Abstract: A method of treating a disease or condition in a warm blooded mammal which disease or condition is suspected to be associated with a microbial infection, comprising: administering an antimicrobial effective amount of a carboxylic acid amide, its isomers or salts thereof, to a subject who is suspected to be infected with a microbe. In one embodiment, the carboxylic acid amide is trans-3-(naphth-2-yl)-but-2-enoic acid-N-(2-carboxyphenyl)amide.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the production of organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid. Specifically, the invention provides cells, methods for culturing cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules, and methods and materials for producing various organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the production of organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid. Specifically, the invention provides cells, methods for culturing cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules, and methods and materials for producing various organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing the specific activity of myo-inositol oxygenase. The method includes incubating a mixture including myo-inositol oxygenase and a non-sulfur containing reductant under conditions effective to increase the specific activity of the myo-inositol oxygenase. Also disclosed are methods for producing D-glucuronic acid and glucurono-?-lactone comprising incubating a mixture including myo-inositol, myo-inositol oxygenase, and oxygen under conditions effective to form 5 grams D-glucuronic acid per liter of the mixture to 400 grams D-glucuronic acid per liter of the mixture. Glucurono-?-lactone can be produced from the D-glucuronic acid product. Also disclosed are organisms and nucleic acids suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods that can be used to make carotenoids having greater than 40 carbon atoms (C>40). The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode polypeptides that allow C40 carotenoids to be converted to C50 carotenoids. The isolated nucleic acid molecules can be introduced into production cells, wherein the production cell becomes capable of the biosynthesis and the conversion of the C>40 carotenoids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an amino sugar selected from the group consisting of N-acetylglucosamine, glucosamine, or a combination thereof. The method comprises culturing a yeast in a culture medium and recovering N-acetylglucosamine, glucosamine, or a combination thereof, wherein the yeast comprises an exogenous nucleic acid sequence encoding glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase operably linked to a promoter. The invention also provides a genetically modified yeast that produces an amino sugar selected from the group consisting of N-acetylglucosamine, glucosamine, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the production of organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid. Specifically, the invention provides cells, methods for culturing cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules, and methods and materials for producing various organic products such as glucuronic acid, ascorbic acid, and glucaric acid.

Abstract: Membranous bacteria that produce astaxanthin and other carotenoids are described, as well as isolated nucleic acids and expression vectors that can be used for producing carotenoids in microorganisms.

Abstract: A lycopene &egr; cyclase from spinach is described, as is production of lutein in microorganisms by expression of the lycopene &egr; cyclase.

Abstract: An improved staged combustion method useful with oxy-fuel combustion and in a furnace which contains a charge, wherein substoichiometric combustion and secondary oxidant injection are carried out in an orientation which forms a more oxidizing atmosphere proximate the charge surface and oxidizing gas recirculates from the secondary oxidant stream to the charge surface and back to the secondary oxidant stream.

Abstract: An improved staged combustion method useful with oxy-fuel combustion and in a furnace which contains a charge, wherein substoichiometric combustion and secondary oxidant injection are carried out in an orientation which forms a more oxidizing or a more reducing atmosphere proximate the charge surface than would be the case with a homogeneous furnace atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for interfacing between a user and a computer includes a microvideo display monitor, which may be mounted in a position which is substantially fixed relative to a given eye of the user, and a video input device which obtains an image of the given eye. The video input device is maintained in a fixed spatial relationship with the microvideo display monitor. From the image of the user's eye obtained by the video input device, the location on the display on which this eye is focused may be determined. A computer which controls the generation of selected displays on the microvideo display monitor responds to the eye focus location to perform predetermined functions. A voice or speech recognition unit may also be used to provide inputs to the computer. The computer may then perform predetermined functions in response to any combination of speech, and eye location data. The system may also be used for identification of the user and to determine whether the user is impaired.

Abstract: A data processing system and method obtains a three dimensional representation of an object with complex and unique geometry, using a sampling probe having a tip for tracing the surface of the object. Electrical signals are received which are indicative of the position of the tip of the probe. An origin is determined with reference to the object. A plurality of distances, each distance corresponding to a given direction from the origin, is stored in a device addressable by the given direction to store and to retrieve a corresponding distance. The direction and distance of the probe tip with reference to the origin in response to a received signal. The determined distance is compared to any stored distance corresponding to the determined direction. The determined distance is stored when it is less than any stored distance. The probe tip position may be displayed as a projection on a reference surface which surrounds the origin.

Abstract: A method for making a stainless steel or titanium surgical instrument having a high toughness wearing surface, by vapor deposition of titanium nitride thereon in a vacuum chamber having a molten evaporant in a hearth in the bottom of the chamber, and using the hollow cathode effect. A preferred method includes tempering the instrument at temperatures above 200.degree. C., then coating by physical vapor deposition at temperatures from about 175.degree. to 260.degree. C. Ring handled instruments with box lock pivots are coated before assembly. Toughened surgical instruments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solvent and shatter resistant protector for glass bottles containing hazardous materials. The protector is comprised of opaque or transparent polymeric material and conforms substantially to the shape of the container to be protected. The container protector is made up of top and bottom portions each having respective cooperating means, such as a special threading arrangement, for separable engagement, which enables engagement to be maintained even in the event of experienced shocks sufficient to damage the protected glass container. The top portion has an aperture for providing access to the contents of the contents of the protected container without disengagement from the bottom portion.

Abstract: A dual type dispenser for dispensing two materials in equal quantities consists of two barrels joined together and a plunger for each barrel. Since occasions may arise when the barrels are to be used separately, the junction between the barrels is separable, as by a sliding interlock. The plungers also, although initially attached together at the handle to make certain they are moved together, are arranged to be broken apart for use separately with the separated barrels.