The Penn State Research Foundation Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160137776 | Fluorescent Polymers and Applications Thereof - In one aspect, block copolymers are described herein. A block copolymer described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a first block comprising a polymer or oligomer formed from the reaction product of (i) a polycarboxylic acid or a polycarboxylic acid equivalent, (ii) a polyol, and (iii) an amino acid; and a second block comprising a polymer or oligomer that differs from the polymer or oligomer of the first block. In some cases, the polycarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid equivalent comprises citric acid, a citrate, or an ester of citric acid. The polyol can comprise an α,ω-n-alkane diol, poly(ethylene glycol), or poly(propylene glycol). In some embodiments, the amino acid forms a pendant group of the polymer or oligomer of the first block and/or forms a luminescent 6-membered ring with the polycarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid equivalent. The second block of a block copolymer described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a polylactone. | 05-19-2016 |
20160116482 | Target Binding Molecules Identified by Kinetic Target-Guided Synthesis - Methods of identifying target binding molecules by target guided synthesis are provided. The methods include providing two or more fragments capable of reacting to form the target binding molecule and mixing the fragments with the target. The methods can be used to identify target binding molecules that bind targets such as proteins or nucleic acids, including those that bind shallow binding pockets on the surface of such targets. The methods are applied to the Bcl-XL and Mcl-1 proteins from the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Using thio acid and sulfonyl azide fragments capable of reacting through sulfo-click chemistry, new acyl sulfonamides are identified that bind one or both of the Bcl-XL and Mcl-1 proteins. Pharmaceutical formulations of these target binding molecules are also provided. | 04-28-2016 |
20160106878 | Wound Dressings and Applications Thereof - In one aspect, compositions and wound dressings are described herein. In some embodiments, a composition or wound dressing described herein comprises a mesh formed from a plurality of biodegradable polymer fibers; a first active agent dispersed in the biodegradable polymer fibers; a plurality of biodegradable polymer particles disposed in the mesh; and a second active agent dispersed in the biodegradable polymer particles. The particles can be disposed within the interiors of the fibers of the mesh or between the fibers of the mesh. In another aspect, a composition or wound dressing described herein comprises a first perforated mesh formed from a first plurality of biodegradable polymer fibers; and a second perforated mesh formed from a second plurality of biodegradable polymer fibers, wherein the second perforated mesh is disposed on the first perforated mesh in a stacked configuration and the first and second perforated meshes have different degrees of perforation. | 04-21-2016 |
20150323431 | 3D LASER ABLATION TOMOGRAPHY AND SPECTROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS - A laser ablation tomography system includes a specimen stage for supporting a specimen. A specimen axis is defined such that a specimen disposed generally on the axis may be imaged. A laser system is operable to produce a laser sheet in a plane intersecting the specimen axis and generally perpendicular thereto. An imaging system is operable to image the area where the laser sheet intersects the specimen axis. | 11-12-2015 |
20150265619 | SMALL MOLECULE TRAIL GENE INDUCTION BY NORMAL AND TUMOR CELLS AS AN ANTICANCER THERAPY - Methods and compositions relating to TIC10 are described according to aspects of the present invention. The compositions and methods have utility in treating disease, particularly cancer in a subject in need thereof, including a human subject as well as subjects of other species. The compositions have utility in treating brain cancer in a subject in need thereof. | 09-24-2015 |
20150246851 | Process For Production Of Graphene/Silicon Carbide Ceramic Composites - We provide a method for the in situ development of graphene containing silicon carbide (SiC) matrix ceramic composites, and more particularly to the in situ graphene growth within the bulk ceramic through a single-step approach during SiC ceramics densification using an electric current activated/assisted sintering (ECAS) technique. This approach allows processing dense, robust, highly electrical conducting and well dispersed nanocomposites having a percolated graphene network, eliminating the handling of potentially hazardous nanostructures. Graphene/SiC components could be used in technological applications under strong demanding conditions where good electrical, thermal, mechanical and/or tribological properties are required, such as micro and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS), sensors, actuators, heat exchangers, breaks, components for engines, armours, cutting tools, microturbines or microrotors. | 09-03-2015 |
20150202206 | SMALL MOLECULE TRAIL GENE INDUCTION BY NORMAL AND TUMOR CELLS AS AN ANTICANCER THERAPY - Methods and compositions relating to TIC10 are described according to aspects of the present invention. The compositions and methods have utility in treating disease, particularly cancer in a subject in need thereof, including a human subject as well as subjects of other species. The compositions have utility in treating brain cancer in a subject in need thereof. | 07-23-2015 |
20150098938 | Modulators of ACYL-COA Lysocardiolipin Acyltransferase 1 (ALCAT1) and Uses Thereof - Compositions of modulators of acyl-CoA lysocardiolipin acyf transferase 1 (ALCAT1) expression, function or activity are provided. In particular, inhibitors of ALCAT1 are useful in treating metabolic diseases, cardiac diseases and, in general diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Assays for identification of novel ALCAT1 modulators are provided. | 04-09-2015 |
20150067922 | GENE TARGETING AND GENETIC MODIFICATION OF PLANTS VIA RNA-GUIDED GENOME EDITING - The present invention provides compositions and methods for specific gene targeting and precise editing of DNA sequences in plant genomes using the CRISPR (cluster regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) associated nuclease. Non-transgenic, genetically modified crops can be produced using these compositions and methods. | 03-05-2015 |
20150059427 | DIE FOR REDUCING SPRINGBACK AND PROCESS THEREOF - A sheet metal forming device and a process for reducing springback during forming of sheet metal. The sheet metal forming device includes a die tool that has a corner and a roller that at least partially forms the corner. The roller rotates relative to the die tool during and/or after forming of a piece of sheet metal around the corner. The rotation of the roller can be either a rotation that freely occurs during the forming process or rotation that is forcibly imposed on the roller during and/or after the forming process. | 03-05-2015 |
20150045454 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS RELATING TO STARCH FIBERS - Methods are provided according to aspects of the present invention for making starch fiber or particle compositions by wet-electrospinning or wet-electrospraying including providing a solution or dispersion of starch in an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent or dispersant, where the starch is present at a concentration above the critical entanglement concentration, with the proviso that the aqueous or non-aqueous solvent or dispersant does not consist only of water; heating the solution or dispersion of starch to a temperature above the crystallization temperature of the starch; electro spinning or electro spraying the heated solution or dispersion of starch to produce starch fibers or starch particles, respectively; and contacting the starch fibers or starch particles with a coagulation bath fluid. | 02-12-2015 |
20150033762 | REGENERATIVE ELECTROCALORIC COOLING DEVICE - A regenerative electrocaloric (EC) device is provided. The regenerative EC device uses a special configuration to expand the temperature span T | 02-05-2015 |
20140348901 | COMBINATORIAL METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATMENT OF MELANOMA - The invention relates to combining targeted therapies with selected chemotherapeutics for the treatment of melanoma. The invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in a melanoma tumor cell by reducing Akt3 activity, a method for inducing apoptosis in a melanoma tumor cell comprising contacting a melanoma tumor cell with an agent that reduces Akt3 activity to restore normal apoptotic sensitivity to a melanoma tumor cell, allowing a lower concentration of chemotherapeutic agents resulting in decreased toxicity to a patient. Also disclosed is a method for treating a melanoma comprising administering an agent that reduces Akt3 activity and an agent that reduces V599E B-Raf activity, thereby treating a melanoma tumor. | 11-27-2014 |
20140345351 | APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICAL-ASSISTED INCREMENTAL FORMING AND PROCESS THEREOF - A process and apparatus for forming a sheet metal component using an electric current passing through the component. The process can include providing an incremental forming machine, the machine having at least one arcuate tipped tool and at least electrode spaced a predetermined distance from the arcuate tipped tool. The machine is operable to perform a plurality of incremental deformations on the sheet metal component using the arcuate tipped tool. The machine is also operable to apply an electric direct current through the electrode into the sheet metal component at the predetermined distance from the arcuate tipped tool while the machine is forming the sheet metal component. | 11-27-2014 |
20140316471 | Bone Repair System and Method - A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers. The reinforcing member is secured to the first bone segment with a first fastener assembly through the first hole and the first opening and to the second bone segment with a second fastener assembly through the second hole and the second opening to fix the first bone segment to the second bone segment. | 10-23-2014 |
20140315174 | UNIVERSAL MICROSURGICAL SIMULATOR - A microsurgical simulation system includes a display for providing a virtual simulation of images of a model of a human eye and a hand-held tool for simulating a surgical tool. The hand-held tool comprises a position and orientation sensor for supplying positional signals to a processor to indicate a position and orientation of the hand held tool and a tracking system for supplying measurement signals to the processor to indicate a linear distance between a first component and a second component of the hand-held tool. A virtual representation of the hand-held tool is presented on the display, and the appearance and positioning of the virtual representation of the hand-held tool is based on the positional signals and measurement signals supplied to the processor by the hand-held device. | 10-23-2014 |
20140307958 | INSTANCE-WEIGHTED MIXTURE MODELING TO ENHANCE TRAINING COLLECTIONS FOR IMAGE ANNOTATION - Automatic selection of training images is enhanced using an instance-weighted mixture modeling framework called ARTEMIS. An optimization algorithm is derived that in addition to mixture parameter estimation learns instance-weights, essentially adapting to the noise associated with each example. The mechanism of hypothetical local mapping is evoked so that data in diverse mathematical forms or modalities can be cohesively treated as the system maintains tractability in optimization. Training examples are selected from top-ranked images of a likelihood-based image ranking. Experiments indicate that ARTEMIS exhibits higher resilience to noise than several baselines for large training data collection. The performance of ARTEMIS-trained image annotation system is comparable to using manually curated datasets. | 10-16-2014 |
20140288059 | THERAPEUTIC COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS - PAD4 inhibitory compositions and methods for their use in treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease are provided according to embodiments of the present invention. | 09-25-2014 |
20140271824 | Acid Stable Liposomal Compositions And Methods For Producing The Same - The present invention relates to a liposomal formulation for oral delivery of a bioactive agent that considers pH stability and oxidative stability of a bioactive ingredient. These lipid formulations are superior to conventional liposomes due to their stability, thereby circumventing the need for intra-venous delivery of bioactive agents. In one embodiment, the methods and compositions of the present invention relate to the oral delivery of insulin or a prodrug thereof. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266517 | RADIO FREQUENCY SWITCH AND PROCESSES OF SELECTIVELY REGULATING RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY TRANSMISSION - Provided are radio frequency electromagnetic energy switches and processes of regulating the transmission of RF energy, that for the first time successfully employ a ChG PCM as a RF switching material. An inventive switch includes: a substrate; a first radio frequency energy conductive element on the substrate; a second radio frequency energy conductive element on the substrate; and a switch element on the substrate and connecting the first conductive element to the second conductive element, the switch element including a switching material; the switching material including a chalcogenide compound switchable between a first radio frequency electromagnetic energy conductivity value and a second radio frequency electromagnetic energy conductivity value by application of an activation energy to the switching material, such that radio frequency electromagnetic energy flowing in the first conductive element is either reflected off the switching material or transmitted through the switching material to the second conductive element. | 09-18-2014 |
20140257782 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF TEMPORAL CHANGES IN TRACE GAS FLUXES - Systems and methods are provided for estimating temporal changes in trace gas fluxes from a modifier of such trace gases. A method can include obtaining measurement amounts of trace gases from measurement sites in a region associated with the modifier. The method also includes computing modeled amounts of the trace gases based on an atmospheric transport model and prior estimates of trace gas flux from the modifier. The method further includes identifying corresponding portions of the measurement amounts and the modeled amounts associated with a time periods during which the spatial differences in measured amounts are predicted to be primarily due to the trace gas flux from the modifier. The method additionally includes selecting as a current estimate of the trace gas flux from the modifier a prior estimate associated with a difference between the corresponding measurement amounts and modeled amounts meet criteria. | 09-11-2014 |
20140256925 | COMPOSITE MATERIALS - A composite material is formed by combining an expandable polymer having a charge with another polymer having an opposite charge to produce. In particular, the composite material can be prepared by combining the polymers with a medium such as and water, and expanding the mixture using a treatment that expands the mixture to produce, for example, insoluble porous foam-like composites. | 09-11-2014 |
20140251819 | METHODS FOR HYDROGEN GAS PRODUCTION - According to aspects described herein, methods and systems provided by the present invention for hydrogen gas production include a RED stack including one or more RED subunits, and use of a saline material including a heat regenerable salt. The salinity driven energy, provided by the one or more RED subunits, completely eliminates the need for an external power source to produce hydrogen gas. | 09-11-2014 |
20140248264 | SMALL MOLECULE TRAIL GENE INDUCTION BY NORMAL AND TUMOR CELLS AS AN ANTICANCER THERAPY - Methods and compositions relating to TIC10 are described according to aspects of the present invention. The compositions and methods have utility in treating disease, particularly cancer in a subject in need thereof, including a human subject as well as subjects of other species. The compositions have utility in treating brain cancer in a subject in need thereof. | 09-04-2014 |
20140247443 | 3D LASER ABLATION TOMOGRAPHY - A laser ablation tomography system includes a specimen stage for supporting a specimen. A specimen axis is defined such that a specimen disposed generally on the axis may be imaged. A laser system is operable to produce a laser sheet in a plane intersecting the specimen axis and generally perpendicular thereto. An imaging system is operable to image the area where the laser sheet intersects the specimen axis. | 09-04-2014 |
20140247048 | Zero- & Low-Field Transport Detection System - A sensing apparatus for detecting and determining the magnitude of a static magnetic field has a first set of coils capable of producing a sweeping, quasi static, magnetic field when driven by a direct current and a second set of coils, for magnetic field modulation, positioned between the first set of coils capable of producing a low-frequency (audio), oscillating magnetic field when driven by an oscillating current. The magnetic fields induce a current through the semiconductor device which sampled to identify changes as a function of sweeping, quasi static magnetic field. To create an apparatus for detecting and identifying atomic scale defects in fully processed devices, a radio frequency circuit with a resonant component is added which provides an oscillating electromagnetic field in a direction perpendicular to that of the static magnetic field produced by the first set of coils. | 09-04-2014 |
20140212480 | CERAMIDE ANIONIC LIPOSOME COMPOSITIONS - Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions according to aspects of the present invention which include one or more hydrophilic antineoplastic chemotherapeutics, such as vinca alkyloid antineoplastic chemotherapeutics, encapsulated in ceramide anionic liposomes. Methods of treatment of a subject having cancer using the pharmaceutical compositions are described, along with methods of making ceramide anionic liposomes which encapsulate one or more hydrophilic antineoplastic chemotherapeutics in the aqueous interior of the ceramide anionic liposomes. | 07-31-2014 |
20140212475 | ANTI-CANCER COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS - Compositions and pharmaceutical compositions including one or more selenium-containing COX-2 inhibitors are provided according to aspects of the present invention. Methods of treating a subject having or suspected of having cancer are provided according to aspects of the present invention which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition including a selenium-containing COX-2 inhibitor. | 07-31-2014 |
20140205669 | dhS1P AND USE OF SAME AS AN ANTICANCER THERAPEUTIC AND IMMUNOMODULATOR - Use of dhS1P and/or PhotoImmunoNanoTherapy as a therapeutic agent is described. Administration of therapeutically effective amounts of dhS1P decrease the number of Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells and immune suppression in cancer patients. Administration of therapeutically effective amounts of dhS1P can be used as an adjuvant to conventional cancer therapies including immunotherapies. Therapeutic results can be achieved by directly administering dhS1P and/or by indirectly increasing the amount of dhS1P at the tumor site. The therapy permits the patient's immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells reducing tumor size and extending patient survival. | 07-24-2014 |
20140197249 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NO-TILL INTER-ROW SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF HERBICIDE AND FERTILIZER, SOIL PREPARATION, AND SEEDING OF A COVER CROP IN A STANDING CROP - A no-till apparatus for application of herbicide and fertilizer, soil preparation, and seeding of a cover crop in a standing crop has inter-row assemblies configured to pass along inter-row areas between adjacent row lines of standing crop plants. Each assembly includes a fertilizer applicator, a no-till soil preparation element, a cover crop seed applicator, and a post-seeding element. The apparatus may include movable auxiliary seeding units such that the apparatus may operate as a grain drill. | 07-17-2014 |
20140193860 | Low Sequence Bias Single-Stranded DNA Ligation - The invention provides compositions and methods for ligating single stranded nucleic acids wherein the ligation is based on fast, efficient, and low-sequence bias hybridization of an acceptor molecule with a donor molecule. In one embodiment, the structure of the donor molecule comprises a stem-loop intramolecular nucleotide base pairing (i.e., hairpin) and a 3′-overhang region such that the overhang is able to hybridize to nucleotides present in the 3′ end of the acceptor molecule. | 07-10-2014 |
20140187443 | ANTIBACTERIAL AND PLASMID ELIMINATION AGENTS - Inhibitors of the tmRNA pathway have antibacterial activity with broad species specificity, including | 07-03-2014 |
20140178941 | METHODS FOR NUCLEIC ACID MANIPULATION - A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems. | 06-26-2014 |
20140170459 | Liquid Electrolyte for Increasing Capacity and Cycling Retention of Lithium Sulfur Battery - We provide a liquid electrolyte for a lithium-sulfur battery. Electrolytes of the invention may include a protecting additive; a lithium salt (in addition to LiNO | 06-19-2014 |
20140166618 | ULTRA-HIGH SPEED ANISOTROPIC REACTIVE ION ETCHING - A system and method for reactive ion etching (RIE) system of a material is provided. The system includes a plasma chamber comprising a plasma source and a gas inlet, a diffusion chamber comprising a substrate holder for supporting a substrate with a surface comprising the material and a gas diffuser, and a source of a processing gas coupled to the gas diffuser. In the system and method, at least one radical of the processing gas is reactive with the material to perform etching of the material, the gas diffuser is configured to introduce the processing gas into the processing region, and the substrate holder comprises an electrode that can be selectively biased to draw ions generated by the plasma source into the processing region to interact with the at least one processing gas to generate the at least one radical at the surface. | 06-19-2014 |
20140154325 | IN VIVO PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF CANCER VIA A NEAR INFRARED AGENT ENCAPSULATED IN CALCIUM PHOSPHATE NANOPARTICLES - Nano-encapsulated photosensitizers and their use in the treatment of tumors and/or imaging is described. Preferably, the photosensitizers are encapsulated in a calcium phosphate nanoparticle (CPNP). Encapsulating the PS in a CPNP increases the half-life of the PS, increases absorption of the PS into the target cell tissue, increases the photostability of the PS, increases the photoefficiency of the PS, increases in vivo retention of the PS, or combinations thereof, ultimately making it a highly efficacious agent for use in photodynamic therapy, imaging target tissues, vessels, or tumors, and/or detecting or locating tumors. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150510 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREMENTAL FORMING - A system includes a frame configured to hold a workpiece and first and second tool positioning assemblies configured to be opposed to each other on opposite sides of the workpiece. The first and second tool positioning assemblies each include a toolholder configured to secure a tool to the tool positioning assembly, a first axis assembly, a second axis assembly, and a third axis assembly. The first, second, and third axis assemblies are each configured to articulate the toolholder along a respective axis. Each axis assembly includes first and second guides extending generally parallel to the corresponding axis and disposed on opposing sides of the toolholder with respect to the corresponding axis. Each axis assembly includes first and second carriages articulable along the first and second guides of the axis assembly, respectively, in the direction of the corresponding axis. | 06-05-2014 |
20140146634 | SPATIOTEMPORAL CONTROL OF CHEMICAL MICROENVIRONMENT USING OSCILLATING MICROSTRUCTURES - Apparatuses and methods for generating a chemical gradient within a flow channel include providing at least one bubble support structure within the flow channel. A bubble support structure helps maintain a bubble at a predetermined location in flow channel when a fluid flow passes therethrough. Oscillations are induced in the bubble using acoustic waves, which may be provided by a piezoelectric transducer located proximate the flow channel. Two or more inlets provide fluids of different chemical compositions into the flow channel, and bubble oscillations are used to generate a dynamically controllable mixing process. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146159 | Z-MICROSCOPY - We present a method for parallel axial imaging, or z-microscopy, utilizing an array of tilted micro mirrors arranged along the axial direction. Image signals emitted from different axial positions can be orthogonally reflected by the corresponding micro mirrors and spatially separated for parallel detection, essentially converting the more challenging axial imaging to a lateral imaging problem. Each micro mirror also provides optical sectioning capability due to its finite dimension. | 05-29-2014 |
20140143251 | MASSIVE CLUSTERING OF DISCRETE DISTRIBUTIONS - The trend of analyzing big data in artificial intelligence requires more scalable machine learning algorithms, among which clustering is a fundamental and arguably the most widely applied method. To extend the applications of regular vector-based clustering algorithms, the Discrete Distribution (D2) clustering algorithm has been developed for clustering bags of weighted vectors which are well adopted in many emerging machine learning applications. The high computational complexity of D2-clustering limits its impact in solving massive learning problems. Here we present a parallel D2-clustering algorithm with substantially improved scalability. We develop a hierarchical structure for parallel computing in order to achieve a balance between the individual-node computation and the integration process of the algorithm. The parallel algorithm achieves significant speed-up with minor accuracy loss. | 05-22-2014 |
20140104136 | BROADBAND MONOPOLE ANTENNA USING ANISOTROPIC METAMATERIAL COATING - An antenna system is provided that includes an antenna having an elongated conducting segment, such as a metal rod. An anisotropic metamaterial surrounds the elongated conducting segment of the antenna. The presence of the metamaterial remarkably expands the VSWR<2. An example antenna is a monopole antenna, such as a quarter-wavelength monopole antenna, surrounded by the metamaterial. | 04-17-2014 |
20140099444 | COMPOSITES CONTAINING POLYPEPTIDES ATTACHED TO POLYSACCHARIDES AND MOLECULES - This document provides methods and materials related to composites or coatings containing polypeptides attached to polysaccharides and/or molecules. For example, methods and materials related to composites or coatings containing polypeptides (e.g., casein polypeptides) attached to polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose) and/or molecules (e.g., calcium containing molecules such as calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate and/or polyesters such as polylactic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate) are provided. A coating provided herein can include both cationic and ionic polymers, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. | 04-10-2014 |
20140054200 | ANALOGUE IONIC LIQUIDS FOR THE SEPARATION AND RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM PARTICULATE MATTER - Systems, methods and compositions for the separation and recovery of hydrocarbons from particulate matter are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes contacting particulate matter with at least one analogue ionic liquid. The particulate matter contains at least one hydrocarbon and at least one solid particulate. When the particulate matter is contacted with the analogue ionic liquid, the hydrocarbon dissociates from the solid particulate to form a multiphase system. | 02-27-2014 |
20140050293 | THERMOACOUSTIC ENHANCEMENTS FOR NUCLEAR FUEL RODS AND OTHER HIGH TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS - A nuclear thermoacoustic device includes a housing defining an interior chamber and a portion of nuclear fuel disposed in the interior chamber. A stack is disposed in the interior chamber and has a hot end and a cold end. The stack is spaced from the portion of nuclear fuel with the hot end directed toward the portion of nuclear fuel. The stack and portion of nuclear fuel are positioned such that an acoustic standing wave is produced in the interior chamber. A frequency of the acoustic standing wave depends on a temperature in the interior chamber. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049546 | AUTOMATICALLY COMPUTING EMOTIONS AROUSED FROM IMAGES THROUGH SHAPE MODELING - Shape features in natural images influence emotions aroused in human beings. An in-depth statistical analysis helps to understand the relationship between shapes and emotions. Through experimental results on the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) dataset, evidence is presented as to the significance of roundness-angularity and simplicity-complexity on predicting emotional content in images. Shape features are combined with other state-of-the-art features to show a gain in prediction and classification accuracy. Emotions are modeled from a dimensional perspective in order to predict valence and arousal ratings, which have advantages over modeling the traditional discrete emotional categories. Images are distinguished vis-a-vis strong emotional content from emotionally neutral images with high accuracy. | 02-20-2014 |
20140033904 | MICROPHONE ARRAY TRANSDUCER FOR ACOUSTICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT - A dipole microphone array is provided for an acoustical stringed instrument of the type having a body and a plurality of strings spaced from the body. The array includes a plurality of microphone assemblies each having a first and a second microphone. The second microphone is out of phase with the first microphone so as to provide a dipole microphone assembly. Each of the microphone assemblies is mounted on the body of the instrument in close proximity to one of the strings. | 02-06-2014 |
20140033808 | HIGH-EFFICIENCY SEPARATION AND MANIPULATION OF PARTICLES AND CELLS IN MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE USING SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVES AT AN OBLIQUE ANGLE - An apparatus for manipulating particles within a fluid sample includes a substrate having a substrate surface. A surface acoustic wave (SAW) generator generates a SAW within a SAW region of the substrate surface. The SAW has an SAW direction aligned with a pressure node. A channel is configured to receive the fluid sample and the fluid sample has a flow direction which is at an oblique angle to the SAW direction. | 02-06-2014 |
20140024599 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATMENT OF DISEASE OR INJURY OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM - Methods for producing new neurons in the brain in vivo are provided according to aspects of the present invention which include introducing NeuroD1 into a glial cell, particularly into a reactive astrocyte or NG2 cell, thereby “converting” the reactive glial cell to a neuron. Methods of producing a neuronal phenotype in a glial cell are provided according to aspects of the present invention which include expressing exogenous NeuroD1 in the glial cell, wherein expressing exogenous NeuroD1 includes delivering an expression vector, such as a viral expression vector, including a nucleic acid encoding the exogenous NeuroD1 to the glial cell. | 01-23-2014 |
20140007266 | METHODS OF IMPROVING DROUGHT TOLERANCE AND SEED PRODUCTION IN RICE | 01-02-2014 |
20130337153 | Microcontact Printed Thin Film Capacitors - The invention relates to thin film single layers, electronic components such as multilayer capacitors which utilize thin film layers, and to their methods of manufacture. Chemical solution deposition and microcontact printing of dielectric and electrode layers are disclosed. High permittivity BaTiO3 multilayer thin film capacitors are prepared on Ni foil substrates by microcontact printing and by chemical solution deposition. Multilayer capacitors with BaTiO3 dielectric layers and LaNiO3 internal electrodes are prepared, enabling dielectric layer thicknesses of 1 μμm or less. Microcontact printing of precursor solutions of the dielectric and electrode layers is used. | 12-19-2013 |
20130331639 | BLOOD PUMP WITH EXPANDABLE CANNULA - A blood pump includes an impeller having a plurality of foldable blades and a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller can reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula has a collapsed condition for percutaneous delivery to a desired location within the body, and an expanded condition in which the impeller can rotate to pump blood. A flexible drive shaft can extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body. | 12-12-2013 |
20130330776 | METHODS FOR NUCLEIC ACID MANIPULATION - A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems. | 12-12-2013 |
20130330775 | METHODS FOR NUCLEIC ACID MANIPULATION - A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems. | 12-12-2013 |
20130323792 | METHODS FOR NUCLEIC ACID MANIPULATION - A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems. | 12-05-2013 |
20130268250 | Electromagnetic Band Gap Structure and Method for Enhancing the Functionality of Electromagnetic Band Gap Structures - A method for making an electromagnetic band gap structure includes performing a single full wave simulation for the structure using a computer to perform the simulation, extracting a multiple port scattering matrix based on the single full wave simulation using a computer, and measuring or estimating a transmission of waves across the body between a first port and a second port of the body. The body has multiple ports between the first port and the second port that are defined by scattering elements using the computer. The matrix may be reduced to a two by two matrix recursively one dimension at a time using the computer. | 10-10-2013 |
20130253052 | ANTI-CANCER COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS - Anti-cancer compositions and methods are described including one or more isothiocyanates and/or isoselenocyanates. Methods of treating a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject having a condition characterized by Akt dysregulation. Administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject detectably increases apoptosis and/or decreases proliferation of cancer cells, particularly cancer cells characterized by Akt dysregulation. | 09-26-2013 |
20130217949 | COMBINATORIAL METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATMENT OF MELANOMA - The invention relates to combining targeted therapies with selected chemotherapeutics for the treatment of melanoma. The invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in a melanoma tumor cell by reducing Akt3 activity, a method for inducing apoptosis in a melanoma tumor cell comprising contacting a melanoma tumor cell with an agent that reduces Akt3 activity to restore normal apoptotic sensitivity to a melanoma tumor cell, allowing a lower concentration of chemotherapeutic agents resulting in decreased toxicity to a patient. Also disclosed is a method for treating a melanoma comprising administering an agent that reduces Akt3 activity and an agent that reduces V599E B-Raf activity, thereby treating a melanoma tumor. | 08-22-2013 |
20130209546 | COMBINATORIAL METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATMENT OF MELANOMA - The invention relates to combining targeted therapies with selected chemotherapeutics for the treatment of melanoma. The invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in a melanoma tumor cell by reducing Akt3 activity. A method for inducing apoptosis in a melanoma tumor cell comprising contacting a melanoma tumor cell with an agent that reduces Akt3 activity to restore normal apoptotic sensitivity to a melanoma tumor cell, allowing a lower concentration of chemotherapeutic agents resulting in decreased toxicity to a patient. Also disclosed is a method for treating a melanoma comprising administering an agent that reduces Akt3 activity and an agent that reduces V599E B-Raf activity, thereby treating a melanoma tumor. | 08-15-2013 |
20130203709 | ACYLSULFONAMIDES AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - The present disclosure relates to acylsulfonamides and processes for their preparation. The processes involve a target-guided synthesis approach, whereby a thioacid and a sulfonyl azide are reacted in the presence of a biological target protein, a Bcl-2 family protein, to form the acylsulfonamide. | 08-08-2013 |
20130200334 | APPLICATION OF SEMICONDUCTOR QUANTUM DOT PHOSPHORS IN NANOPILLAR LIGHT EMITTING DIODES - A quantum well-based p-i-n light emitting diode is provided that includes nanopillars with an average linear dimension of between 50 nanometers and 1 micron. The nanopillars include a laminar layer of quantum wells capable of non-radiative energy transfer to quantum dot nanocrystals. Quantum dot-Quantum well coupling through the side walls of the nanopillar-configured LED structure achieves a close proximity between quantum wells and quantum dots while retaining the overlying contact electrode structures. A white LED with attractive properties relative to conventional incandescent and fluorescence lighting devices is produced. | 08-08-2013 |
20130195945 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR BED BUG CONTROL USING ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI - Barrier treatment compositions using conidia of entomopathogenic fungi and methods for applying and using the same for bed bug population control and prevention are disclosed. The compositions and methods of the invention provide residual biopesticides control for bed bug populations using barrier treatment compositions transferring conidia of entomopathogenic fungi to a population of bed bugs providing effective kill within about 24 hours to about 10 days. The compositions and methods provide significantly enhanced horizontal transmission of the conidia of the entomopathogenic fungi providing enhanced bed bug control without detrimental effects of bed bug tolerance, resistance and/or negative impact on humans or animals contacting the residual biopesticides. | 08-01-2013 |
20130192958 | MICROFLUIDIC MANIPULATION AND SORTING OF PARTICLES USING TUNABLE STANDING SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE - An apparatus for manipulating particles uses tunable standing surface acoustic waves includes a channel defined on a substrate and a pair of variable frequency interdigital transducers. The channel is disposed asymmetrically between the transducers such that the zero order node location is outside of a working region in the channel. | 08-01-2013 |
20130184339 | ANTI-CANCER COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS - Anti-cancer compositions and methods are described including one or more isothiocyanates and/or isoselenocyanates. Methods of treating a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject having a condition characterized by Akt dysregulation. Administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject detectably increases apoptosis and/or decreases proliferation of cancer cells, particularly cancer cells characterized by Akt dysregulation. | 07-18-2013 |
20130180909 | FLEXIBLE FILTER DEVICE FOR CAPTURING OF PARTICLES OR CELLS IN A FLUID - A filtering device includes a housing and one or more flexible filter arrays. The flexible filter arrays can be coupled to the housing. Each flexible filter array can include a plurality of members and one or more support members. The plurality of members each can have a proximal and a distal end, the plurality of members being spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The one or more support members can be coupled to one or more of the plurality of members. Each of the plurality of members can be configured to deflect relative to the one or more support members. | 07-18-2013 |
20130178523 | ANTI-CANCER COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS - Anti-cancer compositions and methods are described including one or more isothiocyanates and/or isoselenocyanates. Methods of treating a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject having a condition characterized by Akt dysregulation. Administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject detectably increases apoptosis and/or decreases proliferation of cancer cells, particularly cancer cells characterized by Akt dysregulation. | 07-11-2013 |
20130174501 | COMPRESSED ELASTOMER DAMPER FOR EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION - A passive damper for earthquake hazard reduction includes an inner member received in an outer member, with an elastomeric material disposed in the gaps between the inner and outer member. The elastomeric material has at least a first and a second portion. The first portion is bonded or connected to both the inner member and outer member such that no slippage occurs between the members and the material. The second portion is not bonded or connected to at least one of the inner and outer members such that slippage may occur. | 07-11-2013 |
20130171677 | RECOMBINANT PHYCOBILIPROTEINS WITH ENHANCED FLUORESCENCE AND PHOTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES - Novel fluorescent phycobiliprotein fusion proteins and methods of use are described. The novel phycobiliproteins can be produced in a cell comprising two or more heterodimeric lyases, an apoprotein and a bilin reductase, which components react to form the phycobiliprotein fusion protein. Also described are phycobiliprotein based transcription reporter cells and assays, which cells conditionally express a heterologous, fluorescent, phycobiliprotein domain even in anoxic conditions. | 07-04-2013 |
20130168321 | NITROGEN-CONTAINING ACTIVATED CARBON MATERIAL - An activated carbon material for removing a contaminant from a liquid. The activated carbon material can be a plurality carbon grains that have a pore volume of approximately 0.1 milliliters per gram (mL/g) in the range of less than about 15 angstroms in width. The carbon grains can also have or contain a nitrogen-containing species having a concentration of more than 2 atomic percent nitrogen. A plurality of the carbon grains can be used to make a contactor that is operable to remove or reduce perchlorate having a concentration of 20 parts per billion (ppb) to less than 4 ppb from 4,500 bed volumes of water with the nitrogen-containing species leaching off of the carbon grains less than 0.1 mg/L. The activated carbon material can also be electrochemically regenerated. | 07-04-2013 |
20130129930 | COMPOSITION AND METHOD TO CONTROL ACID ROCK DRAINAGE - A composition to control acid rock drainage is provided. The composition includes a slurry made from water and solids, the solids containing powders of limestone, clay and magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide. In some instances, the slurry is thixotropic and contains between 10 to 75 weight percent of solid powders. The solid powders can include between 40 to 75 weight percent limestone, 10 to 35 weight percent clay and 10 to 30 weight percent magnesium oxide or a proportional concentration of magnesium hydroxide. | 05-23-2013 |
20130129503 | EXPANDABLE IMPELLER PUMP - An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades. | 05-23-2013 |
20130125586 | PROPPANTS FROM MINERALOGICAL MATERIAL - A process for producing proppants from waste mineralogical material. The process can include providing the waste mineralogical material in a form such as particles, fines, dust, powders, and the like, and forming a plurality of “green” pellets from the waste mineralogical material. Thereafter, the plurality of green pellets are fed into a provided flame drop tower that has a combustion flame, a hot zone, and a collection basin located downstream from the hot zone. The plurality of green pellets pass through the hot zone, are melted and subsequently solidified in the shape of a sphere downstream from the hot zone to form vitrified glass spheres. In some instances, the vitrified glass spheres are subjected to a devitrification step. | 05-23-2013 |
20130084586 | RAPID, SPECIFIC AND SENSITIVE IMMUNOASSAYS FOR THE DETECTION OF HIGHLY VARIABLE GRAM NEGATIVE BACTERIAL ANTIGENS - Methods for the detection, identification and quantification of gram negative bacteria and gram negative bacterial antigens are rapid, efficient and highly specific. Compositions for the detection and identification of highly variable serogroups are provided. | 04-04-2013 |
20130084362 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR IMPROVING THE NUTRITIONAL CONTENT OF MUSHROOMS AND FUNGI - An improved filamentous fungi is disclosed that has an enhanced nutritional profile by utilizing pulsed ultraviolet irradiation. According to the invention, the vitamin D component of mushrooms and other filamentous fungi may be drastically increased with no deleterious affects on appearance with the use of pulsed UV radiation. Mushrooms so treated had up to 1800% DV in one serving of fresh mushrooms. | 04-04-2013 |
20130076145 | CAPACITOR CIRCUIT FOR ARRAYS OF POWER SOURCES SUCH AS MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS - An electronic circuit to increase voltages from one or more energy sources. The electronic circuit can include a first set of capacitors and a second set of capacitors, and a first set of switches associated with the first set of capacitors and a second set of switches associated with the second set of capacitors. Also included is at least one energy source and an external load. The first and second set of capacitors, first and second set of switches, the at least one energy source, and the external load are arranged and connected such that the first set of capacitors is connected to the at least one energy source in parallel while the second set of capacitors is connected to the external load in series, and vice versa. | 03-28-2013 |
20130074204 | HIGH LYCOPENE CONTENT TOMATO PLANTS AND MARKERS FOR USE IN BREEDING FOR SAME - plants which are exceptionally high in fruit lycopene content (˜300-390 μg lycopene/g fresh fruit) are disclosed herein, which may be used in plant breeding to make the tomato plants of the present invention. The invention also discloses genetic markers, which are associated with the trait which may be used in marker-assisted selection for development of plants, lines, or varieties with the trait. | 03-21-2013 |
20130066140 | HEART ASSIST DEVICE WITH EXPANDABLE IMPELLER PUMP - An impeller includes a hub and a blade supported by the hub. The impeller has a stored configuration in which the blade is compressed so that its distal end moves towards the hub, and a deployed configuration in which the blade extends away from the hub. The impeller may be part of a pump for pumping fluids, such as blood, and may include a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller may reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula may have a compressed diameter which allows it to be inserted percutaneously into a patient. Once at a desired location, the expandable portion of the cannula may be expanded and the impeller expanded to the deployed configuration. A flexible drive shaft may extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient. | 03-14-2013 |
20130053934 | MICRO-REACTION CHAMBER MICROELECTRODES ESPECIALLY FOR NEURAL AND BIOINTERFACES - Biocompatible electrodes with smaller geometric area improve the selectivity of the neural recording and stimulation applications. A volume within the electrode back plane of a micro-reaction chamber (μRC) is used to confine and sequester an electrochemical reaction used for charge passage. The μRC electrode decreases impedance and improves charge storage capacity without altering the geometry of the active site. | 02-28-2013 |
20130026409 | Composite ionic conducting electrolytes - Ionically conducting, redox active additive composite electrolytes are disclosed. The electrolytes include an ionically conductive component and a redox active additive. The ionically conductive component may be an ionically conductive material such as an ionically conductive polymer, ionically conducting glass-ceramic, ionically conductive ceramic, and mixtures thereof. Electrical energy storage devices that employ the ionically conducting, redox active additive composite electrolytes also are disclosed | 01-31-2013 |
20130021673 | Tunable Liquid Gradient Refractive Index Lens Device - A lens device includes a substrate having a channel and a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. The first and second fluid flow paths at least partially in communication with the channel. A light emitting device is positioned adjacent to the channel. At least one first fluid source is in communication with the first fluid path such that a first fluid is moveable along the first fluid path and at least one second fluid source in communication with the second fluid path such that a second fluid is moveable along the second fluid path. The fluid paths are configured so the first fluid and second fluid move through the channel to define an adjustable liquid gradient refractive index distribution in the channel. Adjustment of the liquid gradient refractive index distribution permits a change of liquid lens focal distance or an angular adjustment of light. | 01-24-2013 |
20130020865 | HYBRID POWER AND ENERGY FOR ROBOTS - Advances in robot performance have been limited by a lack of advances in the mature field of battery technology. The focus of robotic power systems must expand from the use of single energy devices to the inclusion of multiple devices which can be optimized for a robotic platform. The challenge lies in the development of the hardware and control algorithms for a scalable power delivery architecture which satisfies the power and energy requirements of most unmanned ground vehicles. This invention is directed to an architecture which is easily scalable and facilitates the use of a wide variety of energy storage/generation devices, while focusing on the system control algorithm and its stability. The experimental results for an example system are presented demonstrating that the architecture functions properly when faced with real world robotic power demands. | 01-24-2013 |
20130011070 | STUDYING AESTHETICS IN PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES USING A COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH - The aesthetic quality of a picture is automatically inferred using visual content as a machine learning problem using, for example, a peer-rated, on-line photo sharing Website as data source. Certain visual features of images are extracted based on the intuition that they can discriminate between aesthetically pleasing and displeasing images. A one-dimensional support vector machine is used to identify features that have noticeable correlation with the community-based aesthetics ratings. Automated classifiers are constructed using the support vector machines and classification trees, with a simple feature selection heuristic being applied to eliminate irrelevant features. Linear regression on polynomial terms of the features is also applied to infer numerical aesthetics ratings. | 01-10-2013 |
20130005737 | COMPOSITIONS, METHODS AND KITS FOR TREATING LEUKEMIA - Compositions, kits and methods for treating leukemia in a subject (e.g., human) include a first anti-cancer drug consisting of: Δ | 01-03-2013 |
20120315281 | TREATMENT OF RENAL INJURY - Methods for the treatment of renal injury include the use of arginase inhibitors in the treatment and prevention of diabetic nephropathy, albuminuria and azotemia amongst others, and methods for identifying agents for the treatment of renal injury. | 12-13-2012 |
20120312115 | HIGH SPEED GEAR SIZED AND CONFIGURED TO REDUCE WINDAGE LOSS - A gear and drive system utilizing the gear include teeth. Each of the teeth has a first side and a second side opposite the first side that extends from a body of the gear. For each tooth of the gear, a first extended portion is attached to the first side of the tooth to divert flow of fluid adjacent to the body of the gear to reduce windage losses that occur when the gear rotates. The gear may be utilized in drive systems that may have high rotational speeds, such as speeds where the tip velocities are greater than or equal to about 68 m/s. Some embodiments of the gear may also utilize teeth that also have second extended portions attached to the second sides of the teeth to divert flow of fluid adjacent to the body of the gear to reduce windage losses that occur when the gear rotates. | 12-13-2012 |
20120302561 | Compounds, Formulations, and Methods of Protein Kinase C Inhibition - The invention provides a method of inhibiting atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) comprising contacting an aPKC with a compound having a structure selected from the group consisting of structural formulas (I) to (IX). The invention further provides a method of inhibiting or reducing vascular permeability. The method comprising administering to a subject a composition comprising an amount of a compound having a structure selected from the group consisting of structural formulas (I) to (IX) effective to inhibit or reduce vascular permeability. A method of treating or preventing a disease or disorder characterized by abnormal vascular permeability, a method of inhibiting angiogenesis, a method of inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, a formulation, and a method of preparing a formulation also are provided. | 11-29-2012 |
20120299550 | SILICON-AIR BATTERIES - Silicon-oxygen batteries comprising a silicon anode as chemical fuel, an air-cathode for dissociating oxygen and a non-aqueous electrolyte, and applications using the same are provided. The silicon-batteries may utilize air for generating oxygen. | 11-29-2012 |
20120292187 | REVERSE ELECTRODIALYSIS SUPPORTED MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS AND MICROBIAL ELECTROLYSIS CELLS - Systems and methods for microbial processes of generating products such as electrical power, hydrogen gas and methane, are provided according to aspects of the present invention which include a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber; an anode at least partially contained within an anode compartment of the reaction chamber; a plurality of exoelectrogenic microorganisms disposed in the anode compartment; a cathode at least partially contained within a cathode compartment of the reaction chamber; a conductive conduit for electrons in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode; and a reverse electrodialysis stack comprising a plurality of plurality of alternating anion selective barriers and cation selective barriers disposed between the anode and the cathode defining one or more saline material compartments and one or more lower-saline material compartments. | 11-22-2012 |
20120288556 | CERAMIDE ANIONIC LIPOSOME COMPOSITIONS - Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions according to aspects of the present invention which include one or more hydrophilic antineoplastic chemotherapeutics, such as vinca alkyloid antineoplastic chemotherapeutics, encapsulated in ceramide anionic liposomes. Methods of treatment of a subject having cancer using the pharmaceutical compositions are described, along with methods of making ceramide anionic liposomes which encapsulate one or more hydrophilic antineoplastic chemotherapeutics in the aqueous interior of the ceramide anionic liposomes. | 11-15-2012 |
20120288162 | METHOD OF INCREASING SOIL RESOURCE CAPTURE IN A PLANT - The invention is directed to improving a plants ability to acquire soil resources. Plants that develop a greater amount of aerenchyma will have an improved ability to acquire soil resources and will have greater drought tolerances. Such plants will grow faster and larger than plants that have less aerenchyma. Farmers who plant crops with seeds that will grow into plants have more aerenchyma will be able to reduce the amount of fertilizer used in growing a crop. Accordingly, the invention relates to identifying and breeding a plant with a greater amount of aerenchyma. The identified plant and its progeny will have an improved ability to capture soil resources and will be tolerant to drought. | 11-15-2012 |
20120284791 | ROBUST ANOMALY DETECTION AND REGULARIZED DOMAIN ADAPTATION OF CLASSIFIERS WITH APPLICATION TO INTERNET PACKET-FLOWS - Sound, robust methods identify the most suitable, parsimonious set of tests to use with respect to prioritized, sequential anomaly detection in a collected batch of sample data. While the focus is on detecting anomalies in network traffic flows and classifying network traffic flows into application types, the methods are also applicable to other anomaly detection and classification application settings, including detecting email spam, (e.g. credit card) fraud detection, detecting imposters, unusual event detection (for example, in images and video), host-based computer intrusion detection, detection of equipment or complex system failures, as well as of anomalous measurements in scientific experiments. | 11-08-2012 |
20120276088 | SMALL MOLECULE TRAIL GENE INDUCTION BY NORMAL AND TUMOR CELLS AS AN ANTICANCER THERAPY - Methods and compositions relating to TIC10 are described according to aspects of the present invention. The compositions and methods have utility in treating disease, particularly cancer in a subject in need thereof, including a human subject as well as subjects of other species. The compositions have utility in treating brain cancer in a subject in need thereof. | 11-01-2012 |
20120268612 | ON-SITE COMPOSITION AND AESTHETICS FEEDBACK THROUGH EXEMPLARS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS - A comprehensive system to enhance the aesthetic quality of the photographs captured by mobile consumers provides on-site composition and aesthetics feedback through retrieved examples. Composition feedback is qualitative in nature and responds by retrieving highly aesthetic exemplar images from the corpus which are similar in content and composition to the snapshot. Color combination feedback provides confidence on the snapshot to contain good color combinations. Overall aesthetics feedback predicts the aesthetic ratings for both color and monochromatic images. An algorithm is used to provide ratings for color images, while new features and a new model are developed to treat monochromatic images. This system was designed keeping the next generation photography needs in mind and is the first of its kind. The feedback rendered is guiding and intuitive in nature. It is computed in situ while requiring minimal input from the user. | 10-25-2012 |
20120260836 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NO-TILL INTER-ROW SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF HERBICIDE AND FERTILIZER, SOIL PREPARATION, AND SEEDING OF A COVER CROP IN A STANDING CROP - A no-till apparatus for application of herbicide and fertilizer, soil preparation, and seeding of a cover crop in a standing crop has inter-row assemblies configured to pass along inter-row areas between adjacent row lines of standing crop plants. Each assembly includes a fertilizer applicator, a no-till soil preparation element, a cover crop seed applicator, and a post-seeding element. | 10-18-2012 |
20120246766 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS RELATING TO TRANSGENIC PLANTS AND CELLULOSIC ETHANOL PRODUCTION - Transgenic lignocellulosic plants are provided according to embodiments of the present invention, the transgenic plants transformed with an expression cassette encoding a protein operably linked to a signal peptide which targets the protein to a cell wall of the transgenic plant, where at least 5% of the total amino acid residues of the protein are tyrosine, lysine, serine, threonine or cysteine. Methods of increasing lignin-protein bonds in a lignocellulosic plant are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include expressing a recombinant nucleic acid in a lignocellulosic plant, the recombinant nucleic acid encoding a protein operably linked to a signal peptide which targets the protein to the cell wall of a plant, where at least 5% of the total amino acid residues of the protein are tyrosine, lysine, serine, threonine or cysteine. | 09-27-2012 |
20120231375 | DIRECT OXIDATION FUEL CELLS WITH IMPROVED CATHODE GAS DIFFUSION MEDIA FOR LOW AIR STOICHIOMETRY OPERATION - A cathode for use in a direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) comprises a gas diffusion medium (GDM) including a backing layer and a microporous layer comprising a fluoropolymer and an electrically conductive material, wherein loading of the fluoropolymer in the microporous layer is in the range from about 10 to about 60 wt. %. In use, a concentrated solution of a liquid fuel is supplied to an anode and an oxidant to the cathode of the fuel cell, and the fuel cell may be operated at a low oxidant stoichiometry ξ | 09-13-2012 |
20120214086 | METHOD OF FABRICATING A POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE (PEM) - A proton (H | 08-23-2012 |
20120213736 | PARVOVIRUS METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR KILLING NEOPLASTIC CELLS - According to the invention, parvoviruses such as the adeno-associated virus Type 2 (AAV2) are found to be oncolytic, selectively mediating apoptosis in cancer cells and their precursors, while leaving healthy cells intact. The invention also includes a method of killing cancer and other neoplastic and preneoplastic cells by administrating to said cells the AAV2 proteins Rep78 or Rep 68, expression constucts encoding the same, or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same. | 08-23-2012 |
20120209748 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING GIFT SELECTION AND GIFT REDEMPTION SERVICES IN AN E-COMMERCE ENVIRONMENT OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Systems, devices, and methods for providing gift selection and gift redemption services in an e-commerce environment over a communication network. Such systems, devices, and methods (i) provide gift recipient attributes and gift experience attributes to a gift donor communication interface; and (ii) receive a selection of gift recipient attributes and gift experience attributes from a communication interface. Further, the systems, devices, and methods provide gift options using a matching algorithm based on the gift recipient attributes and gift experience attributes to the communication interface. In addition, systems, devices, and methods: (i) receive more selected gift options from the communication interface; (ii) generate and provide reveal experiences to the communication interface; (iii) receive selected reveal experiences from the communication interface; and (iii) provide a gift redemption code based on the selected gift option and the selected reveal experience to the communication interface. | 08-16-2012 |
20120208771 | SYNTHETIC CHOLESTERYLAMINE-LINKER DERIVATIVES FOR AGENT DELIVERY INTO CELLS - Synthetic cholesterylamine-linkers can include derivatives of cholesterol, cholesteryl, or sitosteryl coupled through the linker to an agent for delivery into cells. The cholesterylamines are thought to mimic cholesterol in the capacity and mechanism for enhanced entry into cells. The configuration of the cholesterylamine-linker that is thought to provide for enhanced entry into cells includes a cholesterylamine that is coupled to a linker from the amine, and which linker includes a negative charge at a spatial distance from the amine of the cholesterylamine. | 08-16-2012 |
20120208744 | ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENTS AND COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF PRODUCTION AND USE THEREOF - Anti-microbial compositions for inhibiting gram-negative bacterial growth include inhibitors of one or more interactions between the bacterial proteins TonB and ExbD and/or between the bacterial proteins TolR and TolA. Methods of producing and using the anti-microbial compositions (e.g., treating gram-negative bacterial infections in a mammalian subject) are described. Novel antibiotics that target the TonB system and prevent bacterial growth are described herein. | 08-16-2012 |
20120203067 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF AN ENDOSCOPE - A technician-free strategy enables real-time guidance of bronchoscopy. The approach uses measurements of the bronchoscope's movement to predict its position in 3D virtual space. To achieve this, a bronchoscope model, defining the device's shape in the airway tree to a given point p, provides an insertion depth to p. In real time, the invention compares an observed bronchoscope insertion depth and roll angle, measured by an optical sensor, to precalculated insertion depths along a predefined route in the virtual airway tree to predict a bronchoscope's location and orientation. | 08-09-2012 |
20120203065 | GLOBAL AND SEMI-GLOBAL REGISTRATION FOR IMAGE-BASED BRONCHOSCOPY GUIDANCE - Two system-level bronchoscopy guidance solutions are presented. The first incorporates a global-registration algorithm to provide the physician with updated navigational and guidance information during bronchoscopy. The system can handle general navigation to a region of interest (ROI), as well as adverse events, and it requires minimal commands so that it can be directly controlled by the physician. The second solution visualizes the global picture of all the bifurcations and their relative orientations in advance and suggests the maneuvers needed by the bronchoscope to approach the ROI. Guided bronchoscopy results using human airway-tree phantoms demonstrate the potential of the two solutions. | 08-09-2012 |
20120197830 | EVOLUTIONARY COMPUTING BASED OPTIMIZATION - Methods and apparatuses for performing evolutionary based optimization are described. Specifically, some embodiments feature: a dominance archive, auto-adaptive operators, detection of search stagnation, exploitation of randomized restarts to escape local optima, and/or selection of recombination operators based on their success in generating high quality solutions. | 08-02-2012 |
20120196314 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) HYDRODYNAMIC FOCUSING USING A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE - A microfluidic device comprises inlets for a sample flow and an out-of-plane focusing sheath flow, and a curved channel section configured to receive the sample flow and out-of-plane focusing sheath and to provide hydrodynamic focusing of the sample flow in an out-of-plane direction, the out-of-plane direction being normal to a plane including the curved channel. Examples of the invention also include improved flow cytometers. | 08-02-2012 |
20120148581 | USE OF NKG2D INHIBITORS FOR TREATING CARDIOVASCULAR AND METABOLIC DISEASES, SUCH AS TYPE 2 DIABETES - The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for treating and detecting type 2 diabetes and/or conditions that may be regulated or normalised via inhibition of NKG2D, such as cardiovascular diseases. | 06-14-2012 |
20120141578 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS RELATING TO PROLIFERATIVE DISEASES - Anti-cancer compositions and methods are described herein. In particular, compositions including one or more of leelamine, a leelamine derivative, abietylamine, an abietylamine derivative, and an abietic acid derivative are described. Methods for treatment of pathological conditions particularly cancer, in a subject using one or more of leelamine, a leelamine derivative, abietylamine, an abietylamine derivative, and an abietic acid derivative are described herein. | 06-07-2012 |
20120115144 | Detection of Extracellular Tumor-Associated Nucleic Acid in Blood Plasma or Serum - This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular DNA in plasma or serum fractions of human or animal blood associated with neoplastic, pre-malignant or proliferative disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection tumor-associated DNA, and to those methods of detecting and monitoring tumor-associated DNA found in the plasma or serum fraction of blood by using DNA extraction and amplification with or without enrichment for DNA. The invention allows the selection and monitoring of patients for various cancer therapies including receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies. | 05-10-2012 |
20120108562 | THERAPEUTIC COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS - PAD4 inhibitory compositions and methods for their use in treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease are provided according to embodiments of the present invention. | 05-03-2012 |
20120106236 | TFET BASED 6T SRAM CELL - Memory devices and methods of operation are provided. A memory device includes first and second cross-coupled inverters and first and second access transistors coupled to an input node of the second inverter. The memory device also includes a control circuit for providing a first reference voltage at a first ground node of the first inverter and a second reference voltage at a second ground node of the second inverter. The first access transistor is configured to conduct current from a first bit line to the input node and to provide substantially no current conduction from the input node to the first bit line. The second access transistor is configured to conduct current from the input node to one of the first bit line and a second bit line and to provide substantially no current conduction from the input node to the one of first and second bit lines. | 05-03-2012 |
20120082351 | FAST 3D-2D IMAGE REGISTRATION METHOD WITH APPLICATION TO CONTINUOUSLY GUIDED ENDOSCOPY - Fast and continuous registration between two imaging modalities makes it possible to completely determine the rigid transformation between multiple sources at real-time or near real-time frame-rates in order to localize video cameras and register the two sources. A set of reference images are computed or captured within a known environment, with corresponding depth maps and image gradients defining a reference source. Given one frame from a real-time or near-real time video feed, and starting from an initial guess of viewpoint, a real-time video frame is warped to the nearest viewing site of the reference source. An image difference is computed between the warped video frame and the reference image. Steps are repeated for each frame until the viewpoint converges or the next video frame becomes available. The final viewpoint gives an estimate of the relative rotation and translation between the camera at that particular video frame and the reference source. | 04-05-2012 |
20120055217 | ELECTRICAL-ASSISTED DOUBLE SIDE INCREMENTAL FORMING AND PROCESSES THEREOF - A process for forming a sheet metal component using an electric current passing through the component is provided. The process can include providing a double side incremental forming machine, the machine operable to perform a plurality of double side incremental deformations on the sheet metal component and also apply an electric direct current to the sheet metal component during at least part of the forming. The direct current can be applied before or after the forming has started and/or be terminated before or after the forming has stopped. The direct current can be applied to any portion of the sheet metal. The electrical assistance can reduce the magnitude of force required to produce a given amount of deformation, increase the amount of deformation exhibited before failure and/or reduce any springback typically exhibited by the sheet metal component. | 03-08-2012 |
20120025773 | METHOD OF CHARGING BATTERY AND BATTERY CHARGING CONTROL SYSTEM - A controller in a charging control system controls a charger to heat a battery at a low temperature by pulse charging and discharging up to a desired temperature and then moves to a normal charging mode. The controller calculates an ion concentration of an active material at electrode portions of the battery on the basis of the temperature data and the electric current data obtained, switch the pulse charging and discharging between a charging mode and a discharging mode on the basis of a pulse width when the ion concentration reaches a threshold. | 02-02-2012 |
20110318657 | SILICON-AIR BATTERIES - Silicon-oxygen batteries comprising a silicon anode as chemical fuel, an air-cathode for dissociating oxygen, and an electrolyte, and applications using the same are provided. The silicon-batteries may utilize air for generating oxygen. | 12-29-2011 |
20110301930 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING GENE KNOCKOUTS - A method for determining candidates for gene deletions and additions using a model of a metabolic network associated with an organism, the model includes a plurality of metabolic reactions defining metabolite relationships, the method includes selecting a bioengineering objective for the organism, selecting at least one cellular objective, forming an optimization problem that couples the at least one cellular objective with the bioengineering objective, and solving the optimization problem to yield at least one candidate. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299326 | TFET BASED 4T MEMORY DEVICES - A four transistor (4T) memory device is provided. The device includes a first cell transistor and a second cell transistor, the first and second cell transistors coupled to each other and defining latch circuitry having at least one multi-stable node. The device further includes a first access transistor and a second access transistor, the first and second access transistors coupling the at least one multi-stable node to at least one bit-line. In the device, each of the first and second cell transistors and each of the first and second access transistors is a unidirectional field effect transistor configured for conducting current in a first direction and to be insubstantially incapable of conducting current in a second direction. | 12-08-2011 |
20110294025 | SURFACE-TREATED HYDROCARBON-BASED POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES FOR DIRECT OXIDATION FUEL CELLS - A proton (H | 12-01-2011 |
20110288008 | ANTIBACTERIAL AND PLASMID ELIMINATION AGENTS - Inhibitors of the tmRNA pathway have antibacterial activity with broad species specificity, including | 11-24-2011 |
20110282079 | One-step catalytic conversion of biomass-derived carbohydrates to liquid fuels - The invention relates to a method for manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels and oxygenated hydrocarbon fuels such as alkyl substituted tetrahydrofurans such as 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 5-methylfurfural and mixtures thereof. The method generally entails forming a mixture of reactants that includes carbonaceous material, water, a metal catalyst and an acid reacting that mixture in the presence of hydrogen. The reaction is performed at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a furan type hydrocarbon fuel. The process may be adapted to provide continuous manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels such as a furan type fuel. | 11-17-2011 |
20110280885 | CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY - A method for stimulating a immune response against IL-13Rα2 in a subject having or at risk for developing a disease having cells expressing IL-13Rα2 includes the steps of formulating the anti-cancer vaccine outside of the subject and administering the vaccine to the subject in an amount sufficient to stimulate an immune response against IL-13Rα2 in the subject. A composition for stimulating a immune response against IL-13Rα2 in a subject having or at risk for developing a disease having cells expressing IL-13Rα2 includes an isolated agent that can stimulate immune response against IL-13α2. | 11-17-2011 |
20110275073 | Method for detecting tumor-associated DNA in blood or blood fractions - This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in plasma or serum fractions of human or animal blood associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to those methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in the plasma or serum fraction of blood by using rapid DNA extraction followed by nucleic acid amplification with or without enrichment for mutant DNA. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of benign, premalignant, or malignant neoplasms in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions. The invention permits the detection of extracellular, tumor-associated nucleic acid in the serum or plasma of humans or other animals recognized as having a neoplastic or proliferative disease or in individuals without any prior history or diagnosis of neoplastic or proliferative disease. The invention provides the ability to detect extracellular nucleic acid derived from genetic sequences known to be associated with neoplasia, such as oncogenes, as well as genetic sequences previously unrecognized as being associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. The invention thereby provides methods for early identification of colorectal, pancreatic, lung, breast, bladder, ovarian, lymphoma and all other malignancies carrying tumor-related mutations of DNA and methods for monitoring cancer and other neoplastic disorders in humans and other animals. | 11-10-2011 |
20110252800 | ALUMINIUM COMBUSTION POWER SYSTEM - An engine that oxidizes aluminum with water to produce electrical and/or mechanical power. The engine can include a fuel made at least partly from aluminum powder that flows like liquid under high pressure. The engine can also include a steam supply system, a combustor, a fuel feed system, a fuel injection system, and a water supply system. | 10-20-2011 |
20110240151 | FLUIDIC DEVICE - A fluidic device having a first layer with a first layer wicking channel and a second layer extending across the first layer and having a second layer functional wicking channel. The fluidic device can further include a third layer extending across the second layer, the third layer having a third layer functional wicking channel. The second layer functional wicking channel can have a different function than the third layer functional wicking channel and the functional wicking channels can afford for the fluidic device to be used as a timer, a battery, and/or a chemical assay. | 10-06-2011 |
20110239322 | IN VITRO FLOWERING/SEED SET LEADING TO PARTIAL OR COMPLETE MALE STERILITY IN GRASSES - The present invention relates to a method of manipulating plant development that allows for partial or complete male sterility in grasses. | 09-29-2011 |
20110236344 | Synthetic mimics of mammalian cell surface receptors: method and compositions - The present invention relates to new synthetic receptors. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of the synthetic receptors for delivering a protein, peptide, drug, prodrug, lipid, nucleic acid, carbohydrate or small molecule into a target cell via receptor-mediated endocytosis. According to the invention, novel synthetic mimics of cell surface receptors have been designed and methods for use of the same are disclosed. | 09-29-2011 |
20110236210 | EXPANDABLE IMPELLER PUMP - An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades. | 09-29-2011 |
20110229972 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MATERIAL TRANSFER INTO CELLS - Methods for material transfer into a cell are provided according to the present invention which include electroporation of the cell in the presence of the material, such as nucleic acids, and 2,3-butanedione monoxime; and lipofection with a complex of a lipid-based carrier, such as liposomes, and the material, in the presence of 2,3-butanedione monoxime. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228809 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ULTRA-SENSITIVE TEMPERATURE DETECTION USING RESONANT DEVICES - Methods, apparatus, and systems to improve thermal sensitivity of resonant circuits. One aspect utilizes tracking near-resonance complex impedance for a quartz resonator based calorimeter sensor to derive ultra-sensitive temperature measurement from the sensor. Another aspect includes a quartz resonant or -based calorimetric sensor placed close to but not touching the analyte being measured to eliminate mass loading effect on the temperature measurement. | 09-22-2011 |
20110223597 | METHODS RELATING TO OLANZAPINE PHARMACOGENETICS - There is significant variability in subject clearance, half-life and side-effects from treatment with olanzapine (OLZ) in subjects. Methods for aiding in determining therapeutic efficacy of olanzapine in a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include identifying in a subject sample whether UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B10 (UGT2B10) and/or UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A4 (UGT1A4) is “wild-type” or a variant associated with altered glucuronidation of an olanzapine metabolite compared to wild-type. | 09-15-2011 |
20110217163 | DOUBLE-DUCTED FAN - A double-ducted fan includes a hub, a rotor having a plurality of blades rotatably and coupled to the hub, a first duct, a second duct, and a channel defined between the first duct and second duct. The first duct circumscribes the rotor, and the second duct circumscribes at least a portion of the first duct. The second duct can be oriented axially upward such that there is an axial distance is between the leading edges of the first duct and second duct. The channel can be configured to direct air flow cross-wise to the first duct over a top of the first duct into the inlet side of the fan. The second duct can be movable relative to the first duct to adjust at least a portion of the channel. The length of the first duct can be different from the length of the second duct. | 09-08-2011 |
20110212847 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS RELATING TO MONITORING ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND ALCOHOL ABUSE - Methods and compositions according to embodiments of the present invention are provided that specifically and sensitively detect alcohol consumption and whether alcohol consumption is moderate or high in a subject. Aspects of the present invention relate to assays of panels of proteins for detecting non-consumption, moderate consumption and high consumption of ethanol by a subject. | 09-01-2011 |
20110212382 | High energy density ionic dielectric materials and devices - Dielectric compositions that include compound of the formula [(M′) | 09-01-2011 |
20110207130 | Method of detecting tumor-associated hypermethylated DNA in plasma or serum - This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in human or animal blood plasma or serum associated with disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA including non-mutated hypermethylated DNA, and to methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA including non-mutated hypermethylated DNA found in blood plasma or serum. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of neoplasia in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the non-mutated hypermethylated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions. | 08-25-2011 |
20110196099 | PARTICLE DOUBLETS AND N-MERS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATION THEREOF - Methods of producing a plurality of particle aggregates having a specified number of member particles are provided according to embodiments of the present invention. Specific methods include stimulating a plurality of particles with an aggregation stimulus to form a plurality of particle aggregates and then quenching the aggregation stimulus in order to inhibit further particle aggregation. An individual particle aggregate of the produced plurality of particle aggregates has member particles including at least a first member particle and a second member particle. Member particles of particle aggregates are optionally subjected to fusion to stabilize the particle aggregates. Produced particle aggregates having a specified number of member particles may be purified to enrich for particular aggregates. | 08-11-2011 |
20110191894 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS RELATING TO CONROLLED INDUCTION OF PLANT SENESCENCE - Methods and compositions for promoting senescence in plants are provided. Methods and compositions for promoting senescence in plants by increased expression of an exogenous or endogenous abscisic-acid-activated protein kinase-interacting protein, AKIP. In specific embodiments, transgenic plants are provided expressing increased abscisic-acid-activated protein kinase-interacting protein, AKIP, during the developmental stage of senescence, thereby promoting enhanced plant senescence. | 08-04-2011 |
20110184238 | IMAGE-BASED GLOBAL REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD APPLICABLE TO BRONCHOSCOPY GUIDANCE - A global registration system and method identifies bronchoscope position without the need for significant bronchoscope maneuvers, technician intervention, or electromagnetic sensors. Virtual bronchoscopy (VB) renderings of a 3D airway tree are obtained including VB views of branch positions within the airway tree. At least one real bronchoscopic (RB) video frame is received from a bronchoscope inserted into the airway tree. An algorithm according to the invention is executed on a computer to identify the several most likely branch positions having a VB view closest to the received RB view, and the 3D position of the bronchoscope within the airway tree is determined in accordance with the branch position identified in the VB view. The preferred embodiment involves a fast local registration search over all the branches in a global airway-bifurcation search space, with the weighted normalized sum of squares distance metric used for finding the best match. | 07-28-2011 |
20110182747 | HUB FIN DEVICE - The present invention discloses a hub fin device for improving the efficiency of a propeller. The hub fin device can include a propeller having a hub and a plurality of propeller blades that extend radially outward from the hub. Each of the plurality of propeller blades has a trailing edge region. A fin can also be included and located in the trailing edge region of at least one of the plurality of propeller blades. The fin extends radially outward from the hub and reduces or eliminates a hub vortex that is normally present during operation of the propeller. | 07-28-2011 |
20110171062 | UP-CONVERSION LUMINESCENT COATINGS/MATERIALS FOR ANTIMICROBIAL APPLICATIONS - The present invention provides continuous, non-hazardous sterilization and anti-microorganism protection by the generation of interactive, emission responsive surfaces, coatings, and coating systems. | 07-14-2011 |
20110135551 | CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE AND RELATED PROCESSES - Processes for capturing carbon dioxide are described. The carbon dioxide may be captured from the atmosphere and/or from the waste stream of a carbon dioxide point source (e.g., power plants, chemical plants, natural gas fields, oil fields, industrial sites, etc.). The processes can involve capturing carbon dioxide using alkaline solutions (e.g., NaOH). In some processes, the carbon dioxide may react with the alkaline solution to form a product (e.g., NaHCO | 06-09-2011 |
20110128352 | FAST 3D-2D IMAGE REGISTRATION METHOD WITH APPLICATION TO CONTINUOUSLY GUIDED ENDOSCOPY - A novel framework for fast and continuous registration between two imaging modalities is disclosed. The approach makes it possible to completely determine the rigid transformation between multiple sources at real-time or near real-time frame-rates in order to localize the cameras and register the two sources. A disclosed example includes computing or capturing a set of reference images within a known environment, complete with corresponding depth maps and image gradients. The collection of these images and depth maps constitutes the reference source. The second source is a real-time or near-real time source which may include a live video feed. Given one frame from this video feed, and starting from an initial guess of viewpoint, the real-time video frame is warped to the nearest viewing site of the reference source. An image difference is computed between the warped video frame and the reference image. The viewpoint is updated via a Gauss-Newton parameter update and certain of the steps are repeated for each frame until the viewpoint converges or the next video frame becomes available. The final viewpoint gives an estimate of the relative rotation and translation between the camera at that particular video frame and the reference source. The invention has far-reaching applications, particularly in the field of assisted endoscopy, including bronchoscopy and colonoscopy. Other applications include aerial and ground-based navigation. | 06-02-2011 |
20110112568 | SURGICAL TOOL - Recent advances in minimally invasive surgical procedures have created a demand for smaller scale tools with improved performance characteristics. Attempts to scale down modern tools to the meso level (1-5 mm) have caused severe performance losses. Surgical tools of the present invention provide significant improvements in operable range and force application for both grasping and spreading when compared to currently used endoscopic forceps. | 05-12-2011 |
20110110955 | ANTIBODY CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY - A method for stimulating a immune response against IL-13Rα2 in a subject having or at risk for developing a disease having cells expressing IL-13Rα2 includes the steps of formulating the anti-cancer vaccine outside of the subject and administering the vaccine to the subject in an amount sufficient to stimulate an immune response against IL-13Rα2 in the subject. A composition for stimulating a immune response against IL-13Rα2 in a subject having or at risk for developing a disease having cells expressing IL-13Rα2 includes an isolated agent that can stimulate immune response against IL-13α2. | 05-12-2011 |
20110110015 | Methods to improve the efficiency and reduce the energy losses in high energy density capacitor films and articles comprising the same - A multilayer film useful for capacitive applications comprises a high energy density layer and a dielectric blocking layer. In some embodiments, a conducting film is located between the high energy density layer and the blocking layer. The high energy density layer may be a fluoropolymer, such as a polymer or copolymer of poly-1,1-difluoroethene or a derivative thereof. The multilayer film may have high energy density (for example,. >8 J/cm | 05-12-2011 |
20110108232 | BINDER MATERIAL - A binder material for binding a plurality of particles together to form a conglomerate such as a carbon-containing briquette, a sand casting core and the like is provided. The binder material can include a collagen and/or lignin and a plurality of inorganic particles. In some instances, the binder material can be used to make a composite material. The composite material can include a plurality of particles and the binder material that contains the collagen and/or lignin. The binder material affords for the plurality of particles to be bound together into a desired shape, the desired shape having desirable properties. | 05-12-2011 |
20110086236 | COMPOSITES CONTAINING POLYPEPTIDES ATTACHED TO POLYSACCHARIDES AND MOLECULES - This document provides methods and materials related to composites or coatings containing polypeptides attached to polysaccharides and/or molecules. For example, methods and materials related to composites or coatings containing polypeptides (e.g., casein polypeptides) attached to polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose) and/or molecules (e.g., calcium containing molecules such as calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate and/or polyesters such as polylactic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate) are provided. A coating provided herein can include both cationic and ionic polymers, polypeptides, or polysaccharides. | 04-14-2011 |
20110085279 | SELF HEALING HIGH ENERGY GLASS CAPACITORS - A self healing high energy glass capacitor is provided. The capacitor can have a glass layer with a top surface and a bottom surface. A top sacrificial layer can extend across the top surface and a bottom sacrificial layer can extend across the bottom surface. In addition, a top electrode can extend across the top sacrificial layer and a bottom electrode can extend across the bottom sacrificial layer. In some instances the glass capacitor has an energy breakdown of at least 6 joules per cubic centimeter. | 04-14-2011 |
20110085232 | MULTI-SPECTRAL FILTERS, MIRRORS AND ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATINGS WITH SUBWAVELENGTH PERIODIC FEATURES FOR OPTICAL DEVICES - Example apparatus have a radiation-receiving surface configured to receive electromagnetic radiation, including a sub-wavelength grating supported by a substrate. The sub-wavelength grating has a side-wall profile that may be configured and optimized to obtain desired spectral properties. | 04-14-2011 |
20110071428 | BIOPSY DEVICE - Biopsy devices which can be used with a flexible endoscope are described herein. Inventive biopsy devices can be used in minimally invasive procedures and other biopsy applications. Inventive biopsy devices can be used through an endoscope channel to perform zero invasive biopsies on the gastrointestinal system and other organs. Actuation devices for use to twist or manipulate the biopsy device even when it is at the end of the endoscopic cable are provided according to embodiments of the present invention. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071338 | HEART ASSIST DEVICE WITH EXPANDABLE IMPELLER PUMP - An impeller includes a hub and at least one blade supported by the hub. The impeller has a stored configuration in which the blade is compressed so that its distal end moves towards the hub, and a deployed configuration in which the blade extends away from the hub. The impeller may be part of a pump for pumping fluids, such as pumping blood within a patient. A blood pump may include a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller may reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula may have a compressed diameter which allows it to be inserted percutaneously into a patient. Once at a desired location, the expandable portion of the cannula may be expanded and the impeller expanded to the deployed configuration. A flexible drive shaft may extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body. | 03-24-2011 |
20110065761 | METHODS OF TREATING NERVE-RELATED VISION DISORDERS - This invention provides reagents and methods for delivering insulin, insulinomimetic agents, and the like to a vertebrate eye via subconjunctival routes, sub-Tenon's routes, or intravitreal routes for treatment of nerve-related vision disorders such as diabetic retinopathy, and formulations useful in the practice of the disclosed methods | 03-17-2011 |
20110045365 | METHOD FOR REMOVING RESIDUAL WATER FROM FUEL CELL - The present invention provides a method for removing residual water in a fuel cell, which controls the humidity of purge gases to effectively remove residual water in the fuel cell and to maintain the humidity in a membrane at a constant level, thus ensuring the durability of the membrane. | 02-24-2011 |
20110039265 | Method of detecting tumor-associated DNA in plasma or serum - This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in plasma or serum fractions of human or animal blood associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to those methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in the plasma or serum fraction of blood by using rapid DNA extraction followed by nucleic acid amplification with or without enrichment for mutant DNA. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of benign, premalignant, or malignant neoplasms in human or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions. The invention permits the detection of extracellular, tumor-associated nucleic acid in the serum or plasma of humans or other animals recognized as having a neoplastic or proliferative disease or in individuals without any prior history or diagnosis of neoplastic or proliferative disease. The invention provides the ability to detect extracellular nucleic acid derived from genetic sequences known to be associated with neoplasia, such a oncogenes, as well as genetic sequences previously unrecognized as being associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. The invention thereby provides methods for early identification of colorectal, pancreatic, lung, breast, bladder, ovarian, lymphoma and all other malignancies carrying tumor-related mutations of DNA and methods for monitoring cancer and other neoplastic disorders in humane and other animals. | 02-17-2011 |
20110035808 | ROOTKIT-RESISTANT STORAGE DISKS - Rootkit-resistant disks (RRD) label all immutable system binaries and configuration files at installation time. During normal operation, the disk controller inspects all write operations received from the host operating system and denies those made for labeled blocks. To upgrade, the host is booted into a safe state and system blocks can only be modified if a security token is attached to the disk controller. By enforcing immutability at the disk controller, a compromised operating system is prevented from infecting its on-disk image. | 02-10-2011 |
20110033856 | METHODS RELATING TO AROMATASE INHIBITOR PHARMACOGENETICS - Methods for aiding in determining therapeutic efficacy of an aromatase inhibitor in a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include detecting expression and/or function of at least one UDP-glucuronosyltransferase having activity to modify at least one aromatase inhibitor and/or metabolite of the aromatase inhibitor by glucuronidation, wherein detection of expression and/or function of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase is correlated with therapeutic efficacy of the aromatase inhibitor in the subject. Detection of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase expression and/or function includes detection of a UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene deletion polymorphism in the subject | 02-10-2011 |
20110015867 | METHOD FOR REDESIGN OF MICROBIAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS - A computer-assisted method for identifying functionalities to add to an organism-specific metabolic network to enable a desired biotransformation in a host includes accessing reactions from a universal database to provide stoichiometric balance, identifying at least one stoichiometrically balanced pathway at least partially based on the reactions and a substrate to minimize a number of non-native functionalities in the production host, and incorporating the at least one stoichiometrically balanced pathway into the host to provide the desired biotransformation. A representation of the metabolic network as modified can be stored. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013287 | Tunable Liquid Gradient Refractive Index Lens Device - A lens device includes a substrate having a channel and a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. The first and second fluid flow paths at least partially in communication with the channel. A light emitting device is positioned adjacent to the channel. At least one first fluid source is in communication with the first fluid path such that a first fluid is moveable along the first fluid path and at least one second fluid source in communication with the second fluid path such that a second fluid is moveable along the second fluid path. The first second fluid paths are configured so the first fluid and second fluid move through the channel to define an adjustable liquid gradient refractive index distribution in the channel. Adjustment of the liquid gradient refractive index distribution permits a change of liquid lens focal distance or an angular adjustment of light emitted by the light emitting device. | 01-20-2011 |
20110006641 | FLEXOELECTRIC - PIEZOELECTRIC COMPOSITE BASED ON FLEXOELECTRIC CHARGE SEPARATION - An example flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus provides an electrical response to an applied force, and/or an actuation in response to an applied electric field, that originates from the flexoelectric properties of a component. For example, shaped forms within the apparatus may be configured to yield a stress gradient on application of the force, and the stress gradient induces the flexoelectric signal. A flexoelectric-piezoelectric apparatus can be substituted for a conventional piezoelectric apparatus, but does not require the use of a piezoelectric material. Instead, the response of the apparatus is due to the generation of stress gradients and/or field gradients. | 01-13-2011 |
20110004046 | BLOOD PUMP WITH EXPANDABLE CANNULA - A blood pump includes an impeller having a plurality of foldable blades and a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller can reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula has a collapsed condition for percutaneous delivery to a desired location within the body, and an expanded condition in which the impeller can rotate to pump blood. A flexible drive shaft can extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body. | 01-06-2011 |
20100327171 | SOLID-STATE NUCLEAR DETECTOR - The present invention provides an innovative solid-state neutron detector that exhibits superior neutron-sensitivities. One embodiment of the present invention includes a Gadolinium-oxide (Gd | 12-30-2010 |
20100326657 | Treatment of particles for improved performance as proppants - The disclosed invention relates to a process of using molten salt ion exchange to treat particles such as spherically shaped soda-lime-silica glass particles. The treated particles may be used as proppants in hydrofractured oil and natural gas wells. | 12-30-2010 |
20100310146 | MEDICAL IMAGE REPORTING SYSTEM AND METHOD - This invention relates generally to medical imaging and, in particular, to a method and system for reconstructing a model path through a branched tubular organ. Novel methodologies and systems segment and define accurate endoluminal surfaces in airway trees, including small peripheral bronchi. An automatic algorithm is described that searches the entire lung volume for airway branches and poses airway-tree segmentation as a global graph-theoretic optimization problem. A suite of interactive segmentation tools for cleaning and extending critical areas of the automatically segmented result is disclosed. A model path is reconstructed through the airway tree. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309465 | COHERENT ANTI-STOKES RAMAN HOLOGRAPHY - Apparatus and methods of four wave mixing (FWM) holography are described, including illuminating a sample with a first beam, a second beam, and a third beam, and combining the generated FWM signal with a reference beam at a imaging device to obtain holographic image data. In some examples, the first and second beams may be provided by a single pump-probe beam. The third beam may be a Stokes beam or an anti-Stokes beam. A representative example is coherent anti-Stokes Raman holography (CARS holography), which includes illuminating a sample with a pump/probe beam and a Stokes beam to obtain a CARS signal from the sample; and combining the CARS signal with a reference beam to obtain a CARS hologram. | 12-09-2010 |
20100307050 | One-step catalytic conversion of biomass-derived carbohydrates to liquid fuels - The invention relates to a method for manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels and oxygenated hydrocarbon fuels such as alkyl substituted tetrahydrofurans such as 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and mixtures thereof. The method generally entails forming a mixture of reactants that includes carbonaceous material water, a metal catalyst and an acid reacting that mixture in the presence of hydrogen. The reaction is performed at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a furan type hydrocarbon fuel. The process may be adapted to provide continuous manufacture of hydrocarbon fuels such as a furan type fuel. | 12-09-2010 |
20100280365 | GUIDANCE METHOD BASED ON 3D-2D POSE ESTIMATION AND 3D-CT REGISTRATION WITH APPLICATION TO LIVE BRONCHOSCOPY - A method provides guidance to the physician during a live bronchoscopy or other endoscopic procedures. The 3D motion of the bronchoscope is estimated using a fast coarse tracking step followed by a fine registration step. The tracking is based on finding a set of corresponding feature points across a plurality of consecutive bronchoscopic video frames, then estimating for the new pose of the bronchoscope. In the preferred embodiment the pose estimation is based on linearization of the rotation matrix. By giving a set of corresponding points across the current bronchoscopic video image, and the CT-based virtual image as an input, the same method can also be used for manual registration. The fine registration step is preferably a gradient-based Gauss-Newton method that maximizes the correlation between the bronchoscopic video image and the CT-based virtual image. The continuous guidance is provided by estimating the 3D motion of the bronchoscope in a loop. Since depth-map information is available, tracking can be done by solving a 3D-2D pose estimation problem. A 3D-2D pose estimation problem is more constrained than a 2D-2D pose estimation problem and does not suffer from the limitations associated with computing an essential matrix. The use of correlation-based cost, instead of mutual information as a registration cost, makes it simpler to use gradient-based methods for registration. | 11-04-2010 |
20100279007 | 3-D Printing of near net shape products - The disclosed method relates to manufacture of a near net-shaped products such as ceramic containing products such as ceramic-metal composites. The method entails forming a mixture of a build material and a binder and depositing that mixture onto a surface to produce a layer of the mixture. An activator fluid then is applied to at least one selected region of the layer to bond the binder to the build material to yield a shaped pattern. These steps may be repeated to produce a porous whitebody that is heat treated to yield a porous greenbody preform having a porosity of about 30% to about 70%. The greenbody then is impregnated with a molten material such as molten metal. Where the build material is SiC, the molten metal employed is Si to generate a SiC—Si composite. | 11-04-2010 |
20100270158 | DESALINATION DEVICES AND METHODS - Microbial processes and systems are provided according to the present invention for desalination of saline materials, such as aqueous mixtures including dissolved salts. Microbial desalination devices according to embodiments of the present invention create hydrogen gas in a configuration referred to as a microbial electrolysis desalination cell (MEDC), or electricity in a configuration referred to as a microbial fuel desalination cell (MFDC) in addition to desalination of saline materials. | 10-28-2010 |
20100260926 | Interactive coatings, surfaces & materials - The present invention provides in-situ health monitoring and non-destructive evaluation and early detection of corrosion, damage, failure, flaws, defects, and subsurface inspection by the generation of electromagnetic responsive surfaces, coatings and coating systems. | 10-14-2010 |
20100247436 | In vivo photodynamic therapy of cancer via a near infrared agent encapsulated in calcium phosphate nanoparticles - Nano-encapsulated photosensitizers and their use in the treatment of tumors and/or imaging is described. Preferably, the photosensitizers are encapsulated in a calcium phosphate nanoparticle (CPNP). Encapsulating the PS in a CPNP increases the half-life of the PS, increases absorption of the PS into the target cell tissue, increases the photostability of the PS, increases the photoefficiency of the PS, increases in vivo retention of the PS, or combinations thereof, ultimately making it a highly efficacious agent for use in photodynamic therapy, imaging target tissues, vessels, or tumors, and/or detecting or locating tumors. | 09-30-2010 |
20100229774 | REMOVABLE PROTECTIVE NOSE COVER - A removable protective nose cover for a submersible structure having a nose section is disclosed. The removable protective nose cover can include a plurality of shell members, each of the shell members having a forward end and an aft end. Each shell member can also be dimensioned to fit adjacent to and around the nose section of the submersible structure and thereby form a protective shell. A central nose member having a locking member can also be included, the locking member being operable to attach the central nose member to each of the forward ends of the shell members. The aft ends of the shell members can be attached to each other using a plurality of attachment clips such that the attachment of the central nose member to each of the forward ends of the shell members and the attachment of the adjacent aft ends of the shell members form the removable protective nose cover for the submersible structure. The attachment clips can be operable to release the plurality of shell members from being held adjacent to the submersible structure when the structure moves through a liquid at a predefined speed. | 09-16-2010 |
20100213477 | Light Emitting Apparatus - A light emitting apparatus may include a gate metal positioned between a p-type contact and an n-type contact, a gate oxide or other dielectric stack positioned below and attached to the gate metal, a Ge or Si | 08-26-2010 |
20100213046 | Titania nanotube arrays, methods of manufacture, and photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide using same - Nitrogen-doped titania nanotubes exhibiting catalytic activity on exposure to any one or more of ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared radiation, or combinations thereof are disclosed. The nanotube arrays may be co-doped with one or more nonmetals and may further include co-catalyst nanoparticles. Also, methods are disclosed for use of nitrogen-doped titania nanotubes in catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide alone or in admixture with hydrogen-containing gases such as water vapor and/or other reactants as may be present or desirable into products such as hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon-containing products, hydrogen and hydrogen-containing products, carbon monoxide and other carbon-containing products, or combinations thereof. | 08-26-2010 |
20100204172 | INACTIVATORS OF O6-ALKYLGUANINE-DNA ALKYLTRANSFERASE - Disclosed are compounds that are AGT inactivators that include a folate residue, e.g., a compound of formula (I), wherein X | 08-12-2010 |
20100187172 | HIGHLY-ORDERED TITANIA NANOTUBE ARRAYS - Fabrication of self-aligned closed packed titania nanotube arrays in excess of 10 μm in length and aspect ratio ≈10,000 by potentiostatic anodization of titanium is disclosed. Conditions for achieving complete anodization and absolute tailorability of Ti foil samples resulting in a self-standing mechanically robust titania membrane in excess of 1000 μm are also disclosed. | 07-29-2010 |
20100184224 | PLANT CELL WALL LOOSENING ACTIVITY OF GROUP 2/3 ALLERGENS OF GRASS POLLEN - The present invention provides nucleic acids and polypeptide sequences for a novel class of expansin-related proteins, designated group 2/3 allergen, which comprise the group 2 and group 3 allergens from grass, a purified group 3 allergen Lol p 3, and method of using the nucleic acids sequences and proteins of the invention. Group 2/3 allergens of the invention are significant wall-loosening agents. They are capable of altering cell wall properties, which may effect growth, flexibility, and mechanical strength in tissues in which they are expressed. | 07-22-2010 |
20100183951 | DIRECT OXIDATION FUEL CELLS WITH IMPROVED CATHODE GAS DIFFUSION MEDIA FOR LOW AIR STOICHIOMETRY OPERATION - A cathode for use in a direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) comprises a gas diffusion medium (GDM) including a backing layer and a microporous layer comprising a fluoropolymer and an electrically conductive material, wherein loading of the fluoropolymer in the microporous layer is in the range from about 10 to about 60 wt. %. In use, a concentrated solution of a liquid fuel is supplied to an anode and an oxidant to the cathode of the fuel cell, and the fuel cell may be operated at a low oxidant stoichiometry not greater than about 2.5. | 07-22-2010 |
20100183520 | NETRIN-1 AS A BIOMARKER OF INJURY AND DISEASE - Detection and diagnosis of injury and/or disease in a subject can be key to preventing irreversible damage and death. Methods of aiding detection and assessment of a disease or condition in a subject are which include assaying netrin-1 protein and/or nucleic acid in a test sample obtained from the subject. Methods of assessment of treatment of a disease or condition in a subject are provided which include assaying netrin-1 protein and/or nucleic acid in a test sample obtained from the subject. Disclosed methods allow for earlier detection of renal dysfunction compared to currently available technology. | 07-22-2010 |
20100173318 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MODELING CELLULAR METABOLISM - This invention relates to methods and systems for in silico or bioinformatic modeling of cellular metabolism. The invention includes methods and systems for modeling cellular metabolism of an organism, comprising constructing a flux balance analysis model, and applying constraints to the flux balance analysis model, the constraints selected from the set consisting of: qualitative kinetic information constraints, qualitative regulatory information constraints, and differential DNA microarray experimental data constraints. In addition, the present invention provides for computational procedures for solving metabolic problems. | 07-08-2010 |
20100160657 | SYNTHETIC MIMICS OF MAMMALIAN CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS: METHOD AND COMPOSITIONS - The present invention relates to new synthetic receptors. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for synthesizing preferred membrane-binding elements, preferably cholesterylamine derivatives, including 3β-amino-5-cholestene (3β-cholesterylamine) and related 3β-halides through i-steroid and retro-i-steroid rearrangements. The invention further relates to use of the synthetic receptors for delivering a protein, peptide, drug, prodrug, lipid, nucleic acid, carbohydrate or small molecule into a target cell via receptor-mediated endocytosis. According to the invention, novel synthetic mimics of cell surface receptors have been designed and methods for use of the same are disclosed. | 06-24-2010 |
20100151279 | ELECTRODES AND METHODS FOR MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS - Methods of improving a performance parameter of a microbial fuel cell are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include heating an electrode and exposing the heated electrode to ammonia gas to produce a treated electrode characterized by an increased positive surface charge on the electrode surface. Improved performance parameters include increased maximum power density, increased coulombic efficiency, increased volumetric power density and decreased microbial fuel cell operation time to achieve maximum power density | 06-17-2010 |
20100139747 | Single-crystal nanowires and liquid junction solar cells - A method of making semiconducting oxide nanowire arrays on such as rutile is disclosed wherein a substrate is heated in the presence of a reaction mixture of non-polar solvent, semi-conductor metal oxide precursor source and strong acid to produce a nanowire array of a semiconducting oxide on the substrate. Dye sensitized solar cells that employ these nanowire arrays also are disclosed. | 06-10-2010 |
20100133461 | NBT based lead-free piezoelectric materials for high power applications - Piezoelectric compounds of the formula xNa | 06-03-2010 |
20100129400 | ATTENUATED VIRUSES, VACCINES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - The invention encompasses compositions and methods relating to viral polymerases having one or more substitutions of different amino acids at conserved regions of the polymerase yields enzymes with varying rates and fidelity of replication. A universally applicable, polymerase-mechanism-based strategy for production of attenuated viruses and anti-viral vaccines is disclosed. Attenuated viruses serve as vaccines and were shown to provide protection against poliovirus challenge in vivo. | 05-27-2010 |
20100119920 | CATHODES FOR MICROBIAL ELECTROLYSIS CELLS AND MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS - An apparatus is provided according to embodiments of the present invention which includes a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber; exoelectrogenic bacteria disposed in the interior of the reaction chamber; an aqueous medium having a pH in the range of 3-9, inclusive, the aqueous medium including an organic substrate oxidizable by exoelectrogenic bacteria and the medium disposed in the interior of the reaction chamber. An inventive apparatus further includes an anode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber; and a brush or mesh cathode including stainless steel, nickel or titanium, the cathode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber. | 05-13-2010 |
20100092998 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS RELATING TO E3 RING-E2 FUSION PROTEINS - Compositions are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include an isolated fusion protein including an E3 protein RING motif bonded to an UCE E2 protein. In preferred embodiments, the C-terminus of the E3 protein RING motif is bonded to the N-terminus of the UCE E2 protein by an intervening peptide linker. Optionally, the peptide linker is 5-50 amino acids. Preferred is a peptide linker of 15-20 amino acids. Methods of identifying ubiquitylation modulators are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include contacting an isolated fusion protein including an E3 protein RING motif bonded to an UCE E2 protein with a ubiquitylation substrate in the presence of a test substance. Ubiquitylation of the ubiquitylation substrate is then detected to determine the effect of the test substance on ubiquitylation of the ubiquitylation substrate. | 04-15-2010 |
20100075170 | POLYCRYSTALLINE COMPLEX-SHAPED MESOSCALE COMPONENTS - A polycrystalline mesoscale component is provided that has an overall length L divided into multiple segments with a second segment extending from a first segment at a nonlinear angle. The first segment has a first segment height H | 03-25-2010 |
20100068592 | Electrodes for use in hydrocarbon-based membrane electrode assemblies of direct oxidation fuel cells - Electrodes for use in direct oxidation fuel cells (DOFCs) comprise, in sequence: an electrically conductive gas diffusion layer; a catalyst layer; and a proton-conducting layer. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) comprise cathode and anode electrodes of such type sandwiching a proton conductive polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), with the proton-conducting layer of the electrodes in contact with opposite surfaces of the PEM. Also disclosed is a method for fabricating the MEAs. | 03-18-2010 |
20100068521 | TREATMENT OF MELT QUENCHED ALUMINOSILICATE GLASS SPHERES FOR APPLICATION AS PROPPANTS VIA DEVITRIFICATION PROCESSES - A process for increasing toughness of glass particulates is provided. The process includes providing an aluminosilicate glass particulate, the glass particulate generally having the form of a sphere, and heating the glass particulate to a temperature greater than 600° C. for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the glass particulate can be cooled to ambient temperature and the heating step can alter the failure mechanism of the glass particulate from a high energy failure that produces generally fine powder to a lower energy failure that produces generally large fragments. The glass particulate can be an amorphous glass particulate and may or may not have a nominal composition that corresponds to rhyolite, basalt, tholeiite, olivine and/or andesite. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066366 | Adaptive Signal Averaging Method Which Enhances the Sensitivity of Continuous Wave Magnetic Resonance and Other Analytical Measurements - This method of adaptive signal averaging is used to enhance the signal to noise ratio of magnetic resonance and other analytical measurements which involve repeatable signals partially or completely obscured by noise in a single measurement at a rate much faster than that observed with conventional signal averaging. This technique expedites the signal averaging process because it filters each individual scan in real time with an adaptive algorithm and then averages them separately to provide an averaged filtered signal with less noise. This technique is particularly useful for any type of continuous wave magnetic resonance experiment or any other noisy measurement where signal averaging is utilized. | 03-18-2010 |
20100040815 | Energy Absorbing Stitch Ripping Composite Tubes Containing Collapsible Cells - An energy absorbing system has an inner tube and an outer tube that are stitched together. The inner tube contains a set of fibers oriented in a first direction and the outer tube has a second set of fibers oriented in a direction different from the first direction. Preferably these orientations are equal and opposite to each other. The inner tube may be hollow, but preferably has a cellular core. The outer tube may be spaced apart from the inner tube to create an annular cavity that is filled with a cellular material. | 02-18-2010 |
20100029906 | Synthetic mimics of mammalian cell surface receptors: method and compositions - The present invention relates to new synthetic receptors. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of the synthetic receptors for delivering a protein, peptide, drug, prodrug, lipid, nucleic acid, carbohydrate or small molecule into a target cell via receptor-mediated endocytosis. According to the invention, novel synthetic mimics of cell surface receptors have been designed and methods for use of the same are disclosed. | 02-04-2010 |
20100017342 | ASSET ALLOCATION BASED ON EXPECTED UTILITY OF TIME AND WEALTH - A method and system for providing financial advice to individuals that includes outputting a target asset allocation for an individual and a critical wealth, a retirement wealth, a utility function, or a combination thereof. The target asset allocation includes a target securities allocation and is computed using a function analyzing a trade-off between retirement time and retirement consumption of the individual. The method includes computing a critical wealth of the individual, a retirement wealth of the individual, and a wealth utility function of the individual. A determination of whether the individual is in a wealth maximizing phase or a critical wealth phase is made. The determination is based on whether the individual has a current wealth equal to or greater than the calculated critical wealth threshold. Having determined the relevant wealth phase, a target asset allocation for the current assets of the individual is computed. | 01-21-2010 |
20090318462 | PROTEIN KINASE C ZETA INHIBITION TO TREAT VASCULAR PERMEABILITY - Methods of treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject are provided by the present invention which include administering a composition including a therapeutically effective amount of a protein kinase C (PKC) zeta inhibitor. A disease or disorder treated or prevented by administration of a PKC zeta inhibitor is characterized by abnormal vascular permeability. Diseases or disorders treated or prevented by administration of a composition including a therapeutically effective amount of a PKC zeta inhibitor include cancer, an ischemic condition and microvascular complications of a systemic or local condition in the subject, such as diabetes and/or diabetic macular edema. Additionally, methods of inhibiting PKC zeta are provided which include incubating PKC zeta in vivo, in vitro and/or in silico with a PKC zeta inhibitor. | 12-24-2009 |
20090317882 | ELECTROMETHANOGENIC REACTOR AND PROCESSES FOR METHANE PRODUCTION - Increasing competition for fossil fuels, and the need to avoid release carbon dioxide from combustion of these fuels requires development of new and sustainable approaches for energy production and carbon capture. Biological processes for producing methane gas and capturing carbon from carbon dioxide are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include providing an electromethanogenic reactor having an anode, a cathode and a plurality of methanogenic microorganisms disposed on the cathode. Electrons and carbon dioxide are provided to the plurality of methanogenic microorganisms disposed on the cathode. The methanogenic microorganisms reduce the carbon dioxide to produce methane gas, even in the absence of hydrogen and/or organic carbon sources. | 12-24-2009 |
20090311213 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATMENT OF RETINOID-RESPONSIVE CONDITIONS - Methods and composition for treating a retinoid-responsive condition in a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a substance selected from the group consisting of: neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), an NGAL analog, an NGAL stimulator and an analog of an NGAL stimulator, to a subject having a retinoid-responsive condition. Retinoid-responsive conditions illustratively include acne, rosacea, psoriasis, promyelocytic leukemia and neuroblastoma. | 12-17-2009 |
20090308685 | DIPOLE FLOW DRIVEN RESONATORS FOR FAN NOISE MITIGATION - A fan system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a fan axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the fan axis. A first acoustic resonator has an opening disposed on a first side of the rotor plane and a second acoustic resonator has an opening disposed on a second side of the rotor plane. The acoustic resonators are configured to provide a dipole resonator system operable to at least partially reduce a blade pass frequency tone in an upstream and a downstream direction simultaneously. | 12-17-2009 |
20090298085 | Detection of Extracellular Tumor-Associated Nucleic Acid in Blood Plasma or Serum Using Nucleic Acid Amplification Assays - This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in plasma or serum fractions of human or animal blood associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to those methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in the plasma or serum fraction of blood by using rapid DNA extraction followed by nucleic acid amplification with or without enrichment for mutant DNA. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of benign, premalignant, or malignant neoplasms in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions. The invention permits the detection of extracellular, tumor-associated nucleic acid in the serum or plasma of humans or other animals recognized as having a neoplastic or proliferative disease or in individuals without any prior history or diagnosis of neoplastic or proliferative disease. The invention provides the ability to detect extracellular nucleic acid derived from genetic sequences known to be associated with neoplasia, such as oncogenes, as well as genetic sequences previously unrecognized as being associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. The invention thereby provides methods for early identification of colorectal, pancreatic, lung, breast, bladder, ovarian, lymphoma and all other malignancies carrying tumor-related mutations of DNA and methods for monitoring cancer and other neoplastic disorders in humans and other animals. | 12-03-2009 |
20090296223 | FLAT TRANSFORMATIONAL ELECTROMAGNETIC LENSES - Examples of the present invention include methods and apparatus for modification of electromagnetic waves, including lenses with generally parallel flat surfaces. Lenses may comprise metamaterials, dielectric materials (such as glass), plastics, and the like. Lenses may have an index profile corresponding to a coordinate transformation for the desired effect on the electromagnetic waves. | 12-03-2009 |
20090293345 | Blends of Synthetic Distillate and Biodiesel for Low Nitrogen Oxide Emissions from Diesel Engines - This invention shows how to make and use a biodiesel-based fuel in diesel engines without incurring the NO | 12-03-2009 |
20090286839 | PHYTONUTRIENT COMPOSITIONS FROM MUSHROOMS OR FILAMENTOUS FUNGI AND METHODS OF USE - This invention is directed to treating disease states or conditions associated with the treatment and prevention of neurodegeneration and neurodegenerative disease states, and treatment of radiation damage. The invention relates to novel phytonutrient compositions and compounds comprising L-ergothioneine and/or selenium. The invention also provides a method of administering these compositions and combinations to humans or animals in need thereof. | 11-19-2009 |
20090280166 | FERRITIN AS A THERAPEUTIC TARGET IN ABNORMAL CELLS - Compositions for treatment of iron related diseases comprise an inhibitor of ferritin. An inhibitor of ferritin is active to reduce the level of H ferritin protein in a cell and/or to reduce the activity of H ferritin in a cell. Compositions providing cytoprotection, regulation of iron, increasing longevity and viability of cells are described. | 11-12-2009 |
20090269441 | Methods and compositions for improving the nutritional content of mushrooms and fungi - An improved filamentous fungi is disclosed that has an enhanced nutritional profile by utilizing pulsed ultraviolet irradiation. According to the invention, the vitamin D component of mushrooms and other filamentous fungi may be drastically increased with no deleterious affects on appearance with the use of pulsed UV radiation. Mushrooms so treated had up to 1800% DV in one serving of fresh mushrooms. | 10-29-2009 |