Abstract: Disclosed are methods of protecting seeds from oxidants and microorganisms prior to planting said seed, involving coating the seeds with an antioxidant effective amount and an antimicrobial effective amount of a composition containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of C7-18 gallates in an optional solvent and/or optional carrier prior to planting the seeds, and heating the seeds to a temperature of about 20° C. to about 70° C. for about 5 minutes to about 60 minutes prior to planting the seeds.

Abstract: The invention relates to antigenic polypeptides derived from a naturally occurring R. microplus protein, and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. The polypeptides elicit an immune response which, in turn, produces detrimental effects in R. microplus feeding on vaccinated cattle. Thus, the present disclosure provides novel vaccines to protect cattle from R. microplus infestation.

Abstract: Calcium silicate hydrate nanoparticles are combined with ammonia control materials (e.g. alum, aluminum chloride, ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, and/or sodium bisulfate) to create a phosphorus-binding composition. In the preferred embodiment, the composition is applied to poultry litter, poultry bedding or other non-aqueous substrates that are at least partially comprised of animal manure. The composition binds with phosphorus to at least reduce the amount of phosphorus in runoff water or in leachate from fields fertilized with treated manure. The combining of the calcium silicate hydrate nanoparticles with the ammonia control products has a surprising and unexpected result. The calcium silicate hydrate-ammonia control material mix reduces soluble phosphorus more than either component of the mix alone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for attracting fire ants wherein the compositions contain at least one fire ant food source, and at least one of 10-oxo-dodecanoic acid, 11-oxo-dodecanoic acid, or a mixture thereof, and optionally a carrier. Disclosed are also methods for attracting fire ants, the methods involving treating an object or area with a fire ant-attracting effective amount of a composition of the invention.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed synthetic oligonucleotides comprising 2?F-ANA nucleosides that can be utilized to control plant-chewing and phloem-feeding insects, bacteria present in such insects, and bacteria present in plants. The novel approaches and materials provided herein allow for reduction of pesticide and antibiotic use without the need to create genetically modified plants.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter includes an antimicrobial peptide vectored composition made of a bacterial protein expression vehicle expressing one or more recombinant antimicrobial peptide effector molecules. More specifically these novel recombinant antimicrobial peptide effector molecules exhibit preferential antimicrobial activity. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial activity is facilitated via interaction with the lipid bilayer of the parasitic cell form, leading to membrane pore formation and resulting in cell lysis. The utility of the current inventive subject matter has demonstrated a reduced viability of Eimeira acervulina sporozoites was shown in vitro using a sporozoite killing assay.

Abstract: A composition comprising particles formed of poly(diaminosulfide) and one or more leptospiral antigens, and methods of making and using the composition, are provided.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising 30% to 45% vol/vol castor oil, 25% to 35% vol/vol propylene glycol, 5% to 15% vol/vol oleic acid, 15% to 25% wt/vol rodent repellent, and 0% to 10% vol/vol water. The disclosure also relates to methods of repelling a rodent from a substrate comprising applying to a substrate the compositions described herein.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising a first compound that is a trigeminal nerve irritant, a second compound that is an animal repellent, and an acceptable carrier. The disclosure also relates to methods of repelling an animal from a substrate comprising applying to a substrate the compositions comprising a trigeminal nerve irritant and an animal repellent as described herein.

Abstract: Compositions for prevention of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) are provided, comprising an antigen component in the amount equivalent to 0.5-20 ?g FMD virus and an adjuvant component comprising oil, an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, and a polycationic carrier. Methods of using the composition, as well as the methods of reducing FMD persistence are also provided.

Abstract: A biobased fatty acid arginate may be synthesized according to the disclosed process by combining arginine and a fatty acid. The fatty acid arginate may have certain beneficial properties, such as surfactant properties or acting as an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: Provided herein are details on the construction of a recombinant African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) live attenuated vaccine for prevention of ASF caused by various strains of ASFV, such as the highly virulent Georgia 2007 isolate (“ASFV-G”). An exemplary vaccine comprises the ASFV-G?I1771 modified virus, a recombinant ASFV-G modified by deleting a portion of the I177L ORF rendering the I177L gene nonfunctional.

Abstract: Genetically engineered Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) and related engineered proteins and polynucleotides, nanolipoprotein particles, compositions, methods and systems are described. The genetically engineered FMDV is modified by the strategic insertion of a protein tag into select regions of the FMDV genome which encode viral proteins that are exposed on the surface of the FMDV viral capsid. The inserted protein tag is displayed as a decoration or attachment on the viral capsid surface.

Abstract: Packages of insects are attached to a carrier cylinder and the cylinder is rotated in a radiation field so that the packaged insects are sterilized. The radiation field is created by a plurality of x-ray tubes mounted above the carrier cylinder. The tubes (and their respective radiation sources) are positioned so that a consistent radiation dosage is delivered at the surface of the cylinder—thereby imparting both a precise and uniform dose of radiation to the insect packages affixed to the surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: Compositions for killing insects (the term “insects” as used herein includes non-insects such as ticks, mites, spiders, centipedes, scorpions, chiggers, and solifugids), said composition containing at least one compound of formula 1 wherein R1 is CH3, C2H5, C3H7; saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched, or halogen substituted alkyl; and wherein R2 are independently H, halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkyl halide, aldehyde, ketone, ether, ester, amine, or amide; optionally methyl benzoate, optionally a surfactant, and optionally a carrier. Also disclosed are methods for killing insects, involving treating an object or area with an insect killing effective amount of the compositions, optionally methyl benzoate, optionally a surfactant, and optionally a carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to absorbent compositions comprising soybean hulls and soybean hull biochar, methods of preparing such absorbent compositions, and methods of using such compositions in the preparation of articles of manufacture.

Abstract: Provided herein are details on the construction of a recombinant African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) live attenuated vaccine for prevention of ASF caused by various strains of ASFV, such as the highly virulent Georgia 2007 isolate (“ASFV-G”). An exemplary vaccine comprises the ASFV-G?A137R modified virus, a recombinant ASFV-G modified by deleting a portion of the A137R ORF rendering the A137R gene nonfunctional.

Abstract: Amatoxins (AMAs) are lethal toxins found in a variety of mushroom species. Detection methods are needed to determine the occurrence of AMAs in mushroom species, often suspected in mushroom poisonings. Provided herein are novel, sensitive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) detection and purification techniques utilizing the mAbs that show selectivity for ?-amanitin (?-AMA), ?-amanitin (?-AMA) and ?-amanitin (?-AMA).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides oligonucleotides and double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeting Hemipteran and Lepidopteran insect pests. Bantam-sequence targets are detailed and shown to be effective targets for RNAi induction utilizing multiple dsRNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, and modified dsRNAs (e.g., 2?-O-methylated and dsRNAs containing non-canonical nucleosides).

Abstract: The bee washing system washes worker bees and filters out varroa mites so that a beekeeper/operator can estimate the number of infected bees in a hive. The system includes a bee containment section with a coarse mesh filter, and a wash material section with a fine mesh filter. The system is structured so that when the bee containment section is loaded with bees, and the wash material section is loaded with wash material, an operator washes the bees by shaking the system. When the wash is complete, the operator detaches the wash material section from the system and counts the mites present on the fine mesh filter.