Abstract: Waste flax straw from the harvesting of flaxseeds from flax plants is processed to produce a flax straw substrate. The flax straw substrate includes a mixture of flax fibers and flax shives. A binding agent is mixed with the flax straw substrate to produce a wet flax straw substrate mixture. The wet flax straw substrate mixture is deposited into a form. Heat and pressure are applied to the form to cure the binding agent, creating a flax straw based building material.

Abstract: A system for servicing cable includes a field-end assembly and a live-end assembly, each mounted on a support structure having at least one drive mechanism operable to cause relative linear movement between the field-end assembly and the live-end assembly. A drilling-and-shorting assembly can create a short circuit in a field-end of the cable, and a continuity tester can test the integrity of the short-circuit. The field end of the cable can then be ejected from the system, and an end-cap-cradle assembly can position an end cap on a live end of an electrical cable and test its installation.

Abstract: A ground-, sea- or aircraft-based laser transmission system can be implemented to remotely and wirelessly transmit power to an airship to be stored in an energy storage device, such as a battery. The airship can include an energy collection system having a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in an array and electrically coupled to the energy storage system. The energy collection system can also include one or more control link components positioned adjacent the array of photovoltaic cells. The control link components are configured to establish a control link between the airship and a power transmission system. The plurality of photovoltaic cells are configured to transfer laser beam transmitted energy from the power transmission system to the energy storage system.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to TIM-3 (e.g., human TIM-3) and antagonize TIM-3 function. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors and host cells for making these antibodies, and methods of treating a subject using these antibodies.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying talent that eliminate or minimize the costs and/or risks of identifying such talent, involve public feedback, and generate significant charitable donations. In one aspect of the present invention, talent's or bands' songs are made available to critics such as members of the public via mediums such as the Internet, radio, and television. Such individuals provide feedback during successive phases of the talent identification process, and talents and/or bands with the greatest public appeal advance to the final stages of the process. Ultimately, the talent or band receiving the most favorable feedback is promoted or awarded with, for example, a record deal. Throughout the process, revenue is generated via a variety of methods including voting/critiquing fees, advertising, sale of promotional items, and the like. In some aspects of the present invention, at least a portion of such revenue is donated to charity.

Abstract: An airport runway arrangement for commercial aircraft comprises a first runway section, a second runway section extending substantially in prolongation of the first runway section and an intermediate section between the first and second runway sections.

Abstract: A runway arrangement comprising: a first runway section (202-1) designated as a landing runway section; a second runway section (202-2) designated as a take-off runway section; and a sterile safety area (210); wherein the first and second runway sections are linked by the sterile safety area (210); the runway arrangement comprising a missed approach point for aircraft due to land on the first runway section, displaced from the start of the second runway section (202-2) by a distance greater than H/tan ?1; where H is a safe turning height and ?1 is an angle of ascent following a missed approach; wherein H is greater than 150 m and ?1 is greater than 2°.

Abstract: A mechanical testing apparatus for a specimen is presented. The mechanical testing apparatus comprises a drop table system and a Hopkinson bar. The drop table system has a drop carriage. The Hopkinson bar is positioned parallel to a motion of the drop carriage and connected to the drop table system by the specimen.

Abstract: A device for marking a runway section, the device comprising: a light source; and a light director.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for discharging an energy storage device of a motor vehicle including an energy storage device that stores electrical energy and supplies an electrical machine of a motor vehicle, a discharging circuit having a discharging resistor, a voltage comparison element and an activation switching device. The activation switching device starts discharging the energy storage device via the discharging resistor at the end of a delay period after the motor vehicle has been switched off. The voltage comparison element compares the prevailing voltage of an energy storage voltage and a voltage threshold value and terminates the procedure of discharging the energy storage device if the prevailing voltage of the energy storage device is less than or equal to the voltage threshold value.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for inductively powering all aircraft tug, the system comprising: an inductive powering strip adapted to be provided in association with a taxiway; said inductive powering strip defining a path for an aircraft tug. The invention also relates to an aircraft tug comprising means to be inductively powered and a method for inductively powering an aircraft tug.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering mercury from a crude oil into an alkaline ammonium sulfide contacting solution. Soluble mercury complexes in the contacting solution are converted to particulate mercury. The particulate mercury can be recovered by filtering, and the ammonium sulfide in the contacting solution recycled to the aqueous contacting solution.

Abstract: Particulate mercury, in the form of metacinnabar, is removed from crude oil by thermally treating the crude oil at temperatures in a range from 150° C. to 350° C. and at a pressure sufficient to limit the amount of crude vaporizing to no more than 10 wt. %. In the thermal treatment, the particulate mercury is converted into elemental mercury, which can be removed by directly adsorption from the crude onto a support. In one embodiment, the elemental mercury can be removed by stripping the crude with a gas, and then adsorbing the mercury onto a support. The crude oil can be optionally treated prior to stabilization and contains 0.1 wt. % or more of C4-hydrocarbons. Following the thermal treatment, the treated crude is cooled and the pressure is reduced. The C4-hydrocarbons then vaporize from the crude and carry the elemental mercury with them. The elemental mercury in this hydrocarbon gas stream may then be removed by a solid adsorbent.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) (e.g., human TIGIT) and antagonize TIGIT function. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors and host cells for making these antibodies, and methods of treating a subject using these antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to remove neutrally buoyant metal particles composed of solid particles and droplets of oil from water such as produced water from petroleum production or refinery wastewater. In one aspect, the water is contacted with oleophilic adsorbent materials which adsorb the neutrally buoyant metal particles. Also disclosed is a process for removing metal particles from a fluid volume that includes crude oil and/or condensate. The fluid volume is washed with a volume of water to form a volume of wastewater, thereby transferring at least a portion of the metal particles from the fluid into the wastewater. The volume of wastewater including the transferred metal particles is then contacted with an oleophilic adsorbent material wherein the neutrally buoyant metal particles are adsorbed by the adsorbent material. The adsorbent material is then separated from the wastewater. Finally, the treated wastewater is used to wash the crude and/or condensate.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.

Abstract: There is provided a solid aerosol generating material including about 5-35 wt % tobacco extract; about 50-80 wt % filler; about 10-35 wt % aerosol generating agent; and about 2.5-10 wt % binder; wherein weight percentage is calculated on a dry weight basis.