Abstract: A biodegradable composition having resistance to moisture and organic waste is provided.

Abstract: A method of evaluating disposition and/or effect of a candidate compound in an in vitro culture and/or suspension to predict in vivo disposition and/or effect of the candidate compound, which can include the steps of providing a cell culture and/or suspension; exposing a candidate compound to the culture and/or suspension; exposing the culture and/or suspension to a media providing an in vivo relevant extracellular environment, such as a media comprising a component (such as a protein and/or other component, such as lipoproteins, bile acids, and endogenous compounds such as bilirubin) at a physiologic concentration or a concentration having characteristics, such as binding characteristics, similar to the physiological concentration; wherein any combination of any of the exposing steps can occur in any order or simultaneously; and evaluating in vitro disposition and/or effect of the compound to predict in vivo disposition and/or effect of the candidate compound.

Abstract: Provided is a photovoltaic power converter receiver, including a photovoltaic cell, a waveguide coupled to the photovoltaic cell, and an optical transmission device of which an end is coupled to the waveguide for transmitting an optical wave to the photovoltaic cell through the waveguide, wherein the end of the optical transmission device is offset from a longitudinal central axis of the waveguide by a distance Doffset.

Abstract: A male connector (3) to be inserted into a female connector (5). The male connector defines a conduit and comprises a locking means (39) operable to engage the female connector to thereby lock the male connector relative to the female connector. The male connector also comprises a release means (17) for unlocking the male connector to permit the male connector to be separated from the female connector. The release means is accessible from within the conduit. There may be a release tool (50) operable to disengage the male connector from the female connector and retain the male connector after the male connector has been disengaged from the female connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for culturing progenitor cells to differentiate primarily into a single population of cells with the same phenotype, and to compositions thereof. In particular, it relates to methods for culturing liver progenitor cells to differentiate primarily into a single population of hepatocyte-like cells, and to compositions thereof.

Abstract: Extremely fast dynamic control is allowed for hybrid PV/T (photovoltaic/thermal) distributed power production using concentrated solar power by manipulating the transmissive or reflective state of a capture element or mirror or lens that can pass highly concentrated solar light from one energy conversion device to another, such as a thermal collector and a photovoltaic receiver, such as a vertical multijunction cell array. This allows superior quality electrical backfeed into an electric utility, enhanced plant electrical production revenue, and responsiveness to a multitude of conditions to meet new stringent engineering requirements for distributed power plants. The mirror or lens can be physically articulated using fast changing of a spatial variable, or can be a fixed smart material that changes state. A mechanical jitter or variable state jitter can be applied to the capture element, including at utility electric grid line frequency.

Abstract: Non soil-invasive four-parameter rapid unnatural dual component selective illumination protocol (UDCIP) for plant eradication using a process time under one minute. Application of a relatively low level of non-mutating UV-A optical energy to root crowns and/or soil grades allows below-ground UV-A penetration into soil to illuminate root crowns, and when preceded by or coincident with an above ground near-IR defoliation and root crown illumination step, results in an unexpected rise in lethality. Very high lethality, including 100 percent, is obtained using low deposited energy. UV-A optical energy can be delivered to root crowns and adjacent soil via a UV-transmissive knive blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for culturing progenitor cells to differentiate primarily into a single population of cells with the same phenotype, and to compositions thereof. In particular, it relates to methods for culturing liver progenitor cells to differentiate primarily into a single population of hepatocyte-like cells, and to compositions thereof.

Abstract: Plant eradication using by inflicting upon a plant root (R) unnatural hot wound mechanical and thermal trauma delivered from a hot stab knife (V) which produces a stab gash (K) sufficiently deep to traverse plant cortex (C) and penetrate to plant xylem (X), simultaneous with or followed by heating the damaged area to a temperature of higher than 70 C, preferably 200 C for a sufficient time to cause cellular damage to the plant root. The root and hot stab knife may be shrouded to increase the temperature adjacent the stab gash. Preferably, the stab knife is formed to be sufficiently acuate and flat so as to allow a surface/volume ratio for the stab knife to be at least twice that of a cone of similar size and extent. Unhealable damage results, believed to caused by role conversion of organisms in the rhizosphere from sybiosis to antagonism.

Abstract: Plant eradication using by inflicting upon a plant root (R) unnatural hot wound mechanical and thermal trauma delivered from a hot stab knife (V) which produces a stab gash (K) sufficiently deep to traverse plant cortex (C) and penetrate to plant xylem (X), simultaneous with or followed by heating the damaged area to a temperature of higher than 70 C, preferably 200 C for a sufficient time to cause cellular damage to the plant root. The root and hot stab knife may be shrouded to increase the temperature adjacent the stab gash. Preferably, the stab knife is formed to be sufficiently acuate and flat so as to allow a surface/volume ratio for the stab knife to be at least twice that of a cone of similar size and extent. Unhealable damage results, believed to caused by role conversion of organisms in the rhizosphere from sybiosis to antagonism.

Abstract: A brake includes a brake shoe moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and defining an axis of rotation of an associated brake drum. The brake includes an actuation shaft rotatable about a shaft axis and an actuation device for transferring rotational movement of the actuation shaft into movement of the brake shoe from the disengaged position to the engaged position. The axis of rotation is non-parallel to the shaft axis.

Abstract: Plant eradication using by inflicting upon a plant root (R) unnatural hot wound mechanical and thermal trauma delivered from a hot stab knife (V) which produces a stab gash (K) sufficiently deep to traverse plant cortex (C) and penetrate to plant xylem (X), simultaneous with or followed by heating the damaged area to a temperature of higher than 70 C, preferably 200 C for a sufficient time to cause cellular damage to the plant root. The root and hot stab knife may be shrouded to increase the temperature adjacent the stab gash. Preferably, the stab knife is formed to be sufficiently acuate and flat so as to allow a surface/volume ratio for the stab knife to be at least twice that of a cone of similar size and extent. Unhealable damage results, believed to caused by role conversion of organisms in the rhizosphere from symbiosis to antagonism.

Abstract: A piston-type air brake actuator includes a cylinder having an internal sliding surface of substantially uniform cross-section, a piston dimensioned to have a substantially air tight, axially slidable fit within the cylinder, and a pushrod rigidly secured to the piston for engagement with a pivoting operating shaft of a disc brake. The piston is provided with a compliant peripheral seal to permit articulation of the piston as the pushrod engages the operating shaft during pivoting motion of the operating shaft.

Abstract: A mixed signal integrated circuit device, e.g., digital-to-analog converter (DAC), has a serial interface communication protocol that accesses volatile and/or non-volatile memory and allows a preprogrammed output voltage whenever the mixed signal device is powered-up. However, unlike conventional DACs, DACs with non-volatile memory may need special interface communication protocols for effective operation of the DAC and communications between a system master controller unit (MCU). Interface communications protocols that do not violate standard serial bus communications protocols are provided for communicating between the volatile and non-volatile memories of the DAC so that the MCU may access the DAC's memories (non-volatile and/or volatile memories). The mixed signal integrated circuit device has a user programmable address.

Abstract: A mixed signal device, e.g., digital-to-analog converter (DAC) device has a serial interface communication protocol that accesses volatile and/or nonvolatile memory and allows a preprogrammed output voltage whenever the mixed signal device is powered-up. However, unlike conventional DAC devices, DAC devices with non-volatile memory may need special interface communication protocols for effective operation of the DAC device and communications between a system master controller unit (MCU). Interface communications protocols that do not violate standard serial bus communications protocols are provided for communicating between the volatile and non-volatile memories of the DAC device so that the MCU may access the DAC device's memories (non-volatile and/or volatile memories).

Abstract: A mixed signal integrated circuit device, e.g., digital-to-analog converter (DAC), has a serial interface communication protocol that accesses volatile and/or non-volatile memory and allows a preprogrammed output voltage whenever the mixed signal device is powered-up. However, unlike conventional DACs, DACs with non-volatile memory may need special interface communication protocols for effective operation of the DAC and communications between a system master controller unit (MCU). Interface communications protocols that do not violate standard serial bus communications protocols are provided for communicating between the volatile and non-volatile memories of the DAC so that the MCU may access the DAC's memories (non-volatile and/or volatile memories). The mixed signal integrated circuit device has a user programmable address.

Abstract: A piston-type air brake actuator includes a cylinder having an internal sliding surface of substantially uniform cross-section, a piston dimensioned to have a substantially air tight, axially slidable fit within the cylinder, and a pushrod rigidly secured to the piston for engagement with a pivoting operating shaft of a disc brake. The piston is provided with a compliant peripheral seal to permit articulation of the piston as the pushrod engages the operating shaft during pivoting motion of the operating shaft.

Abstract: Controlled gap thin blade shear process to cut grass using a low energy sickle mower. A thin dull blade moves without interference across a stator. Blades and stators are not biased or pressed together while cutting, but rather the cutting blade is guidingly supported by upper and lower stators formed and positioned to maintain forceably a total controlled gap (Z) therebetween of preferably 1-5 mils. The cutting blade is thin (10-50 mils). Tensile failure of grass is avoided. Torque management system performs motor load monitoring and modulation of blade position. To reject obstructions and clean the blade, the blade can reverse, jitter, or reciprocate. Instead of attempting to slice or slam through obstructions using a high torque prime mover, a low energy low torque prime mover is utilized with intelligent reversing, obstruction clearing, and blade cleaning that saves energy, reduces noise, rejects obstructions, and prevents blade damage or operator injury.

Abstract: A mixed signal device, e.g., digital-to-analog converter (DAC) device has a serial interface communication protocol that accesses volatile and/or nonvolatile memory and allows a preprogrammed output voltage whenever the mixed signal device is powered-up. However, unlike conventional DAC devices, DAC devices with non-volatile memory may need special interface communication protocols for effective operation of the DAC device and communications between a system master controller unit (MCU). Interface communications protocols that do not violate standard serial bus communications protocols are provided for communicating between the volatile and non-volatile memories of the DAC device so that the MCU may access the DAC device's memories (non-volatile and/or volatile memories).