A brace compliance monitor is disclosed that includes a compliance sensor, a signal processor, and a display. Methods for the modulation of lignin content, lignin structure and lignin composition in target organisms are also disclosed, the methods comprising incorporating one or more of the polynucleotides of the present invention into the genome of a target organism. The collar assembly comprises a collar housing adapted to engage the wall box and the meter assembly, a plurality of main terminals, a plurality of secondary terminals. In use, the tissue grasping element penetrates a portion of the tissue on or near the body organ. The detected and expected lists are compared to identify any mismatched nodes.