Abstract: Provided are methods for enhancing plant cell disease resistance, comprising (1) generating a homozygous gene modification of AtSR1 (or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog) in a plant or plant cell characterized by sialic acid-mediated systemic acquired resistance (SA-mediated SAR), wherein said gene modification reduces or eliminates the calmodulin-binding activity of the respective AtSR1 or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog; or (2) expression of a recombinant or mutant AtSR1 sequence (or AtSR1 gene ortholog or homolog sequence) encoding a modified AtSR1, or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog protein, in a plant or plant cell, wherein said protein modification reduces or eliminates the calmodulin-binding activity of the respective AtSR1 or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog protein. Plants and/or plant cells comprising said modified AtSR1, or AtSR1 ortholog or homolog proteins, and/or said expression means (e.g.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining resistance or tolerance of a subject to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) infection, comprising determining, a presence or absence of a mutation, or the genotype of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within Map infection linkage disequilibrium region SEQ ID NO:46 that segregates with resistance or tolerance to Map infection, or determining a presence or absence of a mutation or a genotype of a SNP within a Map infection linkage disequilibrium region (SEQ ID NO:1) that is in linkage disequilibrium therewith, and determining, based thereon, susceptibility, resistance or tolerance of the subject to Map infection. In particular aspects, a presence or absence of a mutation, or the genotype of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within at least one gene selected from the group consisting of HIVEP3; EDN2; and LOC521287 that segregates with resistance or tolerance to Map tissue infection is determined.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles on a substrate using a metal precursor in an ionic liquid and microwave heating is described. The composite compositions are useful as catalysts for chemical reactions, fuel cell, supercapacitor and battery components, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions for detection and isolation of cancer cells with metastatic potential. The invention further relates to assays for measuring the metastatic potential of such cancer cells and drug screening assays for the identification of agents having anti-metastatic potential. The present invention further provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the metastatic potential of cancer cells by modulating the activity of serine integral membrane proteases [(SIMP) consisting of seprase and dipedidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV)] expressed on the surface of metastasizing cancer cells.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating external beam radiation therapy delivered to a subject include: (a) placing at least one wireless implantable sensor in a first subject at a target location; (b) administering a first dose of radiation therapy into the first subject; (c) obtaining radiation data from the at least one wireless implantable sensor; and (d) calculating a radiation dose amount received by the first subject at the target location based on the radiation data obtained from the at least one wireless sensor during and/or after exposure to the first administered dose of radiation to determine and/or verify a dose amount of radiation delivered to the target location.

Abstract: A novel rice cultivar, designated ‘CL131,’ is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar ‘CL131,’ to the plants of rice ‘CL131,’ and to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing the cultivar ‘CL131’ with itself or another rice variety, and to single gene conversions of such plants. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar ‘CL131’ with another rice cultivar. The invention further relates to other derivatives of the cultivar ‘CL131.

Abstract: A new technique for identifying from images a camera, or other imaging device such as a scanner, is based on the device's reference noise pattern, a unique stochastic characteristic of all common digital imaging sensors, including CCD, CMOS (Foveon™ X3), and JFET. First, one determines from images the sensor's reference pattern noise, which uniquely identifies each sensor. To identify the sensor from a given image, the presence or absence of the reference pattern noise in the image under examination is established using a correlation detector or other means.

Abstract: Methods of making unsaturated modified vegetable oil-based polyols are described. Also described are methods of making oligomeric modified vegetable oil-based polyols. An oligomeric composition having a modified fatty acid triglyceride structure is also described. Also, methods of making a polyol including hydroformylation and hydrogenation of oils in the presence of a catalyst and support are described.

Abstract: A waveguide including: a first section including a first surface, a second surface, an upper wall, and a lower wall facing the upper wall; and a second section extending from the second surface; wherein the first section includes an upper ridge on the upper wall of the first section and a lower ridge on the lower wall of the first section, wherein the second section includes an upper conductor extending from a top portion of the second surface and a lower conductor extending from a lower portion of the second surface with a gap between the upper and lower conductors, wherein the upper conductor is electrically connected to the upper ridge, wherein the lower conductor is electrically connected to the lower ridge, and wherein the upper and lower conductors are adapted to propagate a wave and reduce discontinuity of the wave a connection between the first and second sections.

Abstract: Systems may methods may be provided for determining turbulent mixing characteristics. The systems and methods may include obtaining sounding data associated with an atmospheric column and determining first vertical potential temperature profiles from the sounding data. The systems and methods may further include determining second vertical profiles of displacement scales based at least in part on the first vertical potential temperature profiles, and determining turbulent mixing characteristics in the atmospheric column based at least in part on the displacement scales.

Abstract: Method for making lignocellulosic composites by adhering lignocellulosic substrates together. A first variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) first ingredient selected from a soy protein or lignin and (ii) at least one substantially formaldehyde-free curing agent that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide, or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the soy protein. A second variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) a protein or lignin, (ii) a first compound that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the protein and (iii) a curing agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for at or near room temperature of infrared detection are disclosed. Embodiments of the disclosure include high temperature split-off band infrared detectors. One embodiment, among others, comprises a first barrier and a second barrier with an emitter disposed between the first and second barrier, each barrier being a layer of a first semiconductor material and the emitter being a layer of a second semiconductor material.

Abstract: The present invention is related to immunoglobulin peptides that recognize a thermostable antigen from bovine blood. The invention also provides methods for determining the presence of bovine blood in a food sample or an animal feed sample.

Abstract: The synthesis of nanostructures uses a catalyst that may be in the form of a thin film layer on a substrate. Precursor compounds are selected for low boiling point or already exist in gaseous form. Nanostructures are capable of synthesis with a masked substrate to form patterned nanostructure growth. The techniques further include forming metal nanoparticles with sizes <10 nm and with a narrow size distribution. Metallic nanoparticles have been shown to possess enhanced catalytic properties. The process may include plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition to deposit Ni, Pt, and/or Au nanoparticles onto the surfaces of SiO2, SiC, and GaN nanowires. A nanostructure sample can be coated with metallic nanoparticles in approximately 5-7 minutes. The size of the nanoparticles can be controlled through appropriate control of temperature and pressure during the process. The coated nanowires have application as gas and aqueous sensors and hydrogen storage.

Abstract: Biocompatible polyarylates of diphenol compounds and poly(alkylene oxide) dicarboxylic acids, articles formed therefrom and therapeutic uses are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, context-induced wireless network information and content transport systems and methods are provided. In another aspect of the present application, a system includes first and second mobile devices that store respective interest profiles. A further aspect of the present application provides that wireless point-to-point connections are formed when the first and second mobile devices are in close physical proximity to each other. In another aspect, the mobile devices automatically exchange advertising content between each other based on the respective interest profiles over the wireless point-to-point connections. Yet another aspect employs a content distribution device wirelessly transmitting advertising content to one of the first and second mobile devices when the one of the first and second mobile devices is in close physical proximity to the content distribution device. A method of operating such a wireless network is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents and methods for biomaterial production from cyanobacteria.

Abstract: In the present methods, the automatic detection of polyps is converted into a 2D pattern recognition problem using conformal mapping and direct volume rendering. The colon surface is first segmented and extracted from the CT data set of the abdomen, which is then mapped to a 2D plane using conformal mapping. Ray casting is used to determine sub-surface density values and the flattened image is rendered using a volume rendering technique with a translucent electronic biopsy transfer function. Polyp candidates are detected by a clustering method which identifies regions of elevated sub-surface density. The potential for false positives is reduced by analyzing the volumetric shape and texture features of the polyp candidate regions.

Abstract: Compositions of matter and methods of treating cancer patients may prevent or limit cardiotoxicity during or after chemotherapy, and/or may prevent or lower resistance to anthracycline drugs, both of which are believed to be caused by the human enzyme carbonyl reductase. Thus, the compositions and methods may be used to reduce the dosages of anthracycline anti-cancer drugs necessary to produce a desired cancer-cell-killing performance. Preferred embodiments comprise treating cancer patients with a pharmaceutical composition comprising biphenyl compounds having two halogenated (or pseudo-halogenated) and/or hydroxylated, aryl groups that are linked by a bridging atom. The preferred composition of biphenyl compound(s) may be administered in a pharmaceutical composition also comprising at least one anthracycline compound, or may be administered separately than the at least one anthracycline compound. Especially-preferred biphenyl compounds include triclosan, hexachlorophene, and dichlorophene.

Abstract: St. Augustinegrass plant ‘Polaris’ is a new and distinct variety of perennial St. Augustinegrass cultivar, characterized by its short and narrow leaf blades, fine leaf texture, short internode length and diameter, and superior cold tolerance and turf quality. ‘Polaris’ is also distinguished by its superior green plot and living ground cover characteristics.