Abstract: Methods herein relate to aligning objects and can include aligning a transmitter and a receiver to establish a reference line, advancing one or more objects in a direction of advance toward the reference line, interrupting the reference line with the one or more objects and withdrawing the one or more objects opposite the direction of advance until the reference line is uninterrupted. Alternative or complementary aspects relating to alignment can include detecting an interruption of the reference line based on an object entering the path between the transmitter and the receiver, transmitting an interruption signal based on the detected interruption of the reference line detecting a reestablishment of the reference, and transmitting a continuity signal based on the detected reestablishment of the reference line. Systems for effecting such techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods herein relate to aligning objects and can include aligning a transmitter and a receiver to establish a reference line, advancing one or more objects in a direction of advance toward the reference line, interrupting the reference line with the one or more objects and withdrawing the one or more objects opposite the direction of advance until the reference line is uninterrupted. Alternative or complementary aspects relating to alignment can include detecting an interruption of the reference line based on an object entering the path between the transmitter and the receiver, transmitting an interruption signal based on the detected interruption of the reference line detecting a reestablishment of the reference, and transmitting a continuity signal based on the detected reestablishment of the reference line. Systems for effecting such techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods herein relate to aligning objects and can include aligning a transmitter and a receiver to establish a reference line, advancing one or more objects in a direction of advance toward the reference line, interrupting the reference line with the one or more objects and withdrawing the one or more objects opposite the direction of advance until the reference line is uninterrupted. Alternative or complementary aspects relating to alignment can include detecting an interruption of the reference line based on an object entering the path between the transmitter and the receiver, transmitting an interruption signal based on the detected interruption of the reference line detecting a reestablishment of the reference, and transmitting a continuity signal based on the detected reestablishment of the reference line. Systems for effecting such techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods herein relate to aligning objects and can include aligning a transmitter and a receiver to establish a reference line, advancing one or more objects in a direction of advance toward the reference line, interrupting the reference line with the one or more objects and withdrawing the one or more objects opposite the direction of advance until the reference line is uninterrupted. Alternative or complementary aspects relating to alignment can include detecting an interruption of the reference line based on an object entering the path between the transmitter and the receiver, transmitting an interruption signal based on the detected interruption of the reference line detecting a reestablishment of the reference, and transmitting a continuity signal based on the detected reestablishment of the reference line. Systems for effecting such techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides nitrilases and methods for making and using them, and in one aspect, provides methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids. In one aspect, methods of the invention combine an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to stereoselectively hydrolyze the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides nitrilases and methods for making and using them, and in one aspect, provides methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids. In one aspect, methods of the invention combine an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to stereoselectively hydrolyze the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that can be used to make monatin from glucose, tryptophan, indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-pyruvate, and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, are provided. Methods are also disclosed for producing the indole-3-pyruvate and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid intermediates. Compositions provided include nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, chemical structures, and cells. Methods include in vitro and in vivo processes, and the in vitro methods include chemical reactions.

Abstract: The invention provides nitrilases and methods for making and using them, and in one aspect, provides methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids. In one aspect, methods of the invention combine an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to stereoselectively hydrolyze the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there are provided methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids, said method comprising combining an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an anmionium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity which stereoselectively hydrolyzes the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acid, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids.

Abstract: In one aspect, invention relates to the field of monitoring chemical reactions and, in one aspect, provides methods and kits for detecting the presence of nitrites and/or cyanide. In one aspect, the invention provides methods and kits for assaying catalytic activity of a material, such as an enzyme, in a chemical or biochemical process, or assaying catalytic activity of a material in a biological sample, such as a whole cell.

Abstract: This invention provides amidases, polynucleotides encoding the amidases, methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention provides enzymes having secondary amidase activity, e.g., having activity in the hydrolysis of amides, including enzymes having peptidase, protease and/or hydantoinase activity. In alternative aspects, the enzymes of the invention can be used to used to increase flavor in food (e.g., enzyme ripened cheese), promote bacterial and fungal killing, modify and de-protect fine chemical intermediates, synthesize peptide bonds, carry out chiral resolutions, hydrolyze Cephalosporin C. The enzymes of the invention can be used to generate 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) and semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotics, including caphalothin, cephaloridine and cefuroxime. The enzymes of the invention can be used as antimicrobial agents, e.g., as cell wall hydrolytic agents.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of discovering nitroreductases and biocatalytic methods for reducing compounds comprising a nitro group.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there are provided methods for producing enantiomerically pure &agr;-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, &agr;-amino acids and &agr;-hydroxy acids, said method comprising combining an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity which stereoselectively hydrolyzes the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A secondary and/or piggy-back brake pedal transducer assembly adapted to be secured to a primary brake pedal, said secondary or piggy-back pedal being moveable with respect to the primary brake pedal responsive to foot pressure and including novel spring means and an integral lever controlled by that said spring means, said lever being deflectible to correspondingly deflect a plunger member of a connected potentiometer to thereby develop an electric signal proportionate to said foot pressure, said signal being translatable to corresponding electrical energization of an electric brake situated on a vehicle towed by the vehicle bearing said secondary or piggy-back brake assembly.