Abstract: A method for using bird eggs to detect the presence of at least one botulinum toxin.

Abstract: An actuable truss with ordered or disordered planar or strut elements or pore walls may be seeded with tissue cells, wherein application of a magnetic field may result in mechanical strain on the cells and increased fluid flow in and out of the truss structure. Modified polymers, such as ?-Fe2O3/PLGA, may be used to form actuable scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering. It is also disclosed a device with a trap-door that may be remotely actuated by applying a magnetic field. Such a device may be employed to deliver and control the release of other micro-devices or materials such as drugs to a specific location inside the body of a human or an animal.

Abstract: A self-transpiring hot skin for a hypersonic or reusable space vehicle that can provide protection to the vehicle during short periods of abnormally high heat flux (either planned in the flight profile or an off-nominal event). The hot skin includes a ceramic composite structure having an internal cavity that is coupled either to the insulating layer or directly to the support structure of the hypersonic vehicle. The internal cavity includes a material system that vaporizes, sublimes or decomposes into a gas when the temperature exceeds the upper temperature capability of the composite material. The gas transpires through the outer layer of the composite material to provide cooling to the outer layer below the upper temperature capability. Cooling may occur both by conduction of heat from the composite material to the transpiring gas and by the interaction of the transpiring gas with the boundary layer of hypersonic flow over the outer surface, leading to a reduction of the heat flux entering the surface.

Abstract: A preparation from the scrapings of healthy animals is cultured and administered to animals. This preparation confers a strong measure of protection against the subsequent colonization by enteropathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella species, Campylobacter species and Escherichia coli 0157:H7, which currently cause an unacceptably high incidence of morbidity and mortality in humans and reduce productivity in livestock populations.

Abstract: A preparation of Saccharomyces strains is used for reducing colonization by human enteropathogenic bacteria in poultry. This is referred to as a defined competitive exclusion preparation. It is especially effective for both Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Abstract: A preparation from the scrapings of healthy animals is cultured and administered to animals. This preparation confers a strong measure of protection against the subsequent colonization by enteropathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella species, Campylobacter species and Escherichia coli 0157:H7, which currently cause an unacceptably high incidence of morbidity and mortality in humans and reduce productivity in livestock populations.

Abstract: To reduce the level of contamination of processed poultry, pathogen-free or nearly pathogen-free birds must be delivered to the processing plant. Therefore, it is important to prevent and/or reduce early contamination and spread of Salmonella in poultry. An in ovo method of treatment with a defined microbial preparation and an antibiotic to reduce colonization of newly hatched chicks by enteropathogenic microorganisms is described.

Abstract: A preparation effective for reducing colonization by human enteropathogenic bacteria in poultry is prepared from cultures of mucosa-associated flora obtained from ceca of mature birds and is referred to as mucosal competitive exclusion (MCE). The preparation is especially effective for both Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. Administration of the novel MCE preparation to newly-hatched or hatching birds provides substantial protection against both microorganisms and results in the diminished presence of both in processed poultry products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing probiotic bacteria into the digestive tract of a bird in order to exclude undesirable bacteria therefrom, and inoculated eggs produced thereby, are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fertile bird egg is administered a Salmonella competitive exclusion culture. The culture is preferably administered into the air cell of the egg in an amount effective to colonize the digestive tract of the embryonic bird contained within the egg, and the culture preferably comprises at least one anaerobic bacteria of intestinal origin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a preenrichment broth medium that allows for the simultaneous sampling for Salmonella and Listeria spp. The medium allows for the recovery of sublethally injured bacteria that would otherwise be overlooked by conventional techniques. The medium has utility in the food industry where the isolation and identification of these human enteropathogens is sought.