Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for identifying agents that stimulate or inhibit nematode reproduction, especially related to oocyte maturation, sheath cell contraction, and ovulation. It is disclosed that the major sperm protein (MSP) is acts in signal transduction of female sexual maturation in nematodes. Provided are compositions and methods for identifying anti-nematode agents with MSP as a target and for controlling nematode populations. MSP is an excellent target for identification of anti-nematode factors because it is highly conserved among members of the phylum Nematoda and is not known to exist in other organisms, especially crops, livestock, pets, and humans. Thus, anti-nematode agents that target MSP are less likely to induce severe side effects when administered to a host and the nematode is unlikely to develop resistance to a highly conserved molecule involved in sexual reproduction.

Abstract: A pontoon boat gate latch assembly includes a bolt assembly and a bolt mounting assembly. The bolt mounting assembly is adapted to be connected to a pontoon boat gate or frame rail so that the bolt assembly can be used to lock the gate in a closed position by inserting a bolt included in the bolt subassembly through a gate rail opening defined in the gate and a frame rail opening defined in the boat frame. The latch assembly also includes gate and frame sleeves that are adapted to be inserted into the gate and frame rail openings to eliminate rattling. The latch assembly further includes an alignment stop that is adapted to be connected to the pontoon boat adjacent to the bolt mounting assembly and to cause the gate to stop at a position that aligns the bolt and the frame and gate rail openings.

Abstract: A heat dissipation system for an audio amplifier is presented, including a housing having a plurality of apertures therein; at least one completely enclosed air tunnels, each air tunnel extending between one of the apertures in the housing and another of the apertures in the housing, each air tunnel at least partially defined by a pair of opposed heat sinks mounted within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for managing the heat from a heat source like an electronic component. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system effective for dissipating the heat generated by an electronic component using a thermal management system that includes a heat sink formed from a graphite article.

Abstract: A current-powered converter includes a current source, a switching section connected to the output of the converter, a dispersed inductance being provided between the switching section, and the converter output. A clamping circuit limits the voltage at the input of the switching section. The clamping circuit comprises a capacitor in which energy is stored during at least one phase of the switching cycle of the switching section, and an inductance by means of which the energy stored in said capacitor is returned to the output of the converter.

Abstract: A centrifuge is provided for recovering material of interest from the interstitial fluids of plant tissues. The centrifuge includes a rotatable centrifuge bowl having a radially outer wall inclined outwardly so that during centrifugation liquid in the bowl climbs the outer wall. The centrifuge bowl is contained in a vacuum sealed housing so that a material of interest contained in the bowl including said liquid can be subjected to a vacuum. A system for automated cleaning of the centrifuge is also provided.

Abstract: Lay-up mold comprising a contoured metal frame having an overlying conformal coating of polyurethane.

Abstract: A reversible child resistant closure system including a closure and container having a neck portion, an engaging means and an axis extending therethrough about which the closure is rotatable. The closure has a child resistant mode when applied to the container in a first child resistant position and has a non-child resistant mode when applied to the container in a second non-child resistant position. The closure includes an outer cap and an inner cap. The inner cap is coaxially positioned and nested within the outer cap and is axially movable between the first child resistant engaging means and the bottom edge of the outer cap such that a plurality of angular abutment surfaces of the inner cap engage a series of angular abutments of the outer cap upon rotation of the outer cap to rotate the inner cap in a closing direction.

Abstract: A system for mounting a laptop computer on a mobile casterized base, comprising: an articulated arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being adjustably connected to the mobile casterized base; and a bracket assembly adjustably connected to the second end of the articulated arm for securely retaining the laptop computer, the bracket assembly being adjustable in at least one dimension to securely retain the laptop computer.

Abstract: A tool system for inserting temple screws in eyeglass frames includes first and second scissor arms, with each scissor arm having proximal and distal ends, the arms pivotally connected so that the ends can be moved towards and away from one another when the arms are pivotally moved using finger-receiving devices at the distal ends of the scissor arms. A clamp locking mechanism is an extended ratchet device for providing stepwise engagement of the first and second scissor arms in a position where the finger receiving devices are moved closer together and prevented from moving further apart. Clamping and gripping surfaces at the proximal ends of the arms grip the spring hinge eyeglass frames, with an elongated projection extending away from the clamping surface on one arm to engage the eyeglass temples to temporarily secure the spring hinge in a state of extension.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention includes an upper frame mounted on a support structure, such as a truck, building, or billboard, three adjustable frame assemblies mounted on the support structure below the upper frame, and sheet material having an upper sheet tab inserted into the upper frame and lower, right, and left sheet tabs inserted into the adjustable frame assemblies. The frame assemblies can be adjusted to vary the tension in the sheet material between the upper frame and the adjustable frame assemblies. The method includes the steps of inserting the upper sheet tab into the upper frame, inserting the right, left, and lower sheet tabs into the adjustable frame assemblies, and adjusting the adjustable frame assemblies so that the sheet material is pulled taut between the upper frame and the adjustable frame assemblies.

Abstract: A metal baseball or softball bat may be improved both for durability and performance by selectively placing a layer of fiber reinforced composite material around portions of the bat. In one embodiment the barrel portion of the bat may have a fiber reinforced composite layer directly laid up upon the metal bat frame. In a second embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may include an outer metal sleeve placed about the metal bat frame, with an exterior fiber reinforced composite shell being formed on the outer metal sleeve. In a third embodiment, an intermediate portion of the bat adjacent a zone of maximum bending stress may be reinforced by the placement of a fiber reinforced composite outer layer on the metal frame of the bat adjacent the area of maximum bending stress.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bone grinding apparatus, which comprises a grinding chamber, primary and secondary cutting elements positioned within the grinding chamber to sequentially perform primary and secondary cutting operations on the bone, and a drive mechanism operatively engaging the primary and secondary cutting elements. The apparatus also includes a bone supplying cylinder engaging the grinding chamber and adapted to transport the bone to the cutting elements at a consistent pressure. The apparatus also includes a sealing component designed to operatively engage the drive mechanism and to separate the drive mechanism from the cutting elements.

Abstract: A sub-surface direct expansion geothermal heat exchange unit, which can be placed in sub-surface ground and/or water, consisting of at least one smaller interior diameter refrigerant liquid/fluid transport line with an optional vertically oriented U bend at the bottom, operatively connected to at least one larger interior diameter refrigerant liquid/fluid transport line, with at least one refrigerant flow metering device installed at either an accessible location in the liquid/fluid line or at the sub-surface point where the liquid/fluid line connects with the vapor/fluid line, for use when the system is operating in the heating mode, together with a refrigerant flow metering device by-pass means so as to enable additional refrigerant fluid flow around the refrigerant metering device when the system is operating in the cooling mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for hardening a metal article, comprising a holding device, an energy beam generator pointed at the holding device for directing energy beams at the holding device, and an auxliary heating device engaging the holding device, wherein the auxiliary heating device heats the metal article independently from the energy beam. The apparatus includes an energy beam delivery instrument system positioned between the energy beam generator and the holding device so that the energy an energy beam delivery instrument directs the energy beam to the holding device. Also, the apparatus also includes a transport system supporting the holding device, wherein the transport system varies the location of the holding device relative to the energy beam generator.

Abstract: A process for embossing a flexible graphite sheet, and the flexible graphite article produced thereby is presented.

Abstract: Processes and systems to reduce sticking of graphite materials and particularly resin impregnated graphite materials to forming tools, such as an embossing roller, during a process of manufacturing articles from the graphite materials. In one embodiment, an aerosol spray non-stick material is intermittently sprayed upon the embossing rollers. In a second embodiment, one or more sheets of thin flexible solid non-stick material, such as polyethylene, are sandwiched between the graphite material and the embossing rollers. The system is particularly useful for manufacturing material useful in producing components of fuel cells.

Abstract: A mixture of carbon-containing fibers, such as mesophase or isotropic pitch fibers, and a suitable matrix material, such as a milled pitch, is compressed while resistively heating the mixture to form a carbonized composite material having a density of about 1.5 g/cm3, or higher. The composite material is formed in under ten minutes. This is a significantly shorter time than for conventional processes, which typically take several days and achieve a lower density material. Consequently, carbon/carbon composite materials having final densities of about 1.6-1.8 g/cm3, or higher are readily achieved with one or two infiltration cycles using a pitch or other carbonaceous material to fill voids in the composite and rebaking.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing flexible sheets of expanded graphite material from recycled materials, comprising providing source materials in the form of flexible sheets of expanded graphite; comminuting the source materials into particles; re-expanding the particles; and preparing a mat from the re-expanded particles. Also described herein is a process of manufacturing a graphite material comprising grinding a cured resin impregnated graphite material into particles; removing at least part of the resin from the particles; and expanding the resin removed particles.