Abstract: This invention provides molecular constructs and methods for the temporally specific control of gene expression in plants or in plant pests or pathogens. More specifically, this invention provides plant miRNA genes having novel circadian expression patterns that are useful for designing recombinant DNA constructs for temporally specific expression of at least one gene. Also provided are non-natural transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing in their genome a recombinant DNA construct of this invention.

Abstract: Sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphatase (SBPase) is an enzyme catalyzing the reaction converting sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphate into sedoheptulose 7-phosphate. This enzyme is located in the chloroplast in leaves and stems. Overexpression of SBPase in transgenic plants is provided to improve plant yield by increasing leaf starch biosynthetic ability in particular and sucrose production in general. Deregulated variants of the enzymes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid sequence from a soybean plant (Glycine max) encoding an ethylene receptor polypeptide. The present invention also relates to methods for reducing an ethylene-induced abscission of reproductive structures by producing a transformed plant containing a modified ethylene receptor gene. The transformed plants herein produced demonstrate yield enhancement at their maturity.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of database information organization. More specifically, the present invention relates to the organization of laboratory procedure information for use in a database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from the bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus and, in particular, to genomic DNA sequences. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules present in non-coding regions as well as nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins. In addition, proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding the proteins are encompassed by the present invention. The invention also encompasses oligonucleotides including primers, e.g. useful for amplifying nucleic acid molecules, and collections of nucleic acid molecules and oligonucleotides, e.g. in microarrays. The invention also provides constructs and transgenic cells and organisms comprising nucleic acid molecules of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for determining transcription rate of mRNA in eukaryotic cells using nuclear runoff transcription where labeled RNA molecules are hybridized against an array of at least 500 nucleic acid molecule probes representing at least part of the genome of the native eukaryotic organism to identify the quantity of nascent mRNA transcripts in said cells. The method can be used to simultaneously identify the quantity of a large number of mRNA transcripts. A rate of degradation for distinct mRNA in a eukaryotic cell rate is determined by comparing a steady state mRNA with nuclear runoff mRNA. Steady state to nuclear runoff ratios are used to determine gene and mRNA structure function relations that leads to gene expression and mRNA stability, predict structural determinants for mRNA stability and predict regulatory motifs for transcription rates.

Abstract: An improved tubular seed collecting device comprising a funnel-shaped base which protrudes into the tubular space of the device. The seed collecting device has tabs on its legs and/or elongated bosses on the inside wall of the cup. The tabs serve to limit the insertion of the legs into the plant growth medium to allow horizontal growth of the plant under the level of the cup. The tabs and the bosses improve the air flow through the device. Sturdier leg design allows more re-use of each device.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of bioinformatics, particularly as it pertains to determining the associations of biological elements. More specifically, the present invention relates to the determination of associations among a set of biological elements using an algorithm that is capable of generating a Steiner tree.

Abstract: Arrays of polynucleotide or polypeptide target molecules immobilized on a surface of a substrate where the target molecules are arranged in the array according to intensity of organism expression of cognate probe molecules which hybridize to the target molecules. For instance, target molecules having a higher than average indicia of hybridization, e.g. at least a factor of 2, are segregated at a peripheral region of the substrate and at a lower surface density. Preferred arrays can contain animal, plant or microorganism target molecules including Aspergillus nidulans. Diagnostic arrays can comprise targets from mixed species, e.g. human, mouse and virus; plant breeding arrays can comprise targets from mixed plants, e.g. Arabidopsis thaliana, maize, soy, cotton, wheat, rice, canola and potato.

Abstract: Mulch mat comprising an air and water-permeable, light-impermeable, open celled, composite of granular material and biodegradable fibers in a binder matrix prepared from a foam precursor. Disclosed biodegradable fibers include cellulosic fibers such as shredded wood, straw, shredded paper, wood pulp, cotton fiber, shredded corn stalks and moss; protein fibers such as hair and gelatin; and synthetic polymer such as vinyl polymer fibers and polyamide fibers. Disclosed granular material includes milled hard vegetation such as corn cob, nut shells, seed hulls, seeds, bark and gourds; soil builders such as vermiculite, perlite, sand, diatomaceous earth and gypsum; nutrients such as nitrate compounds, potassium compounds and phosphorus compounds; soil conditioners such as limestone, sulfur and iron sulfate. Useful binders include polysaccharides, polyglycosides, vegetable gums, vinyl polymers, waxes and crosslinkable oils. Useful surfactants include saponin, e.g. extract of Yucca shidigera, and amine surfactants.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a substantially non-sag liquid mixture coating on a substantially vertical surface by applying a coating having continuously increasing thickness from one edge to another edge of the liquid mixture composed of at least two miscible liquid components and situating the edge at which the surface tension of the coating liquid mixture will be greater, as the more volatile liquid component evaporates, at a higher vertical position than the other edge.

Abstract: Biodegradable mulch mat comprising an air and water-permeable, light-impermeable, open celled, composite of granules and fibers in a binder matrix prepared from a foam precursor. Biodegradable fibers include cellulosic fibers such as shredded wood, straw, paper, corn stalks, cotton fiber and mosses; protein fibers such as hair; and synthetic polymer fibers such as vinyl polymer fibers and polyamide fibers. Granules include milled hard vegetation such as corn cob, nut shells, seed hulls, seeds, gourds and bark. The mulch mats can also comprise pigments, fungicides, soil builders such as vermiculite, perlite, sand, diatomaceous earth and gypsum; nutrients such as nitrate, potassium and phosphorus compounds; soil conditioners such as limestone, sulfur and iron sulfate. Useful binders include polysaccharides, glycosides, vegetable gums, vinyl polymers, waxes and crosslinkable oils. Useful surfactants include saponins, e.g. extract of Yucca shidigera, and amine surfactants.

Abstract: A powder of tantalum, niobium, or an alloy thereof, having an oxygen content less than about 300 ppm, and the production thereof without exposure to a temperature greater than about 0.7 T.sub.H. A powder metallurgy formed product of tantalum, niobium, or an alloy thereof, having an oxygen content less than about 300 ppm, and the production thereof without exposure to a temperature greater than about 0.7 T.sub.H.

Abstract: An improved flaked tantalum powder and process for making the flaked powder are disclosed. The powder is characterized by having a Scott density greater than about 13 g/in.sup.3 and preferably at least about 90% of the flake particles having no dimension greater than about 55 micrometers. Agglomerates of the flaked tantalum powder, provide improved flowability, green strength and pressing characteristics compared to conventional flaked tantalum powders. The improved flaked tantalum powder can be made by preparing a flaked tantalum and then reducing the flake size until a Scott density greater than about 18 g/in.sup.3 is achieved. The invention also provides pellets and capacitors prepared from the above-described flaked tantalum powder.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a submerged web through a liquid, comprising a cylindrical tube with ends adapted to prevent fluid flow out of said ends and/or with a peripheral area containing a plurality of uniformly sized and spaced apertures. A liquid pump, e.g. a venturi, supplies a flow of liquid into the tube allowing a moving web to be carried on a liquid bearing over a part of the aperture-containing peripheral area. The tube can be rotated, e.g. by a fluid jet, to assist in conveying a porous web being treated with the fluid providing web floatation off the tube.

Abstract: Composite mirrors on a substrate comprising a mixture of up to 20 percent of polymer and at least 80 percent of metal clusters, e.g. of gold, palladium or silver, which have a nominal diameter less than 100 nanometers and which are agglomerated in a layer conforming to the surface of the substrate. Composite mirrors are produced by coating a substrate with a solution comprising at least 80 percent solvent, e.g. water and alcohol, and up to 20 percent of a mixture of up to 20 percent polymer, e.g. methylcellulose, and at least 80 percent metal, present as a salt of volatiles-forming anion, e.g. silver lactate or palladium acetate; dry films of polymer and salt are exposed to heat or ultraviolet light to convert the salt to metal clusters. Polymeric mirrors are especially useful for making reflection holograms on polymeric surfaces embossed with a latent holographic image in a relief pattern.

Abstract: Dispersions of electrically conductive particles useful for preparing electrically conductive, essentially ionically isolative composite layers having electrically conductive particles dispersed in a polymer matrix. Composite layers can be used in laminates for electrochromic displays where an ionically conductive layer is in contact with electrochromic material. Such displays comprise means for applying an electrical potential across the interface of the ionically conductive layer and the electrochromic material to generate an electrochromic effect at the interface. Electrochromic materials can be provided in the laminates as layers between the ionically conductive layer and the composite layer of electrically conductive particles dispersed in a polymer matrix. Alternatively, the electrochromic material can be incorporated in the conductive particles in the polymer matrix, e.g. as titanium dioxide coated with antimony tin oxide coated with polyaniline dispersed in an light transmitting polymer matrix.

Abstract: Metal/polymer laminates prepared from essentially insoluble anionomeric polymer film layer with catalytic metal, e.g. palladium, exchanged into surface acid groups which can be reduced to provide catalytic metal clusters for catalyzing electroless deposition of metal which is resistant to removal by adhesive tape. Anionomeric polymer films are coated from solutions, emulsions or dispersions of sulfonated or carboxylated polyesters or sulfonated, phosphonated or carboxylated perfluorocarbon polymer, dried and heat treated, e.g. at 120.degree.-180.degree. C., to render the coating insoluble.

Abstract: Flexible printed circuits comprising cobalt circuitry electrolessly deposited on an activated ink coating prepared by heating a wet ink comprising a polymer, e.g. a vinyl polymer such as polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl alcohol or an unsaturated polymer such as polybutadiene, and a Group 1B or 8 compound, e.g. palladium dichloride, which is adapted to drying at room temperature to a catalytically inert ink. Selective areas of the ink activated by application of heat or light are catalytic to electroless deposition of cobalt.