Abstract: A thermal-mechanical linear actuator can include a first stage comprising one of a positive coefficient of thermal expansion (“CTE”) material or a negative CTE material and a second stage comprising the other of the positive CTE material or the negative CTE material. The second stage can be at least partially inserted into the first stage. The actuator can further comprise a thermal isolator disposed between the first stage and the second stage to thermally isolate the first stage from the second stage. Heat inputs can be provided where the heat inputs can control the temperature of the first and second stages independently. A hyperbolic meta material can be wrapped or coated around the first stage.

Abstract: Systems for delivering material through an open beak to a digestive tract of a bird and methods of using the same are described herein. Beak opening apparatus and methods of using the same are also described herein.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency and productivity of hybrid corn seed production are provided herein. Various methods to improve the transfer of pollen from male corn plants to female corn plants, and thus increase yield, are provided herein. Without being limiting, these methods include varying the height of male and female corn plants in a field, as well as varying the number, arrangement, and ratio of male-to-female rows in a field.

Abstract: A system includes a motor, a memory storing instructions and at least one controller configured to execute the instructions to cause the system to obtain at least one message over a network, the at least one message indicating a target position for a rotor of the motor and a target time associated with the target position, determine a position command and a speed command based on the target position and the target time, and control the motor based on the position command and the speed command.

Abstract: A control module comprises software instructions for execution by an electronic data processor. An inductance estimator is configured to estimate direct inductance and quadrature inductance associated with the electric machine based on a first set of equations that assume constant rotor resistance and constant magnetic flux. A torque estimator is configured to estimate an observed torque associated with a rotor of the electric machine based a commanded direct-axis voltage and a commanded quadrature-axis voltage, where the observed torque is proportional to the observed power consumption of the electric machine. A pulse-width-modulation (PWM) module is configured to provide pulse-width modulated signals to the electric machine based on the commanded direct-axis voltage and a commanded quadrature-axis voltage. A back-electromotive force adjustment is derived from an estimated, observed torque and a commanded torque.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency and productivity of hybrid corn seed production are provided herein. Various methods to improve the transfer of pollen from male corn plants to female corn plants, and thus increase yield, are provided herein. Without being limiting, these methods include varying the height of male and female corn plants in a field, as well as varying the number, arrangement, and ratio of male-to-female rows in a field.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route, a seed sensor configured to sense presence of the seed at a first location along the transport route, and a motor configured to drive movement of the seed transport mechanism to transport the seed from the first location to a second location in which the seed is released from the seed transport mechanism. A processing system is configured to track a position of the seed along the transport route based on an indication of the sensed presence of the seed at the first location and detected movement of the seed transport mechanism, and generate a motor operating parameter based on the tracked position of the seed and a target parameter for releasing the seed. The motor of the seeding system is operated based on the motor operating parameter.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route, a seed sensor configured to sense presence of the seed at a first location along the transport route, and a motor configured to drive movement of the seed transport mechanism to transport the seed from the first location to a second location in which the seed is released from the seed transport mechanism. A processing system is configured to track a position of the seed along the transport route based on an indication of the sensed presence of the seed at the first location and detected movement of the seed transport mechanism, and generate a motor operating parameter based on the tracked position of the seed and a target parameter for releasing the seed. The motor of the seeding system is operated based on the motor operating parameter.

Abstract: A control module comprises software instructions for execution by an electronic data processor. An inductance estimator is configured to estimate direct inductance and quadrature inductance associated with the electric machine based on a first set of equations that assume constant rotor resistance and constant magnetic flux. A torque estimator is configured to estimate an observed torque associated with a rotor of the electric machine based a commanded direct-axis voltage and a commanded quadrature-axis voltage, where the observed torque is proportional to the observed power consumption of the electric machine. A pulse-width-modulation (PWM) module is configured to provide pulse-width modulated signals to the electric machine based on the commanded direct-axis voltage and a commanded quadrature-axis voltage. A back-electromotive force adjustment is derived from an estimated, observed torque and a commanded torque.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency and productivity of hybrid corn seed production are provided herein. Various methods to improve the transfer of pollen from male corn plants to female corn plants, and thus increase yield, are provided herein. Without being limiting, these methods include varying the height of male and female corn plants in a field, as well as varying the number, arrangement, and ratio of male-to-female rows in a field.

Abstract: A first source of an electromagnetic signal is configured to illuminate or radiate the evaluation channel through which a series of particular seeds pass. For example, the electromagnetic signal comprises a pulse with at a primary reference phase and primary reference magnitude. A first receiver of the electromagnetic signal comprises a detector to determine or identify a first seed-related characteristic (e.g., first seed characteristic) based on an observed primary phase and an observed primary magnitude. For instance, a seed treatment device is configured to treat or spray discharged particular seed with a seed treatment based on the estimated characteristic, or to reject non-conforming seeds that do not meet seed specifications.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In certain embodiments, methods involve the use of cleavable probes that comprise a ribonucleotide position that is susceptible to endoribonuclease (e.g., RNase H) cleavage in the presence of target nucleic acid molecules. Probes of the embodiments may also comprise non-natural nucleotide linked to a reporter and/or quenching moiety.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a seeding system having a seed transport mechanism configured to transport a seed along a transport route, a seed sensor configured to sense presence of the seed at a first location along the transport route, and a motor configured to drive movement of the seed transport mechanism to transport the seed from the first location to a second location in which the seed is released from the seed transport mechanism. A processing system is configured to track a position of the seed along the transport route based on an indication of the sensed presence of the seed at the first location and detected movement of the seed transport mechanism, and generate a motor operating parameter based on the tracked position of the seed and a target parameter for releasing the seed. The motor of the seeding system is operated based on the motor operating parameter.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a system includes a motor, a memory storing instructions and at least one controller configured to execute the instructions to cause the system to obtain at least one message over a network, the at least one message indicating a target position for a rotor of the motor and a target time associated with the target position, determine a position command and a speed command based on the target position and the target time, and control the motor based on the position command and the speed command.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In certain embodiments, methods involve the use of cleavable probes that comprise a ribonucleotide position that is susceptible to endoribonuclease (e.g., RNase H) cleavage in the presence of target nucleic acid molecules. Probes of the embodiments may also comprise non-natural nucleotide linked to a reporter and/or quenching moiety.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency and productivity of hybrid corn seed production are provided herein. Various methods to improve the transfer of pollen from male corn plants to female corn plants, and thus increase yield, are provided herein. Without being limiting, these methods include varying the height of male and female corn plants in a field, as well as varying the number, arrangement, and ratio of male-to-female rows in a field.

Abstract: Systems for delivering material through an open beak to a digestive tract of a bird and methods of using the same are described herein. Beak opening apparatus and methods of using the same are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for selecting nucleotide sequences that yield dsRNA-mediated gene suppression in a target organism and enable their uptake by the target organism. The invention further provides expression constructs that confer stabilized expression of such sequences in a transgenic host cell, and methods for their use. Also provided are organisms, cells and tissues prepared by a method of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency and productivity of hybrid corn seed production are provided herein. Various methods to improve the transfer of pollen from male corn plants to female corn plants, and thus increase yield, are provided herein. Without being limiting, these methods include varying the height of male and female corn plants in a field, as well as varying the number, arrangement, and ratio of male-to-female rows in a field.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In certain embodiments, methods involve the use of cleavable probes that comprise a ribonucleotide position that is susceptible to endoribonuclease (e.g., RNase H) cleavage in the presence of target nucleic acid molecules. Probes of the embodiments may also comprise non-natural nucleotide linked to a reporter and/or quenching moiety.