Abstract: Protoplasts which regenerate reproducibly in a short time to normal, fertile plants can be regenerated from an auxin-autotrophic genotype of Zea mays (L.). Starting from immature embryos on hormone-free media, an auxin-autotrophic, embryogenic callus is formed on the shoot basis of the seedlings, which callus retains its embryogenic potential over a substantial period of time when subcultured on hormone-free medium. In addition to fully-developed embryos, adventitious embryos are also formed under suitable culture conditions (6-9% of sucrose in the medium). When the sucrose content is reduced to 2-3% and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is added, soft, granular calli are formed which consist of embryogenic cell aggregates (type II callus). After subculturing the type II callus in the form of a cell suspension culture, totipotent protoplasts can be isolated. From these protoplasts, the maize plants according to the invention are regenerated.

Abstract: The invention relates to formulations comprising silafluofen for controlling social insects, and to a process for controlling them, in which the insect populations are destroyed using acutely sublethal doses of silafluofen.

Abstract: A method of preparing a recombinant influenza vaccine using DNA technology is provided. The resulting vaccine is a trivalent influenza vaccine based on a mixture of recombinant hemagglutinin antigens cloned from influenza viruses having epidemic potential. The recombinant hemagglutinin antigens are full length, uncleaved (HA0), glycoproteins produced from baculovirus expression vectors in cultured insect cells and purified under non-denaturing conditions. The process for cloning influenza hemagglutinin genes from influenza A and B viruses uses specially designed oligonucleotide probes and PCR. The cloned HA genes are then modified by deletion of the natural hydrophobic signal peptide sequences and replacing them with a new baculovirus signal peptide. A general approach for the efficient extraction and purification of recombinant HA protein produced in insect cells is also disclosed which can be adapted for the purification of rHA proteins from A sub-types and B type influenza viruses.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument assembly with a rigid outer housing, housing multiple guide disks. The guide disks rotate inside the instrument assembly 360 degrees around a center post and guide the rotation, positioning, and implementation of multiple laparoscopic instruments. A plurality of laparoscopic instruments are rotated into position utilizing a selector knob attached to said center post. Once properly positioned, the selected laparoscopic instrument is axially translated into the forward position where it couples to an actuating handpiece. The actuating handpiece engages the selected laparoscopic instrument by pivoting from its disengaged position about a pivot point, thus allowing use of the selected laparoscopic instrument. The instrument can be thus be withdrawn and another instrument selected in the same manner.

Abstract: A purified pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) comprises a truncated form of the PspA protein which is immunoprotective and contains the protective epitopes of PspA. The PspA protein is soluble in physiologic solution and lacks at least the cell membrane anchor region of the whole protein. The protein is formed by insertion-duplication of mutagenesis of S. pneumoniae with pspA gene and expression of the truncated protein into the growth medium.

Abstract: A device for creating a deposit of silicon oxide on a traveling solid substrate, wherein the substrate is subjected to an electrical discharge with a dielectric barrier in the presence of a controlled atmosphere containing a silane and an oxidizing gas, the atmosphere being at a pressure higher than 10,000 Pa, and wherein the atmosphere is maintained in the immediate vicinity of an electrode in the region where the electrical discharge is produced and further wherein any entrainment of oxygen other than that forming part of the atmosphere in the region is prevented.

Abstract: Composite particles suitable as conductive filler for electrically conductive compositions which can be used as gaskets, caulking and plastics, for example. The compositions are, useful as EMI shielding and electrostatic charge dissipation materials. Methods of making and using the foregoing are also covered.

Abstract: What is described are methods and apparatus for performing a binding assay for an analyte of interest present in a sample. The methods include the steps of: forming a composition containing said sample, an assay-performance-substance which contains a component linked to a label compound capable of chemiluminescing when triggered, and a plurality of coated magnetic particles capable of specifically binding with the analyte and/or said assay-performance-substance; incubating said composition to form a complex which includes a particle and said labeled component; magnetically collecting said complex at the surface of an electrode; inducing said label to luminesce by contacting it with a trigger, said trigger being formed in-situ by conversion of a precursor molecule upon introduction of electrochemical energy; and measuring the emitted luminescence to measure the presence of the analyte of interest in the sample.

Abstract: What is described is a recombinant poxvirus, such as vaccinia virus, fowlpox virus and canarypox virus, containing foreign DNA from flavivirus, such as Japanese encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus and Dengue virus. In a preferred embodiment, the recombinant poxvirus generates an extracellular particle containing flavivirus E and M proteins capable of inducing neutralizing antibodies, hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies and protective immunity against flavivirus infection. What is also described is a vaccine containing the recombinant poxvirus for inducing an immunological response in a host animal inoculated with the vaccine.

Abstract: The use, when preparing a vaccine composition containing a standard influenza virus vaccine, of an additive which consists of a core or core fraction of at least one influenza virus, especially a fraction containing protein M; and a vaccine composition thereby obtained. The use of said additive improves the vaccine's effectiveness.

Abstract: Self-administered survey devices include a display, an input device, a memory and a control device which controls the display to show at least one survey question and control the memory to store a response to the at least one question. A system and method for carrying out self-administered surveys utilize a centralized survey data processor and a plurality of self-administered survey devices for storing survey data entered by respective respondents and wherein survey data is wirelessly transmitted from the plurality of self-administered survey devices to the centralized survey data processor.

Abstract: Anti-static cleanroom products having a coating of conductive polymeric particulates which decreases the surface resistivity of the products. Preferably, the particulates are pyrrole polymers. The anti-static properties are achieved by depositing conductive polymer particles onto the non-conductive substrate surface. The anti-static products include cleanroom wipers, stationery products (notebooks and writing instruments), garments and swabs (polyurethane foam tipped). The cleanroom stationery products include notebooks comprising polyethylene impregnated with silica. The invention also includes anti-static plastic gloves.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment process having improved solids separation characteristics and reduced biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the purified wastewater comprising the steps of: passing wastewater containing suspended solids and biodegradable organic substances through a main aerobic biological oxidation zone and therein oxidizing a portion of the BOD and converting a portion of the BOD into additional suspended solids and at least a portion of the ammonia nitrogen content (NH.sub.3 --N) of the wastewater is oxidized to nitrate nitrogen (NO.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reducing ambient noise for use with a headset or a boom headset attached to a boom microphone device or the like. The apparatus can include a sensor microphone to detect a background noise signal, a desired input audio transmission, and signal processing means for canceling the noise signals to create an inverted anti-noise signal within an acoustical waveguide located adjacent to the earphone of headset. The method for reducing noise according to this invention is provided by an open loop circuit allowing the input audio signal from an operator or caller to be transmitted to the user's ear without the disturbance of unwanted ambient noise. The method provides adjustments to the gain/or and phase of a noise signal for canceling the noise component detected, within an acoustical waveguide to produce a quiet zone for the desired audio speech to be transmitted.

Abstract: A purified pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) comprises a truncated form of the PspA protein which is immunoprotective and contains the protective epitopes of PspA. The PspA protein is soluble in physiologic solution and lacks at least the cell membrane anchor region of the whole protein. The protein is formed by insertion-duplication of mutagenesis of S. pneumoniae with pspA gene and expression of the truncated protein into the growth medium.

Abstract: Acaricidal, insecticidal and nematicidal substituted (hetero)arylalkyl ketone oxime O-ethers, processes for their preparation, agents containing them, and their use as pesticides.The invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which Ar.sup.1 and Ar.sup.2 are aryl or heteroaryl, each of which is optionally substituted, and R is an optionally substituted aliphatic or alicyclic radical, to processes for their preparation, and to agents containing these compounds, and to their use for controlling animal pests.

Abstract: To produce fiber-reinforced composites, a continuous fiber strand is pulled through an agitated aqueous thermoplastic powder dispersion via deflectors. Following removal of the water phase the thermoplastic powder is heated and melted onto the fibers. Finally the fiber strand is impregnated with a thermoplastic melt by melt pultrusion.

Abstract: There are described 5' transcriptional regulatory regions of plant genes which ensure sink organ specific expression of cis-linked DNA sequences as well as recombinant double stranded DNA molecules comprising these 5' regulatory regions. Furthermore the present invention relates to a method for producing transgenic plants which show a sink tissue specific expression of a desired DNA sequence.

Abstract: Cephem derivatives of the general formula ##STR1## is which the R.sub.2 O group is in the syn-position, a process for their manufacture and pharmaceutical formulations which are active against bacterial infections and contain these compounds.