Abstract: A lysozyme having improved enzymatic activity is disclosed. The amino acid sequence of the lysozyme is a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or a modified amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of histidine at position 166 or a corresponding position with lysine.

Abstract: A lactone hydrolase having improved activity towards ?-zearalenol is disclosed. The lactone hydrolase has a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, wherein the modification is a substitution of valine at position 167 with histidine. A method of degrading ?-zearalenol using such lactone hydrolase is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lysozyme having improved enzymatic activity is disclosed. The amino acid sequence of the lysozyme is a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or a modified amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of histidine at position 166 or a corresponding position with lysine.

Abstract: A xylosidase having improved enzymatic activity is disclosed. The amino acid sequence of the xylosidase is a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of phenylalanine at position 35 with glutamate, and/or a substitution of glutamine at position 41 with histidine.

Abstract: A glucose oxidase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The amino acid sequence of the glucose oxidase is a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of glutamate at position 129 with proline, and/or a substitution of glutamine at position 243 with valine.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and materials that allow targeting and imaging of interactions between probes and targets. In some embodiments, the probes include nanoscale materials with embedded solutions that can be used to measure physical enhancement by materials under X-ray irradiation. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention include delivering a probe material to a target that can have a delivered donor material. In some embodiments, methods of the present invention include irradiating the target and determining an optical change in the probe characteristic of a physical enhancement.

Abstract: A phytase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The phytase has a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is one of mutations A to D. The mutation A is to substitute amino acids at positions 143 and 262 with cysteine, the mutation B is to substitute amino acids at positions 259 and 312 with cysteine, the mutation C is to substitute amino acids at positions 205 and 257 with cysteine, and the mutation D is to substitute amino acids at positions 264 and 309 with cysteine.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of nanoscale materials, and more specifically to the field of nanoscale materials for activating delivered molecules at a target location.

Abstract: A cellulase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The cellulase comprises a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is adding a cysteine in N terminal and adding a glycine and a cysteine or adding a proline and a cysteine in C terminal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of combining chemical enhancement and physical enhancement to produce a combined synergistic total enhancement, and more specifically to methods of irradiating samples containing nanomaterials capable of producing chemical or physical enhancement to produce combined synergistic total enhancement.

Abstract: A silicon based terahertz full wave liquid crystal phase shifter is provided. The liquid crystal phase shifter has a first silicon conductive substrate, a second silicon conductive substrate, a plurality of pads, and a liquid crystal. The first and second silicon conductive substrates, instead of the quartz glass and transparent electrode, such as ITO, are used as substrates and to provide electrodes of the liquid crystal phase shifter. Thus, the effect of the liquid crystal phase modulation of the liquid crystal phase shifter in the THz range can be improved.

Abstract: Described are composite photonic materials that incorporate magnetic nanoparticles inside hollow or solvent-filled nano-scale or micro-scale shells and methods of making and using such composite photonic materials. When these photonic materials are present in a magnetic field, they exhibit a change in reflected, scattered, and/or transmitted light as compared to when the materials are not in the presence of the magnetic field. This results in the materials appearing to have a different color, such as when observed by the human eye or a light detecting device, such as a camera.

Abstract: A cellulase having improved enzymatic activity is disclosed. The cellulase comprises a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of Tyrosine at position 161 with Histidine.

Abstract: A principle is established to show that nanoscale energy deposition in water by X-rays can be greatly enhanced via the geometry of nanostructures. The calculated results show that enhancement over background water can reach over 60 times for a single nanoshell made of gold. Other geometries and nanostructures are investigated, and it is found that a shell of gold nanoparticles can generate similar enhancement. The concepts of composition, matrix, and satellite effects are established and studied, all of which can further increase the enhancement of the effect of X-rays.

Abstract: A phytase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The phytase has a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is one of mutations A to D. The mutation A is to substitute amino acids at positions 143 and 262 with cysteine, the mutation B is to substitute amino acids at positions 259 and 312 with cysteine, the mutation C is to substitute amino acids at positions 205 and 257 with cysteine, and the mutation D is to substitute amino acids at positions 264 and 309 with cysteine.

Abstract: The methods disclosed herein are directed to methods of enhancing formation of a polymer from a monomer on a metal-based nanoparticle under X-ray irradiation and compositions produced by such methods. The method comprises irradiating a monomer solution with X-rays to form the polymer; wherein the monomer solution comprises the monomer, the metal-based nanoparticle, and a solvent capable of generating a hydroxyl radical; and wherein the metal-based nanoparticle is a particle having a greatest dimension between 5 and 100 nanometers. The methods also include the dissolution metal ions from these same metal-based nanoparticles wherein the solution comprises the metal-based nanoparticle and a solvent capable of generating a hydroxyl radical; and wherein the metal-based nanoparticle is a particle having a greatest dimension between 5 and 100 nanometers.

Abstract: A lactone hydrolase having improved activity towards ?-zearalenol is disclosed. The lactone hydrolase has a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, wherein the modification is a substitution of valine at position 167 with histidine. A method of degrading ?-zearalenol using such lactone hydrolase is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cellulase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The cellulase comprises a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is adding a cysteine in N terminal and adding a glycine and a cysteine or adding a proline and a cysteine in C terminal.

Abstract: A pectinase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The pectinase has a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of serine at position 181 with phenylalanine, methionine or leucine.

Abstract: A pectinase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The pectinase has a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of serine at position 181 with phenylalanine, methionine or leucine.