Abstract: Implantable gas delivery device and methods, systems, and devices including same. According to one embodiment, the implantable gas delivery device includes a porous core that permits facile transport of gas throughout its open volume. The porous core has sufficiently high tensile strength to withstand pressurization without significant deformation. The porous core is generally planar and is shaped to include a pair of opposing surfaces and a periphery. Diffusion membranes are fixed to the two opposing surfaces of the porous core. A gas supply tube has one end inserted into the porous core and another end connectable to a gas source. The periphery of the porous core is sealed gas-tight, either with a gasket or by sealing the porous core and/or diffusion membranes. The device may be used to deliver a gas to an implanted cell capsule or to native cells or tissues or may be used to expel waste gas.

Abstract: Percutaneous gas diffusion device. In one embodiment, the percutaneous gas diffusion device includes a core layer, an outer layer, and an intermediate layer. The core layer may be cylindrical and may include a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable material. The outer layer may peripherally surround the core layer and may include a tissue-integrating material. The intermediate layer may peripherally surround the core layer and may be peripherally surrounded by the outer layer. The intermediate layer may include a barrier that prevents infiltration of tissue from the outer layer into the core layer and that additionally reduces diffusion of gas from the core layer into the outer layer. The percutaneous gas diffusion device may be coupled to a subcutaneous implant device, such as a subcutaneous container holding implanted cells and/or tissue, a subcutaneous electrochemical oxygen concentrator, or a water electrolyzer.

Abstract: Implantable gas delivery device and methods, systems, and devices including same. According to one embodiment, the implantable gas delivery device includes a porous core that permits facile transport of gas throughout its open volume. The porous core has sufficiently high tensile strength to withstand pressurization without significant deformation. The porous core is generally planar and is shaped to include a pair of opposing surfaces and a periphery. Diffusion membranes are fixed to the two opposing surfaces of the porous core. A gas supply tube has one end inserted into the porous core and another end connectable to a gas source. The periphery of the porous core is sealed gas-tight, either with a gasket or by sealing the porous core and/or diffusion membranes. The device may be used to deliver a gas to an implanted cell capsule or to native cells or tissues or may be used to expel waste gas.

Abstract: Percutaneous gas diffusion device. In one embodiment, the percutaneous gas diffusion device includes a core layer, an outer layer, and an intermediate layer. The core layer may be cylindrical and may include a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable material. The outer layer may peripherally surround the core layer and may include a tissue-integrating material. The intermediate layer may peripherally surround the core layer and may be peripherally surrounded by the outer layer. The intermediate layer may include a barrier that prevents infiltration of tissue from the outer layer into the core layer and that additionally reduces diffusion of gas from the core layer into the outer layer. The percutaneous gas diffusion device may be coupled to a subcutaneous implant device, such as a subcutaneous container holding implanted cells and/or tissue, a subcutaneous electrochemical oxygen concentrator, or a water electrolyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus for the concentration of suspended algae particles in an aqueous solution. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell containing at least an anode and a cathode, and a filter. The electrolytic cell receives a solution containing suspended algae particles therein. A power supply is near the filter. A zone of depleted suspended algae particles is near the filter, formed under the influence of an applied electric field from the power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for the concentration of suspended algae particles in an aqueous solution. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell containing at least an anode and a cathode, and a filter. The electrolytic cell receives a solution containing suspended algae particles therein. A power supply is near the filter. A zone of depleted suspended algae particles is near the filter, formed under the influence of an applied electric field from the power supply.

Abstract: An electrolytic filtration method and apparatus for the concentration and collection of suspended particulates from aqueous solutions is disclosed. The electrolytic cell contains at least an anode and a cathode, and in one embodiment contains a plurality of anodes and cathodes. The electrolytic cell also contains a filter, and in one embodiment the filter is a moving belt filter. While not bound by theory, the electrolytic filtration method and apparatus is based on the electrophoretic movement of algae particles suspended in an aqueous solution away from the filter under the influence of an electric field. In one embodiment the electric field is a pulsed waveform with unidirectional voltage or current pulses. In another embodiment, the electric field is a pulsed waveform with bidirectional voltage or current pulses.

Abstract: Featured herein are mixed solvent fermentation processes for efficiently generating sulfur-free fuels from low-cost raw materials.

Abstract: An electrolytic filtration method and apparatus for the concentration and collection of suspended particulates from aqueous solutions is disclosed. The electrolytic cell contains at least an anode and a cathode, and in one embodiment contains a plurality of anodes and cathodes. The electrolytic cell also contains a filter, and in one embodiment the filter is a moving belt filter. While not bound by theory, the electrolytic filtration method and apparatus is based on the electrophoretic movement of algae particles suspended in an aqueous solution away from the filter under the influence of an electric field. In one embodiment the electric field is a pulsed waveform with unidirectional voltage or current pulses. In another embodiment, the electric field is a pulsed waveform with bidirectional voltage or current pulses.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating obesity in which comprises administering to the subject an antagonist of a receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in an amount effective to inhibit binding of a ligand of RAGE to RAGE so as to thereby treat obesity in the subject. The present invention also provides a method for treating hyperglycemia and increased cholesterol, insulin, triglyceride and leptin levels comprising administering to the subject an antagonist of RAGE in an amount effective to inhibit binding of a ligand of RAGE to RAGE so as to thereby treat hyperglycemia and lower cholesterol, insulin, triglyceride and leptin levels on the subject.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for imaging a sample using a microwell array are provided. The methods and apparatus allow side view imaging of a sample to acquire fluorescence or bright field images.

Abstract: A method of using elongate multicellular organisms in conjunction with a specialized flow cytometer for drug discovery and compound screening. A stable, optically detectable linear marker pattern on each organism is used to construct a longitudinal map of each organism as it passes through the analysis region of the flow cytometer. This pattern is used to limit complex data analysis to particular regions of each organism thereby simplifying and speeding analysis. The longitudinal marker pattern can be used to alter signal detection modes at known regions of the organism to enhance sensitivity and overall detection effectiveness. A repeating pattern can also be used to add a synchronous element to data analysis. The marker patterns are established using known methods of molecular biology to express various indicator molecules. Inherent features of the organism can be rendered detectable to serve as marker patterns.

Abstract: A flow cytometer for the analysis of large particles or small multicellular organisms may experience unstable flow because of the large diameter of the flow chamber. The use of a sheath fluid or a sheath and sample with addition of a viscosity-increasing agent to give a viscosity higher than that of water ensures that flow in the pre-analysis section will be fully developed laminar flow, and that the flow in the analysis section will be laminar. This allows accurate analysis and sorting of large particles or analysis and sorting of smaller particles at an increased rate of speed. Water-soluble polymers are preferred because they increase fluid velocity with negligible osmotic effects. A 0.9 weight % solution of polyvinyl pyrollidone with an average molecular weight of 1.3 million is particularly effective. Use of viscosity-increasing agents that cause minimal increases in surface tension of the fluid is also preferred.

Abstract: A method of using elongate multicellular organisms in conjunction with a specialized flow cytometer for drug discovery and compound screening. A stable, optically detectable linear marker pattern on each organism is used to construct a longitudinal map of each organism as it passes through the analysis region of the flow cytometer. This pattern is used to limit complex data analysis to particular regions of each organism thereby simplifying and speeding analysis. The longitudinal marker pattern can be used to alter signal detection modes at known regions of the organism to enhance sensitivity and overall detection effectiveness. A repeating pattern can also be used to add a synchronous element to data analysis. The marker patterns are established using known methods of molecular biology to express various indicator molecules. Inherent features of the organism can be rendered detectable to serve as marker patterns.

Abstract: A method of using elongate multicellular organisms in conjunction with a specialized flow cytometer for drug discovery and compound screening. A stable, optically detectable linear marker pattern on each organism is used to construct a longitudinal map of each organism as it passes through the analysis region of the flow cytometer. This pattern is used to limit complex data analysis to particular regions of each organism thereby simplifying and speeding analysis. The longitudinal marker pattern can be used to alter signal detection modes at known regions of the organism to enhance sensitivity and overall detection effectiveness. A repeating pattern can also be used to add a synchronous element to data analysis. The marker patterns are established using known methods of molecular biology to express various indicator molecules. Inherent features of the organism can be rendered detectable to serve as marker patterns.

Abstract: The high numerical aperture flow cytometer of the present invention includes a flow cell and a laser input. The laser input emits a beam of light that is oriented substantially orthoganilly to the flow of blood cells through the flow cell such that laser light impinges upon the blood cells as they pass through the flow cell. A portion of the beam from the laser input that impinges upon the blood cells in the flow cell is scattered at a substantially right angle to the beam of laser input (“right angle scatter”). A second portion of the beam from the laser input that impinges upon the cells in the flow cell is scattered at a much lower angle than 90°. This scatter is termed “low angle forward scatter light” and has an angle of from about 2° to about 5° from the orientation of the original beam from laser input. A right angle scatter light detector is oriented to receive the previously mentioned right angle scatter light.

Abstract: The present invention includes microorganisms that are resistant to non-aqueous solvents. In addition, the organisms of interest are able to grow and/or carry out various organic (e.g. hydrocarbon) transformations in non-aqueous/aqueous mixtures.The invention also includes a gene which encodes an enzyme, hydroperoxide reductase, which renders the host microorganism resistant to many organic solvents. The invention also includes the operon which includes the mutant gene and the ahpF gene which encodes an NAD(P)H dehydrogenase. The invention also includes a plasmid vehicle and a host microorganism containing these genes.The invention also includes cloning the genes encoding for solvent-resistance into other organisms rendering them solvent-resistant. In addition, the genes encoding for a specific organic or hydrocarbon transformation are placed into the solvent resistant microorganism.