Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having D-psicose 3-epimerase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: An adaptive cutting system is presented that facilitates cutting workpieces in new and different ways in a fun, easy, fast, accurate and safe manner. The system includes a benchtop having a grid of bench dog holes across its surface as well as a pair of table tracks embedded within its surface. An edge track extends around the benchtop and a pair of hinge members are connected to the edge tracks that also connect to a saw track that is movable between a raised and lowered position. The system also includes narrow rip stops, wide rip stops, bench dogs and a miter gauge all of which work in concert with the on-table features to facilitate on-table measurement and alignment of workpieces for performing cutting operations.

Abstract: In one or more arrangements, a tag system for monitoring of livestock is presented. The system includes at least one tag and a control system communicatively connected to the tag. In one or more arrangements, the tag includes a housing and a connector configured to operably connect with the housing to facilitate attachment of the tag to an animal. The tag also includes a set of sensors. In one or more arrangements, the set of sensors includes a first temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of the animal (animal reference temperature), a second temperature sensor configured to monitor an ambient temperature (ambient reference temperature) of the environment where the animal is located, a gyroscopic sensor, and/or an accelerometer sensor. In one or more arrangements, the tag includes an electronic circuit positioned within the housing and configured to communicate data from the set of sensors to the control system.

Abstract: A heating mat system is presented for use with livestock. The heating mat system includes a heating layer positioned between an upper support pad and a lower support pad. The heating layer includes a conductive microfilm that has a generally planar shape extending between a front edge, a rear edge, and opposing side edges. In one or more arrangements, the conductive microfilm includes a layer of graphene. In one or more arrangements, the heating mat system has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact that are connected to the conductive microfilm. When a voltage difference is applied between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, current flows through the conductive microfilm, thereby generating heat to the heating mat system and heating livestock positioned on the system.

Abstract: In one or more arrangements, a heating system is provided having one or more heating panels positioned in a housing. The housing has a hollow interior with an open lower end. A first panel is positioned in the open lower end of the housing. The first heating panel includes a heating layer. The heating layer includes a conductive microfilm. A first electrical contact is connected to the conductive microfilm. A second electrical contact is connected to the conductive microfilm. In one or more arrangements, the conductive microfilm includes at least one layer of graphene or nanofiber carbon material. Application of a voltage difference between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact causes current to flow through the conductive microfilm, thereby generating heat. In one or more arrangements, current which flows through the conductive microfilm causes the conductive microfilm to emit infrared radiation.

Abstract: An adaptive cutting system is presented that facilitates cutting workpieces in new and different ways in a fun, easy, fast, accurate and safe manner. The system includes a benchtop having a grid of bench dog holes across its surface as well as a pair of table tracks embedded within its surface. An edge track extends around the benchtop and a pair of hinge members are connected to the edge tracks that also connect to a saw track that is movable between a raised and lowered position. The system also includes narrow rip stops, wide rip stops, bench dogs and a miter gauge all of which work in concert with the on-table features to facilitate on-table measurement and alignment of workpieces for performing cutting operations.

Abstract: An adaptive cutting system is presented that facilitates cutting workpieces in new and different ways in a fun, easy, fast, accurate and safe manner. The system includes a benchtop having a grid of bench dog holes across its surface as well as a pair of table tracks embedded within its surface. An edge track extends around the benchtop and a pair of hinge members are connected to the edge tracks that also connect to a saw track that is movable between a raised and lowered position. The system also includes narrow rip stops, wide rip stops, bench dogs and a miter gauge all of which work in concert with the on-table features to facilitate on-table measurement and alignment of workpieces for performing cutting operations.

Abstract: An adaptive cutting system is presented that facilitates cutting workpieces in new and different ways in a fun, easy, fast, accurate and safe manner. The system includes a benchtop having a grid of bench dog holes across its surface as well as a pair of table tracks embedded within its surface. An edge track extends around the benchtop and a pair of hinge members are connected to the edge tracks that also connect to a saw track that is movable between a raised and lowered position. The system also includes narrow rip stops, wide rip stops, bench dogs and a miter gauge all of which work in concert with the on-table features to facilitate on-table measurement and alignment of workpieces for performing cutting operations.

Abstract: An adaptive cutting system is presented that facilitates cutting workpieces in new and different ways in a fun, easy, fast, accurate and safe manner. The system includes a benchtop having a grid of bench dog holes across its surface as well as a pair of table tracks embedded within its surface. An edge track extends around the benchtop and a pair of hinge members are connected to the edge tracks that also connect to a saw track that is movable between a raised and lowered position. The system also includes narrow rip stops, wide rip stops, bench dogs and a miter gauge all of which work in concert with the on-table features to facilitate on-table measurement and alignment of workpieces for performing cutting operations.

Abstract: An adaptive cutting system is presented that facilitates cutting workpieces in new and different ways in a fun, easy, fast, accurate and safe manner. The system includes a benchtop having a grid of bench dog holes across its surface as well as a pair of table tracks embedded within its surface. An edge track extends around the benchtop and a pair of hinge members are connected to the edge tracks that also connect to a saw track that is movable between a raised and lowered position. The system also includes narrow rip stops, wide rip stops, bench dogs and a miter gauge all of which work in concert with the on-table features to facilitate on-table measurement and alignment of workpieces for performing cutting operations.

Abstract: A motion conversion device including a body, a first double-acting cylinder movable along a first axis and a second double-acting cylinder movable along a second axis angled relative to the first axis. The body includes several bores which form a closed circuit and house the first and second double-acting cylinders. Movement of the first double-acting cylinder along the first axis hydraulically or pneumatically pushes the second double-acting cylinder along the second axis. Also disclosed is a valve incorporating a motion conversion device with angled double-acting cylinders for moving a closure member between an open position and a closed position, and a method for opening and closing a valve by way of angled double-acting cylinders.

Abstract: A motion conversion device is disclosed for converting motion in one direction into motion in another direction. The motion conversion device may include a single-acting cylinder hydraulically or pneumatically coupled to a double-acting cylinder such that movement of the single-acting cylinder along an axis causes movement of the double-acting cylinder along a non-parallel axis. The single-acting cylinder may be mechanically coupled to another single-acting cylinder such that movement of one of the single-acting cylinders in a direction causes movement of the other one of the single-acting cylinders in an opposite direction. In this way, the single-acting cylinders may cooperate to provide reciprocal motion of the double-acting cylinder. Also disclosed is a valve incorporating a motion conversion device for the purpose of moving a closure member between an open position and a closed position. Furthermore, a method for operating a valve closure member with a motion conversion device is disclosed.

Abstract: A motion conversion device is disclosed for converting motion in one direction into motion in another direction. The motion conversion device may include a single-acting cylinder hydraulically or pneumatically coupled to a double-acting cylinder such that movement of the single-acting cylinder along an axis causes movement of the double-acting cylinder along a non-parallel axis. The single-acting cylinder may be mechanically coupled to another single-acting cylinder such that movement of one of the single-acting cylinders in a direction causes movement of the other one of the single-acting cylinders in an opposite direction. In this way, the single-acting cylinders may cooperate to provide reciprocal motion of the double-acting cylinder. Also disclosed is a valve incorporating a motion conversion device for the purpose of moving a closure member between an open position and a closed position. Furthermore, a method for operating a valve closure member with a motion conversion device is disclosed.

Abstract: A motion conversion device including a body, a first double-acting cylinder movable along a first axis and a second double-acting cylinder movable along a second axis angled relative to the first axis. The body includes several bores which form a closed circuit and house the first and second double-acting cylinders. Movement of the first double-acting cylinder along the first axis hydraulically or pneumatically pushes the second double-acting cylinder along the second axis. Also disclosed is a valve incorporating a motion conversion device with angled double-acting cylinders for moving a closure member between an open position and a closed position, and a method for opening and closing a valve by way of angled double-acting cylinders.

Abstract: Axial fluid valves having curved or angled valve bodies are described herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a valve body defining a passageway between an inlet and an outlet, the inlet is aligned along a first axis and the outlet is aligned along a second axis. The example apparatus includes a flow control member interposed between the inlet and the outlet. The example apparatus also includes an actuator having a stem coupled to the flow control member to move the flow control member along a third axis in the passageway. In the example apparatus, the third axis is substantially parallel to and offset from at least one of the first axis or the second axis.

Abstract: This invention presents a trough-shaped solar collector. The solar collector includes a trough-shaped reflector for concentrating incoming solar rays upon a focal axis. The reflector includes a flexible reflective film having a concave reflective surface. The reflective film is braced by a bulkhead-and-rod frame that is disposed inside the concave space created by the reflective surface of the reflective film. The reflective film is placed in longitudinal tension using spring clamps, and is intermediately held against bulkhead members using straps. The solar collector has a variety of support rod patterns to maintain the integrity of the bulkhead-and-rod frame. The solar collector may be collapsed into a smaller space for shipping or storage.

Abstract: A closing plug for receipt by a threaded flange that is assembled into a drum end includes an externally-threaded body for receipt by the threaded flange. A radial flange is arranged adjacent a first end of the threaded body and the radial flange has a modified hex shape, thereby providing six flange portions. An outer section of each flange portion is formed into an axially-protruding projection such that as the closing plug is advanced into the radial flange, the axially-protruding projections abut up against a portion of the drum end in order to limit the threaded advancement of the plug. The abutment of the axially-protruding projections occurs after the desired tightening torque on the plug as received by the threaded flange has been achieved.

Abstract: A method and system for ensuring security-compliant creation and signing of endorsement keys of manufactured TPMs. The endorsement keys are generated for the TPM. The TPM vendor selects an N-byte secret and stores the N-byte secret in the TPM along with the endorsement keys. The secret number cannot be read outside of the TPM. The secret number is also provided to the OEM's credential server. During the endorsement key (EK) credential process, the TPM generates an endorsement key, which comprises both the public key and a hash of the secret and the public key. The credential server matches the hash within the endorsement key with a second hash of the received public key (from the endorsement key) and the vendor provided secret. The EK certificate is generated and inserted into the TPM only when a match is confirmed.

Abstract: A computer system that may include a trusted platform module (TPM) along with a processor hashes a user-supplied password for a predetermined time period that is selected to render infeasible a dictionary attack on the password. The results of the hash are used to render an AES key, which is used to encrypt an RSA key. The encrypted RSA key along with the total number of hash cycles that were used is stored and the RSA key is provided to the TPM as a security key. In the event that the RSA key in the TPM must be recovered, the encrypted stored version is decrypted with an AES key that is generated based on the user inputting the same password and hashing the password for the stored number of cycles.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing system for establishing virtual endorsement credentials. The data processing system includes a hardware trusted platform module (TPM). Logical partitions are generated in the system. A different virtual TPM is generated for each one of the logical partitions. For each one of the logical partitions, the virtual TPM that was generated for the logical partition then dynamically generates a virtual endorsement credential for use by the logical partition that includes the virtual TPM. The virtual endorsement credential is generated within the data processing system without the data processing system or its devices accessing a trusted third party that is external to the data processing system.