Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and their encoded proteins that are involved in tocopherol or plastoquinone biosynthesis. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants, and antibody compositions. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering phytyl/prenyltransferase protein content and/or composition of plants.

Abstract: A multi-modal address book for a customer associated with at least one account in an electronic communications environment is provided. The multi-modal address book is associated with a customized profile of the customer and has multiple entries. Each entry of the multi-modal address book is associated with a communications partner and includes at least one address. Information of a centrally stored copy of the address book is automatically synchronized with a copy of the address book provided at a remote communications device when information of an entry is altered at either the centrally stored address book or the copy of the address book. An indicator can be stored in association with at least one of the entries of the address book. The indicator indicates that an address book of a communications partner corresponding to an entry is to be automatically updated when the profile of the customer is altered. The updating occurs without regard to the modality used to communicate with the stored address.

Abstract: A system and method for executing random pulse width modulation in electronic power converters. In accordance with this invention, the sampling period of sampling cycles for pulse width modulation remains constant while the period of switching cycles are varied. The periods of switching cycles are varied using random numbers to calculate delays between the start of coincident sampling and switching cycles.

Abstract: A system and method for executing random pulse width modulation in electronic power converters. In accordance with this invention, the sampling period of sampling cycles for pulse width modulation remains constant while the period of switching cycles are varied. The periods of switching cycles are varied using random numbers to calculate delays between the start of coincident sampling and switching cycles.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological fluid device including a housing defining a cavity, a piston slidably disposed in the cavity to divide the cavity into first and second portions, a passage defined on an exterior surface of the piston fluidly coupling the first and second portions of the cavity, a magneto-rheological fluid disposed in the cavity such that motion of the piston is damped by flow of the magneto-rheological fluid through the passage and a magnet disposed to produce a magnetic field within the cavity substantially parallel to the motion of the piston at the exterior surface of the piston.

Abstract: A sports board that is ridden by a person standing upon it includes an elongated metal board having a front end, a rear end, a top surface, a bottom surface, a left edge and a right edge, and one or more longitudinally elongated cavity forming sections. This basic structure can be utilized as the basic component for sports boards such as skateboards, wakeboards and snowboards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing reference information in a non-volatile memory unit when a power loss to a vehicle detector is imminent. A power monitor circuit senses an impending power loss. In response, the vehicle detector transfers reference information, including a reference count and the number of loop cycles over which the reference count was accumulated, as well as optional detector status information, from the vehicle detector volatile memory (typically RAM) to the non-volatile memory unit. When power is resumed, the information stored in the non-volatile memory unit is restored to the vehicle detector. The restored information prevents improper and potentially dangerous vehicle detector operation caused by the loss of reference information during unpredictable power losses. The transfer operation is not performed if the power loss is due to a mechanical disconnection of power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating fungal infections and methods of killing or inhibiting growth of fungi with an amiodarone compound.

Abstract: A sports board that is ridden by a person standing upon it. The board is formed of extruded metal and it has an extruded hollow keel formed in its bottom surface that extends from its front end to its rear end. The height of the keel is much smaller than its width and it has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration. An extruded hollow left rail and an extruded hollow right rail are formed on the bottom surface of the metal board adjacent its respective left and right edges and they extend the length of the metal board. Plastic end guards are secured to the front and rear ends of the metal board. In one embodiment of the sports board, front and rear skateboard trucks are secured to the bottom surface of the metal board.

Abstract: A food cooking apparatus is provided. It includes a first container, and a second container connected to the first container with a passage defined therebetween and communicating with the first container. An ultrasonically tuned basket is rotatably mounted in the first chamber. The first and second containers are pivotally mounted together, and pivot between a first, vertical position and a second, tilted position, causing a heated cooking liquid to flow from the second container to the first container. The basket is rotated in the first container for a predefined period of time. The first and second container are returned to the vertical position, while the basket is provided with an ultrasonic vibrating motion, in order to reduce the amount of fat in the food. Further, a method of ultrasonically removing cooking liquid from food is provided. An ultrasonically tuned flexible membrane, onto which food may be placed, is provided.

Abstract: A process for treating ores or rocks is provided. The process comprises (1) combining the ores or rocks with an acid passivating agent to produce a first combination; (2) contacting the first combination with an aqueous solution comprising (a) manganate ions or source thereof and (b) a base whereby a second combination is produced; and (3) maintaining the pH of the second combination at about 11 to about 13.5. The process can also comprise (1) contacting the ores or rocks with the aqueous solution to produce a third combination; (2) contacting the third combination with an acid passivating agent to produce a fourth combination; and (3) maintaining the pH of the fourth combination at about 11 to about 13.5. The process can be used to prevent acid rock drainage of metal-bearing rocks or to produce a pretreated ore or rock which can further be contacted with a lixiviating agent such as, for example, sodium cyanide to extract metals such as, for example, gold and silver from the pretreated ore or rock.

Abstract: A programmable vehicle detector with operator actuatable function selection and parameter value setting keys, and an operational display. A small cluster (four) of key switches enables an operator to select programmable vehicle detector functions, such as pulse/presence, scanning/non-scanning, end of green control; and also adjust the value of settable parameters, such as loop frequency, sensitivity, delay time, and maximum presence time. The value of certain parameters is displayed, either by manual interrogation by operation of the switches during a set mode or automatically during normal operation. During normal operation, the display also indicates dynamically the relative value of the loop inductance, using a unique bar graph, the generation of Call a signal, and the time remaining in a delay time period and a maximum presence time period. The display further indicates which of several channels has been selected for function and parameter programming, or is currently being monitored for operation.

Abstract: A method for placing a thixotropic low-cement castable refractory material without the necessity for forms. A low-cement castable material is mixed with a measured amount of water, then is pumped hydraulically through a hose to a nozzle assembly. Compressed air and a cement setting agent are added to the mixture at the nozzle. The addition of the setting agent at the nozzle overcomes the thixotropic nature of the low-cement castable, so that it will immediately "set" in position when sprayed onto a surface, including vertical and overhead surfaces.

Abstract: A food cooking apparatus is provided. It includes a first container, and a second container connected to the first container with a passage defined therebetween and communicating with the first container. An ultrasonically tuned basket is rotatably mounted in the first chamber. The first and second containers are pivotally mounted together, and pivot between a first, vertical position and a second, tilted position, causing a heated cooking liquid to flow from the second container to the first container. The basket is rotated in the first container for a predefined period of time. The first and second container are returned to the vertical position, while the basket is provided with an ultrasonic vibrating motion, in order to reduce the amount of fat in the food. Further, a method of ultrasonically removing cooking liquid from food is provided. An ultrasonically tuned flexible membrane, onto which food may be placed, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dry phosphate cement mixture and process for manufacture of same. The dry mixture includes at least Al(H.sub.2 PO.sub.4).sub.3, a group IIA metal bonded to oxygen, and an aggregate. The process for manufacturing cement includes associating the dry reagent with a substantially polar solvent, such as water. The total reagent concentration is formulated such that only nominally exothermic reactions are observed. The process accommodates variable setting times and provides resulting concrete which exhibits formidable structural integrity.

Abstract: A method for placing a thixotropic low-cement castable refractory material without the necessity for forms. A low-cement castable material is mixed with a measured amount of water, then is pumped hydraulically through a hose to a nozzle assembly. Compressed air and a cement setting agent are added to the mixture at the nozzle. The addition of the setting agent at the nozzle overcomes the thixotropic nature of the low-cement castable, so that it will immediately "set" in position when sprayed onto a surface, including vertical and overhead surfaces.

Abstract: A cranberry harvester has a array of vertically oscillatable tines extending forward and over a ground roller. The roller pulls the vines through the tine array, stripping the berries, without damaging the vines or jamming the tines. Round upwardly curved tapered tines pivoted on a transverse bar are independently oscillated by a transverse camshaft to disentangle the vines effectively. Fruit is removed through a suction duct to a storage bin. The cranberry harvester is conveniently mounted on either a center articulated self propelled chassis, or a unitary self propelled chassis.

Abstract: A pad (22) for isolating a weight (4) from vibration of a resonant beam (8) in a resonant beam support system (6) for dissipating heat. The pad is constructed of a rubberlike material having ridges (58) and grooves (60). The ridges and grooves include a trapezoidal configuration which yields an increasing resistance to compression, i.e., spring rate, with increasing deflection. Altering the configuration of the ridges and grooves permits variation in spring rate. The pads may be constructed of standard truck tire recap tread and arranged in a square configuration. Water is injected between the pads and grooves through inlets (50, 52) to cool the pads. An aluminum plate (48) is mounted between first and second layers (40, 41) of tire recap tread to increase heat dissipation.

Abstract: The control is mounted on the turntable of a conventional motor grader or similar scraper, in a direction parallel to an axis through the points of attachment to the turntable of the rods of two rams which control the angle of the blade of the scraper to the horizontal. The control is used to hold the blade angle at a first angle when the scraper is moving in one direction and at a second angle when moving in another direction. In the control are two vials mounted side-by-side and adjustable by a motor to be centered at the aforesaid first and second angles. A control box on the cab enables the operator to selectively adjust the electric current of the device to respond to one vial or the other depending on the direction of movement of the scraper. If the blade is off the desired angle, a signal from the vial actuates a hydraulic valve control to energize one or both rams to raise or lower and thus restore the blade to the preselected angle.