Abstract: Certain Chlamydia proteins have been found to be infection-specific and to be associated primarily with the vegetative Reticulate Body form of Chlamydia rather than with the refractile Elementary Body form of Chlamydia. The invention includes a vaccine directed against the Reticulate Body form of Chlamydia comprising one or more infection-specific proteins, or fraction thereof; a method of using such a vaccine; a method of production of such a vaccine; a method for detection of infection-specific antibodies in a biological specimen; a method for detection of infection-specific antigens in a biological specimen and a method of using therapeutic agents specifically directed against infection-specific peptides, or the genes that code for such peptides, to treat chlamydial infection. The invention also includes the IncB, and IncC proteins of C. psittaci, and nucleotides encoding these proteins, ant the TroA, TroB and p242 proteins of C. trachomatis, and the nucleotides that encode polypeptides.

Abstract: An expanding tablet is described comprising a drug release controlling membrane material. After swallowing, the tablet hydrates and expands such that the membrane ruptures to directly expose some surfaces of the core tablet to hydrating and eroding liquids, thus generating in situ a tablet which is platform supported on non-exposed surfaces, and which releases active ingredient in approximately zero order fashion. More particularly, the dosage form is adapted for controlled release of various pharmaceuticals. A working embodiment of the tablet was a spray-coated tablet comprising a core having greater than 25% of an expandable material which expands upon exposure to an aqueous environment and at least one active ingredient, e.g., glipizide, and an outer rupturable coating surrounding the core comprising a rate release modifying membrane and a water-soluble modifier. A method for administering an active ingredient also is described.

Abstract: An expanding tablet is described comprising a drug release controlling membrane material. After swallowing, the tablet hydrates and expands such that the membrane ruptures to directly expose some surfaces of the core tablet to hydrating and eroding liquids, thus generating in situ a tablet which is platform supported on non-exposed surfaces, and which releases active ingredient in approximately zero order fashion. More particularly, the dosage form is adapted for controlled release of various pharmaceuticals. A working embodiment of the tablet was a spray-coated tablet comprising a core having greater than 25% of an expandable material which expands upon exposure to an aqueous environment and at least one active ingredient, e.g., glipizide, and an outer rupturable coating surrounding the core comprising a rate release modifying membrane and a water-soluble modifier. A method for administering an active ingredient also is described.

Abstract: Thermal management devices and methods include branching networks comprising flow channels of varying cross-sectional area. The branching networks can be fractal-like in nature with an increase in the total flow area following a flow channel bifurcation. In representative embodiments, the branching networks are defined in a channel pattern that is laminated between cover plates to form a thermal management device. The channel pattern includes bridging portions so that the branching network is defined with a single pattern piece. The branching networks can exhibit radial symmetry or be aligned with respect to one or more axes. Heat exchangers and diffusive mixers that include such networks are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for making a monolithic intermetallic structure are presented. The structure is made from lamina blanks which comprise multiple layers of metals which are patternable, or intermetallic lamina blanks that are patternable. Lamina blanks are patterned, stacked and registered, and processed to form a monolithic intermetallic structure. The advantages of a patterned monolithic intermetallic structure include physical characteristics such as melting temperature, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Applications are broad, and include among others, use as a microreactor, heat recycling device, and apparatus for producing superheated steam. Monolithic intermetallic structures may contain one or more catalysts within the internal features.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids encoding zeatin O-glucosyltransferase are disclosed. These nucleic acid molecules are useful, among other things, to produce transgenic plants having modified zeatin O-glucosyltransferase activity.

Abstract: Meadowfoam seedmeal used for plant growth enhancement. Experiments with meadowfoam seedmeal, genus Limnanthes, indicated significant growth enhancement when combined with a growing medium at certain rates. Nutrient exclusion experiments suggested that enhanced growth was not from nutrient supplementation, but hormone induced growth exogenously mediated by the seedmeal. Various target plants and application rates and methods are discussed as are various fertilizer application rates.

Abstract: Caliciviruses are herein recognized as potentially important human pathogens, infecting a large percentage (18%) of a sampled human population. A new calicivirus isolate called “San Miguel sea lion virus 5 serotype Homosapien-1” (SMSV-5 Hom-1) is also disclosed. Compositions and methods are disclosed that allow diagnosis, prevention and treatment of calicivirus (including SMSV-5 Hom-1) infection in humans.

Abstract: A tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes an ion source, a velocity selector downstream of the ion source, a dissociation cell downstream of the velocity selector, and an ion accelerator downstream of the dissociation cell, the accelerator being capable of focusing ions at a space focal plane, and an ion-reflector (reflectron) downstream of the accelerator. The accelerator allows the ions to subsequently separate according to their m/z ratios and the reflectron to subsequently space-focus the ions over a broad mass range at a detector. A velocity selector includes a pair of ion defectors each having multiple electrically conductive strips, the strips including alternate positive voltage strips and alternate negative voltage strips.

Abstract: Bioremediation methods and kits for degrading environmental contaminants, such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, in a sample containing microorganisms uses at least one slow release compound having at least one hydrolyzable organic group capable of forming at least one alcohol, at least one organic acid, or a combination thereof, upon hydrolysis. The hydrolysis occurs over an extended period of time to provide alcohols and/or organic acids, which are used by the microorganisms to degrade the environmental contaminants.

Abstract: Methods of transformation and regeneration of Iris germanica cell suspensions are disclosed. Also disclosed are transgenic Iris germanica cells and plants made by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Phosphor compositions of the formula Zn1-3x/2MxX:Mn, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of the trivalent cations of Al, In, Ga, and mixtures thereof, and X is selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and mixtures thereof are disclosed. Also disclosed are phosphor compositions of the formula, MX:Cu,L,A wherein M is selected from the divalent ions of Sr, Mg, Ca, Ba, X is selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and mixtures thereof, and mixtures thereof, L is selected from the group consisting of the trivalent cations of the lanthanides, Al, In, Ga, Sc, and mixtures thereof, and A is selected from the alkali metal ions or mixtures thereof. Emission chromaticity of the phosphors is controlled by varying codopant concentrations. Electroluminescent devices comprising the phosphors also are disclosed.

Abstract: Four floral homeotic genes from Poplar are disclosed. The disclosed nucleic acid molecules are useful for producing transgenic plants having modified fertility characteristics, particularly sterility.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for multiplication in the Galois field GF(2m) are provided. The methods transform elements of the Galois field into a basis obtained by a permutation of an optimal normal basis. In an embodiment, a multiplier is provided that includes m2 AND gates and 1.5(m2−m) XOR gates. The methods are implemented in hardware such as integrated circuits or in software instructions stored in a computer readable medium such as a hard disk.

Abstract: The growth of spoilage bacteria in yeast preparations and in fermentation products is inhibited by addition of lysozyme at various steps in the production process.

Abstract: A food product is heated by maintaining the food product in an AC electrical field provided by an RF signal at an RF frequency that matches a Debye resonance frequency or frequencies of one or more components of the food product. As the food product warms, the frequency of the RF signal is automatically adjusted to track changes in the Debye resonance frequency, which shifts in frequency as the temperature rises. Individual regions of the food product can be heated, by the use of grid electrodes, at different rates to assure uniform warming or to achieve a particular desired warming pattern.

Abstract: The present invention, provides natural-source compositions having consistent, effective antibrowning and antioxidant characteristics. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for making the antibrowning/antioxidant compositions of the present invention. More specifically, the present invention provides natural-source, browning and oxidizing inhibitor compositions comprising S-sinapyl-L-cysteine, N-L-&ggr;-glutamyl-S-sinapyl-L-cysteine, S-sinapyl glutathione, or various mixtures thereof. Methods for making such natural, antibrowning/antioxidant compositions from pineapple juice and/or from pineapple processing plant waste streams include efficient and effective separation of the present invention compositions from unwanted sugars, acids, phenolic compounds, and other undesirable compounds present in pineapple juice and/or pineapple processing plant waste streams.

Abstract: Microorganisms capable of co-metabolizing methyl tert-butyl ether are disclosed, along with methods for selecting microorganisms possessing such activity. Methods for bioremediation of MTBE-contaminated media and biofilter systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making negative thermal expansion materials having the formula A 4 + ⁢ M 2 6 + ⁢ O 8 where A4+ is Zr4+, Hf4+, or mixtures thereof, and M6+ is Mo6+, W6+, or mixtures thereof, is described. The method comprises first forming an acidic, liquid mixture comprising stoichiometric amounts of (1) a soluble source of Zr4+, Hf4+, or mixtures thereof, and (2) a sodium-ion-free tungstate salt, a sodium-ion-free molybdate salt, or mixtures thereof. This liquid mixture is then heated, either at reflux temperature or in a closed system at pressures greater than ambient, to produce a solid fraction.