Abstract: Exemplary methods for identifying progenies for use in plant breeding are disclosed. One exemplary computer-implemented method includes accessing a data structure including data representative of a pool of progenies and determining a prediction score for at least a portion of the pool of progenies based on the data included in the data structure. The prediction score indicates a probability of selection of the progeny based on historical data. The method further includes selecting a group of progenies from the pool of progenies based on the prediction score, identifying a set of progenies, from the group of progenies, based on at least one of an expected performance of the group of progenies and at least one factor associated with the set of progenies, the pool of progenies and/or the group of progenies, and directing the set of progenies into a validation phase of a breeding pipeline.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed for allocating resources in a breeding pipeline to multiple origins. One exemplary method includes accessing a data structure including data representative of multiple origins, in which the data includes, for each of the multiple origins, a trait performance expression or genotypic component information. The exemplary method further includes determining a resource allocation, which allocates n resources among the multiple origins based on a probability associated with the trait performance expressions and/or the genotypic components for the origins, and then allocating the n resources in the breeding pipeline for the multiple origins, based on the determined resource allocation.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for identifying progenies for use in plant breeding are disclosed. One exemplary computer-implemented method includes accessing a data structure including data representative of a pool of progenies and determining a prediction score for at least a portion of the pool of progenies based on the data included in the data structure. The prediction score indicates a probability of selection of the progeny based on historical data. The method further includes selecting a group of progenies from the pool of progenies based on the prediction score, identifying a set of progenies, from the group of progenies, based on at least one of an expected performance of the group of progenies and at least one factor associated with the set of progenies, the pool of progenies and/or the group of progenies, and directing the set of progenies into a validation phase of a breeding pipeline.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed for allocating resources in a breeding pipeline to multiple origins. One exemplary method includes accessing a data structure including data representative of multiple origins, in which the data includes, for each of the multiple origins, a trait performance expression or genotypic component information. The exemplary method further includes determining a resource allocation, which allocates n resources among the multiple origins based on a probability associated with the trait performance expressions and/or the genotypic components for the origins, and then allocating the n resources in the breeding pipeline for the multiple origins, based on the determined resource allocation.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed for allocating resources in a breeding pipeline to multiple origins. One exemplary method includes accessing a data structure including data representative of multiple origins, in which the data includes, for each of the multiple origins, a trait performance expression or genotypic component information. The exemplary method further includes determining a resource allocation, which allocates n resources among the multiple origins based on a probability associated with the trait performance expressions and/or the genotypic components for the origins, and then allocating the n resources in the breeding pipeline for the multiple origins, based on the determined resource allocation.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed for allocating resources in a breeding pipeline to multiple origins. One exemplary method includes accessing a data structure including data representative of multiple origins, in which the data includes, for each of the multiple origins, a trait performance expression or genotypic component information. The exemplary method further includes determining a resource allocation, which allocates n resources among the multiple origins based on a probability associated with the trait performance expressions and/or the genotypic components for the origins, and then allocating the n resources in the breeding pipeline for the multiple origins, based on the determined resource allocation.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed for allocating resources in a breeding pipeline to multiple origins. One exemplary method includes accessing a data structure including data representative of multiple origins, in which the data includes, for each of the multiple origins, a trait performance expression or genotypic component information. The exemplary method further includes determining a resource allocation, which allocates n resources among the multiple origins based on a probability associated with the trait performance expressions and/or the genotypic components for the origins, and then allocating the n resources in the breeding pipeline for the multiple origins, based on the determined resource allocation.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for identifying progenies for use in plant breeding are disclosed. One exemplary computer-implemented method includes accessing a data structure including data representative of a pool of progenies and determining a prediction score for at least a portion of the pool of progenies based on the data included in the data structure. The prediction score indicates a probability of selection of the progeny based on historical data. The method further includes selecting a group of progenies from the pool of progenies based on the prediction score, identifying a set of progenies, from the group of progenies, based on at least one of an expected performance of the group of progenies and at least one factor associated with the set of progenies, the pool of progenies and/or the group of progenies, and directing the set of progenies into a validation phase of a breeding pipeline.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing watertightness of a railcar comprises a blower fan apparatus with an exhaust duct and an exhaust outlet that can be sealed against an aperture in the railcar. The fan blower of the apparatus is capable of providing an airflow to the railcar to provide a pressure differential of between about 0.5 to about 2.5 inches of H.sub.2 O between an interior of the railcar and an exterior of the railcar. The blower is operated to provide air to the railcar to provide a pressure differential, causing bubbles to form in a liquid solution applied to the exterior surface of the railcar. The railcar is marked for subsequent repair at locations where bubbles are detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing watertightness of a railcar comprises a blower fan apparatus with an exhaust duct and an exhaust outlet that can be sealed against an aperture in the railcar. The fan blower of the apparatus is capable of providing an airflow to the railcar to provide a pressure differential of between about 0.5 to about 2.5 inches of H.sub.2 O between an interior of the railcar and an exterior of the railcar. The blower is operated to provide air to the railcar to provide a pressure differential, causing bubbles to form in a liquid solution applied to the exterior surface of the railcar. The railcar is marked for subsequent repair at locations where bubbles are detected.

Abstract: The invention provides dental devices (including implants, abutments, bridges, screws, and orthodontic appliances) that are fabricated from low modulus, biocompatible, non-toxic Ti-Nb-Zr alloys. The dental implants provide a biomaterial-to-bone interface that results in significant attachment between implant and bone. The implants may be supplied with a porous coating or macro-texture to further promote bone attachment and stabilization of the implant in the jaw bone. Other orthodontic appliances such as brackets and wires have improved elastic toughness and corrosion resistance so that they provide superior performance and corrosion characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to high strength, low modulus, metallic medical implants and, in particular, a titanium alloy useful in their fabrication which has a relatively low modulus of elasticity (e.g. closer to that of bone than other typically-used metal alloys) and which does not include any elements which have been shown or suggested as having short term or long term potential adverse effect from a standpoint of biocompatibility. The titanium alloy includes niobium and zirconium in specified amounts with tantalum an optional substitute for niobium.

Abstract: Passivated implants and passivation methods that provide superior corrosion resistance and surface performance characteristics as compared to conventional nitric acid passivation are disclosed. The method uses either the spontaneous or galvanic passivation of metallic prosthetic implants in aqueous alkali salt solutions containing non-aggressive oxyanions to produce a thin and uniform passive coating on the metal implant, thereby rendering the implant more stable in the biological environment.

Abstract: A biocompatible titanium alloy with low elastic modulus containing titanium, about 10-20 wt. % or 35 to about 50 wt. % niobium and up to 20 wt. % zirconium useful for fabricating of orthopedic implants. This invention relates generally to high strength, biocompatible alloys suitable for use as a material for a medical prosthetic implant and, in particular, a titanium alloy which has a relatively low modulus of elasticity (e.g. closer to that of bone than other typically-used metal alloys) and does not include any elements which have been shown or suggested as having short term or long term potential adverse effect from a standpoint or biocompatibility.

Abstract: The device contains a first light source (21) that emits a continuous light and a second light source (18) that emits intermittent light, a photodiode (19) that responds to the light of both light sources and a transparent plate (14) that is located in the light path between the first light source and the photodiode and the surface of which constitutes a measuring surface for ice formation. As long as the measuring surface does not ice up and the plate remains optimally transparent, the photodiode is pushed into the area of saturation by the light rays of the first light source and the light rays of the second light source have little influence on the photocurrent. If ice forms on the measuring surface the light rays of the first light source are weakened and the photocurrent of the photocell is increasingly modulated by the light rays from the second light source. The modulated photocurrent is used as a quantitative signal for the build-up of the ice layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the build-up of ice on engine and plant parts encompasses a monitoring surface area and a reference surface area located on a part of such engine. There is provided a first means which heats the reference surface area to a temperature above the freezing point. A second means illuminates the reference surface area as well as the monitoring surface area. The light reflected from both these areas is led to a light receiver which emits signals which are applied to a fourth means. This fourth means determines the difference between the output signals of the light receiver and generates accordingly a control signal. This apparatus allows a safe detection of ice build-up independent from a soiling of the monitoring and/or reference surface areas.