Abstract: A device, that can attach near a distal end of a cord, has a receptacle therein for removably further attaching the device to the cord itself. Thus, a cord on a tool, for example, can be wrapped around the tool or a cord storage area of the tool and the end of the cord can be removably clipped onto the cord itself, thus removing the need to wrap or tie the end of the cord while keeping the cord from tangling or unwrapping. Typically, the device is permanently affixed to the cord, near its distal end. Various means can be used to secure the device to the cord, including adhesive, a locking mechanism, friction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A device, that can attach near a distal end of a cord, has a receptacle therein for removably further attaching the device back to the cord itself. Thus, a cord on a tool, for example, can be wrapped around the tool or a cord storage area of the tool and the end of the cord can be removably clipped onto the cord itself, thus removing the need to wrap or tie the end of the cord while keeping the cord from tangling or unwrapping. Typically, the device is permanently affixed to the cord, near its distal end. Various means can be used to secure the device to the cord, including adhesive, a locking mechanism, friction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A device, that can attach near a distal end of a cord, has a receptacle therein for removably further attaching the device to the cord itself. Thus, a cord on a tool, for example, can be wrapped around the tool or a cord storage area of the tool and the end of the cord can be removably clipped onto the cord itself, thus removing the need to wrap or tie the end of the cord while keeping the cord from tangling or unwrapping. Typically, the device is permanently affixed to the cord, near its distal end. Various means can be used to secure the device to the cord, including adhesive, a locking mechanism, friction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system for benefits management that includes a benefit metaphor engine that can apply a user-facing metaphor over the benefit plan, where characteristics of the benefit plan are used to identify rule sets to generate an appropriate metaphor. The metaphor presents information about the benefit plan within the metaphor setting, and allows for the user to make decisions within the metaphor that affect the benefit plan outside of the metaphor.

Abstract: A system for benefits management that includes a benefit metaphor engine that can apply a user-facing metaphor over the benefit plan, where characteristics of the benefit plan are used to identify rule sets to generate an appropriate metaphor. The metaphor presents information about the benefit plan within the metaphor setting, and allows for the user to make decisions within the metaphor that affect the benefit plan outside of the metaphor.

Abstract: A communication float for an oceanographic instrument, such as a profiler, comprising an elongated buoyant float, connected at one to the instrument by means of a neutrally buoyant communication cable, and having an antenna mounted on the other end. The float is ballasted to float at an angle such that the antenna extends from the water when the float is on the surface of the water, and whereby the float is oriented substantially vertically when submerged. The communication float is configured to provide minimal effects on the profiler instrument for either the submerged or floating mode, and to maintain transmission while subjected to wave action on the ocean.

Abstract: A communication float for an oceanographic instrument, such as a profiler, comprising an elongated buoyant float, connected at one to the instrument by means of a neutrally buoyant communication cable, and having an antenna mounted on the other end. The float is ballasted to float at an angle such that the antenna extends from the water when the float is on the surface of the water, and whereby the float is oriented substantially vertically when submerged. The communication float is configured to provide minimal effects on the profiler instrument for either the submerged or floating mode, and to maintain transmission while subjected to wave action on the ocean.

Abstract: DNA transcription regulating proteins capable of binding to a DNA regulatory sequence that regulates expression of one or more environmental stress tolerance genes in a plant such as to cold and drought are provided. Cold-regulated transcription factors may include ZAT12 and RAV1. The present invention relates to the DNA regulatory sequence to enhance the stress tolerance of recombinant plants into which these genes are introduced. Methods for using the DNA and transcription regulating proteins to regulate expression of one or more native or non-native environmental stress tolerance genes in a plant are provided. Use of a promoter capable of effecting mRNA transcription in the selected plant cell to be transformed may also included. Other embodiments include the use of vectors.

Abstract: An energy conserving moored buoyant ocean profiler wherein an instrument carrying vertically traversing buoyant member of low buoyancy is interconnected with a second buoyant member of high buoyancy to travel in the opposite direction at lesser distance, such that the potential energy of one buoyant member is increased as the potential energy of the other is decreased, thereby conserving energy as the instrument carrying buoyant member is raised and lowered.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a series of network connection elements including automatic plug-ins, configurable plug-ins and visual based system-built customized extensions. These elements are used according to embodiments of the present invention to serve as building blocks for connecting one or more disparate systems together. In some embodiments of the present invention, these building blocks can be arranged in a visual based environment to help facilitate integration of the systems in question. In a preferred implementation, an API server provides a four-pronged solution to provide integrated data access. The four components of this implementation are an Internal Integration Engine, ETL and B2B application adapters, an XML Gateway, and an application-specific High Performance Interface.

Abstract: An energy conserving moored buoyant ocean profiler wherein an instrument carrying vertically traversing buoyant member of low buoyancy is interconnected with a second buoyant member of high buoyancy to travel in the opposite direction at lesser distance such that the potential energy of one buoyant member is increased as the potential energy of the other is decreased, thereby conserving energy as the instrument carrying buoyant member is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A buoyancy package for subsurface instrumented moorings with reduced drag and increased stability is provided with the use of spherical buoyant members enclosed in a pivotally connected streamlined housing. The use of a spherical buoyant member provides a buoyant member capable of withstanding high pressures for deep water applications, and in one embodiment provides a convenient structure for providing a pivot with respect to the housing.

Abstract: An ocean profiler that utilizes ocean wave energy to provide power for repeated ascent and descent of an oceanographic instrument. In one embodiment the instrument assembly is provided with either positive or negative buoyancy such that the instrument can traverse one half of the travel cycle rapidly utilizing the buoyancy force. Utilizing wave power for instrument traversing greatly reduces the power requirement of the apparatus allowing extended unattended operation.

Abstract: A traction device using grooveless traction rollers. An angled roller mounting arrangement allows a number of line wraps to traverse back and forth across the rollers, following the spooling on the storage reel without the aid of a fairlead system for deployment. The device provides for automatic separation of successive line wraps on the rollers to eliminate snagging of connectors or accessories attached to the line.