Abstract: A light-emitting apparatus for facilitating the growth of one or more plants. The apparatus has a light-emitting layer comprising one or more light-emitting diodes for emitting light, and at least one optical-transformation layer having one or more optical-transformation units. Each optical-transformation unit has a metasurface for adjusting one or more parameters of the light emitted from the light-emitting layer. In some embodiments, the light-emitting apparatus may further have a polarization-control layer sandwiched between the light-emitting layer and the optical-transformation layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbonate-linked surface modifying macromolecules and admixtures thereof. The admixtures can be used in industrial and medical applications where enhanced surface properties are desirable (e.g., surface properties reducing or preventing biofouling, immobilization of biomolecules, or denaturation of certain biomolecules).

Abstract: A method of determining a service interval for an actuator of a landing gear assembly is suitable for used with a landing gear assembly in which the actuator positions the landing gear assembly between a stowed position and a deployed position. The method includes the steps of determining an actuator travel value for a time interval and increasing a total actuator accumulated travel value by the actuator travel value for the time interval. The method further includes the step of comparing the total actuator accumulated travel value to a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a handrail including a carcass, a stretch inhibitor within the carcass, and a sliding layer bonded to the carcass, at least a portion of the carcass has a gas phase dispersed in a solid polymer matrix. The gas phase can reduce a density of the carcass by at least 5% or 10%, or about 15%, as compared to a density of the polymer matrix. The carcass can have a generally uniform distribution of gas bubbles in the polymer matrix, which can define a generally closed cell structure in the polymer matrix. The gas phase can be formed of particles of a syntactic foam dispersed in the polymer matrix. The handrail can further include a cover. The carcass and the cover can be formed of thermoplastic materials, and the cover can represent between 10 and 30% of the overall TPU required for the handrail.

Abstract: Systems and methods of calibrating an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) on a vehicle are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first tilt angle of the IMU is measured with the IMU while the vehicle is stationary. A second tilt angle of the IMU is measured with an inclinometer or tilt sensor while the vehicle is stationary. The orientation of the IMU is corrected based on the first tilt angle and the second tilt angle.

Abstract: A recombinant vesicular stomatitis vims (rVSV) carrying one or more genes that encode for the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 or for both the S protein and the envelope protein of the SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines, regimens and kits having the rVSV are used for the prevention of infections caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly for a vehicle, such as a helicopter, includes a linkage coupled to the vehicle and configured to reciprocate between a stowed position and a deployed position. A shock strut forms a part of the linkage. The landing gear assembly further includes a side brace having a first end coupled to the linkage and a second end coupled to the vehicle. The side brace provides a driving force that reciprocates the linkage between the stowed and deployed position. The side brace includes an energy attenuation system that dissipates energy when a compressive load on the side brace exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A main fitting includes an elongate piston and a cylinder configured to slidingly receive the piston. A first end of the piston extends from a first end of the cylinder, and a second end of the piston extends from a second end of the cylinder. The first end of the cylinder comprises a bearing surface engaging the piston to limit translation of the piston relative to the cylinder to a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Described herein are homogeneous biopolymer suspensions, processes for making same and uses thereof. In embodiments the suspension are aqueous suspension made from natural polymers or biopolymers such as chitin, chitosan and cellulose. Described herein are methods and processes to suspend these biopolymers in polar solutions by submitting the biopolymer(s) and polar solvent(s) to high-shearing conditions such as high mechanical energy. In embodiments the high-shearing conditions and/or high mechanical energy is provided by a ball miller. The compositions and formulations of the invention may find numerous applications particularly in the cosmetic industry if formulated as a paste, an ointment, a cream or a lotion.

Abstract: A paperboard protective corner and a method for manufacturing a paperboard protective corner, the paperboard protective corner comprising: a corner body made of a single paperboard sheet comprising first and second side edges, the single paperboard sheet being folded onto itself to form the paperboard protective corner, the single paperboard sheet including a plurality of folds, both the first and second side edges being received in a corresponding fold so as to be unexposed to an exterior of the paperboard protective corner.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a roller blind limiter assembly comprising a support-engaging member, a limit screw and a limit nut threadedly engaged therewith, operatively connectable to a roller blind tube and travelling along the screw upon extension and retraction of a blind, wherein, in use, the limit nut abuts a winding stopper of the limit screw when the blind reaches upper and/or lower end positions. The roller blind limiter assembly is configurable in a locked configuration wherein the limit screw is fixedly mountable to the roller blind support, and an unlocked configuration wherein the support-engaging member is pivotable about the longitudinal direction with respect to the limit screw. The present disclosure also concerns a roller blind mechanism and a roller blind system comprising such a limiter assembly, and a method for adjusting an end position of a roller blind.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for use in self-reconfigurable multi-cell batteries. The methods include receiving, by a controller, a communication from an external unit, and reconfiguring a multi-cell battery based on the communication. The external unit includes one of a load and a battery charger. The multi-cell battery includes a plurality of switches and a plurality of battery cores operatively coupled to each other, wherein each battery core includes at least one battery cell. The plurality of switches may be controlled to reconfigure the multi-cell battery based on the communication received from the external unit. The multi-cell battery may be reconfigured by connecting the plurality of battery cores in a series configuration or a parallel configuration.

Abstract: In There is provided a computer-implemented method for assessing an injection performed on a subject using a syringe provided with a needle, the method comprising: processing a sequence of images taken of the injection for: determining an insertion angle of the needle relative to the subject; and determining a depth of insertion of the needle within the subject; determining one of a speed of injection and a duration of injection; and outputting an indication of the insertion angle, the depth of insertion and the one of the speed of injection and the duration of injection.

Abstract: A remote towing interface is used to couple a towbar to an aircraft having a fuselage and a steerable landing gear. The remote towing interface includes a towbar coupler mounted to the aircraft and configured to releasably couple a towbar to the aircraft. The remote towing interface further includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to sense a position of the towbar relative to the aircraft when the towbar is coupled to the towbar coupler, and the controller controls the steerable landing gear according to the sensed position of the towbar relative to the aircraft.

Abstract: An emptying station for a flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) is provided. The emptying station has a body having a front wall, a rear wall defining an aperture, and left and right side walls, the walls collectively defining a hopper for receiving particulate matter contained in the FIBC, at least one power source connected to the body, a lift assembly operatively connected to the at least one power source and to the body. The lift assembly moves the FIBC between lowered and raised positions. A cutter is connected to the body and is disposed in the hopper. The cutter is positioned for cutting a bottom of the FIBC when moved from the lowered position to the raised position. At least one mixer is connected to the body for mixing the particulate matter received in the hopper. The at least one mixer also conveys the particulate matter towards the rear wall.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system for executing commands. The method comprises configuring an input event topic subscriber and a command orchestrator process. The input event topic subscriber is invoked. The input event topic subscriber receives an event. The event comprises an event context and associated data. The event is transformed into a command. The command orchestrator is invoked. The command is input to the command orchestrator. The command orchestrator adds contextual information to the command. The command orchestrator schedules execution of the command. The execution of the command is tracked. A returned data object corresponding to the command is received and output.

Abstract: A hooded garment may include a body portion having a neck opening, an outer hood projecting from the neck opening and having an outer face opening, and an inner hood projecting from the neck opening within the outer hood. The inner hood has an inner face opening facing in a forward direction. A lead is located rearward the inner face opening and extends from an exterior of the inner hood to an interior of the outer hood. A constrictor is connected to the inner hood to constrict the inner face opening without constricting the outer face opening.

Abstract: A Light-Emitting Diode (LED) light apparatus has a housing and a printed circuit board (PCB) received in the housing. The PCB has one or more first openings and one or more LEDs on a front side thereof about the first openings. The housing has a rear-wall structure with a plurality of fins spaced from each other and one or more second openings at locations corresponding to those of the first openings for heat management. The LED light apparatus may also have a plurality of rotatable LED panels having PCBs and LEDs thereon. The LED panels are spaced from each other with gaps therebetween for heat management, and are rotatable for controlling light distribution, light angular-span, and light direction. A LED grow-light system uses a light-distribution structure such as reflectors and/or fiber-optic cables for distributing at least a portion of the light towards the plant.

Abstract: Examples of a garment, such as a bra or sports bra, having cup pockets with concealed openings are described. The garment has openings into the cup pockets that are positioned on the side wings of the front portion of the garment. The side wings of the back portion of the garment and the side wings of the front portion of the garment at least partially overlap to conceal or hide the openings into the cup pockets.

Abstract: The electric strike can have a housing having an internal face receivable against a receiving face of a door frame, an external strike face, a socket recessed into the strike face along a socket axis normal to the receiving face of the door frame, for receiving a male locking member retractably mounted to a door, the male locking member also being moveable transversally to the socket axis, along a horizontal escape path, by opening the door, the electric strike further having a keeper pivotally mounted around a pivot axis between a closed configuration and an open configuration, the pivot axis parallel to the socket axis and offset from the escape path on a first side of the socket, inside the housing, the keeper having a gate member forming a restraining wall of the socket blocking the escape path when in the closed configuration, and a distal end.