Abstract: A fluorophore and methods of detecting cations and hydrophobic environments using the fluorophore are disclosed. The fluorophore includes an imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium ion core and has the formula where R1, R2, R3 and X? are as defined in the specification, and n is an integer from 1 to 4.

Abstract: A method of harvesting Group I metals from waste materials, including agitating Group I metal-containing materials in water to define a Group I metal-rich aqueous solution, removing any solid material from the Group I metal-rich aqueous solution, and filling the cathode portion of an electrochemical cell with the Group I metal-rich aqueous solution. A current collector is introduced into the Group I metal-rich aqueous solution, a steel electrode is operationally connected to the cathode portion, and the cathode portion is operated to deposite Group I metal onto the steel electrode.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer instrument has a drift tube that is partitioned into a plurality of cascaded drift tube segments. A number of electric field activation sources may each be coupled to one or more of the plurality of drift tube segments. A control circuit is configured to control operation of the number of electric field activation sources in a manner that sequentially applies electric fields to the drift tube segments with a activation duration of at least one of the electric field activation sources different than that of the others to allow only ions having a predefined ion mobility or range of ion mobilities to travel through the drift tube. The drift tube segments may define a linear drift tube or a closed drift tube with a continuous ion travel path.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for combustion of fuel includes, in some embodiments, a fuel nozzle which injects fuel into a combustion channel of a wave rotor combustor or a pulse detonation combustor. In some embodiments the combustion process includes a backward-propagating detonation wave within a substantially closed channel which compresses discrete quantities of combustible and noncombustible mixture. Yet other embodiments include a precombustion chamber integrated into the wave rotor, the outlet stator or both.

Abstract: Modified glucagon peptides are disclosed having enhanced potency at the glucagon receptor relative to native glucagon. Further modification of the glucagon peptides by forming lactam bridges or the substitution of the terminal carboxylic acid with an amide group produces peptides exhibiting glucagon/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist activity. The solubility and stability of these high potency glucagon analogs can be further improved by modification of the polypeptides by pegylation, substitution of carboxy terminal amino acids, or the addition of a carboxy terminal peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 26 (GPSSGAPPPS), SEQ ID NO: 27 (KRNRNNIA) and SEQ ID NO: 28 (KRNR).

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for treating or preventing pulmonary diseases include COPD and asthma. In particular, the present invention provides for compounds comprising type V collagen, or tolerizing fragments thereof, for the treatment of COPD and asthma.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for detecting internal cell faults using online and real-time sensing techniques, and providing an accurate and reliable early warning for the incoming failure of battery cells hours or days prior to failure. A system is configured to perform real-time and direct measurement of battery cell parameters of temperature, voltage, and AC impedance through online sensing. These parameters may be simultaneously processed using advanced probabilistic and/or fuzzy logic-based algorithms to provide an early warning for the incoming failure of battery cells in a battery pack. This technology may safeguard the LIB battery packs while allowing them to operate at or near 100% capacity in both transportation and stationary applications.

Abstract: Provided herein are glucagon analogs which exhibit potent activity at the GIP receptor, and, as such are contemplated for use in treating diabetes and obesity. In exemplary embodiments, the glucagon analog of the present disclosures exhibit an EC50 at the GIP receptor which is within the nanomolar or picomolar range.