Abstract: Provided herein are details on the construction of a recombinant African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) live attenuated vaccine for prevention of ASF caused by various strains of ASFV, such as the highly virulent Georgia 2007 isolate (“ASFV-G”). An exemplary vaccine comprises the ASFV-G?I1771 modified virus, a recombinant ASFV-G modified by deleting a portion of the I177L ORF rendering the I177L gene nonfunctional.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides for peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs) antisense oligonucleotides that target plant pathogens and insect pests by targeting the microbes within the insect pest. Methods of delivering PPMOs to bacteria in plants, in insect carriers, and to the insects via plant feeding are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are immunogenic compositions containing recombinant proteins capable of presenting all, or antigenic portions of, the Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, and Eimeria acervulina IMP1 protein in developing active immunity to, and control of, coccidiosis. Also provided are methodologies of using the immunogenic compositions for administration to poultry and other animals in the control of coccidiosis. Nanoparticle-conjugated rIMP1 immunogenic compositions and methods of making and using them are provided.

Abstract: Unique, inexpensive, and strong biocomposites are obtained from blending cellulose matrix materials with lignocellulosic reinforcement materials with the aid of alkaline aqueous solvent and cold temperatures. These lignocellulosic composites (LCs) are produced without use of any thermoplastic resins, adhesives, catalysts, plasticizers or complicated chemical or physical procedures. The LCs include a matrix and a reinforcement material. The matrix is a cellulose material (e.g., cotton, hemp, flax, or wood) that is liquefied using an aqueous alkaline solvent solution under cold temperatures to more readily adhere and/or incorporate/encapsulate the lignocellulosic reinforcements (wood chips, fibers, and other lignocellulosic sources).

Abstract: Altered guayule that produce more rubber than the amount of rubber produced by non-altered guayule are provided. The alterations may include (i) a reduction in amount of functional PaAos produced by the altered guayule, (ii) an increase in amount of a transcription factor produced by the altered guayule, (iii) an increase in amount of salicylic acid within the altered guayule, (iv) exposure of the altered guayule to cold temperature, and (v) a combination thereof. Methods of producing the altered guayule and methods of increasing the amount of rubber produced by a guayule are also provided.

Abstract: Novel strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens are disclosed. Several novel mutated strains of Pseudomonads are engineered by repetitive culturing of a parent strain under stressed conditions. Various enriched populations are screened and ranked based on relative performance indices including viable cell yield during growth, efficacy in suppression of dry rot disease, cell growth recovery after dry storage and resistance to switchgrass hydrolysate.

Abstract: Compositions for prevention of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) are provided, comprising an antigen component in the amount equivalent to 0.5-20 ?g FMD virus and an adjuvant component comprising oil, an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, and a polycationic carrier. Methods of using the composition, as well as the methods of reducing FMD persistence are also provided.

Abstract: The active coulter system includes a pivotable support structure that vertically adjusts the position of an active coulter component to compensate for changes in the contour of a target field. In the preferred embodiment, a proximity sensor and an associated controller are in electronic communication with a linear actuator assembly. Based on data from the proximity sensor, the controller sends electronic instructions to the linear actuator assembly to automatically move the active coulter component vertically. The system also optionally includes a torque/speed sensor that can operate independently to control the torque and/or power supplied to the active coulter component, or the sensor can interface with the controller and anticipate changes in power needs and increase/decrease power before the operation of the active coulter component is affected.

Abstract: Genetically altered guayule are generated which produce more rubber than the amount of rubber produced by a wild-type guayule. The genetically altered guayule plant contains an expression vector that encodes a protein involved in rubber production. Method of making and using the genetically altered guayule are included.

Abstract: Genetically engineered Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) and related engineered proteins and polynucleotides, nanolipoprotein particles, compositions, methods and systems are described. The genetically engineered FMDV is modified by the strategic insertion of a protein tag into select regions of the FMDV genome which encode viral proteins that are exposed on the surface of the FMDV viral capsid. The inserted protein tag is displayed as a decoration or attachment on the viral capsid surface.

Abstract: A low cost planar transmission line sensor and simple calibration method for measuring the complex permittivity of materials with minimal sample preparation over a wide band of radio- and microwave frequencies. The sensor is also used for measuring anisotropic dielectric properties of materials with a defined grain.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for attracting insects (e.g., harmful or troublesome insects such as blood-sucking and biting insects, ticks and mites) to an object (e.g., insect trap) or area (e.g., field, orchard). Also disclosed are methods for attracting insects involving treating (or exposing) the object or area with a composition containing compounds described herein (e.g., a pro-fragrance compound selected from the group consisting of an acetal, a ketal, hemiacetal and mixtures thereof, wherein at least one of a parent aldehyde, ketone, or alcohol of the pro-fragrance acetal or ketal is a fragrance compound), and optionally a carrier or carrier material.

Abstract: This application provides and discloses anti-parasitic, anti-pest or insecticidal nucleic acid molecules and their calmodulin target genes for the control of arthropod parasites and pests. This application further provides methods and compositions for the control and treatment of parasites and pests in Apis mellifera (honey bee) hives.

Abstract: The present invention provides nutritional compositions (for example, sensorially acceptable nutritional compositions) that comprise a fruit component, a fiber component, and a micronutrient component. Also provided are methods of making and using the nutritional compositions.

Abstract: Improved casein-based films are produced by adjusting the pH of a film-production suspension. The film-production suspension may contain a casein source, a plasticizer, and optionally a strengthening additive. The adjustment of the pH may be accomplished by the addition of an alkaline additive, such as a base, to achieve a desired pH value. The improved casein-based films have improved physical properties as compared to those produced without a pH-adjusted film-production suspension at least in part due to the chemical and structural changes imparted by the change in pH.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for uses of grape products, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape products and grape seed flour, for use in promoting a healthy liver, promoting healthy fat content in a liver, for treating or preventing NAFLD, and other embodiments and uses as described herein.

Abstract: The system includes a feeding vessel having an inlet, an outlet, and a membrane positioned across an opening in the vessel. Parasites (preferably ticks) are allowed to attach themselves to the membrane so that as a feeding fluid (preferably blood) is circulated through the vessel, the parasites feed on the feeding fluid through the membrane.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for blastospore-based insect control products of entomopathogenic fungi including either B. bassiana or I. fumosorosea that produces high concentrations of stable, effective spores by identifying nutritional and environmental conditions required for the rapid production of high concentrations of a stable and infective yeast-like blastospore composition.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid Tsuga cultivar tree named ‘Traveler’ is disclosed, characterized by a slightly weeping and graceful pyramidal habit, tolerance to hemlock woolly adelgid, and moderately slow growth rate. ‘Traveler’ is well-suited for use as a landscape tree in a large yard or park. It transplants well from containers.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and distinct cultivar of peach rootstock tree named ‘Jam 23’. The new cultivar is primarily characterized by its cold hardiness and late blooming making it suitable for the reliable production of rootstock seeds with red leaf color, high levels of germination and cold hardiness.