Abstract: A pressure equalization valve comprises a first pressure cylinder, a second pressure cylinder, an aperture, and a stationary member. The stationary member is located between the first pressure cylinder and the second pressure cylinder. The second pressure cylinder is located within the aperture. A primary piston is located within the first pressure cylinder and a secondary piston is located within the second pressure cylinder. A stem is directly connected to the aperture and the primary piston. The stem includes a fluid passage between the first pressure cylinder and the second pressure cylinder. When a pressurized fluid is introduced into the first pressure cylinder, the pressurized fluid pushes the primary piston and the stem to open the aperture in a linear direction, the pressurized fluid travels to the second cylinder through the fluid passage and pushes against the aperture in the same direction as said first piston further opening the aperture.

Abstract: A pressure equalization valve comprises a first pressure cylinder, a second pressure cylinder, an aperture, and a stationary member. The stationary member is located between the first pressure cylinder and the second pressure cylinder. The second pressure cylinder is located within the aperture. A primary piston is located within the first pressure cylinder and a secondary piston is located within the second pressure cylinder. A stem is directly connected to the aperture and the primary piston. The stem includes a fluid passage between the first pressure cylinder and the second pressure cylinder. When a pressurized fluid is introduced into the first pressure cylinder, the pressurized fluid pushes the primary piston and the stem to open the aperture in a linear direction, the pressurized fluid travels to the second cylinder through the fluid passage and pushes against the aperture in the same direction as said first piston further opening the aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified thymine bases that provide enhanced base-pairing affinity for adenine or 2,6-diaminopurine bases in polynucleotide hybridization complexes. Also disclosed are polynucleotide oligomers, polynucleotide hybridization complexes that comprise such modified thymine bases. Also disclosed are various methods of use. For example, in some embodiments, modified polynucleotide oligomers disclosed herein can be used as primers and probes for nucleic acid amplification and/or detection.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified cytosine bases that provide enhanced base-pairing affinity for guanine bases in polynucleotide hybridization complexes. Also disclosed are polynucleotide oligomers, polynucleotide hybridization complexes that comprise such modified cytosine bases. Also disclosed are various methods of use. For example, in some embodiments, modified polynucleotide oligomers disclosed herein can be used as primers and probes for nucleic acid amplification and/or detection.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified thymine bases that provide enhanced base-pairing affinity for adenine or 2,6-diaminopurine bases in polynucleotide hybridization complexes. Also disclosed are polynucleotide oligomers, polynucleotide hybridization complexes that comprise such modified thymine bases. Also disclosed are various methods of use. For example, in some embodiments, modified polynucleotide oligomers disclosed herein can be used as primers and probes for nucleic acid amplification and/or detection.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified cytosine bases that provide enhanced base-pairing affinity for guanine bases in polynucleotide hybridization complexes. Also disclosed are polynucleotide oligomers, polynucleotide hybridization complexes that comprise such modified cytosine bases. Also disclosed are various methods of use. For example, in some embodiments, modified polynucleotide oligomers disclosed herein can be used as primers and probes for nucleic acid amplification and/or detection.

Abstract: A dual lever steering control mechanism for a zero turning radius mower includes left and right steering levers that are independently pivotable fore and aft between reverse, neutral and forward positions. Steering lever grips are attached to and project from the steering levers. Each steering lever grip has a mounting surface with an electrical switch on the mounting surface, and a protective structure extending from the mounting surface.

Abstract: A dual lever steering control mechanism for a zero turning radius mower includes left and right steering levers that are independently pivotable fore and aft between reverse, neutral and forward positions. Steering lever grips are attached to and project from the steering levers. Each steering lever grip has a mounting surface with an electrical switch on the mounting surface, and a protective structure extending from the mounting surface.

Abstract: A zero turning radius mower has a dual hydrostatic pump with right and left pump arms. A linkage between the pump arms and a pair of control levers destrokes both sides of the pump simultaneously if engine speed drops below a specified value. The linkage allows each pump arm to have a first stroke range if the engine powering the pump is above the specified value, and a second smaller stroke range if the engine powering the pump is below the specified value.

Abstract: A convertible mower deck has a plurality of adjoining cutting chambers under a mower deck, each cutting chamber having a cutting blade mounted to the lower end of a vertical spindle. The deck includes openings between adjoining cutting chambers, a discharge opening from one of the cutting chambers, a blower mounted in a housing outside the discharge opening, and a protective cover between the discharge opening and the blower housing. Gates are mounted under the deck at the openings between adjoining cutting chambers and at the discharge opening. A control structure moves the gates to change the size of the openings. The gates may be in an open position for the grass clippings to be discharged or collected, a closed position for the grass clippings to be mulched, and one or more intermediate positions for some of the clippings to be discharged or collected, and the remainder to be mulched.