Abstract: The invention relates to fatty acids conjugated to amino acids and their derivatives that elicit the production and/or release of plant volatiles compounds which attract and/or retain beneficial insects and deter herbivorous insect feeding. These conjugates also induce plants to increase production of pharmacologically important compounds such as taxol, increase fragrance of flowers, and increase production of plant essential oil. The invention also relates to methods for isolating the compounds from herbivorous insect oral secretions and to chemically synthesizing the compounds and their active derivatives.

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: A method of producing useful products from animal by-products by incubating animal by-products in a transglutaminase-containing solution to produce transglutaminase-treated animal by-products, compressing the transglutaminase-treated animal by-products to produced a compressed product, and drying the compressed product. The transglutaminase containing solution need not contain casein.

Abstract: Methods for producing cooked sweetpotato products suitable for freezing, baking or frying comprising adding to a cooked sweetpotato purée additional edible dry matter, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, a gelling agent and a calcium salt-water suspension sufficient to cause gelling, mixing the aforementioned ingredients together and forming the resulting mixture into desired shapes are disclosed. Structured sweetpotato food products comprising sweetpotato purée, added edible dry matter, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, alginate, added sucrose, added calcium and added water which can be frozen, baked or fried are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is variation in the sexual performance of male mammals. The purpose of this invention is to help identify high sexual performing males, particularly for livestock such as sheep. Testosterone is necessary for the normal execution of male behavior, but baseline levels are not predictive of libido. When a male mammal is given an injection of naloxone (an endorphin antagonist), his testosterone or LH response to the injection predicts whether he is a sexually active or inactive individual. This test is based on the premise that libido is more closely linked to the ability to secrete testosterone rather than baseline concentrations. Naloxone challenge may be used as a general method to predict libido in male mammals.

Abstract: A method of controlling noxious weeds, particularly nutsedge (Cyperus spp) by soil solarization, comprising covering the soil with an effective thickness of a transparent, thermoplastic IR retentive film for a sufficient period of time to either kill or suppress the weeds. Also a field management method for the growing of cash crops susceptible to interference by noxious weeds comprising the steps of forming planting beds of soil; subjecting the soil to soil solarization; painting the film to terminate the solarization period; and transplanting cash crop.

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional object from fibers includes attaching a mold made at least in part of elastomeric material to a porous support. The mold comprises a first mold member defining at least one channel in fluid communication with the porous support. Each channel has within it at least one second mold member. A mixture of fibers and fluid carrier is poured onto the mold. Thereafter, a pressure differential is created across the mold to create a flow of the mixture toward the porous support via the second mold members. This flow causes the fluid carrier to pass through the porous support, thus depositing the fibers within the recessed parts of the second mold members in the mold. Thereafter, the mold is compressed sufficiently to deform the mold and to provide uniform, normal pressure to the fibers which have been deposited in the second mold members.

Abstract: Compositions and lures are described which provide synthetic chemical attractants which function as highly effective attractants for male and female moths, primarily moths of the family Noctuidae. In one aspect, the attractants provide an effective attractant amount of vapor of 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-pentanol or mixtures thereof. In another aspect, the attractants provide vapor blends of acetic acid and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, and 3-methyl-1-pentanol. By attracting male and female moths to traps or baits, the chemical attractants provide a means for detecting, surveying, monitoring, and controlling the moths.

Abstract: Compositions of cis-jasmone were found to effectively attract adult Lepidoptera. The cis-jasmone may be used alone or in combination with one or more other volatiles of the Japanese honeysuckle flower, particularly linalool and/or phenylacetaldehyde. By attracting the adult Lepidoptera to attracticidal baits and/or field traps, the attractants are useful for the control and monitoring of these agricultural pests.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the production of cytokines, particularly inhibiting the production of tumor necrosis factor&agr;, interleukin-10, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1&agr; and the like, in a mammal, including a human, in need thereof which involves administering to such mammal an effective amount, preferably cytokine production inhibiting amount, of a polymethoxylated flavone.

Abstract: A method which combines the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or oligonucleotide linkers and restriction enzymes which cleave degenerate or variable recognition site sequences to allow the cloning of multiple DNA sequences into a vector is disclosed. In this invention, a plurality of unrelated DNA sequences may be directionally cloned within a single vector by adding onto the ends of the sequences, restriction sites with specific sequences which are cleaved by corresponding restriction endonucleases which recognize degenerate or variable recognition sites and which generate cohesive ends upon cleavage. The compatibility (or ability to anneal) of the cohesive ends on different DNA sequences is controlled by the choice of the nucleotide sequence within the recognition sequences of the restriction endonucleases, allowing the DNA sequences to be inserted or joined in any desired orientation.

Abstract: A novel entomopathogenic nematode of the genus Steinernema, which is effective as a biopesticide for the control of insects, and particularly the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea, and the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. This nematode has been identified as Steinernema riobravis.

Abstract: Immobilized bioactive protein compositions are prepared containing a bioactive protein such as an enzyme intercalated into galleries of a phyllosilicate, and a crosslinking compound crosslinking the phyllosilicate and the bioactive protein. The phyllosilicate may contain sodium or alkylammonium ions and be montmorillonite. The protein may be lipoxygenase, and crosslinking compounds include tetramethyl orthosilicate, tetraethoxy silicate, propyltrimethoxy silicate, polydimethylortho silicate and methyltrimethoxy silicate. The composition is prepared by delaminating a sodium-saturated phyllosilicate, mixing a bioactive protein with the delaminated phyllosilicate and crosslinking with a crosslinking compound. After crosslinking, the composition may be vacuum dried and ground.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for attracting and subsequently trapping and/or killing adults of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, or interfering with their reproduction. The aggregation pheromones, 4-(n-heptyloxy)butanal and 4-(n-heptyloxy)butan-1-one, in combination with a trap or toxicant, provide means for monitoring, killing or inhibiting the reproduction of these insects.

Abstract: The arachidonic acid-metabolizing hopanoid tetrahydroxybacteriohopane (THBH) was isolated from Zymomonas mobilis and was found to inhibit soybean 15-lipoxygenase, and thus lipoxin biosynthesis, with an IC50 of about 10 &mgr;M. The activities of two other arachidonic acid-metabolizing enzymes, human 5-lipoxygenase (involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis) and prostaglandin H synthase, were unaffected by THBH. Subsequent studies showed that THBH was effective as an anti-inflammatory agent in topical applications.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for producing dough, preferably wheat dough, with particular viscoelastic properties and the use of such dough in products such as breads and noodles. Viscoelastic variation is effected by using flour milled from seed containing non-natural HMW glutenin subunits. In particular, HMW glutenin subunits comprising a non-natural repetitive domain having repeats which are non-natural in number and/or synthetic in sequence are used to control viscoelastic properties of dough. It is demonstrated that while controlling for termini and repeat sequence, modifying repeat number may be used to change dough properties such as viscoelasticity. The invention also provides recombinant genes encoding the subject HMW glutenin subunits, plants and seeds comprising such genes, methods of making such plants by genetic engineering, doughs and other wheat products with modified viscoelastic properties and methods of making such product using the disclosed compositions.

Abstract: Methods to detect prion or PrP-Sc protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), including preclinical detection of infected live animals, and postmortem detection methods, are described. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a non-invasive diagnostic assay using third eyelid-associated lymphoid tissue. In another aspect, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind a conserved epitope of PrP-Sc protein in fixed or frozen treated tissue.

Abstract: Compositions for preparing edible coatings for fruits, vegetables, and prepared foods, which include polyvinyl acetate, provide a coating with a high gloss.

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: A method for extracting prion protein from a biological material, e.g., an animal tissue or product. In a specific example, abnormal prion protein is extracted from homogenized sheep brain with hexafluoro-2-propanol. The hexafluoro-2-propanol is separated from the aqueous brain preparation by increasing the ionic strength of the aqueous solution. Prion protein in the organic extract can be further purified, or the extract can be tested, e.g., by immunoassay, for the presence of prion protein, and more particularly abnormal prion protein. The extraction process permits testing for the presence of abnormal prior protein, e.g., for diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE).