Abstract: Bacterial cultures are provided that comprise a modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium missing or deficient in two or more virulence factors. The two or more virulence factors can be selected from exotoxin A, hemolytic phospholipase C, phenazine-specific methyltransferase, alpha-1,3-rhamnosyltransferase, and 3-phosphoshikimate 1-carboxyvinyltransferase. Certain of the modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria are also missing or deficient in one or more alginate acetylation enzymes including the alginate O-acetyltransferases AlgI, AlgJ, AlgF, AlgX, and/or the C5-mannuronan epimerase AlgG. Methods of producing alginate are also provided along with compositions comprising alginate produced by the modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle for transporting and delivering livestock feed to a feed bunk in a feedlot without human intervention. The vehicle includes a chassis having a translation assembly for moving the vehicle across a surface, a delivery box operably engaged with the chassis and defining a chamber for carrying the feed. A load-dispensing assembly and a load-advancement mechanism are provided on the delivery box. Actuating the load-advancement mechanism moves the livestock feed toward the load-dispensing assembly. A control assembly is provided with programming configured to autonomously control movement of the vehicle along a predetermined pathway in the feedlot, autonomously control the load-advancement mechanism and load-dispensing assembly to deliver feed from the delivery box into a feed bunk at a preset location along the pathway, and/or control the ground speed of the vehicle so that an exact weight of feed is delivered per linear foot traveled by the vehicle.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus having a substantially planar member with a central portion and an outer edge and wherein the cutting edge extends substantially to the outer edge of the substantially planar member and is scalloped including a series of convex arcs arranged in a plurality of segments of the series of convex arcs.