Abstract: Compositions and methods for editing an endogenous NAC genes in plants are provided, for the improvement of traits of agronomic or commercial importance. Modifications of expression and activity of NAC genes are described, including editing endogenous NAC gene functional motifs and knocking out NAC gene function.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to an endoscope drying device that also provides an indication of lumen drying verification. The present disclosure includes a device having an elongated and flexible base having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a hydrochromic absorbent unit extending from the distal portion. The hydrochromic absorbent unit can be configured to visually indicate when fluid is present. The hydrochromic absorbent unit can be sized and shaped for insertion into an endoscope channel. When inserted into the endoscope channel, the hydrochromic absorbent unit can expand to fill the endoscope channel and absorb any moisture therein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a plurality of nucleotide sequences encoding a first intein fused to at least a portion of a first transcription activator-like effector (TALE), a second nucleotide sequence encoding the first intein fused to at least a portion of a second TALE, and a third nucleotide sequence encoding a second intein fused to at least a portion of a rare-cutting nuclease.

Abstract: Genome edited plants, plant cells, seeds and plant parts of Brassica are provided where expression levels and/or activities of pod dehiscence genes are modulated to improve one or more agronomic characteristics such as pod shatter. Also provided are compositions comprising polynucleotides encoding polypeptides and guide RNAs targeted to endogenous Brassica proteins involved in pod dehiscence including for example, targeted site-directed mutagenesis using CRISPR-associated nucleases. Additionally, various methods of employing the polynucleotides and genetic modifications in plants, such as methods for modulating expression level in a Brassica plant and methods for increasing pod shatter tolerance of a Brassica plant are also provided herein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying novel genes useful for modulating desired agronomic traits in plants are presented herein. The present disclosure relates to methods for identifying line-specific and cluster-specific genes from plants that show perturbation of expression in response to perturbation of expression of a primary gene, and the perturbation of expression of the line-specific or cluster-specific gene confers alterations in agronomic characteristics upon the plant.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for editing an endogenous NAC genes in plants are provided, for the improvement of traits of agronomic or commercial importance. Modifications of expression and activity of NAC genes are described, including editing endogenous NAC gene functional motifs and knocking out NAC gene function.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising polynucleotides encoding glutamine synthetase (GS) polypeptides having improved properties, such as increased enzymatic activity and/or increased thermostability. Also provided are recombinant DNA constructs, plants, plant cells, seed, grain comprising the polynucleotides. Additionally, various methods of employing the polynucleotides in plants, such as methods for increasing GS activity in a plant, methods for increase seed protein content in a seed of a plant, and methods for increasing yield of a plant, are also provided herein.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter that is functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a PRE2 polypeptide.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring stress tolerance are presented herein, along with compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter that is functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a DTP4 polypeptide.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter that is functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a RING-H2 polypeptide.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides, polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance are disclosed. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a promoter that is functional in a plant operably linked to a polynucleotide that encodes a PAP, a DTP25 or a DTP46 polypeptide. Also disclosed are methods of utilizing the recombinant DNA construct and compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising the recombinant DNA construct.

Abstract: A compact dual-output speed-reduction mechanism for oil well pumps includes a housing containing a chamber; a high-speed tubular input shaft having a first end portion journalled in a first housing opening, and an eccentric portion arranged in the housing chamber; a low-speed output shaft journalled within the input shaft, the output shaft having a first end portion extending outwardly of the housing beyond the input shaft first end portion, and a second end portion that extends beyond the input shaft second end portion and outwardly of the housing via a second housing opening opposite the first housing opening. A cycloidal speed-reduction mechanism arranged in the housing chamber is connected between the input shaft eccentric portion and the housing, and between the input shaft eccentric portion and a power transfer disk connected with the output shaft. At least one rotatably-driven device is connected with the two output shaft end portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods, processes and platforms to validate systems genetics networks to define their genetic regulators and to optimize translational applicability to humans for drug development. These systems genetics networks are sets of genes with a common function that demonstrate covariate expression that is genetically modulated by linked function network regulators (LFNRs) which comprise eQTLs in animals and GWAS SNPs in humans. LFNRs represent a new class of targets to identify drugs to prevent, ameliorate, and/or treat human diseases. LFNRs for the cell cycle-mitosis network have potential to be especially useful for anti-cancer therapies. The present invention provides for a drug that targets a specific LFNR for the cell cycle-mitosis network in Caucasian male liver to prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in high risk patient populations.

Abstract: A speech recognition system includes a natural language processing component and an automated speech recognition component distinct from each other such that uncertainty in speech recognition is isolated from uncertainty in natural language understanding, wherein the natural language processing component and an automated speech recognition component communicate corresponding weighted meta-information representative of the uncertainty.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for the use of virtual robots (Bots) to assist in the answering of inquiries from persons over the Internet, telephone, wireless, or other form of electrical, digital, or electronic communication. Such method and system consists of (1) a Bot processor consisting of (a) a connection interface capable of receiving, directly or indirectly, inputs from a user in natural or machine language, which the Bot processor then responds to in natural or machine language, and (b) an engine capable of recognizing an input and providing a response; and (2) a service desk consisting of (a) a human being, (b) a connection interface that connects directly or indirectly to the Bot processor and to the front end, and (c) a display where the human being can see, in humanly comprehensible form, information transmitted by the user and/or the Bot processor.

Abstract: The present application relates to a marine buoy featuring a novel bracing assembly disposed within a marine buoy and featuring a plurality of bracing members extending between and connecting to a first fastening member and a second fastening member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for selecting transistor threshold voltages on an integrated circuit may include assigning a first threshold voltage to selected groups of transistors such as cell instances, for example, and determining which of the selected groups of transistors to assign a second threshold voltage, that is lower than the first threshold voltage, by iteratively performing a cost/benefit analysis. The method may further include determining which of the selected groups of transistors having a third threshold voltage to assign the first threshold voltage by iteratively performing a cost/benefit analysis. The cost/benefit analysis may include calculating a cost/benefit ratio for each group of the selected groups of transistors. In addition, the cost/benefit analysis may include calculating an upcone benefit and a downcone benefit for groups of transistors coupled to one or more inputs and outputs, respectively.

Abstract: A contract wager and a bonus wager are placed to participate in the card game. A three card player hand is dealt face down to the player, a three card primary dealer hand is dealt face down to the dealer, and a three card dealer secondary hand is dealt face down to the dealer. Then, one of the cards of the primary dealer hand is exposed. The player hand is examined to determine the point total thereof, and an additional wager is placed to continue to participate in the card game. Then, the remaining two cards of the primary dealer hand are exposed, and the point total of the primary dealer hand is determined. If desired, one of the cards in the primary dealer hand may be replaced with one of the cards in the secondary dealer hand if the point total of the primary dealer hand is less than a predetermined minimum amount.

Abstract: A wagering credit is applied to a video gambling machine using a player wagering device. A contract wager and a bonus wager are placed using input selection devices on the video gambling machine. A visual display device displays a three card player hand dealt face down to the player, a three card primary dealer hand dealt face down to the dealer, and a three card dealer secondary hand dealt face down to the dealer. Then, one of the cards of the primary dealer hand is exposed. The player hand is examined to determine the point total thereof, and an additional wager is placed using an input selection device to continue to participate in the card game. Then, the remaining two cards of the primary dealer hand are exposed, and the point total of the primary dealer hand is determined. If desired, one of the cards in the primary dealer hand may be replaced with one of the cards in the secondary dealer hand if the point total of the primary dealer hand is less than a predetermined minimum amount.

Abstract: A contract wager and a bonus wager are placed to participate in the card game. A three card player hand is dealt face down to the player, a three card primary dealer hand is dealt face down to the dealer, and a three card dealer secondary hand is dealt face down to the dealer. Then, one of the cards of the primary dealer hand is exposed. The player hand is examined to determine the point total thereof, and an additional wager is placed to continue to participate in the card game. Then, the remaining two cards of the primary dealer hand are exposed, and the point total of the primary dealer hand is determined. If desired, one of the cards in the primary dealer hand may be replaced with one of the cards in the secondary dealer hand if the point total of the primary dealer hand is less than a predetermined minimum amount.