Abstract: A hand-planter for singulation planting of cereal, grain, seed and other crops includes a tapered soil engagement component for striking and penetrating a soil surface. With each planter strike to the soil surface, the planter is actuated to meter a granular material product by reciprocating a drum to rotate, thereby exposing a cavity to a material hopper. As the actuation force is released, the reciprocating drum rotates in an opposite direction to its original location and drops the material that has been metered.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for preparing and offering to the marketplace a muscle cut from a carcass for use as a steak. In particular, the Subscapularis muscle may be utilized according to the instant invention as a high-end cut of meat. In an embodiment, a Subscapularis muscle will be processed into a steak via a prescribed series of cuts. The steak will, in some embodiments, be further processed by trimming fat and connective tissue as is taught herein.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, natural polymers will be used to enhance the biodegradability of nanocomposites, increase potential use of sustainable polymer matrices, improve the interlaminar fracture toughness of graphite/epoxy composites and attain complete nanoparticle dispersion through covalent bonding of nanoparticles and natural polymers. The starch derivatives containing POSS (polyhedral silsesquioxane) were synthesized by reacting natural polymer with different POSS molecules in a solvent in presence of a catalyst. Interlaminar fracture toughness testing results from the epoxy based nanocomposites containing 3, 5, 7, and 10 wt % POSS modified natural polymer in the interlaminar area are presented. The biodegradability of the composites is expected to improve through the incorporation of the natural polymer derivatives.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided herein a method of determining the air void distribution in a sample of fresh concrete. One embodiment of the invention determines a parameter related to air void distribution by applying a known pressure to a fresh concrete sample, measuring a first value representative of the volume under compression, releases at least a portion of the pressure, reapplies the same pressure to the sample, measures a second value representative of the volume under the second compression, and uses differential between the first and second values to estimate a parameter related to the air void distribution.

Abstract: Broad-based, cross-protective, O-serotype independent vaccines against Shigella and related pathogenic organisms are provided. The vaccines comprise one or more of the type III secretion (TTS) apparatus needle proteins IpaD and IpaB, and/or the IpaB cognate chaperone protein IpgC. Chimeric proteins of IpaD and IpaB, and/or IpgC are also encompassed.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, apparatus and method for biologic sample rapid collection and recovery device, and convenient storage are provided. An exemplary embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a lateral flow technology device including at least a membrane configured to bind an analyte from a sample that flows through the lateral flow technology device, in which a selected portion of the membrane bound to the analyte when placed directly in an analysis system does not substantially inhibit analysis of the analyte. An elution protocol is not required to extract the analyte bound from the selected portion before placed directly in the analysis system.

Abstract: Providing a microbial catalyst in a reaction broth, providing an adsorptive solid into the reaction broth, providing a producer gas into the reaction broth, and obtaining a fermentation product from the reaction broth resulting from activity of the microbial catalyst in the presence of the adsorptive solid.

Abstract: Tungstates for use in removal of heavy metals, radionuclides, actinides and other contaminants is disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes combining an aqueous solution of sodium fumarate with an aqueous solution of iron chloride to form a mixture, and obtaining an iron coordination polymer as an amorphous compound formed as a precipitate from the mixture. The iron coordination polymer may be used to bind contaminants, such as arsenate and phosphate from water.

Abstract: Salmonella enteric serotype Typhimurium is a causative agent for gastroenteritis. It is the leading cause of hospitalization and death caused by a food-borne pathogen in the US. As is the case with many gram- negative pathogens, Salmonella spp. use type III secretion systems (T3SS) to deliver proteins to host cells to induce infections. The T3SS uses a molecular syringe and needle, the type III secretion apparatus (T3SA), as a conduit for the transport of the T3SS proteins from the bacteria to the host. Because proteins associated with the tip of the T3SA are extracellular, they are potential protective subunit vaccine candidates against Salmonella. These pathogens also have a T3SS that is involved with intracellular escape from the vacuole with an associated T3SA. Within this invention, we begin to show proof of concept that these proteins are protective.

Abstract: A method for generating hydrogen is disclosed. The method includes substantially submersing nanowires having metallic nanoparticles into water, exposing the water submerged nanowires to light, and collecting hydrogen gas produced by photolysis from the exposure to light.

Abstract: A mixture includes a pulped solid material, water, a viscosity modifier, and a dye. The solid material, water, viscosity modifier, and dye are mixed to form a slurry that will adhere in a layer onto a freshly finished concrete structure for purposed of aiding in curing the concrete.

Abstract: A method includes providing a pulsed magnetic field, exposing a tissue mass to the pulsed magnetic field, and receiving an ultrasonic signal from a region of the tissue imbued with magnetic particles.

Abstract: A transgenic wheat 2174 cultivar with increased resistance to diseases caused by foliar pathogens is provided, as are methods for making the transgenic cultivar. The methods involve genetically engineering (transforming) 2174 to overexpress cDNA encoding the resistance gene LR34 in a form that is correctly spliced.

Abstract: A thermoelectric infrared detector. The detector has an absorption platform comprising a material that increases in temperature in response to incident infrared radiation and the platform covering substantially an entire area of the detector. The detector includes a thermocouple substantially suspended from contact with a substrate by at least one arm connected to the substrate.

Abstract: Thermostable cellulase enzyme systems comprising at least one each of a thermostable endoglucanase, an exo-processive-endoglucanase, and a ?-glucosidase carry out the complete, coordinated hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose to monomeric glucose.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for preparing and offering to the marketplace a muscle cut from a carcass for use as a steak. In particular, the Subscapularis muscle may be utilized according to the instant invention as a high-end cut of meat. In an embodiment, a Subscapularis muscle will be processed into a steak via a prescribed series of cuts. The steak will, in some embodiments, be further processed by trimming fat and connective tissue as is taught herein.

Abstract: Functional shRNA is produced from an expression vector prepared by selecting a two primer design in which the primers are less than about 50 nucleotides in length, annealing and extending the primers using primer extension, digesting the primer extension product and inserting the digestion product into a suitable vector. When the shRNA vectors are inserted into a cell, shRNA transcribed from the vectors modulates gene activity within the cell.

Abstract: Highly antigenic yet safe vaccines against diseases caused by Paramyxoviridae viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are provided. The vaccines comprise attenuated Paramyxoviridae viruses with high antigenicity but which display impaired cell-to-cell transmission as a result of genetic manipulation of the gene encoding the matrix (M) protein. In the viruses, the M protein is absent or mutated to a less active form. Screening or assay systems and methods for evaluating the infectivity of mutant M proteins and for identifying suitable M candidates for live-attenuated vaccine virus and VLP production, are also provided.

Abstract: A wireless sleep apnea treatment system comprises a garment having at least one ECG monitor, a wireless signal acquisition board in communication with the ECG monitor and the computer and providing the electrical reading from the ECG monitor to the computer, and a patient stimulator controlled by the computer through the wireless signal acquisition board.