Abstract: A fiber optic cable clamp is provided. The fiber optic cable clamp includes a sheath grip member and a strength member clamp maintained at a constant axial location with respect to the sheath grip member. The fiber optic cable clamp also includes a cable fiber separator connected to the sheath grip member, the cable fiber separator including a plurality of cable fiber openings and attached to the strength member clamp. The fiber optic cable clamp, when mounted to a fiber optic cable, maintains the relative axial locations of a cable sheath and cable strength member along a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences and methods are provided for producing plants and seeds having altered tocopherol content and compositions. The methods find particular use in increasing the tocopherol levels in plants, and in providing desirable tocopherol compositions in a host plant cell.

Abstract: An aerial refueling system utilizes the full drogue-probe coupling event as a control parameter for hose control. A variety of different types of signal sending and signal receiving devices may be used to indicate a coupling event between the drogue and probe. A positive coupling signal may serve to trigger a hose reel actuator to take up slack in the hose 16.

Abstract: A nozzle includes a body having a first bore and a first liquid inlet. A liquid tip assembly, including a second bore and second liquid inlet, is inserted into the first bore with the first and second liquid inlets axially aligned. Sealing rings between the liquid tip assembly and first bore define an annular fluid path coupling the first and second liquid inlets. The liquid tip assembly further includes a liquid opening that is sealed by an axially moveable fluid tip positioned in the second bore. A slidable seal is formed between the fluid tip and second bore. A front of the body includes an aperture configured to receive an air cap secured to the body by a retaining ring. The air cap includes an air opening associated with the liquid opening to provide atomizing air. The nozzle may be easily assembled and disassembled from a front of the nozzle.

Abstract: In a plasma reactor employing source and bias RF power generators, plasma is stabilized against an engineered transient in the output of either the source or bias power generator by a compensating modulation in the other generator.

Abstract: A sight pin for an archery sight comprises a sight pin member having an integrally formed fiber channel. The fiber channel is arranged to hold the optical fiber in a curvilinear arrangement so that light emergent from the fiber is directed in a rearward direction from a sight reference point on the sight pin member. At least a portion the fiber channel comprises rows of depressions formed on opposing transverse surfaces of the sight pin member that overlap to form transverse passages through the sight pin member. An optical fiber in the fiber channel is exposed by the depressions and passages from transverse directions but protected from a forward direction by a forward-facing surface of the sight pin member.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein propose the controlled application of a heated spray cloud to a target surface. The spray cloud may be delivered in connection with applications of atomized (misted) sunless tanning sprays using a variety of spray systems. A formulation of the cosmetic or conditioning liquid may conduct and retain heat to allow a pleasantly warm spray to be received on the skin surface. The formula may come to temperature quickly and the heat may be retained even though a nozzle cooling effect inherently cools the spray as it leaves the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically engineered strains of Pichiacapable of producing proteins with reduced glycosylation. In particular, the genetically engineered strains of the present invention are capable of expressing either or both of an ?-1,2-mannosidase and glucosidase II. The genetically engineered strains of the present invention can be further modified such that the OCH1 gene is disrupted. Methods of producing glycoproteins with reduced glycosylation using such genetically engineered stains of Pichia are also provided.

Abstract: Fasteners, cover systems, and related methods are provided. A fastener for fastening an item in place on an object can include a bottom member having a first cross-sectional shape and a top member having a second cross-sectional shape that is securable to the bottom member. The top member can be rotatable relative to the bottom member once the top member is secured to the bottom member. The fastener can also include a securement device for fastening the bottom member to an object. The fasteners can be part of a cover system that also includes a cover. The cover system can be used in conjunction with a window, such as a boat hatch.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for moving and placing in hard to reach locations granular and other particulate material such as sand, gravel, earth and similar materials. The system includes an improved auger for moving the material and an improved rotary airlock mechanism designed to withstand the abrasive action of the particulate material and at the same time move the material several hundred feet through a flexible conduit for placement in a pre-designated location. A system and apparatus is also disclosed for transporting on one vehicle all of the devices needed at a remote site for operation the particulate placement system, including a front loader.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides RNA molecules, for example, meroduplex ribonucleic acid molecules (mdRNA), and blunt ended double-stranded ribonucleic acid molecules capable of decreasing or silencing expression of a target gene. An mdRNA of this disclosure comprises at least three strands that combine to form at least two non-overlapping double-stranded regions separated by a nick or gap wherein one strand is complementary to a target mRNA. Also provided are methods of decreasing expression of a target gene in a cell or in a subject to treat a disease or condition associated with the target gene.

Abstract: A laparoscopic scissor instrument can include a scissor assembly pivotally coupled to an elongate shaft. The scissor assembly can be formed of scissor blades having pivot posts thereon. The pivot posts can engage apertures on the elongate shaft, thus eliminating the need for a through-pinned pivot connection of the scissor blades. The scissor blades can also include actuation posts thereon. An actuation mechanism can include a slot to engage the actuation posts and open or close the blades of the scissor assembly. The scissor assemblies described herein can have a relatively low operational height such that they do not extend beyond a diameter of the elongate shaft during opening and closing of the scissor assembly.

Abstract: A stand-alone laser device that provides low level laser therapy using one or more laser sources. The laser sources are attached to one or more arms which can be positioned to cause the laser light to impinge on a desired area of a patient's body. A scanning apparatus is attached to the arms which comprise structures that cooperate to cause an optical element to be able to simultaneously rotate about a central axis and move in a linear motion along that axis to achieve any desired scan pattern. Laser light of different pulse widths, different beam shapes and different scan patterns can be applied externally to a patient's body. In the preferred embodiment, red light having a wavelength of about 635 nm is used to stimulate hair growth on a patient's scalp.

Abstract: A process for the manufacturing valve metal anodes is provided. The process includes: providing a valve metal powder; pressing the valve metal powder to form a pellet; first deoxidizing the pellet with a first reducing agent to form a first oxide of reducing agent on the pellet; removing the first oxide of reducing agent from the pellet to form a deoxidized pellet; sintering the deoxidized pellet to form a sintered pellet; second deoxidizing the sintered pellet with a second reducing agent to form a second oxide of reducing agent on the sintered pellet; and removing said second oxide of reducing agent.

Abstract: Quiet, lightweight, well-balanced, forgiving, and accurate compound archery bows which have significantly reduced vibration and bow jump. The limbs and cams of these bows can be removed and replaced without a bow press, and the limbs of the bows are functional (active) over essentially their entire length and allow one to obtain equivalent performance from a more compact and lighter bow. The bow limbs may be leverage locked in articulated limb pockets. The limb butts extend forward well beyond the front of the riser. This eliminates limb length and limb angle as major factors in determining brace height, allowing one to choose a riser style and limb length which optimize arrow speed and bow stabilization. Novel adjustment mechanisms allow one to easily adjust the poundage or poundage and brace height of the bow. Vibration isolation systems may be employed to isolate the bow riser from the limb pockets.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for conveying an object, the object having at least a non-opaque portion, including a light source, an optical detector and a backing measurement apparatus, the light source for illuminating the object, the optical detector for acquiring information at least relating to at least one chromatic characteristic of the non-opaque portion, the backing measurement apparatus including a backing material, a backing support and a plurality of rollers, the backing material exhibiting at least one of determined chromatic characteristics and determined optical characteristics, the backing support for supporting the backing material, the plurality of rollers for rolling the backing material over the backing support, wherein light emitted by the light source optically interacts with the backing material consistently through the non-opaque portion.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the image-based backgrounds for images, an image is analyzed in order to identify a color that represents the image. An enhanced background is generated based at least in part on the identified color, and both the image and the enhanced background are output on a screen. In addition, or alternatively, the identified color can be saved as being associated with the image in order to be used to generate an enhanced background for the image when the image is displayed.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and other IC pin assignment corresponding to a high density interconnect (HDI) printed circuit board (PCB) layout are provided. Applying the techniques described herein, pin assignments may be systematically and strategically planned, for example, in an effort to reduce the PCB layer count and associated cost, increase signal integrity and speed, reduce the surface area used by an ASIC and its support circuitry, reduce plane perforations, and reduce via crosstalk when compared to conventional designs with an ASIC mounted on a multilayered PCB.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention automatically determine via heuristics optimal configurations to form sub-rings of nodes and where to position gateway processors among these sub-rings. The heuristics may be applied at a predefined timing interval configured by the user or in response to various events, such as a node failure or when a node joins the multi-ring network. Another embodiment of the invention may use automatic heuristics to determine when a suboptimal multi-ring configuration exists and formulates a new multi-ring configuration.

Abstract: An online Gift Registry Service provides registration of information for a gift registrant and allows access to the registry by potential gift giver users over a distributed public network, such as the World Wide Web. In addition, users tag items of interest at participating Service Provider sites and the Service Provider sites register these items with the Gift Registry Service on the user's behalf. A reminder service is provided to notify individuals automatically upon the trigger of certain events, such as important dates or product sales from online merchants. In addition, there are various occasion planning services available so that users can perform all the planning for the event online in the comfort of their home or office. Service Providers register system notification messages to be triggered on pre-determined events. In addition, Service Providers obtain marketing information to tailor their products and services.