Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding an acyl-ACP thioesterase enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of palmitoyl, stearoyl and oleoyl-ACP thioesters are described. Use of such fragments in altering plant oil composition is also described.

Abstract: Inbred broccoli line, designated BC-403 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred broccoli line BC-403, to the plants of inbred broccoli line BC-403, and to methods for producing a broccoli plant produced by crossing the inbred line BC-403 with itself or another broccoli line. The invention further relates to hybrid broccoli seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line BC-403 with another broccoli line.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions that have prophylactic or therapeutic applications for disease resulting from the production of cytokines, and preferably the cytokine IL-6, wherein the compositions consist of activin like molecules.

Abstract: This invention relates to the selection and preparation of synthetic peptides which stimulate helper T lymphocyte response to HIV in a wide range of human subjects. These multideterminant peptides are, therefore, useful for the production of vaccines against HIV infection and for diagnostic procedures to test for HIV seroconversion.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a hog cholera virus vaccine comprising a polypeptide characteristic of hog cholera virus. Vector vaccines capable to express a nucleic acid sequence encoding such a polypeptide also from part of the present invention. Said polypeptide and nucleic acid sequence can also be used for the detection of hog cholera virus infection.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for forming submicron critical dimension shallow trenches with improved etch selectivity and etch bias control. In one embodiment of the present invention, three separate etch steps are performed. A polish stop layer (or an etch hard mask layer) and an oxide layer are etched during the first and second etch steps and the underlying substrate is etched during the third etch step. In the first etch step a carbon-fluorine based etchant is used in order to form a polymer layer along the photoresist, polish stop layer (or etch hard mask layer), and oxide layer. After the first etch step, a second etch step is used to remove the polymer from the horizontal surfaces of the semiconductor structures thereby forming polymer sidewalls as well as completing the etching of the polish stop layer (or etch hard mask layer) and the oxide layer.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of a DNA coding for ectoine synthase has been determined by isolating a gene coding for an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of ectoine in the form of a DNA comprising about 4.2 kilobase pairs which is obtained from Halomonas sp. KS-3 by cleaving with restriction endonucleases EcoRI and SalI. By introducing the obtained gene DNA into E. coli, it is possible to provide the capability of biosynthetizing ectoine and the characteristic of high osmotic tolerance, thus permitting the development of an efficient fermentation technique utilizing the resultant transformant and the creation of plants having high resistance to drought.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive coloring composition is provided, which contains (a) an electron-donating coloring compound; and (b) an electron-accepting compound, which is an aromatic carboxylic acid compound comprising at least one hydrocarbon group, which induces color formation in the electron-donating coloring compound. The reversible thermosensitive coloring composition reversibly assumes a color-developed state or a decolorized state, in response to at least one of (1) the temperature thereof when heated and (2) the cooling rate of the reversible thermosensitive coloring composition when cooled after the heating thereof. A reversible thermosensitive recording medium using the coloring composition is also provided.

Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens are disclosed for use in diagnostics assays for screening and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp46 envelop proteins, and are differentiated by their immunoreactivity with an HTLV-II specific monoclonal antibody and by HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are also useful in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The invention features a purified nucleic acid that encodes a member of the hepadnavirus family of cellular receptors. The receptor is a 170 kD cell surface glycoprotein, and is referred to as the p170 receptor. The pre-S domain of the duck hepatitis B virus envelope protein binds the p170 receptor at a major neutralizing epitope, within which are two basic amino acids required for virion-receptor interaction.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with European strains of the Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus, having as a unique feature that they are non-infectious to macrophages, and to methods for the production of such strains. The invention also provides vaccines for the protection of pigs against PRRS, based on these strains, as well as methods for the production of such vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a hog cholera virus vaccine comprising a polypeptide characteristic of hog cholera virus. Vector vaccines capable to express a nucleic acid sequence encoding such a polypeptide also form part of the present invention. Said polypeptide and nucleic acid sequence can also be used for the detection of hog cholera virus infection.

Abstract: A live, attenuated HSV-2 virus and methods of making and using the virus are provided. The live, attenuated HSV-2 virus is constructed using recombinant techniques and can be used in a pharmaceutical composition for prophylactic treatment of HSV-2 infections and for treatment of recurrent HSV-2 related diseases and conditions. Additionally, a plasmid vector is disclosed for expressing a GST-UL56 fusion protein wherein the protein comprises the Glutathione S Transferase gene product fused to at least an immunogenic portion of the HSV-2 UL56 gene product. The GST-UL56 fusion protein can be used to produce polyclonal antisera to the HSV-2 UL56 gene product, to detect whether recombinant HSV-2 deletion mutants express UL56, and as a type-specific reagent capable of discerning HSV-1 from HSV-2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dye-labeled antibody conjugate comprising an antibody conjugate and a cyanine dye. The dye-labeled antibody conjugate is prepared by polymerizing an antibody such as mouse IgG in phosphate buffer using a polyfunctional reagent such as dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidylpropionate), and stirring the antibody and a cyanine dye represented by Formula I . The dye-labeled antibody conjugate is more sensitive to antigens than conventional dye-labeled antibodies because it has many reactive sites to antigens.

Abstract: Method of controlling dust mites involving impregnating pre-formed netting with a liquid composition including a pyrethroid insecticide is described. The netting is applied around an article, such as a pillow, mattress, duvet, cushion, beanbag or domestic pet bed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for aerobically cultivating yeast or bacteria in a culture medium of fed-batch, continuous or cell-recycling continuous cultures, wherein the carbon source concentration in the culture medium is maintained at a constant low level of under g/l. The carbon source concentration is maintained by measuring the carbon consumption of a culture of the yeast or bacteria in a preliminary experiment. The rate is determined between the time the culture is started and a time when the carbon source is exhausted. A feeding time is then determined wherein the activity of the yeast or bacteria in the presence of the carbon source does not change and a volume of the carbon source to be used in a first feeding (So) is set as So=.nu..times.T. Then, in a main culture, a first feeding of a volume of the carbon source (So) is added for the time (T), and the exhaustion of the carbon source is detected as an increase in pH or an increase in concentration of oxygen dissolved in the culture medium.

Abstract: Metal-polymer nanolaminate products are fabricated from a bulk nanolaminate material composed of thousands of alternating metal and polymer layers. The nanolaminate material is produced by a prior art ultra high speed vacuum nanotechnology process that forms metal layers separated by radiation cross linked multifunctional acrylate polymer materials. The polymer to metal ratio in the nanolaminate composite can be successfully controlled. The polymer chemistry in the nanolaminate can be varied to incorporate a broad range of functional groups. The nanolaminate products are safe to handle and are environmentally and chemically stable at least up to 250.degree. C. A change in polymer chemistry can be used to lower or enhance the thermal degradation point of the polymer material.

Abstract: A method for in-situ cleaning of a chuck that bears a semiconductor wafer in a semiconductor manufacturing machine maintains a processing chamber in a sealed condition with the chuck inside the chamber. A wafer bearing surface of the chuck is exposed upon determining that the chuck requires a cleaning. A cleaning gas is then injected into the chamber and RF power is applied to the chamber to create a plasma that cleans the wafer bearing surface. Since the processing chamber is maintained in a sealed condition during the in-situ cleaning of the chuck, the time required to clean the chuck and prepare the chamber for continued production runs is greatly reduced.

Abstract: Process for the production of dairy products comprising at least one ultrafiltration (1) and maturation (2) stage, is characterized in that it comprises at least one stage for placing the said product under pressure downstream of a homogenization stage (4), followed by at least one distribution stage which makes it possible to obtain the passage of the product from a liquid phase to a solid phase, and then at least one expansion (16) or decompression stage for the forming, and finally, at least one stage for cutting the said solid product into portions.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Hypericum plant named `Bosakin`, characterized by its long flowering stems; large dark red berries; dark green leaves; and excellent postproduction longevity.