Abstract: A method of tracking a container closure used to seal liquid in a container is provided, comprising applying a trackable indicia to a container closure, wherein the trackable indicia is unique to the container closure; recording an associated data set comprising a plurality of parameters related to the liquid in the container; correlating the associated data set with the trackable indicia; applying the container closure to the container to seal the liquid within the container; maintaining a database of the trackable indicia corresponding to the associated data set; and scanning the trackable indicia to retrieve the associated data set from the database.

Abstract: A method and composition for the production of sequence specific antimicrobials capable of overcoming inefficient delivery, narrow host range, and potential transfer of virulence genes by generalized transduction of phage-based delivery systems by integrating CRISPR/Cas9 system in the phage genome, removing major virulence genes from host chromosome, and expanding host specificity of phage by complementing tail fiber protein which significantly improves the efficacy and safety of CRISPR/Cas9 antimicrobials as alternative therapeutics. The method and composition provide an efficacious and safe CRISPR/Cas9 antimicrobial, broadly applicable to MRSA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system and method for a power management strategy for series hybrid power systems, such as for vehicles, with limited electrical energy storage capacity that distributes instantaneous power between a source of chemical energy and a small energy storage system (ESS) efficiently. The invention provides for minimizing the energy storage system while simultaneously allowing the chemical to electrical energy converter, e.g., an internal combustion motor/engine paired with an electrical generator and/or a fuel cell power source, to operate in pre-defined efficient regions of the power user's, or vehicle's, fuel efficiency map.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel antifungal glycopeptide compounds and salts thereof produced by a strain of Burkholderia contaminans useful for preventing or treating fungal infection or disease in animals and plants and the bacterial strain that produces the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention includes a new type of bait for wood-targeting pest baiting systems and methods of obtaining the bait. Certain embodiments of the present invention include a blue-stained wood either treated with a solution that includes blue-stain fungi or wood naturally infected with blue-stain fungi. Additional embodiments of the present invention include a blue-stained solution that may be applied to a wood substrate or to a non-wood bait matrix.

Abstract: The present invention includes a new type of bait for wood-targeting pest baiting systems and methods of obtaining the bait. Certain embodiments of the present invention include a blue-stained wood either treated with a solution that includes blue-stain fungi or wood naturally infected with blue-stain fungi. Additional embodiments of the present invention include a blue-stained solution that may be applied to a wood substrate or to a non-wood bait matrix.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a spiral shaped element and wavy suture are disclosed for use in a shock mitigating material to dissipate the energy associated with the impact of an object. The shock mitigating material can be used in helmets, bumpers, bulletproof vests, mats, pads, foot gear, military armor, and other applications. One embodiment, among others, is a shock mitigating material having spiral shaped elements, each having a circular cross section and each being tapered from a large outside end to a small inside end but also having a suture or sutures that can induce shear waves to mitigate the shock pressure and impulse. Another embodiment is a shock mitigating material having sutures (wavy gaps or wavy materials). In this embodiment when the material is impacted, the wavy gap or material will induce a mechanism in shear to dissipate the impact energy and action.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a spiral shaped element and wavy suture are disclosed for use in a shock mitigating material to dissipate the energy associated with the impact of an object. The shock mitigating material can be used in helmets, bumpers, bulletproof vests, mats, pads, military armor, and other applications. One embodiment, among others, is a shock mitigating material having spiral shaped elements, each having a circular cross section and each being tapered from a large outside end to a small inside end but also having a suture or sutures that can induce shear waves to mitigate the shock pressure and impulse. Another embodiment is a shock mitigating material having sutures (wavy gaps or wavy materials). In this embodiment when the material is impacted, the wavy gap or material will induce a mechanism in shear to dissipate the impact energy.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods related to a load monitoring apparatus for testing of a material. The load monitoring apparatus may comprise a primary bar and one or more nested tubes substantially surrounding a portion of the primary bar. The one or more nested tubes are connected in series at alternate ends of the one or more nested tube. Further, the primary bar may comprise one or more sensors used to extract load sampling and monitor reflections of signals traversing the load monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: The system and method of the invention utilizes computer software to determine an estimation of the age of an animal by measuring, analyzing, comparing, calculating, and presenting age features and the age of animals such as deer, moose, elk, bovids, pronghorns and the like from digital data and/or photographs of the animals.

Abstract: A helmet, has a shell that includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has first, second and third layers. The second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer. The second layer is less dense than the first layer and the third layer. The second portion has a plurality of enemy dissipaters. Each of the energy dissipaters has a rod that extends in a spiraling manner from a fixed end to a free end. The rod tapers continuously along its length from the fixed end to the free end so that the fixed end exhibits a larger internal cross sectional area than the free end. The free end is capable of vibrating when the helmet is impacted by an object in order to dissipate impact energy.

Abstract: Disclosed are occidiofungin formulations and uses thereof for the treatment of proliferative disorders, such as cancer. Methods of producing the disclosed occidiofungin formulations are also provided. Further, methods of treating a subject with the formulations are provided. In some embodiments, the formulations include occidiofungin and one or more cyclodextrins. The formulations may optionally further comprise an additional chemotherapeutic agent for treating the proliferative disease, lipid vesicles, and/or aqueous solvents (including pharmaceutically acceptable buffers and/or exceipients).

Abstract: Oxime molecules for reactivating butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and methods for protection against and therapeutic treatment of the toxic effects of organophosphorus compounds (OP) cholinesterase inhibitors such as nerve agents and/or insecticides are provided. The oxime molecules can be administered to a subject in need thereof to treat or prevent toxic effects of OPs. The oxime molecules can allow for a dual reactivation treatment paradigm by reactivating both serum BChE and inactivated CNS AChE.

Abstract: Occidiofungin is a cyclic nonribosomally synthesized antifungal peptide with submicromolar activity. This invention is directed to compositions enriched for particular occidiofungin diastereomers/conformers, methods of making compositions enriched for particular diastereomers/conformers and microorganisms suitable for producing enriched compositions of particular diastereomers/conformers. Methods of treating fungal infections or plants infected by fungi are also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a spiral shaped element and embedded wavy materials are disclosed for use in a shock mitigating material to dissipate the energy associated with the impact of an object. The shock mitigating material can be used in helmets, bumpers, bullet proof vests, military armor, and other applications. One embodiment, among others, is a shock mitigating material having a plurality of spiral shaped elements, each having a circular cross section, and each being tapered from a large outside end to a small inside end but also having an embedded wavy material that can induce shear waves to mitigate the shock pressure and impulse.

Abstract: Live attenuated bacteria vaccines against enteric septicemia of fish, especially catfish, and methods related to the same. Mutant strains of the bacteria Edwardsiella ictaluri (a pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae) are provided. The mutant Edwardsiella ictaluri bacteria (or other pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae) contain one or more gene deletions or disruptions that result in less virulent bacterial strains as live attenuated vaccine compositions against virulent wild-type Edwardsiella ictaluri bacteria (or other pathogenic bacterial strain of Enterobacteriaceae). The mutant strains showing the best immunological protection and safety as a vaccine are the triple mutants ESC-NDKL1 (?gcvP?sdhC?frdA) strain and ESC-NDKL2 (?gcvP?sdhC?mdh) strain, with the ESC-NDKL1 strain providing the greatest safety and efficacy of these two triple mutants.

Abstract: An antigenic characterization method using polyclonal antibody-based proximity ligation assays (polyPLA). Methods, kits, and other tools disclosed herein are useful in detecting microbial antigenic variants in samples, including clinical samples. The methods and kits have great utility in detecting antigenic variants for pathogenic microbes, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Abstract: Occidiofungin is a cyclic nonribosomally synthesized antifungal peptide with submicromolar activity. This invention is directed to compositions enriched for particular occidiofungin diastereomers/conformers, methods of making compositions enriched for particular diastereomers/conformers and microorganisms suitable for producing enriched compositions of particular diastereomers/conformers. Methods of treating fungal infections or plants infected by fungi are also provided.

Abstract: A live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional evpB protein and a method of using the same to protect fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri. The methods and compositions for protecting fish against infection from virulent Edwardsiella ictaluri comprising administering to a fish a therapeutically effective amount of an attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri bacterium lacking a viable gene encoding a functional EvpB protein. The bacterium may include an insertion and/or deletion mutation in the evpB gene. The fish include catfish, preferably catfish fingerling or a catfish fry. The composition may be delivered via immersion delivery, an injection delivery, an oral delivery, or combinations thereof.