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 and bioreactor apparatus is described for growing plant cells, particularly 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. 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. The method is particularly described for producing daidzein and genistein.

Abstract: A shroud for an axial blade fan provides a circumferential, axially directed flow of air between the fan blade tips and the shroud to improve fan efficiency. The shroud preferably includes a smaller, centrally disposed fan which is driven by an auxiliary motor, a circumferentially extending generally toroidal plenum, a plurality of hollow spokes providing fluid communication between the fan and the plenum, a circular throat which directs air toward the annulus between the shroud and the fan blade tips and a throat adjacent, circumferential Coanda surface which controls and guides air exiting the throat. Air is provided to the shroud plenum at a pressure of between about 2 and 10 inches water gauge (4 to 20 Torr). The narrowest region of the circular throat has a width of between about 1 mm to 5 mm. Adjustment of the air pressure and throat dimension allows accurate control of the velocity profile of the air flow through the annulus.

Abstract: A protein derivable from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) having a molecular size ranging between 43 Kd on SDS PAGE is described. The protein is soluble on sodium lauryl sarcosinate (SLS) and not heat modifiable. The protein can also be derived by recombinant methods. The protein in a vaccine provides immunity against multiple serotypes of APP.

Abstract: An analytical method for detecting the presence poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) which can be used as an indicator of atherosclerotic risk. A novel antibody to PHB for use in the preferred analytical method is described.

Abstract: A recombinant Streptomyces sp. which exhibits hyperproduction of an antibiotic, particularly actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin, as a result of interruption of the absA homologous locus of chromosomal DNA (SEQ ID NO:1) is described. The gene is thought to encode a histidine kinase and a response regulator. The preferred bacterium is Streptomyces coelicolor. It is preferred to interrupt the absA1 gene with ermE DNA.

Abstract: Chicken cell lines which contain Marek's Disease Virus (MDV) which is present as a non-lytic or a lytic infection of the cell line and method of production are described. Methods and vaccines against avian MDV prepared from the cell lines are also described.

Abstract: Composite products incorporating a polymer matrix, polymer microspheres, glass microspheres and natural fibers, particularly kenaf are described. The polymer microspheres are 15 to 50 microns in diameter and are smaller that the glass microspheres which are 50 to 200 microns in diameter. The polymer microspheres reduce voids and prevent cracking of the glass microspheres upon compression. The composites have low cost and high strength.

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: A sustainable cell line of a Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDV) infected chicken cell line derived from chick embryo cells which are chicken helper factor (Chf) negative and which have been treated with N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguansidine (MNNG) and then converted with the MDV which is able to infect avians in vivo. The cell line is useful for vaccine production and for determining the characteristics of the MDV under various conditions.

Abstract: DNA encoding glycoproteins gD, gI and part of gE from Marek's disease herpesvirus is described. The DNA is useful for probes to detect the DNA in the herpesvirus, for expression to produce the glycoproteins can be used for producing the antibodies which specifically recognize the three glycoprotein antigens, and in the case of the latter two genes, for potential insertion sites for foreign genes. Novel glycoproteins and regulatory sequences are also disclosed.

Abstract: A DNA fragment encoding a carbohydrate binding lectin BJ38 in chromosomal DNA of Bradyrhizobium japonicum is described. The DNA is used as a source of the lectin, as a probe and as DNA for recombinant strains of rhizobium with enhanced nodulation and production in legumes.

Abstract: Sugar beet plants which are resistant to both imidazolinone and sulfonylurea herbicides are described. The sugar beet plants are derived from susceptible cells by sequential selection of SU-R cells, plant regeneration, and re-selection for IM-R. The resistant sugar beet plants derived from the cells can be grown in fields where imidazolinones and sulfonylureas have been used for weed control.

Abstract: A neutral templating route to mesoporous molecular sieves based on H-bonding and self-assembly between neutral primary amine or diamine surfactants (S.degree.) and neutral inorganic precursors (I.degree.) has been used to prepare hexagonal and lamellar mesoporous silicas with site isolated transition metal centers. This templating approach allows for the preparation of hexagonal or hexagonal-like mesoporous oxidation catalysts with large framework wall thickness of at least about 17 .ANG., small elementary particle size (.ltoreq.400 .ANG.), and unique combinations of framework-confined mesopores and textural mesopores while at the same time providing for facile recovery of the neutral template by simple solvent extraction. The templating of neutral metallosilicate precursors (I.degree.) with neutral diamine surfactants (S.degree.-S.degree.

Abstract: The predominant effect of pH change on multidrug resistance (MDR) independent of active drug efflux has been demonstrated in tumor cells through studies of the drugs doxorubicin and daunomycin. Specifically, the distribution of both drugs was monitored in fibroblasts and myeloma cells to examine the role of pH in drug partitioning. The invention comprises in one aspect the treatment of MDR by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pH modulator. Diagnostic utilities are contemplated and extend to drug discovery assays and methods for measuring monitoring the status of the onset or development of pH-related conditions such as MDR, as well as the measurement of intracellular drug accumulation. Therapeutic compositions include a composition comprising a pH modulator alone or in combination with the dose-limited therapeutic agent(s), and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, are also contemplated.

Abstract: A process for providing vicinal dimethyl long chain between alkyl groups of organic compounds is described. The process uses intact or disrupted cells of various species of bacteria, particularly Thermoanaerobacter sp., Sarcina sp. and Butyrivibrio sp. The process can be conducted in an aqueous reaction mixture at room temperatures.

Abstract: An improved method for amplifying cDNA fragments corresponding to the mRNA species expressed in cells is described. The method involves priming the mRNA with a first labeled synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide and then reverse transcribing the mRNA to produce a mRNA:cDNA hybrid; and then producing a double-stranded DNA from the hybrid. This DNA is digested with a restriction endonuclease and then a synthetic DNA linker, carrying a second label, is ligated at the cut to the DNA strand containing the 5' phosphate group. The DNA is then isolated with a first reagent which binds the second label. The DNA fragments of interest are then isolated using a second reagent which binds the first label. The isolated DNA fragments are amplified using polymerase chain reaction, and then separated on a sequencing gel. The method is particularly useful for comparing the mRNA species expressed in the cells of various samples.

Abstract: A method and system for classification of biological materials is described. The system (100) includes a microscope (10), a digitizing camera (20) and a computer (30). The method includes the steps of capturing the digital image (40) of the biological material or cell (12) using the digitizing camera preferably through the microscope (10). The captured image is digitized and displayed on the computer screen (32). The digitized image is then enhanced using a grey level value thresholding process, a cluster recognition process and a boundary determination process. The resulting enhanced image (40C) is then used to determine the perimeter surface (40D) of the cell. The enhanced image is subjected to a box counting routine in which the number of boxes occupied by the perimeter surface is calculated for various different box sizes. The box counting calculations are plotted using a power-law analysis.

Abstract: A mutant urease of Klebsiella aerogenes characterized as .alpha.H219Q having a glutamine (Q) in position 219 in place of histidine (H). The resulting enzyme has a low affinity for substrate (high value of K.sub.m) and is particularly useful in assays and test kits for measuring urea concentrations in body fluids.

Abstract: A method and bioreactor (10) apparatus is described for growing plant cells, particularly 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. 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. The method is particularly described for producing daidzein and genistein.