Abstract: A method for producing seed corn from the corn plants, for use in growing subsequent corn plants, includes measuring a moisture content of corn kernels on ears of the corn plants in the field and removing, by a combine harvester, the ears of corn from the corn plants when the moisture content satisfies a threshold moisture content. The method then includes separating the corn kernels from cobs of the ears of corn onboard the combine harvester and collecting the separated corn kernels for use as seed corn, whereby one or more subsequent corn plants can be grown from the collected corn kernels.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring system includes a semiconductor member mounted onto the surface of an object having a surface whose temperature is to be monitored. The semiconductor member has a temperature-dependent bandgap with an absorption edge that varies with temperature. A light source is configured to illuminate the semiconductor member with monochromatic light. The monochromatic light has a wavelength equal to an absorption edge wavelength that is associated with the absorption edge when the semiconductor member is at a specified temperature. A detector is configured to receive light reflected from the semiconductor member when illuminated with the monochromatic light such that a surface temperature of the object is at the specified temperature when a change in an amount of reflected light that is received indicates that the wavelength of the monochromatic light is equal to the absorption edge wavelength at the specified temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes, as well as polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes to synthesize a chiral catalyst used in the synthesis of antiviral compounds, such as nucleoside inhibitors. The present invention further provides methods of using the engineered enzymes to deracemize a chiral alcohol in a one-pot, multi-enzyme system.

Abstract: A coating repair device for repairing a defect in a paint or coating by forming a repair patch around and over the defect. The repair device comprising a flexible member having an inner section peripherally surrounded by an outer section, each section having top and bottom surfaces with the bottom surface of the inner section being recessed with respect to the bottom surface of the outer section, such that when the flexible member is, in use, placed on the surface of a coating to be repaired it defines a cavity with the surface. An injection through-hole extends between a top and bottom surface of the device for the introduction of repair material into the cavity, in use, and one or more relief through-holes extend between the bottom and top surfaces of the device through which, in use, displaced air or surplus repair material may flow out of the cavity.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pole handle mountable flashlight which includes a flashlight housing having two housing sections hingedly connected together, an inner wall of each of the two housing sections being of circular cross section to engage with a tubular shaped pole handle. A closure mechanism is affixed to one of the housing sections and the other housing section is configured to be locked to the closure mechanism when the flashlight is mounted on a pole handle. Each housing section includes a distal end having lights mounted therein so that when assembled on a pole handle the distal end faces toward the area that the tool, attached to the pole handle, is being worked, or example shovels, painting poles and the like. Batteries are mounted in one or both housing sections which are connected to a flashlight circuit board mounted in one or both housing sections. The flashlight circuit board is connected to the lights mounted in the respective housing sections.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM1’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; numerous inflorescences with dark red to dark red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coating/membrane device for repairing defects such as holes or cracks in the membranes used to coat oil and gas metal pipes used in oil and gas pipelines and other metal based holding tanks, metal water pipes and the like. In one embodiment the device includes an applicator for applying a patch over a defect in the membrane. The device is placed over the defect and is temporarily bonded to the membrane, and an applicator having a patch removably attached thereto is activated to apply the patch to the membrane covering the defect. In another embodiment the device is placed over the defect and is temporarily bonded to the membrane, and a liquid sealant is injected into a chamber which then sets to seal the sealant over the defect and the device is removed.

Abstract: The present invention is a paint roller system comprising a frame, a paint roller that may be supported by the frame. The frame may not include any moving parts. The paint roller may have end caps incorporated therein or connected thereto that may prevent liquids from entering the paint roller. The paint roller system of the present invention may be configured to prevent paint becoming lodged in elements of the paint roller system, and to prevent corrosion or plugging. The paint roller may rotate substantially freely when positioned within the frame. The paint roller system may be utilized to adhere paint to a surface with minimal effort or force being applied by a user. The paint roller system may include a paint roller container operable for storage of a paint roller as well as engagement and disengagement of the paint roller from the frame without the user handling the paint roller directly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a floor squeegee for spreading resin on floors or removing liquid spills or debris from floors and other flat surfaces. The squeegee includes a frame section, a handle connected to the frame section such that the frame section is generally perpendicular to handle, the frame section including a preset number of internally threaded locator bosses. A flexible squeegee blade section includes a preset number of boss holes extending therethrough to receive the preset number of internally threaded locator bosses. The flexible squeegee blade section has a first section and a second section being integrally formed with the first elongate section and being inclined at an angle with respect to the first section in a range from about 0 to about 90°.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coating/membrane device for repairing defects such as holes or cracks in the membranes used to coat oil and gas metal pipes used in oil and gas pipelines and other metal based holding tanks, metal water pipes and the like. In one embodiment the device includes an applicator for applying a patch over a defect in the membrane. The device is placed over the defect and is temporarily bonded to the membrane, and an applicator having a patch removably attached thereto is activated to apply the patch to the membrane covering the defect. In another embodiment the device is placed over the defect and is temporarily bonded to the membrane, and a liquid sealant is injected into a chamber which then sets to seal the sealant over the defect and the device is removed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a floor squeegee for spreading resin on floors or removing liquid spills or debris from floors and other flat surfaces. The squeegee includes a frame section, a handle connected to the frame section such that the frame section is generally perpendicular to handle, the frame section including a preset number of internally threaded locater bosses. A flexible squeegee blade section includes a preset number of boss holes extending therethrough to receive the preset number of internally threaded locater bosses. The flexible squeegee blade section has a first section and a second section being integrally formed with the first elongate section and being inclined at an angle with respect to the first section in a range from about 0 to about 90°.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM2’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit; dark greyed purple-colored leaves; numerous inflorescences with red-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM4’, characterized by its tall, upright to slightly outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit; leaves that are initially dark green in color becoming dark greyed purple in color with development; numerous inflorescences with white-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM1’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; numerous inflorescences with dark red to dark red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM3’, characterized by its upright to slightly outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit; dark greyed purple-colored leaves; numerous inflorescences with light purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM6’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit; dark greyed purple-colored leaves; numerous inflorescences with white-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM5’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit; leaves that are dark greyed purple in color; numerous inflorescences with light red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM8’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit and rapid growth rate; dark greyed purple-colored leaves; numerous inflorescences with lavender-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM7’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit and rapid growth rate; dark greyed purple-colored leaves; numerous inflorescences with deep red-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.