Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition PPDK gene expression in plant seedlings results in significant developmental abnormalities, including abnormal cotyledon development, abnormal or aborted primary leaf development and significantly reduced growth. Thus, PPDK can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit PPDK expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a PPDK and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said a PPDK, or detecting a decrease in PPDK expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cleaning the clips on a web processing apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a scraper for scraping the web supporting surface of the clips on the web transporting machine, and also desirably includes a clip opener, for facilitating opening of the clip to enable the scraper to easily access the clip web support surface. The scraper is desirably supported in a manner that enables it to move upwards and downwards relative to the web supporting surface of the clips, to account for variations in clip height and positioning. The clip cleaner can be readily applied to existing web processing apparatus, such as tenter frames, and desirably can be selectively moved from an operative position to an inoperative position.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the germin-like polypeptides set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 are essential for plant growth. Thus, these polypeptides can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit the expression or activity of the polypeptides encoded by SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10. Such compounds have use as herbicides. In addition, methods and compositions for modulating plant growth and development are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses that 2′-hydroxyisoflavone reductase (IFR) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of IFR gene expression in plant seedlings results in seedlings that fail to produce roots or leaves. Thus, IFR is a useful target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit IFR expression or activity.

Abstract: A lighting device for a safety helmet or the like used for recreational and industrial purposes wherein a plurality of blinking LEDs are disposed on the outer surface of the helmet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for cleaning debris from a bore and includes injecting hydrophilic fibers selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters and nylons, suspended or dispersed in a water based or oil based liquid into the bore and forcing the suspension through the length of the bore, to its open end. In particular, the suspension is directed through sections of the bore holding quantities of debris formed from the drilling operation. The suspension loosens the debris and sweeps substantial quantities of debris from the bore, and acts to suspend the debris in the liquid in static suspension at times when the liquid is not being forced through the bore.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus including a waist belt to be worn about the girth of the user having a downwardly depending leg strap with one end adjustably attached to the waist belt while the opposite end terminates in a pair of retaining straps. The leg strap is trained between the legs of the user so that a flexible resilient member extends about the leg intended to be immobilized while the restraining straps extend across the front of the user and releasably extend above and below the opposite knee. The retaining straps are arranged in fixed spaced-apart relationship so that the knee comfortably is positioned between the straps. Swinging movement by the upper torso of the user is permitted in a normal way; however, the knee having the resilient member extended thereabout is immobilized since one end of the leg strap is secured to the waist belt while the other end of the leg strap is releasably attached to the opposite leg.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and delivering fuel to vehicles, consisting of at least three levels of control and data storage. Each vehicle using the system has a key that stores transactional data and data concerning the vehicle and its fuel requirements, which key is received by a fuel delivery control device associated with a fuel pump. The control device may independently validate and authorize fuel transactions upon receipt of such key, and may maintain and transfer transactional and key parameter data. A central control unit gathers transactional data from any number of control devices and communicates updated information to the devices to facilitate their independent operation. A fourth level of control and data storage may be provided with a telecommunications link between a number of central control units and a master management system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for cleaning debris from a well-bore and includes the steps of injecting hydrophilic fibers selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters and nylons, suspended or dispersed in a water based or oil based liquid into a well-bore and forcing the suspension upwards, through the length of the well-bore, to its open end. In particular, the suspension is directed through sections of the well-bore holding quantities of debris formed from the drilling operation. The suspension loosens the debris and sweeps substantial quantities of debris from the well-bore.

Abstract: A programmable memory card is adapted to hold personal information of a user and includes a security feature for verify the true holder of the card. The memory card comprises application file structure for storing and maintaining personal information of a user for one or more applications. The memory card also includes security file structure for restricting access to the personal information in the application file structure. The security file structure comprises a biometric template of a physical characteristic of the user and is configured such that the user's real-time physical characteristic must be matched with the biometric template of the physical characteristic stored in the memory card to verify the true holder of the memory card and gain access to the contents of the application file structure.

Abstract: A spacecraft includes bipropellant and monopropellant engines or thrusters. The oxidizer-fuel mixture ratio of the bipropellant engine is not known exactly. The spacecraft is loaded with only sufficient oxidizer to achieve the velocity for transfer from an intermediate orbit to geosynchronous orbit if the mixture ratio is nominal. Therefore, more fuel can be loaded. If the bipropellant engine burn is nominal, there is no excess oxidizer when on-orbit and more fuel is available for stationkeeping. If the burn is oxidizer-rich, there is a velocity shortfall, which is made up by firing monopropellant engines. If the burn is oxidizer-lean, the geosynchronous orbit is achieved with a load of excess oxidizer, which must be moved during each stationkeeping maneuver. A net gain of stationkeeping time results in any of the three mixture ratio cases by comparison with loading of sufficient oxidizer for a full bipropellant burn under worst-case mixture conditions.

Abstract: A spacecraft includes a pair of pressurized propellant tanks. The pressure may be provided from a common pressurant tank. Each propellant tank has a propellant output port. A manifold includes a first branch coupled between a common juncture and the output port of the first tank, and a second branch between the juncture and the output port of the second tank. At least the second tank is associated with a heater. A controllable valve, such as a normally open pyrovalve, is coupled in the second branch. In order to fully utilize the propellant in the tanks, the second tank is differentially heated relative to the first when the tanks are nearly empty, to create a tendency toward a pressure difference, which drives propellant from the second tank to the first. When all or most of the propellant is transferred, the valve is operated to close off the second branch of the manifold, to isolate the now-empty tank.

Abstract: The unknown amount or mass of liquid contained in a storage tank is measured by calibrating the tank in an empty and partially full condition. The calibration includes measuring the mass of the empty tank, and is accomplished by applying a measured amount of heater power or energy to the tank and its contents, and measuring the temperature response to determine the product of total mass multiplied by specific heat. The specific heat depends upon the mass or amount of liquid in the tank, but a linear relationship is established between total mass and the product of total mass times specific heat. The unknown mass of liquid is then determined by applying a known amount of heater power or energy to the tank and its contents, and measuring the temperature rise or rate of rise in response thereto.

Abstract: A fuel or fluid level measurement arrangement for a spacecraft includes one or more electromagnetic transmission lines extending into the reservoir. The presence of fuel adjacent the transmission line changes the dielectric constant or loss characteristics of the transmission line(s) in a measurable manner. In one embodiment, strip transmission lines extend parallel to the fluid surface at various degrees of ullage, and the fuel level can be established to within the spacing between the transmission lines.

Abstract: An edge connector (1) comprises a housing (2) having an aperture (3) in which an edge (6) of a circuit board (7) is received. One or more connector pins (12) (13) extending from the housing each have a sharp-edged contact region (19), plated with a ductile metallic material such as tin or lead, and capable of penetrating and deforming a similarly plated contact pad (20) to establish a low resistance electrical connection therebetween. The housing (2) and the circuit board (7) are pivotable with respect to one another between a first position in which there is clearance between the connector pins (12) (13) and the contact pads (20) present on the circuit board, and a second position in which they are in electrical contact one with the other. Securing means such as resilient clips (25) (26) (30) (34) hold the circuit board with respect to the housing (2) in the second position.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus comprises a first modulating cavity for modulating a first electromagnetic carrier radiation, the modulated first electromagnetic carrier radiation being transmitted over a path the length of which is to be measured and received by a second modulating cavity which determines the modulation phase thereof. The second modulating cavity also modulates a second electromagnetic carrier radiation in accordance with the modulation phase of the received modulated first electromagnetic carrier radiation and transmits the modulated second electromagnetic carrier radiation back over the path the length of which is to be measured. The first modulating cavity detects the modulation phase of the received modulated second electromagnetic carrier radiation and produces therefrom an indication of the length of the path.