Abstract: An isolated protein which exhibits cytokinin oxidizing activity selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID No. 1, a protein having an amino acid sequence which includes the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID No. 1, a protein having an amino acid sequence which includes a portion of the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID No. 1, the included portion being at least about 20 amino acid residues in length and conferring the cytokinin oxidizing activity on the protein, and a protein including an amino acid sequence with at least about 65% sequence identity to SEQ. ID No. 1, the remainder of amino acid residues being conservatively substituted. Nucleic acids encoding proteins which exhibit cytokinin oxidizing activity and related compositions and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for estimating the likely waviness of a wafer after polishing based upon an accurate measurement of the waviness of the wafer in an as-cut condition, before polishing. The method measures the thickness profile of an upper and lower wafer surface to construct a median profile of the wafer in the direction of wiresaw cutting. The median surface is then passed through an appropriate Gaussian filter, such that the warp of the resulting profile estimates whether the wafer will exhibit unacceptable waviness in a post-polished stage.

Abstract: An energy management system for use with off-highway vehicles, including locomotives, that traverse a known course. A processor determines power storage and transfer parameters, including data indicative of present and future track profile information. The energy management system controls the storage and regeneration of electrical energy. A hybrid energy locomotive system has an energy storage and regeneration system. In one form, the system can be retrofitted into existing locomotives or installed as original equipment. The energy storage and regeneration system captures dynamic braking energy, excess motor energy, and or externally supplied energy. The captured energy is stored in an energy storage system such as a battery, a flywheel system, or a capacitor system. The energy storage and regeneration system can be located in a separate energy tender vehicle. The separate energy tender vehicle is optionally equipped with traction motors.

Abstract: A hybrid energy locomotive system having an energy storage and regeneration system. In one form, the system can be retrofitted into existing locomotives or installed as original equipment. The energy storage and regeneration system captures dynamic braking energy, excess motor energy, and externally supplied energy, and stores the energy in one or more energy storage subsystems, including a flywheel, a battery, an ultra-capacitor, or a combination of such subsystems. The energy storage and regeneration system can be located in a separate energy tender vehicle. The separate energy tender vehicle is optionally equipped with traction motors. An energy management system is responsive to power storage and power transfer parameters, including data indicative of present and future track profile information, to determine present and future electrical energy storage and supply requirements. The energy management system controls the storage and regeneration of energy accordingly.

Abstract: An energy tender vehicle for use in connection with a hybrid energy locomotive system having an energy storage and regeneration system. The energy storage and regeneration system captures dynamic braking energy, excess motor energy, and externally supplied energy in one or more energy storage subsystems, including a flywheel, a battery, an ultra-capacitor, or a combination of such subsystems. In one form, the energy storage and regeneration system is located in the energy tender vehicle. The energy tender vehicle is optionally equipped with traction motors. In one form, the energy tender is configured to operate without any power connections to the locomotive. An energy management system is responsive to power storage and power transfer parameters, including data indicative of present and future track profile information, to determine present and future electrical energy storage and supply requirements. The energy management system controls the storage and regeneration of energy accordingly.

Abstract: Antimicrobial formulations, which may be essentially free of an antimicrobial active, comprising one or more proton donating agents and an alkyl phosphate anionic surfactant comprising a mono alkyl phosphate having the chemical structure: wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated straight chain or branched alkyl group having from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, x is a number from 0 to about 20, and R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, an alkali metal, or an alkanol amine, are provided and described herein. The formulations may be incorporated into wet wipes or various other personal care items such as facial tissue, bathroom tissue or feminine care products, or may be incorporated into lotions or soaps which may be applied directly to the skin. The antimicrobial formulations of the present invention have been found to have surprisingly high activity against numerous bacteria and other microorganisms.

Abstract: A granular semiconductor material transport system capable of continuous, non-contaminating transfer of granular semiconductor material from a large source vessel to a smaller and more manageable target vessel. Movement of the granular material is induced by flowing transfer fluid. The system includes a source vessel, a feed tube, a process vessel, a target vessel and a vacuum source, or mover. The source vessel contains a bulk supply of granular material to be transported. A feed tube received within the source vessel transfers the granular material entrained in a transfer fluid from the source vessel to the process vessel. The process vessel separates the granular material from any dust particles and deposits the granular material in the more manageable target vessel. The vacuum source sealably connects to the process vessel to evacuate the process vessel to set the granular polysilicon in motion within the system.

Abstract: A p-type oxide film and a process for preparing the film and p-n or n-p junctions is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a p-type zinc oxide film contains arsenic and is grown on a gallium arsenide substrate. The p-type oxide film has a net acceptor concentration of at least about 1015 acceptors/cm3, a resistivity of no greater than about 1 ohm-cm, and a Hall mobility of between about 0.1 and about 50 cm2/Vs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying population states based on shape characterizations of sub-manifolds of points, curves, surfaces, or sub-volumes. A structure is examined using, for example, clinical imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, or Ultrasound. The image is then subjected to a transform function to generate a map of the new image. The new image map which contains information regarding the shape of the structure is compared to average shapes characterizing population groups. If the shape of the new image falls within a best match probability with an average shape, the new image is classified as a member of the population characterized by the average shape. Each population represents a specific classification state. Thus, if the shape of the new structure resembles the average shape of a population group, the new shape is classified as the same population state as the other structures displaying the same shape characteristics.

Abstract: Multiple novel reaction schemes, novel process steps and novel intermediates are provided for the synthesis of epoxymexrenone and other compounds of Formula I wherein —A—A— represents the group —CHR4—CHR5— or —CR4═CR5—; R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxycarbonyl, cyano and aryloxy; R1 represents an alpha-oriented lower alkoxycarbonyl or hydroxyalkyl radical; —B—B— represents the group —CHR6—CHR7— or an alpha- or beta-oriented group: where R6 and R7 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, lower alkoxy, acyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxycarbonyl, alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, acyloxyalkyl, cyano and aryloxy; and R8 and R9 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, halo, lower alkoxy, acyl, hydroxyalkyl

Abstract: Taxanes having an ester substituent at C(7), a hydroxy substituent at C(10), and a range of C(2), C(9), C(14), and side chain substituents.

Abstract: An HVAC service assistance device assists individuals with troubleshooting their climate control systems and with contacting an HVAC contractor for service when necessary. Stored within the device is HVAC troubleshooting information that is conveniently provided to users on demand via an audio speaker and/or a visual display. The device may also store contact information for an HVAC contractor which can be conveniently accessed by the user when the climate control system next requires servicing. By recording (or having prerecorded) their contact information in the service assistance device of the present invention, HVAC contractors may increase their opportunities for receiving repeat business from customers. The service assistance device may further include a service call button which, when depressed, automatically sends a call for service to an HVAC contractor over a communication network, such as a telephone or computer network, using prerecorded contact information for the HVAC contractor.

Abstract: Provided is a method comprising administering (+) -Z- bisdehydrodoisynolic acid to a patient for treating, inhibiting or delaying the onset of prostatic conditions including prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostate cancer without accompanying feminizing effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single crystal silicon, in wafer and ingot form, which contains an axially symmetric region which is free of agglomerated intrinsic point defects. The region extends from a circumferential edge of the wafer or constant diameter region of an ingot, axially inwardly toward a central axis such that the entire wafer, a constant diameter portion of the ingot, or an annular-shaped portion of wafer or ingot is free of agglomerated intrinsic point defects. The present invention further relates to these axially symmetric regions wherein silicon self-interstitials are the predominant intrinsic point detect.

Abstract: An enzymatic synthesis and composition of &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid or peptide co-oligomers is disclosed wherein a residue of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid is linked to a residue of the &agr;-amino acid or peptide by an amide linkage. Proteolytic enzyme papain catalyzes co-oligomerization of the &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid and &agr;-amino acid. The degree and distribution of oligomerization varies upon the type and concentrations of different reaction mixtures utilized and upon the length of allowed reaction time. The resultant oligomers may be provided to ruminants as bioavailable amino acid supplements that are resistant to degradation in the rumen.

Abstract: A particle including anions dispersed throughout an amorohous, paracrystalline or crystalline solid solution, the anions being capable of reacting with hydronioum ions to generated a gas. The particle can be incorporated into a power capable of generating and releasing a gas after hydrolysis of an acid releasing agent.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a downstream processable ammonium glyphosate paste, comprising mixing in a suitable vessel (i) particulate glyphosate acid, (ii) ammonia in an amount of about 0.8 to about 1.25 moles per mole of the glyphosate acid, and (iii) water in an amount of about 10% to about 25% by weight of all materials being mixed in the vessel, thereby causing a reaction of the glyphosate acid and ammonia that generates heat causing partial evaporation of the water, and forms an ammonium glyphosate paste having a moisture content of about 5% to about 20% by weight.

Abstract: An abdominal exerciser, comprising: a base frame; a seat having a seat pad which is secured on the base frame; an upper arm having a first end and a second end; a lower arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the lower arm connecting on and laterally extending from the base frame, the second end of the lower arm pivotally connecting to the first end of the upper arm; a vertical bar being located behind the seat pad and connecting with the second end of the upper arm, the vertical bar having a first end and a second end; a handle pivotally connecting to the first end of the vertical bar; and a resilient mechanism interconnecting the base frame and the second end of the vertical bar.

Abstract: A package including absorbent articles and recloseable packaging. The packaging includes a flexible pocket having a hollow interior for said absorbent articles and an opening extending into the hollow interior for permitting an article to be withdrawn from the hollow interior. The packaging also includes a flap having a proximal end attached to the pocket and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The flap may be moved between an open position to permit an article to be withdrawn through the opening and a closed position to retain the articles in the pocket. The flap has a proximal width at the proximal end and a distal width at the distal end shorter than the proximal width.