Abstract: Provided herein are immunogenic compositions containing recombinant viruses capable of inducing protection in poultry against both Marek's disease virus (MDV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Such viruses incorporate nucleic acids for expressing at least one MDV antigen, such as glycoprotein B, and antigenic portions thereof, in a recombinant NDV genome.

Abstract: The invention relates to new tunicamycin structures comprising N-acyl groups metabolically integrated into the terminus of the TUN via the Streptomyces branched chain fatty acid pathways and variants thereof, and methods of preparing such new tunicamycin structures. The invention further relates to antibacterial compositions comprising such new tunicamycin structures, and methods for using such antibacterial compositions for killing Gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: The biosensor platform is a rapid point-of-care (POC) device wherein detection of a target substance is performed in a single step using a fully integrated disposable biosensor test system. In one embodiment, the system comprises a horizontally oriented multi-strip test cassette. A user initiates the test by depositing an analyte onto an immunochromatographic test strip sandwiched between a (top) cassette lid and a (bottom) slotted cassette tray. The test strip is held in place by at least one horizontally extending self-adjusting flex plate. The system is structured so that as the analyte flows through the test strip, the analyte reacts with a reagent in the test strip to indicate a presence or absence of the targeted substance as the test strip is held in place by the self-adjusting flex plate.

Abstract: A flow-through electrochemical detection system determines if a target nucleic acid polymer is present in a sample. This system contains, at a minimum, an assay reaction chamber that contains a porous working electrode to which target nucleic acid polymer capturing molecules are bound. As a sample passes through the working electrode, any target nucleic acid polymer present in the sample binds to the target nucleic acid polymer capturing molecules. After the sample passes through the flow-through electrochemical detection system, target nucleic acid polymer detectors are placed inside the assay reaction chamber and bind to any target nucleic acid polymer present. The target nucleic acid polymer detectors contain a means for generating an electric current when exposed to a chemical or an enzyme. A potentiostat connected to the working electrode measures the generated current, thereby detecting the presence and quantity of the target nucleic acid polymer in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified Mannheimia haemolytica (M. haemolytica) lktCA gene cluster cassettes, compositions comprising such cassettes, methods of using such cassettes and compositions, and kits comprising such cassettes and compositions. Also described herein are Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) protective antigens, compositions comprising such antigens, methods of using such antigens and compositions, and kits comprising such antigens and compositions. Also described herein are modified M. haemolytica lktCA gene cluster cassettes engineered to express M. bovis protective antigens, compositions comprising such cassettes, methods of using such cassettes and compositions, and kits comprising such cassettes and compositions.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions containing (1) one or two adhesive compositions produced from the fruit but not the seeds of Osage orange fruit and (2) a known adhesive. The one or two adhesive compositions produced from the fruit but not the seeds of Osage orange fruit are produced by a process involving drying the cut peel and mesocarp but not the seeds of the fruit of Osage orange to produce dried peel and mesocarp, milling the dried peel and mesocarp to produce milled peel and mesocarp, extracting the milled peel and mesocarp with an organic solvent (e.g., hexane) or a polar aprotic solvent (e.g., ethyl acetate) to produce the first adhesive composition, and optionally wherein the amorphous layer between the polar aprotic solvent and the milled peel and mesocarp is the second adhesive composition.

Abstract: A system includes a processor, a network interface, an output coupled to the processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores an idealized mass spectrogram library including a plurality of idealized mass spectrograms, each associated with an idealized compound, and a reference compound library including a plurality of reference compound identifiers, each associated with a reference structural datum.

Abstract: A flow-through electrochemical detection system determines if an analyte is present in a sample. This system contains, at a minimum, an assay reaction chamber that contains a porous working electrode to which analyte capturing molecules are bound. As a sample passes through the working electrode, any analyte present in the sample binds to the analyte capturing molecules. After the sample passes through the flow-through electrochemical detection system, analyte detectors are placed inside the assay reaction chamber and bind to any analyte present. The analyte detectors contain a means for generating an electric current when exposed to a chemical or an enzyme. A potentiostat connected to the working electrode measures that generated current, thereby detecting the presence and quantity of the analyte in that sample.

Abstract: A strawberry treatment platform includes an outer housing with at least one UV-C light array enclosed in the outer housing, and at least one strawberry plant manipulating assembly that extends downwardly from the outer housing. The strawberry treatment platform is structured so that, as the strawberry treatment platform moves across a strawberry plant bed, the plant manipulating assembly combs through the strawberry plants and creates a canopy gap in the strawberry bed plant canopy so that radiation from the UV-C light array treats the strawberry plants in the strawberry plant bed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are adhesive compositions containing a cottonseed protein and a catechol compound containing a carboxyl group, and optionally a carrier. Also disclosed are processes for producing an adhesive composition involving mixing a cottonseed protein and a catechol compound containing a carboxyl group, and optionally a carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for baiting and/or feeding target animals comprises: a trough to contain bait and/or feed; and a closure which can be urged by at least one said target animal so as to move from a closed position, in which it precludes access to the bait and/or feed by the target animal(s), to an open position, which is such that said access is enabled, the apparatus being configured such that the closure offers a resistance to being moved which is sufficient that it cannot be urged by another animal to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic, saprophytic fungus that infects maize and other fatty acid-rich food and feed crops and produces toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites known as aflatoxins. In vitro studies showed a five-fold increase in antifungal activity of AGM182 (vs. tachyplesin1) against A. flavus. Transgenic maize plants expressing AGM182 under maize Ubiquitin-1 promoter were produced through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. PCR products confirmed integration of the AGM182 gene, while RT-PCR of maize RNA confirmed the presence of AGM182 transcripts. Maize kernel screening assay using a highly aflatoxigenic A. flavus strain (AF70) showed up to 72% reduction in fungal growth in the transgenic AGM182 seeds compared to isogenic negative control seeds.

Abstract: A composition comprising an HLB-susceptible or tolerant citrus rootstock grafted with an HLB-tolerant or resistant citrus interstock is provided. Also provided are plants comprising same and uses thereof in citrus growth.

Abstract: Conducting oxidation in an inflatable bag bioreactor (or batch reactor more generally) provides an efficient, economical, and convenient reaction vessel. Rotating or rocking the inflatable bag bioreactor (or batch reactor more generally) during the reaction helps ensure continued exposure of the reaction mixture to the headspace gas in the vessel. The ability of the inflatable bag to expand or contract as the volume of the contents changes helps maintain consistent pressure and avoid the need to replenish the headspace gas.

Abstract: Disclosed are isothiocyanate (ITC)-detecting biosensors that utilize recombinant host cells containing an ITC responsive genetic element such as a saxA promoter, operably linked with a reporter element, such as a luxCDABE operon or ilux operon. Such biosensors can detect the presence of diverse ITCs in samples such as plant extracts, biofumigated soils and seed meal amended soils.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for cleaning and decontaminating animal carcasses are disclosed. The compositions comprise a mud ball remover having a thioglycolate salt and a base and an antimicrobial agent effective to remove mud balls and reduce microbial contamination of a hide surface at ambient temperatures. The methods comprise cleaning and decontaminating an animal carcass by applying the disclosed compositions onto the surface of the animal carcass to soften and loosen foreign debris attached to the carcass followed by mechanically removing the foreign debris while preserving the integrity and quality of the hide byproduct and resulting leather articles.

Abstract: Volatile organic chemicals emitted by a shell egg embryo are used to identify the fertility, viability, and sex of the shell egg embryo. Shortly after the egg is laid, the egg is isolated in a vapor-tight compartment so that a vapor containing volatile organic chemicals emitted by the shell egg embryo collect in the headspace of the compartment. The chemicals in the vapor are analyzed to construct a chemical profile of the shell egg embryo, and then the chemical profile of the shell egg embryo vapor is loaded into a previously developed model. Based on the data generated by the model, the shell egg is embryo is predicted to be an alive male, an alive female, an infertile egg, or an egg containing a dead embryo.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel attenuated Pasteurella multocida strains that may be used, in live or killed form, to formulate vaccines that are highly protective against P. multocida infection in bovines, other mammals, and in birds. The present invention also identifies the combination of nanP and hyaC gene mutations as key to the provision of such vaccines. When appropriately formulated, antigenic material of numerous other bovine pathogens may be combined with the live attenuated Pasteurella multocida strains, to make effective combination vaccines.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nuclear male sterile sorghum mutants, three-component genetic constructs, and methods of using said mutants and genetic constructs, such as in a two-line male sterility system for hybrid breeding.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant named ‘USDA Lumina’. The new early-season cultivar is primarily characterized by large, bright, glossy, sweet fruits resistant to anthracnose fruit rot.