Abstract: Maize pollen is notoriously fragile and susceptible to degradation unless adequately stored. Unlike some tree pollen, which can be quite hardy and capable of successful fertilization for months or years after it is shed, maize pollen remains viable for mere hours after shedding before it begins to degrade. Described here is an invention for storing maize pollen where the pollen is collected and stored in a refrigerated, but not frozen, environment with a breathable barrier. Pollen stored as described herein may remain viable for up to twelve days, or two weeks, or longer. Adding a carrier compound can extend viability of the pollen.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for calibrating performance parameters of an aircraft during a phantom fuel procedure, including determining an independent fuel weight parameter during operation of the aircraft value based on output of fuel level sensors of a fuel quantity subsystem coupled to the aircraft flight control system, receiving a zero fuel weight parameter, receiving a fuel weight parameter corresponding to a weight of fuel onboard the aircraft and a phantom fuel value, determining a gross weight parameter based on the zero fuel weight, determining a fuel consumption parameter value of the aircraft based on output of fuel flow sensors coupled to the aircraft flight control system, updating the gross weight parameter during operation of the aircraft based on the fuel weight parameter and the fuel consumption parameter value, and determining performance parameter for the aircraft during operation of the aircraft based on the gross weight parameter.

Abstract: Maize pollen is notoriously fragile and susceptible to degradation unless adequately stored. Unlike some tree pollen, which can be quite hardy and capable of successful fertilization for months or years after it is shed, maize pollen remains viable for mere hours after shedding before it begins to degrade. Described here is an invention for storing maize pollen where the pollen is collected and stored in a refrigerated, but not frozen, environment. Pollen stored as described herein may remain viable for twelve days, or two weeks, or longer. Adding a carrier compound can extend viability of the pollen.