Abstract: Ladders, ladder components, adjustment mechanisms and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a ladder may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting, for example, a leveler, a stabilizer, or any two relatively displaceable components of the ladder. The adjustment mechanism may include an actuating mechanism having a first structure and a second structure slidably disposed adjacent the first structure, the second structure having a plurality of engagement surfaces. A body is coupled with the first structure. At least two engagement pins are slidably displaceable relative to the body, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces and the at least two engagement pins are arranged such that only a single engagement pin of the at least two engagement pins is in abutting engagement with an engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces at one time. At least one biasing member is configured to bias the at least two engagement pins towards engagement with the engagement surfaces.

Abstract: A tracking system for locating arrows used in bow-and-arrow hunting is disclosed. The tracking system comprises a hand-held transmitter operated by a user and a receiving module embedded in an arrow. A user may locate an arrow after shooting my activating the transmitter to emit an RF signal. The receiving module in the arrow receives the RF signal and emits a sound or illuminates a LED. The transmitter may be configured to locate specific arrows of a quiver by sending an individualized RF signal to which only a specific arrow receiving module is responsive.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are therapeutic methods of administering compounds that modulate the C—C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4) for the treatment of Epstein Bar virus (EBV) positive cancers and malignancies.

Abstract: Asphalt binders and methods for making and using same. In at least one specific embodiment, the asphalt binder can include a bitumen and a glyceride and fatty acid mixture. The glyceride and fatty acid mixture can include one or more triglycerides, at least 1 wt % of one or more diglycerides, and at least 5 wt % of one or more fatty acids, based on the combined weight of the one or more triglycerides, the one or more diglycerides, and the one or more fatty acids. The asphalt binder can be made by combining a bitumen and a glyceride and fatty acid mixture. A paving composition can be made by combining a plurality of solids and the asphalt binder. A road can include a plurality of solids mixed with the asphalt binder.

Abstract: Disclosed are plunger assemblies including various convertible plungers and methods of making the same. Each plunger assembly is configured for disposition within a barrel of a medical container, e.g., a syringe, and displaced within the barrel from an engagement position to a release position. The engagement position is configured to provide a compression seal between a storage sealing section of the plunger and an inner wall of the syringe barrel. In the release position, the compression seal is reduced or eliminated. Also disclosed are methods for making convertible plungers and assembling them into syringes, e.g., pre-filled syringes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for testing the presence and/or activity of glutathione system components and thioredoxin system components during the manufacturing process of disulfide bond-containing proteins. Also disclosed are methods for mitigating reduction of disulfide bonds during the manufacturing process, and for lowering the reduction potential of disulfide bond-containing proteins. Provided are compositions, kits, and methods for mitigating reduction and diminishing reduction potential of disulfide bond-containing proteins during protein manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Elevated work platforms, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first rail assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second rail assembly hingedly coupled with the first rail assembly, a platform configured to rest upon a portion of the first rail assembly and the second rails assembly and a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. The at least one gate is also limited from being displaced in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the closed position.

Abstract: Elevated work platform apparatuses, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second assembly hingedly coupled with the first assembly, a platform pivotally coupled with the first assembly and configured to extend to, and engage a portion of, the second assembly. The apparatus further includes a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. platform includes a toe-kick structure that is collapsible relative to the deck of the platform.

Abstract: A two-phase method is provided for applying a lubricity layer to a surface. The two-phase method comprises a low power deposition step and a high power crosslinking step. The method includes providing a surface of a vessel or an object to be processed. A gas inlet having an internal passage having at least one outlet is provided. An outer electrode is provided. A gaseous PECVD precursor is introduced via at least one outlet of the internal passage. Electromagnetic energy is applied to the outer electrode under conditions effective to form a PECVD lubricity layer on at least a portion of the inner surface. Relative axial motion between the vessel or the object and the gas inlet is provided during at least some time when electromagnetic energy is applied to the outer electrode.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components, adjustment mechanisms and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a ladder may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting, for example, a leveler, a stabilizer, or any two relatively displaceable components of the ladder. The adjustment mechanism may include an actuating mechanism having a first structure and a second structure slidably disposed adjacent the first structure, the second structure having a plurality of engagement surfaces. A body is coupled with the first structure. At least two engagement pins are slidably displaceable relative to the body, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces and the at least two engagement pins are arranged such that only a single engagement pin of the at least two engagement pins is in abutting engagement with an engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces at one time. At least one biasing member is configured to bias the at least two engagement pins towards engagement with the engagement surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for managing data connectivity links for a plurality of aircraft in a network wherein at least one aircraft is a non-cooperative aircraft, said network comprising a plurality of sub-mesh regions, each sub-mesh having a plurality of nodes, wherein at least one node is representative of an aircraft, and a control sub-mesh node configured to maintain a plurality of data links with the plurality of aircraft in the sub-mesh region based on a generated real-time map of data connections for the sub-mesh region; and a master control node configured to control each control sub-mesh node of each sub-mesh region.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of providing service coverage for the provision of data services to a target aircraft comprising the step of configuring one or more other aircraft in an area at a specific time such that the data services can be provided via a radio or communication link to the target aircraft via the one or more other aircraft; and predicting a data services requirement in an area and configuring a pattern of communication links with the one or more other aircraft and the target aircraft to maintain the predicted data services.

Abstract: An authorisation management and flight compliance system for a plurality of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) operating in a region, said system configured to assess a flight command request for a UAV submitted by an authorised controller for approval, the assessment based on constraints for the flight and a level of authority assigned to the controller; and cryptographically sign an approved command request and return the signed command request to the controller for sending to the UAV.

Abstract: The invention is for a system and method of constructing an array of fixed antennas to provide coverage for radio communications to multiple mobile aerial vehicles from a terrestrial location. In one embodiment there is provided antenna system providing radio communications to a plurality or moving aerial vehicles, said system comprising an array of fixed antennas; at least one or a plurality of transceivers selectively connected to the array of fixed antennas; and a control unit configured to switch individual antennas from said array to connect with at least one transceiver. The control unit is configured with a switch matrix to control the connections from the antennas to the plurality of transceivers to implement a desired communications protocol, and the system is further configurable to supply exclusion policies to the control unit which identify which antennas are not to be connected to the switch matrix.

Abstract: A method for utilising an array of independently controllable dielectric lenses for radio signal to allow a single antenna to be focussed on one location with a highly directive beam or on more than one location thus enable radio links to be formed with multiple locations. Within the array, each lens will consist of a shaped piece of dielectric material that can be independently, or in groups, pointed in such a direction as to change the direction of the radio signals passing through the lens. The lens will have a shape equivalent to a converging lens which may be a convex shape. Other forms of converging lens may be implemented save space and material. The antenna will have a low gain, wide area of reception and may be implemented as a planar metal antenna or as a group of planar antennas in an array. This invention provides a lightweight system for providing high gain antenna performance without the need for a complex antenna array system or the need for multiple transceiver electronics.

Abstract: A tracking system for locating arrows used in bow-and-arrow hunting is disclosed. The tracking system comprises a hand-held transmitter operated by a user and a receiving module embedded in an arrow. A user may locate an arrow after shooting my activating the transmitter to emit an RF signal. The receiving module in the arrow receives the RF signal and emits a sound or illuminates a LED. The transmitter may be configured to locate specific arrows of a quiver by sending an individualized RF signal to which only a specific arrow receiving module is responsive.

Abstract: Asphalt binders and methods for making and using same. In at least one specific embodiment, the asphalt binder can include a bitumen and a glyceride and fatty acid mixture. The glyceride and fatty acid mixture can include one or more triglycerides, at least 1 wt % of one or more diglycerides, and at least 5 wt % of one or more fatty acids, based on the combined weight of the one or more triglycerides, the one or more diglycerides, and the one or more fatty acids. The asphalt binder can be made by combining a bitumen and a glyceride and fatty acid mixture. A paving composition can be made by combining a plurality of solids and the asphalt binder. A road can include a plurality of solids mixed with the asphalt binder.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a part is characterized by obtaining data representing a distress rank model (DRM) and a cumulative damage model (CDM) for the part. Based on the data, the method ascertains a DRM value for the part and a CDM value for the part. The method determines whether the DRM value is at or above a predetermined DRM threshold and whether a CDM value is at or above a predetermined CDM threshold. If either the DRM value or the CDM value is at or above at least one respective threshold, an action related to the part is generated.

Abstract: Elevated work platforms, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first rail assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second rail assembly hingedly coupled with the first rail assembly, a platform configured to rest upon a portion of the first rail assembly and the second rails assembly and a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. The at least one gate is also limited from being displaced in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the closed position.

Abstract: Elevated work platform apparatuses, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second assembly hingedly coupled with the first assembly, a platform pivotally coupled with the first assembly and configured to extend to, and engage a portion of, the second assembly. The apparatus further includes a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. Platform includes a toe-kick structure that is collapsible relative to the deck of the platform.