Abstract: A biocontrol agent containing Phoma glomerata for suppressing development of fungal diseases on plants and methods of using this biocontrol agent in the suppression of fungal disease on plants are provided. The Phoma glomerata is preferably Phoma glomerata ATCC MYA-2373 that suppresses powdery mildew on plants.

Abstract: A novel programmable SAW filter with switchable multi-element interdigital transducers (IDTs) controlled by a microprocessor or a computer is provided that realizes the tunability of both center frequency and bandwidth of the SAW filter. The filter possesses the feature of the programmability of both center frequency and 3 dB bandwidth. As an example design, the center frequency of the SAW filter ranges from 126.8 MHz to 199.1 MHz while the 3 dB bandwidth ranges from 18.8 MHz to 58.9 MHz. The multi-input configuration increases the programmability of the device and improves insertion loss. A matching network for the programmable SAW filter further improves insertion loss level and stopband attenuation. A resistance weighting method has been applied to improve in band ripple with the passband ripple being reduced from 6.44 dB to 1.37 dB after resistance weighting.

Abstract: Polyanhydrides which link low molecular weight drugs containing a carboxylic acid group and an amine, thiol, alcohol or phenol group within their structure into polymeric drug delivery systems are provided. Also provided are methods of producing polymeric drug delivery systems via these polyanhydride linkers as well as methods of administering low molecular weight drugs to a host via the polymeric drug delivery systems.

Abstract: Polyanhydrides which degrade into biologically active salicylates and alpha-hydroxy acids and methods of using these polyanhydrides to deliver the salicylates and alpha-hydroxy acids to a host are provided.

Abstract: A chemical synthetic route for nanostructured materials that is scalable to large volume production, comprising spray atomization of a reactant solution into a precursor solution to form a nanostructured oxide or hydroxide precipitate. The precipitate is then heat-treated followed by sonication, or sonicated followed by heat treatment. This route yields nanostructured doped and undoped nickel hydroxide, manganese dioxide, and ytrria-stabilized zirconia. Unusual morphological superstructures may be obtained, including well-defined cylinders or nanorods, as well as a novel structure in nickel hydroxide and manganese dioxide, comprising assemblies of nanostructured fibers, assemblies of nanostructured fibers and agglomerates of nanostructured particles, and assemblies of nanostructured fibers and nanostructured particles. These novel structures have high percolation rates and high densities of active sites, rendering them particularly suitable for catalytic applications.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for prevention and treatment of cancer. The compositions comprise pure hydroxylated chalcone compounds of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) including 1-propanone-1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-3-(4′-hydroxyphenyl).

Abstract: Polymeric micelles for encapsulation of hydrophobic molecules are provided. Methods and formulations for delivering hydrophobic molecules to a host via these micelles are also provided. Methods of stabilizing liposomes or lipid based formulations by addition of polymeric micelles are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials that enhance a plant's resistance to certain pathogens. A novel pathway is described and has been designated with the acronym, SI-SAR pathway, for salicylic acid-independent systemic acquired resistance. DNA constructs and methodologies are provided that facilitate the identification of compounds that activate this pathway. Methods are provided to enable the identification of novel genes and signaling components that are expressed when the SI-SAR pathway is activated. Transgenic plants with altered expression of these novel genes or signaling components of the pathway are expected to have enhanced resistance to plant pathogens. Also provided is a novel, pathogen-induced epoxide hydrolase that is inducible in the absence of SA.

Abstract: A system and method are described for adaptive language understanding using multimodal language acquisition in human-computer interaction. Words, phrases, sentences, production rules (syntactic information) as well as their corresponding meanings (semantic information) are stored. New words, phrases, sentences, production rules and their corresponding meanings can be acquired through interaction with users, using different input modalities, such as, speech, typing, pointing, drawing and image capturing. This system therefore acquires language through a natural language and multimodal interaction with users. New language knowledge is acquired in two ways. First, by acquiring new linguistic units, i.e. words or phrases and their corresponding semantics, and second by acquiring new sentences or language rules and their corresponding computer actions.

Abstract: Polyanhydrides which link low molecular weight drugs containing a carboxylic acid group and an amine, thiol, alcohol or phenol group within their structure into polymeric drug delivery systems are provided. Also provided are methods of producing polymeric drug delivery systems via these polyanhydride linkers as well as methods of administering low molecular weight drugs to a host via the polymeric drug delivery systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein the R substituents and atoms X and Y are as defined in specification. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods of inhibiting cancer cell growth.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and methods for in vivo mass production of insecticidal nematodes, which the efficiency and volume of nematode production. In the method, nematodes are cultured within a natural insect host. The apparatus comprises at least one harvesting area, a water dispensing system that promotes harvest of nematodes from the host organisms, and a water collection and concentration system for nematode collection and storage. The harvesting area comprises reusable stackable perforated trays, which allow passage of dispensed water while retaining the nematode hosts. The perforations are sized to retain the host organisms and facilitate the passage of harvested nematodes carried within the dispensed water.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel DNA constructs and methods for stably transforming the plastids of higher plants. The constructs described herein contain unique promoters that are transcribed by both nuclear encoded plastid polymerases and plastid encoded plastid polymerases. Use of the novel constructs of the invention facilitates transformation of a wider range of plant species and enables tissue specific expression of a transforming DNA in plastids of multicellular plants.

Abstract: This invention pertains to disulfide-linked conjugates of therapeutic agents containing at least one thioamide group with polymer comprising at least one thiol group, so as to provide a controlled release pharmaceutical composition for administration to animals for the prophylaxis or treatment of various conditions or diseases. The therapeutic agent conjugate may comprise an inactive or weakly active prodrug form which may be converted into the original therapeutic compound by the natural action of reducing agents in vivo. The composition may comprise a mixture of polymers each with a different thioamide-containing agent attached, or a polymer conjugated with a mixture of thioamide-containing agents.

Abstract: Polyanhydrides which degrade into biologically active salicylates and alpha-hydroxy acids and methods of using these polyanhydrides to deliver the salicylates and alpha-hydroxy acids to a host are provided.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed that provide means to enable individuals with speech, language and reading based communication disabilities, due to a temporal processing problem, to improve their temporal processing abilities as well as their communication abilities. The method and system include provisions to elongate portions of phonemes that have brief and/or rapidly changing acoustic spectra, such as occur in the stop consonants b and d in the phonemes /ba/ and /da/, as well as reduce the duration of the steady state portion of the syllable. In addition, some emphasis is added to the rapidly changing segments of these phonemes. Additionally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to modify fluent speech to make the modified speech better recognizable by communicatively impaired individuals. Finally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to train temporal processing abilities, specifically speed and precision of temporal integration, sequencing and serial memory.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed that provide means to enable individuals with speech, language and reading based communication disabilities, due to a temporal processing problem, to improve their temporal processing abilities as well as their communication abilities. The method and system include provisions to elongate portions of phonemes that have brief and/or rapidly changing acoustic spectra, such as occur in the stop consonants b and d in the phonemes /ba/ and /da/, as well as reduce the duration of the steady state portion of the syllable. In addition, some emphasis is added to the rapidly changing segments of these phonemes. Additionally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to modify fluent speech to make the modified speech better recognizable by communicatively impaired individuals. Finally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to train temporal processing abilities, specifically speed and precision of temporal integration, sequencing and serial memory.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed that provide means to enable individuals with speech, language and reading based communication disabilities, due to a temporal processing problem, to improve their temporal processing abilities as well as their communication abilities. The method and system include provisions to elongate portions of phonemes that have brief and/or rapidly changing acoustic spectra, such as occur in the stop consonants b and d in-the phonemes /ba/ and /da/, as well as reduce the duration of the steady state portion of the syllable. In addition, some emphasis is added to the rapidly changing segments of these phonemes. Additionally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to modify fluent speech to make the modified speech better recognizable by communicatively impaired individuals. Finally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to train temporal processing abilities, specifically speed and precision of temporal integration, sequencing and serial memory.

Abstract: A transgenic non-human animal with alterations in the osteopontin gene is prepared by introduction of a gene encoding an altered osteopontin protein into a host non-human animal. Methods for using transgenic mice so generated to screen for agents that effect osteopontin's cellular modulating activity are also provided.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed that provide means to enable individuals with speech, language and reading based communication disabilities, due to a temporal processing problem, to improve their temporal processing abilities as well as their communication abilities. The method and system include provisions to elongate portions of phonemes that have brief and/or rapidly changing acoustic spectra, such as occur in the stop consonants b and d in the phonemes /ba/ and /da/, as well as reduce the duration of the steady state portion of the syllable. In addition, some emphasis is added to the rapidly changing segments of these phonemes. Additionally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to modify fluent speech to make the modified speech better recognizable by communicatively impaired individuals. Finally, the disclosure includes method for and computer software to train temporal processing abilities, specifically speed and precision of temporal integration, sequencing and serial memory.