Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strains of avian reovirus that were isolated from clinical cases of viral arthritis/tenosynovitis in chickens in the southeast United States. The invention is directed to these novel group 1 and group 2 avian reoviruses, diagnostic assays using antibodies and/or nucleotide- or amino acid-specific components of such viruses, such as the S1 gene encoding the sigma C protein, and to vaccines that protect chickens from disease caused by such viruses.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for radio frequency (RF) switching. In one example, a RF switch includes a dual-drive Mach-Zehnder modulator (DDMZM) that can generate a single-sideband (SSB) signal by modulating an input RF signal onto an optical carrier; a tunable phase modulator incorporated loop mirror filter (PM-LMF) that can optically notch filter the SSB signal in response to a control signal; and a photodetector (PD) that can generate a RF output signal based upon the SSB signal. In another example, a method includes modulating an input RF signal onto an optical carrier to generate a SSB signal; notch filtering the SSB signal by a tunable PM-LMF in response to a control signal; and generating a RF output signal based upon the SSB signal.

Abstract: Compositions, methods of use and methods of manufacture are provided for PIV5-based amplifying VLP (AVLP) that can deliver an expressible heterologous nucleotide sequence in target cells without producing progeny, and which demonstrate useful safety and therapeutic efficacy in multiple animal and human health applications, such as vaccination, gene therapy and cancer therapy.

Abstract: Nanoparticles described as metal-encapsulated carbonaceous dots or M@C-dots are disclosed. Also disclosed are specific M@C-dots with gadolinium, so called Gd@C-dots. These nanoparticles are biologically inert and preclude the release of metal in biological environments. In addition, despite a dimension exceeding the commonly recognized threshold for renal clearance, the disclosed nanoparticles can be efficiently cleared via urine after systematic injection. Methods of making and using such nanoparticles are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, measuring mitochondrial capacity includes performing arterial occlusions on a patient, measuring oxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin within the patient's body during the occlusions, calculating a blood volume correction factor that accounts for a change in blood volume that occurs during the arterial occlusions, and applying the correction factor to the measured oxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin measurements to obtain correct oxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin/myoglobin measurements.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for tunable radio frequency (RF) filtering. In one example, a RF multiband filter includes a Lyot filter including a tunable birefringence loop including a circulator and a polarization controller (PC) and a phase modulator (PM). The Lyot filter can generate an optical comb based at least in part upon a received optical signal and a polarization rotation angle of the polarization controller. The phase modulator (PM) can generate a modulated tap signal by modulating the optical comb by a RF input signal.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for highly reconfigurable multiband radio frequency (RF) filters. The multiband RF filters can be continuously tunable. In one example, a multiband RF filter includes a Lyot loop filter that can generate an optical comb using an input optical signal from a tunable Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI), a birefringent device, and a polarization rotation angle of a polarization controller. The tunable MZI can include a tunable delay line that can adjust comb spacing of the optical comb. In another example, a multiband RF filter includes a second MZI in series with a first MZI. The second MZI can generate a second tunable output signal from a first tunable output signal from the first MZI. In another example, the multiband RF filter can include a third MZI in series with the second MZI. The third MZI can generate a third tunable output signal from the second tunable output signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 2?-Fluoro-6?-methylene carbocyclic nucleosides, pharmaceutical compositions containing these nucleosides and their use in the treatment or prophylaxis of a number of viral infections and secondary disease states and conditions thereof, especially including Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and secondary disease states and conditions thereof (cirrhosis and liver cancer), Heptatitis C virus (HCV), Herpes Simplex virus I and II (HSV-1 and HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and secondary cancers which occur thereof (lymphoma, nasopharyngeal cancer, including drug resistant (especially including lamivudine and/or adefovir resistant) and other mutant forms of these viruses, especially HBV.

Abstract: The invention provides a new convergent approach for the synthesis of 2?-fluoro-6?-methylene-carbocyclic adenosine (FMCA) and 2?-fluoro-6?-methylene-carbocyclic guanosine (FMCG) from a readily available starting material in eight steps. An efficient and practical methodology for stereospecific preparation of a versatile carbocyclic key intermediate, (1S,3R,4R)-3-tert-butoxy-4-(tert-butoxymethyl)-2-fluoro-5-methylenecyclopentanol (compound 8 of scheme 1A or a) in only six (6) steps is also provided. Prodrugs of these compounds are also prepared.

Abstract: Provided herein are plant/plant pathogen volatile compound electrochemical sensors, plant/plant pathogen volatile detection systems, and methods for detecting stress-induced plant volatile compounds and/or a plant-pathogen emitted volatile compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of avian induced pluripotent stem cells from non-pluripotent somatic cells, including embryonic fibroblasts and adult somatic cells. In this method, avian (including quail or chicken) somatic cells are reprogrammed into a state closely resembling embryonic stem cells including the expression of key stem cell markers alkaline phosphatase, etc. by transfecting/transducing the non-stem cells with genes (preferably using a non-integrating vector as otherwise described herein or alternatively an integrating vector, such a lentiviral vector, retroviral vector or inducible lentiviral vector, among others) which express at least nanog, Lin28 and cMyc. In preferred aspects of the invention, the transfected/transduced vectors express nanog, Lig28, cMyc, Oct 4 (POU5F1 or PouV), SOX2 and KLF4. The induced stem cells which are produced contribute to all 3 germ layers, the trophectoderm and in certain aspects, the gonad in chimeric offspring.

Abstract: Biodegradable composite membranes with antimicrobial properties consisting of nanocellulose fibrils, chitosan, and S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) were developed and tested for food packaging applications. Nitric oxide donor, SNAP was encapsulated into completely dispersed chitosan in 100 mL, 0.1N acetic acid and was thoroughly mixed with nanocellulose fibrils (CNF) to produce a composite membrane. The fabricated membranes had a uniform dispersion of chitosan and SNAP within the nanocellulose fibrils, which was confirmed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs and chemiluminescence nitric oxide analyzer. The membranes prepared without SNAP showed lower water vapor permeability than that of the membranes with SNAP. The addition of SNAP resulted in a decrease in the Young's modulus for both 2-layer and 3-layer membrane configurations.

Abstract: The present application provides solvent-free methods for decarboxylation of amino acids via imine formation with a ketone, enone, enal, aldehyde co-reagent or combination thereof, under heated conditions, with optional recovery of the co-reagent and/or co-reagent byproduct.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are neural extracellular vesicles (EVs) and methods of using these EVs in the treatment of spinal cord injury, stroke, and traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A new variety of Pennisetum alopecuroides plant named ‘Tift PA5’ produces a reduced number of seeds, making it less invasive.

Abstract: A new variety of Pennisetum alopecuroides plant named ‘Tift PA17’ produces a reduced number of seeds, making it less invasive.

Abstract: A new variety of Pennisetum alopecuroides plant named ‘Tift PA18’ produces a reduced number of seeds, making it less invasive.

Abstract: A new variety of Pennisetum alopecuroides plant named ‘Tift PA19’ produces a reduced number of seeds, making it less invasive.

Abstract: The new variety ‘TH-1321’ ripens around mid-April in southeastern Georgia. The fruit of the new variety ‘TH-1321’ are very large, firm, have good flavor and scar. The new variety ‘TH-1321’ is vigorous with an estimated chilling requirement of about 50 to 100 hours at or below approximately 7° C. The asexually reproduced variety is reliably propagated vegetatively.

Abstract: A new crapemyrtle plant has deep, uniform purple foliage and stems; a deep raspberry pink/red flower color; an intermediate upright growth habit; and powdery mildew and Cercospera resistance.