Abstract: Surfactants based on a newly discovered class of compounds include a hydrophobic lipid oligomer covalently linked to a peptide or peptide-like chain and a carbohydrate moiety, and a serine-leucinol dipeptide linked to the lipid oligomer. Such surfactants can be used to create an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion by mixing together a polar component; a non-polar component; and the surfactant. Biosurfactants of the newly discovered class can be made by isolating and culturing a microorganism which produces the biosurfactant, and then isolating the biosurfactant from the culture. A microorganism can be engineered to produce biosurfactant of this newly discovered class by expressing a set of heterologous genes involved in the biosynthesis of the biosurfactant in the microorganism.

Abstract: A one-way valve is provided. The one-way valve includes a base having a first ring wall including a first aperture disposed therethrough. The base further includes a second ring wall coaxial with the first ring wall. The second ring wall includes a second aperture disposed therethrough and angularly offset from the first aperture. The base further includes a central arching surface. The one-way valve includes a diaphragm disposed on the central arching surface. The one-way valve further includes a cover secured to the base and defining an annular skirt region. The one-way valve further includes a seal disposed in the annular skirt region.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus comprising a multi-wavelength laser source that uses a single unfocused pulse of a low intensity but high power laser over a large sample area to collect Raman scattered collimated light, which is then Rayleigh filtered and focused using a singlet lens into a stacked fiber bundle connected to a customized spectrograph, which separates the individual spectra from the scattered wavelengths using a hybrid diffraction grating for collection onto spectra-specific sections of an array photodetector to measure spectral intensity and thereby identify one or more compounds in the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus comprising a multi-wavelength laser source that uses a single unfocused pulse of a low intensity but high power laser over a large sample area to collect Raman scattered collimated light, which is then Rayleigh filtered and focused using a singlet lens into a stacked fiber bundle connected to a customized spectrograph, which separates the individual spectra from the scattered wavelengths using a hybrid diffraction grating for collection onto spectra-specific sections of an array photodetector to measure spectral intensity and thereby identify one or more compounds in the sample.

Abstract: A transmission system includes a housing having a sump. A crown wheel and pinion are positioned within the housing. The transmission system further includes a reservoir having an inlet system and an outlet system. Rotation of the crown wheel causes the oil to be transferred from the sump to the reservoir via the inlet system, and the outlet system allows oil to pass from the reservoir to the sump.

Abstract: A transmission system includes a housing having a sump. A crown wheel and pinion are positioned within the housing. The transmission system further includes a reservoir having an inlet system and an outlet system. Rotation of the crown wheel causes the oil to be transferred from the sump to the reservoir via the inlet system, and the outlet system allows oil to pass from the reservoir to the sump.

Abstract: A polyketide synthase complex composed of polyketide synthase with 15 total modules, a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase with 1 module, and a cytochrome P450 hydroxylase is described. Also provided are novel Streptomyces species and methods of modified Streptomyces species. Further described are novel compounds, 36-ketomeridamycin, C9-deoxomeridamycin, and C9-deoxoprolylmeridamcyin and uses thereof.

Abstract: A polyketide synthase complex composed of polyketide synthase with 15 total modules, a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase with 1 module, and a cytochrome P450 hydroxylase is described. Also provided are novel Streptomyces species and methods of modified Streptomyces species. Further described are novel compounds, 36-ketomeridamycin, C9-deoxomeridamycin, and C9-deoxoprolylmeridamcyin and uses thereof.

Abstract: A driveline assembly includes a driveshaft that is coupled to an input shaft for a tandem drive axle. The tandem axle includes a forward-rear axle connected to a rear-rear axle with an interaxle driveshaft. A universal joint connects an output shaft from the forward-rear axle to the interaxle driveshaft. The universal joint includes a first yoke member that is supported on the output shaft and a second yoke member that is supported on the interaxle driveshaft. The first yoke member is integrally formed with the output shaft as one piece to reduce standout and assembly weight.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle suspension unit assembly located near the sides of a vehicle includes a driving axle shaft, a gear box, an electric motor, and a suspension beam. The driving axle shaft, which drives a wheel hub of the vehicle, defines an axis of rotation about which the wheel hub rotates. The gear box includes a pinion shaft connected to a pinion gear which meshes with a ring gear. The pinion shaft is driven by a motor drive shaft which extends outwardly from the electric motor. The motor generates the torque necessary to drive the driving axle shaft. As known, suspension beams extend transversely to the axis of rotation of the driving axle shaft. The electric motor is pivotally attached to the gear box by means of a flexible coupling and is pivotally attached to the suspension beam by means of a movable connection.