Abstract: A positioning block (10) for use in total knee replacement surgery, permitting five degrees-of-freedom movement relative to a bone element (39) to which it is fixed. The positioning block (10) comprises a rotational mounting element (14) that is removably engaged to the bone element such that the mounting element (14) is selectively rotatable relative to the bone element, about three substantially perpendicular axes of rotation. A guide body portion (12) is engaged with the mounting element (14) such that it is translatable relative thereto along a proximal-distal axis (43) and an anterior-posterior axis (47), while being rotationally fixed relative to the mounting element (14) such that the guide body portion (12) and the mounting element (14) rotate together relative to the bone element (39).

Abstract: A railing installation apparatus comprises a support platform adapted to be displaced alongside a road. An installation unit is connected to the support platform. The installation unit comprises a feed conveyor unit feeding rails to a carriage unit. The carriage unit is actuated to orient rails to an installation position against posts, and to twist a series of rails connected at one end to the posts to an overlapping position with rails in the feed conveyor unit for end-to-end attachment of the rails.

Abstract: A method of biofiltration of a liquid effluent by simultaneous nitrification and denitrification uses the adding of an oxygen source at a predetermined rate and optionally the adding of a carbon source (such as whey) thus enabling the complete transformation of the nitrates (NO3) present in the effluent at the time of treatment through a biofilter. The specific operating conditions favoring the simultaneous nitrification and denitrification include the controlled injection of a slight quantity of air, adjustment of the level of nitrogen load (TKN+NO3) and the level of carbon load thereby making possible elimination for the most part of the release of unwanted nitrogen in the form of NO3 or NO2.

Abstract: A hitch carrier device for transporting cargo and particularly, but not exclusively, large game carcasses on a hitch of a road vehicle is described. The carrier device comprises a support structure having a vertical support frame. A hitch connection is provided at a lower end of the vertical support frame. A horizontal harness support frame is secured to an upper end portion of the vertical support frame. A harness of flexible material is detachably secured to the horizontal harness support frame for supporting a cargo to be transported at an elevated position above the hitch behind the road vehicle.

Abstract: A method of displaying information on a display of a handheld electronic device includes steps of determining a target area onscreen to be visually magnified and causing a shape-changing zone of the display to change shape in the target area to visually magnify information displayed in the target area. The array of shape-changing zones on the touch-sensitive display can be independently actuated to form a magnifying lens over any onscreen object of interest. For example, this lens can be used to magnify a selected portion of a map, a portion of text or a specific point of interest. The lens can be used to magnify a route displayed on a map, or simply to zoom in on the current location of the device as displayed onscreen.

Abstract: A fence guard mountable to a chain link fence includes a generally elongated shield and a mounting clip. The mounting clip includes a clip-to-fence attachment for attaching the clip to the fence and an adjustable shield-to-clip attachment for adjustably attaching the shield to the mounting clip. The shield-to-clip attachment allows for vertical adjustment of the position of the shield relative to the position of the mounting clip. The vertical adjustability of the shield relative to the mounting clip provides vertical adjustment of the position of the shield relative to the position of the fence lower edge when the shield is mounted to the mounting clip and the mounting clip is mounted to the fence.

Abstract: A sender-specified courtesy notification scheme to delay notification by a receiving device of the receipt of a data message is disclosed. A sender may specify a notification parameter defining a delay and send the parameter in association with the data message to a recipient. The recipient's receiving device evaluates the parameter and notifies in response. Local notification data defined by the recipient may also be evaluated. Received data messages subject to delayed notification may be hidden by the receiving device or quietly displayed (e.g. as per other received messages) until the expiry of the delay. Notification parameters and data can be formulated as one or more rules which may take into account the current location of the receiving device. A notification delay may be ignored in certain situations depending on recent use of the receiving device.

Abstract: A laminated panel (23) comprises a fusible layer (23A) having an upper surface. A mesh layer (23A, A1) has an encapsulated portion enclosed in the fusible layer so as to be below the upper surface of the fusible layer (23A). An embossed portion (A1) protrudes from the upper surface of the fusible layer (23A). A method (10) of forming a laminated panel with the fusible layer and the mesh layer comprises the steps of: i) heating the fusible layer (23A) to fuse a portion of the fusible layer; and ii) pressing only selected portion of the mesh layer against the fusible layer to provide for the formation of an embossed pattern (A1) on the resulting laminated panel (10).

Abstract: A process for producing lightweight thermoplastic composite products in a continuous manner is disclosed. An oven is provided for heating a dry unconsolidated fabric sheet of commingled fibers of thermoplastic and re-enforcing fibers or carbon fibers to a temperature sufficient to ensure melting and flow of the resin in the voids of the commingled fibers. The unconsolidated composite sheet is conveyed through the oven and then through a first pair of heated rollers at an outlet of the oven whereby to maintain the fabric sheet heated to prevent abrupt cooling at the surfaces while compressing it under pressure. A further pair of rollers at a further reduced temperature is provided whereby the heated sheet is gradually lowered in temperature and the pressure is maintained thereon during consolidation of the commingled fibers to ensure complete flow of the resin in the voids between the reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A reservation and management system for recreational activities offered by a plurality of activity operators, comprises a database for storing information regarding a plurality of recreational activities, including inventory information and a financial record containing financial information, for reservation transactions carried out for said activity and profile information for a plurality of subscribers, including activity operators and resellers. The system includes a reservation information compiler for providing information for an activity, a transaction module for updating inventory information and financial record following a reservation transaction request. A plurality of purchase modules are also provided, allowing clients and resellers to access information and make reservation for activities. An operator inventory management module allows to receive and update activity information.

Abstract: The storage system is for use next to a glass processing line having a loading table, a glass cutting table and a breakout table. The storage system comprises a first tilt table and a second tilt table with an intermediary conveyor extending between them. A storage rack and a laterally-movable conveyor are positioned at either ends of the storage system. The storage rack comprises a plurality of parallel storage slots. The storage slots store the glass offcuts at a substantially vertical position of less than 90 degrees with reference to the horizontal. A method of storing a glass offcut and a method of recycling glass offcuts are also disclosed. The storage system and methods allow to easily store and retrieve glass offcuts.

Abstract: A method for providing wavetable information to a wireless device from a content server over a wireless network, the wavetable information including a plurality of samples corresponding to a plurality of notes, comprising: in response to a request from the wireless device, receiving at a proxy server the wavetable information from the content server; filtering the wavetable information in accordance with a selection of samples contained in the request; and, transmitting the filtered wavetable information to the wireless device.

Abstract: There is provided a system for executing a container-managed application in a processing device, the system comprising a shared service container providing at least one common service for the processing device, executed in at least one process and at least one container-managed application, each comprising an application executed in a given process and accessing at least one service of the application and the at least one common service using a single service discovery API.

Abstract: A track extension in combination with a track system comprises a track system having a track frame, wheels mounted to the frame and adapted to allow cyclic movement of a track about the frame, drive means in the frame adapted to transmit a drive of a vehicle to the track to drive the track in a cyclic movement. An extension frame is releasably secured to an end of the track frame. An idler wheelset is mounted to an end of the extension frame. A track is mounted about the track frame and the extension frame such that a footprint of the track is delimited at an end by the engagement of the track with the idler wheelset. A method is provided to increase a footprint of a track system.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a gas turbine engine comprises a nozzle body defining a passage extending therethrough and a flange around the nozzle body extending radially and outwardly from the nozzle body. The flange defines a mounting face thereof and a plurality of mounting holes in the mounting face extending through the flange. The mounting face includes a contacting land protruding from the mounting face for abutting a mounting surface of a support structure of the engine when the fuel nozzle is mounted to the support structure.

Abstract: A containment system for containing fragments of a burst rotor including first and second means for frangibly connecting a containment element to first and second walls, the first and second means rupturing upon being subjected to a load mainly produced by a translational motion of at least one fragment impacting the element.

Abstract: A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding an operator in altering a pelvis. A sensing apparatus is provided for tracking a reference tool and a bone altering tool. A position calculator calculates a position and orientation of a pelvic frame of reference as a function of the tracking of the reference tool, and for calculating a position and orientation of the bone altering tool with respect to the frame of reference. A source of posture data and a posture data correction calculator are provided and are operative to provide a display of information allowing an operator to take into consideration the posture data from the source of posture data when altering the pelvis. A display unit is connected to the position calculator and to the posture data correction calculator for displaying the display of information and the bone altering tool with respect to the pelvic frame of reference.

Abstract: There is provided a long-band rare-earth-doped optical amplifier and method for amplifying an optical signal. The optical amplifier has a pre-, a mid- and a post-amplification stage. Only the mid-amplification stage is pumped with a pump light source. The other two are pumped using Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) generated in the mid-amplification stage. An optical coupling device is used to couple the three amplification stages together and to split the ASE generated in the mid-amplification stage and available at one end of the mid-amplification stage. One part of the split ASE is used to pump the pre-amplification stage while the other part is used to pump the post-amplification stage.

Abstract: A boom assembly comprising: a base anchored to a structure/ground. A boom is rotatably mounted to the base at a connected end so as to be rotatable about a generally vertical axis, the boom having a device to support loads at a free end. An orientation clutch is provided between the base and the boom. The orientation clutch has a mechanism for locking a rotation of the boom with respect to the generally vertical axis so as to selectively adjust an orientation of the boom. The orientation clutch has a release configuration to allow the boom to self-adjust its orientation to align with a load pulled by the device.

Abstract: A new class of polymeric additives for papermaking is disclosed as well as a process for their manufacture, a method for their use and a paper sheet containing the addition. The additives can be used in paper manufacture as agents for improving retention, paper machine operation and the strength properties of the product. The additives are manufactured from a microbial biomass. The biomass that contains acetyl amino groups or other amides is chemically modified by hydrolysis of the amides to form primary amino groups. Under neutral or acidic conditions these primary amines become cationic, which assures a good absorption of the additive onto fibres and fines of pulp that is generally of anionic nature.