Abstract: A process for the preparation of an oxyacid of phosphorus comprising contacting elemental phosphorus with water in the presence of a catalyst effective to promote oxidation of phosphorus by reaction with water. The use of a noble metal catalyst such as Pd under moderate agitation and low severity conditions is effective for the preparation of P(III) oxyacid in high selectivity. Other suitable catalysts may comprise, for example, other Group VIII metals (particularly other platinum metals); oxides, salts, phosphides, and/or coordination compounds of Group VIII metals; Group IB metals; and/or oxides, salts, phosphides, and/or coordination is compounds of Group IB metals. Various apparatus and process schemes for the preparation of phosphoric and phosphorous acid are also disclosed.

Abstract: An N-hydroxy sulfonyl butanamide compound that inter alia inhibits matrix metalloprotease activity is disclosed as are a treatment process that comprises administering a contemplated N-hydroxy sulfonyl butanamide compound in a MMP enzyme-inhibiting effective amount to a host having a condition associated with pathological matrix metalloprotease activity.

Abstract: A mobile shielded plot sprayer including a wind shield having a side wall that defines an enclosed area, and a movable atomizer within the enclosed area. A track assembly is located within the enclosed area and supported on the windshield. The atomizer is part of a spray assembly mounted on the track assembly and is movable thereon in at least one horizontal direction relative to the wind shield. A reservoir integral with the spray assembly and adapted to hold a liquid spray composition is operatively connected to the atomizer to supply the spray composition thereto.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for dehydrogenating primary alcohols to make salts of carboxylic acids. The process comprises contacting a catalyst, preferably a metal support coated with copper or silver, with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. The invention further provides for novel copper-containing and silver-containing catalysts which may be used, for example, in the above process as well as processes for making such catalysts.

Abstract: An antifungal polypeptide, AlyAFP, that controls fungal damage to plants is provided. DNA encoding this polypeptide can be cloned into vectors for transformation of plant-colonizing microorganisms or plants, thereby providing a method of inhibiting fungal growth on plants. The polypeptide can be formulated into compositions that can be used to control undesired fungi on plants and elsewhere.

Abstract: A seed coating comprising gellan gum is disclosed along with a process which comprises admixing gellan gum and water under effective shear conditions to prepare an aqueous gellan gum coating composition thereof whereby the aqueous gellan gum coating composition may be applied in an adherent fashion to a seed to form a gellan gum coated seed. A gellan gum seed coating composition may indicate one or more bioactive(s) and optionally one or more colors.

Abstract: An amidoaromatic ring sulfonamide hydroxamic acid compound that inter alia inhibits matrix metalloprotease activity is disclosed, as are a treatment process that comprises administering a contemplated amidoaromatic ring sulfonamide hydroxamic acid compound in a MMP enzyme-inhibiting effective amount to a host having a condition associated with pathological matrix metalloprotease activity.

Abstract: An emulsifiable pesticidal suspension concentrate composition is provided comprising (a) a pesticidally effective amount of a liquid pesticide of low solubility in water, for example a chloroacetamide herbicide such as acetochlor, (b) a pesticidally effective amount of a solid particulate pesticide, more particularly a salt-forming pesticide, for example a glyphosate herbicide, in solid particulate form, dispersed in the liquid pesticide, (c) a stabilizing amount of a suspension aid, (d) an emulsifying agent in an amount sufficient to emulsify the concentrate composition in a suitable volume of water to form a dilute sprayable composition, and (e) zero to an assay adjusting amount of an inert liquid in which the liquid pesticide is soluble or miscible. The concentrate composition is substantially non-aqueous. The liquid and solid pesticides are selected to be chemically compatible with each other.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards biopolymer salts and biopolymer compositions comprising a biopolymer salt having an endotoxin content less than about 100 endotoxin units per gram. Because of their low endotoxin content, the biopolymer salts and biopolymer compositions of this invention may be administered parenterally to a patient. The present invention is also directed to methods of preparing the compositions of this invention.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing a hydroxymethylphosphonic acid compound to produce a formylphosphonic acid compound is described. The oxidation reaction is carried out in the presence of an oxidant and a catalyst. For example, hydroxymethylphosphonic acid (HMPA) is oxidized by oxygen or hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a copper-containing catalyst to give formylphosphonic acid (FPA). Formylphosphonic acid can then be reacted with glycine to produce a condensation product which, upon hydrogenation, yields glyphosate. Glyphosate can be incorporated into various formulations for use as a herbicide. In addition to glycine, formylphosphonic acid can also be reacted with ammonia, ethanolamine, or other primary amines to form a precursor compound, which can be converted to glyphosate.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences and methods for their use are described which provide for early seed-specific transcription, in order to modulate or modify expression of foreign or endogenous genes in seeds, particularly embryo cells. The method finds particular use in conjunction with modifying fatty acid production in seed tissue.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to liquid phase oxidation processes for making N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (also known in the agricultural chemical industry as glyphosate) and related compounds. This invention, for example, particularly relates to processes wherein an N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (NPMIDA) substrate (i.e., N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, a salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, or an ester of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid) is continuously oxidized to form an N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product (i.e., N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, a salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or an ester of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine). This invention also, for example, particularly relates to processes wherein an N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid substrate is oxidized to form an N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product, which, in turn, is crystallized (at least in part) in an adiabatic crystallizer.

Abstract: PHA pellet compositions are provided which are processible into blown and cast free-standing films. The Mw of the PHA in the pellets used to produce the films is at least 470,000, at least 435,000 if PHA thermal stabilizers of the invention are used. In order to achieve a stable, unsupported film having desirable elongational and tensile properties, the Mw of PHA in the film is greater than about 420,000.

Abstract: A mobile shielded plot sprayer including a wind shield having a side wall that defines an enclosed area, and a movable atomizer within the enclosed area. A track assembly is located within the enclosed area and supported on the windshield. The atomizer is part of a spray assembly mounted on the track assembly and is movable thereon in at least one horizontal direction relative to the wind shield. A reservoir integral with the spray assembly and adapted to hold a liquid spray composition is operatively connected to the atomizer to supply the spray composition thereto.

Abstract: A process for the reclamation of base materials from carpet is disclosed. The process includes contacting the carpet with a composition which contains a chemical softening agent for the binder material in the carpet and separating the carpet pile from the carpet backing(s).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved catalyst, comprising a carbon support having a noble metal at its surface, for use in catalyzing liquid phase oxidation reactions, especially in an acidic oxidative environment and in the presence of solvents, reactants, intermediates, or products which solubilize noble metals; a process for the preparation of the improved catalyst; a liquid phase oxidation process using such a catalyst wherein the catalyst exhibits improved resistance to noble metal leaching, particularly in acidic oxidative environments and in the presence of solvents, reactants, intermediates, or products which solubilize noble metals; and a liquid phase oxidation process in which N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (i.e., “PMIDA”) or a salt thereof is oxidized to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (i.e., “glyphosate”) or a salt thereof using such a catalyst wherein the oxidation of the formaldehyde and formic acid by-products into carbon dioxide and water is increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cyclic sulfone moiety-containing hydroxyethylamine protease inhibitor compounds and pharmaceutical or method of use therefor, particularly as an inhibitor of HIV protease.

Abstract: Antifungal polypeptides, isolated from Medicago plants, are shown to control fungal damage to plants. DNA encoding the polypeptides was cloned into vectors for transformation of plant-colonizing microorganisms or plants, thereby providing a method of inhibiting fungal growth on plants. The polypeptides can be formulated into compositions useful in controlling undesired fungi.

Abstract: A genomic fragment harboring the gene phaG was cloned by phenotype complementation of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 mutants, defective in the polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) synthesis via de novo fatty acid biosynthesis but not affected in PHA biosynthesis via fatty acid &bgr;-oxidation. The 885-bp phaG gene encodes a protein of 295 amino acids with a molecular weight of 33.876 Da. The transcriptional induction of phaG could be observed under conditions of PHA synthesis via de novo fatty acid biosynthesis whereas no induction was detected under conditions which favor PHA synthesis via fatty acid degradation by &bgr;-oxidation. The phaG gene is useful for the production of PHAs in bacteria and plants.