Abstract: Compositions and methods for isolating new variants of known gene sequences are provided. The methods find use in identifying variants, particularly homologs, in complex mixtures. Compositions comprise hybridization baits that hybridize to gene families of interest, particularly agricultural interest, in order to selectively enrich the polynucleotides of interest from complex mixtures. Bait sequences may be specific for a number of genes from distinct gene families of interest and may be designed to cover each gene of interest by at least 2-fold. Thus methods disclosed herein are drawn to an oligonucleotide hybridization gene capture approach for identification of new genes of interest from environmental samples.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for isolating new variants of known gene sequences are provided. The methods find use in identifying variants, particularly homologs, in complex mixtures. Compositions comprise hybridization baits that hybridize to gene families of interest, particularly agricultural interest, in order to selectively enrich the polynucleotides of interest from complex mixtures. Bait sequences may be specific for a number of genes from distinct gene families of interest and may be designed to cover each gene of interest by at least 2-fold. Thus methods disclosed herein are drawn to an oligonucleotide hybridization gene capture approach for identification of new genes of interest from environmental samples.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for isolating new variants of known gene sequences are provided. The methods find use in identifying variants, particularly homologs, in complex mixtures. Compositions comprise hybridization baits that hybridize to gene families of interest, particularly agricultural interest, in order to selectively enrich the polynucleotides of interest from complex mixtures. Bait sequences may be specific for a number of genes from distinct gene families of interest and may be designed to cover each gene of interest by at least 2-fold. Thus methods disclosed herein are drawn to an oligonucleotide hybridization gene capture approach for identification of new genes of interest from environmental samples.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for isolating new variants of known gene sequences are provided. The methods find use in identifying variants, particularly homologs, in complex mixtures. Compositions comprise hybridization baits that hybridize to gene families of interest, particularly agricultural interest, in order to selectively enrich the polynucleotides of interest from complex mixtures. Bait sequences may be specific for a number of genes from distinct gene families of interest and may be designed to cover each gene of interest by at least 2-fold. Thus methods disclosed herein are drawn to an oligonucleotide hybridization gene capture approach for identification of new genes of interest from environmental samples.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for isolating new variants of known gene sequences are provided. The methods find use in identifying variants, particularly homologs, in complex mixtures. Compositions comprise hybridization baits that hybridize to gene families of interest, particularly agricultural interest, in order to selectively enrich the polynucleotides of interest from complex mixtures. Bait sequences may be specific for a number of genes from distinct gene families of interest and may be designed to cover each gene of interest by at least 2-fold. Thus methods disclosed herein are drawn to an oligonucleotide hybridization gene capture approach for identification of new genes of interest from environmental samples.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for isolating new variants of known gene sequences are provided. The methods find use in identifying variants, particularly homologs, in complex mixtures. Compositions comprise hybridization baits that hybridize to gene families of interest, particularly agricultural interest, in order to selectively enrich the polynucleotides of interest from complex mixtures. Bait sequences may be specific for a number of genes from distinct gene families of interest and may be designed to cover each gene of interest by at least 2-fold. Thus methods disclosed herein are drawn to an oligonucleotide hybridization gene capture approach for identification of new genes of interest from environmental samples.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a mixer body including a head portion that extends over a bowl receiving location. An output member extends downward from the head portion toward the bowl receiving location. A drive system is linked to the output member for effecting planetary rotation of the output member. A bowl guard support is at an underside of the head portion. The bowl guard support provides a circular support path in the form of a groove extending about a periphery of the bowl guard support. A bowl guard assembly includes a housing member and a catch member extending from a surface of the housing member. The catch member is received within the groove to maintain a vertical position of the bowl guard assembly while permitting rotation of the bowl guard assembly. The catch member is movable relative to the housing member and is biased into the groove to seat therein.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an analyte test strip includes positioning a patterned spacer layer between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer such that the second insulating is disposed above the first insulating layer and a channel is defined between the first and second insulating layers. Moreover, the channel thus defined has a sample-receiving chamber therein, a first port, and a second port. The method also includes coupling a third insulating layer to the first insulating layer such that the third insulating layer is disposed at least partially below the first insulating layer. In the coupling step, the third insulating layer includes a platform portion that extends beyond the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer and the platform portion has an upper surface.

Abstract: A method for determining (e.g., detecting and/or measuring the concentration of) an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes obtaining a bodily fluid sample, applying the bodily fluid sample to an analyte test strip, transferring the applied bodily fluid sample to a sample-receiving chamber of the analyte test strip, and determining an analyte in the bodily fluid sample. The analyte test strip employed in the method includes a first port in fluidic communication with the sample-receiving chamber and proximate a platform portion of the analyte test strip. Moreover, the platform portion is configured to receive a first (relatively large) bodily fluid sample of at least 5 micro-liters and transfer at least a portion of the first bodily fluid sample to the sample-receiving chamber via the first port.

Abstract: Calcium channels in a variety of tissues may contain different subunits, including several different ? (gamma) subunits. We report studies regarding structural features of certain gamma subunits, for example the N-terminal first transmembrane domain (TM1) of the subunit ?6. We disclose that certain structural motifs, for example a GxxxG-like structural motif as described herein, can mediate subunit function for calcium channels. A particular peptide motif that has been identified as significant for the ability to mediate a decrease in calcium current is GxxxA. Compositions and methods are disclosed which are useful in modifying calcium regulation in mammalian cells. In various embodiments, calcium current is modified.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a head including a rotatable output member for receiving a mixer tool. A mixer body includes a bowl receiving assembly below the head. The bowl receiving assembly includes a pair of bowl support arms extending outwardly from the mixer body to respective ends located at opposite sides of a bowl receiving location. Each bowl support arm includes a mount protrusion extending upwardly therefrom. The mount protrusions include a notch located at bases of the mount protrusions. The bowl receiving assembly is mounted for movement between a lowered position away from the head and a raised position toward the head. The bowl includes a keyway extending through a mount support, the keyway having an enlarged portion that receives the mount protrusion of one of the support arms and a necked-down portion that slides within the notch of the respective mount protrusion when the bowl is rotated.

Abstract: An analyte test strip for accepting diverse bodily fluid sample volumes includes a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer disposed above the first insulating layer, and a third insulating layer disposed below the first insulating layer. The third insulating layer has a platform portion that extends beyond the first and second insulating layers and an upper surface. The analyte test strip also has a patterned spacer layer positioned between the first and second layers. The patterned spacer layer defines a channel between the first and second insulating layers that has a sample-receiving chamber, a first port proximate the platform portion and a second port at an outer edge of the analyte test strip. Moreover, the first port and the second port are in fluidic communication with the sample-receiving chamber.

Abstract: An electrode precursor sheet in which the active electrode material is bound by a polymer binder that includes an oxidized polymer or a blend of a first polymer with an oxidized polymer additive. The oxidized polymer advantageously has a minimum oxygen content of 1 atom % and may be an oxidized form of the first polymer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an analyte test strip includes positioning a patterned spacer layer between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer such that the second insulating is disposed above the first insulating layer and a channel is defined between the first and second insulating layers. Moreover, the channel thus defined has a sample-receiving chamber therein, a first port, and a second port. The method also includes coupling a third insulating layer to the first insulating layer such that the third insulating layer is disposed at least partially below the first insulating layer. In the coupling step, the third insulating layer includes a platform portion that extends beyond the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer and the platform portion has an upper surface.

Abstract: An analyte test strip for accepting diverse bodily fluid sample volumes includes a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer disposed above the first insulating layer, and a third insulating layer disposed below the first insulating layer. The third insulating layer has a platform portion that extends beyond the first and second insulating layers and an upper surface. The analyte test strip also has a patterned spacer layer positioned between the first and second layers. The patterned spacer layer defines a channel between the first and second insulating layers that has a sample-receiving chamber, a first port proximate the platform portion and a second port at an outer edge of the analyte test strip. Moreover, the first port and the second port are in fluidic communication with the sample-receiving chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining (e.g., detecting and/or measuring the concentration of) an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes obtaining a bodily fluid sample, applying the bodily fluid sample to an analyte test strip, transferring the applied bodily fluid sample to a sample-receiving chamber of the analyte test strip, and determining an analyte in the bodily fluid sample. The analyte test strip employed in the method includes a first port in fluidic communication with the sample-receiving chamber and proximate a platform portion of the analyte test strip. Moreover, the platform portion is configured to receive a first (relatively large) bodily fluid sample of at least 5 micro-liters and transfer at least a portion of the first bodily fluid sample to the sample-receiving chamber via the first port.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a mixer body including a head portion that extends over a bowl receiving location. An output member extends downward from the head portion toward the bowl receiving location. A drive system is linked to the output member for effecting planetary rotation of the output member. A bowl guard support is at an underside of the head portion. The bowl guard support provides a circular support path in the form of a groove extending about a periphery of the bowl guard support. A bowl guard assembly includes a housing member and a catch member extending from a surface of the housing member. The catch member is received within the groove to maintain a vertical position of the bowl guard assembly while permitting rotation of the bowl guard assembly. The catch member is movable relative to the housing member and is biased into the groove to seat therein.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a head including a rotatable output member for receiving a mixer tool. A mixer body includes a bowl receiving assembly below the head. The bowl receiving assembly includes a pair of bowl support arms extending outwardly from the mixer body to respective ends located at opposite sides of a bowl receiving location. Each bowl support arm includes a mount protrusion extending upwardly therefrom. The mount protrusions include a notch located at bases of the mount protrusions. The bowl receiving assembly is mounted for movement between a lowered position away from the head and a raised position toward the head.

Abstract: An interchangeable aesthetic window panel embellishment system to be attached within an existing fence. The system is composed of a support frame (20) that is to be attached within the upper portion of a fence in place of the existing lattice and an aesthetic window panel (30) made of translucent plastic. The window panel may be of any variety of aesthetic designs, such as stained-glass patterns, home addresses, sport, school, or business logos, holiday designs, or advertising. The panels may be replaced at any time. The number of panels within each support frame may vary.