Abstract: Termite foods mixed together in a matrix suitable to be used as baits and attractants for termites are provided. They comprise cellulose, naphthalenic compounds, water and potentially other termite-preferred nutrients. Methods of monitoring the presence of termites using such matrices and methods of controlling termites using such matrices to deliver termite toxins are also provided.

Abstract: In the cleaning of cotton, flax and kenaf and related materials in the ginning process there is typically a loss of cotton in the saw type lint cleaner. Amounts lost here are typically in the range of about 20 pounds per 500 pound bale. The present invention is directed to the inclusion of an additional saw cylinder in the saw type lint cleaner for the purpose of separating the cotton out of the rejected fiber from the passage through the first saw tooth lint cleaner. The additional saw is doffed by the same brush cleaner that doffs the primary saw cylinder.

Abstract: A method for separating non-fibrous particulates from fibers in the substantial absence of water is disclosed. A pulverized mixture of non-fibrous particulates and fibers is introduced into a separation zone containing a plurality of revolving spiked cylinders. Revolving spikes of the respective revolving spiked cylinders contact and separate fibers from the pulverized mixture to produce non-fibrous particulates. The separated fibers have residual non-fibrous particulates which may be removed by the revolving spikes of one revolving spiked cylinders throwing or impelling the separated fibers against and into the revolving spikes of a contiguous revolving spiked cylinder. When the separated fibers impact the spikes of the contiguous revolving spiked cylinder, residual non-fibrous particulates loosen and separate from the removed fibers. The produced non-fibrous particulates have residual polyester fibers which may be removed and reclaimed.

Abstract: Activated carbons derived from low-density lignocellulosic agricultural waste, and for use in absorption of metals, are prepared utilizing carbon dioxide or steam activation at 800° C. to 950° C. for 3 to 12 hours and subsequent oxidation with air at 260° C. to 400° C. for 3 to 6 hours. Granular carbons are formed by the inclusion of a preliminary two-step process involving the admixture of a binder selected from molasses, coal tar or wood tar to form pellets, briquettes or extrudates and converting them into a char under an inert atmosphere at 700° C. to 750° C. for 1 to 2 hours.

Abstract: Safe and effective mono and polyvalent vaccines against Streptococcus iniae may be prepared from formalin-killed cells and concentrated extracellular products of Streptococcus iniae which include one or more of deposited strains NRRL B-30238 and NRRL B-30242. Intraperitoneal and intramuscular vaccination of tilapia show acquisition of effective immunity against homologous and heterologous isolates of S. iniae.

Abstract: A device for the placement of bale ties, to effect repair of cotton bales which have been damaged as a result of bale tie failures. The device, which allows placement of multiple ties without individual bale movement, includes a base frame structure, an upper platen transversely locatable upon said base frame structure for paired contraposition with a lower platen, and a lower platen base attached to said base frame structure containing a plurality of lower platens mounted thereon that are able to reversibly recede therein when not needed for application of a localized compressive force. The platens are mounted on the structure for relative intraplanar movement toward and away from one another with the compression surfaces disposed in substantial parallelism. The platens are positioned for compressing a damaged cotton bale therebetween as the upper platen moves, by means of a reciprocating drive mechanism, toward its aligned opposite.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating elastomeric particulates from a pulverized mixture wherein a first separator assembly separates out substantially clean fiber and passes non-fibrous particulates and residual fiber to a second separator assembly that separates out substantially clean non-fibrous particulates. The method includes propelling the pulverized mixture under a plurality of first separator cylinders with mixture-engaging structure and against a structure for removing non-fibrous particulates and residual fibers from the pulverized mixture. The non-fibrous particulates and residual fibers are propelled under a plurality of second separator cylinders that include centrifugally releasable mixture-engaging structures and against a structure for separating non-fibrous particulates from the residual fibers.

Abstract: A novel antifungal compound, “CAY-1”, was isolated from the dried fruit of Capsicum frutescens (cayenne pepper), purified to homogeneity, and characterized as a novel sterol glycoside (a saponin) with a molecular mass of 1243.35 Da. CAY-1 demonstrates antifungal activity against a large variety of fungal organisms associated with diseases in plants, animals and humans including, but not limited to, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. parasiticus, A. niger, Pneumocystis carnii and Candida albicans, but has minimal toxic effects on mammalian cells.

Abstract: Methods for the biological control of kudzu (Pueraria lobata) using the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria have been developed. In typical applications, conidia of the fungus are applied by means of a liquid surfactant to kudzu in amounts effective to produce plant lesions which kill or suppress the kudzu. A strain of M. verrucaria is on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., and with the patent collection of the International Mycological Institute in surrey, UK, where it has been assigned deposit number IMI 368023.

Abstract: The killing of microorganisms on the surface of porous and non-porous materials including agricultural commodities is accomplished by use of methods and apparatus which expose the material to controlled applications of a biocidal treatment gas into a sub-atmospheric environment. The material is first exposed to a vacuum then, without an intervening flush step, full treated with an air-free treatment gas prior to being re-exposed to a vacuum. The method and apparatus successfully kill microorganisms both on the surface and within the pores or structural recesses of the material without causing significant deleterious changes to the material.

Abstract: Low oil uptake frying batters substantially based on rice flour have been developed that maintain desirable organoleptic properties while significantly reducing fat absorption during the frying process. This is accomplished by inclusion of cold water swelling rice-based starch products selected from the group consisting of pregelatinized rice flour, phosphorylated rice starch and pregelatinized acetylated rice starch into the rice starch batter compositions.

Abstract: Fatty ether compounds and a process for their production is disclosed. The compounds possess low viscosity and low temperature melting point properties and may be used as viscosity modifiers in the creation of cosmetics and complete vegetable oil based biodegradable fluids such as hydraulic fluids and dielectric fluids. Formation of these fatty ether compounds is by reaction of the appropriate hydroxy fatty acid or lactone with a nucleophilic alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce fatty ether esters. Following their formation, the fatty ether esters may be recovered for subsequent use, or in the alternative, they may either be hydrolyzed to produce fatty ether acids or transesterified with a different nucleophilic alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to produce alternate ester variants.

Abstract: Methods for the safe and effective live in ovo vaccination of eyed eggs of catfish against enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) were created through the use of rifampicin resistant native E. ictaluri isolates; these including rifampicin-resistant strain ATCC 202058 of Edwardsiella ictaluri originally isolated from the walking catfish Clarius batrachus from Thailand. Single immersion exposure of eyed eggs of catfish stimulated strong acquired immunity against many isolates of E. ictaluri without the need for booster immunization.

Abstract: Enhanced recovery of podophyllotoxin from biological sources is achieved through disruption or permeabilization of the physical integrity of cells and tissues in the presence of sufficient moisture so as to allow endogenous enzymes to convert podophyllotoxin glucosides to podophyllotoxin. Extraction of the podophyllotoxin from the plant material is then achieved by use of an organic solvent. Podophyllotoxin is used as an intermediate in the production of the antitumor agent etoposide and its analogues.

Abstract: Activated carbons derived from nutshells, and for use in adsorption of metallic cations, are prepared utilizing phosphoric acid activation with concurrent oxidation under air. The acid activation is carried out utilizing a one or two-step heating regime subsequent to the infusion of the phosphoric acid into the nutshell material during which concurrent oxidation is achieved by exposure to atmospheric oxygen. Further oxidation is optionally achieved by equilibration of the nutshell carbons to room temperature under air. Prior to utilization, a washing step is employed to remove unwanted acid from the carbon product.

Abstract: Safe and effective live vaccines against enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) were created through the induction of rifampicin resistance in native E. ictaluri isolates; these including rifampicin-resistant strain (RE-33) of Edwardsiella ictaluri originally isolated from the walking catfish Clarius batrachus from Thailand. Single immersion exposure of catfish fry stimulated strong acquired immunity against many isolates of E. ictaluri without the need for booster immunization.

Abstract: A method of producing fatty acids and glycerol from oleaginous materials utilizing comminuted seeds as an immobilized lipase catalyst. The comminuted lipase-containing seeds are combined with an oleaginous material, an organic solvent and water with the resultant heterogenous mixture being agitated under non-energy intensive conditions to provide free fatty acids and glycerol. The lipase catalyst may be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: A device for placement of bale ties to effect repair of cotton bales which have been damaged as a result of bale tie failure, includes a base frame structure and a pair of compression platens provided with elongated, generally longitudinally extending bale contacting and compressing surfaces. The platens are mounted on the structure for relative intraplanar movement toward and away from one another, with the compression surfaces disposed in substantial parallelism. The platens are positioned for compressing a damaged cotton bale therebetween as the platens move toward one another. The compression surfaces of the platens have a width which is sufficiently small to compress a damaged cotton bale only in close proximity to a position where a single replacement bale tie is to be placed. A drive mechanism is coupled to the platens for moving the latter relatively toward one another to effect bale compression.

Abstract: A sex pheromone composition effective in the attraction of female pecan weevils has been found, and comprising a mixture of substantially pure components, said components comprising: I) a racemic mixture of the cis and trans isomers of 2-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclobutaneethanol, II) ?(Z)-3,3-dimethylcyclohexane-.DELTA..sup.1,.beta. -ethanol!, III) ?(Z)-3,3-dimethylcyclohexane-.DELTA..sup.1,.alpha. -acetaldehyde!, and IV) ?(E)-3,3-dimethylcyclohexane-.DELTA..sup.1,.alpha. -acetaldehyde! in the approximate ratio of 7:16:3:3. The compositions have use as mating disruptants and as attractants for the purpose of population control or monitoring.

Abstract: Temperature adaptable fibers are provided in which a polyol/glyoxal based crosslinking system is used to create a water-insoluble polyacetal coating. The formaldehyde release properties characteristic of methylolamide finishing agents is avoided. The non-catalytic reaction utilizes stoichimetric amounts of sulfonic acids to derivatize the polyols which in turn react with the glyoxal to form a water-insoluble polymer. The material also possesses improved properties relating to soil release, durable press, resistance to static charge, abrasion resistance, pilling resistance and water absorbency.