Abstract: Methods of transferring a plurality of plant somatic embryos to germination medium are provided.

Abstract: Liquid kraft lignin compositions, methods of their production, and various methods of their use, including in preparing kraft lignin-containing LPF resins, which may in turn be used in producing OSB or other wood-based composites, and methods of assaying lignin content in such compositions, are disclosed. In an illustrative and non-exclusive embodiment, a liquid kraft lignin composition includes water in the amount of about 60-95% by weight, urea about 5-30% by weight, a group 1 alkaline metal hydroxide about 0.5-3.0% by weight, and kraft about 5-25% by weight on a dry basis.

Abstract: A system for analyzing remotely sensed photos of a forest or other areas of interest uses a computer system to increase the variation in NIR data having values that represent items of interest. In one embodiment, a computer system applies a stretching function to the NIR data to increase their variation. The objective spectral stretched NIR data is used to differentiate different types of vegetation in the remotely sensed image. Objective-based Vegetation Index (OVI) values are calculated from the objective spectral stretched NIR data that allow different types of vegetation to be distinguished. In one embodiment, the OVI values are used to differentiate hardwoods from conifers in a digital aerial photo of a forest.

Abstract: Cellulosic pulp structures integrating unreacted quantities of an inorganic peroxide and a destabilizing acid, as binary components of an odor control system, absorbent articles incorporating such structures, and various methods of forming the same, are disclosed herein. The components are adapted to react in the presence of an aqueous fluid to produce hydrogen peroxide, thereby providing an antimicrobial and odor mitigating effect.

Abstract: Compositions including treated Kraft pulp, useful for making rayon fibers, having a lower degree of polymerization, a high R18, a low hemicellulose content, and high reactivity, are described. Methods of making the compositions are also described.

Abstract: A co-extruded microlayered polymer barrier film is provided. The barrier film can be applied to paperboard to form a container having reduced oxygen gas permeability. Co-extrusion of the barrier film allows for the simultaneous fabrication of tens or hundreds of alternating microlayers of two different polymers that combine to form a film having reduced oxygen gas permeability compared to macro layer thickness films of the same two polymers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides formulations that provide fire resistance when applied as a coating to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). The compositions include an isocyanate, a brominated compound that is reactive with the isocyanate to form a polyurethane, an intumescent component, and a fire-retardant synergist. Wood products treated with the composition, as well as methods for applying the composition to a surface, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of curing cementitious material comprising added a fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose having a degree of substitution of 0.01 to 0.45 to the material during mixing. The fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose may also include bleached or partially bleached wood pulp fiber. The fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose has a substituent content of from 10 to 150 meq/100 g cellulose fiber. The fibrillated carboxyalkyl cellulose, cellulose alkylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated cellulose or sulfated cellulose is 0.1 to 5% by weight of the dry weight of the cementitious material. The structure produced by the method. The autogenous shrinkage of the cementitious material is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods for the classification of plant embryos by the application of one or more classification algorithms to analyze digitized images and absorption, transmittance, or reflectance spectra. The methods are generally applicable and emphasize the importance of acquiring and using as much image and absorption, transmittance, or reflectance spectral information as possible, based on objective criteria. The present invention allows automated selection of embryos most suitable for further culture and rejection of those seen as less suitable.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pick-up and delivery system including a pick-up assembly and a delivery assembly. The pick-up assembly includes a robotic arm, a pick-up device rotatably mounted on the robotic arm, and a first vacuum pressure supply port operably connected to the pick-up device. The delivery assembly includes an insertion device and a second vacuum pressure supply port. The insertion device may include an insertion member and a release assistance rod arranged inside the insertion member. The release assistance rod is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the release assistance rod is in the extended position, a proximal end extends beyond an end of the insertion member. Further aspects are directed towards methods for grasping and releasing an object with a pick-up and delivery system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosure includes method for optimizing lumber derived from a log. The method may include the steps of debarking the log and cutting the log to provide a plurality of boards. The plurality of boards are then scanned to determine knot properties and/or warp stability for each of the plurality of boards and a lumber upgrade process is selected based on the knot properties and/or warp stability. Finally, one or more of the plurality of boards are planed after being subjected to the lumber upgrade process.

Abstract: A programmed computer system estimates the age of trees from a number of remotely sensed images of an area of interest. Vegetation Index (V.I.) values are determined for pixel locations in the number of images. The V.I. values are analyzed to find a V.I. value that correlates with a known age of a tree. Once the date of the image that produced the V.I. value is known, the current age of the trees that correspond to the pixel location is determined.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions formulated to provide water resistance and fire resistance when applied as a coating to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). The compositions include a latex binder and a halogenated phosphate ester. Wood products treated with the composition, as well as methods for applying the composition to a surface, are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides colored compositions formulated to provide water repellency and crocking resistance when applied as a coating to a surface (e.g., the surface of a wood product). The compositions include a colored pigment, a wax emulsion, a latex polymer, and a halogenated phosphate ester. Wood products treated with the composition, as well as methods for applying the composition to a surface, are also provided.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a frame, at least two arms at least one of which is movably mounted to the frame, at least two rails wherein each rail is coupled to an end of one of said at least two arms, at least two belts wherein each belt is rotatably mounted on one of said at least two rails such that the belts are capable of engaging plants therebetween and moving the plants along a conveyor axis, and one or more bias members which are configured to bias said at least one movable arm toward the other one of said at least two arms. The conveyor further comprises an expanding mechanism which is configured to exert an outward force on said at least one movable arm upon engagement so that said at least one movable arm move away from another arm.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for multiplying conifer embryogenic tissue. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) culturing conifer embryogenic tissue in or on a solid multiplication medium comprising one or more growth hormones; and (b) culturing the conifer embryogenic tissue multiplied in step (a) in or on a liquid multiplication medium comprising one or more growth hormones, wherein the initial concentration of growth hormones in the solid multiplication medium of step (a) is greater than the initial concentration of growth hormones in the liquid multiplication medium of step (b).

Abstract: A system for harvesting totipotent plant tissue culture can include a sterile enclosure, a plurality of bioreactors in the sterile enclosure, at least one agitator in the sterile enclosure, and a culture harvest system. The at least one agitator can be configured to agitate culture within the plurality of bioreactors. The culture harvest system can include tubing configured to connect to a port of one of the plurality of bioreactors in the sterile enclosure, a culture harvest container, and a pump configured to pump culture from the one of the plurality of bioreactors into the culture harvest container via the tubing.

Abstract: A totipotent plant tissue multiplication system can include a sterile enclosure and a bioreactor in the sterile enclosure. The bioreactor can include a number of ports. A sensor can be inserted into a first port. A matter insertion system can input matter into the bioreactor via tubing configured to be connected to a second port. The sensor can be removed from the first port during operation of the matter insertion system. The tubing can be disconnected from the second port during operating of the sensor and the culture transfer system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pick-up and delivery system including a pick-up assembly and a delivery assembly. The pick-up assembly includes a robotic arm, a pick-up device rotatably mounted on the robotic arm, and a first vacuum pressure supply port operably connected to the pick-up device. The delivery assembly includes an insertion device. The insertion device may include an insertion member having a tip and a release assistance piston arranged inside the insertion member. The release piston is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the release assistance piston is in the extended position, a proximal end of is substantially flush with an end of the insertion member. Further aspects are directed towards methods for grasping and releasing an object with a pick-up and delivery system.

Abstract: A totipotent plant tissue multiplication system can include a plurality of bioreactors, an agitator to agitate culture in the bioreactors, and a gas source and control system. The gas source and control system can include a dissolved gas sensor in each of the bioreactors, gas sources, a manifold connected to each of the gas sources, and valves connected to the manifold. Each of the valves can be connected to one of the bioreactors. A controller can open the valves and control amounts of gas released from the gas sources into the manifold based on signals received from the dissolved gas sensors in each of the bioreactors.