Abstract: The present invention is directed to an isolated synthetic tripeptide of formula H-D-Phe-N-Methyl-L-Val-L-Ala-OMe (SEQ ID NO:1), or a derivative thereof, and to the corresponding lipotripeptides, which are specific to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) S-type strain, as well as derivatives and conjugates thereof. The invention also concerns the use of these antigens in different methods and tests for detecting Map infection, especially by detecting humoral response and cell mediated response of infected animals. The invention is also directed to a genetic signature of Map and a mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy signature of Map presence or infection.

Abstract: The method of performing dendrometry and forest mapping utilizes a stereoscopic camera system, coupled with a machine vision system, to determine the diameters at breast height of selected trees in a forest, based solely on calculations performed from recorded digital image data, as well as to generate a map showing the coordinates and calculated diameters of the selected trees in the forest. A ground plane is first determined, and then bounding box coordinates are generated about selected tree stems of the recorded images. The bounding boxes are evolved to determine stem edges of the selected tree stems, and the diameter of each tree at breast height is then determined. Geographic location data is acquired for each tree, allowing a map to be generated which shows the location of each selected tree, along with a tag representative of geolocation data and corresponding diameter data.

Abstract: Methods for repelling Drosophila species (e.g., D. suzukii, D. melanogaster) involving treating an object or area with a composition containing a Drosophila species (e.g., D. suzukii, D. melanogaster) repelling effective amount of 2-pentylfuran and optionally a carrier.

Abstract: The bio sensor platform is a rapid point-of-care (POC) device wherein detection of a target analyte from a liquid or solid substrate is performed in a single step using a fully integrated disposable test system that includes a test strip immunoassay. In operation, a user initiates the test by rupturing the bottom of a liquid-filled analyte capsule seated in a capsule sleeve. A small volume of liquid flows by capillary action from the capsule sleeve and through a restrictor port to a test strip chamber where contact with the absorptive sample pad of the test strip (among other things) moves liquid by capillary action upwardly through the test strip. The detection of the target analyte is resolved by the test strip reagents and the test results are obtained at a test result window where a portion of the test strip is exposed to the user.

Abstract: Multiple tagged neutrons are emitted from an associated particle imaging neutron generator. The tagged neutrons penetrate a target material and interact with the target material nucleus—which emits nucleus-specific gamma rays. A gamma ray detector detects all gamma rays—including the nucleus-specific gamma rays. An alpha-gamma timing spectrum is constructed for all detected gamma rays. For a specific energy level (MeV) corresponding with the target material nucleus, a peak in the alpha gamma timing spectrum indicates the presence of the target material. Based on the peaking time of the gamma rays (due to tagged neutrons interaction with the target material nucleus) in the alpha-gamma timing spectrum for the specific energy level, the distance from the neutron generator to the target material can be calculated. The nucleus-specific gamma ray spectrum data can be effectively collimated by programming the system to detect the gamma rays in a time window corresponding to the peaking time.

Abstract: A system for analyzing soil content of a field includes a data acquisition unit configured to detect gamma spectra of each of a plurality of soil samples, wherein a surface area of the field is divided into a plurality of portions and the plurality of soil samples comprises at least one soil sample from each of the plurality of portions, a navigation unit configured to detect geographic coordinates of each of the plurality of soil samples, a data analysis unit configured to associate the detected gamma spectra of each of the plurality of soil samples with the geographic coordinates of the soil sample and determine a weight percent of at least one element within each of the soil samples based on the detected gamma spectra, and an element content map unit configured to generate a map indicating concentration of the at least one element within the soil of the field.

Abstract: The compositions, method, system, and process of the invention provide increased circulating lipids, including serum triglycerides, in animals by utilizing oleaginous microorganisms as an oral supplement for the animals to increase available energy, enhance probiotics health, and provide enhanced immune system protection against pathogens in the animals.

Abstract: Provided are compositions, kits, and methods for the accurate detection of Listeria. In certain aspects and embodiments, the compositions, kits, and methods may provide improvements in relation to specificity, sensitivity, and speed of detection.

Abstract: A branched estolide compound of the formula: wherein x and y are equal to 1 or greater; wherein x+y=14; wherein n is 0, 1, or greater than 1; wherein R is H or wherein R=C1 to C18 straight alcohols or C4 to C12 branched alcohols; wherein R1 is a residual fragment of octanoic, decanoic, lauric, coconut, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, iso-stearic or iso-oleic acids.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a fiber component, optionally a dispersing agent operable to disperse the fiber component to create a fiber matrix, a starch component distributed essentially throughout the fiber matrix, and a filler component are disclosed. Methods of forming articles such as containers and packages from such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crisp and hard whole kernel oat snack product made by fully hydrating whole oat kernels (i.e. oat groats), and then gelatinizing the starch in the whole oat kernels using an infrared process. The gelatinized oats are then roasted in a hot air dryer. The resulting food product is measurably harder and crisper than other whole oat products currently available.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to rejuvenate spent filtration media are described. The apparatuses include a filtration unit to filter a liquid having solids that need to be removed and a rejuvenation unit to heat the spent filtration media that has reduced filtering capacity. The methods include using the apparatus to rejuvenate spent filtration media by removing solids deposited on the filtration media to allow its repeated reuse rather than being discarded and replaced with new filtration media.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to remove organic and/or inorganic compounds (e.g., contaminants) from water containing organic and/or inorganic compounds, involving contacting the water with an effective organic and/or inorganic compounds removing amount of hemoglobin/Fe3O4 composite where the compounds in the water adsorb onto the hemoglobin/Fe3O4 composite, and removing (e.g., using a magnet since the composite is magnetic) the hemoglobin/Fe3O4 composite from the water.

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: A system for and methods of analyzing a test sample through the use of a rotary apparatus that includes a microfluidic paper-based apparatus (mPAD). The apparatus includes two or more layers that are rotatable with respect to one another. A middle layer may comprise a microfluidic apparatus having one or more reagent channels. Each of the reagent channels may include reagent dried on the surface of the channel, and, together with an absorption pad, may be aligned vertically with a sample chamber. Male and female engagement surfaces on each of the middle layer, the top layer, and the bottom layer interlock to secure each layers in vertical alignment so that fluid flows through the apparatus to contact a test sample with a reagent and facilitate detection of a target analyte in the test sample in the sample chamber.

Abstract: Processes of treating grain (e.g., corn), involving milling the grain to produce milled grain wherein the grain germ remains intact in the milled grain, and producing a mixture by mixing the milled grain with water and at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of protease, alpha amylase, glucoamylase, cell wall degrading enzyme, and mixtures thereof, wherein the pH of the mixture is optionally adjusted to a pH of about 3.5 to about 6.5, and incubating the mixture for about 1 to about 3 hours to produce an incubated mixture.

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: Disclosed herein are engineered antimicrobial peptides (e.g, HTH peptide or AAPs) and methods of using such peptides to treat pathogenic infections, such as HLB disease and X. fastidiosa, in plants, such as citrus plants and grape plants. The engineered antimicrobial peptides may be derived from amphipathic helical peptides. The engineered antimicrobial peptides disclosed herein may be formed by coupling two or more amphipathic helical peptides. An engineered antimicrobial peptide may include a first amphipathic helical peptide coupled with a second amphipathic helical peptide by a linker domain forming a helix-turn-helix scaffold formation. Such amphipathic helical peptides may be endogenous to a target host, such as a plant (e.g., a citrus plant or grape plant).

Abstract: A system for monitoring ruminant animal foraging that utilizes a piezoelectric film sensor in communication with a computer processor to record and characterize jaw movement data for the foraging ruminant animal. The processor applies pattern algorithms to categorize the jaw movement data so that the jaw movements are categorized as at least chewing, biting, ruminating, and/or idling.

Abstract: The combination of a repellent agent or an attractant agent with a wavelength-specific visual cue agent has been found to produce an unexpected and synergistic effect of increased repellency or attraction in dichromatic animals who are not maximally sensitive to the wavelength of the repellent or attractant agent. The method of the invention may be used to repel dichromatic-animal pests; or to prevent or minimize monetary damage, particularly to agricultural products, natural resources or private property. The method of the invention may also be used to attract dichromatic animals for the purpose of agricultural production, recreational opportunities (e.g., wild-rodent feeders), or the effective administration of target-animal pharmaceuticals or mitigation techniques.