Abstract: A downdraft gasifier is disclosed. The gasifier includes a biomass section that accepts and stirs raw biomass materials, a pyrolysis and tar cracking section having an inner cylinder for receiving biomass and an outer surrounding cylinder for gases from the biomass, and a char gasification section for receiving biomass and gases from the pyrolysis and tar cracking section. The char gasification section provides a grating and scraper for passing gases and ash and retaining biomass for char gasification on the grate.

Abstract: An antiballistic garment for protecting a user's torso and shoulders comprises a front portion releasably coupled to a back portion, the front and back portion both include soft armor, the back portion includes shoulder and side panels which include soft armor, the front and back portion have provisions for hard armor plates. The antiballistic garment has a quick release mechanism adapted to rapidly separate the front portion from the back portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading and offloading a read/write head from a load ramp onto a disc are disclosed. The apparatus includes at least a basedeck supporting a spindle motor with an attached disc and an actuator assembly with a read/write head configured for communication with the disc, and a load ramp positioned adjacent the disc and configured for receipt of the read/write head. The actuator assembly includes at least an actuator motor magnet mounted to said basedeck, an actuator body attached to the basedeck and providing a voice coil configured for interaction with the actuator motor magnet, and a bias feature secured to said actuator body and configured for communication with the motor magnet such that when the read/write head is parked on the load ramp, the bias feature mitigates an unintentional engagement of the read/write head with the disc.

Abstract: Stable genetically engineered bacterial strains that overproduce coronatine are provided. The stable strains can be successfully cultivated to overproduce coronatine at temperatures that are suitable for large scale, commercial preparations of coronatine. The overproducing strains are also non-pathogenic. An exemplary strain is Pseudomonas syringae APV1, which successfully overproduces coronatine at 26° C. Methods of optimizing culture conditions for coronatine production from the novel stable overproducing strains are provided, as are methods for using the overproducing strains to induce abscission and increase taxane production.

Abstract: An antimicrobial peptide and its analogs that are insensitive to physiological salt and divalent cation concentrations is provided, as are methods for their use to treat and prevent bacterial infections. The peptides are especially useful to treat infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to traditional antibiotic therapy.

Abstract: An isolated microorganism comprising a Propionibacteria strain is described. When the microorganism is fed to a ruminant, protein and fat levels in milk produced by the ruminant are increased, while body condition and milk production levels are maintained. When fed to the ruminant, the microorganism also has positive effects on various metabolic hormones and metabolites, e.g, an increase in energy balance, plasma non-esterified fatty acids levels, and plasma leptin level. Supplementation with propionibacteria reduced dry matter intake but did not affect milk production in the cows. Therefore, the propionibacteria of the invention made the cows more energy efficient as cows produced the same amount of milk, yet consumed less dry matter.

Abstract: A cell growth matrix for optimizing 3D organization nutrient delivery, controlling release of differentiation factors and facilitating attachment of cells to a scaffold Colloidal crystals and inverted colloidal crystals are used to form an ordered structure for use as a scaffold for tissue engineering. The porosity of the cell growth matrix may be modified by the selection of particles of appropriate diameter. Further, the surface of colloidal crystals can be easily modified to accommodate many organic species including biomolecules. Layer-by-layer materials are used for tissue engineering to control cell development by using sequential layering of bioactive species wherein the number and order of LBL layers deposited between layers containing a particular protein are controlled. LBL may also be used for timed release of bioactive species. Increased control differentiation factors release and control of cell attachments to the scaffold are achieved to better mimic natural tissue development.

Abstract: An antimicrobial peptide and its analogs that are insensitive to physiological salt and divalent cation concentrations is provided, as are methods for their use to treat and prevent bacterial infections. The peptides are especially useful to treat infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to traditional antibiotic therapy.

Abstract: Canine parvovirus vaccines and diagnostics and methods for their use are provided.

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: A passive wireless corrosion sensor is disclosed. A circuit is configured to provide a signal response when energized. An antenna is configured to wirelessly receive energy for energizing the circuit and to receive the signal response from the circuit and transmit the signal response. A corrosion sensitive connector interposes the circuit and the antenna. The corrosion sensitive connector conducts the energy from the antenna to the circuit and conducts the signal response from the circuit to the antenna when in a substantially non-corroded state. The corrosion sensitive connector creates an effectively non conducting link between the antenna and the circuit when in a substantially corroded state.

Abstract: Canine parvovirus vaccines and diagnostics and methods for their use are provided. The vaccines are effective against emerging dominant canine parvovirus variants.

Abstract: “Goodwell” is a hybrid forage bermudagrass. It has larger stems and wider leaves, and produces a more dense sod compared to “hay type” varieties. The stem size and leaf width is much greater compared to “grazing type” varieties while the sod density is somewhat less compared to the grazing type varieties.

Abstract: An isolated microorganism comprising a Propionibacteria strain. When the microorganism is fed to a ruminant, protein and fat levels in milk produced by the ruminant are increased, while body condition and milk production levels are maintained. When fed to the ruminant, the microorganism also has positive effects on various metabolic hormones and metabolites, e.g, an increase in energy balance, plasma non-esterified fatty acids levels, and plasma leptin level. Supplementation with propionibacteria reduced dry matter intake but did not affect milk production in the cows. Therefore, the propionibacteria of the invention made the cows more energy efficient as cows produced the same amount of milk, yet consumed less dry matter.

Abstract: A research or therapeutic tool for RNA interference (RNAi) is a single vector that expresses multiple short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequences.

Abstract: According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a system and method of moving a disc drive arm in the presence of nonlinear magnetic bias. Further, in another preferred embodiment the instant method will be adaptive and/or self-corrective and is especially useful when used with disc drive hardware other than the hardware that was used to model the control law.

Abstract: A method for the assembly of a thin film containing highly anisotropic colloids that includes the steps of immersing a substrate in a first solution or dispersion comprising a first substance, wherein the first substance has an affinity for the substrate. Then, immersing the substrate in a second solution or dispersion comprising a second substance, wherein the second substance has an affinity for the first substance. A least one of the first substance and the second substance is a highly anisotropic colloid having at least one dimension differing from the others by a ratio of at least 1:1.5. The method incorporates highly anisotropic colloids using a layer-by-layer process that circumvents the tendency for separation of nanotubes at high nanotube loadings. Additionally, the method incorporates aligned highly anisotropic colloids and provides a method for carbon nanotube alignment, which among other advantages makes possible the preparation of unique criss-crossed composites.

Abstract: A method comprising forming and grafting polymers on carbon nanotubes, a functionalized product and product dispersion produced by the method, a method of forming composites from the functionalized carbon nanotubes, and the composites produced therefrom.

Abstract: Novel cap-independent translational enhancers (CITEs) from monocot-infecting members of the virus family Tombusviridae (e.g. Maize necrotic streak virus) are provided. The CITEs can be used to produce uncapped mRNA that is efficiently translated into protein, for example, in wheat germ extract or in transgenic cereals or grasses.

Abstract: A silt fence structure and method of controlling erosion are disclosed. The silt fence structure includes a water permeable fence, an apron having first and second edges, the first edge providing a buried apron toe, the second edge attaching to the water permeable fence, and at least one flow barrier attached to the water permeable fence and to the apron so as to impede lateral runoff flow along the water permeable fence.