Abstract: A method for removing furanocoumarins from a liquid includes the steps of incubating the liquid with fungal hyphae for at least about two hours and removing the hyphae from the liquid by a filtration step. The furanocoumarins can be recovered from the hyphae using methods within the ordinary skill in the art. The method is useful for the removal of furanocoumarins from furanocoumarin-containing citrus juice so that the juice can be safely consumed by humans taking drugs that are metabolized by P450 CYP3A, which is the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of many widely-prescribed medications.

Abstract: A means for producing ensiled crops with reduced proteolysis by supplying an o-diphenol compound and ensuring a supply of polyphenol oxidase in the material at the time of ensilaging.

Abstract: Lycotoxin-1 peptide mutant peptides which exhibit increased insecticidal activity are produced by substitution of both a proline for the lysine at amino acid position 24 and a tryptophan for the leucine at amino acid position 25 of the wild-type amino acid sequence for lycotoxin-1. Further substitution of amino acids 8, 9 or 10 of the lycotoxin-1 wild-type amino acid sequence, specifically substituting a histidine for the phenylalanine at amino acid position 8, a glutamine for the glycine at amino acid position 10, or a serine for the leucine at amino acid position 9, provides an even greater increase in insecticidal activity. In addition to changes in the lycotoxin-1 amino acid sequence, the addition of an enterokinase K recognition site, DDDK, to the N-terminus of the lycotoxin-1 peptide increases insecticidal activity further still.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is site-directed mutagenesis of a cloned phyA gene employed to replaced cysteine residues involved in disulfide bridge formation with another amino acid. Also disclosed herein is an isolated mutant phytase comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 96 percent sequence identity to SEQ. ID. NO: 6 and containing a double-substitution amino acid residue substitution of residue 31 and residue 40 of SEQ. ID. NO: 6, wherein said isolated mutant phytase has phytase activity.

Abstract: Predatory mites contained in an enclosed housing are provided with a continuous food source (i.e. spidermites) so that the healthy adult predatory mites migrate upwards to a collection container at the apex of the housing where a user harvests the predatory mites. The predatory mites are provided with spidermite-infested vegetation disposed in planar trays. The trays are chronologically arranged in a vertical stack within the housing so that as new trays loaded with spidermites are added to the top of the stack, old trays depleted of spidermites are removed from the bottom of the stack. The predatory mites intuitively display negative geotropism and positive phototropism so that the mites naturally move upwards and toward the light. Consequently the predatory mites migrate to the upper trays as new trays are added and eventually reach the collection container at the apex of the housing.

Abstract: Blackberries are grown so that an additional blackberry crop can be harvested after the normal blackberry growing season has ended. During the normal growing season a distal portion of a blackberry plant is rooted in a planting medium. After the conclusion of the growing season the distal portion is severed from the original plant so that the distal portion is independent form the original plant. After subjecting the distal portion to a chilling period, the distal portion is moved to a warmer climate (or simply warmed) and thereby produces a second harvest of blackberries in the off-season months of December to May.

Abstract: A pheromonal compound produced by Caenorhabditis elegans has been identified as 5R-(3?-O-[?-D-glucosyl]-tetrahydro-3?R,5?R-dihydroxy-6?S-methyl-2H-pyran-2?R-yloxy)-2-hexanone. The novel compound, in combination with other ascarosides, elicit a synergistic signaling response from various adult male Caenorhabditis spp.

Abstract: C-glycoside keto-amide derivatives, including C-glycoside keto-hydrazones and C-glycoside keto-oximes, may be prepared from plant or animal lipids and saccharides. These C-glycoside keto-amide derivatives are of the formula: wherein: R is a saccharide; Y is independently selected from H or a halogen; m is an integer greater than or equal to 1; X is NH (as in C-glycoside keto-hydrazones) or O (as in C-glycoside keto-oximes); and R2 is an acyl moiety derived from any lipid fatty acid of the formula —C(O)—R3, wherein R3 is a C5 to C22 straight or branched chain hydrocarbon which may be saturated or unsaturated. These C-glycoside keto-amide derivatives have potential applications as surfactants, detergents, liposomes, and bilayers.

Abstract: The hand-held inspection tool enhances the ability of an on-site inspector to detect and communicate the presence of contamination on an object or in an area. An on-site inspector directs an excitation light in the sensing head of the tool into an area of interest. If the targeted contamination is present, the excitation light causes the contamination to emit fluorescence. The emitted fluorescent light passes through a narrow spectral band-pass video camera filter and is detected by a video camera mounted in the tool sensing head. The video camera transmits the image to a display visible to the on-site inspector. The invention also includes a means of recording, documenting, and wirelessly communicating the inspection process so that remotely located personnel can view the inspection, and respond to the inspection findings in real time.

Abstract: The automated humidity control system controls the humidity within a setter hall. The system continuously monitors the existing setter hall thermal conditions and electronically compares the existing conditions to computerized data describing the targeted conditions. The system then takes action to conform the existing condition to the targeted condition.

Abstract: Bacterial compositions effective for inhibiting fungal diseases of potatoes and/or potato sprouting are produced by co-culture of two or more of Pseudomonas fluorescens (NRRL B-21133), Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar (NRRL B-21053), Pseudomonas fluorescens (NRRL B-21102) and Enterobacter cloacae (NRRL B-21050). Compositions produced by co-culture of these bacteria together in the same culture medium are significantly more effective for inhibiting fungi-induced diseases of potatoes and/or inhibiting sprouting of potatoes, than blends or mixtures of the same bacteria cultured separately.

Abstract: The arthropod trap has a base with a plurality of sides that angle upwardly and inwardly toward a capture area in the center of the base. Multiple outwardly-projecting fins are disposed on or adjacent to the sides of the base. The fins also angle upwardly toward the capture area so that the fins guide arthropods into the capture area. The capture area includes a pitfall so that the arthropods topple through a pitfall opening and are retained in the pitfall. A trap cover fits over and at least partially conceals the capture area. In one embodiment, the trap cover provides a platform for the placement of light emitting diodes that emit light in a wavelength that appeals to the positive phototaxis instincts of the target arthropods.

Abstract: The combination of keratin hydrolysate with viable cells or infectious propagules of a fungal biological control agent such as Paecilomyces species, Metarhizium species, Beauveria species, and/or Verticillium species, provides effective control of soil-dwelling or subterranean insects, including termites, and particularly those belonging to the family Rhinotermitidae, such as the Formosan subterranean termite and native North American subterranean termites. In use, a foam-forming composition comprising the keratin hydrolysate and an insecticidally effective amount of the fungus are applied to the insects, the locus of the insects, to material susceptible to infestation by said insects, or to the locus of material susceptible to infestation by said insects.

Abstract: Strains of Cryptococcus flavescens which are superior antagonists of F. graminearum for suppression and control of FHB in cereals, particularly in wheat and barley, are described. The strains are prothioconazole tolerant variants of previously described C. flavescens OH 182.9 (NRRL Y-30216). Moreover, these prothioconazole tolerant variants exhibit significantly increased efficacy against F. graminearum in comparison to the parent strain OH 182.9.

Abstract: Fatty acid ester derivatives and a process for their production from unsaturated fatty acids are disclosed. The process comprises: a) reacting an unsaturated fatty acid or an ester thereof having one or more sites of unsaturation, with an epoxidation reagent to form a fatty acid epoxide wherein at least one of the sites of unsaturation of the fatty acid or fatty acid ester is converted to an oxirane ring; and b) reacting the fatty acid epoxide produced in a) with a carboxylic acid to form a hydroxy fatty acid ester derivative wherein the oxirane ring is opened and converted to a hydroxy ester comprising a hydroxyl group at one carbon of the opened oxirane ring and an ester of the carboxylic acid at the other carbon of the opened oxirane ring.

Abstract: L-citrulline may be extracted from watermelons using a process which does not require rigorous extraction with alcoholic and/or acidic solvents, or treatment at high temperatures. In the process, the watermelon juice is contacted with an adsorbent effective for adsorption of L-citrulline thereon, and the juice is separated therefrom. The L-citrulline on the adsorbent may then be eluted and recovered. Lycopene-containing microparticles may also be separated from the watermelon juice prior to contact with the adsorbent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in livestock via an electroretinogram, the method comprises producing a biphasic electroretinogram waveform having an a-wave and b-wave from livestock retina in response to photic stimulus, measuring the amplitude of the b-wave, wherein the amplitude is measured from the trough of the a-wave to the peak of the b-wave, measuring the implicit time of the b-wave, wherein the implicit time is measured from onset of photic stimulus to b-wave peak; and comparing said produced waveform to a comparative waveform of livestock known not to have transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, wherein the produced waveform having a decrease b-wave amplitude and increased b-wave implicit time being indicative of livestock having transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.

Abstract: A Unique Solenopsis invicta virus (SINV 3) has been identified and its genome sequenced. Oligonucleotide primers have been developed using the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the SINV 3. The virus is used as a biocontrol agent for control of fire ants.

Abstract: The present invention provides influenza A viruses that include a hemagglutinin subtype H2, a neuraminidase subtype N3, or the combination thereof. Included in the present invention are H2 hemagglutinins and N3 neuraminidases, and the polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Antibody to the polypeptides, and methods of using the viruses, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: A leg snare apparatus and method for capturing animals uses a mechanical throw arm, that when triggered by an animal of sufficient size stepping on the pan, throws a snare up and around the leg of the animal. The pan tension of the device may be readily adjusted to avoid being triggered by lighter weight non-target animals, and the pan may also be leveled. Moreover, the snare is supported so that it cannot be readily dislodged after the apparatus is set, the loop is not deflected out of its proper position when the apparatus is triggered, and the loop is retained in place until the throw arm has moved it high up the animal's leg or foot. Should the apparatus be triggered by larger, non-target animals, the apparatus includes a break-away snare to allow the animal to escape.