Abstract: Identification of new enhancer sequence has significant utility in the plant functional genomics. The sugarcane bacilliform badnavirus (SCBV) transcriptional enhancer has been identified. This enhancer can be used to increase the rate of transcription from gene promoters and in activation tagging experiments. A ten-fold increase in transcription was observed when a 4× array of the SCBV enhancer was placed upstream of a truncated form of the maize alcohol dehydrogenase minimal promoter. Methods of using the SCBV transcriptional enhancer are described, as are chimeric transcription regulatory regions, constructs, cells, tissues, and organisms that comprise one or more copies of the enhancer.

Abstract: Articles for testing a coagulation process in whole blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nitroimidazooxazines, to their preparation, and to their use as drugs for treating Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other microbial infections, either alone or in combination with other anti-infective treatments.

Abstract: A treated refractory material includes a sintered porous refractory material having one or more protective materials disposed within pores of the refractory material, wherein the protective material is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, silica, rare earth oxides, rare earth zirconates, titanium oxide, mullite, zirconium oxide, zirconium silicate, yttrium oxide, magnesium oxide, iron oxide, and blends thereof. Methods of preparing the treated refractory material are also provided. The treated refractory material provides protection from the penetration of slag and extends the service life of the refractory.

Abstract: One method involves the use of stored value account that may be used, for example, to make internet payments, and that can be credited using a variety of payment techniques. Such a method involves receiving money at a money transfer location from a potential purchaser. The money is then stored as an electronic record in a stored value account of the purchaser. This money is then available for transfer at the request of the purchaser. Upon such a request, the money may be electronically sent to a recipient and the stored value account may be debited.

Abstract: One method involves the use of stored value account that may be used, for example, to make internet payments, and that can be credited using a variety of payment techniques. Such a method involves receiving money at a money transfer location from a potential purchaser. The money is then stored as an electronic record in a stored value account of the purchaser. This money is then available for transfer at the request of the purchaser. Upon such a request, the money may be electronically sent to a recipient and the stored value account may be debited.

Abstract: A communications network (12) for use by a utility (10) for communication, command, and control of the utility's distribution area for gas, water and electrical services including the utility's distribution system, security, workforce, and asset management. The network includes apparatus for obtaining information and data concerning usage of the electricity, gas, or water by each of the utility's customers, the operation of installations throughout the system, and how electricity, gas, or water is being distributed throughout the system. The information and data from each source (16) is processed to provide an up-to-date overview of the system and its operation to the utility's management and operating personnel. This includes identification of any current problems, including distribution or security, within the system, and asset monitoring and management to identify possible future problems which may occur within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A first device is provided. The first device further comprises an organic light emitting device. The organic light emitting device further comprises an anode, a cathode, and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The emissive layer further comprises an organic host compound, an organic emitting compound capable of fluorescent emission at room temperature, and an organic dopant compound. The triplet energy of the dopant compound is lower than the triplet energy of the host compound. The dopant compound does not strongly absorb the fluorescent emission of the emitting compound.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an efficient peer-to-peer (p2p) system generally includes a server selection mechanism connected to a p2p network. The server selection mechanism may be configured to maintain a list that describes the servers which are storing at least a portion of a specified file. The server selection mechanism may be configured to selectively distribute at least a portion of the file between servers, for example according to the description in the list.

Abstract: An in-flight entertainment system with hand-out terminals is described. An embodiment of the invention comprises a server having digital content, which is communicatively linked to a communications network, a connector located proximate to each passenger seat of an aircraft, each connector being communicatively linked to the network, and hand-out terminals. Each hand-out terminal is configured to be coupled to one of the connectors to permit a passenger at the seat to which the connector is proximate to access the digital content.

Abstract: One method involves the use of stored value account that may be used, for example, to make internet payments, and that can be credited using a variety of payment techniques. Such a method involves receiving money at a money transfer location from a potential purchaser. The money is then stored as an electronic record in a stored value account of the purchaser. This money is then available for transfer at the request of the purchaser. Upon such a request, the money may be electronically sent to a recipient and the stored value account may be debited.

Abstract: Compositions and methods include genetically encoding and expressing a novel delta-9 desaturase in plant cells. In some embodiments, methods of expressing nucleic acids in a plant cell to take advantage of the delta-9 desaturase enzyme's activity, such that the percent composition of saturated fatty acids in plant seeds is decreased and there is a concomitant increase in ?-7 fatty acids. In other embodiments, amino acid sequences have delta-9 desaturase activity. Methods can involve expression of delta-9 desaturase in plant cells, plant materials, and whole plants for the purpose of increasing the amount of unusual fatty acids in whole plants, plant seeds, and plant materials, for example, seeds.

Abstract: A method for converting coined money to another type of value proceeds by receiving a plurality of coins into a coin processing machine. The coins are processed with the coin processing machine to determine a value of the coins. An electronic record of the determined value is produced using the coin processing machine. Further, the record of the determined value is electronically transmitted from the coin processing machine to a remote storage location.

Abstract: One method involves the use of stored value account that may be used, for example, to make internet payments, and that can be credited using a variety of payment techniques. Such a method involves receiving money at a money transfer location from a potential purchaser. The money is then stored as an electronic record in a stored value account of the purchaser. This money is then available for transfer at the request of the purchaser. Upon such a request, the money may be electronically sent to a recipient and the stored value account may be debited.

Abstract: A method of providing seismic data (such as marine seismic data). A seismic source is actuated at a plurality of source locations (S2, S4). For each source location, a multicomponent seismic measurement is performed at least one receiver location (S3). A reconstructing method is applied to each multicomponent measurement to obtain additional data corresponding to source locations additional to the source locations at which the source was actuated (S5). The additional data are output and/or used (S6).

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes an accessory device for coupling to a portable system having an AM radio receiver. The accessory device includes a housing to house at least one accessory component and an AM antenna.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for data transfer according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a peer-to-peer (p2p) network associated with distributed file location index. For example, a system according to various aspects of the present invention may identify a high-demand file item according to communications on the p2p network and store a copy of the high-demand file item. The system may assign a non-random node identifier to the system for identifying the computer system in the p2p network. The system may then respond to requests for the high-demand file item.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for data transfer according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with acquiring file segments associated with a sequence, and may include requesting a preceding file segment in the sequence from a faster and/or more reliable source, such as a file server, and requesting a subsequent file segment in the sequence from slower or less reliable source, such as a p2p network. The received data may be stored in a ready buffer, a file server buffer, and/or a network buffer according to whether a full set of sequential data has been received and/or the source from which the data is to be requested. File segments may be transferred to the ready buffer when all of the file segments in a sequence and all of the preceding file segments.

Abstract: This invention pertains in part to the development of a vaccine for poultry against necrotic enteritis (NE). The vaccine utilizes a protective antigen that is a mutated, full-length, non-toxic Clostridium perfringens (Cp) ?-toxin protein (Mcpa). Utility of this vaccine was demonstrated by reduction of lesion severity in NE challenge trails, for example. Also disclosed herein are novel approaches for producing this vaccine in significant quantities. One exemplified approach involves producing NE vaccine (mutated alpha toxin) in bacterial expression systems, preferably utilizing the Pseudomonas fluorescens system, for commercial use in controlling NE in the poultry industry. The subject vaccines can be administered preferably to chickens in several different ways. A novel, Type VI alpha toxin from chicken isolates of Cp is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for detecting biomarkers indicative of exposure of a mammal to organophosphate compounds. The organophosphate compound includes pesticides, their metabolites and highly reactive organophosphoryl compounds. In one aspect of the invention, the biomarker results from interaction of the organophosphate compound with a polypeptide such as a serine hydrolase that includes acetylcholiestersae. The interaction of a biomarker so derived with a optical sensor comprising a receptor bound to a biopolymer results in an optical readout that reports the presence of the biomarker. In one aspect of the invention the receptor that is bound to a biopolymer, such as a poly-di-acetylene polymer, is a antibody that selectively recognizes the biomarker.