Abstract: An electrical penetration graph (EPG) system includes a monitoring device with a buffered and stabilized voltage source assembly and a buffered internal amplifier with switched gain control. The system also includes a head stage amplifier. During the EPG process, the voltage source assembly directs an electrical current through a feeding insect. As the current passes through the insect, the insect's feeding process modulates the current and creates voltage waveform data. A head stage amplifier with selectable input resistance receives and amplifies the voltage waveform data. The data is transmitted back to the monitoring device where it is manipulated and further amplified by the monitoring device internal amplifier assembly. The waveform data is then transmitted to a controller and ultimately to an output device where the data is displayed.

Abstract: Novel bacteriocins produced by novel bacterial strains are used for at least reducing the levels of colonization by at least one target bacteria in animals, especially poultry.

Abstract: Novel Enterococcus and Streptococcus bacteriocins produced by novel Enterococcus and Streptococcus strains are used for at least reducing the levels of colonization by at least one target bacteria in animals, especially poultry.

Abstract: Safe and effective live vaccines against Aeromonas hydrophila of fish were created through the induction of rifampicin resistance in native Aeromonas hydrophila isolates; these including rifampicin-resistant mutants NRRL-B-50040 and NRRL-B-50041. Single immersion exposure of fish stimulated acquired immunity against virulent Aeromonas hydrophila infection.

Abstract: The multi-stage crop termination system includes a main frame assembly connected to first and second roller frames. A first roller is installed in the first roller frame and a second roller is installed in the second roller frame. A compression frame extends between the main frame and the second roller frame so that a downwardly compression force is applied to the second roller. In the preferred embodiment, the first roller is a smooth drum and the second roller is a central cylindrical drum with a plurality of crimping bars extending outwardly from the drum. In operation, crops are flattened by the first roller and then crimped by the second roller. A pivot joint between the first roller frame and the second roller frame ensures that the second roller is able to maintain contact with the ground as the system traverses uneven terrain.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nucleic acid encoding a recombinant bifunctional fusion peptidoglycan hydrolase protein formed from a nucleic acid encoding a peptidoglycan hydrolase module and a nucleic acid encoding a second peptidoglycan hydrolase module. The fusion, dual (or multiples thereof) peptidoglycan hydrolase modules can be used to treat disease caused by the bacteria for which the individual modules of the fusion protein are specific.

Abstract: To achieve full development of the ripe phenotype, climacteric fruits, such as tomato, apple and banana, require synthesis, perception and signal transduction of the plant hormone ethylene. The non-ripening phenotype of the dominant Green-ripe (Gr) and Never-ripe 2 (Nr-2) mutants of tomato is the result of reduced ethylene responsiveness in fruit tissues. In addition a subset of ethylene responses associated with floral senescence, abscission and root elongation are also impacted in mutant plants but to a lesser extent. Using positional cloning we have identified an identical 334 by deletion in a gene of unknown biochemical function residing at the Gr/Nr-2 locus. Consistent with a dominant gain of function mutation, this deletion causes ectopic expression of GR/NR-2, which in turn leads to ripening inhibition. A CaMV35:GR transgene recreates the Gr/Nr-2 mutant phenotype but does not lead to a global reduction in ethylene responsiveness suggesting tissue-specific modulation of ethylene responses in tomato.

Abstract: A composition for attracting male Synanthedon scitula, containing a male Synanthedon scitula attracting effective amount of Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally E,Z-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally Z,E-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, and optionally a carrier material or carrier; the composition containing less than about 0.3% E,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate based on the molar amount of the Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate in the composition. A method for attracting male Synanthedon scitula to an object or area, involving treating an object or area with a male Synanthedon scitula attracting composition containing a male Synanthedon scitula attractant effective amount of Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally E,Z-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally Z,E-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, and optionally a carrier material or carrier; the composition containing less than about 0.3% E,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate based on the molar amount of the Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate in the composition.

Abstract: A method is provided for reliably determining anatomical properties of a tree having a plurality of growth rings spaced from each other in a radial direction. The method involves preparing a sample from a tree to be analyzed, and preparing an image of the sample at a resolution sufficient to analyze at least one of the earlywood and latewood portions of one or more rings. The image is used to determine at least one anatomical property of the sample based on the image, the anatomical property being selected from the group consisting of sample density, tracheid wall thickness, and tracheid exterior dimension.

Abstract: A Unique Solenopsis invicta viruse (SINV2) have been identified and its genome sequenced. Oligonucleotide primers have been developed using the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the SINV2. The virus is used as a biocontrol agent for control of fire ants.

Abstract: A liquid-lure dispenser that provides long-time uniform emission of an attractant that entices insects or other organisms into a trap, consists of a wick that absorbs the liquid lure from its container and gradually emits the lure to the atmosphere from the exposed portion of the wick. The tubular container holds the desired quantity of lure and has an opening that holds the wick securely in place, with the lower part of the wick immersed in lure and the upper part exposed to air; lure-emission rate can be adjusted by area of wick exposed to air. An opening in the lure container permits lure to be added as needed and avoids an air-pressure drop in the lure container as lure is sucked up by the wick and volatilized. If desirable, insecticide or more than one lure may be released from a dispenser.

Abstract: A charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera system for detecting near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths, involving (a) a color CCD camera having a multitude of channels including red and near-infrared responsive channels, green responsive channels, and blue responsive channels, and (b) filter means which allow near-infrared light to pass and which block red light; wherein the CCD camera system does not include filter means which block near-infrared light.

Abstract: Neospora caninum is the causal agent of bovine neosporosis which results in high levels of abortion. The protective efficacy of two Neospora antigens: Neospora cyclophilin (NcCyP) and NcSRS2 was evaluated. Mice vaccinated with recombinant (r) NcCyP, rNcSRS2, and the combination rNcCyP plus rNcSRS2, formulated with adjuvant ImmuMax-SR® and CpG were challenge-infected 3 weeks following the booster immunization and necropsied 3 weeks after the challenge infection. Mice vaccinated with rNcCyP, rNcSRS2, or the combination of rNcCyP and rNcSRS2 responded with high levels of NcCyP- or NcSRS2- specific antibodies. Mice which received vaccines formulated with either rNcCyP or the combination rNcCyP and rNcSRS2 had a higher (p<0.01) percent protection when compared to the mock- or non-vaccinated mice. Groups immunized with rNcSRS2 alone exhibited slightly lower levels of protection. Results indicate that NcCyP is a highly efficacious vaccine candidate useful in protection against Neospora infection.

Abstract: Method of pretreating citrus waste to break cell structure, pasteurize or sterilize citrus waste solids and remove inhibitory peel oil components (e.g., limonene) involving optionally reducing the particle size of the citrus waste prior to preheating, preheating the citrus waste through indirect heating in a preheater reactor to form preheated citrus waste and conveying the preheated citrus waste to a main reactor, heating the citrus waste through a combination of (simultaneous) indirect heating and direct heating to produce treated citrus waste solids that are pasteurized and a vapor containing water and peel oil components, separating the pasteurized citrus waste solids and the vapor containing water and peel oil components, and collecting the separated vapor containing water and peel oil components by condensation. The method optionally includes cooling the pasteurized citrus waste solids followed by saccharifying with enzymes and fermentation to produce ethanol or other products.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multi-component biocide composition comprising a borate component in combination with an azole component to both inhibit mold fungi, decay fungi, such as brown-rot fungi and white-rot fungi, and to resist insect infestation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dietary composition produced by a process involving extruding a protein containing product and water through an extruder (e.g., at about 50-about 450 rpm and at a temperature of about 40° to about 120° C., wherein the residence time of the protein containing product (e.g., whey protein isolate) in the extruder is about 15-about 90 seconds) to produce the dietary composition, wherein the dietary composition contains partially denatured protein containing product or totally denatured protein containing product or mixtures thereof. The present invention also concerns a food product containing at least one food ingredient and a dietary fiber composition.

Abstract: Previously, we showed that type I interferon (alpha/beta interferon [IFN-?/?]) can inhibit foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) replication in cell culture, and swine inoculated with 109 PFU of human adenovirus type 5 expressing porcine IFN-? (Ad5-pIFN-?) were protected when challenged 1 day later. In this study, we found that type II pIFN (pIFN-?) also has antiviral activity against FMDV in cell culture and that, in combination with pIFN-?, it has a synergistic antiviral effect. We also observed that while each IFN alone induced a number of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), the combination resulted in a synergistic induction of some ISGs. To extend these studies to susceptible animals, we inoculated groups of swine with a control Ad5, 108 PFU of Ad5-pIFN-?, low- or high-dose Ad5-pIFN-?, or a combination of Ad5-pIFN-? and low- or high-dose Ad5-pIFN-? and challenged all groups with FMDV 1 day later.

Abstract: An effective vaccine for Marek's disease may be prepared using a viral agent which is a Marek's disease virus unable to express a functional meq protein. This viral agent is effective to elicit an immune response in a chicken to very virulent strains of Marek's disease virus without causing a significant degree of pathogenicity in the inoculated bird. Suitable formulations of the vaccine for use in chickens include an effective immunization dosage of this novel viral agent with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree which is characterized by an upright tree growth form; producing yellow, melting-flesh fruit of excellent dessert-quality flavor, of large size with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color, ripening in late mid-season.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Sahara Sunset’, characterized by its spreading upright growth habit and unique multicolored maple leaf-shaped ornamental foliage saturated with two dominant color regions.