Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems containing an afocal variator able to impart focus means to the optical system, as well as essentially constant magnification throughout the focal translation. The present application teaches a specific formula or set of spacing requirements for the positioning of the afocal variator that can be used with any afocal variator optical lens system comprised of various lens combinations. Provided that the formula for spacing the afocal variator within the optical system is utilized, the afocal variator acts not only to focus the optical system but maintains substantially constant magnification during the translation of focus.

Abstract: Methods for producing hybrids between domestic and wild soybean that are fertile and can be further bred with other soybean plants are provided, thus allowing transfer of desirable traits and genes from the wild soybean into the domestic soybean. This invention also provides novel media for producing callus and multiple somatic embryos, as well as novel media for producing multiple shoots from the embryos. The hybrid plants are made fertile by colchicine treatment to double their chromosome number so that they can be backcrossed into domestic soybean. These methods and media allow the production of elite soybean lines containing traits or genes from wild soybean as well as a minimum amount of additional wild soybean DNA. Backcrosses containing only one wild soybean chromosome can be produced, as well as sets of such backcrossed lines that each contain one chromosome from the wild ancestor, but collectively all the wild chromosomes from the hybrid ancestor.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle, the axle assembly comprising a differential gear having an input for connection to a drive shaft, and a first wheel hub to support a first wheel and a second wheel hub to support a second wheel, the first wheel hub and the second wheel hub being drivingly connected to the differential gear, wherein the first wheel hub is drivingly connected to the differential gear via a reverser mechanism, the reverser mechanism having a first operating mode where the first wheel hub is driven in the same direction as the second wheel hub and a second operating mode where the first wheel hub is driven in the opposite direction to the second wheel hub.

Abstract: The invention provides improved therapeutic and diagnostic fullerenes and endohedral fullerenes. The fullerenes and endohedral fullerenes of the invention are derivatized with at least two charged functional groups (and preferably more than two charged functional groups) to provide for water-solubility and improved in vivo biodistribution. Improved derivatized fullerenes and endohedral fullerenes carry a plurality of functional groups at least two of which are charged. Preferably at least about ? of the possible derivations sites on the fullerene caged carry derivatives and preferably at least about ½ of the functional groups on the fullerene cage are charged groups. The invention also provides water-soluble endohedral metallofullerene with improved biodistribution which are useful as in vivo imaging agents, including MRI contrast agents.

Abstract: Methods of making alkyl esters are described herein. The methods are capable of using raw, unprocessed, low-cost feedstocks and waste grease. Generally, the method involves converting a glyceride source to a fatty acid composition and esterifying the fatty acid composition to make alkyl esters. In an embodiment, a method of making alkyl esters comprises providing a glyceride source. The method further comprises converting the glyceride source to a fatty acid composition comprising free fatty acids and less than about 1% glyceride by mass. Moreover, the method comprises esterifying the fatty acid composition in the presence of a solid acid catalyst at a temperature ranging firm about 70° C. to about 120° C. to produce alkyl esters, such that at least 85% of the free fatty acids are converted to alkyl esters. The method also incorporates the use of packed bed reactors for glyceride conversion and/or fatty acid esterification to make alkyl esters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of a medicine for treating diseases associated with inflammation, immunity or infection, and in particular, to glycyrrhetinic acid-30-amide derivatives of general formula I and their preparation, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. Said derivatives and composition exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-allergic, cough-preventing, liver-protecting and anti-viral properties, wherein each group is as defined in the description.

Abstract: Lantibiotics are synthesized on ribosomes as prepeptides and post-translationally modified to a mature form. These modifications include dehydrations and cyclizations. Compounds and related methods of generating compounds, modified by dehydration, cyclization, or dehydration and cyclization, are disclosed. The disclosure includes in vitro approaches to effecting dehydration and cyclization leading to production of biologically active compounds such as lantibiotics and variants thereof. Synthetic variants and methods including combinatorial approaches for generating diverse lantibiotics and other compounds are disclosed. The invention has broad potential for applications including food, agricultural, and medical industries.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for contacting liquid with an ion exchange resin comprising introducing liquid into a process tank containing ion exchange resin at an inlet (2) and removing liquid that has been contacted with resin from the process tank at an outlet, the outlet being located above the inlet (2), the process tank including a resin containment region (7, 9) disposed between the inlet (2) and the outlet to impede the upward flow of the resin as it becomes entrained in the liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet, and a contactor region for promoting contact between the resin and the liquid located below the containment region (7, 9), said containment region (7, 9) containing an array of settling members through which the liquid and resin upflow and which impede the flow of the resin to a sufficient extent that it is substantially contained within or below the containment region (7, 9). Apparatus for performing this method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for collecting vapor gas generated by an oil-containing material within a production tank. The devices and associated methods result in produced oil having a reduced level of dissolved hydrocarbons and recovery of vapor gas for resale. The devices include vapor recovery units connected to conventional oil-production units so that a conventional unit is converted to a low emission unit. In an embodiment, the device is a column separator comprising a perforated, packed spiral baffle with one end that receives vapor gas and a second end for removing gas that has traversed the length of the column separator. Also provided are methods for converting an oil-production unit into a low-emission oil production unit using any of the devices disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention provides thermal sensors and imagers that are flexible and capable of conforming to curved surfaces and corresponding methods of making and methods of thermal sensing. The thermal sensors contain an array of thermal resistors patterned in a row and column configuration, with each thermal resistor electrically isolated from other thermal resistors within the sensor. Thermal information is obtained from a region by measuring the resistance of each thermal resistor and calculating a thermal resistance for each entry of the array.

Abstract: Exogenous cDNA capable of expressing interferon? activity, exogenous interferon? protein, inducers of endogenous interferon? protein activity, inducers of endogenous interferon $ protein activity, inducers of endogenous interferon? activity, or inducers of other immune-enhancing activity can be combined with a vaccine to enhance an immune response. Specifically disclosed are adjuvant and vaccine combinations where the adjuvant comprises a cDNA capable of expressing interferon? activity, a complex comprising polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid, or a complex comprising polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid, poly-L-lysine, and carboxymethylcellulose and where the vaccine is a live vaccine virus derived from a virus causing porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome disease.

Abstract: A method comprising contacting an alcohol, a feed comprising one or more glycerides and equal to or greater than 2 wt % of one or more free fatty acids, and a solid acid catalyst, a nanostructured polymer catalyst, or a sulfated zirconia catalyst in one or more reactors, and recovering from the one or more reactors an effluent comprising equal to or greater than about 75 wt % alkyl ester and equal to or less than about 5 wt % glyceride.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to isolate Rf gene, particularly Rf1 gene derived from radish, and identify its structure. The present invention provides a protein involved in restoration of a cytoplasmic male sterile individual to fertility which has 14 or more pentatricopeptide repeat (hereafter may be abbreviated to PPR) motifs, wherein a group of the motifs is divided into 3 or more blocks, each of the individual blocks has at least 2 or more PPR motifs, and the block in a carboxyl terminal (C terminal) side has 4 PPR motifs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for activating TRPV3 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 3) using FPP (farnesyl diphosphate) and a method for screening a TRPV3 activity inhibitor. FPP of the present invention has TRPV3 specific activity and therefore it can be effectively used for the study on TRPV3 mechanism and functions and for the development of a TRPV3 based pain reliever.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry varieties known as ‘Lewis’ (not patented) and selection 86105M57 (not patented). The new variety is distinguished from others by the semi crown-forming nature of the plant which tends to produce fewer thicker canes that tend to branch and are very vigorous. The variety is further distinguished by having fruit that ripen on long laterals, release from the receptacle very easily, are dark in color, have large drupelets, and are very firm. In addition, the plant has displayed some field resistance to root rot caused by Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi and appears to be tolerant to infection of Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV). Fruit of the new variety appears very suitable for the process fruit market.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea arborescens plant named ‘PIIHA-I’, characterized by its magenta to pink mophead inflorescences; dark green foliage; and upright, spreading growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Illicium plant named ‘Pink Frost’, characterized by its compact, rounded growth habit, medium green foliage with cream-white marginal variegation, pink-red petioles, red flowers, and pink to red foliage in winter.

Abstract: A new and distinct tamarillo variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from hybridization among red, amber, and yellow-fruited tamarillo selections. This new variety is characterized by bright red skin color and sweet flavor. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Sweeten’.