Abstract: This invention describes ways of obtaining nano-particulated adjuvants formed by different synthetic variants of GM3 ganglioside. Depending on the fine structure of the fatty acid in the ceramide of the synthetic GM3, said adjuvants are able to stimulate specifically and in a specialized way the humoral or cellular immune response against accompanying antigens. Particularly, this invention provides immunogenic vaccine compositions that comprise peptides, polypeptides or proteins and the aforementioned nanoparticles, which are formed through the dispersion of hydrophobic proteins of the outer membrane complex (OMC) of Neisseria meningitidis in solutions containing fully synthetic variants of the GM3 ganglioside.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for student accountability systems. School buses can be equipped with a bus system that executes a driver application. Students carry student identification (ID) systems that identify the students to the bus system, which in turn reports a geographic location to a student accountability system. The bus system is configured to permit rapid boarding and easy usage by drivers. The student accountability system provides a parent portal and an administrator portal to monitor the students and provide other useful functions.

Abstract: The present description relates to a 2D visual code based on the superposition of pure flat waves framed in black, designed to be read at long distances, with different types of degradation (noise, blurring or movement) and in adverse lighting conditions. To this end, the information carrying elements are waves that are distributed over the whole image. The combination of waves with different directions, frequencies, amplitudes and phases permits generating a high number of configurations that may be decoded in a robust and efficient manner.

Abstract: An anti-siphon device and method for operation of an anti-siphon device is provided. The anti-siphon device includes a plurality of radially aligned fins that are unsupported at one end and attached to a carrier body at a second end.

Abstract: Vascular sheath tissue-specific expression of phytochrome B or variants thereof in C3 plants increases photosynthesis rate and/or introduces a carbon refixation mechanism. The heritable genetic material of a C3 plant cell is altered such that one copy of phytochrome B, or active variant or functional fragment thereof is expressed specifically in vascular sheath cells. Whole plants are regenerated from these genetically altered plant cells. Alternatively, a Crispr modification of a native phytochrome locus in a plant cell is used to insert a vascular sheath-specific regulatory element, e.g. promoter or enhancer element, so that phytochrome B is expressed in vascular sheath cells of a regenerated whole plant. Genetically altered whole plants have increased yield-related traits, e.g. increased seed yield, resulting from the enhancement of photosynthesis and/or introduction of a carbon refixation mechanism.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.

Abstract: The present description relates to a 2D visual code based on the superposition of pure flat waves framed in black, designed to be read at long distances, with different types of degradation (noise, blurring or movement) and in adverse lighting conditions. To this end, the information carrying elements are waves that are distributed over the whole image. The combination of waves with different directions, frequencies, amplitudes and phases permits generating a high number of configurations that may be decoded in a robust and efficient manner.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lipoteichoic acid isolated from Bifidobacteria cultured in excess of glucose which has fat reduction activity, thus being useful for exploitation in the following application areas: food and beverages, animal feed, including pet food, nutritional supplements, infant nutrition, cosmetics (including nutricosmetics), medical foods and pharmaceutical and veterinary applications, among others.

Abstract: A fuel-storage tank for a vehicle includes a body defining an interior volume having a floor and a ceiling and configured to store fuel. The tank further includes an anti-slosh reinforcement column extending between the floor and the ceiling. The anti-slosh reinforcement column has a vertical baffle extending between the floor and the ceiling. The vertical baffle has opposing first and second major faces and edges extending therebetween. A horizontal baffle of the column has upper and lower major faces and edges extending therebetween. The horizontal baffle is rigidly supported on the vertical baffle such that the first and second major faces are substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower major faces.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using energy harvesting modules as a means for providing energy to power an electrical load and/or as a means for monitoring an operational state of a component or components to which the energy harvesting module is coupled. In one example, a method includes, via a controller, monitoring an actual amount of energy generated by an energy harvesting module attached to a mounting structure that is used to secure a torque-supplying machine to a frame, comparing the actual amount to an expected amount, and indicating degradation of the mounting structure and/or the torque-supplying machine based on the comparing. In this way, the energy harvesting modules may both power electrical loads and simultaneously serve as a monitor for component degradation.

Abstract: A fuel-storage tank for a vehicle includes a body defining an interior volume having a floor and a ceiling and configured to store fuel. The tank further includes an anti-slosh reinforcement column extending between the floor and the ceiling. The anti-slosh reinforcement column has a vertical baffle extending between the floor and the ceiling. The vertical baffle has opposing first and second major faces and edges extending therebetween. A horizontal baffle of the column has upper and lower major faces and edges extending therebetween. The horizontal baffle is rigidly supported on the vertical baffle such that the first and second major faces are substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower major faces.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for student accountability systems. School buses can be equipped with a bus system that executes a driver application. Students carry student identification (ID) systems that identify the students to the bus system, which in turn reports a geographic location to a student accountability system. The bus system is configured to permit rapid boarding and easy usage by drivers. The student accountability system provides a parent portal and an administrator portal to monitor the students and provide other useful functions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a conical guard for an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system. In one example, the conical guard is arranged at an end of a vent line of the EVAP system, adapted with openings sufficiently small to hinder entry of foreign bodies into the vent line. The conical guard is further configured to trap and expel debris and maintain a desired rate of flow through the EVAP system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for vehicle inspection and passenger tracking. In one aspect, a portable vehicle data input device includes an electronic display and a data processor coupled to the display and containing instructions configured to cause the device to: display information related to inspection of different portions of a vehicle, receive driver input indicating completion of vehicle inspection tasks, display information related to a plurality of passengers associated with the vehicle, receive input identifying specific passengers as the specific passengers board or exit the vehicle, and update a roster of passengers in response to receiving the input.

Abstract: A movable or pivoting privacy barrier is provided inside the side panels of a cinema seat for selectively providing privacy to the user, with the option of allowing a user to decide whether not to use the privacy barrier. The dynamic privacy barrier system of the includes a privacy barrier that is part and provided inside of the seat support, so that the privacy barrier is pivoted inside the seat support to retract or store the component. The proposed system provides an enhanced privacy experience without affecting the aesthetic appearance of the seat or the environment where it is installed.

Abstract: A fungicidal composition containing a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula I, 4-((6-(2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoro-2-hydroxy-3-(5-mercapto-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl)pyridin-3-yl)oxy)benzonitrile for use on fungal diseases of cereals. Additionally, this disclosure concerns a fungicidal composition containing (a) a compound of Formula I, 4-((6-(2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoro-2-hydroxy-3-(5-mercapto-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl)pyridin-3- yl)oxy)benzonitrile and (b) a strobilurin, for example pyraclostrobin, fluoxastrobin, azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, picoxystrobin, and kresoxim methyl, for control of fungal diseases of cereals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using energy harvesting modules as a means for providing energy to power an electrical load and/or as a means for monitoring an operational state of a component or components to which the energy harvesting module is coupled. In one example, a method includes, via a controller, monitoring an actual amount of energy generated by an energy harvesting module attached to a mounting structure that is used to secure a torque-supplying machine to a frame, comparing the actual amount to an expected amount, and indicating degradation of the mounting structure and/or the torque-supplying machine based on the comparing. In this way, the energy harvesting modules may both power electrical loads and simultaneously serve as a monitor for component degradation.