Abstract: A new enzyme, alternanase, which is effective for the endo-hydrolytic cleavage of alternan, producing a thinned composition of low molecular weight fractions which exhibit reduced viscosity and increased solubility relative to native alternan, is described. The enzyme is produced and secreted extracellularly by a plurality of novel bacteria isolated from soil. One of the fractions present in the thinned alternan resulting from hydrolysis with alternanase is a the cyclic tetrasaccharide, cyclo{-6)-.alpha.-D-Glcp-(1,3)-.alpha.-D-Glcp-(1,6)-.alpha.-D-Glcp-(1,3)-. alpha.-D-Glcp-(1-}. A novel method for isolating strains of microorganisms which produce endo-.alpha.-D-glucanases such as alternanase effective for the endo-hydrolytic cleavage or thinning of alternan is also described. Cultures of the subject strains are contacted with a test substrate of alternan coupled to a detectable indicator. Detection of released indicator provides an indication of endo-.alpha.-D-glucanase activity.

Abstract: A new enzyme, alternanase, which is effective for the endo-hydrolytic cleavage of alternan, producing a thinned composition of low molecular weight fractions which exhibit reduced viscosity and increased solubility relative to native alternan, is described. The enzyme is produced and secreted extracellularly by a plurality of novel bacteria isolated from soil. One of the fractions present in the thinned alternan resulting from hydrolysis with alternanase is a the cyclic tetrasaccharide, cyclo{-6)-.alpha.-D-Glcp-(1,3)-.alpha.-D-Glcp-(1,6)-.alpha.-D-Glcp-(1,3)-. alpha.-D-Glcp-(1-}. A novel method for isolating strains of microorganisms which produce endo-.alpha.-D-glucanases such as alternanase effective for the endo-hydrolytic cleavage or thinning of alternan is also described. Cultures of the subject strains are contacted with a test substrate of alternan coupled to a detectable indicator. Detection of released indicator provides an indication of endo-.alpha.-D-glucanase activity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the application of collars to deer and other wild or domestic animals. The apparatus may be adapted for use with collars formed from flexible, relatively non-resilient material which have attachable ends, as well as collars formed from resiliently coiled materials. The apparatus includes a support assembly for holding a collar in an open position with its ends spaced apart from one another, and a trigger for effecting application of the collar when an animal places its neck over the support. When flexible, non-resilient collars are employed, the support is also adapted to propel at least one end of the collar about the animal's neck and contact the opposite end of the collar. The apparatus may also be employed in combination with an animal feeder or bait station to attract animals in the wild.

Abstract: An .alpha.-L-arabinofuranosidase enzyme which is highly thermostable, and is effective for the hydrolysis of arabinofuranosyl residues from L-arabinose containing polysaccharides and hemicelluloses is disclosed. The enzyme is produced by color variant Aureobasidium pullulans strain NRRL Y-21792. This .alpha.-L-arabinofuranosidase may be used in conjunction with xylanolytic enzymes for the treatment of hemicellulosic materials to produce fermentable sugars, particularly xylose and L-arabinose.

Abstract: A process for producing strains of Trichoderma virens which are deficient for production of viridiol for use as biocontrol agents is disclosed. These mutant strains are produced by treatment of viable T. virens with chemical or physical mutagens, preferably by irradiation with ultraviolet light. The treated fungi are then screened for production of viridiol to select for deficient strains. Following recovery, the mutant strains may be used as biocontrol agents for the control of plant diseases by application to the locus of a plant, seedling or seed to be protected. Coating seeds with the biocontrol agent prior to planting has been found to be particularly effective for the control of soilborne root or seedling diseases.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of high yields of .delta.-lactones and 5-hydroxy fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids which are free or esterified with glycerol is disclosed. The .delta.-lactones may be produced by reacting one or more .DELTA..sup.5 or .DELTA..sup.6 unsaturated fatty acids in the presence of an acid, clay or zeolite catalyst. Alternatively, the .delta.-lactones may be produced by reacting one or more triglycerides which are esters of glycerol with .DELTA..sup.5 or .DELTA..sup.6 unsaturated fatty acids with the same catalysts. Because the .delta.-lactones may be produced from the triglycerides of unsaturated fatty acids, the process may be practiced using naturally occurring plant oils directly, without the need for any preliminary steps of saponification. Optionally, the .delta.-lactones so formed may be further reacted with an alkali in an aqueous solution to produce 5-hydroxy fatty acids.

Abstract: Mitochondrial DNA of five isolates of Tilletia indica was isolated and digested with several restriction enzymes. A 2.3 kb- EcoRI fragment was chosen, cloned, and shown to hybridize with total DNA restricted with EcoRI from T. indica and not from a morphologically similar smut fungus, T. barclayana. The clone was partially sequenced, primers were designed and tested under high-stringency conditions in PCR assays. The primer pair Ti1/Ti4 amplified a 2.3 kb fragment from total DNA of 17 T. indica isolates from India, Pakistan and Mexico. DNA from 25 isolates of other smut fungi (T. barclayana, T. foetida, T. caries, T. fusca and T. controversa) did not produce any bands as detected by ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels and Southern hybridizations. Sensitivity of the assay was determined and increased by using a single nested primer in a second round of amplification, so that 1 pg of total mycelial DNA could be detected.

Abstract: Novel pseudopeptide analogs of the insect pyrokinin 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 pyrokinin peptides, analogs are produced which exhibit an overall amphiphilic nature and which are capable of penetrating the insect cuticle while still retaining biological activity. The analogs may be used for insect control by disrupting the reproductive, developmental, and/or digestive processes normally regulated by pryrokinins in insects.

Abstract: Novel pseudopeptide analogs of the insect kinin neuropeptide family which possess biological activity mimicking that of the naturally occurring neuropeptides are disclosed. By substituting a sterically hindered amino acid which is compatible with a turn conformation, for the Xaa.sup.2 amino acid of the insect kinin C-terminal pentapeptide (i.e. Ser, Pro, or Ala), analogs are produced which exhibit resistance to degradation by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) while still retaining biological activity. The analogs may be used for insect control by disrupting the diuretic and/or myotropic activity in insects.

Abstract: A new enzyme, alternanase, which is effective for the endo-hydrolytic cleavage of alternan, producing a thinned composition of low molecular weight fractions which exhibit reduced viscosity and increased solubility relative to native alternan, is described. The enzyme is produced and secreted extracellularly by a plurality of novel bacteria isolated from soil. One of the fractions present in the thinned alternan resulting from hydrolysis with alternanase is a the cyclic tetrasaccharide, cyclo{-6)-.alpha.-D-Glcp-(1,3)-.alpha.-D-Glcp-(1,6)-.alpha.-D-Glcp-(1,3)-. alpha.-D-Glcp-(1-}. A novel method for isolating strains of microorganisms which produce endo-.alpha.-D-glucanases such as alternanase effective for the endo-hydrolytic cleavage or thinning of alternan is also described. Cultures of the subject strains are contacted with a test substrate of alternan coupled to a detectable indicator. Detection of released indicator provides an indication of endo-.alpha.-D-glucanase activity.

Abstract: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify Tilletia indica, the causal agent of Karnal bunt of wheat. The method uses two sets of oligonucleotide primers developed by sequence analysis of cloned Dra I fragments of mitochondrial DNA of T. indica. The primer pair TI17M1 (5'-TCCCCTTGGATCAGAACGTA-3') and TI17M2 (5'-AGAAGTCTAACTCCCCCCTCT-3'), derived from clone pTI-MD17, amplified a single 825-bp product from all isolates of T. indica and no products for other Tilletia species. In addition, the primer pair TI57M1 (5'-TTTTCCCTCTCTC-CTTTTTTCA-3') and TI57M2 (5'-AGCAAAGACAAAGTAGGCTTCC-3'), derived from clone pTI-MD57, produced a product of 118 bp which was unique to T. indica.

Abstract: A new .beta.-glucosidase enzyme which is tolerant to glucose and cellobiose, and which is effective for the hydrolysis of cellobiose to glucose, is disclosed. The enzyme is produced by Candida peltata, strain NRRL Y-21603. This .beta.-glucosidase may be used in conjunction with cellulolytic enzymes for the treatment of cellulosic materials to convert cellulose to glucose.

Abstract: A closed looped pneumatic transport unloading system in a cotton gin transports seed cotton from a trailer or module into the cotton gin. The closed looped pneumatic transport unloading system includes a fan, a cotton receiving unit, a separator, and a cyclone connected by conveying conduits to form the closed loop. The fan is positioned after the cyclone in the closed loop thereby reducing the wear on the fan. Cotton is input into the suction stream of the closed loop at the cotton receiving unit, and output from the suction stream at the separator. An air stream output from the fan is conveyed into the blow box. By providing a closed loop pneumatic transport unloading system, exhaust from this portion of the ginning process is eliminated.

Abstract: A method of combatting microbial infections, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella infections, in immature birds by in ovo administration of an immune lymphokine (ILK) containing preparation in an amount effective to combat microbial infections in immature birds. A method of combatting microbial infections in immature birds by upregulating the production of endogenous Interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the bird. A method of combatting microbial infections in immature birds by in ovo administration of immune lymphokine (ILK).

Abstract: A device for removing foreign matter that collects on a cleaning bar in an apparatus for cleaning fibers of material. The device includes a scraper slidably mounted on a cleaning bar, such as a grid bar in a lint cleaner for scraping foreign matter and lint off the grid bar when the scraper slides along the length of the grid bar. The scraper includes a scraper bar that is in sliding contact with a top surface of the grid bar. The edges of the scraper may be sharp to improve the scraping efficiency. A scraper back plate extends from the scraper bar. The scraper and back plate are mounted on the grid bar using a guide block so that the scraper is slidable along a length of the grid bar. A guide rail may be mounted first on the grid bar to facilitate mounting of the scraper on the grid bar.

Abstract: Immortal avian T lymphocyte cell lines which produce and secrete immune lymphokines are disclosed. These cell lines may be produced from T cells recovered from fowl which have been hyperimmunized in vivo. The activated T cells are first exposed in vitro to a mitogen effective for secondary stimulation thereof, and then virally transformed to produce an immortal cell line. When cultured in vitro, the cell lines produce and secrete immune lymphokines which may be administered to fowl to increase their resistance to infections.

Abstract: A novel organic compound, designated botcinol, has been isolated which possesses significant phytotoxic activity and which may be used as a biodegradable contact herbicide. The compound is a hydroxylated nonalactone that is esterified with 4-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, and has the following structure: ##STR1## Botcinol is produced by culture of a novel strain of the fungus Botrytis cinerea, designated UK 185, and may be subsequently recovered from the culture medium and purified.

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: A novel avirulent strain of Geotrichum candidum has been isolated which is effective to inhibit growth of postharvest pathogens on fruit. In use, protection from postharvest fruit-rots may be afforded by application of an effective amount of the strain onto the surface of fruit.

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.