Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant methods of activating expression of one or more biosynthetic gene clusters comprising more than one gene, the method comprising a recombinant DNA expression vector that possess two opposable inducible promoters that drives expression of a biosynthetic gene cluster exogenously from outside of the cluster to produce polyketides or non-ribosomal peptides in a heterologous host.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes Bst polymerase variants which exhibit DNA-dependent DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase activity, and methods of use thereof. The Bst polymerase variants of the disclosure may be combined with a separate enzyme having reverse transcriptase activity to amplify target RNA sequences; however, the addition of a separate enzyme having reverse transcriptase activity is not necessary for the successful amplification of RNA targets using the Bst polymerase variants of the disclosure. Target DNA sequences may also be amplified using Bst polymerase variants of the disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant methods of activating expression of one or more biosynthetic gene clusters comprising more than one gene, the method comprising a recombinant DNA expression vector that possess two opposable inducible promoters that drives expression of a biosynthetic gene cluster exogenously from outside of the cluster to produce polyketides or non-ribosomal peptides in a heterologous host.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant methods of activating expression of one or more biosynthetic gene clusters comprising more than one gene, the method comprising a recombinant DNA expression vector that possess two opposable inducible promoters that drives expression of a biosynthetic gene cluster exogenously from outside of the cluster to produce polyketides or non-ribosomal peptides in a heterologous host.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant methods of activating expression of one or more biosynthetic gene clusters comprising more than one gene, the method comprising a recombinant DNA expression vector that possess two opposable inducible promoters that drives expression of a biosynthetic gene cluster exogenously from outside of the cluster to produce polyketides or non-ribosomal peptides in a heterologous host.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a grapple is described in embodiments herein. A variable pressure control may be implemented that controls the pressure applied to a load held by the grapple. An interlock mechanism may be employed on the felling grapple that disables the operation of components of the felling grapple such as a feller. A grapple release mechanism may be activated to release the pressure applied to the load in the event of a malfunction in the felling grapple.

Abstract: An insulating felling grapple is used with an insulating utility vehicle. The utility worker stands on the ground near the worksite and remotely controls the insulating felling grapple and the utility vehicle to perform the task. In addition to other standard trimming and removal tasks, the insulating felling grapple is adapted to allow for the removal of energized vegetation material. In one method, the utility worker grasps the energized vegetation material, lifts or moves the energized vegetation material such that it is no longer energized, severs the non-energized vegetation material, and moves the severed vegetation material to a discard location. A boom assembly of the utility vehicle includes a primary insulation segment. The felling grapple includes a secondary insulation segment, as well as a grapple and a feller. The grapple has at least two tines for gripping the energized material. The feller is configured to sever the energized or nonenergized material.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated polynucleotides that encode a fluorescent protein which is at least 80% sequence identical to a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NOS: 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, and 74. Also described are expression constructs containing the polynucleotides, transformed host cells containing the expression constructions, the encoded fluorescent proteins themselves, and methods of using the nucleotides and encoded fluorescent proteins for bioanalytical research.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated polynucleotides that encode a fluorescent protein which is at least 80% sequence identical to a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NOS: 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, and 74. Also described are expression constructs containing the polynucleotides, transformed host cells containing the expression constructions, the encoded fluorescent proteins themselves, and methods of using the nucleotides and encoded fluorescent proteins for bioanalytical research.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated polynucleotides that encode a fluorescent protein which is at least 80% sequence identical to a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NOS: 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, and 74. Also described are expression constructs containing the polynucleotides, transformed host cells containing the expression constructions, the encoded fluorescent proteins themselves, and methods of using the nucleotides and encoded fluorescent proteins for bioanalytical research.

Abstract: A rule based computerized method of developing, implementing and administering legislation is disclosed which includes developing a computerized database containing a set of declarative rules in accordance with which the legislation can be developed, written in and delivered; utilizing the computerized database to develop the policy for the legislation in accordance with the set of rules, and/or utilizing the computerized database to write the legislation in accordance with the set of rules, and/or utilizing the computerized database to design the service to administer the legislation in accordance with the set of rules, and/or utilizing the computerized database to administer and/or evaluate the legislation in accordance with the set of rules; wherein the policy development, writing of legislation, service design, administration and/or evaluation are functionally integrated by the computerized database.

Abstract: A shredding machine includes a housing which defines a passageway through which a sheet of material to be shredded may pass, a punching mechanism comprising a plurality of punch members, a mechanism to move the punch members from a retracted position in which the punch members are spaced from the passageway to an advanced position in which the punch members extend through the passageway, and a feeding mechanism for feeding the sheet of material through the punching mechanism so that repeated movement of the punch members between the retracted and the advanced positions effects shredding of the material. A method of shredding sheet material comprises feeding a sheet of material to be shredded past a punching mechanism and repeatedly punching the sheet material so as to shred the entire sheet.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing viral genomic and complementary DNA expression libraries and novel viral polypeptides without requiring virus cultivation prior to library construction. The method includes direct isolation of viral particles from the environment by differential filtration and centrifugation. The viral nucleic acids are extracted and used to construct libraries that may be screened by one of several methods to identify useful coding sequences or may be used to produce novel polypeptides.

Abstract: A shredding machine includes a housing which defines a passageway through which a sheet of material to be shredded may pass, a punching mechanism comprising a plurality of punch members, a mechanism to move the punch members from a retracted position in which the punch members are spaced from the passageway to an advanced position in which the punch members extend through the passageway, and a feeding mechanism for feeding the sheet of material through the punching mechanism so that repeated movement of the punch members between the retracted and the advanced positions effects shredding of the material. A method of shredding sheet material comprises feeding a sheet of material to be shredded past a punching mechanism and repeatedly punching the sheet material so as to shred the entire sheet.

Abstract: A poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based plastisol composition including a poly(vinyl chloride) polymer (homopolymer or copolymer), a plasticizer, and an infrared-reflective pigment is applied in a layer on a substrate and coalesced to produce a PVC layer including an infrared reflective pigment. The layer can be made into a free film and applied to an extruded vinyl or metal sheet to prepare vinyl or metal siding or trim pieces with an outer layer of the PVC including an infrared-reflective pigment.

Abstract: A rule based computerized method of developing, implementing and administering legislation is disclosed which includes developing a computerized database containing a set of declarative rules in accordance with which the legislation can be developed, written in and delivered; utilizing the computerized database to develop the policy for the legislation in accordance with the set of rules, and/or utilizing the computerized database to write the legislation in accordance with the set of rules, and/or utilizing the computerized database to design the service to administer the legislation in accordance with the set of rules, and/or utilizing the computerized database to administer and/or evaluate the legislation in accordance with the set of rules; wherein the policy development, writing of legislation, service design, administration and/or evaluation are functionally integrated by the computerized database.

Abstract: A shredder for sheet material comprises a shredding mechanism and an air feeding mechanism. Conveniently the air feeding mechanism comprises a vacuum pump. An air flow path extends through the shredding mechanism of the shredder and the pump is disposed after the shredding mechanism in the air flow path. The air feeding mechanism comprises a collection device for collecting shredded particles, which may include a permeable bag.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to materials and methods for the quasi-random and complete fragmentation of DNA using restriction endonuclease reagents capable of cutting DNA at a dinucleotide sequence. The invention is also directed to methods for labeling DNA using template-specific oligonucleotides, for shotgun cloning, for sequencing of DNA, for epitope mapping and for anonymous primer cloning, all using fragments of DNA generated by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding a novel restriction endonuclease (designated R.C.nu.iJI) and variants thereof are disclosed along with method and materials for production of the same by recombinant methods. A bacterial host cell line transformed with DNA encoding R.C.nu.iJI is also disclosed, as well as methods for expressing R.C.nu.iJI in the bacterial host system and subsequent materials and methods for purification of the enzyme.