Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for secretion of functional proteins in a soluble form by host cells. In particular, the invention relates to membrane targeting and translocation proteins, MttA, MttB and MttC and to variants and homologs thereof. The membrane targeting and translocation proteins are useful in targeting protein expression to the periplasm of gram negative bacteria and to extracellular media of other host cells. Such expression allows secretion of expressed proteins of interest in a functional and soluble form, thus facilitating purification and increasing the yield of functional proteins of interest.

Abstract: An extruder for extruding an associated material includes an extruder housing that has a feed section, a center section that includes a throttle section, and an outlet section with an extruder screw disposed in the extruder housing. The extruder also includes a throttle at the throttle section. The throttle has a plurality of pins that extend radially into the housing. The pins are adjusted by a cam extending around the extruder housing. The cam has an inner wall that has a plurality of cam surfaces engageable by pins. The radius of each of the cam surfaces gradually decreases from a maximum radius to a minimum radius distance. The pins have springs that urge the pins radially outward to contact the inner wall of the cam. The cam is rotated by a piston and cylinder assembly. The extruder further includes sensors for temperature, gauge, weight, and other properties of the material.

Abstract: An improved vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of the floor pan (31) by roll forming, with the floor pan (31) having strengthening ribs (34) extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the floor pan so as to terminate at the front and rear free edges thereof. The rear free edge (36) of the floor pan (31) cooperates with a rear sill member (32, 32') which has rib-end defining projections (47, 99) formed thereon and cooperating with the ends of the ribs (34) on the floor pan (31) for closing off the ribs and creating a transition to a flat horizontal surface defined on the rear sill member. The rib ends of the rear sill member preferably have guide portions (49, 102) which nest into and are fixedly secured, as by spot welding, to the rearward ends of the ribs defined on the floor pan.

Abstract: An improved vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of the floor pan (31) by roll forming, with the floor pan (31) having strengthening ribs (34) extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the floor pan so as to terminate at the front and rear free edges thereof. The rear free edge (36) of the floor pan (31) cooperates with a rear sill member (32, 32') which has rib-end defining projections (47, 99) formed thereon and cooperating with the ends of the ribs (34) on the floor pan (31) for closing off the ribs and creating a transition to a flat horizontal surface defined on the rear sill member. The rib ends of the rear sill member preferably have guide portions (49, 102) which nest into and are fixedly secured, as by spot welding, to the rearward ends of the ribs defined on the floor pan.

Abstract: An improved vehicle bed assembly, and process of manufacture, which involves formation of the floor pan by roll forming, with the floor pan having strengthening ribs extending longitudinally throughout the entire length of the floor pan so as to terminate at the front and rear free edges thereof. The rear free edge of the floor pan cooperates with a rear sill member which has rib-end defining projections formed thereon and cooperating with the ends of the ribs on the floor pan for closing off said ribs and creating a transition to a flat horizontal surface defined on the rear sill member. The rib ends of the rear sill member preferably have guide portions which nest into and are fixedly secured, as by spot welding, to the rearward ends of the ribs defined on the floor pan.

Abstract: A construction and method of manufacture of a feed belt are presented wherein the belt is an endless body of elastomeric material reinforced with a fabric sleeve and having a toothed inner surface and a non-toothed outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces being treated so that the outer surface has a significantly higher coefficient of friction than the inner surface.