Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to recombination peptides composed of at least two helical domains connected by a linker/turn. The disclosed peptides may have a variety of beneficial agricultural properties and uses, for example, in the treatment and prevention of fire blight in apple and pear trees or other members of the Rosaceae family.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to chimeric peptides composed of at least two domains connected by a linker. More specifically, the peptide domains may include an amphipathic helical domain and a targeting domain, which, in combination, allow the peptides to target and kill various viruses. The disclosed peptides may have a variety of beneficial agricultural properties and uses, for example, in the treatment of viruses that infect grapes, tobacco, tomatoes, citrus, and other commercially important crops.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are engineered antimicrobial peptides (e.g, HTH peptide or AAPs) and methods of using such peptides to treat pathogenic infections, such as HLB disease and X. fastidiosa, in plants, such as citrus plants and grape plants. The engineered antimicrobial peptides may be derived from amphipathic helical peptides. The engineered antimicrobial peptides disclosed herein may be formed by coupling two or more amphipathic helical peptides. An engineered antimicrobial peptide may include a first amphipathic helical peptide coupled with a second amphipathic helical peptide by a linker domain forming a helix-turn-helix scaffold formation. Such amphipathic helical peptides may be endogenous to a target host, such as a plant (e.g., a citrus plant or grape plant).

Abstract: A chimeric protein and method of creating genetically altered plant and parts thereof with a chimeric protein wherein the chimeric protein comprises a recognition element and a lysis element connected by a linker wherein the recognition element binds to a pathogen and the lysis element lyses the pathogen and wherein the recognition element is derived from a first protein and the lysis element is derived from a second protein wherein the first protein and the second protein are endogenous to the host to be treated with the chimeric protein.

Abstract: The invention may include engineered antimicrobial peptides to treat HLB disease, preferably in citrus plants. Specifically, the invention may include novel antimicrobial peptide derived from amphipathic helical peptides that may further be used to treat HLB disease in citrus plants. In one embodiment, the invention may include an engineered antimicrobial peptide formed by coupling two amphipathic helical peptides. Specifically, a generalized antimicrobial peptide of the invitation may include a first amphipathic helical peptide coupled with a second amphipathic helical peptide by a linker domain forming a helix-turn-helix scaffold formation. Such amphipathic helical peptides may be endogenous to a target host, preferably a citrus plant.

Abstract: Two small proteins with anti-bacterial activity are generated and called optimized thionin and optimized pro-thionin. Optimized pro-thionin contains a signal sequence for intracellular trafficking of the protein and is cleaved off to yield optimized thionin. Genetically altered plants and their progeny expressing a polynucleotide encoding optimized pro-thionin or optimized thionin resist diseases caused by bacteria.

Abstract: A method of creating a genetically altered plant and parts thereof with a chimeric protein comprising a first domain, a second domain, and a third domain, wherein said first domain comprises either i) a recognition element comprising a Proteinase K sequence, or BPI/LBP sequence, or ii) a lysis element comprising a thionin sequence, said second domain comprises either i) a recognition element comprising a sequence selected from Proteinase K sequence, or BPI/LBP sequence, or ii) a lysis element comprising a thionin sequence wherein the second domain is an element that is different from the element of the first domain and said third domain comprises a linker; wherein said linker separates said first domain from said second domain such that said first domain and said second domain can each fold into its appropriate three-dimensional shape and retains its activity.

Abstract: Two small proteins with anti-bacterial activity are generated and called optimized thionin and optimized pro-thionin. Optimized pro-thionin contains a signal sequence for intracellular trafficking of the protein and is cleaved off to yield optimized thionin. Genetically altered plants and their progeny expressing a polynucleotide encoding optimized pro-thionin or optimized thionin resist diseases caused by bacteria.

Abstract: The generation of a chimeric protein containing a first domain encoding either a pro-thionon or thionin, a second domain encoding D4E1 or pro-D4E1, and a third domain encoding a peptide linker located between the first domain and second domain is described. Either the first domain or the second domain is located at the amino terminal of the chimeric protein and the other domain (second domain or first domain, respectively) is located at the carboxyl terminal. The chimeric protein has antibacterial activity. Genetically altered plants and their progeny expressing a polynucleotide encoding the chimeric protein resist diseases caused by bacteria.

Abstract: The identification of genes upregulated following infection of citrus trees by Liberibacter, the causative agent of huanglongbing (HLB), is described. Methods for detecting pre-symptomatic HLB in citrus trees by detecting expression of one or more genes overexpressed following infection by Liberibacter is also described.

Abstract: A method for sensing, in an electronic device, the presence and inferring therefrom an intent of an object includes sensing a baseline ambient spatial average temperature for a sensed field of view, monitoring the sensed field of view for a variation in the ambient spatial average temperature of the field of view relative to the baseline, characterizing any detected variation, determining whether the detected variation is a recognized variation, and causing the electronic device to take at least one predetermined action responsive to a recognized variation.

Abstract: The invention provides therapeutic compositions useful in the treatment of bacterial superantigen mediated conditions, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome. The compositions comprise genetically engineered bifunctional polypeptides containing a specific T-cell receptor binding domain and a specific MHC class II receptor binding domain, each targeting non-overlapping epitopes on a superantigen molecule against which they are designed. The anti-superantigen “receptor mimetics” or “chimeras” are rationally designed to recreate the modality of superantigen binding directly to both the TCR and the MHC-II receptor, and are capable of acting as decoys for superantigen binding, effectively out-competing the host T-cell and MHC-II receptors, the natural host receptors.

Abstract: Chimeric anti-microbial proteins, compositions, and methods for the therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of plant diseases caused by the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa are provided. The anti-microbial proteins of the invention generally comprise a surface recognition domain polypeptide, capable of binding to a bacterial membrane component, fused to a bacterial lysis domain polypeptide, capable of affecting lysis or rupture of the bacterial membrane, typically via a fused polypeptide linker. In particular, methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of Pierce's disease of grapevines are provided. Methods for the generation of transgenic Vitus vinefera plants expressing xylem-secreted anti-microbial chimeras are also provided.

Abstract: Chimeric anti-microbial proteins, compositions, and methods for the therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of plant diseases caused by the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa are provided. The anti-microbial proteins of the invention generally comprise a surface recognition domain polypeptide, capable of binding to a bacterial membrane component, fused to a bacterial lysis domain polypeptide, capable of affecting lysis or rupture of the bacterial membrane, typically via a fused polypeptide linker. In particular, methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of Pierce's disease of grapevines are provided. Methods for the generation of transgenic Vitus vinefera plants expressing xylem-secreted anti-microbial chimeras are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides therapeutic compositions useful in the treatment of bacterial superantigen mediated conditions, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome. The compositions comprise genetically engineered bifunctional polypeptides containing a specific T-cell receptor binding domain and a specific MHC class 11 receptor binding domain, each targeting non-overlapping epitopes on a superantigen molecule against which they are designed. The anti-superantigen “receptor mimetics” or “chimeras” are rationally designed to recreate the modality of superantigen binding directly to both the TCR and the MHC-II receptor, and are capable of acting as decoys for superantigen binding, effectively out-competing the host T-cell and MHC-II receptors, the natural host receptors.

Abstract: Chimeric anti-microbial proteins, compositions, and methods for the therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of plant diseases caused by the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa are provided. The anti-microbial proteins of the invention generally comprise a surface recognition domain polypeptide, capable of binding to a bacterial membrane component, fused to a bacterial lysis domain polypeptide, capable of affecting lysis or rupture of the bacterial membrane, typically via a fused polypeptide linker. In particular, methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of Pierce's disease of grapevines are provided. Methods for the generation of transgenic Vitus vinefera plants expressing xylem-secreted anti-microbial chimeras are also provided.

Abstract: Preparation of 13C/15N-labeled DNA oligomers using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A PCR based method for uniform (13C/15N)-labeling of DNA duplexes is described. Multiple copies of a blunt-ended duplex are cloned into a plasmid, each copy containing the sequence of interest and restriction Hinc II sequences at both the 5′ and 3′ ends. PCR using bi-directional primers and uniformly 13C/15N-labeled dNTP precursors generates labeled DNA duplexes containing multiple copies of the sequence of interest. Twenty-four cycles of PCR, followed by restriction and purification, gave the uniformly 13C/15N-labeled duplex sequence with a 30% yield. Such labeled duplexes find significant applications in multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Abstract: Unsaturated hydrophobic resins modified with labile hydrophillic groups exhibit reversible solubility in water. Beta-dialkyl amino carboxylate derivatives of novolak resins are useful to make baking enamels and resists.

Abstract: UV curable coatings comprising at least one photoinitiator and at least one photopolymerizable UV absorber, wherein the photoinitiator has the ability to absorb a significant portion of the total energy needed to cure the coating from wavelengths in which the UV absorber does not appreciably absorb.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrodeposition process which comprises electrodepositing onto a conducting substrate a coating composition comprising a self-crosslinking polymeric resin which has an average of at least two pendent hydroxy functional groups and an average of at least two pendent ester groups of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl or aryl groups; n is from about 1 to about 5; X is nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus; and when X is nitrogen or phosphorus, R.sup.3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or an aryl group; R.sup.4 is lower alkyl or an aryl group; and when X is sulfur, R.sup.4 is nothing and R.sup.3 is either hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl.