Abstract: White pine blister rust, which infects five-needle pines such as eastern white pine, western white pine and sugar pine, is caused by the fungus Cronartium ribicola. This invention provides monoclonal antibodies which recognize antigens of basidiospores of the fungus. The antifungal antibodies can be genetiacally incorporated into white pines to generate blister resistant trees.

Abstract: In general, eyedrop dispensers are difficult to use and/or unnecessarily complicated in terms of structure. A relatively simple eyedrop dispenser which can be used with one hand includes a tapering, tubular, soft pliable body with a resilient sleeve at one end thereof for mounting the dispenser on a bottle with a cylindrical neck and an annular flange for mating with an annular groove in the sleeve, the remainder of the body flaring outwardly to a wide end, a flange extending outwardly from the wide end with projections or protuberances on the flange for bearing against the face of the user on either side of an eye and for pushing the lower eyelid downwardly, whereby drops are dispensed accurately into the lower eye.

Abstract: A modular household dispenser for fluent solids or liquids includes a rectangular casing for mounting on a wall or beneath a cupboard, and a hopper slidably mounted in the open front end of the casing. The hopper includes an inverted frusto-pyramidal bottom, the dispensing lower end of which is closed by a valve. Springs bias the valve to a closed position, whereby the valve automatically closes following a dispensing operation. During use, the hopper is slid outwardly to a dispensing position. A small container is located beneath the valve in the dispensing position for receiving any overflow. Upon completion of a dispensing operation, the hopper is slid inwardly to the storage or non-use position. The entire structure is relatively simple, compact and easy to install and use.

Abstract: The common tree patbogen Chondrostereum purpureum is a known agent for effective biological control of so-called weed trees, e.g. red alder (Alnus rubra Bong). However, the commercial production and application of C. purpureum as a biological control has been hindered by the lack of durable and easily produced reproductive structures (spores) and the fragile nature of the fungus mycelium. In accordance with the present invention, a refrigeration storable preparation of the fungus C. purpureum includes a culture medium containing 90-95% by weight finely powdered inert material, approximately 3-10% by weight carbohydrates, approximately 0.1-0.3% by weight of a nitrogen source capable of providing approximately 0.01-0.03% by weight nitrogen; and trace amounts of a vitamin, preferably thiamine; sufficient water to establish and promote fungus growth while avoiding free moisture; and live mycelium of the fungus Chondrostereum purpureum. Such a preparation can be packaged and stored for up to one year.

Abstract: IgE-mediated atopic diseases induced by airborne protein allergens afflict approximately 20% of the population who suffer from allergic systems such as conjunctivitis, rhinitis and asthma. Cladosporium herbarum is one of the major sources of inhalant fungal allergens of this type. This invention provides a novel allergen of the organism Cladosporium herbarum, and a method of producing the allergen using recombinant techniques.

Abstract: Flat, flexible articles such as carpets are commonly transported on wooden pallets, which are prone to breakage, and which must be returned for re-use after the articles have been delivered to their destination. A simple solution to the problem is to provide a pallet assembly which forms the floor of a truck or tailer, and which includes a casing, a cover on the casing with a load supporting surface, a plurality of support bars vertical slidable in the cover for movement between a lower position substantially flush with the load supporting surface of the cover and an elevated position in which the load is supported by the support bars only, and a drive mechanism at each end of the support bars for simultaneously moving all of the support bars between the lower position and the elevated position. In the elevated position, the forks of a forklift truck can be inserted between the support bars for transferring a load to such bars or for removing a load therefrom.

Abstract: At present, concentration of the crosslinking by-products crosslinked polyethylene used as insulation in high voltage cables is determined by a cumbersome, time consuming method involving taking a sample of the polymer, extracting volatile crosslinking by-products which affect the strength of the cable, and analyzing the by-products using a mass spectrometer. A novel method of in-situ measurement of the concentration of the crosslinking by-products in power cable insulation includes the step of detecting the thermo-luminescence emitted during the initial heating required to reduce the crosslinking by-products in the polymer prior to the electrical tests. Measurement of the intensity of thermoluminescence provides a direct indication of the by-product concentration which can be correlated to the electrical strength of the insulation.

Abstract: In general, distilled water dispensers used in commercial establishments such as drug and convenience stores are unimaginative, coin operated and often messy devices. A relatively simple substitute for such dispensers includes a large housing similar in size and shape to a soft drink dispenser, a smaller housing in the large housing with essentially only the door of the inner housing extending out of the center of the larger housing. A one, three or five gallon bottle is placed in the inner housing and the door is closed. These two actions close two switches which cause a dispensing head to descend from a rest position into the open mouth of the bottle. Movement of the dispensing head to the dispensing position closes a third switch, which causes a solenoid valve to open permitting the flow of distilled water to the bottle.

Abstract: Bells for use on log skidding cables are often angular and difficult to assemble and disassemble. A simple, streamlined bell for use on a wire cable includes a longitudinally extending passage in one end of the body of the bell for receiving the ferrule on one end of the cable. The large diameter inner end of the passage is closed by a disc which is held in the body by a split pin. A sleeve slidably mounted in the large diameter end of the passage is biased towards the other narrow diameter, closed end of the passage by a helical spring mounted in the sleeve and retained therein by an inwardly extending, annular flange on the outer end of the sleeve. A keyhole slot is provided in the body at the outer end of the passage, whereby the ferrule and the free end of a cable can be inserted into the passage.

Abstract: There is a need for a device for driving plastic casing into a water well, or for removing such casing from the well without damaging the casing. This need is met by a casing drive apparatus which includes a shoe for attachment to the bottom end of a plastic well casing, an annular groove defining a pair of shoulders in the sleeve, a drive sub for insertion into the sleeve, a plurality of dogs pivotally mounted in the drive sub for engaging the shoulders, and helical springs for biasing the dogs outwardly into engagement with the shoulders, whereby, when the sub is slid into the sleeve and the dogs engage the shoulders, vertical force exerted on the sub results in movement of the dogs against the shoulders to effect vertical movement of the sleeve and consequently of the well casing.

Abstract: In general, clean cold water can be made available in a household by means of either an expensive refrigerator with a cold water dispenser or a separate cooler and bulky, replaceable water bottles. A simple solution to the problem involves a carbon filter and cooling reservoir combination for mounting in a refrigerator, a pipe system containing a faucet for dispensing cold water and returning water to the filter, and a pump/timer combination for periodically recycling the water in the pipe system through the filter, whereby cold water is always virtually instantaneously available at the faucet.

Abstract: Murine monoclonal antibodies directed against a novel outer membrane protein (OMP) of Haemophilus influenzae have been isolated and characterized. The gene encoding of the outer membrane protein has also been isolated and characterized. Portions of the DNA sequence of the 15 kD OMP gene are useful as probes to diagnose the presence of Haemophilus influenzae in samples. These DNA's also make available polypeptide sequences of immunoreactive epitopes encoded within the gene, thus permitting the production of polypeptides which are useful as standards or reagents in diagnostic tests and/or as components of vaccines. Monoclonal antibodies directed against epitopes of the 15 kD OMP are also useful for diagnostic tests and as therapeutic agents for passive immunization.