Abstract: A composition comprises an azo dye having a lignin-like substitution pattern and an environmentally common microbe, such as Streptomyces or Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The composition may also comprise an azo dye having a lignin-like substitution pattern, an amount of lignin peroxidase effective to degrade the dye, and an amount of veratryl alcohol effective to recycle lignin peroxidase II to lignin peroxidase. The lignin peroxidase may be provided by an environmentally common microbe. Azo dyes substituted with lignin-like groups are completely mineralized by the environmentally common microbe. The biodegradable azo dye preferably includes a first aromatic ring having a first substituent R1 selected from hydroxy or lower alkoxy, a second substituent R2 selected from lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, and a third substituent R3 selected from lower alkoxy or halogen. In especially preferred embodiments the first substituent R.sub.1 is hydroxy and is para to the azo group, and both R.sub.2 and R.sub.

Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: A method of extracting metals directly from metal oxides by exposing the oxide to a supercritical fluid solvent containing a chelating agent is described. Preferably, the metal is an actinide or a lanthanide. More preferably, the metal is uranium, thorium or plutonium. The chelating agent forms chelates that are soluble in the supercritical fluid, thereby allowing direct removal of the metal from the metal oxide. In preferred embodiments, the extraction solvent is supercritical carbon dioxide and the chelating agent is selected from the group consisting of .beta.-diketones, halogenated .beta.-diketones, phosphinic acids, halogenated phosphinic acids, carboxylic acids, halogenated carboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof. In especially preferred embodiments, at least one of the chelating agents is fluorinated. The method provides an environmentally benign process for removing metals from metal oxides without using acids or biologically harmful solvents.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for maintaining pregnancy and preventing rejection of transplanted tissue. A polypeptide characterized as capable of isolation from conceptus tissue and capable of inhibiting mitogen induced lymphocyte blastogenesis is employed which is introduced into the uterus or systemically.

Abstract: A dynamic bed reactor is disclosed in which a compressible open cell foam matrix is periodically compressed and expanded to move a liquid or fluid through the matrix. In preferred embodiments, the matrix contains an active material such as an enzyme, biological cell, chelating agent, oligonucleotide, adsorbent or other material that acts upon the liquid or fluid passing through the matrix. The active material may be physically immobilized in the matrix, or attached by covalent or ionic bonds. Microbeads, substantially all of which have diameters less than 50 microns, can be used to immobilize the active material in the matrix and further improve reactor efficiency. A particularly preferred matrix is made of open cell polyurethane foam, which adsorbs pollutants such as polychlorophenol or o-nitrophenol.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biocontrol formulation suitable for reducing the susceptibility of plants to fungal phytopathogens. In one aspect of the invention, a newly isolated strain of Streptomyces, Streptomyces YCED 9, is incorporated into a suitable delivery medium and applied to plant seeds or plant roots.

Abstract: Novel genetic constructs and methods for their use in transforming target cells are disclosed. The genetic constructs, which are particularly adapted for homologous recombination with target-cell genomes, comprise a positively selectable genetic marker and a negative selection system "antagonistic" to the expression of the positively selectable marker. The positively selectable marker is situated in a region of the construct between a first and a second flanking sequence homologous to sequences flanking a desired integration site in the target-cell genome. The negative selection system is situated outside the region. The negative selection system preferably comprises an antisense gene that prevents expression of the positively selectable marker. The positively selectable marker preferably encodes an antibiotic resistance factor.

Abstract: Three purified proteins, PcpA, PcpB and PcpC, are disclosed. These proteins are involved in the breakdown of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and other halogenated phenols by the bacterium Flavobacterium sp. Strain ATCC 39723. Three cloned genes, pcpA, pcpB and pcpC, which encode these proteins are also disclosed, as well as two additional genes involved in PCP degradation, pcpD and pcpR. The purified proteins and cloned genes can be used in bioremediation applications.

Abstract: A biodegradable azo dye contains a nitrogen atom linked to an aromatic ring having a lignin-like substitution pattern. The ring is preferably a syringyl or guaiacol moiety, and provides a naturally-occurring structure for attack by microorganisms, such as Streptomyces or Phanerochaete. In especially preferred embodiments, the aromatic ring has a first substituent R.sub.1 selected from among hydroxy, lower alkoxy, or amino, and a second substituent R.sub.2 selected from among lower alkyl, lower alkoxy and halogen. Some embodiments include a third ring substituent R.sub.3 selected from the group lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and halogen.

Abstract: Three individual strains of anaerobic microorganisms are disclosed. Each has an ability to degrade nitroaromatic and nitramine compounds under anaerobic conditions. The strains, identified as LJP-1, SBF-1, and KMR-1, appear to be of Clostridium bifermentans. The strains were isolated from consortia of anaerobic microorganisms grown in a chemostat in which the "munitions" compounds TNT (as a representative nitroaromatic) and "RDX" nad "HMX" (as representative nitramines) were administered as sole sources of carbon for the microorganisms. The isolated strains, either individually or as mixtures thereof, can be used in methods for degrading, under anaerobic conditions (i.e., redox potential <-200 mV), a contaminant nitroaromatic and/or nitramine compound in water or soil (as an aqueous slurry, i.e., "fluid medium"). The strains will degrade nitroaromatics and nitramines in such fluid media either alone or with other microorganisms present in the fluid medium.

Abstract: A complete logic family which is SEU immune is constructed, using logic/circuit design techniques, to recover from an SEU, regardless of the shape of the upsetting event. The logic family provides a redundancy of data to be used to restore data lost by an SEU. Two transistor networks are used, a p-channel network and an n-channel network. Each transistor network consists of a plurality of input transistors and a feedback transistor. The feedback transistor is sized to be weak compared to the input transistors. The transistor networks are designed to either resist an SEU or to shutdown until the SEU is over and then the network which is not shutdown will restore the data of the network that was hit by the SEU. The logic family can prevent glitch propagation from an upset node and can be implemented in a standard, commercial CMOS process without any additional processing steps. The logic family includes but is not limited to an Inverter, 2-input Nand, 2-input Nor, 3-input OrNand and a 3-input AndNor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a biocontrol formulation suitable for reducing the susceptibility of plants to fungal phytopathogens. In one aspect of the invention, a newly isolated strain of Streptomyces, Streptomyces WYEC 108, is incorporated into a suitable delivery medium and applied to plant seeds or plant roots.

Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: A method of extracting metalloid and metal species from a solid or liquid material by exposing the material to a supercritical fluid solvent containing a chelating agent. The chelating agent forms chelates that are soluble in the supercritical fluid to allow removal of the species from the material. In preferred embodiments, the extraction solvent is supercritical carbon dioxide and the chelating agent is a fluorinated or lipophilic crown ether or fluorinated dithiocarbamate. The method provides an environmentally benign process for removing contaminants from industrial waste without using acids or biologically harmful solvents. The chelate and supercritical fluid can be regenerated, and the contaminant species recovered, to provide an economic, efficient process.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment includes a method and apparatus for generating a comma code. A data word having a value m is received. A binary storage apparatus receives the data value. A storage apparatus is coupled to the output of the address calculator. The storage apparatus includes a plurality of single bit storage elements that are arranged to provide an M bit output. Each single bit storage element is initialized to a first value. The address calculator calculates the appropriate single bit storage element to be selectively inverted.

Abstract: Novel derivatives of hydroxamic acid chelating agents for the chelation of f-block elements, yttrium and scandium and methods for the extraction of such elements.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating smelter flue dust and other smelter by-products so as to recover non-ferrous metals therefrom and convert arsenic and sulfur in the flue dust into non-leachable compounds. The methods allow the flue dust and other smelter by-products such as smelter sludges to be disposed of in a natural environment without subsequent leaching of heavy metals, sulfur, and arsenic. The smelter by-products are mixed with hydrated lie, formed into agglomerates, and roasted at an optimal temperature of about 650.degree. C. to form oxidized arsenic and sulfur which react with the lime in the agglomerates to form non-leachable compounds. The roasted agglomerates are contacted with a basic lixiviant comprising dissolved ammonia and an ammonium salt to dissolve non-ferrous metals such as copper from the roasted agglomerates. Used lixiviant can be boiled to precipitate the non-ferrous metals dissolved therein and vaporize the ammonia, thereby regenerating the lixiviant.

Abstract: DNA constructs are provided for the production of Streptomyces lignin peroxidase. The enzyme finds use in the degradation of lignin and oxidation of organic substrates.

Abstract: A closed-cover hot cyclone reactor is used to melt and partially reduce particulate iron or ferro-alloy ores fed to it in a stream. Tangential streams of fuel gas or, preferably, producer gas supplied by an associated bath smelter, interact with the spiralling particles as they pass through the reactor. The molten metal travels downwardly along the reactor walls and can be discharged by gravity onto the receiving bath. The system eliminates the need for pelletizing ore and coking coal in smelting of iron products.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the separation of a radioactive rare earth metal isotopes or a radioactive isotope of yttrium or scandium from their alkaline earth metal precursors with ionizable dibenzo ether derivatives.