Abstract: Described herein are nucleic acid based probes and methods for discriminating and detecting single nucleotide variants in nucleic acid molecules (e.g., DNA). The methods include use of a pair of probes can be used to detect and identify polymorphisms, for example single nucleotide polymorphism in DNA. The pair of probes emit a different fluorescent wavelength of light depending on the association and alignment of the probes when hybridized to a target nucleic acid molecule. Each pair of probes is capable of discriminating at least two different nucleic acid molecules that differ by at least a single nucleotide difference. The methods can probes can be used, for example, for detection of DNA polymorphisms that are indicative of a particular disease or condition.

Abstract: Cercis ‘Pink Pom Poms’ is a new and distinct variety of redbud tree that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Ease of asexual propagation using chip-budding; 2. Semi-upright growth habit; 3. Foliage with glossy, green color; 4. Bright purple-violet double flowers produced in abundance during the spring; and 5. Female structures that are essentially sterile, resulting in no seed pod set.

Abstract: A solar trough frame for holding solar mirrors includes a plurality of chords. The frame includes a plurality of extruded profiles, including chords, chord sleeves, struts, strut end pieces and mirror support pieces, each chord sleeve having at least one chord sleeve fin, each chord sleeve positioned about one of the chords. The frame includes a plurality of struts, at least one of the struts having a strut end piece having at least one strut fin that connects with a chord sleeve fin to connect the plurality of chords. The frame includes a platform supported by the chords and struts on which the solar mirrors are disposed. A chord sleeve for connecting a chord of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a strut end piece extending from a strut of the solar frame. A strut end piece for connecting the strut of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a chord sleeve of the solar frame. A method for linking a strut of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a chord of the solar frame.

Abstract: Buddleja ‘Blue Chip Jr’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ has low vigor resulting in very dwarf stature. 2. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ is asexually propagated using softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. 3. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ demonstrates a dense, spreading growth habit. 4. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ is lacking male flower parts (anthers), resulting in male (pollen) sterility. 5. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ produces female structures that are essentially sterile, resulting in lack of seed formation. 6. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ has purple-violet flower color.

Abstract: Buddleja ‘Pink Micro Chip’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ has low vigor resulting in very dwarf stature. 2. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ is asexually propagated using softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. 3. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ demonstrates a dense, spreading growth habit. 4. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ is lacking male flower parts (anthers), resulting in male (pollen) sterility. 5. “Pink Micro Chip’ produces female structures that are essentially sterile, resulting in lack of seed formation. 6. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ has red-purple flower color.

Abstract: Described herein are nucleic acid based probes and methods for discriminating and detecting single nucleotide variants in nucleic acid molecules (e.g., DNA). The methods include use of a pair of probes can be used to detect and identify polymorphisms, for example single nucleotide polymorphism in DNA. The pair of probes emit a different fluorescent wavelength of light depending on the association and alignment of the probes when hybridized to a target nucleic acid molecule. Each pair of probes is capable of discriminating at least two different nucleic acid molecules that differ by at least a single nucleotide difference. The methods can probes can be used, for example, for detection of DNA polymorphisms that are indicative of a particular disease or condition.

Abstract: A solar trough frame for holding solar mirrors includes a plurality of chords. The frame includes a plurality of extruded profiles, including chords, chord sleeves, struts, strut end pieces and mirror support pieces, each chord sleeve having at least one chord sleeve fin, each chord sleeve positioned about one of the chords. The frame includes a plurality of struts, at least one of the struts having a strut end piece having at least one strut fin that connects with a chord sleeve fin to connect the plurality of chords. The frame includes a platform supported by the chords and struts on which the solar mirrors are disposed. A chord sleeve for connecting a chord of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a strut end piece extending from a strut of the solar frame. A strut end piece for connecting the strut of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a chord sleeve of the solar frame. A method for linking a strut of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a chord of the solar frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a composite structure. A resin inspection system comprises a housing having an open section, a movement system associated with the housing, a light source associated with the housing, an infrared measurement system associated with the interior of the housing, and a visible light sensor system. The movement system is configured to move the housing on a surface of a composite structure. The light source is configured to emit light. The infrared measurement system is configured to generate infrared measurement information from infrared light detected by the infrared measurement system through the open section. The visible light sensor system is configured to generate image information about the surface of the composite structure.

Abstract: A surface chemistry measuring apparatus includes a processor, an array of tunable infrared laser spectrometers interfacing with the processor and configured for simultaneous measurement of surface chemistry across a surface to be measured using a range of infrared wavelengths and a display interfacing with the processor and adapted to display IR spectra of infrared wavelengths reflected from the surface to be measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a composite structure. A resin inspection system comprises a housing having an open section, a movement system associated with the housing, a light source associated with the housing, an infrared measurement system associated with the interior of the housing, and a visible light sensor system. The movement system is configured to move the housing on a surface of a composite structure. The light source is configured to emit light. The infrared measurement system is configured to generate infrared measurement information from infrared light detected by the infrared measurement system through the open section. The visible light sensor system is configured to generate image information about the surface of the composite structure.

Abstract: A method of determining contamination on a material having suspected contamination includes irradiating the material having suspected contamination with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths; detecting the infrared energy reflected from the material having suspected contamination over the spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate analysis on the spectrum of the reflected infrared energy; comparing results of the multivariate analysis with a predetermined calibration of infrared energy spectra comprising the spectrum of wavelengths collected from at least one reference material; and determining presence or absence of contamination on the material having suspected contamination based on the predetermined calibration.

Abstract: A surface chemistry measuring apparatus includes a processor, an array of tunable infrared laser spectrometers interfacing with the processor and configured for simultaneous measurement of surface chemistry across a surface to be measured using a range of infrared wavelengths and a display interfacing with the processor and adapted to display IR spectra of infrared wavelengths reflected from the surface to be measured.

Abstract: A method of determining contamination on a material having suspected contamination includes irradiating the material having suspected contamination with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths; detecting the infrared energy reflected from the material having suspected contamination over the spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate analysis on the spectrum of the reflected infrared energy; comparing results of the multivariate analysis with a predetermined calibration of infrared energy spectra comprising the spectrum of wavelengths collected from at least one reference material; and determining presence or absence of contamination on the material having suspected contamination based on the predetermined calibration.

Abstract: Cercis ‘Ruby Falls’ is a new and distinct variety of redbud that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Weeping growth habit. 2. Ease of asexual propagation using chip-budding. 3. Emerging foliage with deep purple color, transitioning to burgundy and eventually green during the growing season. 4. Bright purple flowers produced in abundance during the spring.

Abstract: Cercis ‘Merlot’ is a new and distinct variety of redbud that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Moderate vigor resulting in moderate plant size. 2. Ease of asexual propagation using chip-budding. 3. Semi-upright growth habit. 4. Emerging foliage with deep purple color, transitioning to burgundy and eventually green during the growing season. 5. Glossy leaf surface. 6. Bright lavender flowers produced in abundance during the spring. 7. Low female fertility resulting in reduced pod set.

Abstract: Buddleja ‘Miss Molly’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Moderate vigor resulting in semi-compact growth habit. 2. Ease of asexual propagation using softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. 3. Semi-upright growth habit with flowers borne stiffly on upright shoots. 4. Dark reddish-purple flower color, unknown in any other butterfly bush variety.

Abstract: Cercis ‘Whitewater’ is a new and distinct variety of redbud that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Weeping growth habit. 2. Ease of asexual propagation using chip-budding. 3. Foliage with green and white variegation.

Abstract: Buddleja ‘Purple Haze’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 1. Moderate vigor resulting in compact growth habit. 2. Ease of asexual propagation using softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. 3. Spreading growth habit with multi-branched arching stems. 4. Unique pendant panicles with purple-violet flowers. 5. Female sterility and reduced seed set, resulting in less opportunity for seedlings to originate in the landscape setting.

Abstract: Buddleja ‘Pink Micro Chip’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ has low vigor resulting in very dwarf stature. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ is asexually propagated using softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ demonstrates a dense, spreading growth habit. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ is lacking male flower parts (anthers), resulting in male (pollen) sterility. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ produces female structures that are essentially sterile, resulting in lack of seed formation. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ has red-purple flower color.

Abstract: Buddleja ‘Blue Chip Jr’ is a new and distinct variety of butterfly bush that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ has low vigor resulting in very dwarf stature. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ is asexually propagated using softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ demonstrates a dense, spreading growth habit. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ is lacking male flower parts (anthers), resulting in male (pollen) sterility. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ produces female structures that are essentially sterile, resulting in lack of seed formation. ‘Blue Chip Jr’ has purple-violet flower color.