Abstract: A paper drinking straw is designed explicitly to deliver flavorings or active ingredients, or a combination of flavorings and active ingredients to the user of the paper straw. The paper straw is lined with a dried coating designed to adhere to the unique properties of the inside of a paper drinking straw. The paper straw lining includes a combination of dextrin, low levels of food-grade acids, and low levels of cellulose gums or no cellulose gums, or a combination of these elements combined with or without an active ingredient. The lining, which optionally includes sweeteners, colorings, and/or flavorings, is prepared as a gel-like liquid that is added to the interior of the paper straw and is then dried, creating a lining within the paper straw that dissolves as the user draws water or beverage through the straw, thus delivering the flavorings and/or active ingredients to the user.

Abstract: A composition comprising a plurality of discrete particles comprising one or more cannabinoids disposed at least partially within a polymeric carrier having a maximum overall dimension of less than 1 micron. A composition comprising a plurality of discrete nanofibers comprising one or more cannabinoids disposed at least partially within a polymeric carrier is also disclosed along with methods to produce the same.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds using recombinant enzymes. In particular, the disclosure provides recombinant prenyltransferase enzymes engineered to produce a greater amount of a desired product, or to have a greater ability to catalyze a reaction using a desired substrate, as compared to the wild type prenyltransferase. The disclosure also provides methods of preparing such recombinant enzymes; as well as methods of use thereof in improving the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds.

Abstract: Transgenic plants and methods for terpenoid production leveraging such transgenic plants are provided. Such transgenic plants may comprise a first heterologous nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylCoA reductase activity and a second heterologous nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide that introduces de novo formation of isopentenyl phosphate in the plant. Such de novo IP production may be achieved through the overexpression of phosphomevalonate decarboxylase in conjunction with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylCoA reductase, which can result in up to a 130-fold increase of terpenoid production as compared to a wild-type plant.

Abstract: Transgenic plants and methods for terpenoid production leveraging such transgenic plants are provided. Such transgenic plants may comprise a first heterologous nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylCoA reductase activity and a second heterologous nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide that introduces de novo formation of isopentenyl phosphate in the plant. Such de novo IP production may be achieved through the overexpression of phosphomevalonate decarboxylase in conjunction with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylCoA reductase, which can result in up to a 130-fold increase of terpenoid production as compared to a wild-type plant.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds using recombinant enzymes. In particular, the disclosure provides recombinant mutant ORF2 enzymes engineered to produce a greater amount of a desired product, or to have a greater ability to catalyze a reaction using a desired substrate, as compared to WT ORF2. The disclosure also provides methods of preparing such ORF2 mutant enzymes; as well as methods of use thereof in improving the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds.

Abstract: A composition comprising one or more cannabosides, cannabinoid metabolites, or a combination thereof produced by an animal which has been fed a feedstock comprising one or more cannabinoids. A method to produce the compositions and articles comprising the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition comprising a plurality of discrete particles comprising one or more cannabinoids disposed at least partially within a polymeric carrier having a maximum overall dimension of less than 1 micron. A composition comprising a plurality of discrete nanofibers comprising one or more cannabinoids disposed at least partially within a polymeric carrier is also disclosed along with methods to produce the same.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to reducing the losses associated with processing payments using credit card payment processing gateways. Payment processing gateways have different deposit success rates due to the gateways' varying arrangements with acquiring banks and the ability to process certain types of payments. A payment request related to a user may be received, wherein the request specifies a particular type of credit card, a transaction currency, and an amount. A payment application then routes, via a payment agent, the payment request to an adaptive gateway switching system (AGSS) in an attempt to complete a payment transaction. If in learning mode, the AGSS may randomly choose a payment processing gateway. Or the AGSS may choose the gateway based upon a learned gateway status based upon results learned through reinforcement learning. Upon receiving the result of a transaction attempt from the gateway, the agent reports the result to the AGSS.

Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition addressed by one or more cannabinoids, comprising providing the cannabinoid enriched solid composition to a recipient in an amount sufficient to treat the medical condition. A composition and a method to produce the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to reducing the losses associated with processing payments using credit card payment processing gateways. Payment processing gateways have different deposit success rates due to the gateways' varying arrangements with acquiring banks and the ability to process certain types of payments. A payment request related to a user may be received, wherein the request specifies a particular type of credit card, a transaction currency, and an amount. A payment application then routes, via a payment agent, the payment request to an adaptive gateway switching system (AGSS) in an attempt to complete a payment transaction. If in learning mode, the AGSS may randomly choose a payment processing gateway. Or the AGSS may choose the gateway based upon a learned gateway status based upon results learned through reinforcement learning. Upon receiving the result of a transaction attempt from the gateway, the agent reports the result to the AGSS.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds using recombinant enzymes. In particular, the disclosure provides recombinant mutant ORF2 enzymes engineered to produce a greater amount of a desired product, or to have a greater ability to catalyze a reaction using a desired substrate, as compared to WT ORF2. The disclosure also provides methods of preparing such ORF2 mutant enzymes; as well as methods of use thereof in improving the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds.

Abstract: Transgenic plants and methods for terpenoid production leveraging such transgenic plants are provided. Such transgenic plants may comprise a first heterologous nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylCoA reductase activity and a second heterologous nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide that introduces de novo formation of isopentenyl phosphate in the plant. Such de novo IP production may be achieved through the overexpression of phosphomevalonate decarboxylase in conjunction with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylCoA reductase, which can result in up to a 130-fold increase of terpenoid production as compared to a wild-type plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing polyketide synthase variants, and for altering the activity and/or substrate specificity of putative native and variant polyketide synthases. The present invention further relates to compositions comprising said polyketide synthase variants, compounds prepared using said polyketide synthase variants, and uses of said polyketide synthase variants. In one embodiment, said polyketide synthase variant is 2-pyrone synthase.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds using recombinant enzymes. In particular, the disclosure provides recombinant mutant ORF2 enzymes engineered to produce a greater amount of a desired product, or to have a greater ability to catalyze a reaction using a desired substrate, as compared to WT ORF2. The disclosure also provides methods of preparing such ORF2 mutant enzymes; as well as methods of use thereof in improving the biosynthesis of cannabinoids and related prenylated phenolic compounds.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein relate to reducing the losses associated with processing payments using credit card payment processing gateways. Payment processing gateways have different deposit success rates due to the gateways' varying arrangements with acquiring banks and the ability to process certain types of payments. A payment request related to a user may be received, wherein the request specifies a particular type of credit card, a transaction currency, and an amount. A payment application then routes, via a payment agent, the payment request to an adaptive gateway switching system (AGSS) in an attempt to complete a payment transaction. If in learning mode, the AGSS may randomly choose a payment processing gateway. Or the AGSS may choose the gateway based upon a learned gateway status based upon results learned through reinforcement learning. Upon receiving the result of a transaction attempt from the gateway, the agent reports the result to the AGSS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing polyketide synthase variants, and for altering the activity and/or substrate specificity of putative native and variant polyketide synthases. The present invention further relates to compositions comprising said polyketide synthase variants, compounds prepared using said polyketide synthase variants, and uses of said polyketide synthase variants. In one embodiment, said polyketide synthase variant is 2-pyrone synthase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutants of the plant aminotransferase VAS1 and to transgenic plants expressing said mutant protein that exhibit a modulated response to shade. In certain embodiments, the mutations of VAS1 uncouple VAS1 metabolic coordination of auxin and ethylene homeostasis, so that reduction of auxin is no longer linked (via VAS1) to reduction of ethylene. Such uncoupling allows for the generation of plants carrying a VAS1 mutant transgene that demonstrate a modulated response to shade, for example, less hypocotyl growth.

Abstract: The present invention comprises crystalline polyketide synthases, isolated non-native polyketide synthases having the structural coordinates of said crystalline polyketide synthases, and nucleic acids encoding such non-native polyketide synthases. Also disclosed are methods of predicting the activity and/or substrated specificity of putative polyketide synthase, methods of identifying potential polyetide synthase substrates, and methods of identifying potential polyketide synthase inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising the ligand binding domain (LBD) of a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in crystalline form. In alternative embodiments, the LBD of FXR is complexed with a ligand therefor. There are provided high resolution structures of FXR complexed with a novel high affinity agonist, fexaramine. The discovered structure of a FXR LBD provides the first three-dimensional view of the structural basis for FXR ligand binding. The present invention further provides a computer for producing a three-dimensional representation of FXR or a complex thereof, and a computer for determining at least a portion of the structure coordinates of FXR or a complex thereof. The present invention further provides methods of using this structural information to predict molecules capable of binding to FXR; to identify compounds with agonist, antagonist or partial agonist activity for FXR; and to determine whether a test compound is capable of binding to the LBD of FXR.