Abstract: A method for producing one or more pseudomycins is described including cultures of Pseudomonas syringae that produce one or more pseudomycins having general formula (I) where R is a lipophilic moiety.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader including a magnetic head, located in a non-secured region, at least one signal path including at least first and second electrical conductors extending from the magnetic head in the non-secured region to a secured region, circuitry located within the secured region and receiving at least one signal output along at least one signal path, the circuitry located within the secured region including functionality ensuring that a voltage difference along the at least first and second electrical conductors is virtually zero, thereby obviating illicit information retrieval via tapping of the at least first and second conductors and analysis of voltage differences therebetween.

Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: An air circulation unit, such as a portable evaporative cooler, has one or more graphic image displays. The display may comprise advertising signage, such as the name or logo for marketing the goods or services of a sponsor thereof. The display is affixed to hardware that is adjacent to the intake, the exhaust, or both surfaces. The display may comprise a printed screen having an image formed on a substrate that is permeable to air flow. The display may be mounted to a wire frame or other hardware that is secured adjacent to the intake or exhaust. The surface area of the display may be equal to, greater than, or less than the surface areas of the intake or exhaust, and may be spaced apart therefrom along an axis extending in a direction of the airflow at a suitable distance depending on the application.

Abstract: The present invention entails a rotary cutting die having one or more scrap strippers secured thereon for stripping scrap corrugated board pieces from adjacently disposed scrap cutting blades during a corrugated board die cutting operation. Each scrap stripper comprises a resilient member having a base and an angled flexible finger extending from the base so as to define an open area between the angled finger and the base. During a die cutting operation, the entire scrap stripper including the angled finger and base is compressed as the stripper passes through the nip defined between the cutting die and an associated anvil. As the stripper exits the nip, it expands causing the underlying scrap piece to be stripped from adjacently disposed blades. In addition, the angled finger extending from the base extends outwardly and engages the underlying cut piece of scrap and pushes or urges the cut scrap against the underlying anvil.

Abstract: Disclosed are insect baits for attracting insects such as ants, flies and cockroaches. The baits include amino acids and a sugar. The baits can be combined with an insect toxicant to effectively control and eliminate insect populations. Methods for controlling insects using an insect bait of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary cutting die includes a trim stripper having a generally pentagonal shape which forcibly separates severed trim scrap from cut corrugated board, directing the scrap material generally downwardly and away from the trimmed corrugated board product. The pentagonal shaped stripping member mounts on the surface of a die board adjacent a trim cutting blade and is formed of a resilient material, such as closed cell rubber, which deforms elastically when forced into contact with the incoming blank of material. The angled nature of the stripper surface allows the stripper to smoothly contact and capture the leading edge of the blank, greatly reducing the potential for an initial destructive misalignment at the stripper-blank interface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a family of unique antimycotic lipopeptide compounds produced by Pseudomonas viridiflava. The lipopeptides are effective against both human and plant fungal pathogens, and are typically characterized by their ability to inhibit growth of Candida albicans. Representative lipopeptides of the invention have molecular weights of 1137, 1153, 1164 and 1181 daltons.

Abstract: Disclosed are insect baits for attracting insects such as ants, flies and cockroaches. The baits include amino acids and a sugar. The baits can be combined with an insect toxicant to effectively control and eliminate insect populations. Methods for controlling insects using an insect bait of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of inhibitors of the expressed proteins of the murine genes and/or their human homologues listed in Table 1 for the preparation of a therapeutical composition for the treatment of cancer, in particular for the treatment of solid tumors of lung, colon, breast, prostate, ovarian, pancreas and leukemia. The invention also relates to the therapeutical compositions comprising the inhibitors and to methods for development of the inhibitor compounds.

Abstract: A remote adjustment mechanism for the louvered cleaning elements of a combine harvester has a linearly movable output member directly fastened to the adjusting bar of each element. The actuator is driven by an electric motor. Calibration and feedback of the louver opening is provided by a pair of non-contact sensors sealed in the actuator housing. A first sensor sends a signal to a microprocessor controller when the output member is in a home position corresponding to a known louver opening. The second sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor that is responsive to movement of the output member. By tracking the movement of the output member from the home position, the current position of the output member is known from which the louver opening is determined based on the louver geometry.

Abstract: A remote adjustment mechanism for the louvered cleaning elements of a combine harvester has a linearly movable output member directly fastened to the adjusting bar of each element. The actuator is driven by an electric motor. Calibration and feedback of the louver opening is provided by a pair of non-contact sensors sealed in the actuator housing. A first sensor sends a signal to a microprocessor controller when the output member is in a home position corresponding to a known louver opening. The second sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor that is responsive to movement of the output member. By tracking the movement of the output member from the home position, the current position of the output member is known from which the louver opening is determined based on the louver geometry.

Abstract: A rotary drum cooler for cooling particulate material (e.g. coke particles) having at least one cooling pocket which, in turn, includes a flexible vent pipe assembly which can slide in relation to the shell of the cooler. By making the vent pipe slidable, it can move in response to the expansion and contraction of the pocket within the shell. The vent pipe assembly is comprised of (a) a tube which is connected to the pocket and which slidably extends through an aperture in the shell and (b) a flexible means for sealingly connecting the outer end of the tube to the shell.

Abstract: An auger-type ice maker comprises a generally cylindrical-walled freezing chamber, a rotatable ice auger within the chamber, and a compacting head whereby ice formed in the freezing chamber is transferred by rotation of the auger into the compacting head and discharged therefrom via a nozzle. The nozzle is provided with an annular water-receiving canal for receiving water squeezed from ice as it compressed while passing through a converging nozzle. The configuration of the converging nozzle is arcuate, and is defined by a surface of revolution that is a frustum of a radius-defined convex conical passageway.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floor board compressing apparatus and method of use for compressing and tightening a plurality of abutting floor boards. The apparatus has a reel rotationally engaged in a reel housing. An inextensible and flexible tape coiled on and attached to the reel extends to a first hook which attaches to the first end of the boards to be compressed. A second hook is pivotally attached to the reel housing and attaches to the opposing end of the floor boards. A handle which is pivotally engaged to the reel is used to turn the reel within the reel housing so as to draw the first hook toward the second hook. The reel housing preferably includes a plurality of holes and the handle provides a locking peg. After winding in all of the flexible tape by turning the handle, the handle is then rocked on its pivot for engaging and disengaging the locking peg with any one of the locking holes. After the tape has been tightened and locked into place, the reel housing is pushed laterally.

Abstract: A slide hammer has end blocks of a material that will not damage wooden boards when it is used to tap the boards into place. The slide hammer includes a slide rod or bar and a weighted hammer movable on the slide rod. With one of the end blocks in contact with a board, the hammer is moved into contact with one of the end blocks in a vigorous manner to drive the board into place. The edges of the end blocks are configured so as to allow the unit to be positioned in tight spaces between the boards and any surrounding walls.

Abstract: A camouflaged injection needle is disclosed including a shaft, a flexible ellipsoid tip at one end of the shaft and a sharp needle tip positioned within the flexible tip and axially aligned with the shaft. The sharp needle tip is capable of piercing through the flexible tip and into an outer human tissue when the flexible tip is positioned on the outer human tissue and the shaft is urged in the direction of the outer human tissue. The injection needle is camouflaged to resemble a cotton swab. This reduces pre-injection anxiety of the patient.

Abstract: An acupressure device is disclosed for stimulating an LI-4 acupressure point located on the back side of a hand within the fleshy crotch between the thumb and index finger. The acupressure device is simple to use and enables accurate positioning over the LI-4 acupressure point and simultaneous stimulation of both hands.

Abstract: A lightweight structural member made of prestressed plastic foam is provided, the prestress provided by a plurality of tendons disposed within the foam to which tensile forces are applied during mold casting of the structural member, the tendons being retained in tension by bonding between the tendons and the foam, or by way of anchors which are spaced along the tendons to retain the tendons in immobile condition, one or more skin layers also being optionally provided. A method for producing a lightweight structural member of prestressed plastic foam is also provided.