Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting the sprouting of potato tubers are provided. The compositions comprise combinations of i) ?,?-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes, and ketones, C3 to. C14 aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, and/or C3 to C7 saturated or unsaturated primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols; and 2) conventional sprout Inhibitors, The effect of the combinations is additive and/or synergistic, and less of the conventional inhibitor is required to achieve the same or improved levels of sprout inhibition.

Abstract: Embodiments of analysis systems, electrophoresis devices, and associated methods of analysis are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of analyzing a sample containing an electrolyte includes sequentially introducing a leading electrolyte, a sample electrolyte, and a trailing electrolyte into a extraction channel carried by a substrate. The extraction channel has a constriction in cross-sectional area. The method also includes applying an electrical field to separate components of the sample electrolyte into stacks and to concentrate the separated components by forcing the sample electrolyte to migrate through the constriction in the extraction channel. Thereafter, the applied electrical field is removed and the separated and concentrated components of the sample are detected in a detection channel carried by the substrate.

Abstract: Improved methods of native chemical ligation are provided. The methods involve reacting a thioacid (e.g. a peptide thioacid) with an aziridinyl compound (e.g. an aziridinyl peptide) under mild conditions without the use of protecting groups, and without requiring that a cysteine residue be present in the ligation product. Initial coupling of the thioacid and the aziridinyl compound yields a ligation product which contains an aziridinyl ring. Subsequent opening of the aziridinyl ring (e.g. via a nucleophilic attack) produces a linearized and modified ligation product.

Abstract: The time/temperature history of a food tray or pouch heated by microwave energy applied through a waveguide can be accurately assessed on positioning and stabilizing a shielded data logger in an orientation where the base of the data logger is located generally close to zero depth (near the side wall) and the tip projects to the cold spot in the tray or pouch. A frame can be used to assure stability of orientation in a pouch while bracing can be used to assure stability in a tray. The properly configured food tray or pouch can serve as an accurate witness device for food items being processed in a similar manner under microwave heating for, e.g., sterilization or pasteurization.

Abstract: A system and methods enable distributed users to have controlled and distributed access to labor data, and the labor data are produced as the results of monitoring and accruing labor activities with many-to-many employment relation. One method further comprises: (1) a method of importing data as the result of monitoring labor activities, and resolving the employment relation under which a labor activity is performed; (2) a method of accruing labor activities using input data according to the employment relation identified by method (1), and; (3) a method of enabling controlled access to labor and payroll data for distributed users. Labor monitoring software system (a) accrues labor activities from field-collected labor monitoring data, (b) identifies the employment relation, and (c) prepares payroll report based on the terms defined in the employment relation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing glyphosate-tolerant wheat genotypes by mutagenesis, glyphosate wheat plants produced by such methods, and related compositions and methods.

Abstract: A metal matrix has a biocompatible solid lubricant in at least a portion of its surface and the solid lubricant functions to protect the interior of the metal matrix and minimize the friction coefficient and related wear induced damage at the articulating surface of the metal device. The lubricated biocompatible metal device is made of materials compatible for in vivo and ex vivo applications in order to minimize wear induced degradation as well as metal ion release. The lubricated biocompatible metal device is suited for use as medical implants.

Abstract: Mesoporous calcium silicate compositions for controlled release of bioactive agents and methods for producing such compositions are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, mesoporous calcium silicate is synthesized by acid modification of wollastonite particles using hydrochloric acid. A hydrated silica gel layer having abundant Si—OH functional groups can be formed on the surface of wollastonite after acid modification. Bruhauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area increased significantly due to acid modification and, in one arrangement, reached over 350 m2/g. Acid modified mesoporous calcium silicate compositions show a higher ability to adsorb protein compared to unmodified particles and demonstrate controlled release kinetics of these proteins.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to temporarily delay the ripening, maturation, senescence and pathogen infection of produce such as fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants are provided. The methods involve the application of a photosynthetic pigment and/or membrane stabilizing chemical (e.g. glycine betaine) to produce which is identified as in need of such delay. Application may be prior to harvest, at or during harvest or post-harvest.

Abstract: A strategy is described for annotating a digital map. According to one exemplary aspect, the user can link a single uploaded object to multiple locations within a map (or maps) without requiring separate uploading and storing operations. According to another exemplary aspect, the user can specify a range of zoom levels in which an object is made visible on the map. According to another exemplary aspect, the user can instruct map processing functionality (MPF) to automatically extract objects from a data source (such as an RSS data source) and annotate the map with the objects. Still further aspects are described.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is introduced to provide a new and robust alternative design for linear magnetorheological (MR) brakes, i.e. MR-brakes. The novel embodiments herein combines a serpentine flux path concept to eliminate conventional piston-cylinder arrangements and as a beneficial result when coupled with the linear brake embodiment disclosed herein, significantly reduce off-state friction and facilitates such devices to provide longer stroke length (i.e., infinite stroke lengths) beyond that as provided in conventional systems. The present linear brake embodiments disclosed herein thus provides, for example, for a ratio of the off-state friction force to the maximum force output at about 3% compared to 10% up to about 27% for similar conventional/commercial brake mechanisms. At the same time, the compactness is beneficially improved be being about half the size of a commercially available product.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paul_Patent_2939952_Fig5.

Abstract: Several embodiments of systems and methods for adaptive smart environment automation are described herein. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method includes determining a plurality of sequence patterns of data points in a set of input data corresponding to a plurality of sensors in a space. The input data include a plurality of data points corresponding to each of the sensors, and the sequence patterns are at least partially discontinuous. The method also includes generating a plurality of statistical models based on the plurality of sequence patterns, and the individual statistical models corresponding to an activity of a user. The method further includes recognizing the activity of the user based on the statistical models and additional input data from the sensors.

Abstract: Several embodiments related to batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template.

Abstract: In some examples, a circuit is described. The circuit may include a voltage-controlled oscillator that may be configured to generate an output signal. The circuit may also include a control signal generation unit that may be configured to generate a control signal based on the output signal. The control signal generation unit may also be configured to provide the control signal to the voltage-controlled oscillator. The voltage-controlled oscillator and the control signal generation unit may be part of a phase-locked loop (PLL) included in the circuit. The circuit may also include a feed-forward network. The feed-forward network may be configured to provide a portion of the control signal to the voltage-controlled oscillator. The voltage-controlled oscillator may generate the output signal based on the control signal from the control signal generation unit and the portion of the control signal from the feed-forward network.

Abstract: Reaction-based fluorscent probes are provided which detect, for example, biologically important sulfane sulfur species (persulfide, polysulfide, and elemental sulfur) in, for example, complex and living systems. The probes are high in selectivity and sensitivity to sulfane sulfurs. Moreover, probes are suitable for bioimaging sulfane sulfurs in living cells.

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: Provided are methods for determining susceptibility, resistance or tolerance to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) infection, comprising: determining, using a biological sample from a mammalian subject, a presence or absence of at least one EDN2 gene mutation, or the genotype of at least one EDN2 gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selected from the SNP group consisting of SNP105 (nucleotide position 105,288,174 on BTA3 (UMD 3.1)), SNP208 (nucleotide position 105,298,664 on BTA3 (UMD 3.1)), and SNP272 (nucleotide position 105,305,070 by on BTA3 (UMD 3.1)), that segregates with resistance and/or tolerance to Map tissue infection; and determining, based thereon, at least one of susceptibility, resistance or tolerance of the mammalian subject to Map infection. Additionally provided are mammals (e.g., bovine) derived culling, selecting, or selective breeding, based on disclosed methods, and methods for procuring mammals.

Abstract: Micromachined holes in stacks of silicon wafers can be used to define high aspect ratio charged particle storage volumes. Each wafer can define a section of a tubular trap, and electric fields in each wafer can be controlled independently so that charged particles can be stored and shuttled among the sections.

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.