Abstract: A luminescent solar collector is provided comprising a substrate and a light energy converter, such as a photocell, operatively connected thereto. The substrate is molded from a thermoplastic composition comprising a polymer and a fluorescent dye or quantum dot dispersed therein. The polymer comprises a polycarbonate unit and a polyester unit derived from the reaction of isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and resorcinol (ITR). In further embodiments, the substrate comprises two or more layers including a fluorescent layer and an overcoat layer. The fluorescent layer comprises the fluorescent dye or quantum dot and a polycarbonate polymer. The overcoat layer comprises the ITR unit. The substrate, in single layer or multiple layer form, has reduced haze levels over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a homozygous non-human organism from a heterozygous non-human organism, which homozygous organism can be crossed to obtain a hybrid, comprising providing a heterozygous starting organism; allowing the organism to produce SDR-0 cells through meiosis, which cells originate from second division restitution; regenerating SDR-0 organisms from the SDR-0 cells; and producing the homozygous organism from the SDR-0 organisms thus obtained. Further provided is a method for producing a hybrid, comprising crossing a first homozygous organism that is produced according to the above method with a second homozygous organism. Also provided is a homozygous non-human organism and hybrid non-human organisms obtainable by these methods. In a preferred embodiment, the organisms are plants.

Abstract: Provided is a method for mapping traits in organisms, in particular in plants. The method comprises a) providing a population of SDR-0 organisms, in particular plants, that each arise from one member of a population of unreduced cells resulting from second division restitution, in particular a population of unreduced spores; b) producing SDR-1 progeny populations of each of these SDR-0 organisms; c) phenotyping the SDR-1 progeny populations to identify segregating traits within each SDR-1 progeny population; d) if segregating progeny are present in a SDR-1 progeny population, genotyping the corresponding SDR-0 organism and comparing the genotype thereof with the genotype of the other SDR-0 organisms to identify heterozygous chromosomal regions associated with the occurrence of the segregating trait identified in the SDR-1 progeny population.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises A) 25 to 95 parts by weight of a first polycarbonate consisting essentially of i) 25 to 100 mole percent of a first carbonate unit comprising an alkyl-substituted bisphenol carbonate unit, ii) 0 to 75 mole percent of a second carbonate unit where the first and second carbonate units are not identical, and the sum of the mole percentages of the first and second carbonate units in the first polycarbonate is 100 mole percent; B) 5 to 75 parts by weight of a polyester-polycarbonate where the molar ratio of carbonate unit to arylate ester unit is 95:5 to 10:90; and C) 0 to 65 parts by weight of a second polycarbonate, where the first polycarbonate and second polycarbonate are not identical, and the sum of the parts by weight of the first polycarbonate, the polyester-polycarbonate, and the second polycarbonate is 100 parts by weight.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thermoplastic composition containing an antistatic agent is described. The antistatic agent is a phosphonium sulfonate salt of generic formula (1) wherein each X is independently a halogen or hydrogen, provided that the molar ratio of halogen to hydrogen is greater than about 0.90; p is 0 or 1 and q and r are integers of 0 to about 7 provided that q+r is less than 8 and that if p is not zero then r is greater than zero; and each R is the same or different hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to about 18 carbon atoms. The phosphonium sulfonate salt is prepared by a method that includes combining in an aqueous medium a compound of generic formula (2) wherein M is Li or Na, and X, q, p, and r are as defined above, with a stoichiometric excess of a compound of the generic formula (3) (R)4P-Z??(3) wherein Z is a halogen and R is as defined above; and separating the product of formula (1) from the medium. The phosphonium sulfonate salt is then combined with a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Provided is a method for screening a population of plants for the presence therein of individuals that show a reduced susceptibility to ethylene and physiological disorders, in particular Russet Spotting and Yellowing, as compared to a control plant, wherein a population of seeds is germinated in darkness and in the presence of ethylene to obtain seedlings that, when having a longer hypocotyl as compared to the original ethylene-sensitive control under ethylene, are selected as plants showing a reduced susceptibility to ethylene and physiological disorders, in particular Russet Spotting or Yellowing. Also provided are plants thus selected.

Abstract: A method for making the phosphonium sulfonate salt of generic formula (1): wherein each X is independently a halogen or hydrogen, provided that the molar ratio of halogen to hydrogen is greater than about 0.90; p is 0 or 1 and q and r are integers of 0 to about 7 provided that q+r is less than 8 and that if p is not zero then r is greater than zero; and each R is the same or different hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, the method comprising combining in an aqueous medium a compound of generic formula (2): wherein M is Li or Na, and X, q, p, and r are as defined above, with a stoichiometric excess of a compound of the generic formula (3): (R)4P-Z??(3) wherein Z is a halogen and R is as defined above; and separating the product of formula (1) from the medium.

Abstract: The present application relates to the use of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) to form double stranded RNA polymers in the presence of a target, such as a nucleic acid associated with a disease or disorder. The RNA polymers are preferably able to activate the RNA-dependent kinase PKR. Activation of PKR via RNA-HCR can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders by specifically targeting diseased cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of calorimetric hybridization chain reaction (HCR) to detect the presence of one or more target analytes in a sample. In the preferred embodiments, metastable nucleic acid monomers are provided that associate in the presence of an initiator nucleic acid. Upon exposure to the initiator, the monomers self-assemble in a hybridization chain reaction. The monomers themselves may be conjugated to nano-gold particles. In other embodiments, a detection component is provided that comprises nano-gold particles and is able to bind to or associate with polymerized monomers. Thus, self-assembly of the HCR monomers leads to aggregation of nano-gold particles and a detectable change in sample color.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of fluorescently labeled nucleic acid probes to identify and image analytes in a biological sample. In the preferred embodiments, a probe is provided that comprises a target region able to specifically bind an analyte of interest and an initiator region that is able to initiate polymerization of nucleic acid monomers. After contacting a sample with the probe, labeled monomers are provided that form a tethered polymer. Triggered probes and self-quenching monomers can be used to provide active background suppression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid probes to identify analytes in a sample. In the preferred embodiments, metastable nucleic acid monomers are provided that associate in the presence of an initiator nucleic acid. Upon exposure to the initiator, the monomers self-assemble in a hybridization chain reaction. The initiator nucleic acid may be, for example, a portion of an analyte to be detected or may be part of an initiation trigger such that it is made available in the presence of a target analyte.

Abstract: Obtaining double-haploid cucumber plants from haploid plants is considerably improved when immature or unfertilized ovulae or embryo sac cells, which may be contained in ovarial tissue, are isolated, the formation of callus, embryos or shoots is induced on a hormone-containing medium, these haploid plants are cultured and duplication of the genome is effected.