one, and methods of using pharmaceutical or therapeutic compositions comprising such viral inhibitor agents of Formula (I) in inhibiting and treating viral infections including orthopox and retroviral infections. Methods of synthesizing such agents are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an oral device, or mouthpiece, for delivering a fluid to the mouth or oropharynx of a user. In one embodiment, the oral device includes an intraoral portion, an extraoral portion, and an auxiliary support device that serves to stabilize the oral device. In various embodiments, the auxiliary support device may be configured with ear loops, a support band, a support frame and/or a support member. The intraoral portion generally includes at least one outlet port through which the fluid is delivered to the oral cavity or oropharynx. A method of dispensing a fluid using the oral device is also provided.

Abstract: A single-screw extrusion desulfurization and post-processing system and a method for preparing reclaimed rubber. The single-screw extrusion desulfurization and post-processing system comprises: a single-screw desulfurization device, a single-screw post-processing device and a closed connection device for connecting the single-screw desulfurization device and the single-screw post-processing device, the single-screw post-processing device includes a post-processing feeding unit and a post-processing unit which are connected with each other, and a post-processing screw running through the post-processing feeding unit and the post-processing unit.

Abstract: A technology which enables identifying, via a computer, a vessel in a third image. The third image is obtained from a subtraction of a second image from a first image. The second image and the first image are aligned on an imaging space. The first image is post-contrast. The second image is pre-contrast. The technology enables determining, via the computer, a voxel intensity mean value of a segment of the vessel in the third image. The technology enables obtaining, via the computer, a fourth image from a division of the third image by the voxel intensity mean value. The technology enables applying, via the computer, a filter onto the fourth image. The technology enables generating, via the computer, a filter mask based on the fourth image.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating cell components, cells, organelles, organs, and/or tissues with acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy, static or alternating electric fields, and/or static or alternating magnetic fields in the presence or absence of exogenous particulate agents for therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A method for forming a compound on a substrate is provided. The method includes depositing a composition onto a surface of a substrate; illuminating the composition and the substrate with pulsed energy; melting the substrate and decomposing the composition simultaneously; and forming a compound on the substrate. A first component of the compound is derived from the substrate and a second component of the compound is derived from the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to three isolated DNA molecules that encode for proteins, BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3, in the Leptospira sp bacterium which have repetitive Bacterial-Ig-like (Big) domains and their use in diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine applications. According to the present invention, the isolated molecules encoding for BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3 proteins are used for the diagnosis and prevention of infection with Leptospira species that are capable of producing disease in humans and other mammals, including those of veterinary importance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating T-ALL that involves administering a therapeutic agent that inhibits a NOTCH-1 regulated non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Another embodiment of the invention relates to methods and kits for diagnosing T-ALL that involve detecting and quantifying the expression level of NOTCH1-regulated lncRNAs is a biological sample from a subject.

Abstract: Pt(IV) compounds include a mitochondria targeting moiety. One example of a Pt(IV) compound having a mitochondria targeting moiety is a Pt(IV) cisplatin-based compound. Upon reduction, the mitochondrial targeting moieties are released resulting in a Pt(II) therapeutic agent. Pt(IV) compounds including a mitochondria targeting moiety can be included in nanoparticles. The compounds or nanoparticles can be used to treat, for example, cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides referred to herein as NMU analog peptides. NMU analog peptides regulate energy homeostasis.

Abstract: A method for recovering alkali and aluminum during treatment of Bayer red mud using a calcification-carbonation method, including steps of mixing the Bayer red mud with calcium aluminate or with calcium aluminate and lime, performing calcification dealkalization conversion in a high-concentration alkaline liquor, and carbonizing the calcified residues produced during dealkalization to obtain carbonized residues; and then performing low-temperature aluminum dissolution, aluminum precipitation and the like to obtain calcium aluminate products, which is returned to the calcification dealkalization conversion of the red mud for recycling. Part of an alkali-containing and aluminum-containing liquid phase after calcification dealkalization conversion can be used as supplementary alkali in the Bayer production course for recycling. The method is energy-saving and environmentally-friendly, and allows recovering alkali and aluminum from the red mud and harmless treatment of the Bayer red mud.

Abstract: A method and system for analysis of protein interaction kinetics in microarray or whole-cell based formats includes positioning a sensor chip on a prism. The sensor chip is spotted with a plurality of target molecules. A movable printer head deposits a plurality of analyte droplets on predefined regions of the sensor chip surface. A light source transmits light through the prism to excite surface plasmon resonance on the sensor chip surface, whereby the plurality of target molecules bound to the upper surface are changing the SPR resonance angle and therefore the intensity of the reflected beam. A detector receives reflected light transmitted through the prism from the bottom surface. Signals from the detector are received and processed into kinetic data and microarray labeled data to determine molecular interactions and binding kinetic properties for the plurality of analyte droplets.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and/or treatment of ovarian cancer are disclosed.

Abstract: A nonlinearity compensation technique for a CO-OFDM transmission system in which a proportion (e.g. up to 50%) of OFDM subcarriers is transmitted along with a phase-conjugate copy (PCP) on another subcarrier (replacing a data carrying subcarrier) to enable nonlinear distortion compensation. Nonlinear distortion experienced by closely spaced subcarriers in an OFDM system is highly correlated. The PCPs are used at the receiver to estimate the nonlinear distortion (e.g. nonlinear phase shift) of their respective original subcarriers and other subcarriers close to the PCP. With this technique, the optical fibre nonlinearity due to the Kerr effect in OFDM systems can be effectively compensated without the complexity of DBP or 50% loss in capacity of the phase conjugate twin wave (PC-TW) technique. Moreover, the technique proposed herein can be effectively implemented in both single polarization and PMD systems, in both single channel and WDM systems.