Abstract: The present disclosure describes deoptimized foot and mouth viruses and their use for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of mammalian subjects. The recombinant viruses provided herein include alterations in several genomic regions as well as Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) markers.

Abstract: The bee washing system washes worker bees and filters out varroa mites so that a beekeeper/operator can estimate the number of infected bees in a hive. The system includes a bee containment section with a coarse mesh filter, and a wash material section with a fine mesh filter. The system is structured so that when the bee containment section is loaded with bees, and the wash material section is loaded with wash material, an operator washes the bees by shaking the system. When the wash is complete, the operator detaches the wash material section from the system and counts the mites present on the fine mesh filter.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein utilizing a stable cell line capable of efficient infection by African swine fever virus (ASFV) and also provides for the detection of the presence of virus in samples applied to the cells. Detection of the virus by means such as red blood cell rosetting is a surprising result given that the cell line is derived from African green monkeys. This cell line provides a marked improvement over the currently available testing strategies.

Abstract: A line scan imaging system scans a targeted inspection area and gathers reflectance and fluorescence data. The inspection system comprises at least a rotatable/pivotable mirror-faced triangular prism, a line illumination source, and a line scan hyperspectral camera. The prism has a mirrored camera face and a mirrored illumination face. In operation, as the prism rotates, the camera instantaneous field of view (IFOV) and the projected illumination line converge at a nadir convergence scan line so that the hyperspectral camera receives line scan data from the nadir convergence scan line as the nadir convergence scan line traverses an inspection area.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for pest control, and more particularly for control of ants, e.g., of the subfamily Myrmicinae, using tyramides.

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 a deletion of multiple genes allowing for industrial-scale growth in stable cell lines.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter includes an antimicrobial peptide vectored composition made of a bacterial protein expression vehicle expressing one or more recombinant antimicrobial peptide effector molecules. More specifically these novel recombinant antimicrobial peptide effector molecules exhibit preferential anti¬microbial activity. The utility of the current inventive subject matter has demonstrated a reduced viability of Eimeira acervulina sporozoites in vitro using a sporozoite killing assay. More specifically, the antimicrobial peptide vectored composition is a bacterial protein expression vehicle expressing one or more recombinant antimicrobial peptide effector molecules, wherein the one or more recombinant antimicrobial peptide effector molecules are engineered from a NK-lysin gene and the one or more recombinant antimicrobial peptide effector molecules are engineered to express functionally active NK-2.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides genetic constructs containing a promotor that is useful in driving fruit-specific expression in plants. Further provided are expression vectors, transgenic plants, and plant parts containing such genetic constructs, as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: Compositions comprising synergistic blends of organic acids and hydrazones and methods of reducing bacterial and fungal contamination using the blends are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are synthetic peptides developed from slug and insect neuropeptides. Peptides described can be used to repel, control or deter slugs, including the gray garden slug (Deroceras reticulatum), from feeding on agricultural and horticultural plants. The peptides can be combined with bait materials, or applied directly to plants or areas, or produced by genetically modified plants.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to health benefits of Chardonnay seed products.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of producing calcined coke from bio-oil from a biomass feedstock. Also disclosed are calcined cokes produced by such methods.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for killing nematodes, said method comprising contacting said nematodes with an effective nematodes killing amount of a fatty-ammonium salt polysaccharide inclusion complex, and optionally a carrier. The fatty-ammonium salt starch inclusion complexes comprise one or more of a variety of fatty amines.

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: This invention relates to novel fusion peptides and immunogenic compositions containing the fusion peptides useful in the control and prevention of tick infestations. The invention also relates to compositions comprising said fusion peptides, methods of vaccination against tick infestation using said fusion peptides and compositions, and kits for use with such compositions and methods.

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: 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: An integrative computational soil mapping system and process that reduces the required number of soil property measurements without jeopardizing the statistical precision of the resulting digital soil maps. The integrative computational soil mapping system and process saves monetary resources and time by reducing the number of soil property measurements required to produce digital soil maps and by offering soil sample locations which capture the maximum amount of representativeness of the soil characteristics in a determined area. In addition, the inventive system and process are integrative computational soil mapping that utilize algorithms based on state-of-the-art computational statistics and machine learning methods for the production of digital soil property maps and also provides soil sampling locations to collect new soil property measurements.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides derived from a naturally occurring horn fly protein, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides, are described. The polypeptides elicit an immune response which, in turn, produces detrimental effects in horn flies feeding on vaccinated cattle. Thus, the present disclosure provides a novel horn fly vaccine.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apple tree rootstock Malus domestica x Malus robusta hybrid ‘G.66’ is described herein. The new variety is a productive, yield efficient, semi-dwarfing rootstock that is resistant to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) and crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum). The ‘G.66’ rootstock is useful in that it can be propagated clonally and used as a rootstock or root system for apple trees as well as for interstems of apple trees.