Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting and/or producing a pathogen resistant plant or germplasm (e.g., soybean plant or germplasm) using genes derived from Glycine tomentella. Candidate genes capable of conferring pathogen resistance (e.g., to Asian Soy Rust) are provided. A plant or germplasm that has been identified, selected and/or produced by any of the methods of the present invention is also provided. Pathogen resistant seeds, plants and germplasms are also provided.

Abstract: A sealable housing for an optical scanner includes at least one surface operable to float with respect to other housing surfaces. An O-ring can be situated about a perimeter of a lid an inserted into a container to define a sealed volume. The lid can serve to remove heat while one or more container surfaces are used to establish optical axis directions for one or more optical systems.

Abstract: A porous thin film includes a framework that includes a plurality of pores. The pores extend from an opening located at an upper surface of the framework to a bottom surface contained in the framework. A pore-coating film is formed on sidewalls and the bottom surface of the pores.

Abstract: A laser inertial-confinement fusion-fission energy power plant is described. The fusion-fission hybrid system uses inertial confinement fusion to produce neutrons from a fusion reaction of deuterium and tritium. The fusion neutrons drive a sub-critical blanket of fissile or fertile fuel. A coolant circulated through the fuel extracts heat from the fuel that is used to generate electricity. The inertial confinement fusion reaction can be implemented using central hot spot or fast ignition fusion, and direct or indirect drive. The fusion neutrons result in ultra-deep burn-up of the fuel in the fission blanket, thus enabling the burning of nuclear waste. Fuels include depleted uranium, natural uranium, enriched uranium, spent nuclear fuel, thorium, and weapons grade plutonium. LIFE engines can meet worldwide electricity needs in a safe and sustainable manner, while drastically shrinking the highly undesirable stockpiles of depleted uranium, spent nuclear fuel and excess weapons materials.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for presenting credit card offers over the internet. The method includes assigning a weight to each of a plurality of categories of offer elements, each of the plurality of categories of offer elements including a plurality of offer elements, assigning a weight to each offer element in each of the plurality of categories of offer elements, providing a plurality of credit card offers, evaluating each of the plurality of credit card offers to determine whether the credit card offer has at least one offer element corresponding to at least one of the plurality of offer elements, determining an overall weight based on the weights assigned to the offer elements corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of offer elements and based on the overall weights of each of the credit card offers, determining where on a webpage to display each of the credit card offers.

Abstract: Methods of allowing a customer to access information related to an order of a commodity include entering the information into a central database, updating a content of a web-based application with the information within the central database, and allowing the customer to access the information via the web-based application. The information may include sales information, shipping information, tracing information, packout information, inventory information, and/or inspection information corresponding to the order of the commodity. Systems for allowing a customer to access information related to an order of a commodity include a server configured to store the information in a central database, one or more terminals having one or more applications configured to enter the information into the central database, and a web-based application configured to allow the customer to access the information within the central database.

Abstract: A method of forming a corrosion resistant neutron absorbing coating comprising the steps of spray or deposition or sputtering or welding processing to form a composite material made of a spray or deposition or sputtering or welding material, and a neutron absorbing material. Also a corrosion resistant neutron absorbing coating comprising a composite material made of a spray or deposition or sputtering or welding material, and a neutron absorbing material.

Abstract: A system for coating a surface comprises providing a source of amorphous metal, providing ceramic particles, and applying the amorphous metal and the ceramic particles to the surface by a spray. The coating comprises a composite material made of amorphous metal that contains one or more of the following elements in the specified range of composition: yttrium (?1 atomic %), chromium (14 to 18 atomic %), molybdenum (?7 atomic %), tungsten (?1 atomic %), boron (?5 atomic %), or carbon (?4 atomic %).

Abstract: A system for indirectly detecting a radiation source by directly detecting radiolytic products. The radiation source emits radiation and the radiation produces the radiolytic products. A fluid is positioned to receive the radiation from the radiation source. When the fluid is irradiated, radiolytic products are produced. By directly detecting the radiolytic products, the radiation source is detected.

Abstract: A system for the deposition of full-density, pore-free, corrosion-resistant, thermal-spray amorphous-metal coatings for the protection of a less corrosion resistant substrate. The system comprises using particle-size optimization (PSO) to ensure that the amorphous metal particles are small enough to ensure that the critical cooling rate is achieved throughout the amorphous metal particles.

Abstract: A system for coating a surface comprising providing a source of amorphous metal that contains more than 11 elements and applying the amorphous metal that contains more than 11 elements to the surface by a spray. Also a coating comprising a composite material made of amorphous metal that contains more than 11 elements.

Abstract: A paint that warns of radiological or chemical substances comprising a paint operatively connected to the surface, an indicator material carried by the paint that provides an indication of the radiological or chemical substances, and a thermo-activation material carried by the paint. In one embodiment, a method of warning of radiological or chemical substances comprising the steps of painting a surface with an indicator material, and monitoring the surface for indications of the radiological or chemical substances. In another embodiment, a paint is operatively connected to a vehicle and an indicator material is carried by the paint that provides an indication of the radiological or chemical substances.

Abstract: A system for warning of corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances. The system comprises painting a surface with a paint or coating that includes an indicator material and monitoring the surface for indications of the corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a ceramic composition for the immobilization of actinides, particularly uranium and plutonium. The ceramic is a titanate material comprising pyrochlore, brannerite and rutile. The process comprises oxidizing the actinides, milling the oxides to a powder, blending them with ceramic precursors, cold pressing the blend and sintering the pressed material.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for capacitive deionization and electrochemical purification and regeneration of electrodes includes two oppositely disposed, spaced-apart end plates, one at each end of the cell. Two generally identical single-sided end electrodes, are arranged one at each end of the cell, adjacent to the end plates. An insulator layer is interposed between each end plate and the adjacent end electrode. Each end electrode includes a single sheet of conductive material having a high specific surface area and sorption capacity. In the preferred embodiment, the sheet of conductive material is formed of carbon aerogel composite. The cell further includes a plurality of generally identical double-sided intermediate electrodes that are equidistally separated from each other, between the two end electrodes. As the electrolyte enters the cell, it flows through a continuous open serpentine channel defined by the electrodes, substantially parallel to the surfaces of the electrodes.