Abstract: Nodulisporic acids (NAs) comprise a group of indole diterpenes known for their potent insecticidal activities; however, biosynthesis of NAs by its natural producer, Hypoxylon pulicicidum (Nodulisporium sp.) is exceptionally difficult to achieve. The identification of genes responsible for NA production could enable biosynthetic pathway optimization to provide access to NAs for commercial applications. Obtaining useful quantities of NAs using published fermentations methods is challenging, making gene knockout studies an undesirable method to confirm gene function. Alternatively, heterologous gene expression of H. pulicicidum genes in a more robust host species like Penicillium paxilli provides a way to rapidly identify the function of genes that play a role in NA biosynthesis. In this work, we identified the function of four secondary-metabolic genes necessary for the biosynthesis of nodulisporic acid F (NAF) and reconstituted these genes in the genome of P.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for adsorbing guest species, methods for the separation of gases using the MOFs, and systems comprising the MOFs. The MOFs comprise a plurality of secondary building units (SBUs), each SBU comprising a repeating unit of one metal cation connected to another metal cation via a first moiety of an organic linker; a layer of connected adjacent SBUs in which a second moiety of the linker in a first SBU is connected to a metal cation of an adjacent SBU, and wherein adjacent layers are connected to each other via linker-to-linker bonding interactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for freezing a flow of aqueous material in liquid form and moving the aqueous material through at least one tube from an inlet of the tube to an outlet of the tube so as to form a breakable or cuttable frozen extrusion without bursting the tube. The process creates an extruded material that comprises liquid aqueous material entrapped between frozen aqueous material to self-lubricate the extrusion as it moves through the tube. An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (?m) in diameter, such as less than 500 ?m in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 ?m to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor for indicating food quality comprising a semi-permeable film layer, the semi-permeable film layer comprising at least one integrally formed well having at least one sensing element disposed therein; wherein the well is sealed by a second film layer, the semi-permeable film layer being impermeable to said sensing element but is permeable to at least one analyte detectable by said sensing element.

Abstract: Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (?m) in diameter, such as less than 500 ?m in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 ?m to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to the encapsulation of oxidizable lipids. In particular, the invention provides an oil-in-water emulsion comprising droplets of a core lipid coated with nanoemulsion droplets, wherein the nanoemulsion droplets comprise a surface lipid coated with protein. The emulsions of the invention provide an oxidatively stable form of the lipid, which can be added to foods and cosmetics requiring a long shelf-life.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for gathering data are disclosed. For example, a plant matter sensor includes a pair of parallel spaced apart sensor arms and a control console, a first of the arms having a plurality of emitter spaced along its length, each emitter configured to emit a signal substantially perpendicularly to the arm to be received by a corresponding receiver on the second arm. The console contains controller means to control the rate, strength and regularity of the signal emitted by each of the emitters, collectors to collect data from each receiver as to the existence or absence of receipt of a signal, a processor to process data received from the controllers and the collectors and determine the height of any plant matter traversed by the plant matter sensor and predetermined intervals, and storage to store the plant matter height data generated by the processor for subsequent download or analysis.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of reducing the incidence of mastitis in an animal, and compositions and devices therefor. The methods and other aspects of the invention can be used to reduce the incidence of infection in the teat or mammary gland. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention encompasses a method of applying to the teat canal and/or teat sinus a composition comprising exogenous keratin.

Abstract: A composition, method of its preparation, and zinc electrodes comprising the composition as the active mass, for use in rechargeable electrochemical cells with enhanced cycle life is described. The electrode active mass comprises a source of electrochemically active zinc and at least one fatty acid or a salt, ester or derivative thereof, or an alkyl sulfonic acid or a salt ester or derivative thereof. The zinc electrode is assumed to exhibit low shape change and decreased dendrite formation compared to known zinc electrodes, resulting in electrochemical cells which have improved capacity retention over a number of charge/discharge cycles.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine comprising secreted protein derived from Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (M. ptb) substantially free of whole organisms of that species either dead or alive. The secreted protein may be obtained from a culture of M. ptb with the microorganisms being removed by centrifugation and subsequent filtration. The vaccine may be used for vaccination against Johne's disease.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of reducing the incidence of mastitis in an animal, and compositions and devices therefor. The methods and other aspects of the invention can be used to reduce the incidence of infection in the teat or mammary gland. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention encompasses a method of applying to the teat canal and/or teat sinus a composition comprising exogenous keratin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogenic polypeptide isolated from Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and variants of the polypeptide. The polypeptide and variants may be used in vaccines against Johne's disease and in methods for detection of the disease. Antibodies against the polypeptide or variants may be used in diagnostic tests for Johne's disease. Also included are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptide and variants, and methods for preparing these.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing biodegradable, functionalised polymer particles, and to the use of the same as medicament carriers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing biodegradable, functionalised polymer particles, and to the use of the same as medicament carriers.

Abstract: A magnetic assembly for a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus includes a number of primary permanent magnets 1 disposed in an array about a longitudinal axis, the arrangement and/or characteristics of the plurality of magnets being such so as to create a zone of homogeneous magnetic field at some location along the axis forward of the array (and into the material when provided). A secondary permanent magnet 7 may be located along the longitudinal axis within the array of primary magnets and may be moveable. The primary magnets 1 have a north pole and a south pole with an axis therebetween, and may be arranged such that the axis between the poles is at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine comprising secreted protein derived from Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (M. ptb) substantially free of whole organisms of that species either dead or alive. The secreted protein may be obtained from a culture of M. ptb with the microorganisms being removed by centrifugation and subsequent filtration. The vaccine may be used for vaccination against Johne's disease.

Abstract: A cadmium- and zinc-hyperaccumulating subspecies from Thlaspi caerulescens and methods for removing and optionally recovering cadmium and zinc from soil using phytoextracting techniques wherein the subspecies is cultivated on soil containing cadmium and zinc.

Abstract: A cadmium and zinc hyperaccumulating subspecies from Thlaspi caerulescense and methods for removing or recovering cadmium and zinc from soils by cultivating the Thlaspi caerulescense subspecies on soils containing cadmium and zinc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new processes useful for separating whey proteins from whey protein-containing solutions using a novel anion exchanger which comprises a water insoluble, hydrophilic, water swellable, hydroxy (C2–C4) alkylated and cross-linked regenerated cellulose, derivatized with quaternary amino (QA) groups where the level of substitution of the QA groups is 1.4 milli-equivalents per dry gram of anion exchanger (meq/g) or greater.