Abstract: The present invention provides a solid material comprising an immobilized mixture of two or more proteorhodopsins, two or more bacteriorhodopsins, or one or more bacteriorhodopsin and one or more proteorhodopsins. The proteorhodopsins are selected from the group consisting of all-trans-retinal-containing proteorhodopsins and retinal analog-containing proteorhodopsins; all of which have absorption spectra that do not overlap. The bacteriorhodopsins are selected from the group consisting of all-trans-retinal-containing bacteriorhodopsins and retinal analog-containing bacteriorhodopsins; all of which have absorption spectra that do not overlap. The present invention also provides an optical information carrier, such as an optical data storage material and a fraud-proof optical data carrier, comprising the above-described solid material and a substrate selected from the group consisting of glass, paper, metal, fabric material, and plastic material, wherein said solid material is deposited on said substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides stable aqueous compositions including stable coating compositions, and methods of their production. The stable aqueous compositions and stable aqueous coating compositions comprise one or more emulsion-polymerized addition polymer, one or more carboxylesterase enzyme, and one or more carboxylesterase deactivating agent, such that the ester hydrolysis activity in the composition is less than 0.010 micromole/minute, and wherein the aqueous composition has a headspace volatile organic compound (VOC) content, as measured by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at 33° C., of less than 10 ppm of organic carboxylester with a normal boiling point of less than 150° C. and more than 50 ppm of mono-alcohol with a formula molecular weight of less than 76.

Abstract: This invention provides stable aqueous compositions including stable coating compositions, and methods of their production. The stable aqueous compositions and stable aqueous coating compositions comprise i) an aqueous dispersion of one or more emulsion-polymerized addition polymer comprising polymerized units of one or more carboxylester monomer, wherein at least one carboxylester monomer is a vinyl ester monomer; ii) one or more carboxylesterase enzyme; iii) one or more mono-alcohol with a formula molecular weight of less than 76; iv) optionally, acetaldehyde; and v) optionally, one or more organic carboxylester with a normal boiling point of less than 150° C.; and wherein the aqueous composition has a headspace volatile organic compound (VOC) content, as measured by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at 33° C.

Abstract: This invention provides stable aqueous compositions including stable coating compositions, and methods of their production. The stable aqueous compositions and stable aqueous coating compositions comprise one or more emulsion-polymerized addition polymer, one or more carboxylesterase enzyme, and one or more carboxylesterase deactivating agent, such that the ester hydrolysis activity in the composition is less than 0.010 micromole/minute, and wherein the aqueous composition has a headspace volatile organic compound (VOC) content, as measured by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at 33° C., of less than 10 ppm of organic carboxylester with a normal boiling point of less than 150° C. and more than 50 ppm of mono-alcohol with a formula molecular weight of less than 76.

Abstract: A curable binder composition comprising an emulsion polymer, an extender and a hydryoxyamide.

Abstract: Blended compositions and methods for the production of thermoset compositions of soy meal, which has been treated to remove non-thermoplastic materials associated with soy beans, and natural rubber. Also provided is a method for the preparation of a prepared granular soy meal by blowing a gas through a stream of granular natural soy meal to remove hulls and cellulose fiber materials which are lighter than the granular soy meal to provide the prepared granular soy meal for the compositions. The compositions are elastic and can be used in place of rubber bands and the like.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel rapidly biodegradable polylactide resin composition while maintaining the good mechanical strength and physical properties of polylactide. This biodegradable polylactide resin composition comprises at least one protein selected from silk, gelatin, keratin, elastin, gluten, zein, or soybean. This composition further comprises degraded mannan, and furthermore, a filler.

Abstract: A water-soluble granular composition including at least 40% of at least one plant growth regulator, at least one binder, at least one disaccharide and at least one surfactant; as well as methods for making and using the composition are disclosed. The water-soluble granular composition advantageously improves preparation of a solid plant growth regulator formulation for spray application, as such composition swiftly dissolves, is easily metered for application, can be more highly concentrated and is dust-free. A presently preferred water-soluble granular composition includes at least 40% of at least one gibberellin as the plant growth regulator.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: A coating material contains at least one substance selected from the group consisting of water-soluble resin such as water-soluble acryl resin, resin emulsion such as acryl emulsion and solvent resin such as solution of urethane resin into a solvent (A); resin beads such as polyethylene beads (B); and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of soluble protein such as collagen and resin emulsion incompatible with the (A) such as ethylene-acryl copolymer (C). (A) improves adhesion with a base member, (B) improves heat sealability and (C) improves surface lubricity and anti-blocking properties. Further, water-soluble amine additive (D) may be added to improve adhesion with olefin base member.

Abstract: Prolamine-plant polar lipid compositions are provided, said compositions including a mixture of a prolamine, a plant polar lipid, at least one polyalcohol in a hydro-alcoholic solution, and an active agent, wherein the composition forms a substantially homogeneous dispersion with skin adhesive properties; wherein the dispersion forms a film and wherein the film contains a gradient of concentrations of the active agent.

Abstract: An improved vegetable protein adhesive binder which can be used in paper coating compositions at much lower levels than conventional vegetable protein adhesive binders while imparting to the paper coating composition rheological and other properties equivalent to conventional paper coating compositions containing higher levels of vegetable protein adhesive binders is prepared by forming an alkaline dispersion of a vegetable protein material and a polyacrylate, mixing the polyacrylate and the vegetable protein material at a temperature and for a time sufficient to achieve entanglement of the polyacrylate with the vegetable protein material, and co-precipitating the vegetable protein material and polyacrylate at the isoelectric point of the vegetable protein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns novel methods for enhancing the mechanical performance of tissue adhesives and sealants which comprises employing a primer molecule in association with a tissue adhesive or sealant, wherein the primer molecule serves to enhance the strength of the interface between the tissue and the adhesive matrix. The primer molecules described herein function to interact with a protein present in the tissue, thereby altering its characteristics to make it more amenable to bonding with the adhesive matrix. Primer molecules may be applied to the tissue independently from the tissue adhesive or sealant or may be mixed with the tissue adhesive or sealant prior to application to the tissue.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods of manufacturing implantable biocompatible cell encapsulation devices, wherein the cell encapsulation devices have a jacket made of a permeable, biocompatible material that is loaded with a core made of a reticulate foam scaffold having interconnected pores, with cells that are dispersed in the interconnected pores.

Abstract: Methods of forming solid pharmaceutical compositions comprise solubilizing water-soluble polymers and amino acid-based components having molecular weights ranging from about 100 daltons to about 200,000 daltons or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in solvents; and separating the solvents from the water-soluble polymers and the amino acid-based components or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to form solid pharmaceutical compositions comprising the water-soluble polymers and the amino acid-based components or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A urea-resin composition comprising a urea-formaldehyde reaction product, cellulose material, and at least one substance selected from the group cosisting of .alpha.-amino acid, powdered collagen and gelatin. The present invention provides urea-resin compositions which, having a property to harden under heating, are themselves biodegradable and have sufficient physical properties to be applied for practical purposes.

Abstract: A composition and method for repairing damaged connective tissue is provided. The composition comprises pseudo-poly(amino acids) and/or classic poly(amino acids) that exhibit adhesiveness for connective tissues. The composition is formed into an adhesive tissue repair implant and pressed against the damaged tissue to adhere the adhesive composition to the tissue.

Abstract: A hemocompatible surface-modifying additive is provided for modifying polyurethane or polyurethane urea substrates. The additive has a polyurethane or polyurethane urea hard block or an alternative block which is miscible with the poly(urethane) or poly(urethane-urea) base polymer, a polysiloxane hydrophobic soft block, an optional hydrophilic spacer and a peptide selected from the group consisting of Arg-Gly-Asp, X-Arg-Gly-Asp, Arg-Gly-Asp-X and X-Arg-Gly-Asp-X', wherein X and X' are amino acids.

Abstract: Materials containing fine natural organic material particles are disclosed. As the fine particles, superfine silk fibroin particles are produced by a process comprising a first step of comminuting silk fibroin into coarse particles with dry mechanical comminuting means, a second step of comminuting the coarse silk fibroin particles into fine particles with dry mechanical comminuting means, and a third step of comminuting the fine silk fibroin particles into superfine particles with an average particle diameter of 10 .mu.m or below with dry mechanical comminuting means, the silk fibroin particles being beta-treated during or after at least one of the first to third comminuting steps. Specific examples of the material are films, sheets, paints, fiber treating materials, etc.

Abstract: This invention presents a rubber composition wherein a determined amount of protein is mixed with unvulcanized rubber. Rubber products made of this rubber composition have sufficient strength for practical use and are harmless to human bodies. The rubber composition of the invention not requiring vulcanizing process is advantageous in eliminating the need of large-scale vulcanizing equipment. Combined use of a curing agent and protein will increase modulus higher than using the curing agent alone.

Abstract: To form a binder from naturally occurring products without extraction or purification steps, the binder utilizes proteins from the germ or endosperm of cereal grasses or from the seed of buckwheat, oil seed plants, Amaranthus or leguminous plants or from leaves. The protein has a thermoplastic microstructure with linear polymers of moleculer weight of at least 2,000 linked with peptide linkages of at least 50 in number. The naturally occurring product is ground or milled without further processing and thus includes carbohydrates, particularly as cellulose, and possibly fats, yeast or materials yielding ash upon burning, with the carbohydrates being at least 5 percent of the proteins by weight. The binder may include some initiators or catalysts to polymerize fats or other initiators or catalysts to polymerize proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capsule for use in heavy duty liquid compositions which capsule comprises:(1) a component subject to degradative attack; and(2) a composite polymer which in turn comprises a hydrophilic portion and hydrophobic polymer core particle.

Abstract: To form a composition board from naturally occurring products without extraction or purification steps, the naturally occurring material is held together with a binder that is added or is already within the naturally occurring material. In one embodiment, the binder utilizes proteins from the germ or endosperm of cereal grasses or from the seed of buckwheat, oil seed plants, Amaranthus or leguminous plants or from leaves. The protein has a thermoplastic microstructure with linear polymers of molecular weight of at least 2,000 linked with peptide linkages of at least 50 in number. The naturally occurring product is ground or milled without further processing and thus includes carbohydrates, particularly as cellulose, and possibly fats, yeast or materials yielding ash upon burning, with the carbohydrates being at least 5 percent of the proteins by weight. The binder may include some initiators or catalysts to polymerize fats or other initiators or catalysts to polymerize proteins.

Abstract: A polymeric or plastic pigment, useful as a partial replacement for the inorganic pigment conventionally employed in paper coating compositions is disclosed. The pigment comprises a copolymer of an animal or vegetable protein and a monomer havingh a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than about 70.degree. C. polymerized in a surfactant free system. When employed in paper coating compositions the pigment provides a coating of improved gloss and ink holdout, as compared to a coating in which the pigment composition consists only of an inorganic material. Improved water resistance, improved water holding and a potential for reduction in the coating sticking to the calender during the paper finishing process are obtained as compared to conventional polymeric pigments.

Abstract: An adhesive formulation useful for applying a paper label to a glass bottle, having the tack and rheology making it suitable for use in modern labeling equipment, and imparting water immersion resistance in ice water for a period of at least 72 hours. Based on soy protein isolate; does not use casein.

Abstract: A halogen-free flameproofed thermoplastic molding material consists of a halogen-free thermoplastic resin (A) and one or more further halogen-free components.The thermoplastic resin (A) is present in an amount of from 30 to 90% by weight, based on the molding material. The latter contains, as further components, from 1 to 50% by weight of a phenol/aldehyde resin (B), from 1 to 50% by weight of a nitrogen-containing organic compound (C) and from 3 to 50% by weight of a phosphorus-containing organic compound (D), the percentages in each case being based on the molding material.The molding material is used for the production of flameproofed moldings.

Abstract: A flexible continuous film is comprised of a physical admixture of a polypeptide, a plasticizer and a film-forming flexible polymer. When the film is moistened, the polypeptides exude therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new azulmic acids stabilized by condensation with carbonyl compounds, several processes for their preparation and their use for various purposes.

Abstract: Methods of making and using a stable diagnostic reagent for use in serological testing procedures, and in particular, non-auto-agglutinating polystyrene latex particles with surfaces containing a protein, substantially methylated serum albumin, and a bound, negatively-charged polymeric compound. The particles may be sensitized with a number of negatively-charged compounds, including proteins, polysaccharides and various cell nuclear components. When the coated latex particles are adsorbed with native deoxyribonucleic acid, the resultant immunological reagent can be used to detect certain autoimmune diseases, particularly serum lupus erythematosus.