Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and disease resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding corn plants containing quantitative trait loci that are associated with diplodia ear rot (DER), a fungal disease associated with Stenocarpella spp. The invention further includes germplasm and the use of germplasm containing quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring resistance for introgression into elite germplasm in a breeding program for resistance to DER.

Abstract: A raceway extends along an edge of roof of a structure and is adapted to house a cable, such as an industry standard ice and snow melt heating cable designed, listed and approved for the purpose. An open side of the raceway exposes the cable and allows for the insertion, replacement and inspection of the cable per industry practice. A side of the raceway may have a radiused edge providing added resiliency to springably retain and/or removably secure the cable in raceway. In the case of a heating cable, heat is transferred to the surrounding structure, and may be concentrated at the drip edge to maximize ice melt efficiency. Methods of installation of the raceway are applicable to new construction and retro-fitting existing structures, including drainage systems, bridge structures and other outdoor enclosures, and may be used with many types of roofing materials including asphalt, wood and metal.

Abstract: A bulk material handling system comprises a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material, and a bulk material handling accessory that aids in the operation of the bulk material handling apparatus. The bulk material handling accessory comprises a controller having one or more sensors. The controller comprises a processor and a computer readable memory capable of: (i) generating a control signal indicative of an operating condition of the bulk material handling accessory during a cycle of operation of the accessory; (ii) storing in the memory of the controller a limit associated with an operating condition of the accessory; (iii) comparing the control signal to the limit; (iv) generating a signal indicative of an abnormal event associated with the operating condition when the control signal is beyond the limit; and (v) generating a response signal when a number of abnormal event signals generated exceeds a predetermined level of abnormal events.

Abstract: A fire-retardant composition comprising an ammonium polyphosphate, a suspending agent and an effective amount of a corrosion inhibiting agent. When in solution the corrosion inhibiting agent includes at least one ion selected from the group of ions consisting of aluminum ions, ferric ions, calcium ions and magnesium ions. Said ions complex an effective amount of fluoride ions present in the fire-retardant composition to reduce the corrosiveness of the fire-retardant composition.

Abstract: The invention concerns transgenic or recombinant non-human mammals, wherein the expression of the gene coding for a microtubule associated protein (MAP) is modified (STOP gene) (inactivation or overexpression) and their uses in screening medicines useful in schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorders, with anxious, paranoiac or depressive component.

Abstract: A heating and air conditioning apparatus has an enclosure that defines an interior volume containing a compressor, a condenser coil, an expansion valve, an evaporator coil, a hot water coil, an evaporator fan, and a condenser fan. The compressor, the condenser coil, the expansion valve, and the evaporator coil are in communication with each other. The enclosure also has first and second input air openings and first and second output air openings. The evaporator fan draws air through the first input air opening and then through the evaporator coil and the hot water coil, and thereafter forces such air out of the enclosure through the first air outlet opening. The condenser fan draws air through the second input air opening and then through the condenser coil, and thereafter forces such air out of the enclosure through the second air outlet opening.

Abstract: An air distribution blower housing has an adjustable restriction in the interior of the blower housing. The adjustable restriction has the configuration of a rectangular plate. One edge of the plate is connected by a pivoting connection to an interior wall of the blower housing in the air flow path from the blower housing. The plate can be pivoted about the pivot connection through a plurality of adjusted angular positions of the plate in the air flow path. In each adjusted position of the plate, the length of the plate extends from the pivot connection in the air flow direction. A sliding connection is provided between the plate and at least one side wall of the blower housing. The sliding connection selectively holds the plate in its adjusted angular position and also provides a visual indication on the exterior of the blower housing of the adjusted angular position of the plate inside the blower housing.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a cross-linked, polymer-modified asphalt is provided. The method involves adding a crosslinking agent to asphalt prior to the addition of a crosslinkable polymer and an acid. Asphalt prepared by the disclosed methods exhibit improved properties such as properties measured by the Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) test.

Abstract: The invention relates to a viral vector for treating Alzheimers disease, which vector comprises a cholesterol 24-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) encoding nucleic acid. In a preferred embodiment, the viral vector may be an Adeno-Associated-Virus (AAV) vector, preferably an AVV5 vector. The vector may be useful for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of Alzheimers disease in a subject, wherein the vector is to be administered directly into the brain of the subject or by intravenous or intrathecal injection.

Abstract: A system and method for processing information leverages territory-based processing capabilities to provide efficient distributed processing of processing jobs. For example, hive engines can be organized into territories based on their physical locations to support the distributed processing of processing jobs within particular territories.

Abstract: A raceway extends along an edge of roof of a structure and is adapted to house a cable, such as an industry standard ice and snow melt heating cable designed, listed and approved for the purpose. An open side of the raceway exposes the cable and allows for the insertion, replacement and inspection of the cable per industry practice. A side of the raceway may have a radiused edge providing added resiliency to springably retain and/or removably secure the cable in raceway. In the case of a heating cable, heat is transferred to the surrounding structure, and may be concentrated at the drip edge to maximize ice melt efficiency. Methods of installation of the raceway are applicable to new construction and retro-fitting existing structures, including drainage systems, bridge structures and other outdoor enclosures, and may be used with many types of roofing materials including asphalt, wood and metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a pharmaceutical for transient application includes a tray having a sealed compartment, a vial of an ophthalmic formulation of mitomycin-C, a diluent carrier containing sterilized water, and a syringe that are all contained together in a single package. The component parts of the apparatus are used together to reconstitute the contents of the vial with the water in the diluent carrier, and then draw the reconstituted drug into the sealed compartment of the tray by a suction force produced by the syringe. In the tray compartment, the reconstituted drug is absorbed in an absorbent pad. The tray is opened to remove the pad and the absorbed drug from the tray compartment for use of the pad in transient application of the drug.

Abstract: A method of producing a viscoelastic polyurethane foam coating in which a polyisocyanate is reacted with a polyol to form a prepolymer. The prepolymer is reacted with a polyol having at least one pendant carboxylic acid group to form a prepolymer with a pendant carboxylic acid group. The prepolymer with a pendant carboxylic acid group is neutralized with a tertiary amine and then reacted with water or an organic or inorganic polyamine. An energy absorbing unit in which the coating produced by the above method is provided on a viscoelastic polyurethane foam layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an improved top rail for a container body, e.g. a truck body, are disclosed. In exemplary embodiments, a support structure is disposed at least partially within a channel of the top rail to provide increased strength to the top rail and to protect the top rail and container body from damage. Examples of support structures include support blocks, such as composite blocks, and support rails, such as metal rails. In an exemplary embodiment, a low-profile light source can be installed on the top rail and/or the support structure.