Abstract: Various examples of a system for peanut sorting and grading are disclosed herein. The system for grading peanut maturity, can include: a sample feeder configured to supply individual peanuts to an imaging area; a sorting board comprising a plurality of chutes and a plurality of gates, each chute of the plurality of chutes designated for a grade of peanut; and program instructions to obtain the digital image of the individual peanut; determine the grade of the individual peanut; and sort the individual peanut based on the grade of the individual peanut. A method for grading peanut maturity, can include feeding an individual peanut to an imaging area; obtaining a digital image of the individual peanut; determining a grade of the individual peanut based on an average color; and sorting the individual peanut in a chute of a sorting board based on the grade of the individual peanut.

Abstract: Provided herein is a protein, referred to as a Pn3Pase protein, that degrades the capsular polysaccharide of serotype 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae. The disclosure includes a genetically modified cell that includes a Pn3Pase protein, and compositions that include the protein, the polynucleotide encoding the protein, the genetically modified cell, or a combination thereof. Also provided are methods for using a Pn3Pase protein, including methods for contacting a S. pneumoniae having a type III capsular polysaccharide with a Pn3Pase protein, increasing deposition of at least one complement component on the surface of a S. pneumoniae, treating an infection in a subject, treating a symptom in a subject, decreasing colonization of a subject by S. pneumoniae, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and systems of detecting bacteria in a sample using phage-functionalized sensors, methods of enriching a sample with phage-functionalized magnetic particles, phage-functionalized magnetic particles and methods of making phage-functionalized magnetic particles.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for increasing virus production. In particular, disclosed herein are cell or cell line comprises reduced expression of one or more cellular genes selected from the group comprising COQ9, FGF2, NAT9, NDUFA9, NEU2, PLA2G1B, PYCR1, RAD51AP1, STRADA, SVOPL, and/or ZFYVE9 for use in increasing viral production.

Abstract: A variety of devices and methods are provided for separating or enriching circulating tumor cells in a biological sample such as whole blood. In some aspects, the devices are multi-stage devices including at least (i) a filtering stage, (ii) a sheath flow stage for ferrohydrodynamic separation of magnetically labelled white blood cells, and (iii) a focusing stage for marker-independent and size-independent focusing of magnetically labeled particles so as to separate or enrich unlabeled rare cells in the biological sample. The devices and methods are, in some aspects, capable of high throughput in excess of 6 milliliters per hour while achieving high separation (>95%) of the unlabeled rare cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies and related polypeptides that bind specifically to CEACAM6. The antibodies and/or polypeptides can be configured as bispecific T cell engagers. The antibodies and/or polypeptides can also be configured as chimeric antigen receptors. Also provided are methods of detection and treatment of cancer, for example, pancreatic cancer, using the antibodies and related polypeptides herein.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to human metapneumovirus (hMPV) F protein and neutralize hMPV are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. The disclosed antibodies, antigen binding fragments, nucleic acids and vectors can be used, for example, to inhibit an hMPV infection or detect a hMPV infection.

Abstract: Provided herein are non-naturally occurring, broadly reactive antigens derived from influenza viruses or avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) that are immunogenic and capable of eliciting a broadly reactive immune response, e.g., a broadly reactive neutralizing antibody response, directed against influenza virus antigens or IBV antigens following introduction into a subject. Also provided are non-naturally, broadly reactive immunogens, vaccines, virus-like particles (VLPs) and compositions comprising the immunogens and vaccines. Methods of generating an immune response in a human or non-human subject by administering the immunogens, vaccines, VLPs, or compositions thereof are provided. In particular, the immunogens comprise broadly reactive hemagglutinin (HA) protein antigens of influenza virus strains, such as H1, H2, H3, H5, or H7, or of IBV. The immunogens also comprise broadly reactive viral neuraminidase (NA) protein antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to biocontrol compositions comprising an entomopathogenic fungus, kits comprising such an entomopathogenic fungus, and methods of using such a fungus and compositions to reduce or kill the population of agricultural, vegetable, or horticultural crop insect pests.

Abstract: Apparatus include a mode-locked laser cavity configured to produce a mode-locked output beam, wherein the laser cavity includes a gain medium situated in the laser cavity and an intracavity optical coating filter situated in the laser cavity to receive an intracavity beam, wherein the intracavity optical coating filter has an attenuation profile configured to suppress laser oscillation over a selected portion of the gain bandwidth of the gain medium and to increase a bandwidth of the mode-locked output beam based on the suppression. Related optical coatings are disclosed. Methods of arranging coatings and reducing pulse duration are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘TO-1719’, characterized by a combination of early to mid-season ripening and flowering, large, firm berries with good color, and mild sweet and acid flavor; and a chill requirement of about 350 to 450 hours, or more, below about 45° F.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Distylium plant named ‘DISmd-26-18’, characterized by its compact, freely branching, mounded, and evergreen plant habit, and its ovate-lanceolate shaped leaves, that are dark green once mature and soft pink in color when newly emerging. The inventor believes it could be used as a landscaping hedge and substitute for boxwood.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Thuja plant named ‘RutThu2’, characterized by its compact, mounding, spreading form with unusual, thread-leaf shoots; growth in USDA Zone 8a, growth in full sun and part-shade conditions in landscape and container production, and better heat tolerance than other thread-leaf forms of Thuja occidentalis or Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Bermudagrass hybrid Cynodon transvaalensis x Cynodon dactylon named ‘12-TG-101’ is provided. The new and distinct upright variety is characterized by a combination of superior turfgrass uniformity, very dark green leaf color, and high putting green speeds. The asexually reproduced triploid variety is reliably propagated vegetatively.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Cupressus plant named ‘RutCup1’, characterized by its wider form and similar heigh and growth rate to Cupressus arizonica var. glabra cultivars; glaucous, blue-green foliage; resistance to Passalora blight; and cold hardiness to about ?30° C. in laboratory tests.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ilex plant named ‘RutHol5’, characterized by its upright, narrow form with widest spread in the middle of the canopy that narrows towards the top; a height-to-width ratio of about 3.2; reddish colored new growth, and resistance to spider mites, Tetranychus urticae.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Thuja plant named ‘RutThu5’, characterized by its nice, columnar form, dark green foliage that does not have chartreuse tips like Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’. ‘RutThu5’ can be grown with one cutting per pot compared to the industry standard of three cuttings per pot, and has similar growth rate in containers and field as three-cutting plants of ‘Emerald Green’. The new ‘RutThu5’ has demonstrated cold hardiness to about ?34° F. in trials conducted in Minnesota.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ilex plant named ‘RutHol7’, characterized by its upright, elliptical growth habit; a height-to-width ratio of about 2.3; grayish-purple new growth, and narrower leaves than similar Ilex cultivars.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Thuja plant named ‘RutThu3’, characterized by its compact, rounding form and yellow foliage with orange tips; growth and heat tolerance in USDA Zone 8a, growth in full sun and afternoon shade conditions in landscape and full sun in container production, disease and insect resistance, and cold hardiness to about ?34° F. in Minnesota.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ilex plant named ‘RutHol6’, characterized by its full, oval growth habit; a height-to-width ratio of about 1.3; grayish-red new growth, and wider leaves than similar Ilex cultivars.