Abstract: Methods and systems for the enhancement of bioproduct process yields. The present invention provides systems and methods for improvement of the carbon conversion efficiency by yeast of an organic substrate such as a fermentable sugar to a fermentation product such as ethanol. Exemplary yield-increasing/growth-inhibitory compounds include tyrosol (TyrOH), 2-phenylethanol (PheOH), and tryptophol (TrpOH). Immobilization of the yeast, such as in a porous bead or pellet, can further increase yield. Exemplary immobilization included immobilization in calcium alginate beads. The system and methods taught herein demonstrate that product yield such as ethanol yield can be improved by adding yeast yield-increasing/growth-inhibitory molecules to reduce cell growth of yeast species, such as S. cerevisiae, suggesting a strategy to improve the yield of ethanol and other yeast fermentation products by manipulating native biological control systems.

Abstract: A method for gas atomization of a titanium alloy, nickel alloy, or other alumina (Al2O3)-forming alloy wherein the atomized particles are exposed as they solidify and cool in a very short time to multiple gaseous reactive agents for the in-situ formation of a passivation reaction film on the atomized particles wherein the reaction film retains a precursor halogen alloying element that is subsequently introduced into a microstructure formed by subsequent thermally processing of the atomized particles to improve oxidation resistance.

Abstract: Systems and methods of enhancing membrane permeabilization in a cell are provided. An example method includes disposing the cell between a first electrode and a second electrode and applying a plurality of electrical pulses between the first electrode and the second electrode. In the systems and methods, the plurality of electrical pulses include at least two trains of pulses separated by an interval greater than about 10 s. Further, the amplitude of the electrical pulses is selected to be greater than about 0.2 kV/cm.

Abstract: Indirect ELISAs to detect exposure to Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 (FcaGHV1) in domestic cats. These ELISAs detect feline serum antibodies to ORF52 and ORF38 of FcaGHV1. The ELISA assays are sensitive, specific, and adaptable for scale up use in high throughput diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a homopolymer, copolymer, block copolymer, and statistical copolymer comprising plural polyol monomeric units. The polyol monomeric units being acrylated and acylated or acetalized. The acrylated and acylated or acetalized polyol monomeric units have an average degree of acrylation which is 1 or more, but less than the number of the hydroxyl groups of the polyol and have an average degree of acylation or acetalization which is 1 or more, but less than the number of the hydroxyl groups of the polyol. The present invention also relates to a method of making the homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers, and statistical copolymers, and using them in various applications, such as asphalt rubber modifiers, adhesives, or an additive in a fracking fluid for oil fracking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing ensiled plant materials using the anaerobic bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii and ensiled plant materials thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to downscale the resolution of a coarse-resolution soil moisture data. Coarse-resolution soil moisture data may include data cells that each represent a geographic region having at least one dimension greater than or equal to 1 km. A plurality of fine-resolution supplemental soil moisture data may be received that includes at least one of soil data, vegetation data, topography data, and climate data. The fine-resolution supplemental soil moisture data comprising data cells that each represent a geographic region having at least one dimension less than or equal to 100 meters. The coarse-resolution soil moisture data may be downscaled to fine-resolution soil moisture data using the plurality of fine-resolution supplemental soil moisture data, the fine-resolution soil moisture data comprising data cells that each represent a geographic region having at least one dimension less than 100 meters.

Abstract: An apparatus, systems, and methods of providing enrichment to poultry during raising or maintaining of the poultry. One or more light sources project beams to generate laser spots at and around the poultry. A control regimen moves the light spots relative the poultry in generally random fashion during timed sessions for each given time period (e.g. each day). The spot movement is designed to promote benefits to poultry and producer in correlation to experimental data related to animal welfare, health, and commercial value.

Abstract: Sensors that include carbon nanotubes, and articles that include the sensors. The sensors may include a buckypaper. The sensors may be flexible. Methods of making sensors, which may include printing an electrode on a substrate. The printing of an electrode may be achieved with an inkjet printer.

Abstract: The exemplary system and method facilitate excitation of RF magnetic fields in ultra-high field (UHF) magnetic resonance (MRI) systems (e.g., MRI/NMR system) using a slotted waveguide array (SWGA) as an exciter coil. The exemplary exciter coil, in some embodiments, is configurable to provide RF magnetic field B1+ with high field-uniformity, with high efficiency, with excellent circular polarization, with negligible axial z-component, with arbitrary large field of view, and with exceptional possibilities for field-optimizations via RF shimming.

Abstract: Metamaterials are provided that may include a first substrate including a high temperature dielectric material, and a first array of conductive resonators arranged on the first substrate. The conductive resonators may include a noble metal, a noble metal alloy, a high temperature ceramic semiconductor, or a combination thereof. Radomes including metamaterials also are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for compositions and methods for the preservation of meat substitutes containing plant heme protein. In particular, small molecules that can fit in the unique heme pocket of plant heme proteins are provided to stabilize and preserve meat substitutes the products.

Abstract: The compositions and methods are described for generating an immune response to a hepatitis B virus. The compositions and methods described herein relate to a modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector encoding one or more viral antigens for generating a protective immune response to a hepatitis B virus, in the subject to which the vector is administered. The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful both prophylactically and therapeutically and may be used to prevent and/or treat an infection caused by hepatitis B virus.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein improve fuel economy by controlling a vehicle powertrain based on a predicted vehicle velocity. The vehicle velocity is predicted based on vehicle-to-vehicle data when a prediction horizon is a longer prediction horizon and the vehicle velocity is predicted based on historical drive cycle data when the prediction horizon is a shorter prediction horizon. A time duration of the shorter prediction horizon is shorter than the time duration of the longer prediction horizon. A plurality of drive cycles are established for both the longer and the shorter prediction horizons using a neural network. A shorter prediction horizon drive cycle uses nonlinear autoregressive exogenous model neural networks and the longer prediction horizon drive cycle uses two layer feedforward neural networks. The predicted vehicle velocity is determined from a similar drive cycle of the plurality of drive cycles of either the shorter and/or the longer prediction horizon drive cycles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified polymer having the structure of Formula (I) and Formula (IV): wherein A, R1, R2, R3, a, and n are as described herein and wherein R, R?, R?, x, and k are as described herein and methods for preparation thereof. The present invention also relates to a compound having the structure of Formula (II): wherein A, R1, R2, R3, a, and n are as described herein. The present invention also relates to a process for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers.

Abstract: Livestock animals and progeny thereof comprising at least one edited chromosomal sequence that alters expression or activity of a somatostatin receptor (SSTR) protein are provided. Livestock animal cells that contain such edited chromosomal sequences are also provided. The livestock animals have improved growth performance and weight gain. Methods for producing livestock animals with increased growth performance are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid construct. The nucleic acid construct includes a nucleic acid molecule configured to silence or reduce the expression of StBEL11 and/or StBEL29 and variants thereof, a 5? DNA promoter sequence, and a 3? terminator sequence, where the first nucleic acid molecule, the promoter sequence, and the terminator sequence are operatively coupled to permit transcription of the first nucleic acid molecule. The present invention is also directed to vectors, host cells, transgenic plants, and transgenic plant seeds, as well as non-transgenic mutant plants, and methods for altering tuber yield in a plant.

Abstract: A titania-carbon-sulfur composite including a titania-carbon composite prepared by mixing cylindrical carbon materials and titania (TiO2-x), in which some oxygen is reduced (i.e., x is less than 2), to have a structure in which cylindrical carbon materials are entangled and interconnected in three dimensions; and sulfur introduced into at least a part of the external surface and inside of the titania-carbon (TiO2—C) composite, and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: Mechanoluminescent devices and articles, such as wearable articles, that include mechanoluminescent devices. The mechanoluminescent devices may have a lateral type architecture or a vertical type architecture. The mechanoluminescent devices may be sensors, including pressure sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for the characterization of a microtexture of a sample, component, or the like. The methods may include methods of determining a service life limiting region of a component, determining a treatment method for a component, and/or selecting components from a batch of components for use in production. The characterization may include calculating a microtexture level indicator from ultrasonic C-scan images for various samples, regions, components, or the like. The microtexture level indicator may include at least one of an average peak factor, a standard deviation of peak amplitude, and/or a baseband bandwidth.