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 ?9 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 mono unsaturated fatty acids in whole plants, plant seeds, and plant materials, for example, seeds.

Abstract: Electronic comparison methods are described for determining changes in a current design model with respect to an earlier model and analyzing the impact of the identified changes. The method includes associating a priority value with a set of modified component objects using one or more algorithms and presenting a subset of the set of component objects, each of which has a priority value greater than a threshold value.

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 ?9 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 mono unsaturated fatty acids in whole plants, plant seeds, and plant materials, for example, seeds.

Abstract: Retention clips for safety mechanisms of illumination flares include an abutment surface configured for abutment of an end of a rigid sleeve coupled to an igniter initiation cable and one or more protrusions configured to extend at least partially over a lateral side surface of the rigid sleeve when the rigid sleeve is retained by the clip. Safety mechanisms, illumination flares, and methods for igniting illumination flares involve such retention clips.

Abstract: There is presented an optical apparatus comprising first and second photon pair sources configured to convert at least one pump light photon into a first and second correlated signal and idler photon pairs. In one example, the apparatus is configured to use one of the signal and idler photons from the first correlated photon pair for controlling the conversion of the pump light photon in the second photon pair source. The apparatus may configured such that, at least one of the signal and idler photons from the first correlated photon pair is output from the first photon pair source onto an optical path wherein at least one of the signal and idler photons from the second correlated photon pair is output from the second photon pair source onto the optical path. A method is also provided for outputting one or more photons using the optical apparatus.

Abstract: A method for use in surveying a subsurface region beneath a body of water by detecting S waves propagating through the subsurface region. The method comprises using a first sensor configuration to detect mixed S and P waves on or in the subsurface region, using a second sensor configuration located on or in relatively close proximity to the subsurface region to detect P waves in the water, and using the P waves detected in the water to compensate the detected mixed S and P waves, and thereby attenuate the effects of P waves in the mixed S and P waves.

Abstract: An electrical socket (1) comprising a carriage (4), the carriage comprising shutter portions, each shutter portion associated with a respective pin receiving opening (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), and the socket comprising a retainer arrangement, and the shutter portions (4a, 4b), when in a closed condition are inhibited from moving to an open condition by the retainer arrangement, and wherein all the shutter portions are required to be in a released condition from the retainer arrangement in order to allow the shutter portions to be moved to an open condition to allow the plug pins to be inserted therein, and also wherein, if not all of the shutter portions are moved to a released condition, the shutter portions are inhibited from movement to the open condition by way of engagement with the retainer arrangement.

Abstract: A pick for use with stringed musical instruments is disclosed. In some embodiments the pick is characterized by a roughened texture on the front and back substantially planar surfaces of the narrowed bottom portion of a substantially teardrop shaped body for the purpose of altering the tonal properties produced as it moves against strings that are strummed or picked. In further embodiments the roughened textured picking portion is combined with a separate second picking portion that is substantially smooth and useable to produce a conventional sound.

Abstract: An electrical socket (1) comprising a carriage (4), the carriage comprising shutter portions, each shutter portion associated with a respective pin receiving opening (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), and the socket comprising a retainer arrangement, and the shutter portions (4a, 4b), when in a closed condition are inhibited from moving to an open condition by the retainer arrangement, and wherein all the shutter portions are required to be in a released condition from the retainer arrangement in order to allow the shutter portions to be moved to an open condition to allow the plug pins to be inserted therein, and also wherein, if not all of the shutter portions are moved to a released condition, the shutter portions are inhibited from movement to the open condition by way of engagement with the retainer arrangement.

Abstract: A method for reducing electromagnetic emissions by an image scanner comprises cyclically dithering a frequency of a clock signal of the image scanner by repeated dither cycles, determining a phase of the dither cycle when a scan pass of a page of a document commences; and commencing all subsequent scan passes of the page of the document at a particular phase shift from the determined phase of the dither cycle.

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: Multi-use tool tables configured to support table tools and allow selective rotation of the table tools between an upright position and an inverted position are described in the present application. The multi-use tool tables include: one or more rotatable plates having a first surface for receiving a first tool and a second opposing surface for receiving a second tool, a perimeter edge of the one or more rotatable plates being attached to a rotatable shaft; a column with a first attached to a support mechanism and a second attached to a sleeve, the sleeve being configured to receive the rotatable shaft; and a stop mechanism configured to selectively resist movement of the rotatable shaft within the sleeve. The one or more rotatable plates are rotatable between a first surface upright/second surface inverted position and a second surface upright/first surface inverted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting a marine seismic survey is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure water pressure, a horizontal derivative of the pressure in two orthogonal directions, vertical particle velocity or acceleration of the water, and a horizontal derivative of the vertical particle velocity or acceleration in two orthogonal directions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods for forming ceramic articles, such as cores and core dies used in investment casting. The method may provide ceramic articles having improved strength and smoothness compared to articles manufactured by conventional methods. One embodiment is a method that comprises introducing a liquid comprising a silicon-bearing fluid into pores of a porous ceramic body; and heating the porous ceramic body in an oxygen-bearing atmosphere to form silica within the pores of the body.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The systems and methods may utilize one or more symbol positions which may provide additional gaming functionality. The systems and methods may determine one or more payouts based on the additional gaming functionality. The systems and methods may display one or more presentations based on the additional gaming functionality. The systems and methods may utilize a first display device. The first display device may include a first display area, a first silk-screen area, a first insulation area, and a first border area. The first display area, the first silk-screen area, the first insulation area, and the first border area may be flush with each other. The first insulation area may provide electrical isolation between the first border area and the first display area and/or the silk-screen area.

Abstract: One method for transferring funds includes receiving at a web server computer a request to transfer funds from a sender to a receiver. The request includes information identifying the sender and a payment vehicle for providing funds to transfer. The payment vehicle is validated and a transaction identifier is generated or assigned. The transaction identifier may be transmitted from the web server computer to the sender. When ready to receive the funds, the transaction identifier is entered into an ATM. If the transaction identifier is validated, the funds are dispensed from the ATM.

Abstract: An apparatus including: an input optical interface configured to receive a series of optical input signals each including photons; an encoder configured to encode a quantum key for distribution by encoding each of the series of received optical input signals with a measurable state; an attenuator configured to attenuate each of the encoded optical input signals to create a series of quantum optical signals; and an output optical interface configured to send the series of quantum optical signals to the remote apparatus via a quantum communication channel.

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: Methods and compositions modulate the activity of electrically excitable cells. Photovoltaic compounds which, upon exposure to light energy, increase or decrease the electrical activity of cells. These supplement and/or replace of vision based on the conversion of light energy to electrical energy within certain cells of the visual system. A “patch” or bridge to circumvent one or more defective, damaged, or diseased cells in the visual system. Additionally, in several embodiments, subjects with normal vision can benefit from the methods, compositions, systems, and/or devices disclosed herein as normal visual acuity can be heightened. The exposure induces an energy (e.g., a receipt of light energy, conversion to electrical energy, and passage of that electrical energy) from the photovoltaic compound to the cell, thereby altering the transmembrane potential of the cell and/or the opening of one or more ion channels, thereby modulating the activity of the electrically excitable cell.

Abstract: An electrical socket (1) comprising a carriage (4), the carriage comprising shutter portions, each shutter portion associated with a respective pin receiving opening (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), and the socket comprising a retainer arrangement, and the shutter portions (4a, 4b), when in a closed condition are inhibited from moving to an open condition by the retainer arrangement, and wherein all the shutter portions are required to be in a released condition from the retainer arrangement in order to allow the shutter portions to be moved to an open condition to allow the plug pins to be inserted therein, and also wherein, if not all of the shutter portions are moved to a released condition, the shutter portions are inhibited from movement to the open condition by way of engagement with the retainer arrangement.