Abstract: Method for making lignocellulosic composites by adhering lignocellulosic substrates together. A first variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) first ingredient selected from a soy protein or lignin and (ii) at least one substantially formaldehyde-free curing agent that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide, or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the soy protein. A second variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) a protein or lignin, (ii) a first compound that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the protein and (iii) a curing agent.

Abstract: Method for making lignocellulosic composites by adhering lignocellulosic substrates together. A first variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) first ingredient selected from a soy protein or lignin and (ii) at least one substantially formaldehyde-free curing agent that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide, or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the soy protein. A second variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) a protein or lignin, (ii) a first compound that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the protein and (iii) a curing agent.

Abstract: Enhancement mode, field effect transistors wherein at least a portion of the transistor structure may be substantially transparent. One variant of the transistor includes a channel layer comprising a substantially insulating, substantially transparent, material selected from ZnO, SnO2, or In2O3. A gate insulator layer comprising a substantially transparent material is located adjacent to the channel layer so as to define a channel layer/gate insulator layer interface. A second variant of the transistor includes a channel layer comprising a substantially transparent material selected from substantially insulating ZnO, SnO2 or In2O3, the substantially insulating ZnO, SnO2, or In2O3 being produced by annealing. Devices that include the transistors and methods for making the transistors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for making lignocellulosic composites by adhering lignocellulosic substrates together. A first variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) first ingredient selected from a soy protein or lignin and (ii) at least one substantially formaldehyde-free curing agent that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide, or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the soy protein. A second variant of the method involves using an adhesive composition that comprises a reaction product of (i) a protein or lignin, (ii) a first compound that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the protein and (iii) a curing agent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for substrate modeling are disclosed. In one disclosed method, for example, the substrate modeling comprises determining scalable Z parameters associated with at least two substrate contacts, constructing a matrix of the scalable Z parameters for the at least two substrate contacts, and calculating an inverse of the matrix to determine resistance values associated with the at least two substrate contacts. Computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions for causing a computer system to perform any of the described methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Enhancement mode, field effect transistors wherein at least a portion of the transistor structure may be substantially transparent. One variant of the transistor includes a channel layer comprising a substantially insulating, substantially transparent, material selected from ZnO or SnO2. A gate insulator layer comprising a substantially transparent material is located adjacent to the channel layer so as to define a channel layer/gate insulator layer interface. A second variant of the transistor includes a channel layer comprising a substantially transparent material selected from substantially insulating ZnO or SnO2, the substantially insulating ZnO or SnO2 being produced by annealing. Devices that include the transistors and methods for making the transistors are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adhesive composition made by reacting a soy protein with at least one compound under conditions sufficient for introducing additional phenolic hydroxyl functional groups, amine functional groups, and/or thiol functional groups into the soy protein structure.

Abstract: Active agents comprising coated pellets which self seal if they are damaged are described. More specifically, an active agent, or bead coated with an active agent, is coated with a rate-release controlling polymer and a hydrophilic gel-forming material which forms a gel upon hydration. If the bead is compressed into a solid compact which damages the polymer coating, the hydrophilic substance gels upon exposure to an aqueous environment. The gel provides sufficient sealing of the damaged area in the polymer so that a useful control of drug release is retained in spite of the damage to the polymer. The pellets of the invention exhibit improved flow and compactability. The compacts can be formulated to disintegrate in the gastrointestinal tract, and also may result in either controlled release or immediate release of the active agent.

Abstract: Nonlinear optical materials are described which satisfy Formula 1M.sub.Xl M'.sub.Y (B.sub.3 O.sub.5).sub.Z Formula 1wherein M and M' are mono- or divalent metal ions, X varies from about 0.1 to about 1.9, Y varies from about 1.9 to about 0.1, and Z is 2 or 3. Currently, the best nonlinear optical materials also satisfy Formula 2M.sub.X M'.sub.Y (B.sub.3 O.sub.5)X+Y Formula 2wherein M and M' are monovalent metal ions independently selected from the group consisting of Group IA metals, X varies from 0.1 to about 1.9, and wherein Y varies from about 1.9 to about 0.1. The best results are achieved when compounds satisfying Formula 2 have X=Y=1, and the metal ions are independently selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and francium. One example, without limitation, of a compound that satisfies Formulas 1 and 2 is CsLiB.sub.6 O.sub.10.

Abstract: A peptide, produced by propionibacteria, has a molecular weight of between 300 and 1200 daltons and is inhibitory to gram-negative bacteria. The peptide can be produced by purification of a propionibacteria metabolite mixture, by chemical synthesis, or by a host transformed with a recombinant vector, and is useful in preventing and treating bacterial infections.

Abstract: Methods for amplifying DNA sequences of interest are disclosed. The methods can be performed using only one primer and are also useful in cloning protocols and for sequencing large DNAs. The methods comprise cleaving a sample DNA using an agent, such as a restriction endonuclease, that produces discrete DNA fragments; ligating the fragments to "adapter" polynucleotides having a ligatable end and first and second self-complementary sequences separated by a spacer sequence, thereby forming ligated duplexes; denaturing the ligated duplexes to form templates; annealing molecules of an oligonucleotide primer to the templates, the primers being homologous to a primer target site associated with the sequence of interest; extending the primers using a DNA polymerizing agent to form duplex products; and denaturing the duplex products. Subsequent multiple cycles of annealing primers, extending the primers, and denaturing duplex products are usually performed so as to achieve the desired degree of amplification.

Abstract: A liquid composition is applied to a plant to provide a barrier to water vapor transmission. The composition dries to form a film on the surface of the plant. The film inhibits water loss and thereby increases the survival likelihood and quality of the plant.A particularly suitable coating composition comprises: from about forty to about ninety-five weight percent of a vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride polymer; from about 1.0 to about 2.0 weight percent of a coalescing agent such as 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate; about 0.5 to about 1.0 weight percent of a surfactant such as a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer; about 0.5 to about 1.0 weight percent of a viscosity increasing agent such as a urethane copolymer; and from about 0.3 to about 1.0 weight percent of a defoaming agent, such as silica.

Abstract: An adhesive is applied to overlapping portions of a two-part test sample located between opposing press heads of the bond testing device. The press heads then press together the overlapping portions for a specific period of time while heating the test sample to a preselected temperature. The device precisely maintains the temperature while bonding the sample at a preselected pressure. A load cell measures the shear force required to separate the bonded test piece.

Abstract: An enclosure for the controlled breeding of honey bees has a diffusely illuminated upper dome section. The dome is illuminated either by upwardly directed light reflected or emitted from a lower portion of the enclosure, or by an external source diffused through the dome. A queen bee is tethered in the center of the enclosure below the dome.

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 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: 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: 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.