Abstract: Methods of curing tobacco that reduce the levels of TSNAs and/or improve leaf quality are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using endogenous transcriptional control systems to regulate the expression of heterologous protein(s). In particular, targeted genome editing is used to integrate a sequence encoding the heterologous protein(s) in-frame with an endogenous coding sequence such that the expression of the heterologous and endogenous sequences is regulated by the endogenous control system.

Abstract: A device for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a flexible sheet with a tether strap connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet. The flexible sheet has opposed top and bottom surfaces, with the top surface having a high friction material with a higher coefficient of friction as compared to the bottom surface, which includes a low friction material. The tether strap is configured for connection to the frame of the bed to secure the sheet in place. A system incorporating the flexible sheet may also include an absorbent pad configured to be placed on the top surface of the sheet, where the high-friction top surface resists sliding of the absorbent pad, as well as one or more wedges having a base wall that the wedge rests on and a ramp surface configured to confront the sheet when the wedge is placed under the sheet. The base wall and the ramp surface may also contain high friction and low friction materials, respectively.

Abstract: A device for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a flexible sheet with a tether strap connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet. The flexible sheet has opposed top and bottom surfaces, with the top surface having a high friction material with a higher coefficient of friction as compared to the bottom surface, which includes a low friction material. The tether strap is configured for connection to the frame of the bed to secure the sheet in place. A system incorporating the flexible sheet may also include an absorbent pad configured to be placed on the top surface of the sheet, where the high-friction top surface resists sliding of the absorbent pad, as well as one or more wedges having a base wall that the wedge rests on and a ramp surface configured to confront the sheet when the wedge is placed under the sheet. The base wall and the ramp surface may also contain high friction and low friction materials, respectively.

Abstract: A method and system is directed to distributing a flow of packets over a network to multiple traffic management devices. An apparatus receives each packet from a network and may act as a layer 2 switch, or router, to distribute the packet to one of a group of traffic management devices. The apparatus also may receive packets from servers for which the traffic management devices are managing communications. When distributing packets, a target traffic management device is selected from the group of traffic management devices. A connection key associated with the received packet and an identifier associated with the selected traffic management device are saved such that subsequent received packets in the flow of packets are delivered to the same traffic management device.

Abstract: A non-woven flame retardant barrier comprising a binder; and a plurality of charring fibers combinable with the binder. The charring fibers include treated viscose fibers, wherein the charring fibers are substantially free of polymers made from halogenated monomers, consist essentially of fibers exclusively having a denier of from 1.5 to 3.5, and provide a fire-blocking web upon exposure to a heat source. The barrier has a basis weight of approximately from 0.25 to 0.65 osf.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, nucleic acid constructs, and kits for selectively deleting a region of a nucleic acid sequence. Specifically, it utilizes retargeting retroelements to place site-specific recombination sites at targeted locations in the nucleic acid sequence. The region between the recombination sites is then deleted using a site-specific recombination system.

Abstract: A non-woven flame retardant barrier can be prepared from low denier, charring fibers and substantially free of polymers made from halogenated monomers. The charring fibers can be modified viscose fibers, for example Visil®. The blend of low denier fibers can be, for example, a blend of 1.5 denier fibers and 3.0 denier fibers.

Abstract: An oral moisturizer is disclosed to provide relief from dry mouth. The moisturizer may be provided in different flavors that are palatable, with clinical benefits such as anti-nausea, appetite stimulant, etc., in addition to relief from the deteriorating dental effects of dry mouth. One disclosed oral moisturizer includes glycerin, xylitol, sodium hyaluronate, cetylpyridinium chloride, polysorbate surfactants and a palatable flavor.

Abstract: A non-woven flame retardant barrier can be prepared from low denier, charring fibers and substantially free of polymers made from halogenated monomers. The charring fibers can be modified viscose fibers, for example Visil®. The blend of low denier fibers can be, for example, a blend of 1.5 denier fibers and 3.0 denier fibers.

Abstract: A non-woven flame retardant barrier can be prepared from low denier, charring fibers and substantially free of polymers made from halogenated monomers. The charring fibers can be modified viscose fibers, for example Visil®. The blend of low denier fibers can be, for example, a blend of 1.5 denier fibers and 3.0 denier fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides, nucleic acid sequences, bacterial strains, methods and kits for producing exogenous protein. More specifically, the invention provides RNase E polypeptides that posses impaired mRNA degrading activity and efficient rRNA and tRNA processing activity. These polypeptides may be utilized for producing exogenous protein.

Abstract: A pressure washer system having a pump for pressurizing a fluid from a fluid source and selectively supplying pressurized fluid through a discharge line. The pressure washer system includes an unloader valve positioned between the pump and the discharge line. The unloader valve includes a fluid inlet, a discharge outlet, a bypass outlet, a first passageway establishing fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the discharge outlet in a first position of the unloader valve, and a second passageway establishing fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the bypass outlet in a second position of the unloader valve. The unloader valve is configured to maintain the pressurized fluid at the fluid inlet, the discharge outlet, and the bypass outlet at a substantially equal pressure when the unloader valve is in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, nucleic acid constructs, and kits for selectively deleting a region of a nucleic acid sequence. Specifically, it utilizes retargeting retroelements to place site-specific recombination sites at targeted locations in the nucleic acid sequence. The region between the recombination sites is then deleted using a site-specific recombination system.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides, nucleic acid sequences, bacterial strains, methods and kits for producing exogenous protein. More specifically, the invention provides RNase E polypeptides that posses impaired mRNA degrading activity and efficient rRNA and tRNA processing activity. These polypeptides may be utilized for producing exogenous protein.

Abstract: A martial arts practice device that is freestanding and can be used by one or more practitioners. The device has a base which can be filled with liquid for weighting, a stem extending upwardly from the base and a plurality of rails attached to the stem. A plurality of target adapter assemblies are slidably mounted on the rails. A target is attached to each target adapter assembly by a target attachment assembly. The target attachment assemblies include an elastomeric pivot so that the targets can pivot in any direction with respect to the target adapter assemblies.

Abstract: A non-woven flame retardant barrier can be prepared from low denier, charring fibers and substantially free of polymers made from halogenated monomers. The charring fibers can be modified viscose fibers, for example Visil®. The blend of low denier fibers can be, for example, a blend of 1.5 denier fibers and 3.0 denier fibers.

Abstract: The invention recites an unloader valve operable to direct a flow of fluid. The valve includes a housing having a bypass opening, an inlet opening, an outlet opening and an internal chamber between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. A shuttle valve is disposed within the internal chamber and is movable between a first position wherein the flow of fluid is substantially directed to the bypass opening and a second position wherein the flow of fluid is directed to the outlet opening. The shuttle valve includes an internal flow path having a venturi therein. A biasing member biases the shuttle valve in the first position.

Abstract: A battery terminal connector that requires no tools to engage or remove uses a quick-release system in order to increase efficiency. The use of a lever (which makes up an important part of the quick-release system) with a varying radius is used to engage or release the battery terminal connector. The connector is made of an electrically conductive material and connects the battery terminal to the battery cable.

Abstract: The invention recites an unloader valve operable to direct a flow of fluid. The valve includes a housing having a bypass opening, an inlet opening, an outlet opening and an internal chamber between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. A shuttle valve is disposed within the internal chamber and is movable between a first position wherein the flow of fluid is substantially directed to the bypass opening and a second position wherein the flow of fluid is directed to the outlet opening. The shuttle valve includes an internal flow path having a venturi therein. A biasing member biases the shuttle valve in the first position.