Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system configured to monitor the activities of individuals without having to keep the surrounding area under the surveillance of a camera thereby maintaining the privacy of the individual. In particular, the monitoring system includes a network of sensitive sensor units that are installed onto indoor flooring to record human footstep induced vibrations. The data collected from the sensors can then be processed to identify individual occupants, determine the number of occupants, estimate the location of footsteps, and track the trajectory of each occupant. The extracted trajectory information can be used to assess an occupant's personal activity and social interaction, which can then be used to analyze the individual's physical and psychological health.

Abstract: A vaccine delivery method is presented that includes a composition including as one component a slurry matrix that is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at physiological pH, physiological salt concentrations and/or physiological temperatures and as a second component one or more antigens. Also included are methods of inducing an immune response in a subject and vaccinating a subject by administering such compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are targeted nanoparticles for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a fungal infection.

Abstract: Attenuated isolates of the Arkansas serotype of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), including the IBV isolate ArkGA p40 deposited at the ATCC under Patent Designation PTA-126834, and compositions thereof are presented. Methods for administering the isolates or compositions as vaccines to the prevent virulent IBV infection in birds of the order Galliformes are also presented.

Abstract: Sialic acid recognizing-affinity reagents engineered from the neuraminidase NanB have lectin-like properties and defined specificities for sialic acid.

Abstract: Metallic and dielectric domains in phase change materials (PCM) provide spatially localized changes in the local dielectric environment, enabling launching, reflection, and transmission of hyperbolic polaritons (HPs) at the PCM domain boundaries, and tuning the wavelength of HPs propagating in hyperbolic materials over these domains, providing a methodology for realizing planar, sub-diffractive refractive optics. This approach offers reconfigurable control of in-plane HP propagation to provide design optical functionality because the phase change material can be manipulated by changing the local structure, for example, to manipulate polaritons in the adjacent hyperbolic material, thus tuning the wave propagation properties of the polaritons in the hyperbolic material.

Abstract: Provided herein are long-acting antiparasitic devices comprising parasiticidal isoxazoline active agent for external use on an animal to treat and/or prevent parasitic infestations by ectoparasites, and in some embodiments, also parasitic infections. The disclosure also describes methods and uses of the antiparasitic external devices to treat and/or prevent parasitic infestations and/or infections in an animal.

Abstract: Coating compositions, coated articles including the coating compositions, and methods of making the coating compositions and coated articles are provided. In some aspects, the coating compositions are applied to a substrate having nitric oxide-releasing properties. The coating compositions can include copolymers having crosslinking agents that can be activated with mild UV light (about 345 nm to 365 nm) to avoid damaging the substrate while creating strong covalent bonds to the substrate. The copolymers can include hydrophilic repeat units, and in particular zwitterionic repeat units such as repeat units containing phosphorylcholine groups. In some aspects, the coating compositions are applied to a surface of a polymer substrate, wherein the polymer substrate had nitric oxide releasing properties. The coating compositions and the coated articles can have antifouling, antithrombotic, and/or antibacterial properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of avian induced pluripotent stem cells from non-pluripotent somatic cells, including embryonic fibroblasts and adult somatic cells. In this method, avian (including quail or chicken) somatic cells are reprogrammed into a state closely resembling embryonic stem cells including the expression of key stem cell markers alkaline phosphatase, etc. by transfecting/transducing the non-stem cells with genes (preferably using a non-integrating vector as otherwise described herein or alternatively an integrating vector, such a lentiviral vector, retroviral vector or inducible lentiviral vector, among others) which express at least nanog, Lin28 and cMyc. In preferred aspects of the invention, the transfected/transduced vectors express nanog, Lig28, cMyc, Oct 4 (POU5F1 or PouV), SOX2 and KLF4. The induced stem cells which are produced contribute to all 3 germ layers, the trophectoderm and in certain aspects, the gonad in chimeric offspring.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides peanut maturity grading systems and methods for quickly, efficiently, and objectively determining a peanut maturity grade for a crop of peanuts and determining an optimal harvest time for the crop. Embodiments of systems and methods of the present disclosure can be performed in the field or field-side and do not require assistance of a trained peanut grading specialist.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides peanut maturity grading systems and methods for quickly, efficiently, and objectively determining a peanut maturity grade for a crop of peanuts and determining an optimal harvest time for the crop. Embodiments of systems and methods of the present disclosure can be performed in the field or field-side and do not require assistance of a trained peanut grading specialist.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘TO-3097’, characterized by a combination of unique pink-colored fruit, mid-season flowering and ripening, large berries with good firmness and flavor, high quality fruit production in conventional production areas, and a chilling requirement of about 450-500 hours below about 45° F.

Abstract: A new and distinctive cultivar of Abelia plant named ‘00-BC-47-7R’ characterized by a combination of uniform, compact, mounding growth habit; glossy dark green foliage in the summer; relatively short height; white flowers and greyed-orange or yellow-green sepals; and heavy blooming from May to September.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘TH-1996’, characterized by a combination of early season ripening; large berries with good scar and flavor; moderately vigorous growth; and a low chilling requirement of about 100 hours, or less, below about 45° F.

Abstract: A new and distinctive cultivar of Abelia plant named ‘00-BC-47-13R’ characterized by a combination of colorful display due to golden-yellow-green and green foliage that changes from early spring through late fall, relatively short height, and the abundant blooms of white flowers with greyed-orange or red sepals from June through September.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Spiraea plant named ‘MAD-SP1’, characterized by a combination of deep pink, self-cleaning flowers with medium green colored foliage, a moderately vigorous growth rate with a compact, low-mounding growth habit, and superior leaf spot resistance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Spiraea plant named ‘MAD-SP2’, characterized by its pure white colored flowers, medium green foliage and moderately vigorous, compact, low mounded growth habit. Also, for the last 5 years of its existence Spiraea ‘MAD-SP2’ has proven to be leaf spot resistant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘RutHib4’ is characterized by a combination of compact, dense growth form, that is smaller than either parent, bright red flowers with a darker red eyespot, better adaptation to southern climates, and improved disease resistance to aerial phytophthora, fungal and bacterial leaf spots.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘RutHib5’ is characterized by a combination of compact rounded form with medium vigor, attractive white flowers with a red eye, bicolor, reddish green foliage with pubescence, and good resistance to Alternaria alternata, Cercospora, and Hibiscus sawfly.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Distylium plant named ‘DISmd-09-15’, characterized by its compact, upright, and evergreen plant habit, and its ovate-lanceolate shaped leaves, that are dark green once mature and bronze-red in color when young. The inventor believes it could be used as a screening hedge in the South.