Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding pantothenate synthetases. The invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all or a portion of the pantothenate synthetases, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric genes results in production of altered levels of the pantothenate synthetases in transformed host cells.

Abstract: A valve for use in musical wind instruments, associated musical instruments, and methods of fabricating such valves and musical instruments are provided. An exemplary rotor valve includes a solid rotor body having a first, substantially straight passage defined therein extending from a first opening in a peripheral surface of the rotor body to a second opening in the peripheral surface. Second and third passages are formed and extend from associated openings in the peripheral surface to associated openings in a face surface of the rotor body. The first passage may define a first, primary flow path of the instrument and the second and third passages cooperatively define a second flow path of the instrument, which incorporates an added length of tubing. In one embodiment, an interchangeable tube insert may be installed in the first passage to define flow characteristics in the first flow path.

Abstract: Various improvements are provided in gas-based electrophoretic displays, including (a) the use of water getters to remove water from the gas; (b) the use of electron accepting or donating gases; (c) the use of electrophoretic polymer particles having high glass transition temperatures; (d) lateral movement of electrophoretic particles within the display; and (e) the use of variable thickness coatings on electrodes to provide for gray scale.

Abstract: The invention relates to vectors for the inducible expression of RNA molecules in eukaryotic, particularly mammalian cells and transgenic animals.

Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring electrical equipment in an enclosed cabinet, having an ultrasonic detector located in the enclosed cabinet and detecting ultrasonic emissions generated by the electrical equipment, e.g., arcing, and heterodyning those ultrasonic emissions into an audio signal, a data converter which generates a digitized version of the audio signal, and a processing unit located remotely from the enclosed cabinet which receives the digitized signal over a transmitting line, and analyzes the digitized signal to determine whether there is an actual or potential failure condition.

Abstract: A reclining chair, in particular a passenger chair, for use in a vehicle such as an aircraft, bus or mobile home. The chair includes a base assembly, a seat frame located above the base assembly, a seat attached to the seat frame, and a seat back connected to the seat frame. In various embodiments, the chair includes features such as an energy absorbing base assembly, an adjustable arm rest, a fully reclining seat back and a seat that increases its angle with respect to the horizontal as the seat back reclines, thereby forcing one back into the chair. The seat and seat back is also capable of achieving a fully horizontal position when the seat back is fully reclined.

Abstract: Methods for creating and enhancing insect resistance in plants are provided. The methods comprise stably introducing into a plant a combination of polynucleotides comprising a sequence encoding a lipase polypeptide having insecticidal activity and a sequence encoding a Bt insecticidal protein, where each of these coding sequences is operably linked to a promoter that drives expression in a plant cell. Plants with enhanced insect resistance and seed thereof are also provided. The methods of the invention may be used in a variety of agricultural systems for controlling insect pests, including propagating lineages of insect-resistant crops and targeting coexpression of insecticidal lipase and Bt insecticidal protein to plant organs that are particularly susceptible to infestation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for an industrial scale extraction and purification of xanthophylls (e.g., lutein and zeaxanthin) from plant material (e.g., alfalfa or other leafy green crops having high levels of chlorophyll). The process involves harvesting lutein rich alfalfa, extracting an oleoresin from the alfalfa leaves, saponifying the oleoresin, extracting and extracting lutein using a series of solvent extractions specific for oleoresin obtained from alfalfa or other leafy green plants.

Abstract: A moveable seat comprising a seat frame assembly and a tapered swivel assembly, the tapered swivel assembly having components that are laterally immobile with respect to each other, despite forces from the seat frame assembly upon the tapered swivel assembly. A cable tracking wheel capable of controlling all movement of the moveable seat is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having a conductive surface for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. Two conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between two conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The conductive paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, an external monitor/generator is provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically testing the integrity of an inductive loop in a vehicle detector system. A check loop is placed adjacent each inductive loop in a multi-channel vehicle detector system. Each check loop is periodically activated by the vehicle detector to simulate a vehicle load on the associated inductive loop. Samples representing loop inductance at different activation periods are compared with a standard. When the result exceeds the standard, the inductive loop is subjected to additional sample testing with decreasing time intervals between sampling. After a number of additional samples exceed the standard, the inductive loop is deemed failed.

Abstract: An insulation package to reduce the transmission of heat and/or noise between the outer skin and the cabin lining of an aircraft composed of an insulating material enclosed by an encapsulating membrane. The encapsulating material has a vapor diffusion resistance (sd value) at least partially dependent on the ambient humidity, and for a gradient of relative humidity across the encapsulating membrane of 3% to 50% it has a vapor diffusion resistance (sd value) of at least 0.8 m and for a gradient of relative humidity across the encapsulating membrane of 50% to 93% it has a maximum vapor diffusion resistance (sd value) of 0.3 m.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photoresist composition comprising a polymeric binder; a photoactive component; and at least one dissolution inhibitor comprising a paraffinic or cycloparaffinic compound containing at least one functional group having the structure —C(Rf)(Rf?)OR wherein Rf and Rf? are the same or different fluoroalkyl groups of from one or taken together are (CF2)a wherein a is an integer ranging from 2 to about 10 and R is a hydrogen atom or an acid labile protecting group. Typically, the dissolution inhibitor has an absorption coefficient of less than about 4.0 ?m at a wavelength of 157 nm.

Abstract: A combination pressure measurement/refrigerant charging apparatus may include a shutoff valve that includes a piercing pin and a pressure gauge. The piercing pin may be used to pierce a refrigerant can. The pressure gauge may be used as a handle for operating the shutoff valve. A first end of a hose may be coupled to the shutoff. A quick coupling device may be coupled to a second end of the hose. The quick coupling device may be used to couple the apparatus to a refrigerant system.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a farnesyltransferase subunit. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the farnesyltransferase subunit, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the farnesyltransferase subunit in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: An insulating label stock or sleeve formed from such label stock includes a thermal insulating layer, which may a fiberfill batt. The batt is laminated to at least one layer of heat shrinkable material, such as a film. The insulated packaging material may be coated with a coating material to enhance printing capabilities. The insulating label stock or sleeve is installed around a container, and after being activated by heating, conforms to the contours of the container. The insulating label stock retains its hot and cold insulative properties after being heat-shrunk.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a heat sink has a side with a pattern that extends at least partially through a thickness of the heat sink. The heat sink also has a thickness no greater than 9 mm. In another embodiment, a heat sink has a side with a pattern that extends at least partially through a thickness of the heat sink. The heat sink also has a ratio of area:thickness, as seen from a plan view, of at least 500:1 when the area and thickness are expressed in units of mm2 and mm, respectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: An electronics enclosure has a mains input and a lamp output. A power factor correction circuit is installed in the enclosure, to provide a DC output voltage. An inverter is also installed in the enclosure. Control electronics is also installed in the enclosure to control the inverter, and to receive a selection of lamp load type made manually by a user via a user interface on an outside face of the enclosure. The same lamp output can thus alternatively drive, for example, a high pressure sodium lamp and a metal halide lamp, as indicated by the selection. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical symmetrization device for symmetrizing the radiation emitted by laser diodes. The symmetrization device contains a cylindrical lens system (3), a cylindrical lens array (4) and a deflection element (5). The cylindrical lens array (4) contains at least two cylindrical single lenses (4A) that are arranged adjacent to one another in fixed allocation, wherein the distance between two adjacent single lenses (4A) is smaller than the distance between two adjacent linear optical emitters (2).