Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules which encode proteins having fructosyl transferase activity and methods for producing long-chain inulin Nucleic acid molecules are described encoding proteins with the enzymatic activity of a fructosyl transferase. These enzymes are fructosyl transferases (FFT). Moreover, vectors and host cells are described containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, in particular transformed plant cells, plant tissue and plants regenerable therefrom, which express the described FFT. Furthermore, methods for the production of long-chain inulin by using the described proteins, hosts, in particular the plant cells and/or FFT produced by them, are described.

Abstract: A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.

Abstract: A filter unit in a fluid circuit associated with a machine tool that uses machining fluid is maintained by counting the number of times the machine tool is operated and automatically servicing the filter unit, as by backflushing, after the machine tool has been used a preset number of times. A filter unit control unit counts the number of uses of the machine tool and moves valve units in the filter unit from an operational configuration to a backwash configuration and controls the timing and operation of the filter unit maintenance cycle.

Abstract: Described are nucleic acid molecules encoding enzymes having fructosyl polymerase activity. These enzymes are sucrose dependent sucrose fructosyltransferases (SST) enzymes. Furthermore, vectors and host cells are described containing the nucleic acid molecules, in particular transformed plant cells and plants that can be regenerated from them and that express the described SSTs. Furthermore, methods for the production of short-chain fructosyl polymers using the described hosts and/or the SSTs produced by them are described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reclaiming waste oil for use as fuel for a diesel engine. A mixing tank is provided, along with a waste oil transfer pump for supplying waste oil to the mixing tank, a fuel proportioning pump for supplying a proportional amount of light fuel oil to the mixing tank, and a heating unit for heating the oil-fuel mixture. An additive proportioning pump may also be provided for supplying chemical fuel additives such as emulsifiers and combustion improvers to the mixing tank. A fuel delivery pump delivers the heated oil-fuel mixture from the mixing tank to a diesel engine for use as fuel. Pre-filters are provided to remove a large portion of the particulate material from the waste oil before it is delivered to the mixing tank, and final filters remove additional contaminants from the oil-fuel mixture before it reaches the engine.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for administering a therapeutically effective amount of daptomycin while minimizing skeletal muscle toxicity. The methods provide daptomycin administration at a dosing interval of 24 hours or greater. This long dosing interval minimizes skeletal muscle toxicity and allows for higher peak concentrations of daptomycin, which is related to daptomycin's efficacy. The invention also provides methods of administering lipopeptide antibiotics other than daptomycin while minimizing skeletal muscle toxicity by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the lipopeptide antibiotic at a dosage interval that does not result in muscle toxicity. The invention also provides methods of administering quinupristin/dalfopristin while minimizing skeletal muscle toxicity by administering a therapeutically effective amount of quinupristin/dalfopristin at a dosage interval that does not result in muscle toxicity.

Abstract: Lichen-derived organic acids such as vulpinic acid and usnic acid have been found to be effective inhibitors of eukaryotic protein kinase activity. Thus, eukaryotic protein kinase activity present in a sample or organism can be inhibited by adding to the sample or organism an effective inhibitory amount of a lichen-derived organic acid.

Abstract: Xylanase DNA is recovered from soil by PCR amplification using degenerate primers. Because of the complexity of the soil samples, it is likely that the recovered product will include more than one species of polynucleotide. These recovered copies may be cloned into a host organism to produce additional copies of each individual species prior to characterization by sequencing. Recovered DNA which is found to vary from known xylanases can be used in several ways to facilitate production of novel xylanases for industrial application. First, the recovered DNA, or probes corresponding to portions thereof, can be used as a probe to screen DNA libraries and recover intact xylanase genes including the unique regions of the recovered DNA. Second, the recovered DNA or polynucleotides corresponding to portions thereof, can be inserted into a known xylanase gene to produce a recombinant xylanase gene with the sequence variations of the recovered DNA.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a tube having an open end with a puncturable stopper therein. A thixotropic gel for separating blood components is in the tube and a layer of additive particles is spray dried from an air nozzle onto the inside tube wall. The invention includes a method to make the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for stringing static wire to a utility pole. The apparatus comprises a body having a base portion and a pair of arms extending from the base portion in generally opposing directions. Each of the arms has a sleeve attached to its distal end, the sleeves having a generally vertical receiver and an upper bearing surface. Each sleeve receives a jackscrew, the jackscrews having a lower end with a flange sized and shaped so as to be receivable by a coupler of a standard stringing dolly. A nut is threaded on each jackscrew proximate its upper end and bears against the respective sleeve upper bearing surface. A jack handle is provided for turning the nuts and thereby raising and lowering the jackscrews.

Abstract: A self-sealing flexible metal hose includes a band adapted for winding on conventional winding equipment. The band includes receiver and insert assemblies adapted for interlocking with adjacent windings or turns of the band. A sealing flange provides continuous contacts and is urged into sealing engagement with the band by exhaust gas pressure within the hose bore. Alternative embodiments include different configurations of the flanges and legs which form the contacts, and accommodate packing material for greater sealing performance.

Abstract: A utility pole crossarm assembly includes a crossarm comprising a plastic base material with fiber reinforced plastic fill material and a foaming agent. The crossarm is adapted for bolting on a utility pole and for being supported thereon by a pair of diagonal cross braces.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly designed for one-time use includes a microcollection tube and an adapter for the tube which is sized to fit into the tube slot of an automated analytical instrument. The adapter includes structure which forms a tight and permanent interference fit with the microtube so that the tube, once inserted into the adapter, cannot be removed by hand, and the assembly, after sampling and analysis, must be discarded in one piece.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly for supporting flexible duct includes a frame with first and second frame sections. The frame sections are secured together by fastener subassemblies. The sleeve assembly accommodates flexible duct in various angular and straight configurations. The frame can comprise various suitable materials and skeletal or solid-exterior construction. The sleeve assembly is adapted for various installations in air distribution systems of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.

Abstract: A low-profile display rack for at least one golf club, where the golf club includes a shaft having a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaft is attached to a golf club head and the second end of the shaft merges with a grip portion for allowing a user to hold the golf club. The display rack is comprised of a display housing having a top wall with at least one opening and a support member mounted within the opening. The support member is comprised of a support cap with an aperture for receiving the second end of the golf club, a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end of the support member is further comprised of support side wall that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the support side wall is connected to the top end of the support member and the lower portion of the support side wall merges with a bottom wall. The grip portion of the golf club is inserted into the aperture in the support cap and rests on the bottom wall of the support member.

Abstract: An exhaust piping system is provided for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an exhaust system including an emission control device. The exhaust piping system includes an exhaust pipe connected to the engine and an emission pipe connected to the emission control device. The exhaust and emission pipes include ends which are tapered to form reduced outside diameters. A flexible hose coupling includes a bore which telescopically receives the exhaust and emission pipe ends. First and second annular clearances are formed between the reduced-diameter pipe ends and the flexible hose coupling bore, which clearances reduce wearing and abrasion of the flexible hose coupling associated with vibration and relative movement between the pipe ends and the flexible hose coupling.