Abstract: A modular robot development kit includes an extensible mobile robot platform and a programmable development module that connects to the mobile robot platform. The mobile robot platform includes a controller that executes robot behaviors concurrently and performs robot actions in accordance with robot control signals received from the development module, as modified by the concurrently running robot behaviors, as a safeguard against performing potentially damaging robot actions. Also, the user can develop software that is executed on the development module and which transmits the robot control signals to the mobile robot platform over the data communication link using a robot interface protocol.

Abstract: An attachment for a heavy bag to use while practicing power striking techniques in ground fighting. The attachment may be used on a bag that is hanging, resting on a free-standing base, or on a bag that has been removed from the hanger or base.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and agents for diagnosing the presence or risk of development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in mammals, which are based on the detection of polymorphisms within any one or more of the ARTS-1 gene, the IL-23R gene, the TNFR1 gene locus, the TRADD gene locus, the IL-1R1 gene locus, the IL-1R2 gene locus, the CD74 gene locus and the chromosome loci 2P15, 2Q31.3 and 4Q13.1. The present invention also features methods for the treatment or prevention of AS based on the diagnostic methods.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and predicting the condition of an electronic system comprises a component model, an inference engine based on the component model, and an action selection component that selects an action based on an output of the inference engine.

Abstract: A modular robot development kit includes an extensible mobile robot platform and a programmable development module that connects to the mobile robot platform. The mobile robot platform includes a controller that executes robot behaviors concurrently and performs robot actions in accordance with robot control signals received from the development module, as modified by the concurrently running robot behaviors, as a safeguard against performing potentially damaging robot actions. Also, the user can develop software that is executed on the development module and which transmits the robot control signals to the mobile robot platform over the data communication link using a robot interface protocol.

Abstract: A modular robot development kit includes an extensible mobile robot platform and a programmable development module that connects to the mobile robot platform. The mobile robot platform includes a controller that executes robot behaviors concurrently and performs robot actions in accordance with robot control signals received from the development module, as modified by the concurrently running robot behaviors, as a safeguard against performing potentially damaging robot actions. Also, the user can develop software that is executed on the development module and which transmits the robot control signals to the mobile robot platform over the data communication link using a robot interface protocol.

Abstract: A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits a narrowband, fixed frequency excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The ring signal corresponds to the value of the physical parameter being sensed. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined. The low power, simple circuitry required to generate the excitation pulse allows the reader to be a small, battery operated unit. Alternative methods of frequency determination are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies, including monoclonal and polyclonal, or fragments thereof, which discriminate between the histidine and tyrosine isoforms of Complement Factor H and to their use in diagnostic methods and therapeutic treatments relating to Complement Factor H mediated diseases.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for improving media playback and seek time for media files such as encoded audio data. As the media is decoded during playback, frame position information is stored in a frame table. This frame position information may be used for pause/resume functionality, and for seek operations. If a seek operation is to a position not stored in the frame table, the media data is parsed to produce frame position information that is added to the frame table until the seek location is reached. Frame table data may be stored in several different forms, including periodic intervals that may be selected based on the length of the media data, and also contemporaneous data useful for resuming from a pause command.

Abstract: A form image may be split into a plurality of image fragments. Each image fragment may correspond to a field of the form. Each form fragment may be deidentified to prevent unauthorized reconstruction of the form image from its respective image fragments. An index to associate each image fragment to its respective form and form field may be generated. Form fragments from a plurality of form images may be intermixed in an image fragment pool and selected for transmission to a third-party form processor. The third-party form processor may be an internal third-party form processor or an external, third-party form processor. The third-party form processor may assign a data value to each image fragments, associate each data value with a name corresponding to, or derived from the form image fragment name, and return the data values. The data values may be stored and associated with their respective forms and/or form fields using the index.

Abstract: A graftable animal cell or tissue of a donor species for use in medicine expresses, or is capable of being caused to express, increased amounts of endogenous complement regulatory molecules for preventing activation of complement in a recipient species. Such tissue or organs are useful for xenotransplantation. Porcine complement regulatory proteins CD59, DAF have been sequenced. Also disclosed are methods of inducing in an animal cell or tissue resistance protection against complement attack.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and predicting the condition of an electronic system comprises a component model, an inference engine based on the component model, and an action selection component that selects an action based on an output of the inference engine.

Abstract: A modular robot development kit includes an extensible mobile robot platform and a programmable development module that connects to the mobile robot platform. The mobile robot platform includes a controller that executes robot behaviors concurrently and performs robot actions in accordance with robot control signals received from the development module, as modified by the concurrently running robot behaviors, as a safeguard against performing potentially damaging robot actions. Also, the user can develop software that is executed on the development module and which transmits the robot control signals to the mobile robot platform over the data communication link using a robot interface protocol.

Abstract: A two-way communication device includes a magnetoelastic rod located between an inertial back mass and a front panel of low mass. A coil is located in the vicinity of the rod, and the rod and coil together define an audio-electric transducer. An electronic processing circuit ensures that an audio-electric signal input to the device is applied to the coil to produce a sound wave from the low mass front panel and that when a sound wave impinges on the low mass front panel an audio-electric signal is produced and output from the device.

Abstract: A universal joint having a first yoke including a body portion and an overmold portion. The body portion includes a base and a pair of arms that extend from the base. A trunnion assembly is coupled to the first yoke and extends between the arms. A second yoke is coupled to the trunnion assembly.

Abstract: A two-way communication device comprises a magnetoelastic rod (4) located between an inertial back mass (8) and a front panel (6) of low mass. A coil (13, 5) located in the vicinity of the rod (4), and the rod and coil together defining an audio-electric transducer. Electronic processing means ensures that an audio-electric signal input to the device is applied to the coil (13, 5) a sound wave is produced from the low mass panel (6) and when a sound wave impinges on the low mass panel (6) an audio-electric signal is produced which is output from the device.

Abstract: A graftable animal cell or tissue of a donor species for use in medicine expresses, or is capable of being caused to express, increased amounts of endogenous complement regulatory molecules for preventing activation of complement in a recipient species. Such tissue or organs are useful for xenotransplantation. Porcine complement regulatory proteins CD59, DAF have been sequenced. Also disclosed are methods of inducing in an animal cell or tissue resistance protection against complement attack.

Abstract: An axle shaft for a differential assembly. The axle shaft includes a shaft structure and a flange structure. The shaft structure has a coupling portion with an engagement surface. The flange structure is formed in a fine blanking operation and has a mounting aperture with a contact surface. The mounting aperture is sized to receive the coupling portion such that the engagement surface and the contact surface are engaged to one another so as to facilitate transmission of rotary power therebetween. The shaft structure and the flange structure are fixedly secured to one another to facilitate the transmission of rotary power therebetween.

Abstract: An improved block and tackle system comprising a stationary-block housing (10) having attached pulleys (14 & 18) and cam cleat (22), and a moving-block housing (12) with attached pulley (16) and cam cleat (20) Said invention allows a load (8) to be raised, moved, or lowered with a minimal amount of rope (6).

Abstract: An axle shaft for a differential assembly. The axle shaft includes a shaft structure and a flange structure. The shaft structure has a coupling portion with an engagement surface. The flange structure is formed in a fine blanking operation and has a mounting aperture with a contact surface. The mounting aperture is sized to receive the coupling portion such that the engagement surface and the contact surface are engaged to one another so as to facilitate transmission of rotary power therebetween. The shaft structure and the flange structure are fixedly secured to one another to facilitate the transmission of rotary power therebetween.