Abstract: A rotative lumber piece charger for transferring lumber pieces. The rotative lumber piece charger comprises: a driving shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis and a transfer wheel comprising a main body mounted to the driving shaft and rotating therewith. The rotative lumber piece charger also comprises a lumber piece grasping assembly rotatably connected to the main body and rotatable with respect to the main body about a lumber rotation axis. The lumber piece grasping assembly is operative to grasp a section of a corresponding one of the lumber pieces, temporarily retain the section of the lumber piece and release the lumber piece. The rotative lumber piece charger further comprises an angular orientation control system connected to the lumber piece grasping assembly. The angular orientation control system rotates the lumber piece grasping assembly about the lumber rotation axis.

Abstract: A lumber loading system for transferring lumber pieces. The lumber loading system comprises a driving shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis; at least one lumber piece grasping assembly operatively connected to the driving shaft and rotating about the longitudinal axis; and a longitudinal positioning system connected to the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly. The at least one lumber piece grasping assembly is displaceable along the longitudinal axis and is operative to initially grasp a section of a corresponding lumber piece extending longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, temporarily maintain the section of the lumber piece and subsequently release the lumber piece. The longitudinal positioning system moves each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly independently along the longitudinal axis, during rotation thereof about the longitudinal axis. A method for simultaneous loading and longitudinal displacement of successive lumber pieces is also provided.

Abstract: A rotative lumber piece charger for transferring lumber pieces. The rotative lumber piece charger comprises: a driving shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis and a transfer wheel comprising a main body mounted to the driving shaft and rotating therewith. The rotative lumber piece charger also comprises a lumber piece grasping assembly rotatably connected to the main body and rotatable with respect to the main body about a lumber rotation axis. The lumber piece grasping assembly is operative to grasp a section of a corresponding one of the lumber pieces, temporarily retain the section of the lumber piece and release the lumber piece. The rotative lumber piece charger further comprises an angular orientation control system connected to the lumber piece grasping assembly. The angular orientation control system rotates the lumber piece grasping assembly about the lumber rotation axis.

Abstract: A lumber loading system for transferring lumber pieces. The lumber loading system comprises a driving shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis; at least one lumber piece grasping assembly operatively connected to the driving shaft and rotating about the longitudinal axis; and a longitudinal positioning system connected to the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly. The at least one lumber piece grasping assembly is displaceable along the longitudinal axis and is operative to initially grasp a section of a corresponding lumber piece extending longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, temporarily maintain the section of the lumber piece and subsequently release the lumber piece. The longitudinal positioning system moves each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly independently along the longitudinal axis, during rotation thereof about the longitudinal axis. A method for simultaneous loading and longitudinal displacement of successive lumber pieces is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary timber charger including a charging assembly and a stiffness measuring mechanism. The charging assembly includes a continuously rotating main rotatable shaft with at least two transfer wheels mounted thereto and each having a timber piece grasping assembly grasping, retaining and releasing a piece of timber continuously moved between a grasping position and a release position. The stiffness measuring mechanism includes a load application wheel positioned between consecutive transfer wheels and momentarily applying a load on the piece of timber during rotation of the piece of timber between the grasping position and the release position and a deformation measuring system measuring a deformation of the transferred piece of timber following the application of the load thereon.

Abstract: Provided herein are antigen-binding constructs such as antibodies that bind to the RRM-1 domain of TDP-43. The antigen-binding constructs are capable of blocking the interaction of TDP-43 with NF-?B in cells. Also provided herein are method of using the antigen-binding constructs in the treatment of diseases associated with TPD-43 proteinopathy, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemperal lobar degeneration (FTLD), Lewy body disease and motor neuron disease.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a plank along a transfer path and towards a cutting assembly. The apparatus includes an auto-centering lateral displacement mechanism maintaining support plates and corresponding guide and drive elements equidistant relative to the transfer path and includes: at least one pair of fixed length vertically extending driving shafts connected to each one of the support plates, the driving shafts each having a lower end connected to the corresponding support plate and being angularly movable relative to a vertical axis according to the lateral position of the corresponding support plate; at least one bushing assembly mounted to the upper section of the frame and receiving therein the upper end of a corresponding one of the driving shafts; and a fixed length connecting shaft extending between the driving shafts of the at least one pair of driving shafts, at the upper end thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are antigen-binding constructs such as antibodies that bind to the RRM-1 domain of TDP-43. The antigen-binding constructs are capable of blocking the interaction of TDP-43 with NF-?B in cells. Also provided herein are method of using the antigen-binding constructs in the treatment of diseases associated with TPD-43 proteinopathy, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemperal lobar degeneration (FTLD), Lewy body disease and motor neuron disease.

Abstract: A washer, comprising a washing chamber defined by a pair of side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, the washing chamber having an opened front face and an opened back face. A first shelf assembly is mounted within the washing chamber having at least one shelf section for receiving and supporting articles to be cleaned during a washing operation. A second shelf assembly is mounted within the washing chamber vertically above the first shelf. The second shelf assembly is mounted to the side walls having at least two shelf sections, at least one of the at least two shelf sections being selectively removable from the washing chamber so that additional space may be provided for larger articles on one side of the first shelf, and so that articles may be inserted into or removed from the washing chamber through the front face or back face of the washing chamber.

Abstract: A rotary timber charger having a charging assembly with at least two spaced apart transfer wheels each having at least one timber piece grasping assembly operative to grasp a section of a piece of timber at a grasping position, release the section of the piece of timber at a release position, and retain the section of the piece of timber therebetween. The rotary timber charger also comprises a stiffness measuring mechanism with at least one load application wheel positioned between consecutive transfer wheels and each comprising at least one load application member configured to momentarily apply a load on the piece of timber and at least one surface position measuring assembly measuring a first position and a second position of a measure surface, angularly spaced-apart from one another, with the load being applied in at least one of the first position and the second position of the measure surface.

Abstract: A pressure-relief assembly for adjusting pressure within a washing chamber of a washer. The pressure-relief assembly is composed of a housing having an opened upper end and an internal cavity communicating with a washing chamber of a washer. A valve assembly is moveable relative to the opened upper end of the housing between one of two opened positions and a closed position. The valve assembly has a first plate section dimensioned to overlay and cover the opened end of the housing. The first plate section has an opening extending therethrough. A second plate section is dimensioned to overlay the first plate section, the second plate section being moveable relative to the first plate section between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A washer, comprising a washing chamber defined by a pair of side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, the washing chamber having an opened front face and an opened back face. A first shelf assembly is mounted within the washing chamber having at least one shelf section for receiving and supporting articles to be cleaned during a washing operation. A second shelf assembly is mounted within the washing chamber vertically above the first shelf. The second shelf assembly is mounted to the side walls having at least two shelf sections, at least one of the at least two shelf sections being selectively removable from the washing chamber so that additional space may be provided for larger articles on one side of the first shelf, and so that articles may be inserted into or removed from the washing chamber through the front face or back face of the washing chamber.

Abstract: A pressure-relief assembly for adjusting pressure within a washing chamber of a washer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically detecting the approximate percentage of humidity in predetermined types of lumber cut to specific lengths. A conveyor is provided for conveying individual pieces of cut lumber to a weighing station which consists of platforms on which individual pieces of lumber are conveyed. One or more weighing cells are associated with the platforms for detecting the weight of the piece of lumber thereon. A control circuit is connected to the weighing cell and also to sensors which detect a predetermined length of the lumber pieces and the cross-sectional dimension thereof, and receives information signals therefrom to identify and classify the individual lumber pieces in accordance with one or more reference signals related to selected humidity content weight(s) of the lumber pieces. The apparatus compares the apparent density with selectable density(ies) used as criterium for sorting.