Abstract: In some implementations, a kit includes a bib having a protective surface and a bib-coupling point; at least one eating utensil having a working end and a retention end, where the retention end includes a utensil-coupling point; and a tether having a first anchor end having a first coupling point that is configured to releasably couple to the bib-coupling point and a second anchor end having a second coupling point that is configured to releasably couple to the utensil-coupling point.

Abstract: An activity system may include a mat with a work surface. In some implementations, the activity system includes a stand that can support an electronic device (e.g., a tablet, smartphone, electronic reader, etc.). A tether may also be provided, which, on one end, couples to an anchor on the mat, and at the other end retains a marker or other writing or art instrument. The activity system may facilitate combination of teaching media (e.g., electronic or pre-printed paper-based media) with physical media, such as pens, markers and other writing or marking instruments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glucoamylase variants, polynucleotides encoding the variants, methods of producing the variants, and methods of using the variants. Also described are the use of glucoamylases of the invention for starch conversion to produce fermentation products, such as ethanol, and syrups, such as glucose. The invention also relates to a composition comprising a glucoamylase variant of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glucoamylase variants having an increase in specific activity and/or an increase in melting temperature measured by TSA of at least 0.5 degrees Celsius, and further wherein the variants have at least at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% identity, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glucoamylase variants having an increase in specific activity and/or an increase in melting temperature measured by TSA of at least 0.5 degrees Celsius, and further wherein the variants have at least at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% identity, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention enables the determination by NGS of the full nucleotide sequence of one or more polynucleotides of interest that are more than 800 bp in length after only one round of PCR amplification and subsequent fragmentation by adding at least one known oligonucleotide index to at least one end of each polynucleotide to produce elongated polynucleotides, wherein each known oligonucleotide index added to each polynucleotide is unique; fragmenting the elongated polynucleotides; sequencing the resulting fragments with paired forward and reverse reads using bridge amplification and next-generation sequencing; sorting the paired sequences based on the known oligonucleotide; and performing manual or in silico assembly of the sorted paired sequences, thereby providing the full coding sequence of each of the multitude of polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glucoamylase variants having an increase in specific activity and/or an increase in melting temperature measured by TSA of at least 0.5 degrees Celsius, and further wherein the variants have at least at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% identity, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having aspartic endopeptidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having aspartic endopeptidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A stretchable storage case is provided that is adapted to receive an electronic device. More specifically, a stretchable storage case comprising resiliently deflectable panels is provided that is adapted to selectively deflect to receive various electronic devices and conform thereto.