Abstract: A composite synthesized by the steps of preparing a solution having a carbon source material and a heteroatom containing additive; evaporating the solution to yield a plurality of powders; and subjecting the plurality of powders to a heat treatment for a duration of time effective to produce a doped carbon composite.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a class of chiral binuclear metal complexes for stereoselective hydrolysis of saccharides and glycosides, and more particular chiral binuclear transition metal complex catalysts that discriminate epimeric glycosides and ?- and ?-glycosidic bonds of saccharides in aqueous solutions at near physiological pHs. The chiral binuclear metal complexes include a Schiff-base-type ligand derived from a chiral diamino building block, and a binuclear transition metal core, each which can be varied for selectivity. The metal core is a Lewis-acidic metal ion, such as copper, zinc, lanthanum, iron and nickel. The Schiff-base may be a reduced or non-reduced Schiff-base derived from aliphatic linear, aliphatic cyclic diamino alcohols or aromatic aldehydes. The ligand can be a penta- or heptadentate ligand derived from pyridinecarbaldehydes, benzaldehydes, linear or cyclic diamines or diamino alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of reducing injury to rice and achieving weed control by treating the rice with both a safener and a microencapsulated Group 15 herbicide. Herein, the inventors demonstrate that the tolerance of fenclorim-safened rice to the Group 15 herbicide acetochlor is substantially enhanced when this herbicide is applied as a microencapsulated formulation, particularly when it is applied preemergence or delayed preemergence. Rice plants produced by these methods and seeds produced by said rice plants are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a concentration of one or more gases dissolved in a beverage is included. The system includes a saturation tank having a gas head space, a brite tank, and a beverage supply system to pass the beverage between the saturation tank and the brite tank. A beverage supersaturated with the gas from the head space is formed in the saturation tank. The supersaturated beverage is passed from the saturation tank to the brite tank. Once the amount of gas added to the beverage exceeds saturation, some of the gas escapes from solution from the beverage and the pressure in the brite tank increases. Once the pressure within the brite tank reaches a pre-defined pressure, a pump supplying the beverage to the saturation tank is shut-off and the inlet and outlet valves of the brite tank are closed.

Abstract: Vaccine vectors and methods for enhancing resistance to Campylobacter infection or for enhancing the immune response to Campylobacter are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a first polynucleotide which encodes an antigenic polypeptide selected from SEQ ID NO: 7-9 or a fragment thereof. The vector may also include an immunostimulatory polypeptide. The methods include administering the vaccine vectors to a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to probiotic compositions, formulations and methods for promoting digestion and improving nutrition in birds, and probiotic compositions and formulations for increasing enzyme production and improving parameters and indications in birds.

Abstract: Orthotospovirus virions travel through the thrips foregut and enter midgut epithelial cells through the interaction between virus glycoproteins and cellular receptors with several protein motifs thought to be involved in the interaction. Single, double and triple mutant polypeptides in the soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV)/Neohydatothrips variabilis system are provided herein and several are shown to block viral transmission from the thrips to the soybean plants. Methods for inhibiting viral transmission using these polypeptides or constructs comprising polynucleotides encoding peptides are also provided herein.

Abstract: A surge irrigation system includes a main inlet pipe configured to be coupled to a source of pressurized water. The main inlet pipe is coupled to a flow meter for the purpose of improving furrow irrigation. The system further includes two independent, valve-actuated and controlled pipe arm segments extending from the main inlet pipe. One of the pipe arm segments extends toward a first irrigation zone in a field, and the second pipe arm segment extends toward the second irrigation zone in the field. The system further includes water advance sensors for the purpose of improving a surge irrigation program for an improved autonomous and parameter-setting operation. Additionally the controller, sensor and interface use radio communication.

Abstract: To gain insights into the relationship between microbiota and fertility, the vaginal and fecal microbiomes of female cows were examined throughout pregnancy. Next generation sequencing and Random Forest modeling were used to identify bacterial biomarkers present in vaginal and fecal samples that are predictive of pregnancy status. The present invention provides methods and kits that can be used to select female cows to include in a breeding program based on detection of these biomarkers.

Abstract: A soil analysis system that provides a field deployable device that is configured to remotely measure in situ soil suction through correlation with relative humidity at the soil surface.

Abstract: Provided herein is a Trichoderma strain designated as TM17 and deposited under accession number NRRL 67984. The Trichoderma strain TM17 and a carrier may be used to make agricultural compositions. Plants comprising the Trichoderma strain TM17 or the agricultural compositions provided herein are also contemplated. Methods for inhibiting the growth of a microorganism on a plant are also provided and may include contacting the plant with an effective amount of the Trichoderma strain TM17 or agricultural compositions including the Trichoderma strain TM17 to inhibit the growth of the microorganism on the plant.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered tomato plants with increased biotic stress tolerance and method of using the same, the engineered tomato plant comprising a non-natural modification that increases the function of a target gene selected from the group consisting of Solanum lycopersicum Fatty Acid Desaturase 2-4 (SlFAD2-4), Solanum lycopersicum Fatty Acid Desaturase 2-5 (SlFAD2-5), Solanum lycopersicum Fatty Acid Desaturase 2-6 (SlFAD2-6), Solanum lycopersicum Fatty Acid Desaturase 2-7 (SlFAD2-7), and Solanum lycopersicum Fatty Acid Desaturase 2-9 (SlFAD2-9), wherein the engineered tomato plant exhibits increased biotic stress tolerance as compared to a tomato plant lacking said modification.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composite membrane comprises a polymeric host comprising polybenzimidazole or polybenzimidazole derivative and graphene oxide dispersed in the polymeric host, the graphene oxide at least partially functionalized with phosphonic acid moieties, phosphonate moieties or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the functionalized graphene oxide is homogeneously dispersed in the polymeric host and/or is not agglomerated in the polymeric host.

Abstract: Vaccine, vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or mortality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: Technology related to blockchain cybersecurity solutions and a blockchain applicability framework is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a system is configured to receive parameters for a blockchain candidate application and evaluate the parameters to determine a recommendation for types of blockchain to apply to the candidate application. The recommendation may be based on an evaluation of the parameters to determine a level of applicability of blockchain usage, a level of applicability of one or more blockchain privacy types, and a level of applicability of one or more blockchain consensus types. The system may be configured to calculate an overall percentage distribution of the levels of applicability and to output an indication of the overall percentage distribution.

Abstract: A system for installing and labeling lay flat irrigation pipe in flooded rice and furrow irrigated fields, and a trailer for laying a roll of pipe in an irrigated field. The trailer includes a flexible hitch assembly positioned at a first end of the trailer, wherein the hitch assembly couples the trailer to a vehicle. The trailer also includes a distribution assembly positioned at a second end of the trailer, wherein the distribution assembly includes a spindle and wherein the distribution assembly couples the roll of pipe to the trailer; and a gooseneck frame including a first end coupled to the hitch assembly and a second end coupled to the distribution assembly, with an upper member between the first end and the second end of the gooseneck, wherein the upper member of the gooseneck is elevated relative to the hitch assembly.

Abstract: Adjuvants comprising chitosan cross-linked with an aldehyde or mannosylated chitosan are provided herein. Methods of making the adjuvants and methods of combining or linking the adjuvants with antigens are also provided. The adjuvant-antigen combinations can be used in vaccine formulations and the vaccine formulations can be used in methods to vaccinate animals against the source of the antigen or to enhance the immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of fabricating surface topography based on a scanned surface topography. The method converts 3D scanned surface topography data that have submicron resolution to digital formats that can be stored, manipulated, or tiled, and used as an input for replicating the surface topography with submicron resolution on another substrate. The digitized surface topography data is then converted to input for 1) 3D printing to replicate the scanned surface topography with submicron resolution, with or without a subsequent coating layer or layers to impart additional properties and/or features, 2) 3D printing a master that replicates the scanned surface topography with submicron resolution, which will be used for fast replica molding of the surface topography onto another substrate, and 3) creating a photomask with submicron resolution for transferring the surface topography to a metal substrate surface through subsequent photolithography and etching processes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a class of chiral binuclear metal complexes for stereoselective hydrolysis of saccharides and glycosides, and more particular chiral binuclear transition metal complex catalysts that discriminate epimeric glycosides and ?- and ?-glycosidic bonds of saccharides in aqueous solutions at near physiological pHs. The chiral binuclear metal complexes include a Schiff-base-type ligand derived from a chiral diamino building block, and a binuclear transition metal core, each which can be varied for selectivity. The metal core is a Lewis-acidic metal ion, such as copper, zinc, lanthanum, iron and nickel. The Schiff-base may be a reduced or non-reduced Schiff-base derived from aliphatic linear, aliphatic cyclic diamino alcohols or aromatic aldehydes. The ligand can be a penta- or heptadentate ligand derived from pyridinecarbaldehydes, benzaldehydes, linear or cyclic diamines or diamino alcohols.

Abstract: Description and specifications of a new and distinct cultivar of blackberry plant named ‘A-2454T’ which originated from seed produced by a hand-pollinated cross ‘Ark. 2252T’ (a non-patented, unreleased genotype) x ‘Ark. 2255’ (a non-patented, unreleased genotype). This new cultivar of blackberry plant can be distinguished by its medium size, very firm berries with very sweet, sub-acid flavor, excellent postharvest fruit-handling potential, early season ripening, and excellent plant health.