Abstract: This disclosure provides recombinant DNA constructs and transgenic plants having enhanced traits such as increased yield, increased nitrogen use efficiency, and enhanced drought tolerance or water use efficiency. Transgenic plants may include field crops as well as plant propagules and progeny of such transgenic plants. Methods of making and using such transgenic plants are also provided. This disclosure also provides methods of producing seed from such transgenic plants, growing such seed, and selecting progeny plants with enhanced traits. Also disclosed are transgenic plants with altered phenotypes which are useful for screening and selecting transgenic events for the desired enhanced trait.

Abstract: A tuned mass damper (TMD) system in combination with a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platform includes a barge type FOWT platform having a hull configured to have a wind turbine tower mounted thereon. A TMD system is mounted in the hull and has a first TMD configured to operate at a first frequency, and a second TMD configured to operate at a second frequency different than the first frequency.

Abstract: An automated system for raising and lowering a person to various desired levels enables the person to more comfortably and safely perform activities and tasks that require them to be at an elevated position relative to floor or ground surface. This system can comprise a lift platform attached to a series of vertical rails. The lift platform moves vertically along the rails, a user elevates to a desired position or height to perform the intended task. This system enables the user to determine their exact position instead of being at predetermined heights from using conventional devices such as ladders or stools. Once on the lift platform, a user can further secure themselves to the lift platform with a brace attached to the vertical rails. This brace would fit around the user's back and side straps would secure the brace to the vertical rails of the system.

Abstract: A landing gear system including a landing gear actuator assembly arranged to selectably provide an increased torque output to a cross-shaft adaptor rotationally coupled to a cross-shaft of a trailer landing gear assembly. A rotational engagement mechanism is arranged to, in response to a remote signal, shift a rotational engagement mechanism to selectably couple the cross-shaft adaptor with a light gear set or selectably couple the cross-shaft adaptor with a heavy gear set. The landing gear actuator includes a slip-clutch assembly to dampen, reduce, or eliminate rotational shock caused when retracting or extending the legs of the landing gear system.

Abstract: A landing gear system including a landing gear actuator assembly arranged to selectably provide an increased torque output to a cross-shaft adaptor rotationally coupled to a cross-shaft of a trailer landing gear assembly. A rotational engagement mechanism is arranged to, in response to a remote signal, shift a rotational engagement mechanism to selectably couple the cross-shaft adaptor with a light gear set or selectably couple the cross-shaft adaptor with a a heavy gear set.

Abstract: A landing gear system and method of actuating the landing gear system, the system including a first leg assembly, a second leg assembly, a cross-shaft arranged between the two leg assemblies, and a landing gear actuator. The landing gear actuator includes a motor and a coupling shaft which is arranged to couple and decouple the landing gear actuator from the cross-shaft.

Abstract: A landing gear system and method of actuating the landing gear system, the system including a first leg assembly, a second leg assembly, a cross-shaft arranged between the two leg assemblies, and a landing gear actuator. The landing gear actuator includes a motor and a coupling shaft which is arranged to couple and decouple the landing gear actuator from the cross-shaft.

Abstract: A plastic grille is attached to vehicle fenders by fasteners having a first connector section particularly shaped to snappingly engage a hole in the grille, and having an oppositely-facing second connector section particularly shaped to snappingly engage a hole in the fenders. The first and second connector sections are shaped for optimal low insertion force, yet high retention force. The first and second connectors have flexible arms that are oriented 90 degrees apart, permitting the connectors to slip in perpendicular directions in their respective receiving holes, thus providing improved tolerance and adjustability during installation. A method of assembly includes pre-attaching the fastener to the plastic component, and then attaching them as a unit to the metal component.

Abstract: A plastic grille is attached to vehicle fenders by fasteners having a first connector section particularly shaped to snappingly engage a hole in the grille, and having an oppositely-facing second connector section particularly shaped to snappingly engage a hole in the fenders. The first and second connector sections are shaped for optimal low insertion force, yet high retention force. The first and second connectors have flexible arms that are oriented 90 degrees apart, permitting the connectors to slip in perpendicular directions in their respective receiving holes, thus providing improved tolerance and adjustability during installation. A method of assembly includes pre-attaching the fastener to the plastic component, and then attaching them as a unit to the metal component.

Abstract: A specialized package for shipping and using fiber optic cable which simplifies handling prior to installation, and serves as a storage device after the cable has been installed. The disclosed device comprises a fiber board box of planar configuration with an integral lid secured in closed position by tuck tabs. Positioned within the box are a pair of planar foam layers each defining a congruent circular opening. Positioned within the opening is a flat spool having a core and at least one detachable end cap upon which the fiber optic cable is coiled, and from which project a pair of connectorized ends. When the package is closed, the connectorized ends are gently clamped between the foam layers, thus protecting the same against damage during shipment.

Abstract: A ground support system for providing a stabilizing surface in conjunction with loose soil is disclosed. The system finds particular utility in agricultural applications, such as where horses, cows or bulls and the like are kept. The support system comprises a number of interlockable planar sheets, each planar sheet including a number of conical projections disposed on its bottom side. The conical projections are hollow and open-ended and, in combination with apertures defined in the planar sheet, permit fluids to pass through the system. Traction on the upper surface of each sheet is optionally provided by either scoring or by adhered reground material such as a plastic. The planar sheets may be anchored to the ground by a stake having at one end a conical plug attached thereto, the plug being matable with the inside of one of the conical projections.

Abstract: The invention is a method for forming package blanks incorporating selectively located microwave absorbing areas for crisping and/or browning one or more surfaces of a packaged product. Successive lengths of an extended web of thin, microwave transparent film are transported past means for depositing a thin layer of microwave energy absorbing material on one side of the film which masking selected areas of the film web by masks placed adjacent the film surface on which the microwave absorbing layer is deposited. No microwave absorbing material is deposited in the selected masked areas. Successive lengths of the resulting film are laminated onto an extended web of flexible dielectric packaging material with the microwave absorbing layer sandwiched between the film and the flexible dielectric packaging material. Thereafter, successive lengths of the resulting laminated web are fed through a die cutting machine that cuts one or more package blanks from the laminated web.

Abstract: Gluability of a resin-coated surface of polyester film is enhanced by applying to the surface a composition comprising ethylene vinyl acetate, nitrocellulose and rosin-modified maleic resins.

Abstract: The invention is a method for forming package blanks incorporating selectively located microwave absorbing areas for crisping and/or browning one or more surfaces of a packaged product. Successive lengths of an extended web of thin, microwave transparent film are transported past means for depositing a thin layer of microwave energy absorbing material on one side of the film while masking selected areas of the film web by masks placed adjacent the film surface on which the microwave absorbing layer is deposited. No microwave absorbing material is deposited in the selected masked areas. Successive lengths of the resulting film are laminated onto an extended web of flexible dielectric packaging material with the microwave absorbing layer sandwiched between the film and the flexible dielectric packaging material. Thereafter, successive lengths of the resulting laminated web are fed through a die cutting machine that cuts one or more package blanks from the laminated web.

Abstract: A light refractive coated paperboard is provided comprising a normally oil and grease permeable substrate, a non-leafing silver-colored ink layer applied to one surface of said substrate and a highly pigmented (titanium dioxide) ink layer superimposed on said non-leafing silver colored ink layer and possibly a clear lacquer or varnish layer superimposed on the TiO.sub.2 containing ink layer. The above order of coating layers produces a somewhat flat appearance; for producing a more metallic look the order of the silver-colored ink layer and the highly pigmented (TiO.sub.2) layer are reversed. The light refractive coated paperboard conceals, from the outer surface of a package made therefrom, oil and grease stains which have penetrated the inner surface of the package. A method of making such light refractive coated paperboard is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light refractive coated paperboard is provided comprising a normally oil and grease permeable substrate, a non-leafing silver-colored ink layer applied to one surface of said substrate and a highly pigmented (titanium dioxide) ink layer superimposed on said non-leafing silver colored ink layer and possibly a clear lacquer or varnish layer superimposed on the TiO.sub.2 containing ink layer. The above order of coating layers produces a somewhat flat appearance; for producing a more metallic look the order of the silver-colored ink layer and of the highly pigmented (TiO.sub.2) layer are reversed. The light refractive coated paperboard conceals, from the outer surface of a package made therefrom, oil and grease stains which have penetrated the inner surface of the package. A method of making such light refractive coated paperboard is also disclosed.

Abstract: An insulating panel which comprises at least one layer of polystyrene covered on at least one side by a layer of cellulose. Preferably, the cellulose is intermixed with an adhesive and sprayed onto the polystyrene and the adhesive, and upon curing, bonds the cellulose together and to the polystyrene layer; or, alternatively, the cellulose material is molded into a pad or panel which is subsequently bonded to the polystyrene layer. The exposed side of the cellulose layer is in turn covered with a vinyl or other decorative coating to form the insulating panel. The overall insulating panel exhibits a very high R value and thus has a very low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A bird-calling device which is adapted to be securely held in the mouth of a person for use in imitating sounds made by birds--especially wild turkeys. A rigid base is adapted to fit within the roof of a person's mouth, somewhat in the manner of a partial denture plate. The rigid base is uniquely fitted to each person, and it has protruding wires which are located and sized so as to anchor the base to one or more teeth. A U-shaped recess in the rigid base is sized to tightly hold a removable diaphragm assembly. The diaphragm in the assembly is positioned so that it is exposed to selective contact by the user's tongue, preferably in a region well back of the tip of the tongue. When the user expells air past the diaphragm, an imitation bird sound may be produced; and the sound may be varied by changing the position of the user's tongue with respect to the diaphragm.

Abstract: Successive outer stator shroud rings of a gas turbine confront each other at the downstream edge of one and the upstream edge of the other, with a gap between them. To seal against leakage through this gap, edges of the shrouds have grooves aligned to define an annular cavity of generally rectangular cross section in the shrouds. A thin flexible coiled metal strip of about 720.degree. extent is disposed in the cavity, with the strip overlapping itself to form a double layer. Layers of the strip are slidable relative to each other to allow the strip to expand and contract with the shrouds and abut outer or inner walls of the cavity to provide the seal.