Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for stable transfection of Babesia parasites, and for vaccines conferring immunity against parasitic arthropods.

Abstract: Provided are computer implemented methods for rewarding a user of a web-based application, comprising: providing a web-based application accessible by a plurality of users via an interface, wherein the application interface provides for user-directed posting and retrieval of content relating to the application; monitoring use by the plurality of users of user-specific content; assessing a value of the user-specific content; determining an incentive or reward, based on the assessed value of the user-specific content; and providing the specific user with the determined incentive or reward. Also provided is a computer network apparatus or system for rewarding a user of a web-based application. Further provided are methods of data mining, comprising: providing a web-based application (e.g.

Abstract: The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of a ?5-desaturase enzyme and a ?8-desaturase enzyme are disclosed. The nucleic acid sequences can be used to design recombinant DNA constructs and vectors. These vectors can then be used to transform various organisms, including for example, plants and yeast. The transformed organisms will then produce polyunsaturated fatty acids. The amino acid sequences are useful for generating enzyme-specific antibodies that are useful for identifying the desaturases.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing lipids which may be used as biofuel are provided. Sugars produced by pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass are utilized by heterotrophic oleaginous fungi or yeast to increase their biomass and to produce lipids without prior detoxification of the pretreated biomass. After the fungi/yeast are cultured with the sugars, solid residues from the pretreated biomass are combined with the fungi/yeast under conditions which allow simultaneous 1) enzymatic degradation of cellulose and/or hemicellulose to produce sugars and 2) fermentation of the sugars for further increases in biomass and lipid production.

Abstract: The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of a ?5-desaturase enzyme and a ?8-desaturase enzyme are disclosed. The nucleic acid sequences can be used to design recombinant DNA constructs and vectors. These vectors can then be used to transform various organisms, including for example, plants and yeast. The transformed organisms will then produce polyunsaturated fatty acids. The amino acid sequences are useful for generating enzyme-specific antibodies that are useful for identifying the desaturases.

Abstract: A 23 amino acid peptide, AtPep1, plays an important role as a signaling component of the innate immune system of Arabidopsis. The peptide precursor gene is transcribed in response to elicitors generated by pathogens, and AtPep1 is produced to amplify the signaling pathways. Seven paralogs of the AtproPep1 gene have been identified in the Arabidopsis genome, and orthologs have been identified in species of several agriculturally important families. AtPep1 and its paralogs and orthologs play important roles as endogenous signals to amplify innate immunity. The sequences of two AtPep1 receptors from Arabidopsis are also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of solid-state conductors containing solid polymer electrolytes, electronic devices incorporating the solid-sate conductors, and associated methods of manufacturing are described herein. In one embodiment, a solid-state conductor includes poly(ethylene oxide) having molecules with a molecular weight of about 200 to about 8×106 gram/mol, and a soy protein product mixed with the poly oxide), the soy protein product containing glycinin and ?-conglycinin and having a fine-stranded network structure. Individual molecules of the poly(ethylene oxide) are entangled in the fine-stranded network structure of die soy protein product, and the poly(ethylene oxide) is at least 50% amorphous.

Abstract: Various embodiments of contaminant removal systems, compositions, and methods are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for oxidizing a contaminant includes contacting the contaminant with a peroxygen compound and initializing, maintaining, or propagating degradation of the peroxygen compound with an oxygenated organic compound, thereby releasing oxidizing radicals. The method also includes oxidizing the contaminant with the released oxidizing radicals.

Abstract: A 23 amino acid peptide, AtPep1, plays an important role as a signaling component of the innate immune system of Arabidopsis. The peptide precursor gene is transcribed in response to elicitors generated by pathogens, and AtPep1 is produced to amplify the signaling pathways. Seven paralogs of the AtproPep1 gene have been identified in the Arabidopsis genome, and orthologs have been identified in species of several agriculturally important families. AtPep1 and its paralogs and orthologs play important roles as endogenous signals to amplify innate immunity. The sequences of two AtPep1 receptors from Arabidopsis are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for improving fruit production or fruit quality in fruit trees, such as decreasing cold damage, increasing fruit size, increasing fruit quality, and/or increasing fruit set. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods include methods of decreasing cold damage to a fruit tree including applying an effective amount of a composition including DL-?-aminobutyric acid to the fruit tree, thereby decreasing cold damage, for example as compared to a control. In other embodiments, the disclosed methods include methods of increasing fruit size or fruit quality of fruit from a fruit tree, including applying an effective amount of a composition including prohexadione-calcium to the fruit tree after anthesis, thereby increasing fruit size or fruit quality, for example as compared to a control.

Abstract: Low cost, efficient two-stage anaerobic digestion systems for the production of biogas (e.g. methane) are provided. During the first stage, biogas is produced in a first reactor by anaerobic microbes cultured in two phases: a high solids phase and a low solids phase. During the second stage, biogas is produced in a second reactor by a methanogen-rich anaerobic culture cultured in low solids medium. Removal of effluent comprising pH lowering reaction products assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase. The transfer of effluent from the second reactor to the first reactor assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase, in mixing of the high solids phase, and in reseeding the high solids phase with methanogens. Methane is produced in and recovered from both reactors.

Abstract: Embodiments of driver alertness monitoring systems, devices, and associated methods based on steering variability and/or lane variability are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for detecting alertness of a driver operating a vehicle includes recording a steering position of the vehicle with a steering sensor and transmitting the recorded steering position to a processor. With the processor, the method also includes deriving a steering variability based on the recorded steering position of the vehicle over time, calculating a lane variability based on the derived steering variability and a transfer function of the vehicle, and estimating an alertness of the driver based on both the derived steering variability and the calculated lane variability.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel recombinant cells and cell lines (e.g., macrophage cell lines) that are permissive for propagation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) propagation in vitro or in vivo. In certain aspects, novel nucleic acid sequences encoding porcine sialoadhesin were transfected into existing macrophage cell-lines from other species, rendering them permissive to PRRSV infection, and suitable for propagation of PRRSV. Particular aspects provide exemplary recombinant cloned cell lines that support the replication of PRRSV, with an obtainable PRRSV titre of between 2×105/ml and 2×106/ml. Additional aspects provide novel nucleic acid sequences and polymorphisms thereof that encode for porcine sialoadhesin. Further aspects provide PRRSV propagation and preparation methods using the novel recombinant cell lines, and methods for PRRSV antigen and vaccine production using same.

Abstract: Various embodiments of solid-state conductors containing solid polymer electrolytes, electronic devices incorporating the solid-sate conductors, and associated methods of manufacturing are described herein. In one embodiment, a solid-state conductor includes poly(ethylene oxide) having molecules with a molecular weight of about 200 to about 8×106 gram/mol, and a soy protein product mixed with the poly oxide), the soy protein product containing glycinin and ?-conglycinin and having a fine-stranded network structure. Individual molecules of the poly(ethylene oxide) are entangled in the fine-stranded network structure of die soy protein product, and the poly(ethylene oxide) is at least amorphous.

Abstract: CpG densities and sequence motifs that are characteristic of regions of DNA associated with epimutations and control of epimutations are provided. Such regions include, within approximately 400 (or fewer) base pairs, at least one, usually two, and preferably all three of the following features: i) a CpG density of 15% or less; ii) the presence of the sequence motif ATTTGTTTTTTCTTTTnT (SEQ ID NO: 1) where n is A, T, C or G, and statistically relevant variants thereof; and iii) the presence of the sequence motif GGGGGnGGGG (SEQ ID NO: 2), where n is A, T, C or G, and statistically relevant variants thereof.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of a Malus domestica apple tree, named ‘WA 38’ that is distinguished by its intense and nearly full color, internal indices that are different than its parents, and its long common storage life.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production and culture of undifferentiated spermatogonial stem cells that can be maintained long term and are feeder free. The resultant feeder-free populations can be used in any of a number of protocols including the generation of progeny bulls. The present invention includes novel methods required for the successful enrichment of bovine spermatogonial stem cells, novel cell lines and other components used for the same, as well as the resultant stem cell compositions.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for method for producing a microfluidic device includes forming a target structural pattern on a substrate, the substrate having a polymeric substrate material with a solubility parameter. The method also includes selecting a bonding solvent based on a difference between the solubility parameter of the polymeric substrate material and a solubility parameter of the bonding solvent. The method further includes bonding the substrate having the target structural pattern with a cover using the selected bonding solvent.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of a Malus domestica apple tree, named ‘WA 5’, that is distinguished by its attractive color of bright orange-red with distinct stripe over yellow background and exceptional eating quality, both fresh and after several months in common storage. WA 5 is homozygous for the ethylene production genes ASC1-2/2 and ACO1-1/1 which confer low ethylene production.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of a Malus domestica apple tree, named ‘WA 38’ that is distinguished by its intense and nearly full color, internal indices that are different than its parents, and its long common storage life.