Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying centromeres and centromeres identified by such methods. Centromeres of organisms such as algae, fungi, and protists can be used, for example, for constructing artificial chromosomes and cells containing such artificial chromosomes.

Abstract: Provided is a display device that has a photodetection element within a pixel and can calibrate automatically a photo sensor signal during an operation of the display device. A sensor row driver (5) has a first operation mode for supplying a sensor drive signal of a first pattern to a photo sensor in a pixel region (1) and outputting a photo sensor signal corresponding to a quantity of receiving light to a signal processing circuit (8), a second operation mode for supplying a sensor drive signal of a second pattern and acquiring a first photo sensor signal level for calibration corresponding to the case where a black level is detected, and a third operation mode for supplying a sensor drive signal of a third pattern and acquiring a second photo sensor signal level for calibration corresponding to the case where a white level is detected. During the first operation mode, a third photo sensor signal level for calibration is acquired from a dummy pixel.

Abstract: A protective structure for a vehicle having an opening on an upper surface is provided. One embodiment of the invention has at least a partial enclosure around an area defined laterally by the vehicle opening with an overhead and side protective capability. An embodiment of the invention has an overhead cover that is formed to substantially enclose a top area of the enclosure and having multiple panels that may be locked into place or opened by an occupant for exit through a top area of the enclosure. The multiple panels in this embodiment extend upwardly and inwardly from a section of the enclosure's side walls. Ballistic windows are provided on the protective structure such that an occupant can view laterally and vertically through the enclosure and overhead cover. A shield or protective plate can be mounted on one side of the enclosure.

Abstract: A marine fuel tank that is stackable due to matching protrusions and recesses on the top and bottom and meets the new low hydrocarbon emission standard. In addition, the tank has side recesses that match straps and a handle that is designed to lift and pour. The tank is generally made from a polymer that has a hydrocarbon permeation of less than 15 g/sq. m/day.

Abstract: This invention describes genes, metabolic pathways, microbial strains and methods to produce methyl butanol and other compounds of interest from renewable feedstocks.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a network element to support protection switching in an optical network are described. The network element can operate according to the SONET, SDH, or both optical transport standards. Each tributary card of the network element has a baseline set of triggering parameters for supporting each protection scheme of both optical transport standards. A baseline parameter set for a given protection scheme has those triggering parameters that are common to SDH and SONET optical transport standards. One or more additional triggering parameters may be needed by a tributary card to complete the implementation of a particular protection scheme. These additional triggering parameters can be sent to the tributary cards, as needed, to supplement the baseline parameter sets.

Abstract: A hand operated primer pump for small marine or other engines generally spark ignition engines used on stern drive boats that prevents transfer of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. The primer generally mimics and replaces prior art rubber primer bulbs in general shape and possibly color, although it can be made in any shape or color. It generally contains a pump that delivers a precise measured amount of fuel with each stroke of the actuator. The primer can have an ergonomically designed actuator that creates the farthest distance from a fulcrum point for maximum leverage and hence, maximum ease of use. The primer is generally designed with a continuous molded fuel path to seal any source of hydrocarbon leakage as well as being made from materials that prevent transfer of hydrocarbons to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A flexible bottle holder, such as for baby bottles, is made of child-safe plastic and attaches to support surfaces with a hand operated screw clamp. A flexible arm extends from the clamp and has a bottle support at the other end. The bottle support easily adjusts to various bottles and allows for quick and easy insertion and removal of bottles by an adult, but is resistant to easy removal by an infant and does not include any hardware that is dangerous to an infant. In one embodiment, the bottle support uses spring tabs to secure the bottle inside a plastic band. In another embodiment, an elastic fabric jacket secures the bottle to a bottle support cradle with a plurality of hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A protective structure for a vehicle having an opening on an upper surface is provided. One embodiment of the invention has at least a partial enclosure around an area defined laterally by the vehicle opening with an overhead and side protective capability. An embodiment of the invention has an overhead cover that is formed to substantially enclose a top area of the enclosure and having multiple panels that may be locked into place or opened by an occupant for exit through a top area of the enclosure. The multiple panels in this embodiment extend upwardly and inwardly from a section of the enclosure's side walls. Ballistic windows are provided on the protective structure such that an occupant can view laterally and vertically through the enclosure and overhead cover. A shield or protective plate can be mounted on one side of the enclosure.

Abstract: A system and technique for switching the polarity of an electrochemical cell stack to switch operation of the stack between a power producing mode of operation and an electrochemical pumping mode of operation is provided. The system and technique include a plurality of polarity switches that are switched between configurations in response to a mode select signal.

Abstract: An enhanced polymer for containing fuel such as in fuel tank construction that uses an one of several commercially available polymers or polymer blends and mixes or blends it with either carbon nano-tubes or carbon nano-fibers and/or with nano-sized smectite clay platelets. The polymer can be further hardened or stiffened by adding or blending or treating with a cross-linking agent. The polymers can be any suitable polymer; however, high density polyethylene, polybutylene terephtalate, polycarbonate or polybutylene terephtalate and polycarbonate blend are preferred. The carbon nano-fibers can have diameters from 50-70 nano-meters and have lengths up to several hundred microns. Generally carbon fibers are not used with polyethylene, only smectite clay.

Abstract: Links are established between data elements common to different application programs to make it easier for a user to perform an action in one application program using data available in another application program. Data elements are identified in a first data set for a first application program. One or more performable actions is associated with each identified data element. Common or matching data elements in a second data set for a second application are identified. When a user selects one of the matching data elements in the second data set, a selectable list of actions is presented to enable performance of a selected action from within the first application program in relation to the data element selected in the second application program.

Abstract: A multi-service network element is configurable for use in various types of communications networks. The network element has a service interface card, a service interface electrical connector for receiving the service interface card, an I/O electrical connector for receiving an I/O module, and a backplane. The backplane has a first side, an opposite side, a first means for electrically connecting the service interface electrical connector to the first side, and a second means for electrically connecting the I/O electrical connector to either side of the backplane. The backplane is partitioned into columns and rows of electrical connectors. Each column corresponds to a card slot for receiving a circuit pack and each row corresponds to a section of the backplane having traces for carrying a particular type of electrical signals between circuit packs.

Abstract: Described are a system and method of communicating status and protection information between cards in a communications system. The system has a plurality of cards connected to a backplane. The plurality of cards includes a tributary card and a cross-connect card for forwarding data traffic between cards in the network element. The backplane has a link that is dedicated to carrying out-of-band signals between the tributary card and the cross-connect card. The tributary card transmits information to the cross-connect card in a first out-of-band signal over the link and the cross-connect card broadcasts the information to the plurality of cards in the network element in a second out-of-band signal.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a multi-stage switch to be adapted for single-stage switch applications. An interface manager manages the hardware interface for the multi-stage switch. The multi-stage switch includes input ports and output ports, and an input signal can be broadcast to one or more output ports. The interface manager limits the broadcasting of each input signal to avoid a blocking condition within the multi-stage switch which causes the blocking of one or more of the broadcast signals.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a liquid, wherein the system includes a reservoir comprising a plurality of apertures disposed therein, and at least one dispenser in flow communication with the reservoir, the dispenser comprising a first and a second tube operatively coupled to the reservoir.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprises first and second opposing mixing members rotatable relative to one another about an axis and which have facing surfaces which extend away from the axis and which define a mixing chamber therebetween. Means are provided for rotating at least one of the mixing members to provide relative rotation between the first and second mixing members in a first rotational direction. An array of mixing formations on at least one of said surfaces interact to mix material within the mixing chamber and are configured to propel material within the mixing chamber towards the axis. The number of mixing formations on at least one of the surfaces increases with radial distance from the axis.

Abstract: A composite material that can be economically produced without the emission of VOCs that is extremely strong and is bonded at the molecular level. An embodiment of the present invention can be a composite of two or more layers with a first layer made from an aliphatic polymer like a polyurea and a resin like an isocyanate resin. A third layer of strengthened urethane foam can optionally be used. The composite material can be made up of layers of material with a first layer of a polyurea polymer and the second layer of an isocyanate resin chemically bonded to the first layer. The first layer can have a glossy outer surface if desired. The second layer can also optionally contain carbon fibers, nano-tubes or basalt fibers for extra strength if desired. The material can be produced in sheets of from 8 to 12 feet wide and from 40 to 60 feet long. Carbon fibers, carbon nano-tubes and Basalt fibers can be added for strength and rigidity.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for forwarding K-bytes between optical cards in a communication system. The system includes a first card and second card each connected to a backplane. The second card obtains protection-signaling information from an incoming signal arriving at the second card from over a network. The second card generates an out-of-band signal having the protection-signaling information, and transmits the out-of-band signal having the protection-signaling information to the first card in the network element. In one embodiment, the first card is a cross-connect card, and the cross-connect card simultaneously transmits the out-of-band signal with the protection-signaling information to a plurality of cards in the system.

Abstract: A fabricated composite tank or cell for the purpose of fuel containment made up to form a unique blend, using existing composite materials and assembled in such a manner as to resist fuel hydrocarbon migration through the tank structure. A blend of nanomer or nano sized clay particles into a polyester, vinyl ester resin is used as a barrier coating to achieve a hydrocarbon migration reduction for pleasure boat fuel containment purposes. The tank is fabricated in such a manner so as to be able to meet the rigorous mechanical strength parameters as outlined for US pleasure boats.