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: Small molecule, peptidic hepatocyte growth factors mimics, which act as both mimetics and antagonists, have been generated. These molecules have been shown or predicted to have therapeutic potential for numerous pathologies including dementia, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, cancer, and defective wound healing.

Abstract: Embodiments of magnetorheological systems, devices, and associated methods of control are described below are described herein. In one embodiment, a magnetorheological device includes an magnetorheological fluid, a shaft proximate and mechanically coupled to the magnetorheological fluid, and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic flux through the magnetorheological fluid along a magnetic flux path. The magnetorheological device also includes a sensor positioned in the magnetic flux path and configured to measure a current value of magnetic inductance of the magnetic flux flowing through the magnetorheological fluid.

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: 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: Various embodiments of microscopy systems, devices, and associated methods of analysis are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of operating a microscope includes acquiring a profile of a light signal from a sample with a photo detector without passing the light signal through a physical pinhole. The method also includes determining a parameter of the sample based on generally the entire acquired profile of the light signal.

Abstract: Small molecule, peptidic hepatocyte growth factors mimics, which act as both mimetics and antagonists, have been generated. These molecules have been shown or predicted to have therapeutic potential for numerous pathologies including dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's) and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: Provided are efficient, cost-effective and water tolerant methods (e.g., single-vial methods) for preparing fatty acid esters from organic matter, including: obtaining organic matter having at least one fat substituent, contacting the organic matter in a reaction mixture with a basic solution under conditions suitable to provide for hydrolytic release of monomeric fatty acids from the at least one fat substituent to provide a base-treated reaction mixture, and esterifying the monomeric fatty acids of the base-treated reaction mixture by acidification of the reaction mixture and treating in the presence of an organic alcohol to provide fatty acid esters. The methods optionally further include, prior to esterifying, neutralizing the base-treated reaction mixture to provide for neutralized fatty acids, separating the neutralized fatty acids from the neutralized reaction mixture, and dissolving the separated fatty acids in the esterification reaction mixture.

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: Compounds of the formulae, (I), wherein each variable is as defined herein are provided which are useful in (i) diagnostic methods for detecting and/or identifying cells presenting PSMA; (2) compositions comprising a compound of the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, and/or diluent; (3) methods for inhibiting or treating prostrate cancer; and (4) methods for blocking or destabilizing neovasculature of a tumor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of surface-modified devices, components, and associated methods of manufacturing are described herein. In one embodiment, an implantable device suitable for being implanted in a patient includes an implantable material having a utile shape and a surface and a modification material deposited on at least a portion of the surface of the implantable material. The modification material has a release rate in an implantation environment in the patient. The modification material at the release rate is effective as bactericidal without being cytotoxic to the patient.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.

Abstract: The feasibility of using CO2 from a concentrated source to grow microalgae is limited by the high cost of CO2 capture and transportation, as well as significant CO2 loss during algae culture. Another challenge is the inability of algae in using CO2 during night while CO2 is continuously produced from the source. To address these challenges, this invention provides a process in which CO2 is captured as bicarbonate and used as feedstock for algae culture. Then the carbonate is regenerated in the algae culture process as absorbent to capture more CO2, which is converted to bicarbonate for use as feedstock, etc. This process significantly reduces carbon capture costs since it avoids the energy for carbonate regeneration. Also, transporting a solid or aqueous bicarbonate solution has a much lower cost than transporting compressed CO2, and using bicarbonate provides a better alternative for CO2 delivery to algae culture systems than supplying CO2 gas.

Abstract: Small molecule, peptidic hepatocyte growth factors mimics, which act as both mimetics and antagonists, have been generated. These molecules have been shown or predicted to have therapeutic potential for numerous pathologies including dementia, neurodegenerative disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, cancer, and defective wound healing.

Abstract: Provided are methods for decreasing carbon flow into lignin in plants, comprising reducing or eliminating, using mutagenesis and/or recombinant means, expression and/or activity of at least one chloroplast-localized arogenate dehydratase (ADT) sufficient to reduce phenylalanine (Phe) availability for metabolism into Phe-derived phenylpropanoids, wherein the amount, level or distribution of lignin is reduced relative to control plants. In particular aspects, the plant has a plurality of chloroplast-localized ADTs, and reducing or eliminating comprises reducing or eliminating expression and/or activity of at least two of the plurality of ADTs. Also provided are recombinant plants or parts or cells thereof, comprising at least one mutation, genetic alteration or transgene that reduces or eliminates the expression and/or activity of at least one chloroplast-localized ADT, wherein the amount, level or distribution of lignin is reduced relative to normal. Further provided are reduced lignin plant products.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to modified metal materials for implantation and/or bone replacement, and to methods for modifying surface properties of metal substrates for enhancing cellular adhesion (tissue integration) and providing antimicrobial properties. Some embodiments comprise surface coatings for metal implants, such as titanium-based materials, using (1) electrochemical processing and/or oxidation methods, and/or (2) laser processing, in order to enhance bone cell-materials interactions and achieve improved antimicrobial properties. One embodiment comprises the modification of a metal surface by growth of in situ nanotubes via anodization, followed by electrodeposition of silver on the nanotubes. Other embodiments include the use of LENS™ processing to coat a metal surface with calcium-based bioceramic composition layers. These surface treatment methods can be applied as a post-processing operation to metallic implants such as hip, knee and spinal devices as well as screws, pins and plates.

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: 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.