Abstract: A rapid compression machine (RCM) employs an electrical drive to move a piston disposed within a chamber housing. The electrical drive converts electrical power into linear motion of the piston, for example, to compress contents in a reaction chamber defined by the chamber housing and the piston. The temperature and pressure changes induced by the compression can cause reaction of contents within the chamber, for example, autoignition of the contents. The RCM can thus be used to study chemical kinetics. In some embodiments, the electrical drive can also rapidly move the piston in reverse to expand a volume of the reaction chamber, for example, to quench the compression-induced reaction therein. In such embodiments, the RCM may be considered a rapid compression-expansion machine (RCEM) and can be used for speciation studies.

Abstract: A flow control device configured to be positioned in a reactor core. The flow control device including a central shaft and at least one blade extending helically from the central shaft. A nuclear reactor and related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Flow meters may include a body defining a fluid channel therein. At least one structure may be positioned within the fluid channel, and fixed relative to the body, that is shaped and positioned to produce a flow-induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow through the fluid channel. A method of measuring a fluid flow rate may include directing a fluid over a first structure located in a first channel, and producing a first flow-induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow in a first channel with the first structure. The method may further include measuring the vibration of a remote structure coupled to the first channel, and determining the rate of fluid flow in the first channel from the measured vibration.

Abstract: Bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD) vaccines for fish comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of, a live, attenuated Flavobacterium psychrophilum strain derived from a US149 strain and/or a US063 (ST278) strain, particularly formulated for fish of the Salmo and Salvelinus genera are disclosed. Disclosed embodiments also concern isolated, livem nonattenuated or attenuated Flavobacterium psychrophilum strains derived from an unattenuated strain having a cumulative percent mortality (CPM) in fish species in the Salmo and Salvelinus genera challenged with the strain of 40% or greater prior to attenuation. Treating BCWD comprises administering an effective amount of a disclosed vaccine to fish species primarily of the Salmo and Salvelinus genera.

Abstract: Certain disclosed method embodiments concern performing a stalk puncture test to determine force and displacement data. Plant features, such as rind thickness, stalk radius, stalk diameter, section modulus and/or integrative puncture score, primarily applicable to corn, sorghum, sunflower, wheat or rice, can be calculated using the force and displacement data. The calculated plant features are used to select plants for selective breeding to produce lodging-resistant crop hybrids. The present invention also provides embodiments of a hand-held puncture device that can be used to practice disclosed method embodiments.

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern an integrated imaging system that combined light-sheet microscopy, which enables considerable speed and phototoxicity gains, with quantitative-phase imaging. A method for using such imaging systems also is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated imaging system was used for multivariate investigation of live-cells in microfluidics.

Abstract: Valves may include an opening sized and shaped to permit a subject fluid to flow through the opening when the opening is unobstructed. A heat exchange element may be located proximate to the opening, the heat exchange element positioned and configured to induce a localized phase change in the subject fluid to form and unform a solid plug from the subject fluid around at least a portion of the heat exchange element. A heat transfer rate of the heat exchange element may be variable to control a rate of flow of the subject fluid through the valve by controlling a size of the solid plug from the subject fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for controlling nematode populations, particularly soil nematode populations. Certain embodiments comprise applying 4-hydroxybenzylalcohol, Sinapis alba plant extract, Sinapis alba seed meal, or a combination thereof, to soil, optionally in the presence of a trap crop. A hatching factor and/or a nematicide may also be applied to the soil, either substantially simultaneously with the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, Sinapis alba plant extract, Sinapis alba seed meal, or combination thereof, or sequentially in any order. Certain embodiments concern applying 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to soil that contains potato cyst nematode eggs. The 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol may be obtained by an aqueous extraction of Sinapis alba plant material.

Abstract: Methods, electrodes, and electrochemical devices using surface-modified pseudo-graphite are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may include depositing a pseudo-graphite material onto a surface of an electrode substrate to produce a pseudo-graphite material surface. The method may also include modifying the pseudo-graphite material surface to alter electrochemical characteristics of the electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for controlling nematode populations, particularly soil nematode populations. Certain embodiments comprise applying 4-hydroxybenzylalcohol, Sinapis alba plant extract, Sinapis alba seed meal, or a combination thereof, to soil, optionally in the presence of a trap crop. A hatching factor and/or a nematicide may also be applied to the soil, either substantially simultaneously with the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, Sinapis alba plant extract, Sinapis alba seed meal, or combination thereof, or sequentially in any order. Certain embodiments concern applying 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to soil that contains potato cyst nematode eggs. The 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol may be obtained by an aqueous extraction of Sinapis alba plant material.

Abstract: Methods, electrodes, and sensors for chlorine species sensing using pseudo-graphite are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may include coating a pseudo-graphite material onto a surface of an electrode substrate to produce a pseudo-graphite surface. The method may also include exposing the pseudo-graphite surface to a sample to detect chlorine species in the sample.

Abstract: Computing devices and methods for reading gauges are disclosed. A gauge reading method includes capturing image data corresponding to a captured image of one or more gauges, detecting one or more gauges in the captured image, cropping a detected gauge in the captured image to provide a use image including the detected gauge, and classifying the detected gauge to correlate the detected gauge with a template image. The gauge reading method also includes attempting to perform feature detection rectification on the use image to produce a rectified image of the detected gauge, performing template matching rectification on the use image to produce the rectified image responsive to a failure to perform the feature detection rectification, and estimating a gauge reading responsive to the rectified image. A computing device may implement at least a portion of a gauge reading method.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method of using mustard meal or mustard meal extract. Certain embodiments concern controlling vegetable sprouting, such as potato sprouting. Vegetables, such as potatoes, may be exposed to products resulting from mustard meal, or an extract thereof, contacting water. Other embodiments concern a process for controlling plant pests, such as insects, nematodes, fungi, weeds, and combinations thereof, with specific embodiments being particularly useful for weed suppression. Certain embodiments comprise extracting glucosinolates from plant material, or processed plant material, selected from the family Brassicaceae, particularly from the genera Brassica and Sinapis. Extracted glucosinolates can be hydrolyzed to form active compounds, or alternatively, they can be hydrolyzed in situ, by simultaneously or sequentially applying myrosinase. The extract can be applied to plants, to the soil adjacent to the plant.

Abstract: Methods, electrodes, and sensors for pH sensing using pseudo-graphite are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may include coating a pseudo-graphite material onto a surface of an electrode substrate to produce a pseudo-graphite surface. The method may also include exposing the pseudo-graphite surface to a sample to detect organic content in the sample.

Abstract: Methods, electrodes, and electrochemical devices using nitrogen-doped pseudo-graphite are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may include doping a pseudo-graphite material with nitrogen to form a doped pseudo-graphite material. The method may also include applying the doped pseudo-graphite material to a surface of a substrate of an electrode.

Abstract: Methods, electrodes, and sensors for pH sensing using pseudo-graphite are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a method may include coating a pseudo-graphite material onto a surface of an electrode substrate to produce a pseudo-graphite surface. The method may also include exposing the pseudo-graphite surface to a sample to measure a pH of the sample.

Abstract: Killer toxins that may have activity against organisms, such as pathogenic organisms, and organisms that express the killer toxins are disclosed herein. The organism may be a recombinant organism or it may endogenously express a killer toxin. In some embodiments, a composition comprises one or more organisms, such as one or more Saccharomyces yeasts, and/or one or more killer toxins, such as K1, K2, and/or K1L toxins. In other embodiments, compositions comprise nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, or combinations thereof, comprising one or more killer toxins. Compositions can include one or more additional components, such as, but not limited to, a buffer, carrier, adjuvant, additional therapeutic, or combinations thereof. Kits that comprise one or more organisms and/or killer toxins are described. Uses of the organisms and/or killer toxins can include administration to a subject to treat an infection by one or more yeasts, such as Candida glabrata.

Abstract: An apparatus and embodiments of a method for using the apparatus to evaluate crop lodging resistance are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a body having a height adjustable force bar coupled thereto and a force sensor configured to detect forces acting on the force bar. Further, the apparatus includes or is configured to be coupled to a movement mechanism that enables movement of the force bar through a plot of stems. The force sensor generates force signals that can be utilized to generate force data. The force data, along with stem density data, stem height data, force bar height data, can be input into one or more models to generate flexural stiffness data. The one or more models can include an Interacting Model and/or a Non-Interacting Model.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrochemical device comprising graphene material made using embodiments of the method disclosed herein. Also disclosed is a graphene electrode comprising the graphene material made using embodiments of the method disclosed herein. The graphene material disclosed herein for use in the disclosed electrochemical devices has superior properties and activity compared to carbon-based materials known and used in the art. The disclosed graphene material can be used in multiple different technologies, such as water treatment, batteries, fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, solar cells, and ultracapacitors (both aqueous and non-aqueous).

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method of using mustard meal or mustard meal extract. Certain embodiments concern controlling vegetable sprouting, such as potato sprouting. Vegetables, such as potatoes, may be exposed to products resulting from mustard meal, or an extract thereof, contacting water. Other embodiments concern a process for controlling plant pests, such as insects, nematodes, fungi, weeds, and combinations thereof, with specific embodiments being particularly useful for weed suppression. Certain embodiments comprise extracting glucosinolates from plant material, or processed plant material, selected from the family Brassicaceae, particularly from the genera Brassica and Sinapis. Extracted glucosinolates can be hydrolyzed to form active compounds, or alternatively, they can be hydrolyzed in situ, by simultaneously or sequentially applying myrosinase. The extract can be applied to plants, to the soil adjacent to the plant.