| WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120136643 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GLOBAL VOLTAGE SECURITY ASSESSMENT IN POWER SYSTEMS - Systems and methods for global voltage security assessment in power systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for assessing voltage security in a power system having a number (i) of buses includes capturing a change in bus voltage and a change in line reactive power for at least some of the buses in the power system, for each of the i number of buses, calculating a voltage assessment index) (Γ | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120004862 | ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF OPERATION - Ion mobility spectrometry systems, devices, and associated methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for performing ion mobility spectrometry includes ionizing a sample in gas phase and applying an electric field to the ionized sample in the gas phase, thereby moving the ionized sample along a drift region. The applied electric field has a plurality of strength values with respect to time, and the individual strength values being generally constant during a corresponding period of time. The method further includes detecting an ion intensity and a drift time of the ionized sample moving through the drift region under the applied electric field with the plurality of strength values. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110296545 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING OR PREVENTING CONDITIONS AND DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH MANNHEIMIA HAEMOLYTICA - Particular aspects show that the signal peptide remains intact on the mature CD18 molecule on ruminant leukocytes rendering these cells susceptible to cytolysis by Lkt. Comparative amino acid sequence analysis of the signal peptide of CD18 of eight ruminants and five non-ruminants revealed that the ruminant CD18 signal peptides contain ‘cleavage-inhibiting’ glutamine (Q), compared to ‘cleavage-conducive’ glycine in non-ruminants, at position −5 relative to the cleavage site. Mutagenesis of Q at position −5 of the bovine CD18 signal peptide to G resulted in the abrogation of Lkt-mediated cytolysis of transfectants expressing bovine CD18 carrying the Q(−5)G mutation. Provided is novel technology to clone cattle and other ruminants expressing CD18 without the signal peptide on their leukocytes, providing ruminants that are less susceptible to | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110156533 | ENERGY CONVERTERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Energy converters and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an energy converter includes a first structural member spaced apart from a second structure member, a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element individually coupled to the first structural member and the second structural member, and a deflection member tensionally suspended between the first and second piezoelectric elements. The deflection member is substantially rigid. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110131678 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR DIFFERENTIAL REGULATION OF FATTY ACID UNSATURATION IN MEMBRANE LIPIDS AND SEED OIL - Aspects of the invention provide methods for differential regulation of fatty acid unsaturation in seed oil and membrane lipids of plants based on modulation of a previously unknown biosynthetic pathway involving a novel phosphatidylcholine: diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase (PDCT) that regulates phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in developing oil seed plants. Specific aspects relate to inventive PDCT polypeptides including, for example, variants, deletions, muteins, fusion proteins, and orthologs thereof (collectively PDCT proteins), to nucleic acids encoding same, to plants comprising such PDCT sequences or proteins or devoid or depleted of such PDCT proteins or sequences, and to methods for generating plants having altered or no PDCT expression and/or activity, including but not limited to methods comprising mutagenesis, recombinant DNA, transgenics, etc. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20100266627 | ALLELIC EXCHANGE MUTAGENESIS IN MAP - Particular aspects provide efficient allelic exchange methods to generate directed mutations within genes of slow-growing stains of mycobacteria (e.g., | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100251440 | Apple Tree Named 'WA 2' - A new and distinctive variety of an | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100223839 | SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING BIO-FUELS FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC MATERIALS - A selective pyrolysis process for the production of bio-oils enriched in pyrolytic sugars and phenols and conversion of these compounds into second generation bio-fuels is disclosed herein. One embodiment of the process comprises pre-treating a biomass with superheated steam or gases in a selected range of temperatures, followed by fast pyrolysis using synthesis gas as a carrier, and a two-step condensation operation. The aqueous phase from the second condenser can then be reformed to produce hydrogen or can be gasified together with the charcoal to produce syngas. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100223690 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MODULATING PLANT DISEASE RESISTANCE AND IMMUNITY - Provided are methods for enhancing plant cell disease resistance, comprising (1) generating a homozygous gene modification of AtSR1 (or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog) in a plant or plant cell characterized by sialic acid-mediated systemic acquired resistance (SA-mediated SAR), wherein said gene modification reduces or eliminates the calmodulin-binding activity of the respective AtSR1 or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog; or (2) expression of a recombinant or mutant AtSR1 sequence (or AtSR1 gene ortholog or homolog sequence) encoding a modified AtSR1, or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog protein, in a plant or plant cell, wherein said protein modification reduces or eliminates the calmodulin-binding activity of the respective AtSR1 or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog protein. Plants and/or plant cells comprising said modified AtSR1, or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog proteins, and/or said expression means (e.g., recombinant expression vector or expressible recombinant and/or mutant sequences), along with nucleic acids encoding said modified proteins are provided. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100223687 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSIS OF GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY, RESISTANCE, OR TOLERANCE TO INFECTION BY MYCOBACTERIA AND BOVINE PARATUBERCULOSIS - Provided are methods for determining resistance or tolerance of a subject to | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100215915 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE AND COATING OF NANOSTRUCTURED COMPONENTS - The synthesis of nanostructures uses a catalyst that may be in the form of a thin film layer on a substrate. Precursor compounds are selected for low boiling point or already exist in gaseous form. Nanostructures are capable of synthesis with a masked substrate to form patterned nanostructure growth. The techniques further include forming metal nanoparticles with sizes <10 nm and with a narrow size distribution. Metallic nanoparticles have been shown to possess enhanced catalytic properties. The process may include plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition to deposit Ni, Pt, and/or Au nanoparticles onto the surfaces of SiO2, SiC, and GaN nanowires. A nanostructure sample can be coated with metallic nanoparticles in approximately 5-7 minutes. The size of the nanoparticles can be controlled through appropriate control of temperature and pressure during the process. The coated nanowires have application as gas and aqueous sensors and hydrogen storage. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100197029 | DIRECT METHOD AND REAGENT KITS FOR FATTY ACID ESTER SYNTHESIS - Provided are efficient, cost-effective and water tolerant methods (e.g., single-vial methods) for preparing fatty acid esters from organic matter, comprising: obtaining organic matter comprising at least one fat substituent, contacting the organic matter in a reaction mixture with a basic solution under conditions suitable to provide for hydrolytic release of monomeric fatty acids from the at least one fat substituent to provide a base-treated reaction mixture, and esterifying the monomeric fatty acids of the base-treated reaction mixture by acidification of the reaction mixture and treating in the presence of an organic alcohol to provide fatty acid esters. The methods optionally further comprise, prior to esterifying, neutralizing the base-treated reaction mixture to provide for neutralized fatty acids, separating the neutralized fatty acids from the neutralized reaction mixture, and dissolving the separated fatty acids in the esterification reaction mixture. Also provided are related methods and kits for fat analysis. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100196396 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MODULATING GHRELIN-MEDIATED CONDITIONS - In certain aspects, the preproghrelin gene, but not the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) is required for normal integration of thermoregulation and sleep in mice. Particular aspects provide methods for modulation of thermoregulation and other ghrelin-mediated conditions (e.g., reduction of appetite or food intake, reduction of body weight or treatment of obesity, reduction of body temperature or induction of hypothermia, etc.), comprising administration of an inhibitor of ghrelin expression, and including, e.g., siRNA inhibition for treatment of obesity and for modulation of thermoregulation (e.g., induction of hypothermia in surgical settings benefiting from same). Additionally provided are methods for reducing body temperature or induction of hypothermia, comprising administration to a mammalian subject in need thereof an amount of an anti-obestatin antibody agent sufficient to reduce body temperature or induce hypothermia. Further methods comprise administration of a ghrelin peptide antagonist. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100143411 | METHOD FOR IDENTIFICATION OF T-LYMPHOCYTE ANTIGENS - A method for high-throughput identification of antigens is disclosed. The method involves generating transcriptionally active PCR (TAP) products of one or more antigen candidates and expressing the TAP products in an in vitro translation transcription (IVTT) system. The TAP products are purified using identifiable tags. The purified TAP products are presented to isolated antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which are in turn are presented to T-cells. The ability of the antigen candidates to induce activation of the T-cells is determined. Activation of the T-cells identifies the antigen candidate as an antigen. Immunogenic compositions and methods of treatment using such compositions are also disclosed. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100063774 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE SMART ENVIRONMENT AUTOMATION - Several embodiments of systems and methods for adaptive smart environment automation are described herein. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method includes determining a plurality of sequence patterns of data points in a set of input data corresponding to a plurality of sensors in a space. The input data include a plurality of data points corresponding to each of the sensors, and the sequence patterns are at least partially discontinuous. The method also includes generating a plurality of statistical models based on the plurality of sequence patterns, and the individual statistical models corresponding to an activity of a user. The method further includes recognizing the activity of the user based on the statistical models and additional input data from the sensors. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100047814 | PROTEIN INTERACTION REPORTER AGENTS AND METHODS FOR USING SAME - Particular aspects provide novel protein interaction reporter (PIR) compounds (e.g., formulas I and II), comprising at least two protein reactive moieties (e.g., N-hydroxysuccinamide), each linked to a reporter moiety (e.g., mass reporter) by a covalent labile bond that is differentially cleavable with respect to peptide bonds (e.g., by a method such as collisional activation in a mass spectrometer, activation by electron capture dissociation (ECD), photoactivation, etc.), wherein the reporter moiety is operatively releasable from the PIR agent upon cleavage of the labile bonds, the released reporter moiety having a characteristic identifying property or label (e.g., m/z value). Particular PIRs comprise a mass reporter moiety, and further comprise an affinity group, (e.g., biotin), linked to the PIR (e.g., to the mass reporter moiety) by a selectively cleavable bone (e.g. photo-labile bond)). Additional aspects provide methods for characterizing intermolecular or intramolecular protein interactions using one or more inventive PIR compounds. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100036211 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF A BODY - Systems and methods for measuring physiological parameters of a body are described. In some embodiments, the system employs a physiological monitoring device capable of measuring, amplifying, digitizing and transmitting events ranging in frequency from 0 (DC) to 10 kHz. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100031398 | GENES ENCODING CHAVICOL/EUGENOL SYNTHASE FROM THE CREOSOTE BUSH LARREA TRIDENTATA - Particular aspects provide novel methods for redirecting carbon allocation in plants or cell culture from lignification to inherently more useful and tractable materials, and to facilitate the generation of, e.g., biofuels from the remaining plant roculture biomass. Particular aspects provided novel methods for converting monolignols into allyl/propenyl phenols, and for chavicol/eugenol formation or production. Additional aspects relate to the discovery of novel chavicol/eugenol synthases that convert p-coumaryl/coniferyl alcohol esters into chavicol/eugenol, and to novel compositions (e.g., novel proteins and nucleic acids encoding same), and novel methods using same for producing or forming chavicol/eugenol and other derivatives in cell culture and/or genetically modified plants, and for re-engineering the composition of plant biomass. Particular aspects provide novel methods for generation in culture or in planta of liquid/combustible allyl/propenyl phenols, and these phenolic products are utilized for (non-ethanol) biofuel/bioenergy purposes, while the remaining plant biomass facilitates the generation of other biofuels. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20090320152 | MUTATION BREEDING FOR RESISTANCE TO DISEASE AND OTHER USEFUL TRAITS - Particular aspects provide novel mutant plants and plant parts thereof, derived via mutagenesis, having disease resistance and other useful traits. Particular embodiments provide a wheat genotype ‘RRR Scarlet’ (‘Scarlet-Rz1’), plants and seeds thereof, methods for producing a plant comprising crossing ‘Scarlet-Rz1’ plants with another wheat plant, hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing ‘Scarlet-Rz1’ plants with another line or plant, and creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of ‘Scarlet-Rz1’. Additional aspects provide methods for producing other varieties or breeding lines derived from ‘Scarlet-Rz1’ and to varieties or breeding lines produced thereby. Further aspects provide for mutant plants and plant parts thereof that are resistant and/or tolerant to plant root fungal pathogens such as | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090276056 | RESORBABLE CERAMICS WITH CONTROLLED STRENGTH LOSS RATES - Particular aspects provide bioresorbable and biocompatible compositions for bioengineering, restoring or regenerating tissue or bone, comprising a three-dimensional porous or non-porous scaffold material comprising a calcium phosphate-based ceramic having at least one dopant therein selected from metal ion or ion dopants and metal oxide dopants, wherein the composition is sufficiently biocompatible to provide for a cell or tissue scaffold, and resorbable at a controlled resorption rate for controlled stregthloss, depending on dopant composition, under body, body fluid or simulated body fluid conditions. Preferably, the at least one dopant is selected from the group consisting of Zn | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090222144 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTROMECHANICAL OSCILLATION MONITORING - Systems and methods for electromechanical oscillation monitoring are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for monitoring electromechanical oscillation in a power system includes forming a power density spectrum in frequency domain based on phasor measurements collected from a plurality of locations in the power system and identifying an oscillation in the power density spectrum. The oscillation has a power density larger than other oscillations. The method also includes analyzing the identified oscillation in time domain to determine a damping characteristic of the identified oscillation and indicating that an insufficiently damped oscillation exists in the power system if the determined damping characteristic of the oscillation meets a predetermined condition. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090203125 | MIG-7 AS A SPECIFIC ANTICANCER TARGET - Aspects of the present invention provide novel Mig-7 encoding nucleic acids and Mig-7 polypeptides, recombinant DNA expression systems and host cells containing same, as well as methods of inhibiting expression of the subject nucleic acid molecules, inhibiting production of the encoded proteins or polypeptides, inhibiting metastasis of a carcinoma cell in a subject (including in humans), inhibiting migration/invasion of and mimicking of normal cells by carcinoma cells in a subject, detecting the presence of a cancer cell (e.g., a migrating/invading cancer cell or carcinoma cell mimic, and tumor neovascularization) in a sample of a subject's tissue or body fluids, and inhibiting the migration/invasion of or endothelial cell mimicking by a placental cell into the blood stream or vessels of a female mammal. Particular aspects relate to novel anti-Mig-7 antibodies, diagnostic and/or prognostic methods, and therapeutic methods comprising use of the inventive nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies or derivatives thereof. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090200896 | ENERGY CONVERTERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Energy converters and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an energy converter includes a first structural member spaced apart from a second structure member, a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element individually coupled to the first structural member and the second structural member, and a deflection member tensionally suspended between the first and second piezoelectric elements. The deflection member is substantially rigid. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090192264 | METHOD OF IN SITU BIOPRODUCTION AND COMPOSITION OF BACTERIAL CELLULOSE NANOCOMPOSITES - Provided are novel methods for making cellulose nanocomposites, comprising biosynthesis of cellulose fibrils in situ using a growth medium comprising a polymer matrix material, under conditions suitable to provide for dispersion of the fibril throughout the growth medium as the fibrils are being formed to provide a cellulose nanocomposite material or film wherein the cellulose fibrils are highly or uniformly dispersed in the cellulose nanocomposite material, and wherein fibril structure and/or nanocomposite composition is customizable. Certain method aspects further comprise removing or separating the cellulose nanocomposite material or film from the medium, and may further comprise washing the cellulose nanocomposite material or film to remove residual medium. Particular aspects further comprise freeze-drying the cellulose nanocomposite material or film, and/or further comprise forming a molded product using the cellulose nanocomposite material or film. Compositions made by the methods are provided. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090132332 | COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED SCHEDULING SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Computer implemented scheduling systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for deriving a roster includes generating a roster within the operational constraint by assigning a plurality of workers to a plurality of individual shifts; calculating a value of the operational outcome based on the assigned shifts in the roster; calculating an overall fatigue value for the assigned individual workers based on the assigned shifts in the roster; and determining whether the generated roster is optimized based on the calculated value of the operational outcome and the overall fatigue value of the workers. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090093881 | MODIFIED METAL MATERIALS, SURFACE MODIFICATIONS TO IMPROVE CELL INTERACTIONS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES, AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING METAL SURFACE PROPERTIES - The present disclosure is directed to modified metal materials for implantation and/or bone replacement, and to methods for modifying surface properties of metal substrates for enhancing cellular adhesion (tissue integration) and providing antimicrobial properties. Some embodiments comprise surface coatings for metal implants, such as titanium-based materials, using (1) electrochemical processing and/or oxidation methods, and/or (2) laser processing, in order to enhance bone cell-materials interactions and achieve improved antimicrobial properties. One embodiment comprises the modification of a metal surface by growth of in situ nanotubes via anodization, followed by electrodeposition of silver on the nanotubes. Other embodiments include the use of LENS™ processing to coat a metal surface with calcium-based bioceramic composition layers. These surface treatment methods can be applied as a post-processing operation to metallic implants such as hip, knee and spinal devices as well as screws, pins and plates. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090085441 | PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Piezoelectric transducers and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric transducer includes a support member, a piezoelectric element attached to the support member, and a pressurized chamber at one side of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element comprises a flexible film, and the pressurized chamber contains a fluid that applies a static pressure to a side of the piezoelectric element. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090068272 | MESOPOROUS CALCIUM SILICATE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR SYNTHESIS OF MESOPOROUS CALCIUM SILICATE FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE OF BIOACTIVE AGENTS - Mesoporous calcium silicate compositions for controlled release of bioactive agents and methods for producing such compositions are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, mesoporous calcium silicate is synthesized by acid modification of wollastonite particles using hydrochloric acid. A hydrated silica gel layer having abundant Si—OH functional groups can be formed on the surface of wollastonite after acid modification. Bruhauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area increased significantly due to acid modification and, in one arrangement, reached over 350 m | 03-12-2009 |
| 20080282427 | Enhancement of Hydroxy Fatty Acid Accumulation in Oilseed Plants - Particular aspects provide six novel | 11-13-2008 |
