Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for determining the quantity of liquid and solid content in a removal stream of a froth created from a suspension that is generated during a froth flotation operation. Specifically, electrodes are immersed in the froth generated from a suspension having a known quantity of fiber particles, and the conductance of the froth is measured to establish a relationship between the measured conductance and the quantity of fiber particles. The electrodes are then submerged in a froth generated from a suspension having an unknown quantity of fiber particles, and the froth conductance is measured. The quantity of fiber particles in the froth can then be determined from the pre-established relationship between conductance and solid particle content.

Abstract: A method for making isolongifolenone involving reaction (?)-isolongifolene with chromium hexacarbonyl and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Also the use of isolongifolenone to repel arthropods by treating an object or area with an arthropod repelling effective amount of isolongifolenone (and optionally a carrier or carrier material).

Abstract: A method of separating ZE-nepetalactone and EZ-nepetalactone from catnip oil involving mixing catnip oil dissolved in at least one water immiscible, non-halogenated organic solvent with at least one inorganic base dissolved in water to form a biphasic mixture, stirring the biphasic mixture to hydrolyze ZE-nepetalactone to form ZE-nepetalic acid, separating the aqueous phase containing ZE-nepetalic acid from the organic phase containing EZ-nepetalactone in the biphasic mixture, and optionally acidifying the aqueous phase to about pH 4.5 and adding at least one water immiscible, non-halogenated organic solvent to azeotropically lactonize the ZE-nepetalic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluene sulfonic acid to form ZE-nepetalactone.

Abstract: Novel peptides produced by bacteriocin-producing bacteria stimulate the production of bacteriocins in vitro. The producer bacteria are cultured in the presence of a novel inducer bacteria and a peptide having a carboxy terminal sequence of VKGLT in order to achieve an increase in bacteriocin production.

Abstract: A class of UVA- and UVB-absorbing esters has been derived from milkweed oil by modification with a variety of cinnamic acids. These agents have the advantage of being synthesized from natural materials, while providing a value-added use for the oil. They are readily formulated into standard UV-absorbing daily-wear cosmetic, hair and skin care, and sunscreen formulations.

Abstract: Unique Solenopsis invicta viruses (SINV) have been identified and their genome sequenced. Oligonucleotide primers have been developed using the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the SINV. The viruses are used as a biocontrol agent for control of fire ants.

Abstract: A process for measuring the moisture content and the mass-moisture content of materials is presented that requires no air reference or calibration sequence. A microwave signal is split into a reference and a transmission signal, and the reference signal is applied directly to the phase detector, whereas the transmission signal is first transmitted through the sample before being presented to the other side of the phase detector. This measurement provides a phase-constant measurement that is due to the dielectric characteristics of the material under test. The system measures the material's phase-constant across a band of frequencies. The slope of the phase-constant versus frequency is then utilized to predict the density of the material which is then combined with the corrected phase-constant measurement to calculate the moisture content of the material.

Abstract: Methods of detaching microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) from, or of inhibiting microbial (e.g., bacterial) attachment to, animal or poultry carcasses or seafood or parts thereof, wherein the method involves contacting animal or poultry carcasses or seafood or parts thereof at least once with at least one of the following: (i) a polysulfated polysaccharide, (ii) carboxymethyl cellulose, or (iii) guanidine or arginine, optionally together with sodium chloride and at least one non-ionic surfactant, or (iv) mixtures thereof, in an amount effective to detach microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) from, or inhibit microbial (e.g., bacterial) attachment to, animal or poultry carcasses or seafood or parts thereof.

Abstract: Plastic mulched raised beds are fumigated using a fumigation system containing two opposing armatures affixed to a mounting arm at about a 50° angle and a blunt-ended knife with a blade attached at about a 90° angle to the knife. The system allows fumigant to be applied to the interior of the raised, plastic mulched beds without disturbing the mulch.

Abstract: A Small Hive Beetle trap, which replaces the bottom board of beehives, includes a frame having three walls and a top surface, a trap plate, an entry device, and a trapping means. The trapping device provides a dark environment attractive to small hive beetles and contains a small hive beetle attractant made from pollen dough and inoculated with yeast that produces small hive beetle attracting volatiles.

Abstract: Oil-in-Water emulsion vaccines induce higher biliary IgA responses which decrease mucosal/internal organ invasion and fecal shedding, increase specific activity of serum IgG subpopulations, and increase the relative avidity index of serum IgG subpopulations, resulting in increased protection from disease in animals.

Abstract: Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial brown rot of potato, is often carried latently in seed potato tubers. Primers and a probe were designed for a real-time BIO-PCR assay technique for detecting potato tubers latently infected with R. Solanacearum. Using naturally infected potato tubers, as few as 20 cells/ml extract could be detected. Two of 14 naturally infected potato tubers with no disease symptoms were positive by the newly described real-time BIO-PCR (pre-enrichment on agar or in liquid medium) assay but not by direct real-time PCR.

Abstract: The invention consists of a pressure transducer based air velocity sensor that has been optimized for use in metal ducts. The fluid flow velocity is determined by measuring the propagation delay of a direct path pressure wave signal transmitted through the fluid as a function of a frequency difference rather than as a phase delay measurement. This system electronically removes multi-path signals from the measured signal, thereby obviating the requirement for installation calibration.

Abstract: A biopesticidal composition for controlling insects (e.g., pecan weevils, the diaprepes root weevil, fall armyworm, fire ants), containing an agriculturally acceptable carrier and an effective insect (e.g., pecan weevils, the diaprepes root weevil, fall armyworm, fire ants) biopesticidal amount of a fungus selected from the group consisting of Beauveria bassiana having the identifying characteristics of Beauveria bassiana NRRL 30593, Metarhizium anisopliae having the identifying characteristics of Metarhizium anisopliae NRRL 30594, Beauveria bassiana having the identifying characteristics of Beauveria bassiana NRRL 30601, Beauveria bassiana having the identifying characteristics of Beauveria bassiana NRRL 30600, or mixtures thereof. Also, a method for controlling insects (e.g., pecan weevils, the diaprepes root weevil, fall armyworm, fire ants), involving applying an effective insect biopesticidal amount of the composition to the insects or to the plants, areas or substrates infested with the insects.

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding micromolar calcium activated neutral protease (mu-calpain) effect meat tenderness in bovine. These SNPs correspond to position 18 of exon 9 of Seq. ID No. 3, position 17 of exon 14 of Seq. ID No. 4, and position 185 on intron 19 of Seq. ID No. 4, of the CAPN1 gene encoding mu-calpain. Alleles wherein the SNP at position 18 of exon 9 encodes alanine at amino acid 316 of bovine mu-calpain, the SNP at position 17 on exon 14 encodes valine at amino acid 530 of bovine mu-calpain, and the SNP at position 185 on intron 19 is an cytosine, are all indicative of increased meat tenderness. Any one or all of these SNPs may be used as markers for selecting bovines having superior meat tenderness, and selecting animals for breeding purposes.

Abstract: Anthocyanins, other flavonoids and related polyphenolic compounds are extracted from fruits or highly pigmented garden vegetables and their by-products using subcritical water with or without a secondary cosolvent. This method has the advantages of being relatively inexpensive, minimizes or totally avoids the use of objectionable solvents, and provides a facile means for supplying an ample source of concentrated phytochemicals for use in food formulation, dietary supplements and phyto-pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: Novel pseudopeptide analogs of the insect allatostatin neuropeptide family which possess biological activity mimicking that of the naturally occurring neuropeptides are disclosed. By addition of a hydrophobic moiety to an active portion of the allatostatin peptides, analogs are produced which exhibit an overall amphiphilic nature and which are capable of penetrating the insect cuticle while still retaining biological activity. Furthermore, by substituting sterically hindered amino acids or aromatic acids for any or all of the first, third or fifth amino acid residues of the allatostatin C-terminal pentapeptide, analogs may be produced which are resistant to degradation by insect peptidases while still retaining biological activity. The analogs may be used for insect control by disrupting critical reproductive and/or developmental processes normally regulated by allatostatins in insects.

Abstract: A process for producing rhamnolipids involving culturing Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain NRRL B-30761 in a first aqueous culture medium containing about 0.3% NH4H2PO4, about 0.2% K2HPO4, about 0.2% carbon source, about 0.5 mg/L FeSO4, and about 0.1% MgSO4 for about 24–about 48 hours at about 25°–about 30° C. with orbital shaking, and then culturing Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain NRRL B-30761 in a static second aqueous culture medium containing per liter about 2% carbon source, about 0.7 g KH2PO4, about 0.9 g Na2HPO4, about 2 g NaNO3, about 0.4 g MgSO4.7H2O, and about 0.1 g CaCl2.2H2O for at least about 72 hours at about 20°–about 23° C., wherein the first and second aqueous culture medium contains only one source of carbon.

Abstract: Plastic mulched raised beds are fumigated using a fumigation system containing two opposing armatures affixed to a mounting arm at about a 15° angle and a blunt-ended knife with a blade attached at about a 90° angle to the knife. The system allows fumigant to be applied to the interior of the raised, plastic mulched beds without disturbing the mulch.

Abstract: Ammonia in the air exhausted from animal containment facilities may be removed by scrubbing the air with a solution of a suitable salt of an acidic proton donor such as alum. Ammonia may be removed from the air within any enclosed animal building which includes at least one air inlet and at least one outlet, a ventilation system having an air mover effective to draw fresh air into the building through the inlet and exhaust contaminated air through the outlet, and an air scrubber in communication with the outlet. Prior to exhausting the air into the environment, the air is passed through the scrubber where it is contacted with a solution of the salt of an acidic proton donor effective for flocculating ammonia therein. The flocculated ammonia may then be removed from the solution, which may then be recycled to the scrubber.