Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for in vivo treatment of cell proliferative disorders. The invention can be used to treat solid tumors, such as brain tumors. The methods rely on non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) to cause cell death in treated tumors. In embodiments, the methods comprise the use of high aspect ratio nanoparticles with or without modified surface chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a therapeutically effective amount of abscisic acid (ABA) or its analogs to treat or prevent inflammation induced by exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or respiratory inflammation. The invention also relates to methods and composition for enhancing vaccine efficacy using ABA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel infectious cDNA clone of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), particularly for PRRSV strain VR2385; an improved DNA-launched reverse genetics system for PRRSV; infectious chimeric PRRSV viruses generated through DNA shuffling; modified live- attenuated virus vaccines (MLV) using DNA shuffled chimeric viruses; chimeric viral proteins produced through shuffled chimeric viruses; PRRSV antigens and subunit vaccines based on shuffled chimeric viral proteins; and method of producing broadly protective PRRSV vaccines using DNA shuffling techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides supramolecular metal complexes as DNA cleaving agents. In the complexes, charge is transferred from one light absorbing metal (e.g. Ru or Os) to an electron accepting metal (e.g. Rh) via a bridging ?-acceptor ligand. A bioactive metal-to-metal charge transfer state capable of cleaving DNA is thus generated. The complexes function when irradiated with low energy visible light with or without molecular oxygen.

Abstract: Fine coal is cleaned of its mineral matter impurities and dewatered by mixing the aqueous slurry containing both with a hydrophobic liquid, subjecting the mixture to a phase separation. The resulting hydrophobic liquid phase contains coal particles free of surface moisture and droplets of water stabilized by coal particles, while the aqueous phase contains the mineral matter. By separating the entrained water droplets from the coal particles mechanically, a clean coal product of substantially reduced mineral matter and moisture contents is obtained. The spent hydrophobic liquid is separated from the clean coal product and recycled. The process can also be used to separate one type of hydrophilic particles from another by selectively hydrophobizing one.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Embodiments of the present invention provide transition metal complexes of amino acids. Transition metal complexes of embodiments of the invention according to Categories I, II, III, and/or IV may be used as antimicrobial, anti-malarial, and anti-cancer agents, as well as catalysts in chemical reactions. Such compounds of the invention are particularly useful for combating multi-drug resistance against a broad range of microbials (such as MRSA and mycobacteria), including gram positive and gram negative bacteria, as well as can be used as anti-cancer agents against bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and thyroid cancer, to name a few.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cloning, identification and characterization of the unique and entire genomic sequences encoding new porcine DC-SIGN and LSECtin proteins, including the novel nucleotide sequences of the full-length cDNA and genes of both pDC-SIGN gene and pLSECtin. Also provided are the nucleic acid molecules encoding newly discovered porcine ICAM-3 isoforms from porcine monocyte-derived dendritic cells and the use thereof. Specifically, the invention is drawn to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more of porcine DC-SIGN, porcine ICAM-3, porcine LSECtin, a complement of the nucleotide sequence or a functional, defined portion of the nucleotide sequence or a protein fusion product linked to a protein that may be of porcine or human origin.

Abstract: Approximating loci of eigenvalues or characteristic gains of a return ratio matrix of a model of a multi-phase power converter circuit by the loci of the d-d and q-q elements of said synchronous frame of reference applied to said model, allows determination and assessment of stability of the circuit or forbidden operational parameters of the combination of an AC power source and a power converter at an interface thereof by application of a standard Nyquist stability criterion.

Abstract: This invention is directed generally to compositions (including foods nutritional supplements, treats, and toys) for animal consumption, particularly compositions that comprise omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and particularly compositions that tend to aid in reducing mitogen-activated-protein (“MAP”) kinase activity in animals. This invention also is directed generally to methods for using such compositions, particularly to methods for using such compositions to reduce MAP kinase activity in animals, and particularly to methods for using such compositions to treat a cancer or tissue hyperplasia. This invention is further directed generally to processes for making such compositions.

Abstract: Sulfonated polymers are made by the direct polymerization of a sulfonated monomer to form the sulfonated polymers. The types of sulfonated polymers may include polysulfones or polyimides. The sulfonated polymers can be formed into membranes that may be used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells or as ion exchange membranes. The membranes formed from the sulfonated polymers exhibit improved properties over that of Nafion®. A heteropoly acid may be added to the sulfonated polymer to form a nanocomposite membrane in which the heteropoly acid is highly dispersed. The addition of a heteropoly acid to the sulfonated polymer increases the thermal stability of the membrane, enhances the conductivity above 100° C., and reduces the water uptake of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of modular building systems. Embodiments of the invention include, a modular building system comprising planar sheets of material and moment connections, which are combined with tool-less or limited tool assembly mechanisms and can be used, for example, as spatial partitions, platforms, structural supports, or supports for articles. Specific embodiments of the invention provide structures having a seemingly homogenous, flowing ribbon structure.

Abstract: A reconfigurable polarization antenna includes a microwave dielectric substrate having a ground plane that has a centrally located slot with five conducting patches, four of which form an evenly spaced apart perimeter group with a gap between each and the fifth, centrally positioned conducting patch. A conducting pad is positioned in each gap and is connected via a switch to the ground plane. A microstrip feed line including a short stub is positioned on the opposite side of the substrate and electromagnetically coupled to the slot. The polarization of the antenna is reconfigured by a selection of an on or off state of each of said switches.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal inflammation and maintaining normal gut health are described. These methods of the invention involve the administration of abscisic acid in amounts sufficient to alter the expression or activity of PPAR gamma in a cell. Also described are methods for suppressing the expression of cellular adhesion molecules in the gut and methods for increasing CTLA-4 expression on CD4+ T cells through administration of abscisic acid.

Abstract: Regulating the speed of a two-phase switched reluctance machine (TPSRM) rotor includes selecting either a motoring mode or braking mode of operation for the TPSRM, regulating the rotor speed, when the motoring mode is selected, using a control signal cooperatively produced by a speed control feedback loop and a current control feedback loop; and regulating the rotor speed, when the braking mode is selected, using a control signal produced by the current control feedback loop without the cooperation of the speed control feedback loop. The speed control feedback loop uses an established speed control signal and a signal indicative of the rotor's speed to dynamically adjust a first parameter governing the control signal. The current control feedback loop uses an established current control signal and a signal indicative of the current flowing through a stator winding of the TPSRM to dynamically adjust a second parameter governing the control signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes a polymer formed by the thermal rearrangement of an ortho-functional polyimide synthesized via chemical imidization with permeation properties for gas separation membranes higher than those synthesized via thermal imidization and a method for forming that polymer having tailored transport properties and different chemical resistance. The present invention also includes a polymer formed by the thermal rearrangement of an ortho-functional polyimide in which a portion of the ortho-position functional group is lost during thermal rearrangement to yield a thermally rearranged polymer with higher permeability than would be seen without the ortho-position group. This ortho-position group can be the result of chemical imidization, or the result of a post-imidization modification reaction.

Abstract: A power converter topology operates as a switching capacitor (capacitive voltage divider) converter during a first, preferably short portion of a switching cycle to provide excellent dynamic transient response and as a pulse width modulated converter during a second portion of a switching cycle to provide flexibility of voltage regulation and generality of application. This topology can be made self-driven and is capable of zero voltage switching. Therefore the power converter can be used as one of a plurality of branches of a multi-phase converter to enhance transient response. The respective branches can also be independently optimized for particular load levels and can be operated independently in a phase shedding manner to improve efficiency at low load. Further, the power converter or respective branches of a multi-phase power converter are compatible with non-linear control to further improve dynamic response.

Abstract: An optical method and apparatus are described for the measurement of properties of a travel vehicle or a travel surface upon which the travel vehicle travels, which includes providing an incident light from a light source to the travel surface, collecting light reflected from the travel surface, determining a surface induced Doppler shift from the incident and collected light and determining at least one of a motion property of the travel vehicle and a surface property of the travel surface based on the determined surface induced Doppler shift.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for inhibiting cancer metastasis. In an embodiment, the compound of the present invention contains the sulfatide binding region of the terminal phosphotyrosine binding domain (N-PTB) of Disabled-2 (Dab2).

Abstract: A paste including metal or metal alloy particles (which are preferably silver or silver alloy), a dispersant material, and a binder is used to form an electrical, mechanical or thermal interconnect between a device and a substrate. By using nanoscale particles (i.e., those which are less than 500 nm in size and most preferably less than 100 nm in size), the metal or metal alloy particles can be sintered at a low temperature to form a metal or metal alloy layer which is desired to allow good electrical, thermal and mechanical bonding, yet the metal or metal alloy layer can enable usage at a high temperature such as would be desired for SiC, GaN, or diamond (e.g., wide bandgap devices). Furthermore, significant application of pressure to form the densified layers is not required, as would be the case with micrometer sized particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to esters of diacids and cellulosic materials and methods for making thereof. The ester has the chemical composition of Formula (I) Formula I where R1, R2, and R3 can be the same or different, and each of which is selected from —H, —COR?, —R??, or —COR? COOH, with the proviso that at least one of the R1, R2, or R3 is —COR? COOH; R? is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aromatic group; R? is an alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group having 4 or more carbon atoms (?C4); and R?? is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyol, or aromatic group.