Abstract: Methods for transforming monocot plants are provided. The method comprise the steps of excising an embryo from a seed of the plant, allowing the embryo to develop to a stage highly receptive for transformation, transforming the developing embryo, and developing the embryo into a plantlet, wherein the transformation occurs without passing through a callus phase.

Abstract: A composite siding comprising a binder and a wood-based filler. The composite siding is preferably produced by a pultrusion process and exhibits great dimensional stability, aging resistance to damage characteristics while maintaining high product stiffness and strength.

Abstract: Delivery systems and methods are provided for delivering a biologically active protein to a host animal. The systems and methods provided include obtaining an algal cell transformed by an expression vector, the expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the biologically active protein, operably linked to a promoter. In one illustrated embodiment, the biologically active protein is an antigenic epitope and upon administration to the animal the algal cell induces an immune response in the host animal.

Abstract: A two-fiber ring architecture capable of carrying multiple wavelength channels and allowing client self-healing of single point failures. The ring architecture includes a two-fiber optical ring carrying at least one wavelength channel, wherein the wavelength channel has working traffic and protection traffic. The optical ring can include a single ring, two interconnected rings, or multiple interconnected rings. Specifically, the ring architecture includes a first client networking element connected to the optical ring by a first pair of 2×2 add drop matrices and a second client networking element connected to the optical ring by a second pair of 2×2 add drop matrices. At least one interconnect node is also provided when more than one ring is used, wherein the interconnect node has a first 2×2 interconnect matrix and a second 2×2 interconnect matrix.

Abstract: A method for bonding composite wood products comprises using a PMDI adhesive modified with a polar compound such as a lower alkylene carbonate or triacetin with a combination of conductive thermal heat and radio frequency energy. Propylene carbonate is a preferred modifier. Press temperatures and pressing times may be significantly reduced from those using either unmodified PMDI adhesives or the modified adhesives without radio frequency energy. Laminated veneer products 38 mm in thickness can be pressed at 110°-120° C. in as little as 7 minutes using radio frequency energy at a level of about 32 kw/m2.

Abstract: Delivery systems and methods are provided for delivering a biologically active protein to a host animal. The systems and methods provided include obtaining an algal cell transformed by an expression vector, the expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the biologically active protein, operably linked to a promoter. In one illustrated embodiment, the biologically active protein is an antigenic epitope and upon administration to the animal the algal cell induces an immune response in the host animal.

Abstract: Engineered structural wood products particularly useful in critical applications such as joists, headers, and beams where longer lengths, greater widths, and higher and predictable stress ratings may be required and to a method for making the wood products. Most logs by nature are radially anisotropic, having wood of higher density and stiffness in their outer portion adjacent the bark than is found in the inner portion. The logs are machined to segregate the denser, stiffer outer wood. A first generally rectangular component is formed from the less dense inner wood. Second generally rectangular components are formed from the stiffer outer wood. Second components are adhesively bonded to at least one edge of the first component, more usually to opposite edges. The stiffer wood is thus specifically placed where it will contribute most effectively to the properties of the product.

Abstract: The invention comprises engineered structural wood products particularly useful in critical applications such as joists, headers, and beams where longer lengths, greater widths, and higher and predictable stress ratings may be required. The invention is also directed to a method for making the wood products. Most logs by nature are radially anisotropic, having wood of higher density and stiffness in their outer portion adjacent the bark than is found in the inner portion. The logs are machined to segregate the denser, stiffer outer wood. A first generally rectangular component is formed from the less dense inner wood. Second generally rectangular components are formed from the stiffer outer wood. Second components are adhesively bonded to at least one edge of the first component, more usually to opposite edges. The stiffer wood is thus specifically placed where it will contribute most effectively to the properties of the product.

Abstract: The invention is a method for producing flitches prepared from roundwood logs, a method for the manufacture of wood slices or slats from the flitches, and methods of combining the strips into composite lumber products. The methods are based in part on the concept of preparing flitches that retain the sweep or natural longitudinal curvature of the log and slicing or sawing around the sweep to prepare the slats for further conversion into composite lumber products. An opening cut is made in the log essentially following or parallel to the curve of any sweep to divide it into two approximately equal volume pieces. An opposing surfaces is machined parallel to the surface generated by the opening cut to produce a flitch. The flitches are then flattened so that the sweep curvature is made planar. They are then sliced or sawn parallel to the now planar surface to produce slats. The natural surface of the log is preferably retained on the sides of the flitches.

Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) polarization modulator segment (216, 218) includes a monitoring device (220). The monitoring device (220) includes a polarized reference light source (222), located at an LC polarization monitor input, and polarized light detector (224), located at an LC polarization monitor output. If the reference light having the correct polarization is received at the detector (224), an indication of the switch state is provided. Alternatively, if the polarized detector (224) includes orthogonal polarizers (230A, 230B) provided for two separate light detectors (232A, 232B) both the desired polarization, and the opposite polarization, may be monitored to determine whether a failure exists in the segment. If the reference light is detected having the opposite polarization (instead of or in addition to the correct polarization) or no light is detected, the segment (or the monitor) is not operating correctly.

Abstract: The disclosed multiplexer/demultiplexer (10, 40) features input and output optical fibers (20, 22, 24, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50) coupled to one face (16) of a graded refractive index rod collimating lens (12). Associated with the other face (18) of the lens (12) are a plurality of multi-layer dielectric interference filters (26, 32, 52, 54, 56, 58) which selectively reflect the input signals at different angles according to the wavelength and thereby direct them back through the lens (12) to the appropriate output fiber.

Abstract: A print hammer actuator system for a dot matrix line printer comprising a plurality of coils greater than the number of dot imprinting hammers to be actuated by the coils is disclosed. The coils (C1, C2 . . . C80 or 61, 62, 63 . . . 69) are mounted side-by-side in a fixed position; and, the hammers (H1, H2 . . . H40 or 51, 53, 55, 57) are oscillated back and forth in the regions where magnetic fields are produced by energized coils. As the hammers are oscillated, the coils are selectively energized and de-energized to actuate the hammers. Energizing the coils attracts the hammers toward the coils, against the spring force of the hammers. De-energizing the coils releases the hammers, whereby the stored spring energy creates a dot. Depending upon the position of the hammers, either one or two coils are energized and de-energized to actuate a single hammer.

Abstract: An optical switch is disclosed which relies only on a rotatable, reflective concave surface (3) to couple light between an optical source (1) and a preselected one of a plurality of optical receptors (6). The switch is bidirectional, i.e., the position of the source(s) and receptor(s) can be interchanged. Optical fibers may be used as the source(s) and receptor(s). The source, however, may also be chosen from such devices as lasers, light-emitting diodes or any other optical source known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, avalanche photodiodes or the like may be used as optical receptors.The above switch structure requiring only a reflective element is particularly suitable for switching light signals in telecommunication applications. The elimination of the need for a refractive element, such as a lens, provides a structure in which the output signal is independent of wavelength and index of refraction.

Abstract: A print head for a serial dot matrix printer comprising a sandwich structure including a base plate, a segmented-ring magnet, a print hammer disc and face plate is disclosed. The segmented-ring magnet comprises a ring formed of a magnetic material having spaced apart, magnetized, regions (segments). The print hammer disc is formed of a magnetically permeable, resilient material and has a plurality of inwardly projecting arms (hammers), each of which is aligned with a magnetized segment. Mounted on the hammers are print blades, which are aligned with radial slots formed in the face plate. Each print blade includes a dot-printing tip that projects orthogonally outwardly from the blade, and lies in a central aperture in the face plate. Mounted on the base plate, in line with each hammer, is a post having a coil mounted thereon.

Abstract: A rugged, compact optical switch is disclosed which comprises a quarter-period graded refractive index (GRIN) lens (1); a rotatable reflecting surface (2.1) disposed at a first surface (1.3) of the GRIN lens at an angle to the first surface; an optical source (8) mounted at the second surface (1.2) of the GRIN lens on the lens axis; and a plurality of optical receptors 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 mounted at the same second surface of the lens, all at the same distance from the lens axis but displaced at a plurality of angular positions about the lens axis. Rotation of the reflecting surface about the lens axis couples light between the optical source selectively to optical receptors at the appropriate angular orientation. The switch is reciprocal in that the common optical source may be an optical receptor and the various optical receptors, optical sources. Typically, the optical sources and receptors are optical fibers.

Abstract: An access port, a basic building block for optical devices, is formed by joining the ends of two fibers. Each fiber has a wedge-shaped end portion with two planar sides. One planar side of one end portion is held against one planar side of the other end portion. The other planar side of each end portion controls transmission of light from the first fiber to the second fiber.Optical devices for monitoring, switching, attenuating or distributing the light transmitted through the first fiber advantageously use the access port.