Abstract: This invention describes a new method of grain production in corn wherein a designated female corn plant is pollinated with designated male corn plant pollen from an unrelated genetic background. In the method, a designated female plant having both female and male components is grown. Intentional pollination may occur on one more days, is intentional, and occurs at a time when male components are not male sterile and are not shedding pollen. Accordingly, the process involves the intentional delivery of unrelated designated male plant pollen at will, as available either in a preserved pollen bank or real-time collection from male plants as they become available, in a growth chamber for example. The delivered designated male plant pollen is in such amounts and fortuitously timed that it preferentially cross-pollinates the designated female plant.

Abstract: This invention describes a new, high-efficiency method of selecting and advancing pollen donator strains in a breeding or product advancement program, wherein the pollen donator strains are specifically selected to maximize product attributes. Embodiments of this invention relate to the use of a mix of pollen from multiple potential pollen donator strains to cross-pollinate a female corn plant, allowing for single-plant performance comparisons. The comparisons of products from the single plant or less experimental unit allow for the selection of those pollen donator strains that maximize desirable results.

Abstract: A method of identifying a selected pollination window in a Poaceae crop by monitoring one or more environmental parameters and identifying a selected pollination window based upon the monitored parameters. The correct selection of parameters has been shown to markedly increase seed set, yield, and/or other desirable characteristics, including but not limited to preferred content of oil, starch, protein, and/or other nutritional components. Parameters may include one or more of: temperature, relative humidity, and vapor pressure deficit.

Abstract: A folding exercise bench. The folding exercise bench comprises a platform attachable to a frame. The platform has a different working surface on either side that is positional upwards when the legs are rotated approximately 180 degrees. Each working surface has a different covering manufactured from different materials. The platform may have at least one folding section at one end that angles upward to support different exercises. A second folding section may be located at the opposite side of the platform. The frame is configured to allow the platform to be level or angled. A pair of arms may penetrate the platform to provide additional exercise options.

Abstract: Described are methods of field conditioning cereal crop pollen. A method of the present invention includes collecting fresh pollen and introducing the pollen to field conditioning conditions which regulate pollen moisture content. The field conditioning conditions may include a relative humidity ranging from about 50% to about 100%, a temperature ranging from about ?10-10° C., and an air pressure ranging from about 15 kPa to about 150 kPa. The field conditioning conditions may further include a continuous, adjustable positive or negative air flow and/or and a flow of one or more continuously refreshed, selected gases. The field conditioning conditions may dehydrate the pollen to achieve a pollen moisture content of about 40% to about 58%, such as about 50% to about 57%.

Abstract: Described are methods of preserving pollen, which may be subsequently stored. A method of the present invention includes collecting fresh pollen and introducing the pollen to a controlled environment which regulates pollen moisture content. The controlled environment may have a temperature ranging from about ?10-10° C.; an adjustable and programmable relative humidity; a continuous, adjustable positive or negative air flow; and a flow of one or more continuously refreshed, selected gases which displace oxygen. In another embodiment of the method, the controlled environment may have a relative humidity from about 50-100%; a temperature from about ?10-10° C.; and air pressure from about 15-150 kPa. In all embodiments of the method, an optional field conditioning step may be performed.

Abstract: This invention describes a new method to increase grain yields in any crop plant by modifying pollination to effect an increase in grain yield, a change in grain content or characteristics, a decrease in contamination, or a combination of these attributes. The process involves the intentional delivery of pollen of the male plant at will via automatic or semi-automatic means, as available either in a preserved pollen bank, or real-time collection from male plants as they become available, in a growth chamber for example. Desired pollen is delivered to fertile females. The delivered pollenM is in such amounts and fortuitously timed that it preferentially pollinates the females and avoids self-pollination or pollination from neighboring plants. The intentional delivery of genetically different pollen will result in increased heterosis and accompanying grain yield increases resulting from increased grain size and the potential to influence grain content and constituents.

Abstract: This invention describes a new method of grain production wherein designated male plant pollen may be selected at anytime before pollination of a designated female plant. In the method, a designated female plant having both female and male components is grown. Furthermore, designated male pollen is selected for use in cross-pollinating the designated female plant. Cross-pollination may occur on one more days, is intentional, and occurs at a time when male components are not shedding pollen. The criteria used for selecting designated male pollen may include, but is not limited to, market information and commodity price information. Moreover, the designated male plant pollen may have a different maturity period compared to the designated female, selection may occur after the female has germinated, and/or result in a higher harvested crop value than other available pollen.

Abstract: This invention describes a new method to increase grain yields in any crop plant by modifying pollination to effect an increase in grain yield, a change in grain content or characteristics, a decrease in contamination, or a combination of these attributes. The process involves the intentional delivery of pollen of the male plant at will, as available either in a preserved pollen bank, or real-time collection from male plants as they become available, in a growth chamber for example. Desired pollen is delivered to fertile females. The delivered pollenM is in such amounts and fortuitously timed that it preferentially pollinates the females and optionally, avoids or enhances self-pollination or pollination from neighboring plants. The intentional delivery of genetically different pollen will result in increased heterosis and accompanying grain yield increases resulting from increased grain size and the potential to influence grain content and constituents.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preserving pollen such that the pollen has improved viability as compared to pollen that is left in ambient conditions. A method of the present invention includes separating dead pollen contents from live pollen grains. In some embodiments, pollen grains are stored with a substance that prevents dead pollen contents from interacting with live pollen grains. The substance may be a solid, liquid, gas, or combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention describes a new, high-efficiency method of selecting and advancing pollen donator strains in a breeding or product advancement program, wherein the pollen donator strains are specifically selected to maximize product attributes. Embodiments of this invention relate to the use of a mix of pollen from multiple potential pollen donator strains to cross-pollinate a female corn plant, allowing for single-plant performance comparisons. The comparisons of products from the single plant or less experimental unit allow for the selection of those pollen donator strains that maximize desirable results.

Abstract: Data storage systems and methods for storing data in computing nodes of a super computer or compute cluster are described herein. The super computer storage may be coupled with a primary storage system. In addition to a CPU and memory, non-volatile memory is included with the computing nodes as local storage. The super computer includes a plurality of computing groups, each including a plurality of computing nodes. There is one burst buffer fabric per group and one input/output node per group. When data bursts occur, data may be stored by a first computing node on the local storage of a second computing node in the computing group through the burst buffer fabric without interrupting the CPU in the second computing node. Further, the local storage of other computing nodes may be used to store redundant copies of data from a first computing node to make the super computer data resilient.

Abstract: Described are methods of preserving pollen, which may be subsequently stored. A method of the present invention includes collecting fresh pollen and introducing the pollen to a controlled environment which regulates pollen moisture content. The controlled environment may have a temperature ranging from about ?10-10° C.; an adjustable and programmable relative humidity; a continuous, adjustable positive or negative air flow; and a flow of one or more continuously refreshed, selected gases which displace oxygen. In another embodiment of the method, the controlled environment may have a relative humidity from about 50-100%; a temperature from about ?10-10° C.; and air pressure from about 15-150 kPa. In all embodiments of the method, an optional field conditioning step may be performed.

Abstract: This invention describes a new method to generate hybrid seed in any crop plant while also reducing contamination from out-crossings and self-pollination. In contrast to conventional seed production methods, the method of the invention is not dependent on the use of any form of male sterility in the female parent plants, nor the use of isolation distances from unrelated and undesirable plants of the same species, nor the use of male parent plants in proximity to the targeted females. The process involves the delivery of pollen of the male parent at will, as available either in a preserved pollen bank, or using real-time collection from male plants as they become available. Desired pollen is delivered to fertile females during the period when viable pollen from the females and locally proximal unrelated plants is not being released.

Abstract: This invention describes a new method to increase grain yields in any crop plant by modifying pollination to effect an increase in grain yield, a change in grain content or characteristics, a decrease in contamination, or a combination of these attributes. The process involves the intentional delivery of pollen of the male plant at will, as available either in a preserved pollen bank, or real-time collection from male plants as they become available, in a growth chamber for example. Desired pollen is delivered to fertile females. The delivered pollenM is in such amounts and fortuitously timed that it preferentially pollinates the females and optionally, avoids or enhances self-pollination or pollination from neighboring plants. The intentional delivery of genetically different pollen will result in increased heterosis and accompanying grain yield increases resulting from increased grain size and the potential to influence grain content and constituents.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for non-destructively assessing yield and/or stress tolerance in crop plants through the use of high-energy particle based imaging and analysis including X rays. Also provided are methods to non-destructively assess transgenic crop plants for the effects of a transgene on yield and/or on stress tolerance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for non-destructive testing of a seed. In various embodiments, the method may comprise vibrating the seed to orient the seed on an axis, identifying a location of a known feature of the seed, determining a sample location on the seed based on the location of the known feature, and performing a non-destructive testing procedure on the seed proximate the sample location. In one embodiment, the method may comprise removing a sample portion of the seed from the sample location without damaging the embryo of the seed. Accordingly, the viability of the seed may be maintained while allowing for subsequent testing on the sample portion of the seed.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing resources for selecting seed to be produced in commercial quantities or for research is disclosed. Samples of seed which are candidates for selection are collected and given an identifier. Specific tissue or structure from candidate seed is removed. A test or analysis is performed on the candidate seed or the removed tissue or structure. Results of the test or analysis are recorded and correlated to the seed's identifier. The results are evaluated and a decision is made whether to select a candidate seed for commercial production or for research. Time, space, and labor associated with growing plants in an experimental plot or greenhouse and taking tissue samples from growing plants is saved.

Abstract: Data storage systems and methods for storing data in computing nodes of a super computer or compute cluster are described herein. The super computer storage may be integrated with or coupled with a primary storage system. In addition to a CPU and memory, non-volatile memory is included with the computing nodes as local storage. A high speed interconnect remote direct memory access (HRI) unit is also included with each computing node. When data bursts occur, data may be stored by a first computing node on the local storage of a second computing node through the HRI units of the computing nodes, bypassing the CPU of the second computing node. Further, the local storage of other computing nodes may be used to store redundant copies of data from a first computing node to make the super computer data resilient while not interfering with the CPU of the other computing nodes.

Abstract: Data storage systems and methods for storing data in computing nodes of a super computer or compute cluster are described herein. The super computer storage may be coupled with a primary storage system. In addition to a CPU and memory, non-volatile memory is included with the computing nodes as local storage. The super computer includes a plurality of computing groups, each including a plurality of computing nodes. There is one burst buffer fabric per group and one input/output node per group. When data bursts occur, data may be stored by a first computing node on the local storage of a second computing node in the computing group through the burst buffer fabric without interrupting the CPU in the second computing node. Further, the local storage of other computing nodes may be used to store redundant copies of data from a first computing node to make the super computer data resilient.