Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in tobacco plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for a root-specific nicotine demethylases, CYP82E10, and variants thereof, that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Compositions of the invention also include tobacco plants, or plant parts thereof, comprising a mutation in a gene encoding a CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase, wherein the mutation results in reduced expression or function of the CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase. Seed of these tobacco plants, or progeny thereof, and tobacco products prepared from the tobacco plants of the invention, or from plant parts or progeny thereof, are also provided. Methods for reducing the level of nornicotine, or reducing the rate of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, in a tobacco plant, or plant part thereof are also provided.

Abstract: An acellular, anion-depleted platelet-derived peptide-rich composition comprising proteins, polypeptides and peptides <10 kDa in size, wherein the composition has anti-microbial and/or anti-inflammatory activity is disclosed. The composition can be substantially free of non-active and immunogenic factors. The composition can have a platelet-to-bacteria ratio ?1000:1. The composition can comprise plasma at a range of ?10% to ?50% plasma, optionally about 10% plasma. Methods of using the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for selectively controlling or modifying the growth of Poa annus in a turfgrass using a composition comprising an herbicidally-effective amount tebuconazole, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Tissue paper of the disclosure exhibits advantageous softness and bulk at a basis weight less than that of basis weights found in currently available commercial tissue products, while delivering adequate strength for machine runability and consumer usage. This tissue is a lightweight paper that comprises a fiber core with up to 60% mechanically fibrillated fibers and a retention or drainage aid such as a cationic polyacrylamide polymer that facilitates drainage, softness, and bulk. This approach can reduce the fiber content of tissue products significantly while delivering the desired strength and other critical properties.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for managing off-grid power supply are provided. The method includes acquiring data from one or more loads. The one or more loads are connected to the off-grid power supply. The method further includes modeling the one or more loads based on the acquired data, estimating a state of charge of an energy storage device (ESD) associated with the off-grid power supply, and determining an operational status of each of the one or more loads. The operational status is based on at least the state of charge of the ESD and a category of each of the one or more loads. Each load is controlled based on the operational status.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems and methods of detecting, classifying, and making a threat assessment of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). One such method comprises detecting a radio frequency (RF) signal; determining that the RF signal is generated from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on the detected RF signal; classifying at least a make and model of the UAV based on the detected RF signal; sensing for a remote identification field data broadcasted by the UAV; receiving remote identification information of the UAV from a network database, if the network database is available; assessing a threat likelihood of the UAV based on joint processing of at least the RF signal based classification of the UAV and the received remote identification information of the UAV; and signaling an alert containing a description of the UAV and the threat if the UAV is assessed as a harmful threat.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are Type I Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system related compositions and methods of using said Type I CRISPR/Cas system related compositions for altering gene expression and genome engineering. The invention relates to compositions comprising Type I CRISPR-Cas polypeptides and CRISPR array nucleic acids designed for genome modification in eukaryotic cells and for targeted killing of eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to compound Bi-poor perovskite crystals, methods for making the same, and ionizing and other electromagnetic radiation detectors constructed using the Bi-poor perovskite crystals. The Bi-poor perovskite crystals can be synthesized using melt-based growth methods and solution-based growth methods and contain no toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, thallium, or mercury. Devices fabricated from the crystals maintain acceptable levels of performance over time. In some aspects, post-growth annealing can be used to improve the properties, including, but not limited to, room temperature resistivity and response to radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are self-degradable microneedle devices for the controlled-release of an immunotherapeutic agent. Also disclosed are methods for treating a disease (for example, cancer) using a self-degradable microneedle patch for the sustained delivery of an immunotherapeutic agent (for example, a PD1 antibody).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a glucose-responsive insulin delivery system based on the interaction between the glucose-modified insulin and glucose transporters (GLUTs) on erythrocytes (or red blood cells, RBCs). After being conjugated with glucose, insulin can efficiently bind to RBC membranes. The binding is reversible in the setting of hyperglycemia, resulting in fast release of insulin and subsequent drop of blood glucose (BG) level in vivo. In some embodiments, the delivery vehicle can include: 1) intravenously injectable polymeric nanoparticles (˜100 nm in diameter) coated with RBC membrane and loaded with glucose-modified insulin and/or 2) painless microneedle (MN) patches loaded with the complex of GLUT and glucose-modified insulin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device includes an emitting layer including: a host and an emitter, wherein the host exhibits triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion, wherein the emitter has a band gap and exhibits triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion, wherein the host and the emitter are different, and wherein the emitter has a concentration of 5% or more in the emitting layer.

Abstract: System and method for thermally treating a flowable product includes an apparatus including a waveguide for providing electromagnetic energy, a conduit for receiving a flowable material, and an applicator for delivering electromagnetic energy from a generator to the waveguide. The waveguide includes first and second arms that each comprise an output that is isolated from the output of the other arm by a phase shift, such that any reflected electromagnetic energy exits the arm through the input port and does not flow into the opposing arm.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods for dispersing exiting Salmonella biofilms and inhibiting formation of Salmonella biofilms. In various aspects, the disclosed compositions can be used in methods of treating a persistent Salmonella infection, including an asymptomatic infection. Such infections can colonize a variety of tissues, including the gall-bladder. Also disclosed are methods of treating typhoid fever. Also disclosed are methods for mitigating or preventing secondary outbreaks of typhoid fever by treating asymptomatic subjects who had been symptomatic for typhoid fever at a previous time. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Provided herein are photodynamic compositions that can contain a natural polymer scaffold and a photosensitizer, where the photosensitizer can be covalently or non-covalently attached to the natural polymer scaffold. Also provided herein are structures and objects that can contain the photodynamic compositions. Further provided herein are methods of making and using the photodynamic compositions. Finally provided herein are printing ink formulations.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems for ultrasound-induced thrombolysis with magnetic microbubbles under a rotational/alternating magnetic field, sonothrombolysis systems with magnetic microbubbles and optional nanodroplets for inducing thrombolysis under an acoustic field, and a rotational/alternating magnetic field, and methods of treating patients with blood clots using the sonothrombolysis systems of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Conformal coatings provide environmental protection for sensitive military electronics. Preliminary MCNP™ modeling of metal oxide impregnated acrylic conformal coatings indicates an effective shield for gammas below 10 keV and a reduction in neutron displacement damage to Si-based electronics across the Watt spectrum. This work provides data which can allow an optimal overall shielding worth per total weight to eventually be evaluated.

Abstract: A variety of redox catalysts, methods of making, and methods of using thereof are provided. Surface modified redox catalysts are provided having an oxygen carrier core with an outer surface that has been modified to enhance the selectivity of the redox catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation. The surface modification can include forming a redox catalyst outer layer on the outer surface and/or suppressing sites that form nonselective electrophilic oxygen sites on the outer surface of the oxygen carrier. A variety of methods are provided for making the surface modified redox catalysts, e.g. modified Pechini methods. A variety of methods are provided for using the catalysts for oxidative cracking of light paraffins. Methods are provided for oxidative cracking of light paraffins by contacting the paraffin with a core-shell redox catalyst described herein to convert the paraffins to water and olefins, diolefins, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Cercis plant, referred to by its cultivar name ‘NC2017-9’, is disclosed. The new variety is characterized by its purple-colored flowers, small and green colored foliage which exhibits an attractive moderate reddish orange color on newly emerging leaves, and moderately slow growing, profuse branching, weeping, and compact growth habit.

Abstract: ‘NCORNSP-028SCKL’ is a vigorous, highly-twining, climbing variety of Ipomoea batatas producing many shoots. It is distinguishable from other ornamental sweetpotato cultivars by its palmate, deeply lobed leaves with 3-5 lobes, an aggressive climbing habit, and heavily branched architecture. The chartreuse leaves, long internodes, and the plant architecture, which promotes good plant production in the greenhouse for wholesale distributors, distinguish ‘NCORNSP-028SCKL’ amongst the current ornamental sweetpotatoes in the marketplace. ‘NCORNSP-028SCKL’ exhibits very good vigor and is very well branched. ‘NCORNSP-028SCKL’ is suitable for use in vertical landscape or container plantings.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the discovery of novel recombinant forms of ?-hexosyl-transferases (BHT) and uses thereof to produce galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) or as food additives.