Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing a desired phenotype in a plant by manipulation of gene expression within the plant. The method relates to means which inhibit the level of PK220 gene expression or activity, wherein a desired phenotype such as increased water use efficiency relative to a wild type control plant. The invention also relates to nucleic acid sequences and constructs useful such methods and methods of generating and isolating plants having decreased PK220 expression or activity.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for preparing a polyamide from one or several monomers adapted for the preparation of polyamide characterized in that the selected monomer(s), is(are) introduced without any preliminary reaction and without any preliminary preparation of the corresponding salt, in an extruder including at least two conveying screws rotating co-rotatively and in that all the reaction and polycondensation steps, initially starting from the selected monomer(s), and giving the possibility of ending up with the desired polyamide, are conducted in an extruder including at least two conveying screws rotating co-rotatively, and polycondensation is achieved by carrying out at least two operations for discharging the by-product(s) formed by the polycondensation reaction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices that may include components configured to convert electrical energy to heat and atomize an aerosol precursor composition. An outer body may at least partially enclose the components. An illumination source may be configured to output electromagnetic radiation. For example, a light emitting diode may output light. A waveguide may be configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the illumination source and provide illumination at an outer surface of the outer body. The waveguide may include an energy conversion material configured to alter a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation outputted by the illumination source to change a color of, or otherwise affect, the illumination. The illumination may also be dynamically adjusted. The waveguide may define the outer body, or the waveguide may be received with a separate outer body. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Physical and/or sensory skills may be trained by varying the quantity of sensory information available to an individual, the quality of sensory information available to an individual, and/or the difficulty of physical training performed by an individual. Eyewear may control the quantity/quality of visual information available to an individual and may provided an integrated heads-up display that communicates instructions to vary the difficulty of training tasks. The difficulty of training may be varied in response to sensor measurements descriptive of the physiology and/or performance of an individual training.

Abstract: A polybenzimidazole solution comprises a polybenzimidazole dissolved in an ionic liquid excluding 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cobalt complexes containing terdentate pyridine di-imine ligands and their use as efficient, reusable, and selective dehydrogenative silylation, crosslinking, and tandem dehydrogenative silylation-hydrogenation catalysts.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bearings, guide sleeves and head restraint assemblies for automobiles.

Abstract: A particulate-filled rubber composition contains at least one silane-reactive particulate filler and a mixture of at least one blocked mercaptosilane coupling agent possessing two thioacyl groups and at least one blocked mercaptosilane possessing a single thioacyl group.

Abstract: A base unit of a sports swing mechanics training device receives from a swing detector a swing detection message indicating a swing motion by a player, and in response, displays a visual symbol for a predetermined period of time. When the device receives a user selection of a visual symbol from the player, it is compared with the displayed visual symbol. If they match, the device indicates a symbol match. Otherwise, the device indicates a symbol mismatch. The base unit is placed at a location where the displayed visual symbol would be visible to the player immediately following contact with a ball when the player's eyes are in a desired position during the swing motion. The device trains players to keep their heads and eyes correctly directed at the point of collision with the ball during and immediately following the ball collision.

Abstract: A power controller includes a plurality of power supply output circuits and a multi-level converter connected to the plurality of power supply output circuits to receive a plurality of sets of voltages. The multi-level converter is configured to supply power to a load from a plurality of output terminals. An observer module is operably coupled to the multi-level converter to selectively control multi-level converter common-mode voltage with respect to the plurality of power supply output terminals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antimicrobial product obtained from a silicone-based system exhibiting a biocidal activity on its surface, said system comprising a silicone elastomer matrix and a mineral filler of particles chosen from the group of the silicas or aluminosilicates, for example zeolites or bentonites, said particles being dispersed in said matrix and comprising, grafted to their surface, molecules of the alkylsilane type incorporating at least one quaternary ammonium functional group.

Abstract: An air-cooled piston cap assembly is provided for use in a disc brake caliper that includes a piston cap, and a piston body having a proximal end and a distal end which is slidably movable within a caliper bore along an axis. The piston cap includes a retention portion mounted within the distal end of the piston body, a contact portion located opposite from the retention portion that contacts a brake pad assembly, and an intermediate portion connecting the retention portion with the contact portion. The outer surface of the intermediate portion defines an extended heat exchange path between the contact portion and the retention portion, and may for example hourglass-shaped. An air gap is provided between a top edge of the piston body and an undersurface of the contact portion of the piston cap that allows air to circulate over the extended heat transfer path defined by the outer surface of the contact portion and intermediate portion to cool the cap from frictional heat generated during braking.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to transition metal salts, more specifically to iron, nickel, cobalt, manganese and ruthenium salts, activated with silylhydrides, and their use as efficient hydrosilylation catalysts.

Abstract: A bio-reactive container and filter assembly to improve flow rates and mass transfer without increased pressure. An inlet filter membrane secured to the container defines a container chamber in combination with the container. An inlet filter membrane element may also be secured to the container to provide structural support to the membrane. An outlet membrane secured to the container defines a container chamber in combination with the container. An outlet filter membrane element may also be secured to the container to provide structural support to the outlet membrane. Inlet and/or outlet filters and/or filter elements are constructed to significantly increase surface area available for fluid and/or gas ingress and/or egress. Single and double layer membranes with mixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics are used to maximize perfusion and gasification/degasification of bio-reactive containers.

Abstract: A wheel for a skateboard, roller skate or the like has a radial surface arranged to provide contact with the ground, said radial surface comprising areas of at least a first material and areas of a second material, said second material having at least one mechanical property differing from that of the first material. The first and second materials are arranged in such a way that they form a pattern on the radial surface which varies around the circumference of the wheel. This enables the adaptation of the behavior of the wheel in a very flexible way.

Abstract: A thermal spray masking tape includes a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. The thermal spray masking tape further includes a surface layer overlying the first major surface of the substrate. The surface layer is formed from an elastomer including a liquid silicone rubber.

Abstract: A process for the hydrosilylation of an unsaturated compound comprising reacting (a) a silyl hydride with (b) an unsaturated compound in the presence of (c) a platinum compound and (d) a cyclodiene, with the provisos that (i) when the unsaturated compound is a terminal alkyne, the silyl hydride is other than a halosilane, and (ii) when the platinum compound is a Pt(II)-based compound, the ratio of total moles of cyclodiene to moles of platinum is less than 3:1.

Abstract: Thermoplastic resin polymer compositions having a block of random polysiloxane co- or terpolymer structure, such as substituted phenyl-terminated polysiloxane co- or terpolymers having the general structure: provide improved flame resistance, optical clarity, and better low-temperature impact strength compared to conventional blends, additives, and copolymers. The substituted phenyl terminated polysiloxanes may be used to make various polysiloxane-thermoplastic resin polymer and polymer blends, as well as articles including such polysiloxane-thermoplastic resin polymer and blends.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for regulating/controlling the surface temperature of a substrate is provided. At least a thermal pyrolytic graphite (TPG) layer is embedded in the heater to diffuse the temperature difference of the various components in the heating apparatus and provide temporal and spatial control of the surface temperature of the substrate, for a relatively uniform substrate temperature with the difference between the maximum and minimum temperature points on the substrate of less than 10° C.