Abstract: Nodulation gene-inducing factors have been isolated and identified. A number of substituted flavones, some of which are components of exudates and extracts of leguminous plants, have been found to induce expression of certain nodulation genes in Rhizobium strains. Three components of clover extract 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone, 7,4'-dihydroxy-3'methoxyflavone, and 4'-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone have been identified as nodulation inducers of certain Rhizobium trifolii nod genes. A number of other flavonoids including flavones, flavanones, flavanols and dihydroflavanols, not necessarily found in legume exudates, were also found to induce expression of certain nodulation genes.

Abstract: This invention provides useful promoters from the R. trifolii nifH gene for the construction of recombinant molecules to regulate foreign genes for expression under desired conditions. In particular, the promoters act to control expression of the foreign genes within root nodules formed by rhizobial bacterial strains in symbiotic combination with host plants.A rhizobium diagnostic segment (RDS) is also provided comprising a DNA segment found at more than one location in rhizobia, the RDS being species-specific, and detectable by DNA hybridization under stringent conditions. A recombinant plasmid comprising a RDS and a bacterial strain containing the plasmid are provided. Methods are provided for identifying species and strains of field isolates of Rhizobium, using RDS's. One RDS exemplified comprises 5' sequences from the R. trifolii nifH gene.

Abstract: Access door pallets for an external tank of a Shuttle Transportation System are provided. Access door pallets replace one or more access doors on the external tank. In addition to carrying out the original function of the replaced access door, they provide a means for attaching a payload to the external tank. The payload can be mounted on either side of the door. For example, thrusters, maneuvering devices, guidance and attitude control systems can be mounted on the exterior; measuring instruments, chemical release devices, transmitters, extensible solar collectors, and pressurized chambers can be mounted on the interior.

Abstract: An integration vector which directs the stable integration of a DNA segment, including for example, a cloned structural gene and/or a selectable marker into a defined, nonessential region of the Bradyrhizobium japonicum genome is provided. The integration of the DNA occurs via homologous recombination between the DNA sequences which flank the DNA segment and identical sequences in the genome. The integration site is preferably the region of the B. japonicum genome flanked by the sequences RS.alpha.9 and RS.beta.3, near nifDK which is a nonessential region of the chromosome.

Abstract: A portable hyperbaric chamber is provided that allows a person to perform endurance exercise at barometric pressures of from 0 to 10 lbs./square inch greater than ambient. The chamber is portable, semi-spherical and inexpensively constructed of an essentially air-impermeable, flexible material. The chamber is used for endurance conditioning, to improve the athletic performance of people who live at altitudes above seal level. Another embodiment of this invention is the hyperbaric mountain bubble. This embodiment, designed for use at high altitudes to prevent mountain sickness, provides a portable sealed chamber in which a patient may be placed. The pressure inside the chamber is raised, providing an interior environment equivalent to a descent from altitude to as low as sea level, to alleviate the symptoms of mountain sickness. In a further embodiment, the mountain bubble is expanded to provide a high altitude habitat suitable for use as a mountain tent, which may be pressurized or not as desired.

Abstract: The invention provides genetically modified plant cells having a plant structural gene introduced and expressed therein under the control of a T-DNA promoter. In particular, the invention provides genetically modified plant cells having the phaseolin gene introduced and expressed therein under the control of a T-DNA promoter. Also provided are novel strains of bacteria containing and replicating T-DNA which has been modified to contain an inserted plant structural gene under the control of a T-DNA promoter. Further, the invention provides plasmids having the ability to replicate in E. coli and comprising T-DNA which has been modified to contain an inserted plant structural gene under the control of a T-DNA promoter.

Abstract: Chiral nonracemic molecules which are useful in the preparation of high polarization density FLC compositions and which have the following structure are provided: ##STR1## wherein Ph is a 1,4 substituted phenyl group, m=2 and n=1 or m=1 and n=2, asymmetric carbons are indicated by *. R is an alkyl group having three to fifteen carbon atoms, and R' is an alkyl group having one to seven carbons. The invention in particular provides compounds having the R,R or S,S configuration in the epoxide tail. The epoxy phenylbenzoates of this invention display a property of inducing a tilt angle greater than expected in FLC compositions in which they are combined.

Abstract: The isolation and characterization of nodD-related genes in soybean nodulating Rhizobium japonicum is described. In R. japonicum USDA 191 two such genes have been identified, which although related in structure, have different functional properties. These nodD genes are functionally distinct from each other and from those nodD genes of other strains of Rhizobium that have been isolated and characterized to date. In particular, nodD-r1 has been found to affect nodulation on soybean and to be associated with exopolysaccharide production. In contrast, nodD-r2 affects nodulation on the tropical legume siratro. The coding sequences of both nodD genes are provided. The promoter regions of the nodD genes have also been isolated. The genes described herein, including both structural genes and their promoter regions, can be used in combination with other genetic constructs to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of nodulation.

Abstract: Rhizobial ferredoxin genes and proteins are provided. Rhizobial ferredoxins are useful to enhance the nitrogenase systems of rhizobia. Useful rhizobial ferredoxin diagnostic segments are also provided comprising DNA sequences encoding the characteristic ferredoxin cysteine residue patterns. Exemplied rhizobial ferredoxin genes are fixX of Rhizobium trifolii and Rhizobium meliloti Between fixC and nifA, fixY of Rhizobium meliloti down stream from nifB, and frxA of Bradyrhizobium japonicum.

Abstract: DNA sequence of S-genes which encode S-proteins and control the self-incompatibility reaction in gametophytic self-incompatible plants have been identified. The DNA sequence encoding several S-proteins of N. alata and their attendant signal sequences are specifically provided. Regulatory sequences which direct expression of the S-genes in reproduction tissue of self-incompatible plants have also been identified. A method for the identification and isolation of cDNA and genomic DNA coding sequences of the S-genes is described.

Abstract: Chiral, nonracemic compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein m and n are either both zero, both equal one or n is equal to one and m is equal to zero, X and Y and Z are halogens, R' is an alkyl or alkoxy group having three to fifteen carbons, R is an alkyl group having one to fifteen carbons, and Ar is a 4,4'-substituted phenylvenzoate, 4,4'-substituted biphenylbenzoate, 5,4-substituted 2-phenylpyrimidine or 4,4'-substituted biphenyl core, and wherein * indicates a chiral center, which are useful as ferroelectric liquid crystal components having high polarization are described.

Abstract: A tree stump cutter than enables the removal of tree stumps, after felling of trees, to at least below ground level, includes at least one pair of circular cutting blades rotatably mounted on a support frame. The frame can be coupled to a tractor in a configuration in which the blades, driven by hydraulic motors, can cut off tree stumps below ground level by being displaced across the tree stumps by the tractor. The blades are rotatable about parallel axes and the blades of at least one pair are spaced apart by approximately the sum of their radii, thus permitting rotation in substantially the same plane.

Abstract: A method of increasing nodulation of a plant capable of being nodulated by Bradyrhizobium sp. (Parasponis) is provided comprising infecting said plant with a Bradyrhizobium sp. (Parasponia) species mutated such that nodK is non-functional. One such method of mutation involves insertion upstream of nodABC constitutive promoter sequences capable of activating nodABC. The invention is exemplified by the inoculation of siratro with mutated Bradyrhizobium sp. (Parasponia) mutated by insertion of nptII promoter sequences in nodK upstream of nodABC so as to activate nodABC. As compared with inoculation with the corresponding wild-type Bradyrhizobium sp. (Parasponia), nodulation onset occurred five days earlier, nodulation number was doubled, and a 120% enhancement of plant yield was shown. Similar results were obtained regardless of the orientation of the nptII promoter-containing sequences within the nodK coding sequence.

Abstract: A class of proteins associated with self-incompatibility alleles of plants, preferably of gametophytic self-incompatibility type, are provided. These proteins inhibit pollen tube growth in a plant style having the associated self-incompatibility allele, and have defined amino acid homologies and cross-reactivities.

Abstract: A method for regeneration of sunflower plants via shoot induction from cotyledon explants prepared from non-germinated sunflower embryos is described. Several methods for preparing explants by dissection of mature and immature fully-formed embryos are provided. Explants are prepared to insure that substantially all of the induced shoots derive from single cotyledon cells. Appropriately prepared explants are cultured on a shoot induction medium containing a combination of BA and NAA. Induced shoots are rooted and the resulting plantlets are grown into mature sunflower plants. This regeneration method is efficient, rapid and employs a convenient explant source, sunflower seed. This regeneration method is particularly useful in combination with methods for introduction of foreign DNA into sunflower cells and tissue.

Abstract: A method for somatic embryogenesis of soybean, (Glycine max), Glycine soja and other Glycine species is provided using immature cotyledon tissue, preferably with the embryonic axis removed, comprising culturing said tissue on a medium containing auxin, preferably NAA at a concentration of at least about 15 mg/l. A further method for such somatic embryogenesis is provided wherein the culture medium contains a synergistically acting lowered carbohydrate and auxin concentration. Particularly embryogenic cells of such tissue are identified and improved maceration methods for contacting such cells with regeneration and transformation media are disclosed.Methods for transforming somatic tissue from soybean and other Glycine species are also provided.Whole, fertile, transformed plants are obtained.

Abstract: The invention includes a class of compounds that inhibit the specific proteolytic activity of the bimolecular complex 1[TF:VII/VIIa] that initiates the blood coagulation systems. Both reversible and irreversible inhibitors are disclosed.The invention encompasses the use of inhibitors of the active site of the factor VII and VIIa component of [TF:VII/VIIa] as diagnostic reagents, as analytical reagents, and as therapeutic drugs.The invention includes the compounds based on the following general formula for both reversible and irreversible selective inhibition of [TF:VII/VIIa].

Abstract: Nodulation regulatory genes (nodD genes) of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains have been isolated and sequenced. Recombinant DNA molecules and vectors containing these regulatory genes are described. These genes, molecules and vectors are useful in the genetic engineering of Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium strains. A method for selective expression of structural genes in response to the application of chemical factors which induce B. japonicum nod genes which employs these genes is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is an indicator cap for indicating each time a bottle is opened and re-closed having an outer cover shaped in the manner of a conventional bottle cap with a window in the top piece of the cap. The cap is designed to be attached to the sealing cap of the container such that some motion can occur between the two caps during opening and closing of the container, and this lost motion drive is used to advance the indicator. Underneath the window, and within the body of the device, is an indicator wheel having numbers, days, times, etc. engraved or printed thereon which are visible through the window to indicate the next time a dose of the medication should be taken. The indicator wheel contains a pawl formed therein or attached thereto that engages a set of teeth, formed in the underside of the top piece of the outer cover, only when the device is being opened. This engagement causes the indicator wheel to move to the next index location each time the cap is opened.

Abstract: The nifH promoter regions of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium sp. (parasponia) have been sequenced and found to be significantly homologous. Recombinant DNA molecules comprising foreign genes under the control of such promoters are provided. Rhizobial species containing such recombinant constructions, either in plasmids or integrated into the genome, are provided. These are especially useful for expressing desired foreign genes within root nodules.