Abstract: An LED driver circuit capable of being tuned via an unpowered tuning process and associated methods are provided. A radio frequency (RF) coupling circuit receives an RF tuning signal having a plurality of cycles of an RF carrier. The RF coupling circuit outputs a coupled RF tuning signal to a direct current (DC) generator circuit which rectifies the coupled RF tuning signal and outputs a rectified RF tuning voltage. A RF demodulation circuit receives the rectified RF tuning signal and selectively converts each burst of the rectified RF tuning signal to a single DC pulse. The RF demodulation circuit includes a Zener diode limiting the emitted voltage from the RF demodulation circuit. The microcontroller receives the output of the RF demodulation circuit, receives the regulated voltage, and controls one or more tuning operations of the LED driver circuit.

Abstract: Methods are provided for microbial electrosynthesis of H2 and organic compounds such as methane and acetate. Method of producing mature electrosynthetic microbial populations by continuous culture is also provided. Microbial populations produced in accordance with the embodiments as shown to efficiently synthesize H2, methane and acetate in the presence of CO2 and a voltage potential. The production of biodegradable and renewable plastics from electricity and carbon dioxide is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to genotype microspores and/or pollen grains are provided. Methods provided include using meiotically-related products to non-destructively determine the genotype of one of the meiotically-related products such that it can be further used. For example, methods to obtain a genotype of a microspore are provided. The methods include: isolating tetrads, separating the tetrads to obtain four tetrad microspores; genotyping three of the four tetrad microspores, and inferring the genotype of the fourth tetrad microspore. Methods are also provided for generating doubled haploid plants from the microspores that are selected for further analysis based on inferred genotypes. Viable genotyped pollen produced by these methods, as well as seed, cells, plants, germplasm, progeny, and plant parts derived therefrom are also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining geo-position of a target by an aircraft includes: receiving navigation data related to the aircraft including aircraft attitude information; receiving multilateration information related to the target including an angle to the target; calculating an axis for a cone fixed to the aircraft, based on the received aircraft attitude information; calculating a central angle for the cone from the received angle to the target; generating two vectors orthogonal to the cone axis; calculating a cone model from the axis, the central angle and the two vectors; and intersecting the cone model with an earth model to obtain a LEP curve, wherein the LEP curve is used to determine the geo position of the target.

Abstract: A method for determining geo-position of a target by an aircraft includes: receiving navigation data related to the aircraft including aircraft attitude information; receiving multilateration information related to the target including an angle to the target; calculating an axis for a cone fixed to the aircraft, based on the received aircraft attitude information; calculating a central angle for the cone from the received angle to the target; generating two vectors orthogonal to the cone axis; calculating a cone model from the axis, the central angle and the two vectors; and intersecting the cone model with an earth model to obtain a LEP curve, wherein the LEP curve is used to determine the geo position of the target.

Abstract: A control system for a light emitting diode (LED) driver is provided. The control system includes a control module, a command interface, and a combined signal interface. The control module includes a microcontroller configured to receive at least one signal and to determine an LED driver command signal and a command module connected to the microcontroller and capable of communicating with both the lighting dimmer and the wireless control module. The control system includes a command interface which communicatively couples the control module to the LED driver. A combined signal interface communicatively couples the command module and at least one of the lighting dimmer and the wireless control module. The combined signal interface conveys one or more signals between the control module and at least one of the lighting dimmer and the wireless control module. Associated methods and modules are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for building a search index for a database are disclosed. When an incremental build trigger is detected (e.g., a threshold number of documents are added to database), the system determines which sub-indexes need to be updated and which sub-indexes do not need to be updated. Rather than update the affected sub-indexes directly, the system builds new sub-indexes to replace the affected sub-indexes. Database queries that occur during the generation of the replacement sub-indexes use the old sub-indexes. When the new sub-indexes are ready, the system moves pointers from the old sub-indexes to the new sub-indexes so that subsequent database queries use the new sub-indexes.

Abstract: A conditionally active limit regulator may be used to regulate the performance of engines or other limit regulated systems. A computing system may determine whether a variable to be limited is within a predetermined range of a limit value as a first condition. The computing system may also determine whether a current rate of increase or decrease of the variable to be limited is great enough that the variable will reach the limit within a predetermined period of time with no other changes as a second condition. When both conditions are true, the computing system may activate a simulated or physical limit regulator.

Abstract: An isolated buck converter protects inverter switches during non-zero voltage switching and reduces output ripple current by maintaining operation of an output inductor of the isolated buck converter in a continuous current mode. Continuous current mode operation is maintained by various combinations of: shifting the frequency of operation of the inverter switches of the isolated buck converter as a function of output current of the isolated buck converter; employing pulse density modulation to decrease the off time of the isolated buck converter which will decrease the magnitude of the current ripple; and use a step gap core (i.e., a swinging choke) for the output inductor that saturates to a lower value of inductance for high load current and a higher value of inductance at low load current.

Abstract: Novel anti-IL-13 antigen-binding proteins such as antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof are provided. Methods of using the proteins to reduce IL-13 activity and to treat IL-13-associated diseases and conditions are further provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.

Abstract: A high efficiency electronic ballast or driver circuit provides striation control at reduced power levels. The driver circuit includes a controller operating a half-bridge inverter to drive a resonant tank circuit. The controller provides asymmetric on-times to upper and lower switches of the half-bridge inverter when operating at low duty cycles (e.g., duty cycles of 50% or less). The resulting asymmetric output current eliminates striation in lamps driven by the ballast. In order to maintain light output (i.e., output current), the controller reduces the operating frequency of the half-bridge inverter to increase the gain and impedance of the resonant tank circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes first and second magnetic cores defining first, second, and middle legs extending between first and second back walls, an air gap defined in the middle leg. First, second, and middle legs, and first and second back walls have a substantially equal width. A first winding is located on the first leg, a second winding located on the second leg, and a third winding located on the middle leg. The magnetic device can be part of an electronic ballast circuit including an AC power source, a positive AC rail, a negative AC rail, a resonant capacitor coupled between the positive and negative AC rails, multiple positive and negative lamp terminals configured to couple to respective gas discharge lamps, and windings on a magnetic device coupled between the positive AC rail and respective positive lamp terminals. The third winding is coupled between AC power source and positive AC rail to define a resonant inductor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for building a search index for a database are disclosed. When an incremental build trigger is detected (e.g., a threshold number of documents are added to database), the system determines which sub-indexes need to be updated and which sub-indexes do not need to be updated. Rather than update the affected sub-indexes directly, the system builds new sub-indexes to replace the affected sub-indexes. Database queries that occur during the generation of the replacement sub-indexes use the old sub-indexes. When the new sub-indexes are ready, the system moves pointers from the old sub-indexes to the new sub-indexes so that subsequent database queries use the new sub-indexes.

Abstract: A method for determining geo-position of a target by an aircraft includes: receiving navigation data related to the aircraft including aircraft attitude information; receiving multilateration information related to the target including an angle to the target; calculating an axis for a cone fixed to the aircraft, based on the received aircraft attitude information; calculating a central angle for the cone from the received angle to the target; generating two vectors orthogonal to the cone axis; calculating a cone model from the axis, the central angle and the two vectors; and intersecting the cone model with an earth model to obtain a LEP curve, wherein the LEP curve is used to determine the geo position of the target.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a light source driver circuit and a light engine. The light engine includes a light source and a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the light source. The driver circuit includes a temperatures sensing circuit operable to connect to the temperature sensor and provide a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the light source. The driver circuit monitors the temperature signal and shuts down an output current provided to the light source when the temperature is outside of a predetermined operating range. The driver circuit is configured to interface with a thermistor or normally bi-metal switch temperature sensor without alteration.

Abstract: Methods are provided for microbial electrosynthesis of H2 and organic compounds such as methane and acetate. Method of producing mature electrosynthetic microbial populations by continuous culture is also provided. Microbial populations produced in accordance with the embodiments as shown to efficiently synthesize H2, methane and acetate in the presence of CO2 and a voltage potential. The production of biodegradable and renewable plastics from electricity and carbon dioxide is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of duplex oligonucleotides about 25 to 30 base pairs to introduce site specific genetic alterations in plant cells. The oligonucleotides can be delivered by mechanical (biolistic) systems or by electroporation of plant protoplasts. Thereafter plants having the genetic alteration can be generated form the altered cells. In specific embodiments the invention concerns the alteration in the gene that encode acid invertase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, polyphenol oxidase, O-methyl transferase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, ACC synthase and ACC oxidase or etr-1 or homolog of etr-1, and plants having isolated point mutations in such genes.

Abstract: A constant current LED driver circuit includes a unified controller operable to control start up peripheral circuits and control power output of the driver circuit. The unified controller initializes, starts driver circuit components in a predetermined order, and controls operation to prevent runaway operation, failure to start, and nuisance shut downs. Additionally, due to centralized operational condition monitoring, the controller can detect conditions that would cause unnecessary shut downs and prevent such nuisance shutdowns. The unified controller enables fast, finite control over switches of a DC-to-DC converter of the driver circuit to improve output current and voltage control, improving closed loop responsiveness and operation of the DC-to-DC converter.