Abstract: A method is disclosed for making more efficient the particle-mediated germ line genetic transformation of bean species such as soybean. After a particle-mediated transformation event, in the absence of a selectable marker gene, relatively large numbers of plants must be regenerated to find the relatively low likelihood germ line transformation events which have occurred. It has been discovered that using in the transformation process a marker gene linked to the gene of interest, and by excising a segment of the stem of the shoot during the regeneration process and assaying the segment for the marker gene, certain patterns or phenotypes can be identified in the stem segment which are associated with an increased frequency of germ line transformation events. As the plants are regenerated, other indices of gene expression, at the first trifoliate leaf stage and at the third or fourth trifoliate leaf stage, also serve as markers of the likelihood of germ line transformation.

Abstract: A method for making an agriculturally useful inoculant of dried, dormant bacteria is described. To make the inoculant, a suspension of Rhizobium or other bacteria is maintained, substantially separated from its culture medium, at a temperature in the range of about 0.degree.-30.degree. C. for varying periods of time under aseptic conditions. The bacterial suspension is then mixed with a porous chemically inert granular carrier such that the weight ratio of carrier to bacteria is in the range of about 0.5 to 1.0. Finally, the bacteria-carrier mixture is air dried for a period of about 2 to 10 days under aseptic conditions.

Abstract: A selective growth medium for the isolation of Mobiluncus includes a medium base including an aqueous preparation of a gelling agent and a nutrient broth effective for culturing Mobiluncus. The selective growth medium of the invention further includes a first antimicrobial agent in effective antimicrobial amounts, the antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of colistin, nalidixic acid, and combinations of colistin and nalidixic acid, the colistin having a concentration less than 32 micrograms/ml and the nalidixic acid having a concentration less than 100 micrograms/ml. Tinidazole is included as a second antimicrobial agent in effective, antimicrobial amounts not greater than 1.0 micrograms/ml. Nile Blue A is also included in Gardnerella Vaginalis inhibiting concentrations.

Abstract: A biological inoculant is disclosed for facilitating and fostering the growth of edible corn plants. The inoculant includes spores of strains of Trichoderma hamatum and Trichoderma harzianum, with or without a carrier.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for efficiently using genic male-sterile maize in hybrid seed production which allows economical maintenance of male-sterile stocks. This method enhances a natural linkage between a selected male-sterile gene and a marker gene conditioning an easily observable trait by deletion and screening to create stocks in which the linkage is effectively complete.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating and utilizing genic male-sterile maize for hybrid maize production. The method makes use of the Spm transposable element system and involves creation of a mutated male fertile allele, mutated by the presence of the Spm suppression receptor therein, expression of which is suppressed in the presence of the Spm suppressor. Methods are disclosed for transferring this system into any inbred line of interest for use in hybrid seed production.

Abstract: An assay method for the detection of a specific nucleotide target sequence in a polynucleotide test extract is disclosed which utilizes a polynucleotide modified probe including both a cDNA sequence substantially complementary to the specific target sequence and a protein binding sequence. The assay is conducted by exposing the modified probe to the polynucleotide test extract for hybridization and then exposing the complex to the protein which binds to the protein binding sequence. An assay, such as an immunoassay, can then be conducted on the test sample to indicate the presence of the specific target sequence by detecting the presence of the binding protein.

Abstract: A culture medium and method for the isolation and culture of plant protoplasts is disclosed which includes in it a quantity of neutral mammalian blood serum. An addition of 1 to 25% serum to protoplast media results in a greater yield of viable protoplast cells, helps to protect the protoplasts in culture, and makes it possible to obtain and maintain corn protoplasts, a heretofore difficult task.

Abstract: A plant tissue culture device is disclosed for the culturing of a plurality of plant cell tissue cultures or callus cultures on a liquid medium. The cultures are maintained in culture wells on a culture plate and a porous wick is used to transport nutrient medium to the cultures from a supply of medium in a medium vessel underneath the culture plate.

Abstract: A system for making woven articles and kits from which woven articles may be manufactured using the woven construction system are disclosed. The woven construction system includes the use of at least two spaced shaping bands which are interconnected by a plurality of vertical struts which are received within aligned holes in each of the shaping bands. The skeletal structure thus produced by the shaping bands and vertical struts can then be woven by an elongated weaving strip to produce a finished tubular woven construction. Several kits are disclosed which may be assembled into finished woven articles by persons not generally skilled in making woven objects without the use of additional jigs or fixtures.

Abstract: A thermal break ventilator unit designed to extend between the opposed end jambs of a window frame. The thermal break ventilator unit has a box-shaped body with a ventilating passage therethrough. Essentially cylindrical, opposed raceways are attached to the opposed end jambs within the box-shaped body. A substantially drum-shaped closure unit rotates within the opposed raceways. The closure unit has a closed position wherein the ventilating passage is closed and an open position wherein the venilating passage is substantially unrestricted by the closure unit. Structural heat transfer barriers are incorporated into the metallic parts of the thermal break ventilating unit and are so located that, when the closure unit is in its closed position, there is no continuous, metallic path by which heat can flow between the interior and exterior parts of the ventilator unit.

Abstract: A naso-gastric feeding device is disclosed which includes a highly flexible feeding tube carried inside of a semi-flexible guide tube. The guide tube is inserted into the patient and then fluid is forced through the guide tube into the patient carrying with it the feeding tube. The guide tube is then withdrawn so that only the feeding tube is left in the patient with feeding taking place therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus within a camera for optimizing the location of the image surface of the lens of a camera relative to the image receiving surface such as film for different adjustments of the lens. A camera having an adjustable lens, nominal image receiving surface, focusing analog, and apparatus for adjusting the position of one such element with respect to the others to compensate for changes in the position of the image surface caused by adjustment of the lens to thereby place the image surface in best fit relationship to the nominal image receiving surface when correct focus is indicated by the focusing analog. The apparatus may provide for manual adjustment utilizing a setting determined on the basis of the focus setting, aperture setting and focal length setting of the lens. Automatic compensation may alternatively be provided within the camera as changes are made in lens adjustment.

Abstract: An easel having a flat surfaced easel board mounted upon a single pedestal, the easel board being rotatable on the pedestal about horizontal and vertical axes. The pedestal is mounted upon a support base and is adjustable in height so that the easel board can be raised or lowered by adjusting the pedestal to a selected position. Extensible work holding clamps are provided at the top and bottom of the easel board. The easel is adapted to be disassembled for portability.

Abstract: A casing feeder device which attaches to and is adapted for use with a shell reloading machine. A casing hopper is mounted on the top of an upright loading tube and has a discharge opening through which casings fall by gravity rim end downwardly to the receiver portion of the reloading machine. An adjustable tube support collar loosely surrounds and supports the loading tube in an upright position, and is attached to a reciprocating link on the reloading machine to provide agitation to the hopper as the link is moved, causing migration of casings within the hopper to the discharge opening.

Abstract: A traction device having a pair of cleats that mount on the periphery of an automobile tire to provide temporary traction on ice, deep snow, mud and other adverse conditions for on and off the road travel. The cleats are each rigidly mounted to a pair of channels with one of the channels being inserted into the other to allow mounting of the cleats on a wheel. A handle mounted by a linkage to one of the channels engages protruding latches on the other channel, such that rotation of the handle draws the two channels together until the handle reaches a locked position wherein the cleats are firmly held on the tire.

Abstract: Simulated food products are provided by incorporating flavoring, coloring, and texturizing agents with a low calorie oleaginous fibrous food base composition. The base composition comprises a mixture of edible gum, edible oil, water and particulate fibrous cellulose. The base composition may be produced by mixing an edible gum with water, mixing an oil and emulsifier therewith to form a binding mixture, and uniformly mixing particulate fibrous cellulose throughout the mass of the binding mixture, with flavoring, coloring, and texturizing agents being added as appropriate to form a desired simulated food product.

Abstract: A safety reflective trim strip includes a holding frame of any selected length having a holding channel therein into which one or more reflector lenses are inserted. The holding frame is cut to any desired length and includes special features for aid in its attachment to an object. End caps are provided to close the ends of the holding channel after the reflector lenses are inserted. The reflector lenses are either slid into the holding frame through one open end thereof or are snapped into the holding frame from the front.

Abstract: A method and device for teaching the comparative measurement of heat flow through and into selected sample materials. The device includes a container constructed of relatively low heat conductive material and adapted to be partitioned into at least two identical chambers. Means for holding sample materials, filling the identical chambers with insulation, covering the container, heating one chamber of the container, measuring the temperature in the identical chambers, and other means for adapting the device for selected investigations are removably received within the container, making the teaching device flexibly adaptable to a variety of teaching uses. The method for teaching the comparative measurement of heat flow through and into selected materials includes exposing at least one heat receiver to a selected source of radiant energy under selected conditions.

Abstract: Doctor blade apparatus having a mounting plate rigidly holding the blade. The doctor blade mounting plate is independently slidably and pivotably mounted by a ball-bearing on each of a plurality of spaced support ports and resiliently supported thereon by compression springs. The apparatus allows movement of the mounting plate and the blade carried thereby in several degrees of freedom with adjustment means providing independent adjustment at each of the supporting posts.