Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compound having Formula I: or a salt thereof, in which R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are processes to prepare compounds of Formula I and use of Formula I to prepare stable glassy phases.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and nucleic acid constructs that may be used to modify a nucleic acid of interest at a target locus within the genome of a host. In some aspects, the invention contemplates producing in vivo a gene targeting substrate (GTS), which may be comprised of both DNA and RNA components. The gene targeting substrate may comprise a gene targeting nucleotide sequence (GTNS), which is homologous to the target locus, but comprises a sequence modification compared to the target locus. The gene targeting substrate may be produced by reverse transcription of a gene targeting message RNA (gtmRNA). The gene targeting message RNA may be folded for self-priming for reverse transcription by a reverse transcriptase. The gene targeting message RNA may in turn be the product of transcription of a gene targeting construct (GTC) encoding the gene targeting message RNA.

Abstract: Systems for controlling flow effector control surfaces. The system comprises a flow effector control coupled to an elongated bar at one end of the bar. The elongated bar is coupled at the other end to the middle of a T-shaped member. A compliant link is coupled to the bar between the control surface and the T-shaped member. At each end of the T-shaped member is coupled a shape memory alloy wire which acts as an actuating means. When one of the shape memory alloy wire contracts, the elongated bar pivots about the compliant link and activates or retracts the flow effector control surface.

Abstract: A communication float for an oceanographic instrument, such as a profiler, comprising an elongated buoyant float, connected at one to the instrument by means of a neutrally buoyant communication cable, and having an antenna mounted on the other end. The float is ballasted to float at an angle such that the antenna extends from the water when the float is on the surface of the water, and whereby the float is oriented substantially vertically when submerged. The communication float is configured to provide minimal effects on the profiler instrument for either the submerged or floating mode, and to maintain transmission while subjected to wave action on the ocean.

Abstract: Methods for recovery of concentrates of lubricating compounds from vegetable and animal oils, fats and greases that allow separation of triglycerides, from components with higher lubricity or enrichment protocols that increase the concentration of high lubricity compounds in the triglyceride. The triglycerides are transesterified with a lower alcohol to produce alkyl esters. Following the conversion process the esters are separated from high molecular weight high lubricity compounds by distillation. The esters have some lubricity and may be sold as pollution reducing fuel components. The high boiling point compounds that are the residues of distillation, however, can contribute significant lubricity and may be used widely in lubricant applications or added to petroleum fuels to decrease friction.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, single stranded DNA binding proteins (SSB) may be used to modulate homologous recombination in mitosis or meiosis. method are provided for modulating homologous recombination comprising transforming a cell with a nucleic acid encoding a single stranded DNA binding protein; and, allowing the cell to undergo mitosis or meiosis. Similarly, methods are provided for modulating homologous recombination comprising transforming a cell with an inhibitor of expression of a dingle stranded DNA binding protein, such as an antisense or co-suppressive nucleic acid; and, allowing the cell to undergo mitosis or meiosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for encoding an audio signal. In a first embodiment a model relating to temporal masking of sound provided to a human ear is provided. A temporal masking index is determined in dependence upon a received audio signal and the model using a forward and a backward masking function. Using a psychoacoustic model a masking threshold is determined in dependence upon the temporal masking index. Finally, the audio signal is encoded in dependence upon the masking threshold. The method has been implemented using the MPEG-1 psychoacoustic model 2. Semiformal listening test showed that using the method for encoding an audio signal according to the present invention the subjective high quality of the decoded compressed sounds has been maintained while the bit rate was reduced by approximately 10%. In a second embodiment, the inharmonic structure of audio signals is modeled and incorporated into the MPEG-1 psychoacoustic model 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for encoding an audio signal. In a first embodiment a model relating to temporal masking of sound provided to a human ear is provided. A temporal masking index is determined in dependence upon a received audio signal and the model using a forward and a backward masking function. Using a psychoacoustic model a masking threshold is determined in dependence upon the temporal masking index. Finally, the audio signal is encoded in dependence upon the masking threshold. The method has been implemented using the MPEG-1 psychoacoustic model 2. Semiformal listening test showed that using the method for encoding an audio signal according to the present invention the subjective high quality of the decoded compressed sounds has been maintained while the bit rate was reduced by approximately 10%. In a second embodiment, the inharmonic structure of audio signals is modeled and incorporated into the MPEG-1 psychoacoustic model 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a cyclopropene, for example 1-MCP, encapsulated in a cyclodextrin matrix, a hygroscopic compound, yeast and/or other enzymes involved in the production of alcohols and aldehydes from organic substrates, and, optionally an organic substrate for the enzymes. The composition of the present invention provides, under controlled conditions, the co-release of the cyclopropene, alcohols, aldehydes and carbon dioxide, which work together to improve the quality of plants during storage. Methods and commercial packages employing these compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflectarray antenna. The reflectarray antenna comprises a dielectric substrate layer disposed on a ground plane. An array of radiating elements such as microstrip patches of similar size are arranged into a regular lattice configuration on the top surface of the substrate layer. A periodic configuration of slots of variable size are provided at the bottom surface of the substrate layer. A required phase shift at each position on the reflectarray surface is obtained by adjusting the slot length on the ground plane. The incident wave from the feed excites the dominant mode on the microstrip patches The presence of slots acts as an inductive loading of the patches, which introduces a phase shift in the patch response. The inductance of each slot depends on its length.

Abstract: The invention is a method of protecting a plant from thrips comprising the step of applying silica particles to a plant or a plant's surrounding area, wherein the silica particles are fumed silica particles or silica aerogel particles. The act of protecting a plant from thrips includes eradicating thrips, repelling thrips, preventing thrips infestation, inhibiting thrips feeding, inhibiting thrips egg laying, and/or preventing virus acquisition or transmission by thrips.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation f electrostatically-linked, aliphatic- or alicyclic-substituted anionic or cationic polysaccharide gels from readily available macroporous ionic polysaccharide chromatographic media, such as diethylaminoethyl (DEAE), quaternary aminoethyl (QAE) and sulfopropyl (SP) substituted polysaccharide gels. These novel gels are used for the isolation, recovery and purification of non-polar extractives using one or more extracting solvents from the group of lower alcohols, ketones, and water. The non-polar extractives may be alk(n)lyresorcinols, steroid, triterpenoid, cardiac glycosides and saponins, steryl ferulates and other phenolic acid conjugates, flavonoids, lipids, alcohol-soluble antimicrobials, prolamines or other alcohol-soluble proteolipid complexes.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides new variants of the Fad3 enzyme, including amino acid substitutions, as well as nucleic acid sequences encoding such peptides. Other aspects of the invention include transgenic plants and plant parts. Vectors capable of transforming plant cells are provided, including the nucleic acids of the invention, including Fad3 coding sequences. Corresponding methods are provided for obtaining the transgenic plants of the invention. Methods are provided for using the plants of the invention, including selected plants and transgenic plants, to obtain plant products. Amplification primers for identifying the Fad3 alleles of the invention are provided, together with methods of obtaining plants using the Fad3 alleles of the invention as markers.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation f electrostatically-linked, aliphatic- or alicyclic-substituted anionic or cationic polysaccharide gels from readily available macroporous ionic polysaccharide chromatographic media, such as diethylaminoethyl (DEAE), quaternary aminoethyl (QAE) and sulfopropyl (SP) substituted polysaccharide gels. These novel gels are used for the isolation, recovery and purification of non-polar extractives using one or more extracting solvents from the group of lower alcohols, ketones, and water. The non-polar extractives may be alk(n)lyresorcinols, steroid, triterpenoid, cardiac glycosides and saponins, steryl ferulates and other phenolic acid conjugates, flavonoids, lipids, alcohol-soluble antimicrobials, prolamines or other alcohol-soluble proteolipid complexes.

Abstract: A process is described for the isolation, recovery and purification of non-polar extractives using one or more extracting solvents from the group of lower alcohols, ketones, and water. The non-polar extractives may include one or more of the classes alk(en)lyresorcinols, steroid, triterpenoid and cardiac glycosides and saponins, steryl ferulates and other phenolic acid conjugates, flavoroids, polar lipids, alcohol-soluble antimicrobials, prolamines and other alcohol-soluble proteolipids complexes. The process uses an aliphatic-substituted polysaccharide gel matrix in a process of hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and involves the steps of absorption, washing and recovery, wherein the extractives are absorbed and desorbed in the presence of and as a result of the concentration and selection of the organic ste of regenerating the gel matrix for further use.

Abstract: Methods for quantitative conversion of soapstock, lecithin gums, deodorizer distillate and other by-products of vegetable oil refining containing interrupted double bond systems, to products with conjugated double bonds, using a reduced amount of alkali. Less than one mole of alkali per mole of acyl group present is required, thereby greatly reducing the need for added caustic compared with methods using oils, fatty acids and esters as starting materials. The preferred starting materials are soapstocks derived from vegetable oils rich in linoleic acid.

Abstract: This invention is directed to regulatory elements obtained from a wheat aleurone gene LtpW1. The regulatory element, analogs thereof, or truncated derivatives of this regulatory element, can be used to express heterologous genes of interest within the aleurone cells of a plant. This invention is also directed to vectors comprising these regulatory elements operatively linked with a heterologous gene of interest, as well as plant cell cultures and transgenic plants comprising these vectors. A method for the preparation of a plant using the regulatory elements of this invention are also disclosed. Furthermore, this invention is directed to a truncated LtpW1 regulatory element that exhibits constitutive activity within plants.

Abstract: A process to stabilize, deodorize, recover energy, reduce pollution potential, and add value to organic waste such as animal manure is described. The process involves the anaerobic digestion of animal manure at low temperatures in intermittently fed sequencing batch reactors. The process of the present application offers several advantages over the prior art processes including (1) the process works very well at low temperatures and therefore does not require pre-heating of the animal manure; (2) the process does not require continuous or daily feeding nor does it require continuous mixing; (3) the process makes use of existing handling and storage equipment at the farm and requires minimal supervision and skill by the operator; (4) the process is very efficient in retaining the slow growing microorganisms in the system and (5) the system is not affected by high concentrations of volatile acids and ammonia or nitrogen. Consequently, the process is low cost and does not interfere with regular farm operations.

Abstract: A hand-held prodder capable of distinguishing inert rock from potentially hazardous landmines or other unknown objects. The prodder comprises a rod which is placed into contact with an object. A high frequency acoustic or incident wave is introduced into rod and travels along the rod to the object where it is reflected back towards the piezoelectric crystal. The piezoelectric crystal converts the reflected wave to an electric signal and a signal processor determines values representative of the frequency-time-amplitude characteristics of the object. Different materials exhibit different mechanical impedances and frequency damping characteristics. By comparing reflected wave characteristics to pre-determined characteristics for known materials, inert rocks and potentially hazardous plastic or metallic objects are distinguishable. Visual or audible signals inform the user whether rock (safe) or unidentified or known hazardous object were contacted.

Abstract: The invention provides pesticide precursor compositions comprising bran from a mustard of the genus Brassica and methods for controlling soil pests by application of the pesticide precursor compositions to the soil. The invention further provides pesticides comprising aqueous suspensions or extracts of mustard bran.