Abstract: According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a platform and a set of consumables and reagents are provided to seamlessly integrate with and elegantly transform integrated Single Cell Next Generation Sequencing (SCNGS) platforms for dramatic improvements in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Such aspects allow for the coupling of antibody polynucleotides, which have elements comprised of a universal sequence, a barcode sequence, and gene or nucleotide targeting sequences, together with individual cells into micron-sized vessels, as well as with beads containing primers which are separately barcoded. The process is performed in such a manner so to allow the primers contributed by the beads work with the primers contributed by the polynucleotide after it is digested with a restriction enzyme, to allow for the amplified DNA from that cell to be tagged for not only its cell identity but also for its sample identity.

Abstract: An improved system, apparatus, and method for use in controlling subterranean termite populations are described. It is determined whether one or more of the sensor characteristics in one or more of the underground soil regions are indicative of a subterranean termite population exceeding a threshold. Based on the determining, a treatment need is identified for the one or more underground soil regions. The treatment need is executed at regions corresponding to the one or more underground soil regions.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for use in controlling subterranean insect population and for use in irrigation is provided. Characteristics are monitored in a plurality of under and above soil level regions. The characteristics may include, for example, thermal heat or moisture level characteristics; seismic-type, vibrational, or acoustic characteristics indicative of air pockets or tunnels created by a subterranean insect population; or sound or acoustic levels produced by a subterranean insect population. It is determined whether one or more of the characteristics in one or more of the soil regions are indicative of a subterranean insect population exceeding a threshold or have a need for irrigation. Based on the determining, a treatment need is identified for the one or more soil regions. The treatment need is executed at regions corresponding to the one or more soil regions.

Abstract: Devices, modules, systems, and methods for the desalination of water provided. The devices, modules, systems can include a desalination member separating a concentrated fluid chamber from a dilute fluid chamber. The desalination member can comprise one or more pores extending through the desalination member to fluidly connect concentrated fluid chamber and the dilute fluid chamber, and one or more electrodes configured to generate an electric field gradient in proximity to the opening of the one or more pores in the desalination member. Under an applied bias and in the presence of a pressure driven flow of saltwater into the concentrated fluid chamber, the electric field gradient can preferentially direct ions in saltwater away from the opening of the one or more pores in the desalination member, while desalted water can flow through the pores into dilute fluid chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in complex genetics classification are disclosed. In one illustrative example, a method is performed using data from a sample population which includes counts of individuals in the sample population associated with both a particular diploid haplotype pair and a particular genetic trait class. A correspondence to analysis (COA) on the data from the sample population is performed (at least in part) so as to determine a first plurality of n-dimensional coordinates for each diploid haplotype pair and a second plurality of n-dimensional coordinates for each genetic trait class. A linear or quadratic classification analysis is then performed based on the first and the second pluralities of n-dimensional coordinates and diploid haplotype pairs of the at least two genes from an individual sample. Advantageously, the individual sample can be accurately classified into one of the genetic trait classes using the method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in genetic trait classification involving at least two genes associated with a genetic trait are described. In one illustrative method, a value for use in classifying an individual into one of a plurality of trait classes associated with the genetic trait is calculated.

Abstract: One disclosed method of processing gene sequence data includes the steps of reading gene sequence data corresponding to a gene sequence and coding sequence data corresponding to a plurality of coding sequences within the gene sequence; identifying and storing, by following a set of primer selection rules, primer pair data within the gene sequence data for one of the coding sequences; repeating the acts of identifying and storing such that primer pair data are obtained for each sequence of the plurality of coding sequences; and simultaneously amplifying the plurality of coding sequences in gene sequences from three or more of individuals using the identified pairs of primer sequences. The set of primer selection rules include a rule specifying that all of the primer pair data for the plurality of coding sequences be obtained for a predetermined annealing temperature, which allows for the subsequent simultaneous amplification of sequences from hundreds of individuals in a single amplification run.

Abstract: A candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) combination is selected from a plurality of candidate SNP combinations for a gene associated with a genetic trait. Haplotype data associated with this candidate SNP combination are read for a plurality of individuals and grouped into a positive-responding group and a negative-responding group based on whether a predetermined trait criteria for an individual is met. A statistical analysis on the grouped haplotype data is performed to obtain a statistical measurement. The acts of selecting, reading, grouping, and performing are repeated as necessary to identity the candidate SNP combination having the optimal statistical measurement. In one approach, a directed search based on results of previous statistical analysis of SNP combinations is performed until the optimal statistical measurement is obtained. In addition, the number of SNP combinations selected and analyzed may be reduced based on a simultaneous testing procedure.

Abstract: Software methods for identifying associations between genetic information and particular genetic traits are described. A candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) combination is selected from a plurality of candidate SNP combinations for a gene associated with (or suspected to be associated with) a genetic trait Haplotype data associated with this candidate SNP combination are read for a plurality of individuals and grouped into a positive-responding group and a negative-responding group based on whether a predetermined trait criteria for an individual is met. A statistical analysis on the grouped haplotype data is performed to obtain a statistical measurement associated with the candidate SNP combination. The acts of selecting, reading, grouping, and performing are repeated as necessary to identify the candidate SNP combination having the optimal statistical measurement (if one exists). In one approach, all possible SNP combinations are selected and statistically analyzed.

Abstract: One disclosed method of processing gene sequence data includes the steps of reading gene sequence data corresponding to a gene sequence and coding sequence data corresponding to a plurality of coding sequences within the gene sequence; identifying and storing, by following a set of primer selection rules, primer pair data within the gene sequence data for one of the coding sequences; repeating the acts of identifying and storing such that primer pair data are obtained for each sequence of the plurality of coding sequences; and simultaneously amplifying the plurality of coding sequences in gene sequences from three or more of individuals using the identified pairs of primer sequences. The set of primer selection rules include a rule specifying that all of the primer pair data for the plurality of coding sequences be obtained for a predetermined annealing temperature, which allows for the subsequent simultaneous amplification of sequences from hundreds of individuals in a single amplification run.