Abstract: A system for automated monitoring of pest insects having sensor units which include an insect electrocutor trap modified by the inclusion of electronic circuitry to sense, count and store the numbers of insects killed by it. The numbers of insects can be displayed at the electrocutor and/or transmitted to a remote computer that can acquire and time-stamp counts from thousands of distributed electrocutors for subsequent analysis and display. The data from the units is transmitted through a communications system which is organized into a two or more levels of multiplexing modules. Each multiplexing module has a plurality of inputs from next level multiplexing modules, with the exception of the last level multiplexing modules. The last level multiplexing modules have a plurality of inputs from sensor modules outputting data.

Abstract: Lipid compositions enriched in unsaturated fatty acid-containing triacylglycerols are made from menhaden oil (MO) and partially hydrogenated menhaden oil (PHMO) to provide a lipid composition containing enriched monounsaturated fatty acid esters (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acid esters (PUFAs).

Abstract: A method has been discovered for the epoxidation of a compound having at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the method involves reacting a compound having at least one carbon-carbon double bond, a solvent, an oxidant, and membrane bound peroxygenase. Also discovered is a method for preparing the membrane bound peroxygenase involving grinding seeds containing peroxygenase to produce ground seeds, homogenizing the ground seeds in a buffer to form a slurry, centrifuging the slurry to produce a first supernatant, centrifuging the first supernatant to produce a second supernatant, and filtering said second supernatant through a protein-binding membrane filter to produce membrane bound peroxygenase; optionally the second supernatant is filtered through a hydrophilic membrane filter prior to filtering the second supernatant through a protein-binding membrane filter.

Abstract: A method has been discovered for attracting Colorado potato beetles to an area of object or area, which method involves treating the object or area with a Colorado potato beetle attracting composition (with or without an insecticide) containing a carrier material and a Colorado potato beetle attracting effective amount of (a) (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (±)-linalool, nonanal, and methyl salicylate, (b) (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (±)-linalool, and methyl salicylate, (c) (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, and (±)-linalool, (d) (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and methyl salicylate, or (e) (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and (±)-linalool.

Abstract: Four new Penicillium spp. isolates (NRRL 21966, NRRL 21967, NRRL 21968, and NRRL 21969) are capable of essentially quantitative conversion of native alternan to a polymeric modified form having a lower apparent molecular weight than native alternan. A fifth isolate (NRRL 30489) obtained from a survey of deposited organisms and classified as a Penicillium subgenus Biverticillium has the same ability. The modified alternan has rheological properties similar to ultrasonicated alternan and is produced without the expense of ultrasonication. It would have utility as a substitute for gum arabic for uses such as bulking agents and extenders in foods and cosmetics.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and compositions for controlling food borne enteric bacterial pathogens in animals. Populations of enteropathogenic bacteria may be substantially reduced or eliminated by treatment of animals with an effective amount of the compound Xm(ClO3)n, wherein X is a cationic moiety and m and n are independently selected from integers necessary to provide a net valency of 0. The compounds may be administered orally, providing a reduction in the populations of the enteropathogenic bacteria in the alimentary tract of the animal, or they may be applied externally onto the animal to reduce the populations of any such bacteria which may be present as contaminants on the surface of the animal. The method and compositions are particularly useful for the control of Salmonella species, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and Clostridia species.

Abstract: Antigens for the detection of antibodies to Neospora parasites for the diagnosis of neosporosis have been identified. Recombinant antigens may be produced by expression of DNA sequences derived from Neospora caninum. Both antigens are capable of detecting antibody responses in animals experimentally inoculated with N. caninum but show no evidence of cross-reactivity with serum from animals inoculated with closely related parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii or Sarcocystis species.

Abstract: Hybridoma cell lines have been generated which produce and secrete monoclonal antibodies which selectively bind to 4,4′-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC), the active agent of nicarbazin. These hybridomas may be obtained by using as an immunization agent or immunogen, p-nitroaniline which has been conjugated to an immunogenic carrier. DNC in biological samples may be detected and quantified by contacting the sample with the antibodies to form a DNC/antibody immunocomplex when DNC is present, which immunocomplex may then be detected. The monoclonal antibodies also may be incorporated into kits for the detection and quantification of DNC and/or nicarbazin.

Abstract: Lubricating additives for drilling fluids are prepared from semi-solid highly viscous and/or high molecular weight lubricants, such as polyalkylenes (e.g., polybutene), by steam jet cooking a mixture of starch, water, and the lubricant in order to uniformly suspend micrometer-sized lubricant droplets in an aqueous starch matrix. These additives avoid the need for toxic emulsifiers, surfactants, or short-chain hydrocarbon solvents for dispersing the lubricants. They impart lubricity to drilling fluids (muds) and also inhibit fluid loss in geological formations by enhancing the filtration control properties of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning and/or classifying seed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a seed conditioning/classification unit having an acceleration conduit and a convexly curved Coanda surface provided adjacent to the conduit at its outlet, curving upwardly therefrom. As the crude particulate feed stream is discharged from the outlet, it is conditioned by the Coanda effect into a first outlet stream of entraining gas and lightweight extraneous materials, which is channeled approximately along or parallel to the Coanda surface, and a second stream of relatively heavier materials such as seeds, which is expelled approximately parallel to the central axis of the conduit at the outlet. Seeds which are expelled from the conduit are also classified by momentum discrimination.

Abstract: A stabilized, granular, biocontrol agent formulation for agricultural pests relies upon a combination of a water absorbent material, a membrane stabilization agent, and a granulating agent to achieve the desired stability and free-flowing properties. The granular product is easily prepared by simple mixing and can be readily rehydrated into a sprayable composition.

Abstract: A stable chicken hybridoma secreting a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that detects the conoid structure of Eimeria acervulina (E. acervulina) sporozoites has been developed. The hybridoma is made by fusing a thymidine kinase (TK)-deficient chicken myeloma with spleen cells from chickens immunized with sporozoite antigen. The monoclonal antibody recognizes sporozoite proteins on the conoid of the anterior tip of E. acervulina sporozoites. The monoclonal antibody has been shown to inhibit the invasion of sporozoites into CD8+ T cells in vitro thereby indicating its role in the recognition of host cells during the invasion process following infection with Eimeria parasites.

Abstract: Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are described which are effective for the control of diseases caused by the soil-borne fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis (Gg), such as take-all, in small grain crops or turf grass. The subject biocontrol strains have a unique genotype as shown by a characteristic banding pattern, and exhibit root-colonizing ability which is characterized by both higher population density on roots and extended colonizing activity compared to known Gg-suppressive strains. A further property is the ability of a strain to duplicate the level of biocontrol obtained naturally in a take-all decline soil. Methods for isolation and identification of the strains and their use to control diseases caused by Gg are provided. In particular, strains of P. fluorescens NRRL B-21806 and NRRL B-21807.

Abstract: Stabilized ubiquitin-lytic peptide fusion polypeptides and a method of making the same by sub-cloning nucleic acid sequences coding for lytic peptides into a plasmid vector comprising a promoter and ubiquitin polypeptide coding sequence, wherein the ubiquitin polypeptide sequence is linked to the 5′ end of the lytic peptide nucleic acid sequence and is translated as a fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mechanical harvesting of tree fruits has been designed which has the capability of providing fruit suitable for the fresh market. The harvester features an impactor for dislodging fruit from a tree limb, a unique positioning system, a collecting conveyor utilizing energy-absorbing materials for minimizing fruit damage due to the impact of falling fruit, a transport conveyor which moves the harvested fruit to a revolving collecting bin, and bin-filling mechanisms which gently deposit harvested fruit in the collecting bin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for attracting scarabs. Liquid and solid formulations are provided, along with methods for their use, for controlling or eliminating scarabs, and/or protecting plants susceptible to scarab damage.

Abstract: We sequenced a 619 and 617 bp fragment of the inner spacer region of 16S-23S rDNA of a strain of Acidovorax avenae representing pathogens from several hosts, including foxtail, oats, corn, rice, millet, sugarcane, orchid, and watermelon and a strain of A. avenae subsp. citrulli pathogenic only to watermelon and melons, respectively, for the purpose of designing PCR primers for their identification. These plant pathogens were previously considered as non-fluorescent pseudomonads and have been recently reclassified as Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae, A. avenae subsp. cattleyae, and A. avenae subsp. citrulli. Several sets of primers were designed. Primers identified by SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2 of A. avenae subsp. avenae reacted with all strains of A. avenae subsp. avenae (previously named P. avenae or P. alboprecipitans) originating from foxtail, oats, corn, rice, sugarcane, and millet, A. avenae subsp. cattleyae (previously named P. pseudoalcaligenes subsp. cattleyae) from orchid, and A. avenae subsp.

Abstract: A cryogenically-cooled working surface in heat exchange contact with a reservoir of cryogenic fluid permits sorting or measuring cryogenically-preserved samples without the risk of damage by thawing. The portable device is suitable for laboratory or field use, is positionally stable, and easily refillable with cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: Green leaf volatiles were found to synergize the attractant effect of insect pheromones on boll weevils, European elm bark beetles, and Mediterranean fruit flies. Trans-2-hexen-1-ol, hexanal, trans-2-hexenal, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, and 1-hexanol were most effective. These sounds will be useful in control of insect populations.

Abstract: A novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique which can specifically detect viable cells of a target cell or microorganism has been developed. The method combines a biological preamplification on growth medium with direct PCR and eliminates DNA extraction steps required for conventional PCR methods.