Abstract: Described herein is a novel three domain gene from Schizochytrium, denoted carotene synthase, that encodes a protein with three different enzymatic activities: phytoene dehydrogenase (PD), phytoene synthase (PS), and lycopene cyclase (LC). Also described is the isolated gene encoding the carotene synthase, homologues thereof, the enzyme encoded by such gene, biologically active portions and homologues thereof, recombinant nucleic acid molecules, microorganisms and plants that have been genetically modified to increase or decrease the action of such gene, and methods of producing carotenoids and derivatives thereof or methods of producing microorganisms and lipid products lacking pigmentation using the knowledge of the carotene synthase described herein.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.

Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel three domain gene from Schizochytrium, denoted carotene synthase, that encodes a protein with three different enzymatic activities: phytoene dehydrogenase (PD), phytoene synthase (PS), and lycopene cyclase (LC). Also described is the isolated gene encoding the carotene synthase, homologues thereof, the enzyme encoded by such gene, biologically active portions and homologues thereof, recombinant nucleic acid molecules, microorganisms and plants that have been genetically modified to increase or decrease the action of such gene, and methods of producing carotenoids and derivatives thereof or methods of producing microorganisms and lipid products lacking pigmentation using the knowledge of the carotene synthase described herein.

Abstract: A high-quality lipid composition is disclosed having low oxidative deterioration such as measured by low anisidine values. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the same from a lipid-containing material that include enzymatic degradation of protein and/or carbohydrate components of the material. Lipid-containing materials include biomass, such as microorganisms. The invention further includes products containing the lipid compositions, such as dietary supplements, food products, pharmaceutical formulations, humanized animal milk, and infant formula.

Abstract: A system for assisting a seated person to stand that may include a walker and a lifting arm attached to the walker that extends in an approximate vertical direction from the walker. The walker may include two front legs and two rear legs, and the lifting arm may extend telescopically from one of the front legs.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fatty acid synthase (FAS) from Schizochytrium, biologically active fragments and homologues thereof, a nucleic acid sequence encoding such FAS, fragments and homologues thereof, the gene encoding Schizochytrium FAS, host cells and organisms that recombinantly express the FAS, host cells and organisms in which the expression and/or activity of the endogenous FAS has been attenuated, and various methods for making and using any of these proteins, nucleic acid molecules, genes, host cells or organisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing high-quality polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing lipids from a lipid-containing material that include enzymatic treatment of components of the material and/or pressure disruption of the material. Lipid-containing materials include biomass, such as microorganisms. The invention further includes products containing the lipid compositions, such as dietary supplements, food products, pharmaceutical formulations, humanized animal milk, and infant formula.

Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.

Abstract: Described herein is a novel three domain gene from Schizochytrium, denoted carotene synthase, that encodes a protein with three different enzymatic activities: phytoene dehydrogenase (PD), phytoene synthase (PS), and lycopene cyclase (LC). Also described is the isolated gene encoding the carotene synthase, homologues thereof, the enzyme encoded by such gene, biologically active portions and homologues thereof, recombinant nucleic acid molecules, microorganisms and plants that have been genetically modified to increase or decrease the action of such gene, and methods of producing carotenoids and derivatives thereof or methods of producing microorganisms and lipid products lacking pigmentation using the knowledge of the carotene synthase described herein.

Abstract: A method of recognizing an unknown object includes the following steps: receiving from a camera, a first image of the unknown object which is comprised of an array of pixels of multiple magnitudes that lie within a certain range; generating a second image from the first image by scaling the pixel magnitudes in the first image such that differences in the scaled pixel magnitudes are increased and the average pixel magnitude lies near the middle of the pixel range; and, determining the width of the unknown object by detecting an area in the second image where the pixel magnitudes exceed a certain threshold level. Based on that width, a third image is generated from the second image, by adjusting the magnification of the second image such that it has a predetermined standard width; and the unknown object is identified if a correlation between the third image and a reference exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: An input image is comprised of an array of pixels in rows and columns having P.sub.R pixels-per-row and P.sub.C pixels-per-column. To generate a scaled replica of the input image, the number of pixels-per-row P.sub.R ' and the number of pixels-per-column P.sub.C ' that are to be in the scaled replica are selected, where P.sub.R ' and P.sub.C ' are positive integers which can be larger or smaller than P.sub.R and P.sub.C. Then the input image is distorted such that the spacing between columns is (P.sub.R '-1)x and the spacing between rows is (P.sub.C '-1)y, where x and y are arbitrary units of distance, such as one inch or one meter. Then the distorted input image is overlaid with a new row-column array, where the spacing between columns is (P.sub.R -1)x and the spacing between rows is (P.sub.C -1)y, and where x and y are the same units of distance that are in the distorted input image.

Abstract: A system for recognizing objects is comprised of: 1) a camera that has a lens which is uncovered; 2) a housing which encloses the camera, and has a window for the lens; 3) a rotating means, which is inside of the housing and which carries the camera, for receiving electronic control signals and rotating the camera at different angles in response thereto; and, 4) a control means for generating the electronic control signals such that the rotating means selectively points the camera lens -a) through the window at any one of several predetermined angles, and b) inside of the housing at the surface for calibrating the camera. With this system, the objects that are recognized can be human faces at different heights relative to the window in the housing. By pointing the camera lens inside of the housing, the lens is protected from damage even though it is not covered; and a calibration surface inside of the housing enables the camera to be calibrated while the lens is protected.

Abstract: An input image is comprised of an array of pixels in rows and columns. To generate a scaled replica of the input image, that input image is first partitioned into several identical sections, in which each section has P.sub.R pixels per row and P.sub.C pixels per column. Then the number of pixels-per-row P.sub.R ' and the number of pixels-per-column P.sub.C ' that are to be in each corresponding section of the scaled replica is selected, where P.sub.R ' and P.sub.C ' are any positive integers which can be larger or smaller than P.sub.R and P.sub.C. Then just a single section of the input image is distorted such that the spacing between columns is (P.sub.R '-1)x and the spacing between rows is (P.sub.C '-1)y, where x and y are arbitrary units of distance, such as one inch or one meter. Then the single distorted section of the input image is overlaid with a section of a new row-column array, where the spacing between columns is (P.sub.R -1)x and the spacing between rows is (P.sub.

Abstract: Strains of yeast of the species Candida famata are disclosed which can produce 10 grams of riboflavin per liter in 6 days, and in particular, strains identified by ATCC Accession Nos. 20849 and 20850. Riboflavin yields of more than 20 grams per liter in 200 hours have been achieved. Strains of the present invention have increased sensitivity to iron inhibition of flavinogenesis and have enhanced riboflavin production per cell at increased iron concentrations in the fermentation medium. The invention also is directed toward a process for selecting improved microorganisms which are resistant to inhibition of growth by depleted medium. Such selected mircoorganisms are then tested for riboflavin overproduction. The present invention is also directed toward a selection process in which mutated microorganisms are cultured in the presence of tubercidin, a purine analog. Mutant strains resistant to tubercidin are then tested for riboflavin over-production.

Abstract: Strains of yeast of the species Candida famata are disclosed which can produce 10 grams of riboflavin per liter in 6 days, and in particular, strains identified by ATCC Accession Nos. 20849 and 20850. Riboflavin yields of more than 20 grams per liter in 200 hours have been achieved. Strains of the present invention have increased sensitivity to iron inhibition of flavinogenesis and have enhanced riboflavin production per cell at increased iron concentrations in the fermentation medium.