Abstract: A fungal Ldh protein and a gene have been isolated from Rhizopus oryzae. Host organisms transformed with expression vectors containing this gene produce optically pure, or enhanced levels of L-(+)-lactic acid not characteristic of the wild type organisms. These transformants will be useful for providing an increased supply of lactic acid for use in food and industrial applications.

Abstract: Compositions and methods employing the compositions for attracting arthropods. The compositions comprise at least one compound of formula I and at least one compound from group II.

Abstract: Methods of genetic transformation of plants utilizing the cyanamide hydratase gene as a selectable marker are disclosed. Methods of producing fertile plants which have the ability to convert cyanamide into a nitrogen source are described.

Abstract: The intergenic spacer between the 16S and the 23S rRNA genes and a 131-bp segment at the 3′ end of Domain I of the 23S gene provides suitable target sequences for developing probes and primers useful in detecting and identifying Chlamydiaceae in laboratory and clinical samples.

Abstract: Methods to detect prion or PrP-Sc protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are described. In one aspect, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind a conserved epitope of prion proteins and use of the antibodies in immunoassays to detect PrP-Sc, in fixed or unfixed tissue, as an indication of the presence of TSE infection. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a monoclonal antibody cocktail having the monoclonal antibody in combination with a second monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to a second conserved epitope of prion proteins. One or both monoclonal antibodies of the cocktail can recognize epitopes found in all mammalian species in which a natural TSE has been reported and in a number of closely related species.

Abstract: In the manufacture of hard cheese, cheese milk is treated with high pressure CO2 to accelerate the precipitation of casein and thereby promote the rapid formation of curd. Curd can be produced by this process in a period of a few minutes without adverse affects on the rennet or starter culture. The high pressure CO2 treatment of cheese milk can substantially increase the daily curd yields and plant throughput, thereby significantly reducing processing costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly loading small particulate matter such as insect (e.g., lacewing) eggs into containers for uniformly distributing the eggs into individual units of the containers. The apparatus uses a fluid dispensing system to move the eggs from a holder to the containers located below. The method of the present invention provides a volumetrically measured quantity of eggs to be distributed to the individual units of the containers.

Abstract: The killing of microorganisms on the surface of porous and non-porous materials including agricultural commodities is accomplished by use of methods and apparatus which expose the material to controlled applications of a biocidal treatment gas into a sub-atmospheric environment. The material is first exposed to a vacuum then, without an intervening flush step, full treated with an air-free treatment gas prior to being re-exposed to a vacuum. The method and apparatus successfully kill microorganisms both on the surface and within the pores or structural recesses of the material without causing significant deleterious changes to the material.

Abstract: A novel fungal protein which is effective for inducing or stimulating the defense responses of plants against disease is disclosed. This protein, which is also referred to as an elicitor protein, may be used for the treatment or prevention of fungal infections in plants. The protein is produced by culture of Trichoderma virens, and may be subsequently recovered from the culture medium and purified.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the use of the conserved Anaplasma marginale major surface protein 5 gene and gene product and monoclonal antibody ANAF16C1 for the identification of animals persistently infected with Anaplasma species.

Abstract: Polysaccharide-based shells are provided having use for forming water-dispersible microcapsular delivery systems for both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other active agents. These shells are prepared by intimately blending a solubilized polysaccharide with a lipophilic material to produce spherical droplets of the lipophilic material coated with the polysaccharide, diluting the emulsion with a solvent, and isolating the polysaccharide shells from the diluted emulsion.

Abstract: Improved artificial diets or growth media are described which are suitable for rearing large numbers of viable and biologically fit arthropods, including zoophagous arthropods and phytophagous arthropods, including facultatively zoophagous arthropods. In a first embodiment, the growth medium is composed of a mixture of cooked egg, liquid, and carbohydrate source. In a second embodiment, the growth medium is composed of a plant-based phytophage diet which includes cooked egg yolk or cooked whole egg. In a third embodiment, the growth medium is composed of a mixture of cooked egg, liquid, and carbohydrate source in admixture with a plant-based phytophage diet which includes cooked egg yolk or cooked whole egg. The growth media are devoid of meat products or insect components and are suitable for mass production of arthropods at a reasonable cost for use in biological control programs or other biologically based technologies.

Abstract: A device worn externally (or parts of which may be inserted in the ear canal) by an animal which uses a programmable repertoire of bilaterally applied aversive stimuli for the autonomous control of an animal's location and direction of movement is disclosed. Electromagnetic signals and electromechanical hardware are activated through a dedicated, embedded computer system, that allows a cascade of one or more aversive stimuli, normally acoustic and/or electrical stimulation, to be bilaterally applied to either the right or left side of an animal as a cue to change its location through a specific direction of movement. Aversive stimuli are programmed to be administered only when an animal penetrates a predetermined boundary. The embedded computer uses satellite position system data to determine the animal's location with respect to the closest boundary line and then calculates when and to which side of the animal the repertoire of bilateral aversive stimuli is to be applied.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and compositions for controlling food borne enteric bacterial pathogens in poultry populations. The incidence of the colonization of poultry by enteropathogenic bacteria, and/or the populations of enteropathogenic bacteria within colonized poultry, may by substantially reduced by providing particles of an expanded matrix material to the locus or vicinity of the animals, particularly during the period of feed removal prior to slaughter. The method and compositions are particularly useful for the control of Salmonella species, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter species.

Abstract: Low oil uptake frying batters substantially based on rice flour have been developed that maintain desirable organoleptic properties while significantly reducing fat absorption during the frying process. This is accomplished by inclusion of cold water swelling rice-based starch products selected from the group consisting of pregelatinized rice flour, phosphorylated rice starch and pregelatinized acetylated rice starch into the rice starch batter compositions.

Abstract: The system and method for preventing the passage of crawling insects upon the exterior surface of an object includes a member having an inner surface, adapted to be disposed adjacent to the exterior surface of the object, an opposed outer surface that has a low coefficient of friction for preventing the insects from traversing the outer surface since the crawling insects are unable to obtain sufficient traction with the outer surface of the member, a means for affixing the member to the exterior surface of the object so that the insects are forced to attempt to traverse the outer surface of the member in order to reach the exterior surface of the object above the member.

Abstract: Compositions and lures are described which provide 3-alkyl-1-butanol vapors and vapor blends of 3-alkyl-1-butanol with one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, ammonia, putrescine and mixtures which function as highly effective attractants for frugivorous pest flies especially of Anastrepha species. By attracting frugivorous pest insects, the chemical attractants provide means for detecting, surveying, monitoring and/or controlling the pest fruit flies.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating swine to increase their resistance to pathogenic microorganisms are disclosed. Microbial infections may be prevented or reduced in swine populations by administration of immune lymphokines which have been produced by the splenic T cells of immunized swine. The process and compositions are particularly useful for the control of Salmonella in swine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for transformation constructs containing piggyBac or tagalong transposable elements. These constructs allow for the precise excision and insertion of heterologous DNA into a host cell.

Abstract: A preparation from the scrapings of healthy animals is cultured and administered to animals. This preparation confers a strong measure of protection against the subsequent colonization by enteropathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella species, Campylobacter species and Escherichia coli 0157:H7, which currently cause an unacceptably high incidence of morbidity and mortality in humans and reduce productivity in livestock populations.