Abstract: In integrated circuitry having both analog and digital circuits fabricated on the same substrate, switching transients produced by the digital circuitry can propagate through the substrate and induce deleterious effects in the associated analog circuitry. Such switching transients are greatly minimized by a CMOS source-coupled current-steering differential logic topology. In the preferred embodiment, gain and level shifting functions are merged, and connections to the power bus are made through constant current sources.

Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid promoter fragments homologous to the Em gene of wheat to bring the expression of selected genes in plants under external control are described. The Em promoter fragment is responsive to abscisic acid (ABA) and other compounds possessing ABA-like activity. Through transformation of protoplasts and plant cells with recombinant DNA constructs incorporating such promoter fragments, operably linked selected genes are expressed in response to ABA and compounds possessing ABA-like activity. The application of such promoter fragments and constructs to transient assay systems to predict the likelihood of stable transformation in plants is disclosed.

Abstract: The system includes an efficient, closed irrigation system in conjunction with insulating components for minimizing the harmful effects of extreme changes in ambient temperature, moisture and chemical concentrations in plant containers. Mechanisms are provided for permitting a single pallet, or a single plant within a pallet, to be readily removed from an integrated plurality of pallets without interfering with irrigation of the plants that are contained in the remaining pallets.

Abstract: A gas permeable membrane divides a reactor vessel into a liquid compartment and a gas compartment. A biofilm is grown on the gas permeable membrane on the liquid side of the membrane. Teh gas permeable membrane is supported by the structure of the membrane itself. The biofilm is chosen from bacteria to degrade cetain pollutants by means of anaerobic fermentation, aerobic heterotrophic oxidation, dehalogenation, and hydrocarbon oxidation. This is accomplished by means of oxygen and alternate gases (i.e., methane) through the gas permeable membrane to certain bacteria growing on the liquid side of the gas permeable membrane.

Abstract: A reliable shutter position indicator for an x-ray diffractometer utilizes an optical shutter position sensor for detecting the position of a shutter of the x-ray diffractometer. In one embodiment, a pair of optical isolators are utilized with an arm coupled to the shutter shifting to a position to interrupt a light beam of the optical isolators when the shutter is in either the open or closed position. The controller of the x-ray diffractometer then compares the detected shutter position with the expected shutter position to determine whether a shutter error is present.

Abstract: A metabolite material of propionibacteria, having a metabolite of molecular weight greater than 300, is added to a food product to inhibit the growth of gram negative psychotropic bacteria, yeast, mold, gram positive bacteria, or Listeria. The metabolite material may contain less than 0.02% propionic acid such that there is insufficient propionic acid per se to inhibit microbial growth. The metabolite material is produced by growing propionibacteria cells in a liquid growth medium to produce a mixture containing the metabolite material. The mixture can be concentrated and added to a food product as a concentrated liquid or powder. The metabolite material added to a food product may contain viable cells of propionibacteria.

Abstract: An onboard power generation system for use on board a vehicle, such as a passenger car, includes a brushless doubly-fed generator. The generator has a rotor with rotor conductors and a stator with stator windings, the stator windings comprising first and second polyphase stator systems. The generator rotor is mechanically coupled to and driven by the vehicle engine with a driving force to produce an AC power output from the first polyphase stator system. The generation system has a rectifier which receives and rectifies the generator first polyphase stator system AC power output into DC power for delivery to a DC bus of the generator power system. A sensor senses a parameter of the AC power output received by the rectifier and produces a sensor signal in response thereto. A converter receives the sensor signal, and in response thereto, converts power received from an excitation power source into excitation power for the generator second polyphase stator system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for deacidifying wine using malolactic fermentation (MLF) under conditions inhibitory for spoillage lactic acid bacteria (LAB), making possible a "pure culture" MLF in which a winemaker is provided with a way to control the timing of onset and the outcome of wine MLF. The method comprises adding nisin to the wine at a concentration lethal to nisin-sensitive LAB, adding to the wine an inoculum of nisin-resistant LAB mutants capable in the presence of nisin of converting malic acid to lactic acid, and maintaining the inoculated wine under conditions in which the MLF can occur. Afterward, nisin can be removed from the wine by contacting the wine with a nisin-removing substance, such as bentonite. The nisin can be added either before or simultaneously with addition of the nisin-resistant LAB, at any time during winemaking, including primary yeast fermentation.

Abstract: An eighteen amino acid neuropeptide isolated from brain complexes of adult female cockroach, Diploptera punctata, is identified as an allatostatin because it inhibits the biosynthesis of juvenile growth hormone in cockroach corpora allata. Primary structure of the isolated allatostatin is Al a-Tyr-Ser-Tyr-Val-Ser-Glu-Tyr-Lys-Arg-Leu-Pro-Val-Tyr-Asn-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH.s ub.2. A synthetic peptide of this sequence and three synthetic peptides with truncated sequences conserving the amidated carboxyl portion of the native sequence have allatostatin activity. Certain derivatives of the peptides also have allatostatin activity including compounds having the sequence: X-Val-Tyr-Asn-Phe-Gly-Leu-NH.sub.2, in which X is Leu-Arg, Leu-Pro, Arg-Leu-Pro-, Ala-Tyr-Ser-Tyr-Val-Ser-Glu-Tyr-Lys-Arg-Leu-Pro, acetyl-Ala-Tyr-Ser-Tyr-Val-Ser-Glu-Tyr-Lys-Arg-Leu-Pro, or acetyl-Arg-Leu-Pro. These peptides have the potential for regulating the growth of certain insects, and may be useful in the area of insect control.

Abstract: A windowless flow cell for detecting substances in a flowing fluid stream by chemiluminescence, fluorescence or absorption in flow injection analysis schemes, liquid chromatographs, or gas chromatographs is described. Furthermore, the mixing characteristics of the invention suggest its use as a micro-volume mixing chamber for a variety of experiments.A windowless flow cell comprising an upper body plate, upper wire spacer, mid-body plate, lower body spacer plate, and lower body plate interconnected by anchor bolts is described. Cell wires are attached to the upper body plate and the lower body plate. A primary reagent port through the upper body plate, with secondary reagent port and tertiary reagent port through the mid-body plate provide the fluids to be mixed. A thin film of the mixture of fluids to be examined flows down the cell wires through the examining chamber and through the drop detector and overflow detector prior to exiting the drain port by way of a low vacuum source.

Abstract: An energy conversion generation system receives energy from a resource and converts the energy into electrical power for supply to a polyphase electric power grid operating at a system frequency. A prime mover driven by the resource energy and a converter, such as a power electronic converter, for produces excitation power from power received from a converter power source. A brushless doubly-fed generator has a rotor with rotor windings and a stator with stator windings comprising first and second polyphase stator systems. The rotor is driven by the prime mover. The first stator system supplies the electrical power to the grid, and the second stator system receives the excitation power from the converter. A sensor senses a parameter of the electrical power output supplied to the grid and produces a sensor signal corresponding to the sensed parameter. A controller controls the converter in response to the sensor signal. The controller establiThis invention was made with government support under Grant No.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method to control the conversion of an arbitrary resource energy into mechanical energy and subsequently into electric energy with a variable-speed generation system utilizing a turbine and a doubly-fed generator, to be connected directly to a power grid of a certain grid frequency. Via electronic control of the rotor speed by controlling the rotor winding excitation frequency, the device has the capability of providing an optimum tradeoff in maximum turbine efficiency and minimal generator losses to secure maximum efficiency of the total conversion process, irrespective of varying resource and electric load conditions. The excitation requirements of the generator are confined to moderate levels and yet a wide rotor-speed variation margin, starting from zero speed, is permitted.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preservation of high moisture animal feeds which utilize a fermentation (either natural or induced) to improve the quality of the animal food. More specifically, this invention utilizes dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in plant feeds in combination with fermentation microorganisms to produce an animal feed which is high in nutrient value and low in spoilage microorganisms.

Abstract: A device and associated method to control the electromechanical energy conversion process of a variable speed drive utilizing a doubly fed machine, which provides the mechanical energy as demanded by some mechanical load. Alternatively, a device and associated method is provided for a synchronous motor. The terminals of either the stator or rotor winding of the doubly fed machine are directly connected to a polyphase AC power grid of a certain grid frequency. The device establishes through electronic control a stable operation of the drive at a desired power factor at the terminals of these windings, irrespective of varying load conditions. This capability is provided without the need for computing or sensing this desired power factor and the subsequent feedback of its deviation from the desired value through a properly designed regulator.

Abstract: Several new, biologically active substances have been isolated from Hormothamnion enteromorphoides, a somewhat rare cyanophyte from Puerto Rico.Hormothamnion, a lipophilic metabolite from this alga, has the styrylchromone structure: ##STR1## Hormothamnion and, to a lesser extent, one of its homologs, are potent cytotoxins to some types of cancer cells and appear to exert this cytotoxic action by a selective inhibition of RNA synthesis.A peptide compound of about 11 to 12 amino acids has antimicrobial activity, particularly against Candida albicans. The peptide, which includes phenylalanine, serine and other aliphatic amino acids, has blocked carboxyl and amino termini.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is H, Cl, F, Br, I or R.sub.1 S--, in which R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 linear or branched chain alkyl or halogenated linear or branched chain alkyl, andwherein R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and each is H-- or --OH,with the proviso that at least one of R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydroxy and the further proviso that when R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are all OH, R.sub.1 is other than methyl, are useful in inhibiting the growth of MTR kinase-dependent microorganisms and parasitic protazoans. The compounds wherein R is R.sub.1 S are novel, except those wherein R.sub.1 is methyl or isobutyl when R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are all OH.

Abstract: 12-(S)-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid is chemically extracted from the red alga Murrayella periclados. Fresh or frozen quantities of Murrayella periclados are first macerated and combined with a 2:1 mixture of chloroform and methanol. This results in an organic fraction containing lipid isolates. After filtration to remove extraneous solids, the organic fraction is evaporated to produce a tar. The tar contains 12-(S)-HEPE which is further purified as desired.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel starter medium for the commercial propagation of acid producing bacteria, such as those used in food fermentation processes. The compositions are unique in that they contain a highly effective buffering ingredient which is a sodium, potassium, or ammonium salt or double salt of a linear aliphatic dibasic acid having from three to seven carbon atoms. The salts are present in an amount sufficient to maintain the growth medium at pH levels of about 5.0 or above during the time in which the bacteria are multiplying in the culture medium. Disodium or diammonium succinate, glutarate, or adipate are materials which have been found to be particularly effective. These may be used in combination with nutrients such as whey, whey permeate, nonfat dried milk, yeast extract, and diammonium phosphate. The addition of trace quantities of certain metals promotes the growth and activity of the acid producing bacteria.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a purified fraction from a mixture using a magnetic fluid wherein the mixture is contacted with the magnetic fluid to preferentially sorb the fluid onto selected components so they become magnetized and the magnetic components in the so-contacted mixture are separated from the nonmagnetic components by passing the mixture through a magnetic field. The method finds particular use for obtaining a purified sample of crop seed from a mixture of crop seed and soil of the same size and texture and for separating nut shells from nutmeats.

Abstract: A pear tree, which is a planned cross between Max Red Bartlett and Comice is characterized by its heavy crop of large red-skinned fruit of excellent dessert quality which have long storage life.