Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to compositions and methods for determining provenance of an item, a non-limiting example being a food item. In one aspect described herein is an engineered microorganism comprising at least one genetic barcode element, essential gene mutations, and/or germination gene mutations. In another aspect described herein is a method of determining the provenance of an item comprising contacting the item with an engineered microorganism and later detecting the genetic barcode element to determine the provenance of the item. In another aspect, described herein is a method of determining the path of an item or individual across a surface.

Abstract: Methods of detecting unknown genetic modifications in a DNA sample from an organism are disclosed.

Abstract: A dry powder Norovirus vaccine is provided, which comprises at least two Norovirus antigens representing different genogroups. The vaccine may be produced by formulation with a mixture of different antigens or combination of monovalent powders with each containing one antigen. The formulated vaccine is suitable for mucosal administration and soluble in aqueous solutions for parenteral administration. A method of immunization is also provided, which comprises at least one administration of the vaccine via mucosal and/or parental route. The immunization may have multiple administrations of the vaccine, i.e., one or more immunizations via a mucosal route followed by one or more immunizations via a parenteral route or vice versa, to maximize both mucosal and systemic immune responses and protection against Norovirus infections.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to an anterior nares swab that is automation compatible. In one aspect, the swab comprises a cap, a threaded portion, a neck, and a sample collection head. The cap can be integrally and/or monolithically formed with any one or more of the threaded portion, the neck, and the sample collection head; or can be removably coupled to any one or more of the threaded portion, the neck, and the sample collection head. In additional aspects, described herein are kits comprising said swabs and methods of using said swabs.

Abstract: A dry powder norovirus vaccine is provided, which comprises at least two norovirus antigens representing different genogroups. The vaccine may be produced by formulation with a mixture of different antigens or combination of monovalent powders with each containing one antigen. The formulated vaccine is suitable for mucosal administration and soluble in aqueous solutions for parenteral administration. A method of immunization is also provided, which comprises at least one administration of the vaccine via mucosal and/or parental route. The immunization may have multiple administrations of the vaccine, i.e., one or more immunizations via a mucosal route followed by one or more immunizations via a parenteral route or vice versa, to maximize both mucosal and systemic immune responses and protection against norovirus infections.

Abstract: Methods of detecting unknown genetic modifications in a DNA sample from an organism are disclosed.

Abstract: A dry powder norovirus vaccine is provided, which comprises at least two norovirus antigens representing different genogroups. The vaccine may be produced by formulation with a mixture of different antigens or combination of monovalent powders with each containing one antigen. The formulated vaccine is suitable for mucosal administration and soluble in aqueous solutions for parenteral administration. A method of immunization is also provided, which comprises at least one administration of the vaccine via mucosal and/or parental route. The immunization may have multiple administrations of the vaccine, i.e., one or more immunizations via a mucosal route followed by one or more immunizations via a parenteral route or vice versa, to maximize both mucosal and systemic immune responses and protection against norovirus infections.

Abstract: A dry powder norovirus vaccine is provided, which comprises at least two norovirus antigens representing different genogroups. The vaccine may be produced by formulation with a mixture of different antigens or combination of monovalent powders with each containing one antigen. The formulated vaccine is suitable for mucosal administration and soluble in aqueous solutions for parenteral administration. A method of immunization is also provided, which comprises at least one administration of the vaccine via mucosal and/or parental route. The immunization may have multiple administrations of the vaccine, i.e., one or more immunizations via a mucosal route followed by one or more immunizations via a parenteral route or vice versa, to maximize both mucosal and systemic immune responses and protection against norovirus infections.

Abstract: A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate uses seismic data for a region of the Earth. The data are analyzed to determine the presence, thickness and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the knowledge of the seismic behavior of hydrocarbon source rocks. An estimate is provided of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance. An estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock is then provided from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content.

Abstract: A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate uses seismic data for a region of the Earth. The data are analysed to determine the presence, thickness and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the knowledge of the seismic behaviour of hydrocarbon source rocks. An estimate is provided of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance. An estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock is then provided from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content.

Abstract: A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate uses seismic data for a region of the Earth. The data are analyzed to determine the presence, thickness and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the knowledge of the seismic behavior of hydrocarbon source rocks. An estimate is provided of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance. An estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock is then provided from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content.

Abstract: A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate uses seismic data for a region of the Earth. The data are analysed to determine the presence, thickness and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the knowledge of the seismic behaviour of hydrocarbon source rocks. An estimate is provided of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance. An estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock is then provided from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying cards and papers in the workplace includes a central shaft portion having a pair of ends, with each end including a generally semicircular ring portion adapted to capture the slots of one or more cards. The central shaft portion may be releasably captured in a channel of a universal mount or a single- or double swing arm portion. Removal of the shaft portion from the channel permits the shaft portion to be split open along a break, thereby opening the rings along breaks in the manner of a split-ring binder. Alternatively, the shaft portion may be used alone (without a mount or swing arms) to hold a quantity of cards. The swing arms may be hinged upon a base portion and attached to the chassis or peripheral surface surrounding a computer video monitor, so that the swing arms and shaft portion can swing forward and around to fit the user's viewing preferences. When affixed to a monitor, the semicircular rings facilitate easy installation and flipping of slotted cards and/or papers.

Abstract: A method of reviewing geo-coded information at a geographic information system is disclosed. The method may include receiving information identifying a geo-located object from a submitter of the object, receiving information identifying the location of the geo-located object from the submitter, and receiving a request from a user of the geographic information system for one or more geo-located objects that includes the submitted geo-located object, and transmitting information for permitting display of the geo-located object to the user of the geographic information system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for co-culturing two or more populations of cells using ultrathin, porous membranes positioned between cell culture chambers. Multiple chamber devices and uses thereof are described, including the formation of in vitro tissue models for studying drug delivery, cell-cell interactions, and the activity of low abundance molecular species.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying cards and papers in the workplace includes a central shaft portion having a pair of ends, with each end including a generally semicircular ring portion adapted to capture the slots of one or more cards. The central shaft portion may be releasably captured in a channel of a universal mount or a single- or double swing arm portion. Removal of the shaft portion from the channel permits the shaft portion to be split open along a break, thereby opening the rings along breaks in the manner of a split-ring binder. Alternatively, the shaft portion may be used alone (without a mount or swing arms) to hold a quantity of cards. The swing arms may be hinged upon a base portion and attached to the chassis or peripheral surface surrounding a computer video monitor, so that the swing arms and shaft portion can swing forward and around to fit the user's viewing preferences. When affixed to a monitor, the semicircular rings facilitate easy installation and flipping of slotted cards and/or papers.

Abstract: The present invention can include a method in a computer system for automatically connecting drawing elements to other drawing elements, which can include selecting one or more snap modes from a set of snap modes; drawing an element in a graphics file with a cursor; moving the cursor to a position within a distance tolerance of a second drawing element; automatically determining a set of snap points from the position of the cursor, based on the selected snap modes; visually highlighting a snap point; releasing the end of the first element; and automatically connecting the end of the first element with the snap point.