Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a channel region and at least a first, second, and third electrode. The channel region includes a compound having a transition metal and a chalcogen. The thickness of the channel region is about 3 to about 40 atomic layers.

Abstract: Methods and devices for microfluidic detection of a biological maker in a biospecimen collected from a subject are disclosed. The microfluidic devices include nanoparticle-based nanosensors comprising supramolecular recognition sequences, protease consensus sequences, post-translationally modifiable sequences, or sterically hindered benzylether bonds for specific interaction with a biological marker. Also disclosed are particular nanosensors for detecting cytokines, and other proteins based upon supramolecular recognition without chemical modification or enzymatic cleavage.

Abstract: Methods of preventing or decreasing PEDv and/or Salmonella bacteria in animal feed, feed ingredients, and pet food are provided. The methods utilize generally safe chemical mitigants, such as medium chain fatty acids, essential oils, and sodium bisulfate. The chemical mitigants are introduced to the feed or feed ingredients at inclusion rates selected so as to prevent or decrease PEDv and/or Salmonella bacteria in the animal feed, feed ingredients, or pet rood. The methods are particularly suitable for use in post-processing treatment of animal feed, feed ingredients, or pet food that will be transported and stored for multiple days or weeks.

Abstract: Methods for producing engineered exosomes and other vesicle-like biological targets, including allowing a target vesicle-like structure to react and bind with immunomagnetic particles; capturing the immunomagnetic particle/vesicle complex by applying a magnetic field; further engineering the captured vesicles by surface modifying with additional active moieties or internally loading with active agents; and releasing the engineered vesicle-like structures, such as by photolytically cleaving a linkage between the particle and engineered vesicle-like structures, thereby releasing intact vesicle-like structures which can act as delivery vehicles for therapeutic treatments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing ensiled plant materials using the anaerobic bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii and ensiled plant materials thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wheat plants having grain with high ?-glucan content, methods for constructing said wheat plants, grain therefrom and uses thereof. Wheat lines homozygous for the HvCslF6 gene from barley having five times the fiber content and an increased ?-glucan content of TA5790, TA5792, and TA5795 are disclosed.

Abstract: A new species of circovirus, porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3), was identified from sows with clinical symptoms normally associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection and in aborted fetuses. Molecular and serological analyses suggest PCV3 commonly circulates in U.S. swine. The present disclosure provides immunological compositions and methods related to the production and administration of such compositions.

Abstract: A new species of circovirus, porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3), was identified from sows with clinical symptoms normally associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection and in aborted fetuses. Molecular and serological analyses suggest PCV3 commonly circulates in U.S. swine. The present disclosure provides immunological compositions and methods related to the production and administration of such compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are treatments for reducing pain in dogs. The treatments generally comprise a combination of an opioid compound, such as methadone, and an azole compound, such as fluconazole. The treatments may further comprise an opioid abuse deterrent that advantageously inhibits opioid effects in humans while maintaining desirable analgesic effects in dogs. Additionally, the treatments provided herein avoid the undesirable side effects of prior art opioid treatments for dogs. The treatments may be administered as separate doses or in a single formulation product for improved compliance. The treatments have wide use potential in dogs from perioperative patients to inpatients and outpatients and may be used, for example, for sedation in minor procedures, analgesia, and decreasing temperature in canine patients.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining particle size, and optionally, the complex index of refraction for particle suspended in a gas or liquid are provided. The particle to be analyzed is caused to travel through a laser beam having a modified Gaussian profile. The particle causes light from the laser beam to scatter. The scattered light is measured by one or more photodetectors disposed at a particular scattering angle relative to the center of the laser beam. The apparatus and methods can be used in sensors configured to monitor air quality in enclosed environments, such as on-board aircraft and within buildings, and/or detect environmental contaminants.

Abstract: A graphene-based sandwich immunoassay for detecting whether a target biological substance is present in a sample, generally comprising contacting said sample with a plurality of particles coated with graphene nanosheets, each particle having at least one targeting receptor, such that the target biological substance, if present, associates with the targeting receptor, and detecting the presence of the target biological substance in the sample by subsequently contacting the sample with a detection antibody, wherein the detection antibody is capable of targeting and binding with the target biological substance if bound to the targeting receptor to yield a detectable complex. The targeting receptor can be an antibody or fragment thereof. The target biological substance can be an exosome.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for authentication of a queried device having an electrical circuit exhibiting physically unclonable functions (PUFs). The method includes: at the queried device, generating a first random number based on an initial first counter value; matching the first random number against a first value of a record stored in a database of a querying device, the record including second (shuffled) and third values; at the queried device, generating a second random number based on a once incremented first counter value, deterministically generating a de-shuffled second value based on an initial second counter value, determining that the second random number matches the de-shuffled second value, and submitting sub-challenges corresponding to the second random number to the electrical circuit to generate a response; and, at the querying device, determining that the response matches the third value of the record to complete a first authentication of the queried device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for improving disease resistance, increasing weight gain, and reducing the incidence and/or severity of clinical signs of infection. The composition generally comprises one or more microorganisms that is administered to an animal in need thereof. Preferred infections that can be combated with the compositions and methods of this disclosure are respiratory infections including PRRSV and PCV2.

Abstract: Monitoring systems for center pivot irrigation systems and methods of irrigating an agricultural crop using the irrigation systems are provided. The irrigation systems may comprise a plurality of in-canopy sprinklers. The monitoring systems are configured to detect an operational condition of the plurality of in-canopy sprinklers, including whether individual sprinkler heads have become detached from the irrigation system main line, or whether an individual sprinkler head has become clogged, and alert an operator with a time and/or location of the occurrence of an event associated with one or more of the sprinklers.

Abstract: Microsized devices operable to emit neutrons in a selective manner are provided. The devices are configured so that the rate of neutron emission can be varied, either actively or passively. The devices comprise an a-particle emitting material and a neutron producing target material that when aligned and/or positioned a predetermined distance apart emit neutrons. The rate of neutron emission can be slowed or stopped by taking the materials out of alignment and/or attenuating the ?-particles being directed toward the neutron producing target material.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of increasing meat quantity and/or improving meat quality of domesticated meat animals using treatments of nicotinamide riboside. The nicotinamide riboside may be in the form of a chloride salt mixed or dissolved in a biologically-acceptable carrier. The treatments may be provided as an in ovo injection or orally administered to the live domesticated meat animal. The methods described herein advantageously increase the size and weight of the domesticated meat animals, reduce the incidences of transportation fatigue, and decrease meat discoloration over time.

Abstract: Targeted disruption of a specific gene and its subsequent restoration in obligate intracellular bacteria remains extremely challenging due to their absolute requirement for residence inside a host cell to replicate. Here, targeted allelic exchange mutations were created to inactivate two genes and then to restore one of the two genes of a rickettsial pathogen, Ehrlichia chaffeensis. These methods were then also successfully utilized in Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocyophilum. The resultant mutated pathogens are useful in immunogenic compositions for reducing the incidence of or severity of infection with ricksettsial pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microbial cells, including but not limited to aerobic bacteria cells and anaerobic bacteria cells, as well as yeast cells, and methods for producing the cells, feed additives and compositions comprising the cells, and uses involving administration of the cells to animals.

Abstract: Methods of modifying plants by amplifying native or introducing extrachromosomal circular plant DNA comprising one or more exogenous or endogenous genes conferring an agronomically useful trait when expressed in a plant, or disrupting the association or tethering of endogenous extrachromosomal circular plant DNA with endogenous chromosomes in a plant to change one or more plant traits.