Abstract: This disclosure provides novel silk coated articles and methods of preparing same. In some embodiments, silk coated articles include fabrics pretreated with a reducing agent that are coated with aqueous solutions of silk protein fragments having low, medium, and/or high molecular weight.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing thiol keratin-containing materials, comprising applying a mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds and a catalyst. Methods of preparing cross-linked keratin-containing materials by applying a mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds and an oxidizing agent are also disclosed. Methods of grafting monomeric and polymeric materials on keratin-containing materials to provide a covalent coating on keratin-containing materials are disclosed. A mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds is applied to the keratin-containing material sample. The keratin-containing material sample then comprises a plurality of free thiol groups. A monomer is optionally applied to the keratin-containing material sample to form a plurality of covalent bonds between the free thiol groups and the monomers. The disclosed grafting methods can be carried out with or without catalyst.

Abstract: Silk processed, coated, repaired, and/or infused leather or leather articles, and methods of preparing the same are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The disclosure describes silk hair care compositions and methods of using and making thereof.

Abstract: Silk processed, coated, repaired, and/or infused leather or leather articles, and methods of preparing the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the invention relates to silk-coated leather apparel and products for use in home and automotive applications, such as leather coated with pure silk fibroin-based proteins or protein fragments thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to silk and silk protein fragments compositions, and methods of making and using thereof, for processing leather, for example coating leather, and/or repairing, hiding, or masking defects on or within leather, and/or as a mixing agent, additive, or replacement for leather processing chemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing thiol keratin-containing materials, comprising applying a mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds and a catalyst. Methods of preparing cross-linked keratin-containing materials by applying a mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds and an oxidizing agent are also disclosed. Methods of grafting monomeric and polymeric materials on keratin-containing materials to provide a covalent coating on keratin-containing materials are disclosed. A mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds is applied to the keratin-containing material sample. The keratin-containing material sample then comprises a plurality of free thiol groups. A monomer is optionally applied to the keratin-containing material sample to form a plurality of covalent bonds between the free thiol groups and the monomers. The disclosed grafting methods can be carried out with or without catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of grafting monomeric and polymeric materials on keratin-containing material to provide a covalent coating on keratin-containing material. A mixture comprising a reducing agent is applied to the keratin-containing material sample. The keratin-containing material sample then comprises a plurality of free thiol groups. A monomer is applied to the keratin-containing material sample. The free thiol groups react with the monomer to form a plurality of covalent bonds between the free thiol groups and the monomers. The reducing agent and the monomer can be applied separately, semi-simultaneously, or simultaneously. The disclosed methods can be carried out with or without catalyst. The disclosed methods can be carried out with or without an additive.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing thiol keratin-containing materials, comprising applying a mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds and a catalyst. Methods of preparing cross-linked keratin-containing materials by applying a mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds and an oxidizing agent are also disclosed. Methods of grafting monomeric and polymeric materials on keratin-containing materials to provide a covalent coating on keratin-containing materials are disclosed. A mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds is applied to the keratin-containing material sample. The keratin-containing material sample then comprises a plurality of free thiol groups. A monomer is optionally applied to the keratin-containing material sample to form a plurality of covalent bonds between the free thiol groups and the monomers. The disclosed grafting methods can be carried out with or without catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing thiol keratin-containing materials, comprising applying a mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds and a catalyst. Methods of preparing cross-linked keratin-containing materials by applying a mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds and an oxidizing agent are also disclosed. Methods of grafting monomeric and polymeric materials on keratin-containing materials to provide a covalent coating on keratin-containing materials are disclosed. A mixture comprising one or more thiol compounds is applied to the keratin-containing material sample. The keratin-containing material sample then comprises a plurality of free thiol groups. A monomer is optionally applied to the keratin-containing material sample to form a plurality of covalent bonds between the free thiol groups and the monomers. The disclosed grafting methods can be carried out with or without catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of grafting monomeric and polymeric materials on keratin-containing material to provide a covalent coating on keratin-containing material. A mixture comprising a reducing agent is applied to the keratin-containing material sample. The keratin-containing material sample then comprises a plurality of free thiol groups. A monomer is applied to the keratin-containing material sample. The free thiol groups react with the monomer to form a plurality of covalent bonds between the free thiol groups and the monomers. The reducing agent and the monomer can be applied separately, semi-simultaneously, or simultaneously. The disclosed methods can be carried out with or without catalyst. The disclosed methods can be carried out with or without an additive.

Abstract: Provided herein are long lasting hair styling compositions and markers for selecting the same.

Abstract: Briefly, a method and system is provided for testing a cable using a high performance Time Domain Reflectometry (TRD) system and method. The TDR has a timing generator that is constructed to generate a periodic launch pulse to excite a cable under test, and to generate sample signals that are time delayed from the launch pulse. The timing for the launch pulse and the sample signal may be defined by two correlated PLL circuits coupled to the same clock. In one implementation, the timing generator is constructed in a single FPGA. The invention also provides calibration circuitry to compensate for temperature, voltage, and manufacturing variations in the FPGA. In one example, a tester includes a switch system that enables one or more TDR engines to sequentially apply a TDR stimulus to substantially all the wire pairs in a cable harness, and to collect the resulting TDR waveforms. The waveforms are analyzed to determine if the cable harness meets quality standards.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical skin care composition containing a safe and effective amount of a skin care active comprising agmatine, and its salt; a safe and effective amount of a first additional skin care active selected from the group consisting of BHT or BHA, hexamidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride, green tea catechins, phytosterols, ursolic acid, compounds derived from plant extracts, their salts and derivatives; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the agmatine composition. The present invention also relates to methods of using such agmatine compositions to regulate hair growth and the condition of mammalian skin. The methods generally comprise the step of topically applying the composition to the skin of a mammal needing such treatment, a safe and effective amount of such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical skin care composition containing a safe and effective amount of a skin care active comprising agmatine, and its salt; a safe and effective amount of a first additional skin care active selected from the group consisting of BHT or BHA, hexamidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride, green tea catechins, phytosterols, ursolic acid, compounds derived from plant extracts, their salts and derivatives; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the agmatine composition. The present invention also relates to methods of using such agmatine compositions to regulate hair growth and the condition of mammalian skin. Said methods generally comprise the step of topically applying the composition to the skin of a mammal needing such treatment, a safe and effective amount of such compositions.

Abstract: A device useful in the formation of handcrafted envelopes comprises a board (10) with a planar surface (11) wherein the planar surface is provided with at least one guide means (12), and at least one abutting surface (13) that allows an envelope material such as paper or card to be positioned on the planar surface at a defined angle with respect to the guide means such that the paper or card can be folded to the guide means to form an envelope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical skin care composition containing a safe and effective amount of a skin care active comprising agmatine, and its salt; a safe and effective amount of a first additional skin care active selected from the group consisting of BHT or BHA, hexamidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride, green tea catechins, phytosterols, ursolic acid, compounds derived from plant extracts, their salts and derivatives; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the agmatine composition. The present invention also relates to methods of using such agmatine compositions to regulate hair growth and the condition of mammalian skin. Said methods generally comprise the step of topically applying the composition to the skin of a mammal needing such treatment, a safe and effective amount of such compositions.

Abstract: A device useful in the formation of handcrafted envelopes comprises a board (10) with a planar surface (11) wherein the planar surface is provided with at least one guide means (12), and at least one abutting surface (13) that allows an envelope material such as paper or card to be positioned on the planar surface at a defined angle with respect to the guide means such that the paper or card can be folded to the guide means to form an envelope.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for conditionally immortalizing stem cells, including adult and embryonic stem cells, the cells produced by such methods, therapeutic and laboratory or research methods of using such cells, and methods to identify compounds related to cell differentiation and development or to treat diseases, using such cells. A mouse model of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cells and methods related to such mouse model are also described.