Abstract: A method and bioreactor (10) apparatus is described for maintaining cells in a culture medium containing gas or liquid aphrons. A preferred microbubble generator (42, 42A) of a gas which is necessary for maintaining the cells to produce plant derived chemicals is described. Bioparticles (11) containing magnetically susceptible particles are provided in a column (12) surrounded by a solenoids (13, 14, 14A) which act to hold the bioparticles in position in the column. Preferably, one of the solenoids with a magnetically susceptible screen (24) acts as a valve to allow a portion of the bioparticles to be removed from the column.

Abstract: A method for increasing aroma and reducing fungal growth in vegetables and fruits is described. The method uses hexanal in a controlled atmosphere to treat the harvested fruit. The method has been found to be particularly effective for Penicillium sp. and Botrytis sp.

Abstract: A method wherein grain flour proteins are cross-linked with aldehydes and bleached with a bleaching agent to form cross-linked transparent polymers is described. The process uses ethanol and water for the extraction at acid or basic pH's and optionally heating with or without a reducing agent to provide the polymers to be bleached and cross-linked. The polymers are particularly useful as films for packaging.

Abstract: A process for producing protected 3-amino-1,2-dihydroxypropane acetal, particularly in chiral forms, for use as an intermediate in the preparation of various 3-carbon compounds which are chiral. In particular, the present invention relates to the process for preparation of 3-amino-1,2-dihydroxypropane isopropylidene acetal. The protected 3-amino-1,2-dihydroxypropane acetal is a key intermediate to the preparation of chiral 3-carbon compounds which in turn are intermediates to various pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Semi-crystalline alumina compositions with framework mesopores are disclosed. The compositions are assembled from inorganic aluminum precursors and nonionic polyethylene oxide surfactants. The new assembly pathway introduces several new concepts to alumina mesostructure synthesis. The application of low-cost, non-toxic and biodegradable surfactants and low cost aluminum reagents as alumina precursors which are inorganic and low solution reaction temperatures, introduces efficient and environmentally clean synthetic techniques to the formation of mesostructures. Recovery of the surfactant can be achieved through solvent extraction where the solvent may be water or ethanol or by calcination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning discontinuous fibers (F 101, 212) is described. A feeder apparatus (20, 120, 220, 220A) is used to align the fibers in a horizontal plane for feeding to the aligning apparatus (40, 140, 240, 240A) providing an electrical (E) field to orient the fibers in one preselected direction. A support or conveyor (70, 170, 270) receives the aligned fibers. The method and apparatus provides composite products having improved physical properties because of the alignment. The fibers can be of different lengths and a mixture of different types to make composites with controlled microstructure and properties. The composite materials can be in the form of non-woven, discontinuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic stampable sheets with controlled fiber orientation distribution. The composites are useful for a variety of goods.

Abstract: A method for forming gas or liquid aphrons with reversible surfactants or emulsifiers is described. Polymers which change their emulsifying properties upon change of pH, temperature or other condition are used to form the aphrons. The aphrons are useful for chemical reactions and separations, mass transfer processes, and for biological processes.

Abstract: A new method for the preparation of a whole cell bacterial vaccine for improved protection against bacterial pathogens, particularly against those pathogens which have multiple antigenic serotypes is described. The method particularly involves disruption of the whole cells using a French press of the whole cells of virulent strains of the bacteria. The preferred vaccine prevented infection of swine with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), which causes porcine contagious pleuropneumonia. The vaccine has good safety and few side effects even at a higher dose than commonly used for bacterins and improved protection against the homologous serotype of the pathogen; and improved cross-protection against heterologous serotypes. The whole cell vaccine, is most useful for veterinary (lower mammal) vaccines.

Abstract: A method for controlling Poa trivialis using a bacterium which is a Xanthomonas campestris pathovar which produces a wilt in the weed grass is described. In particular, the use of a Xanthomonas campestris which infects the Poa trivialis types to suppress or kill this weed grass is described. The method allows non-weedy grasses to develop without interference from Poa trivialis to improve lawns, golf courses and the like.

Abstract: A series of alkali metal bismuth or bismuth and antimony, antimony chalcogenides (Te or S) are described. The compounds have a unique combination electrical properties.

Abstract: A method and test kit for determining milk production in bovines is described. The acetyl coenzyme A synthetase (ACS) production is determined and related to milk production. The method is useful in selection and/or breeding to enhance milk production. Recombinant microganisms, plasmids and ACS is also described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method is provided for analyzing the rigidity of substructures within a molecule represented as atomic coordinate and bond data. The system includes a preprocessor for selectively eliminating from the data those bonds below a predetermined strength to thereby generate filtered data. The system also has a data structure for representing the filtered data as a network of vertices and constraints from which rigidity information is inferred. A topography processor is provided for extracting the rigidity information from the network and constructing an index data structure to represent the extracted rigidity information. The system also includes an analyzer coupled to the index data structure for identifying rigid and floppy substructures within the molecule based on the indices.

Abstract: A recombinant poxvirus vaccine against feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) is described. The recombinant poxviruses include synthetic genes encoding either a gB or gD precursor polypeptide or mixtures of the two recombinant poxviruses. The vaccine is used to provide immunity to FHV-1 in cats.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for determining and quantifying the resistance to scuff damage of a film (152) adhered to a substrate (150) of a panel (154), is described. The system includes a computer (102), pressure control valves (104) and a test module (10). The test module has an indentor support plate (12) with an indentor (24 or 224), a compression moving plate (14) and an end plate (16). The plates are connected together by rods (18). The indentor support plate and the end plate are mounted at opposite ends of the rods with the compression moving plate mounted therebetween. An actuator (36) having bellows (42) is mounted between the end plate and the compression moving plate. The panel is mounted on a sliding panel support plate (58) which is connected to a load cell (106). In use, the panel support plate and the panel are positioned between the compression moving plate and the indentor support plate so that the indentor is adjacent the film on the substrate.

Abstract: Anthocyanin containing fractions isolated from tart cherries and exhibiting inhibition of oxidation when introduced into various materials is described. The fractions are particularly useful in high and low moisture foods.

Abstract: Homostructured, cation exchanged, layered compositions containing mixed onium and alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, protonated hydronium ions and mixtures thereof are described. Particulate concentrates formed by intercalation of a polymer component into the galleries of the layered inorganic and organic homostructured layered cation exchange composition and to the use of the particulate concentrates for the preparation of cured polymer-inorganic nanolayer hybrid composite compositions are described. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the layered inorganic composition is selected from the family of 2:1 layered silicate clays.

Abstract: Method of propagating viruses that replicate in embryonated eggs or in primary cultures of chicken embryo cells on an immortal, virus-free, contact-inhibited, and non-oncogenic chicken embryo cell line. The method supports replication of avian viruses of the Birnaviridae, Coronaviridae, Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Picornaviridae, Polyomaviridae, Poxviridae, and Reoviridae families. The immortal cell line of the present invention supports replication of swine influenza virus, for instance. The cell line is useful for virus isolation diagnostic assays and for propagating virus suitable for live or killed vaccines.

Abstract: An electronically controlled micro-dispensing apparatus (10 or 210) is described. The apparatus includes a liquid storage container (12), a propellant container (16), a control circuit (34 or 42) and an ejector (28). In a second embodiment, the liquid and propellant are in the same container (212). The control circuits control the length of pulse and the time duration between each pulse. By controlling these factors, the apparatus dispenses a precise amount of liquid over a set time period. The ejector allows for controlled dispensing and allows the liquid to be sprayed a greater distance. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus are used to dispense a pheromone in an outdoor setting, such as an orchard, to control insects.

Abstract: Anthocyanin containing fractions isolated from tart cherries and exhibiting inhibition of oxidation when introduced into various materials is described. The fractions are particularly useful in high and low moisture foods.

Abstract: A method and test kit for deterining milk production in bovines is described. The acetyl coenzyme A synthetase (ACS) production is determined and related to milk production. The method is useful in selection and/or breeding to enhance milk production. Recombinant microganisms, plasmids and ACS is also described.