Abstract: The invention provides a DNA molecule encoding transglutaminase of Streptoverticillium ladakanum, the encoded transglutaminase and the use of the transglutaminase in industrial process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers by crosslinking them, especially before irradiation sterilization. In particular, this invention presents the use of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in in vivo implants.

Abstract: An isolated strain of the Moniliella species that converts glucose to erythritol with a conversion rate of at least about 45% is disclosed, as is a method of producing erythritol from such a strain.

Abstract: A method for improving the wear resistance of an implant, made of polyethylene, by crosslinking its bearing surface layer, while leaving its non-bearing interior uncrosslinked. Such crosslinking may be achieved by electron-beam irradiation or by chemical crosslinking of the implant or the polyethylene from which the implant is made. The resulting implant or polyethylene may be further treated to remove the residual free radicals (generated by the electron beam crosslinking process); to remove residual chemicals (generated by the chemical crosslinking process); to remove its most oxidized layer; to stabilize its size and shape; to improve, by remelting, its oxidation resistance; and/or to reshape it into the final implant. Also presented are the resulting implant and polyethylene.

Abstract: An isolated strain of the Moniliella species that converts glucose to erythritol with a conversion rate of at least about 45% is disclosed, as is a method of producing erythritol from such a strain.

Abstract: An isolated strain of the Moniliella species that converts glucose to erythritol with a conversion rate of at least about 45% is disclosed, as is a method of producing erythritol from such a strain.

Abstract: A method of producing erythritol. The method includes growing in a culture an isolated yeast strain that possesses certain unique characteristics and is capable of converting glucose to erythritol in a glucose-containing medium, and purifying erythritol from the culture.

Abstract: A light-effect producing candle for illuminating and generating altering light-effect includes a light-generating means located inside a transparent candle. The light-generating means includes a plurality of light-generating devices of different colors. An optical fiber is provided to receive and transmit photo signal generated by a lighted wick, and to activate the light-generating devices to produce flickering light which may emanate through the candle for producing flickering and altering light effect around the candle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.

Abstract: A yeast strain capable of converting glucose to erythritol, said strain having the following identifying characteristics: an absence of motile spores; septate mycelia; asexual reproduction; an absence of reniform cells; conidia optionally formed on short denticles but not on elongate stalks; an absence of ballistoconidia; non-monopolar budding on a broad base; acropetal chains of blastoconidia; dark brown, thick-walled chlamydospores; an ability to assimilate sucrose, glycerol and maltose; an inability to assimilate lactose; an inability to ferment galactose; an ability to grow in a vitamin-free medium; and an ability to grow at 25° C. to 36° C.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers by crosslinking them, especially before irradiation sterilization. In particular, this invention presents the use of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in in vivo implants.

Abstract: A yeast strain capable of converting glucose to erythritol, said strain having the following identifying characteristics: an absence of motile spores; septate mycelia; asexual reproduction; an absence of reniform cells; conidia optionally formed on short denticles but not on elongate stalks; an absence of ballistoconidia; non-monopolar budding on a broad base; acropetal chains of blastoconidia; dark brown, thick-walled chlamydospores; an ability to assimilate sucrose, glycerol and maltose; an inability to assimilate lactose; an inability to ferment galactose; an ability to grow in a vitamin-free medium; and an ability to grow at 25° C. to 36° C.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers by crosslinking them, especially before irradiation sterilization. In particular, this invention presents the use of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in in vivo implants.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of thermophilic phytase-producing microorganisms, method for producing phytase using such microorganisms, phytase obtained therefrom, and usage of the phytase to hydrolyze phytic acid or phytate. In particular, this invention relates to phytase-producing microorganisms, which belong to Streptomyces sp., Pseudonocardia sp. or Microbispora sp., and which produce phytase available for recovery in an efficient and practical manner.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of thermophilic phytase-producing microorganisms, method for producing phytase using such microorganisms, phytase obtained therefrom, and usage of the phytase to hydrolyze phytic acid or phytate. In particular, this invention relates to phytase-producing microorganisms, which belong to Streptomyces sp., Pseudonocardia sp. or Microbispora sp., and which produce phytase available for recovery in an efficient and practical manner.

Abstract: A method for improving the wear resistance of an implant by crosslinking its bearing surface layer, while leaving its non-bearing interior uncrosslinked. Such crosslinking may be achieved by electron-beam irradiation or by chemical crosslinking of the implant. The resulting implant may be further treated to remove the residual free radicals (generated by the electron beam crosslinking process), to remove its most oxidized layer, and/or to stabilize its size. In the case of chemical crosslinking, the resulting implant may be further treated to remove residual chemicals from the crosslinked surface layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of thermophilic phytase-producing microorganisms, method for producing phytase using such microorganisms, phytase obtained therefrom, and usage of the phytase to hydrolyze phytic acid or phytate. In particular, this invention relates to phytase-producing microorganisms, which belong to Streptomyces sp., Pseudonocardia sp. or Microbispora sp., and which produce phytase available for recovery in an efficient and practical manner.

Abstract: A pollutant removing stack device includes a stack body having a lower reactor section which is divided by a partition into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A first set of spraying units is disposed in the lower chamber. A second set of spraying units is disposed the upper chamber. A stack gas inlet is connected to the lower chamber of the lower reactor section for entrance of a stack gas. An oxidant supplying unit is connected to the first set of spraying units in order to produce an oxidant mist in the lower chamber for oxidizing a nitrogen compound contained in the stack gas into nitrogen dioxide. An alkaline solution supplying unit is connected to the second set of spraying units in order to produce an alkaline mist in the upper chamber for removing nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide from the stack gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a D-amino acid oxidase of the genus Rhodosporidium and a gene encoding it.