Abstract: Elastomers are formed from castor oil and/or ricinoleic acid estolides and a polyester formed from an epoxidized vegetable oil such as ESO and a polycarboxylic acid such as sebacic acid, optionally in the presence of a peroxide initiator, or include crosslinked reaction products derived from ricinoleic acid or castor oil estolides, epoxy group-containing compounds such as epoxy resins and/or epoxidized vegetable oil, epoxy hardeners such as polyamine and polycarboxylic acid hardeners, thermally activated free radical initiators such as peroxides, and optionally but preferably include fillers such as limestone or wood flour. The elastomers can be prepared using a two-step, solvent-less procedure at elevated or ambient temperatures. These predominantly “all-natural” elastomers have physical properties comparable to conventional petroleum-based elastomers and composites and exhibit good flexibility, resiliency, abrasion resistance and inertness to hydrolysis.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for absolute refractive index measurements are disclosed, wherein a beam of spatially coherent laser light is directed perpendicularly on to a side of a capillary tube (12) and back reflected light is detected (16) over a range of angles (22) with respect to the incident light beam. The refractive index of a liquid contained in the capillary is determined from the angle at which a marked change in the intensity of the interference fringes of the interference pattern formed by said back reflected light is observed or from the amplitude of a low frequency component of the angular variation of the intensity of interference fringes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding endogenous cotton chitinases and corresponding promoters, which are preferentially expressed in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition. The polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, a DNA construct linking the isolated nucleic acid molecule with a promoter, the DNA construct incorporated in an expression system, a host cell, a plant, or a plant seed are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a DNA construct linking the isolated promoters with a second DNA as well as expression systems, host cells, plants, or plant seeds containing the DNA construct. Methods of imparting resistance to insects and fungi, regulating the fiber cellulose content, and methods of expressing a gene preferentially in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a virtual-haptic environment that can be used to advantage to simulate and teach surgical procedures. Computer haptics simulates human sense of touch is provides with visual stereoscopy that simulates our natural depth perception and feeling of touch. Integration of these two senses enhances sense of realism. Thus by coupling force-feedback (or haptic) devices with a stereoscopic display, results in the illusion of being “inside” a virtual world, by being able to “see” and “touch and feel” 3D virtual environment. The computer based (on a PC using NT operating system) present invention provides an inexpensive, easy-to-use technique for generating a stereoscopic-haptic environment that provides a realistic virtual touch and see environment and dynamically adding haptic characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the cellulose synthesis in plants to optimize the level of production and quality of the products derived from the plant. In particular, the present invention provides a transgenic cotton plant that has higher yields of cotton fiber and seed. The invention also provides methods for increasing the quality of cotton fiber produced from a cotton plant. The invention also provides general methods of changing the ratio of cellulose to other dry weight components of the plant, for changing the thickness of cell walls, for increasing the yield and changing the quality of other plant fibers, for increasing seed yield, and for increasing the tolerance of photosynthetic efficiency to cool night temperatures.

Abstract: Cotton plants of the genus Gossypium with improved cotton fiber characteristics are disclosed. The cotton plant has an expression cassette containing a gene coding for an enzyme selected from the group consisting of endoxyloglucan transferase, catalase and peroxidase so that the gene is expressed in cotton fiber cells to improve the cotton fiber characteristics. Also disclosed is a method for producing cotton fibers with improved fiber characteristics from these cotton plants.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal antifuse having a lower metal electrode, a lower thin adhesion promoting layer disposed over the lower metal electrode, an amorphous carbon antifuse material layer disposed over the thin adhesion promoting layer, an upper thin adhesion promoting layer disposed over said antifuse material layer, and an upper metal electrode. The thin adhesion promoting layers are about 2 angstroms to 20 angstroms in thickness, and are from a material selected from the group comprising SixCy and SixNy. The ratio of x to y in SixCy is in a range of about 1+/?0.4, and the ratio of x to y in SixNy is in a range of about 0.75+/?0.225.

Abstract: Fluorescent chelates of lanthanide, terbium, europium and dysprosium with tetraazamacrocyclic compounds are discussed which can be used as fluorescent in vitro or in vivo diagnostic agents. These chelates are tissue specific imaging agents for soft tissue cancers.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to the regulation of transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria of a cell and, therefore, for the regulation of steroidogenesis are provided. Compositions include nucleic acid molecules encoding a steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), StAR protein molecules and peptides having amino acid sequences as disclosed herein, and anti-StAR antibodies. Methods include immunoassays using anti-StAR antibodies and nucleic acid based screening methods for pathologies correlated with defects in StAR, such as lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia and dose sensitive sex reversal. In addition, these compositions and methods may be useful for treatment of steroid hormone-dependent disorders, in particular, for lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Abstract: A cotton sample is subjected to noninvasive x-ray microtomographic image analysis in order to recognize cotton contaminants in the cotton sample. The cotton contaminants are detected and classified using an x-ray microtomographic system. Once the cotton contaminants in the cotton sample are detected and classified, the cotton sample may be graded based on the type and amount of cotton contaminants present.

Abstract: A method for collecting and preserving semen of various animals including humans, canines, porcines, bovines, ovines and others involves collecting the semen into a collection vessel where the collection vessel is provided with an extender solution for the semen prior to its collection. Moreover, the extended is preferably maintained at a temperature close to normal body temperature of the species being collected over the time period of its collection. The extender is chosen to buffer the pH of the semen sample and to be isotonic with the semen. The volume of the extender in the collection vessel is preferably chosen such that the semen volume is initially diluted with twice its volume extender solution and some period thereafter the extended semen sample is diluted again at the same ratio. Collection into warmed extender media lessened the cold and pH shock to the spermatozoa, as shown by improved semen parameters. The extender solution is preferably rich in calcium ion.

Abstract: A ballistic protection composite shield is disclosed, with improved next-to-skin properties, and improved flexibility. Needlepunching technology permits the manufacture of the wear layer using any type of fiber, and advantageously allows distinct layering, fiber blending, compressibility, controlled fiber orientation, and increases z-directional strength. Needlepunching the nonwoven wear layer to the woven antiballistic layer mechanically interconnects the two layers, eliminating the need for an adhesive bond and increasing the flexibility of the shield. An abrasion resistant strike layer, such as leather, increases the life of the shield.

Abstract: Haptic rendering of three-dimensional soft bodied objects for virtual interactions implemented by forming a three dimensional occupancy map of voxels, forming the surface of and bounding an object, forming a multi-dimensional coordinate system, defining minimum and maximums distances of one voxel neighboring voxels defining multi-dimensional maximum offsets that an occupied point can maintain relative to its center, detecting when the minimums or maximums of distance and/or offsets are violated, and in response thereto adjusting to satisfy minimum and maximum for distance and offsets, and repeating the detecting and adjustment steps for the entire occupancy map until there are essentially no violations.

Abstract: An on-chip interferometric backscatter detector (OCIBD) makes use of plastic substrates in which a rectangular sample channel is formed. While any plastic material can be used to form the channel substrate, the substrate is most preferably formed from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). An incident laser beam reflects off of the sample channel walls and through the sample in the channel, thereby generating backscattered reflections that create interference fringe patterns. The fringe patterns are detected by a photodetector and used to determine various properties of the sample. To provide the best results, the laser beam diameter should be no smaller than the channel width so that the entire channel will be illuminated by the beam, and preferably should be slightly, e.g., 5%, larger. This will insure that the laser light reflected off of the walls of the channel will generate the desired interference fringe patterns, despite the less than optimum rectangular geometry of the channel walls.

Abstract: Seaweed supplement is included in diet of mammals and poultry to enhance immune response. In one embodiment, pasture forage is treated with seaweed supplement. In another embodiment, seaweed meal is directly fed to mammals and enhanced immune responses is manifested by increased width response after intradermal injection of phytohemaglutinin. In an independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to pigs exposed to PRRS disease to impart resistance to said disease and improve performance. In stilt another independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to lactating mares prior to weaning to mitigate the stress of weaning.

Abstract: Fluid current induced vibrations, as well as vortex shedding vibrations induced in a cable stay or a similar elongated, cylindrical element are dampened and substantially eliminated by applying a plurality of flexible active or passive damper bands to the cable at spaced intervals. In underwater currents, the damper bands force or channel the fluid flow over a circular cross-sectional shape, which inhibits lift, and therefore damps the cable stay oscillations. These damper bands can be retrofit to existing cables or can be installed on new cables. Each damper band may include a shiftable mass and an energizing device for facilitating assisted shifting of the mass. A control assembly can actuate all or selected ones of the energizing devices in response to sensed magnitudes of cable stay vibration.

Abstract: Seaweed supplement, e.g., seaweed extract or seaweed meal is directly fed to cattle or pigs in amount of 0.01 to 5% by weight of diet to enhance carcass quality. The enhancement of carcass quality for cattle is manifested by increased quality grade, increased marbling, increased ribeye area and decrease in yield grade in meat obtained on slaughter compared to where seaweed supplement is not fed. The enhancement of carcass quality for swine is manifested by increased marbling, increased firmness and decreased cooler shrink in meat obtained on slaughter compared to where seaweed supplement is not fed.

Abstract: A method of producing a chemical protective composite substrate by embedding chemical adsorbent layer between two nonwoven needlepunched substrates. The substrate in woven form is sandwiched between two needlepunched nonwoven mats. The nonwoven mats, in the preferred embodiment, are made from apparel grade polyester fibers of 1.5″ length and 1.5 denier, using H1 technology needlepunching machinery. A woven activated carbon cloth is sandwiched between two nonwoven substrates. The nonwoven substrates are double punched at a speed of 800 strokes/min. The three layers are fed to the conveyor belt that feeds the needleloom. The three-layer sandwich passes through the needling zone and gets compacted into a composite substrate. The three layers are needlepunched at 800 strokes/min resulting in a needle composite structure that has: a top or prefilter nonwoven layer; a middle or adsorbent layer and a bottom or base nonwoven layer.

Abstract: A genetic transformation system via the pollen tube pathway is presented, plasmid DNA prepared with each of 4 different methods was applied to the surface of an ovary wound site after removal of the style of florets following pollination. Movement of the plasmid DNA indicated plasmid DNA reached the ovules of decapitated florets within about 24 hours after its application to the surface of remaining styles or ovary wound site after pollination. Based on the result of PCR analyses of genomic DNA, 12% to 15% of the plants tested had the 282 bp fragment, the specific portion of the luciferase gene construct into the genome. Southern blotting of genomic DNA from PCR positive plants indicated that the firefly luciferase gene construct may have been incorporated into the genomic DNA of the plants.

Abstract: Cotton plants of the genus Gossypium with improved cotton fiber characteristics are disclosed. The cotton plant has an expression cassette containing a gene coding for an enzyme selected from the group consisting of endoxyloglucan transferase, catalase and peroxidase so that the gene is expressed in cotton fiber cells to improve the cotton fiber characteristics. Also disclosed is a method for producing cotton fibers with improved fiber characteristics from these cotton plants.