Abstract: Compositions and methods are taught for directing the orientation of an immobilized capture biomolecule on a hydrophobic membrane. The method comprises layering at least one tie layer on a hydrophobic membrane, adding an amine functional layer on top of at least one tie layer; and attaching an alignment biomolecule to the amine functional layer. The alignment biomolecule has the ability to either capture a target biomolecule itself and thus be considered a capture biomolecule, or bind and orient the immobilized capture biomolecule so as to maximize the binding activity of the immobilized capture biomolecule. In one embodiment, a nickel-coordinated amine functional layer binds with a histidine-tagged alignment biomolecule. In another embodiment, an amine functional layer reacts, via tyrosinase catalysis, with a tyrosine residue in an alignment biomolecule.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides comprising a first segment of continuous amino acids having the sequence AQAGKEPGGSRAHSSHLKSKKGQSTSRHKKLMFKTEGPDSD (SEQ ID NO. 1) covalently linked to a second segment of continuous amino acids having the sequence DSDPGETKFMLKKHRSTSQGKKSKLHSSHARSGGPEKGAQA (SEQ ID NO. 2), or at least two of each covalently linked to each ether. The polypeptides are shown to induce apoptosis of cancer cells that contain mutant p53 or over-expressed wild-type p53.

Abstract: A method of treating an amorphous CBDO polymer to impart self healing and shape memory properties by heat treatment, and products resulting from such method are described. An amorphous CBDO copolymer may include a copolyester prepared by reacting an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or ester or anhydride thereof, a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, or mixture thereof. The method may include heating said copolymer to a temperature above its glass transition temperature to impart self healing and shape memory properties.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprising 5-phenylalkoxypsoralen compounds and their method of synthesis and use. The compounds are useable to treat diseases or disorders in human or veterinary patients, including autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The compounds inhibit potassium channels, including the Kv1.3 channel and at least some of the therapeutic effects of such compounds may be due at least in part to potassium channel inhibition.

Abstract: A process for the production of lower alkyl alkoxyacetates, preferably methyl methoxyacetate, by reaction of a di-(lower alkoxy)methane, preferably dimethoxymethane, with the acid form of a medium-pore or large-pore zeolite catalyst, preferably the acid form of faujasite, ZSM-5, mordenite, or beta, in the gas phase at atmospheric or near-atmospheric pressures.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.

Abstract: A thermionic emission device includes an insulating substrate, and one or more grids located thereon. Each grid includes a first, second, third and fourth electrode down-leads located on the periphery thereof, and a thermionic electron emission unit therein. The first and second electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The third and fourth electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The first and second electrode down-leads are insulated from the third and fourth electrode down-leads. The thermionic electron emission unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a thermionic electron emitter. The first electrode and the second electrode are separately located and electrically connected to the first electrode down-lead and the third electrode down-lead respectively. The insulating substrate comprises one or more recesses that further insulate the thermionic electron emitters from the substrate.

Abstract: A method and composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of humans or animals for septic shock and sepsis using a mixture of sophorolipids.

Abstract: The invention provides metal-organic complexes useful for storing information in an information storage system. The invention also provides methods for forming such complexes on a substrate, as well as apparatuses and systems comprising such complexes.

Abstract: A method to identify a high affinity nucleic acid ligand to inhibit the activity of a lactamase enzyme. The method comprises several steps that initially involve preparing a candidate mixture of nucleic acids. The candidate mixture of nucleic acids is then allowed to make contact with the lactamase enzyme under controlled conditions of temperature, ionic strength and pH; the combination forms a candidate-enzyme mixture. The target nucleic acids are partitioned from the remainder of the candidate mixture. The target nucleic acids that have been partitioned are amplified to yield a pool of nucleic acids enriched with target nucleic acid sequences. The enriched pool of target nucleic acids have a relatively higher affinity and specificity for binding to the lactamase, whereby nucleic acid ligand of the lactamase are identified. Nucleic acid ligands that inhibit an activity of lactamase. The lactamase includes class B, metallo-?-lactamase.

Abstract: Polymers, and particularly conventional commodity bulk polymers, are modified to have a surface activity of interest using a surface modifying polymer that includes a moiety that favors migration to the surface of the bulk polymer together with a moiety provides the activity of interest (e.g., biocidal, wettability modifying (hydrophobic or hydrophilic), resistance to radiant energy, providing a functional group for functionalizing the surface, etc.). The surface modifying polymer is combined with the bulk polymer, and, due to the presence of the moiety that favors migration, concentrates primarily on the surface of the bulk polymer such that the moiety that provides the activity of interest is located primarily on the surface of the bulk polymeric article which is produced. Advantageously, only a minimal amount (such as, e.g., about 2 weight %) of polymeric surface modifier is needed. Being able to achieve desired properties (such as biocidal activity, wettability modification, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for detecting the presence of a preselected analyte in a fluid sample. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port, and a mesoscale flow system that includes a sample flow channel extending from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system further includes an analyte detection region in fluid communication with the flow channel comprised of a binding moiety for specifically binding the analyte. The detection region is constructed with a mesoscale dimension sufficiently small to enhance binding of the binding moiety and the analyte. The binding moiety may be immobilized in the detection region. The mesoscale detection systems of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications, including the detection of cells or macromolecules, or for monitoring reactions or cell culture growth.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis or prognosis of late onset Alzheimer disease in an individual are provided which comprise detecting at least one polymorphism of a low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 6 gene.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and methods relating to cryptographically secure revocable biometric signatures and identification computed with robust distance metrics are described. Various biometric cryptographically secure revocable transformation approaches are described that support a robust pseudo-distance computation in encoded form, thereby supporting confidence in verification, and which can provide for verification without identification.

Abstract: The present invention provided a norbornene compound with cross-linkable groups and their derivative polymers, wherein said cross-linkable groups were olefin or epoxy groups. Norbornene polymers with cross-linkable side chain and their block copolymers as well as modified derivatives were prepared via living ring-open metathesis polymerization method. The resulting polymers with excellent solubility and optic properties had narrow molecular weight distribution, well-controlled molecular weight, small refraction index and high transparency. They were also suitable for preparing hybrid materials with high thermal stability and chemical resistance.

Abstract: A voltage regulating system includes a generator, a battery, a warning light, a starting switch, and a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator includes an exciting driver connected to an exciting winding of the generator so as to excite the exciting winding; a voltage built-up/current leakage protection unit connected to a battery and the exciting driver so as to receive a battery voltage and drive the exciting driver for building the output voltage of the generator, while the generator at low speed operation. The voltage regulator further includes an exciting cut-off driver connected to the exciting driver and the voltage built-up/current leakage protection unit so as to cut the exciting driver off in response to the output voltage of the generator built by the voltage built-up/current leakage protection unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a scanning system having spherical mirrors to operate a two-dimensional scanning. Aberration owing to oblique incident light is compensated to reach diffraction limit.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a polyimide-based hybrid material which is industrially and advantageously utilized because of having better gas permeability, electric characteristics, heat resistance, mechanical strength, and the like as compared with the conventional polyimide-based hybrid materials, while keeping chemical resistance, forming characteristics (process characteristics), and the like inherently possessed by polyimide. Provided is a hyperbranched polyimide-based hybrid material constituted of an organic-inorganic polymer hybrid, wherein the organic-inorganic polymer hybrid has a hyperbranched polyimide moiety and an inorganic oxide moiety which are combining each other via covalent bond and constituting a composite structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for augmenting an immunogenicity of an antigen in a mammal, comprising administering said antigen together with an adjuvant composition that includes a synthetic glycolipid compound of Formula I, as described herein. According to the present invention, the use of a compound of Formula I as an adjuvant is attributed at least in part to the enhancement and/or extension of antigen-specific Th1-type responses, in particular, CD8+ T cell responses. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be useful for prophylaxis and treatment of various infectious and neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used in the case of bone. A photosensitizing drug is administered to a mammal. A bone insertion member is secured into bone. A fiber optic cable sheath extends from within the bone insertion member and is accessible. A fiber optic cable is inserted in the fiber optic cable sheath to deliver light to the bone. A locking member is then attached to the insertion member. Non-thermal light at a specific wavelength is then delivered to activate the drug. The insertion member and the fiber optic cable sheath may remain inside the mammal for further photodynamic therapy.