Abstract: The present invention provides a swarm manufacturing platform, based on a swarm 3D printing and assembly (SPA) platform as a model for future smart factories, consisting of thousands of IoT-based mobile robots performing different manufacturing operations with different end effectors (e.g., material deposition, energy deposition, pick and place, removal of materials, screw driving, etc.) and real-time monitoring. The swarm manufacturing platform transforms a 1-D factory into a 2-D factory with manufacturing robots that can move across the 2-D factory floor, work cooperatively with each other on the same production jobs, and re-configure in real-time (i.e., the manufacturing robots can be digitally controlled to move, re-group, calibrate, and work on a new job in real-time).

Abstract: A rice cultivar designated ‘Jewel’ is disclosed herein. The present invention provides seeds, plants, and plant parts derived from rice cultivar Jewel. Further, it provides methods for producing a rice plant by crossing Jewel with itself or another rice variety. The invention also encompasses any rice seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by the methods disclosed herein, including those in which additional traits have been transferred into Jewel through the introduction of a transgene or by breeding Jewel with another rice cultivar.

Abstract: A bilayer electrospun membranes for treating hydraulic fracking wastewater via membrane distillation, and more particularly to bilayer electrospun membranes having an omniphobic layer to prevent low-surface tension solution wicking and an oleophobic antifouling surface to prevent foulant depositing on the membrane. Nanoparticles are decorated on the omniphobic surface through electrochemical interaction, which is coated with a fluorine monomer on the nanoparticles. A zwitterionic co-polymer is grafted using self-assembly between hydroxy groups on the antifouling surface generated by alkaline treatment and anchor segment epoxy groups on zwitterionic co-polymer.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to collagen-binding agent compositions and methods of using the same. More specifically, the invention relates in part to new collagen-binding agent compositions and methods that may be used to treat damaged collagen within tissues or used to specifically target therapeutics to tissues containing undamaged or damaged collagen.

Abstract: Orthotospovirus virions travel through the thrips foregut and enter midgut epithelial cells through the interaction between virus glycoproteins and cellular receptors with several protein motifs thought to be involved in the interaction. Single, double and triple mutant polypeptides in the soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV)/Neohydatothrips variabilis system are provided herein and several are shown to block viral transmission from the thrips to the soybean plants. Methods for inhibiting viral transmission using these polypeptides or constructs comprising polynucleotides encoding peptides are also provided herein.

Abstract: In one aspect, composite particles are described herein. A composite particle comprises a substrate, composite metallic or metal oxide nanoparticles supported by the substrate and an amphiphilic or hydrophilic component associated with the substrate, wherein the composite metallic or metal oxide nanoparticles comprise iron and at least one additional transition metal.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a concentration of one or more gases dissolved in a beverage is shown. The system includes a saturation tank having a gas head space, a brite tank, and a beverage supply system to pass the beverage between the saturation tank and the brite tank. A beverage supersaturated with the gas from the head space is formed in the saturation tank. The supersaturated beverage is passed from the saturation tank to the brite tank. Once the amount of gas added to the beverage exceeds saturation, some of the gas escapes from solution from the beverage and the pressure in the brite tank increases. Once the pressure within the brite tank reaches a pre-defined pressure, a pump supplying the beverage to the saturation tank is shut-off and the inlet and outlet valves of the brite tank are closed.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the enzymatic efficiency of an enzyme added to poultry feed for a living subject, comprises adding a cellulose-degrading enzyme to a mobile enzyme sequestration platform (MESP) so as to form an enzyme-MESP complex; adding the enzyme-MESP complex to poultry feed for a living subject; the enzyme efficiency of the cellulose-degrading enzyme of the enzyme-MESP complex after being exposed to a first adverse environment for a first period of time is at least 50% higher than the enzyme efficacy of the cellulose-degrading enzyme independent of the MESP being exposed to the first adverse environment for the first period of time.

Abstract: A surgical spoon for removing uroliths having a head connected to a handle by a neck, The head has a perimeter having a curved edge and at least one straight edge.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a process of using Arkansas net energy formulations of feed ingredients for broiler production. In calculating energy requirements, the invention accounts for the heat generated due to maintaining body composition as well as the energy accretion from gain. The process is configured be incorporated into and utilized by a system for formulating feed rations.

Abstract: A microwave-plasma disinfector (Origreen) with a microwave source with multi-feed points and variable output power. It also has a low-temperature atmospheric-pressure plasma source. This versatile microwave-plasma disinfector has the ability to decontaminate heat-sensitive materials by subjecting them to a microwave-assisted plasma with controlled microwave power.

Abstract: A medium for fast, selective oil-water separation and/or oil absorption includes steel wool modified with a polymer a polymer or a polymer mixture. The polymer or the polymer mixture is adapted such that the medium is a superwetting material that is superhydrophobic and superoleophilic under water. The polymer or the polymer mixture includes polydimethylsiloxane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or a combination thereof. The solution immersion method used to synthesize the medium requires only a single, simple step and affordable materials and, as a result, is easy to scale up.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mechanically-strained oligonucleotide constructs comprising two oligonucleotides that when hybridized results in a bent double-stranded oligonucleotide. The constructs may be used to probe oligonucleotide interactions with an analyte to detect interactions with metal ions or compounds.

Abstract: Vaccine vectors and methods of using the vaccine vectors to enhance the immune response to an Apicomplexan parasite and reduce the morbidity or mortality associated with subsequent infection are provided herein. The vaccine vectors include a polynucleotide encoding a Rhomboid polypeptide and optionally include an immune-stimulatory polypeptide suitably expressed on the surface of the vaccine vector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a class of chiral binuclear metal complexes for stereoselective hydrolysis of saccharides and glycosides, and more particular chiral binuclear transition metal complex catalysts that discriminate epimeric glycosides and ?- and ?-glycosidic bonds of saccharides in aqueous solutions at near physiological pHs. The chiral binuclear metal complexes include a Schiff-base-type ligand derived from a chiral diamino building block, and a binuclear transition metal core, each which can be varied for selectivity. The metal core is a Lewis-acidic metal ion, such as copper, zinc, lanthanum, iron and nickel. The Schiff-base may be a reduced or non-reduced Schiff-base derived from aliphatic linear, aliphatic cyclic diamino alcohols or aromatic aldehydes. The ligand can be a penta- or heptadentate ligand derived from pyridinecarbaldehydes, benzaldehydes, linear or cyclic diamines or diamino alcohols.

Abstract: NMEG-?CGRP, a biologically active molecule, and systems and methods of use therefore, subcutaneous administration of NMEG-?CGRP, a non-toxic peptoid-peptide hybrid that possesses hypotensive action, employed as a therapeutic agent to treat and prevent various cardiovascular diseases, including, heart failure (pressure. as well as volume, overload), myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension.

Abstract: Description and specifications of a new and distinct cultivar of wine grapevine which originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘Seyval Blanc’ (female parent) and ‘Muscat Ottonel’ (male parent) made in 1988. The seedlings fruited in the summer of 1992 in a vineyard near Clarksville, Ark. and one was selected for its potential as a wine grape for utilization in the Mid-South. The original vine was tested as ‘Ark. 2359’. The new cultivar of grapevine is a white wine grape which is adapted to the Mid-South of the United States with good winter hardiness and distinct muscat flavor.

Abstract: Description and specifications of a new and distinct cultivar of blackberry plant named ‘APF-268’ which originated from seed produced by a hand-pollinated cross of Arkansas selections ‘APF-45’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,449) x ‘APF-158’ (non-patented, unreleased genotype) is provided. This new cultivar of blackberry plant can be distinguished by its large fruit with consistent size and sweet flavor. The plants have consistently good plant health and primocane-fruiting habit.

Abstract: Description and specifications of a new and distinct cultivar of grapevine which originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘Gewürztraminer’ (female parent) x ‘Melody’ (male parent) made in 1991. The seedlings fruited in the summer of 1992 in a vineyard near Clarksville, Ark. and one was selected for its potential as a wine grape for utilization in the Mid-South of the United States. The original vine was tested as ‘Ark. 2574’. The new cultivar of grapevine is intended for wine production and provides advancements in cold hardiness.

Abstract: A new and distinct peach tree named ‘Whitewater’ which originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘White County’ (female parent; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,742) x ‘Souvenirs’ peach (male parent; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,920) is provided. This new peach tree cultivar can be distinguished by its white, low-acid, slow-melting flesh, early-season ripening, attractive appearance, postharvest performance, and resistance to bacterial spot disease.