Abstract: Regulatory regions suitable for regulating expression of a heterologous nucleic acid are described, as well as nucleic acid constructs that include these regulatory regions. Also disclosed are transgenic plants, e.g., Papaveraceae plants, that contain such constructs.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated cellulose synthase nucleic acids and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering cellulose synthase concentration and/or composition of plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, and transgenic plants.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel mutant polynucleotide molecules that encode enzymes that have increased heat stability. These polynucleotides, when expressed in plants, result in increased yield in plants grown under conditions of heat stress. The polynucleotide molecules of the subject invention encode maize endosperm ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP) and soluble starch synthase (SSS) enzyme activities. Plants and plant tissue bred to contain, or transformed with, the mutant polynucleotides, and expressing the polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides, are also contemplated by the present invention. The subject invention also concerns methods for isolating polynucleotides and polypeptides contemplated within the scope of the invention. Methods for increasing yield in plants grown under conditions of heat stress are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for making transgenic plants that are resistant to HPPD herbicides are presented. Polynucleotides other than those from Pseudomonas fluorescens that encode resistant HPPD enzymes are enclosed for use in the process of making transgenic plants that are tolerant to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated S050217 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S050217, to the plants of soybean S050217, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S050217 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S050217 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S050217, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S050217 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S050217 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of soybean variety S06-SJ143606 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety S06-SJ143606 and its progeny, and methods of making S06-SJ143606.

Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated S050221 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S050221, to the plants of soybean S050221, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S050221 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S050221 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S050221, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S050221 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S050221 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: A cotton cultivar designated Acala ULTIMA EF is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of cotton cultivar Acala ULTIMA EF, to the plants and plant parts of cotton Acala ULTIMA EF and to methods for producing a cotton plant produced by crossing the cultivar Acala ULTIMA EF with itself or another cotton variety. The invention further relates to hybrid cotton seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar Acala ULTIMA EF with itself or with another cotton cultivar.

Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated PH6JM, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line PH6JM, methods for producing a maize plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred maize line PH6JM with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PH6JM with another maize line or plant and to methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic maize plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PH6JM, to methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PH6JM and to the inbred maize lines derived by the use of those methods.

Abstract: A novel inbred maize line designated PHCPR and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize line PHCPR with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHCPR through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbred line PHCPR or a trait conversion of PHCPR with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PHCPR, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PHCPR and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by the use of those methods.

Abstract: A resilient band holds a pick for a stringed musical instrument securely in contact with a thumb or finger of the instrumentalist. In one aspect this device appears as a ring that has been slit along its center line over a portion of its circumference, the slit then being separated to produce a Y-shape. The two arms and leg of the Y provide the pick with a three-point support that maintains stability of the pick against a finger in both strumming and plucking modes over a wide range of attack angles. The resiliency of the band serves to adapt to various fingers as well as to a variety of conventional picks according to the preferences of the user, including flat picks, thumb picks, and finger picks. Methods of manufacture are described.

Abstract: A shaped pick with a siliconized acrylic adhesive coating providing a tacky pick surface for the musician's thumb and finger to grip.

Abstract: Guitar pick stickers for adhering to synthetic guitar picks so that the picks may be held to a guitar are disclosed. Each sticker is sized to fit within a perimeter of a guitar pick. Each sticker has an adhering layer for adhesive attachment to the guitar pick and a highly-plasticized formulation of material (such as polyvinyl chloride, or static cling vinyl) for adhering the guitar pick to a glossy surface of a guitar without adhesive. A sticker sheet includes an adhesive backing sheet on which the stickers may be initially carried.

Abstract: A snare strainer includes first and second strainers for respectively holding both ends of a snare assembly (i.e., snares), which is controlled to move in close contact with or apart from a bottom-side drumhead of a snare drum. The first strainer includes a fixed base and a snare stretching member, which further includes a holding member for holding a snare connection member, an interconnection member, a pair of arms attached to both ends of the interconnection member, a pair of levers respectively attached to the arms, and a stretching rod that is bridged between the levers to support the intermediate portion of the snare connection member. The first strainer further includes a tension adjuster for adjusting the tension of the snare connection member, and a height adjuster for adjusting the height of the stretching rod.

Abstract: An external storage device stores automatic music playing data files, each file including data of a progression of musical notes constituting a performance of a music piece, and registration data files, each file including data of a set of parameters to determine the conditions for the performance of the music piece. While an automatic music playing data file of a piece of music and registration data files are loaded into a working memory and are being processed to play the current piece of music automatically, the next automatic music playing data file of the next piece of music to be played and the registration data files to be used next are prefetched from the external storage device into an internal storage device temporarily to be prepared for being transferred to the working memory for the successive automatic music playing after the automatic playing of the current music piece is over.

Abstract: A system and methods for the automatic transmission of new, high affinity media to a user are provided. In connection with a system that convergently merges perceptual and digital signal processing analysis of media entities for purposes of classifying the media entities, various means are provided to a user for automatically extracting media entities that represent a high (or low) affinity state/space for the user in connection with the generation of a high affinity playlist, channel or station. Techniques for providing a dynamic recommendation engine and techniques for rating media entities are also included are also included. Once a high affinity state/space is identified, the high affinity state/space may be persisted for the user from experience to experience.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion device having high thermoelectric conversion performance. In this device, electrodes are arranged so that electric current flows in an interlayer direction of a layered substance, unlike the arrangements derived from common knowledge in the art. In the thermoelectric conversion device according to the present invention, a thermoelectric-conversion film is obtained through epitaxial growth and formed by arranging an electrically conducting layer and an electrically insulating layer alternately; the electrically conducting layer has an octahedral crystal structure in which a transition metal atom M is positioned at its center and oxygen atoms are positioned at its vertexes; and the electrically insulating layer includes a metal element or a crystalline metal oxide.

Abstract: A box for electrical and communication receptacles is mounted in an opening in a furniture unit, and in particular, the top surface of an office conference table. The box has an opened top, and a cover is pivotably mounted to the opened top and movable between an opened position for providing access to the electrical and communications receptacles within the box, and a closed position in which access to within the box is restricted. The electrical receptacles within the box are coupled to an external source of electrical power by an electrical cord, and the communication receptacles within the box are coupled to external communication lines. The box is electrically grounded by the electrical cord coupling the box to the external source of electrical power. A wire is coupled between a surface of the grounded box and the pivotable cover to be in permanent engagement with the pivotable cover for providing continuous electrical grounding of the cover.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective shutter assembly for use within a cover assembly of an electrical wiring device. The assembly includes a frameless shutter sub-assembly movable between a closed position and an open position. The frameless shutter sub-assembly is configured to move from the closed position to the open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade having a predetermined plug blade geometry. A spring member is disposed within the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The spring member is configured to bias the frameless shutter sub-assembly in the closed position. At least one retainer element is disposed in the frameless shutter sub-assembly. The at least one retainer element being configured to retain the spring member within the frameless shutter sub-assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable electrical outlet box assembly for mounting a duplex receptacle or similar electrical device within a wall. The adjustable box assembly includes a metal outlet box and a bracket that can slide with respect to the box. An adjustment screw, accessible from the front of the assembly, can be rotated to move the box with respect to the stud it is secured to and thereby adjust the face of the outlet box so that it is substantially flush with the wall surface. The bracket portion of the adjustable box assembly, which may be simply stamped and formed from sheet metal, provides a front plate for securing to the front of a stud and a side plate having widely spaced ears for securing to the side of a stud. The adjustment screw engages straps that are bent outwards from the side plate to enable the bracket to slide with respect to the outlet box.

Abstract: An electrical wiring component including an adjustable mount having a bracket, a junction box and a plaster ring. The junction box is adapted to receive at least one electrical cable in communications with a power source. The plaster ring is removably attached to the junction box. The bracket is adapted to attach to a wall stud, and the junction box is mounted to the bracket. A wiring module adapted to connect to a power source is attached to the plaster ring. The wiring module is configured to accept any one of a variety of functional modules so as to distribute electrical power from the power source via the functional modules. The mount is adjustable so as to provide a variable position for the wiring module within a wall.

Abstract: A panel cover structure for a computer casing, which is used to be pivoted on a front of the computer casing, is composed of a base panel, and at least one piece of decoration panel which is assembled on a front of the base panel, such that a noise transmitting from an interior of the computer casing to the front can be greatly reduced and a perfect protection effect can be provided, after the panel cover is closed. In addition, the aforementioned decoration panel can be made by splicing a single piece or multiple pieces of panel body, so as to generate a decoration effect of plural kinds of variations.

Abstract: A flexible flat cable and an apparatus for assembling the flexible flat cable are provided. The flexible flat cable has a conductive wire group including conductive wires disposed parallel to each other and arranged in a synthetic resin cover, in which both end portions and of the conductive wire group protrude outward from the end edges of the cover, and a pair of synthetic resin reinforcing plates are fixed to areas extending from one surface at the respective end portions of the cover through one surface at the respective end portions of the conductive wire group. One of the reinforcing plates includes a hollow square reinforcing plate formed by providing a through hole at the center of a reinforcing plate, and the other reinforcing plate includes a central reinforcing plate extracted from the hollow square reinforcing plate.

Abstract: A device (1) for fastening elongate elements (2) such as cables or bundles of cables or the like to a structure (S) includes at least a first flexible self-gripping strip (3) having a loop-closure system on a first face (30) and a second flexible selfgripping strip (4) with a hookclosure system on a first face (40) The first and second flexible strips (3 and 4) adhere at least in par.t one against the other via their second faces (35 and 45) that are self-adhesive, so as to form a flexible collar (C) by uniting at least their facing free end zones (51 and 52) The device further includes a rigid plate (10) for constituting a support for fastening the device (1) to the structure (S).

Abstract: A multilayer wiring board assembly component comprises: an insulating substrate component (the insulating resin layer 111); a conductive layer 112 formed on one surface of said insulating substrate component 111 in the form of an electrode pattern; an adhesive layer 113 formed on the other surface of said insulating substrate component 111; and a conductive resin composition 115 with which is filled a through hole passing through said insulating substrate component 111, said adhesive layer and said conductive layer in order to make interlayer interconnection. The bore diameter of the conductive layer portion 114b of the through hole 114 is smaller than the bore diameter of the insulating resin layer portion and the adhesive layer portion 114a to establish electrical connection between the conductive resin composition 115 and the conductive layer 112 by the rare surface 112a of the conductive layer 112.

Abstract: A flexible printed wiring board includes a first conductor layer in the element mounting part adjacent to the top surface of the wiring board; a second conductor layer in the element mounting part adjacent to the bottom surface of the wiring board; and a third conductor layer between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer, wherein the first and third conductor layers extend through and beyond the bending part, and the second conductor layer is absent in the bending part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that provides improved loop inductance of decoupling capacitors. Vias are moved close to the pads and close to each other. Instead of placing power and ground vias on opposite sides of the capacitor, these vias are moved around to the same side of the capacitor and are placed as close to each other as manufacturing tolerances will allow. For designs using standard two-terminal surface mount capacitors, two vias per capacitor, and standard manufacturing procedures (no vias inside pads, for example), the lowest possible loop inductance of the capacitor's connections to the printed circuit board planes is provided. This results in the lowest effective capacitor series input inductance.

Abstract: A circuit component mounting device includes a resin substrate, vias, a circuit component composed of a main body and electrode portions, a solder, and an insulative sealing resin that covers the circuit component and the solder. The device further includes a base metal pattern which covers parts of the principal face of the resin substrate where the vias are exposed and is composed of a Cu layer and a Ni layer and a copper plated pattern which is provided on the base metal pattern and is composed of a Cu layer, a Ni layer, and an Au layer. The circuit component is provided on the copper plated pattern. The solder allows the copper plated pattern and the circuit component to adhere to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to eliminate conductive contamination reliability problems for assembled substrates, such as electrical arcing in power semiconductor leads. One embodiment of the invention involves a method for assembling an electrical component having leads on a substrate having conductive contacts, wherein an elastomer part encapsulates the leads of the electrical component. A second embodiment of the invention involves assembling an electrical component having leads to a substrate having conductive contacts, wherein an elastomer shape cut by a punch die encapsulates the leads of the electrical component. A third embodiment of the invention involves an assembled substrate including an electrical component having leads, and an elastomer surrounding the leads to encapsulate the leads.

Abstract: A module structure having embedded chips mainly comprises a dielectric layer, at least a semiconductor chip embedded in the dielectric layer, and at least a circuit structure formed on the surface of the dielectric layer, the circuit structure electrically connected to the semiconductor chip via a plurality of conductive structures formed in the dielectric layer, for embedding the module structure in an electronic device, and electrically connecting the electronic device via the circuit structure on the surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A sensor includes a metallic housing having a hollow portion, a metallic terminal pin, a part of which is inserted into the hollow portion of the housing, a sensing element connected to the terminal pin, and a resin casing. The terminal pin and the resin casing provide a connector for connecting an outer circuit outside the sensor. A part of the resin casing is disposed in the hollow portion. The terminal pin and the housing are molded with the resin casing by insert molding so that the resin casing, the terminal pin, and the housing are integrated together.

Abstract: A Non-metallic Elbow Conduit Transition Fitting is disclosed. The fitting is specifically suited to interconnect vertical electrical conduit runs and horizontal electrical conduit runs in commercial construction environments. The fitting is suitable for immersion within poured concrete floors used in commercial building construction. The fitting is designed to threadedly engage a vertical run of EMT (metallic) conduit with a horizontal run of nonmetallic (e.g. PVC) conduit. A final aspect of the fitting is that it must have a short sweep angle bend so that it is adequately buried within a concrete floor made from 6 inches of concrete.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of scale units 10 that constitute a combination weigher is provided with a cut gate 11 attached to a lower portion of a powdery- or granular-material hopper 12, a feeding hopper 13 for temporarily retaining a powdery or granular material supplied from the cut gate 11, a gate-type weighing hopper 14 for weighing the powdery or granular material supplied from the feeding hopper 13, and a collecting chute 16 for collecting the powdery or granular material discharged from each weighing hopper 14 and supplying it to a wrapping machine or the like. A load cell 15 is attached to the weighing hopper 14, and the load cell 15 measures the weight of the powdery or granular material for performing combinatorial computing between the weighing hoppers 14. A dust-preventing bellow 18 is provided in between the respective constituting components: the cut gate 11, the feeding hopper 13, the weighing hopper 14, and the collecting chute 16.

Abstract: A touch pad and a position detecting circuit and method thereof are provided. The touch pad uses a waveform generator to generate an input signal; the input signal is capable of gradually moving a position of a zero voltage on the sensing pad in a predetermined direction. The touch pad also uses the zero voltage detector to detect when a zero voltage of the sensing signal of the sensing pen occurs so as to determine the position of the sensing pen on the sensing pad. Hence, the analog-to-digital converter is not required. Therefore, the resolution can be easily expanded, and the cost, the preciseness, and the specification can be easily controlled.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided. The handheld electronic device includes a keyboard assembly, a display positioned adjacent the keyboard assembly, a processor structured to receive inputs from the keyboard assembly and to output to the display as a function of the inputs, the processor further structured to run a disambiguation routine. The keyboard assembly includes a printed circuit board, a primary conductor portion, a secondary conductor portion, and a keyboard assembly. The printed circuit board has a plurality of electrical contacts. The conductor assembly has a plurality of primary conductors and a plurality of secondary conductors, each the primary conductor and secondary conductor structured to correspond to, and engage and close, at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts. The keyboard assembly has a plurality of keys each having one or more indicia thereon.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus that can be disposed in a small space and allows multidirectional input without impairment of a click feeling. A cross key including a plurality of pins is elastically held by an operating member holding mat including a plurality of holes into which the respective pins are insertable. An analog switch overlapped on the operating member holding mat outputs a signal when one of the pins comes into direct contact with the analog switch in response to operation of the cross key. A metallic dome sheet overlapped on the analog switch outputs a signal when one of the pins comes into contact with the metallic dome sheet via the analog switch in response to operation of the cross key. The metallic dome sheet outputs a signal after the analog switch outputs a signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for switching high power at high repetition rates. The apparatus is preferably a switch utilizing a pressurized flowing dielectric. The pressurized dielectric suppresses growth of dielectric breakdown byproducts, such as large bubbles and breakdown contamination, enabling lower dielectric flow rates to remove the byproducts. In addition to the advantage of lower flow rates, and thus smaller and lighter pumping means, the switch can switch high energies (up to megajoules) at fast repetition rates, up to thousands of pulses per second.

Abstract: A key assembly (B) mounted on a circuit board (200) includes a frame (23), a keytop (24), a switch (21), and a light emitting component (22). The frame includes a protrusion (230) formed a front thereof. The keytop defines a slot (241) shaped to correspond to a shape of the protrusion. The protrusion is received in the slot without protruding from a surface of the keytop. The switch is for electrically connection to the circuit board. The light emitting component is disposed inside the frame and for electrically connection to the circuit board. An electronic device (A) utilizing the key assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A key switch device capable of preventing a key top from displacing in the horizontal direction when the key top is being depressed, and of minimizing wear and damage to the components thereof. A displacement restricting part, contacting each of a pair of link members, is formed by punching and bending a support plate. Further, on the back side of a trunk of each link member, an engaging portion capable of contacting the displacement restricting part is formed. When the key top is being depressed, the displacement restricting part always contacts the engaging portion, whereby the displacement of the link members in the horizontal direction or the slipping movement of the key top may be prevented.

Abstract: A plasma device which is provided with a container, a gas supply system, and an exhaust system. The container is composed of a first dielectric plate made of a material capable of transmitting microwaves. An antenna for radiating microwaves is located on the outside of the container, and an electrode for holding an object to be treated is located inside the container. The microwave radiating surface of the antenna and the surface of the object to be treated with plasma are positioned in parallel and opposite to each other. A wall section of the container other than that constituting the first dielectric plate is composed of a member of a material having electrical conductivity higher than that of aluminum, or the internal surface of the wall section is covered with the member.

Abstract: A lower housing having a lower chamber and a welding opening is fixed about an underwater weld site. The lower housing includes an upper opening, the lower housing being filled with water upon installation. A transport housing containing a welding unit in a dry state is lowered such that a bottom opening, closed by a closure element, registers with an upper opening of the lower chamber. Upon clamping the housings together, the lower chamber is at least partially evacuated. The closure element is then moved to an open position and the welding unit is lowered into the evacuated lower chamber to weld a patch to the vessel wall to overlay the damaged area.

Abstract: During welding with high output power, the gaps between the pieces being joined may not exceed a maximal gap width. A process for laser beam welding is provided, which on the one hand ensures maintaining (not exceeding) a maximal gap width between the sheets and on the other hand makes possible a maximal utilization of the achievable welding speed. The sheets, prior to welding, are first spot welded, wherein they are clamped only during this spot welding in order to ensure the maintenance of a maximum gap width.

Abstract: In a semiconductor thin film forming system for modifying a predetermined region of a semiconductor thin film by exposing the semiconductor thin film to a projected light patterned through a pattern formed on a photo mask, the system includes a mechanism (opt20?) for uniformizing the light for exposure in a predetermined area on the photo mask. This system can provide a crystallized silicon film having a trap state density less than 1012 cm?2 and can provide a silicon-insulating film interface exhibiting a low interface state density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding with an engine driven inverter power supply includes generating an ac output with an engine and generator. The output is rectified and inverted to provide an ac inverter output. The engine is controlled using feedback indicative of a welding output operating parameter. The feedback may also be taken from the inverter or generator, and the generator may be controlled instead of or in addition to the engine. Engine parameters that may be controlled include engine speed, selecting between an idle speed and a run speed, a throttle position, a fuel pump, an injection timer, a fuel to air ratio, fuel consumption and ignition timing. Another aspect of the invention is having the feedback be responsive to one or more of the welding current, welding voltage, welding power, or functions thereof. The feedback may be responsive to the current, voltage, power, ripple and functions thereof.

Abstract: A heating assembly for a printing device includes a heating device configured to be energized or deenergized. A switching device includes a bimetallic element efficiently thermally coupled to the heating device and configured to deenergize the heating device in a defined period of time in the event of an over temperature condition.

Abstract: A detachable heat sealing apparatus includes a size-adjustable unitary externally-attached electric heating device and a power supplier, wherein the electric heating device is coupled to the external front side of a power supplier holding casing by means of a detachable coupling arrangement such that the electric heating device or the power supplier can be replaced when damaged or, a different model of electric heating device can be fastened to the casing to substitute the original electric heating device.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus for use in batch heating/wafer processing is provided, which comprises a process chamber for receiving a wafer boat, at least a heating element comprising a substrate body configured to form an electrical heating circuit for at least one heating zone and encapsulated in a continuous overcoat layer, a heat reflector comprising a heat reflective surface disposed on the heating element, and the heating element has a ramp rate of at least 1° C. per second for heating the wafers in the wafer boat.

Abstract: A heating cooker (100) for heating to process an object placed on a mounting base of a heating chamber (51) including at least a single piece of a rod-like heater arranged along a face member forming the heating chamber (51) and a heat shielding member provided along a longitudinal direction of the rod-like heater between the rod-like heater and the face member (53a) on an outer side of the heating chamber (51).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in cooking bulbs of garlic are described. The apparatus (100) includes a bowl (102) and a top (104). An insert (122) that releases moisture during cooking is supported on a bottom (108) of the bowl (102). A holder (124), which is capable of holding garlic, is supported on the insert (122). A cooking chamber (118) is formed when the top (104) is positioned on the bowl (102). The escape of heat and vapor from the cooking chamber (118) are resisted by the engagement of a top rim (116) to a complementary bowl rim (112). A heating element (120) that is disposed near an outside surface of the bowl (102) provides the heat to cook garlic when the heating element (120) is connected to a power source by a cord (134).

Abstract: A programmable slow-cooker appliance uses an application-specific integrated circuit digital controller, in which a user sets a time and temperature for cooking a food item. The digital controller prevents the unit from functioning only as a “keep warm” appliance, and a unique design allows cooling of the application-specific integrated circuit digital programmable controller during cooking.