Abstract: The present disclosure describes Bst polymerase variants which exhibit DNA-dependent DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase activity, and methods of use thereof. The Bst polymerase variants of the disclosure may be combined with a separate enzyme having reverse transcriptase activity to amplify target RNA sequences; however, the addition of a separate enzyme having reverse transcriptase activity is not necessary for the successful amplification of RNA targets using the Bst polymerase variants of the disclosure. Target DNA sequences may also be amplified using Bst polymerase variants of the disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant methods of activating expression of one or more biosynthetic gene clusters comprising more than one gene, the method comprising a recombinant DNA expression vector that possess two opposable inducible promoters that drives expression of a biosynthetic gene cluster exogenously from outside of the cluster to produce polyketides or non-ribosomal peptides in a heterologous host.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant methods of activating expression of one or more biosynthetic gene clusters comprising more than one gene, the method comprising a recombinant DNA expression vector that possess two opposable inducible promoters that drives expression of a biosynthetic gene cluster exogenously from outside of the cluster to produce polyketides or non-ribosomal peptides in a heterologous host.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant methods of activating expression of one or more biosynthetic gene clusters comprising more than one gene, the method comprising a recombinant DNA expression vector that possess two opposable inducible promoters that drives expression of a biosynthetic gene cluster exogenously from outside of the cluster to produce polyketides or non-ribosomal peptides in a heterologous host.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly for a mining machine includes a holder having a first surface, a second surface, and a bore extending therebetween, and a bit having a first end and a second end. The bit further includes a tip, a shank, and a shoulder positioned between the tip and the shank. The shank is positioned in the bore of the holder and defines a shank axis. The shoulder engages the first surface of the holder. The shank includes a projection adjacent the second end. The cutting bit assembly also includes a retainer having a groove and a resilient member. The groove engages a portion of the projection. The resilient portion engages the second surface of the holder and biases the retainer along the shank axis and away from the holder.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a grapple is described in embodiments herein. A variable pressure control may be implemented that controls the pressure applied to a load held by the grapple. An interlock mechanism may be employed on the felling grapple that disables the operation of components of the felling grapple such as a feller. A grapple release mechanism may be activated to release the pressure applied to the load in the event of a malfunction in the felling grapple.

Abstract: An insulating felling grapple is used with an insulating utility vehicle. The utility worker stands on the ground near the worksite and remotely controls the insulating felling grapple and the utility vehicle to perform the task. In addition to other standard trimming and removal tasks, the insulating felling grapple is adapted to allow for the removal of energized vegetation material. In one method, the utility worker grasps the energized vegetation material, lifts or moves the energized vegetation material such that it is no longer energized, severs the non-energized vegetation material, and moves the severed vegetation material to a discard location. A boom assembly of the utility vehicle includes a primary insulation segment. The felling grapple includes a secondary insulation segment, as well as a grapple and a feller. The grapple has at least two tines for gripping the energized material. The feller is configured to sever the energized or nonenergized material.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly for a mining machine includes a holder having a first surface, a second surface, and a bore extending therebetween, and a bit having a first end and a second end. The bit further includes a tip, a shank, and a shoulder positioned between the tip and the shank. The shank is positioned in the bore of the holder and defines a shank axis. The shoulder engages the first surface of the holder. The shank includes a projection adjacent the second end. The cutting bit assembly also includes a retainer having a groove and a resilient member. The groove engages a portion of the projection. The resilient portion engages the second surface of the holder and biases the retainer along the shank axis and away from the holder.

Abstract: A cutter head for a mining machine includes a drum defining a drum axis with a drum plane extending perpendicular to the drum axis. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bit assemblies secured to an outer surface of the drum proximate a first end. Each cutting bit assembly includes a block and a bit. The bit includes a tip configured to engage a mine surface. The bit defines a bit axis, and the bit axis defines a first lean angle relative to the drum plane. The plurality of cutting bit assemblies includes a first series having four first bits, a second series having two second bits, a third series having two third bits, and a fourth series having two fourth bits. Each of the first bits includes a first tip and defines a first bit axis oriented at a first lean angle relative to the drum plane. The first lean angle is between about 60 degrees and about 75 degrees.

Abstract: A cutter head for a mining machine includes a drum defining a drum axis with a drum plane extending perpendicular to the drum axis. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bit assemblies secured to an outer surface of the drum proximate a first end. Each cutting bit assembly includes a block and a bit. The bit includes a tip configured to engage a mine surface. The bit defines a bit axis, and the bit axis defines a first lean angle relative to the drum plane. The plurality of cutting bit assemblies includes a first series having four first bits, a second series having two second bits, a third series having two third bits, and a fourth series having two fourth bits. Each of the first bits includes a first tip and defines a first bit axis oriented at a first lean angle relative to the drum plane. The first lean angle is between about 60 degrees and about 75 degrees.

Abstract: A system configured for predicting a financial impact of a process is provided that includes a financial forecasting system (FFS) having at least one operational parameter and at least one financial data. The system further includes a discrete event simulator (DES) in communication with the FFS, wherein the DES is configured simulate a process based upon the at least one operational parameter and the at least one financial data for a first period of time, communicate resultant data from the simulation to the FFS, such that the FFS is configured to update the at least one operational parameter and the at least one financial data, which are based upon the communicated resultant data, and the DES is further configured to simulate the process based upon the updated at least one operational parameter and the at least one financial data for a sequential second period of time.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated polynucleotides that encode a fluorescent protein which is at least 80% sequence identical to a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NOS: 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, and 74. Also described are expression constructs containing the polynucleotides, transformed host cells containing the expression constructions, the encoded fluorescent proteins themselves, and methods of using the nucleotides and encoded fluorescent proteins for bioanalytical research.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated polynucleotides that encode a fluorescent protein which is at least 80% sequence identical to a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NOS: 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, and 74. Also described are expression constructs containing the polynucleotides, transformed host cells containing the expression constructions, the encoded fluorescent proteins themselves, and methods of using the nucleotides and encoded fluorescent proteins for bioanalytical research.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated polynucleotides that encode a fluorescent protein which is at least 80% sequence identical to a protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NOS: 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, and 74. Also described are expression constructs containing the polynucleotides, transformed host cells containing the expression constructions, the encoded fluorescent proteins themselves, and methods of using the nucleotides and encoded fluorescent proteins for bioanalytical research.

Abstract: A system configured for predicting a financial impact of a process is provided that includes a financial forecasting system (FFS) having at least one operational parameter and at least one financial data. The system further includes a discrete event simulator (DES) in communication with the FFS, wherein the DES is configured simulate a process based upon the at least one operational parameter and the at least one financial data for a first period of time, communicate resultant data from the simulation to the FFS, such that the FFS is configured to update the at least one operational parameter and the at least one financial data, which are based upon the communicated resultant data, and the DES is further configured to simulate the process based upon the updated at least one operational parameter and the at least one financial data for a sequential second period of time.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating a manufacturing process or operational strategy of a business. The proposed manufacturing process or operational strategy is programmed into a multi-period financial simulator that iteratively models or simulates the proposed process or strategy for multiple periods of time. After one or more of the multiple periods of time, the multi-period financial simulator generates one or more types of financial data indicating how the proposed manufacturing process or operational strategy would affect the business.

Abstract: A rule based computerized method of developing, implementing and administering legislation is disclosed which includes developing a computerized database containing a set of declarative rules in accordance with which the legislation can be developed, written in and delivered; utilizing the computerized database to develop the policy for the legislation in accordance with the set of rules, and/or utilizing the computerized database to write the legislation in accordance with the set of rules, and/or utilizing the computerized database to design the service to administer the legislation in accordance with the set of rules, and/or utilizing the computerized database to administer and/or evaluate the legislation in accordance with the set of rules; wherein the policy development, writing of legislation, service design, administration and/or evaluation are functionally integrated by the computerized database.

Abstract: A shredding machine includes a housing which defines a passageway through which a sheet of material to be shredded may pass, a punching mechanism comprising a plurality of punch members, a mechanism to move the punch members from a retracted position in which the punch members are spaced from the passageway to an advanced position in which the punch members extend through the passageway, and a feeding mechanism for feeding the sheet of material through the punching mechanism so that repeated movement of the punch members between the retracted and the advanced positions effects shredding of the material. A method of shredding sheet material comprises feeding a sheet of material to be shredded past a punching mechanism and repeatedly punching the sheet material so as to shred the entire sheet.

Abstract: Systems and method of providing online discount offer programs to users provide for receiving travel information associated with the user and presenting a set of discount offers to the user based on the travel information. A modified set of discount offers can be presented to the user in response to input from the user, where the input identifies a change in the travel information.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing viral genomic and complementary DNA expression libraries and novel viral polypeptides without requiring virus cultivation prior to library construction. The method includes direct isolation of viral particles from the environment by differential filtration and centrifugation. The viral nucleic acids are extracted and used to construct libraries that may be screened by one of several methods to identify useful coding sequences or may be used to produce novel polypeptides.